Another week passed, and today I'm finally leaving the city. The routine of fishing sustained me until now, but it's not something I want to continue forever. With a small backpack containing the few belongings I own, I am ready to depart.
— Fishing guaranteed me a decent profit, at least... — I murmur, closing the door behind me.
It's not much, but it was enough to prepare myself a little better.
— I probably won't be able to earn much money there either... but it'll serve as training.
My goal now is to grow stronger, reach at least Level 50, and only then decide my next steps.
— I hope I can get a good title…
With that thought, I follow the dirt path. The sun is still low, tinting the sky golden. I quickly walk past the orphanage and, in her usual corner, I find Estela, isolated from the rest.
— Yo, I'm heading out this time. — I say, approaching her.
— Mmm... — She just nods slightly, without smiling, but following me with her eyes.
— Bye. Maybe we'll see each other again someday!
— ...Bye.
I leave the place behind and head to the stable, where I hand over my ticket. The owner checks its authenticity and tells me to wait. Only after almost an hour, I finally manage to get on the carriage that will take me to the next town.
[…]
The clear sky, the gentle breeze making the grass dance, the sound of the hooves against the dirt road and the creak of the wood…
— Bored... and my back hurts. — I think, adjusting myself on the hard wooden bench.
The carriage holds a maximum of six people, but there are only five of us, as someone must have canceled last minute. Naturally, everyone else is female.
There is an elderly woman with a severe look, two middle-aged women speaking softly, and a young woman who seems to be the same age I was before coming to this world, with brown hair, light brown eyes, a gentle smile, and a confident posture.
— How many days until the next town again? — I think, already tired just imagining it.
— Boy, where are you going all by yourself? — the young woman next to me asks.
— I'm going to the Gate of the Abyss. — I reply without hesitation.
— Oh, so you're an adventurer?
— I intend to become one.
— If you permit me... — The elderly woman in front frowned and interrupted the conversation. — Why risk yourself in a place like that? Being a salesperson or a clerk is much safer.
— But how would he level up that way? — the young woman retorted, raising an eyebrow. — Exploring is the only way to become stronger.
— Child... these days, if you live in a good city, you'll be protected. There's no reason to take risks.
— But it's a good thing for him, since he was born a man.
— Precisely because he is a man, he should seek stability instead of danger. A good marriage guarantees much more of a future than facing monsters!
As I listen to the discussion, I realize something I hadn't often noticed before: there is a certain prejudice against men in this world. Perhaps it's the result of a medieval society where the majority of power and survival roles fell to women.
For the older generation, a boy like me should only seek security and marriage. For the younger generation, however, seeking adventures and leveling up is almost an obligation, regardless of gender.
— That only demonstrates the difference in mindset between generations... — I think.
The last demon attack must have happened over a hundred years ago, so it's natural that the younger ones, having never seen the chaos of war or the suffering that followed, seek out adventures, and at the same time, natural that the older ones value peace.
— Not that this peace will last forever... — I think, saying nothing.
The debate continues for a while, but soon both tire and return to observing the horizon in silence.
[…]
The journey remains monotonous. To avoid getting bored, I start practicing my magic discreetly. I don't like the feeling of exhaustion and headache, so I control the amount of magic I use while I practice.
— I feel like I'm getting better at control... did I gain a new skill?
I haven't checked my skills lately, as I've only been fishing, but maybe I have some magic-focused skill now.
— I'll check when I'm alone.
After a few hours, the wagon stops for a rest. My whole body aches; I'm not used to wagon rides. We dismount near the road, in a presumably safe spot.
— Hmm... Let's eat something. — With that, I grab my bag and pull out some dried meat. — A little salty, but still better than the food on the island," I think, chewing.
While I rest, the same young woman from before approaches and sits beside me with a smile.
— So, what kind of adventurer do you intend to be? — she asks, curious.
— I don't know yet, as my magic isn't very good. — I reply.
— Without good magic... then you'll focus on the physical side... — the young woman commented.
— Maybe, but I want to decide only after I get there. — I replied.
— Mm, a good idea. The adventurers' guild will help you choose a good path.
Having said that, she started eating a piece of hard bread while observing the carriage.
— Is she going to stay here? — I thought, but kept silent.
We ate together for a while until the meal was over and the young woman stood up with a sudden idea.
— You know what? I'll help you. — she said, looking in my direction. — I'll train your skills so you can become a good adventurer.
— Er... no, thank you. — I refused, without hesitation.
— C-Come on! What do you mean no!?
— I don't even know you, why would I want to be trained by you?
— Ah, you have a point... — she replied, pausing to think of something, before pulling out a small card. — Here, I'm a Model adventurer, as you can see.
I looked at the card and saw the word Model written prominently, along with a symbol that must represent the adventurers' guild.
From what I knew of the novel, the adventurers' ranking was simple and hierarchical:
Commons → People who don't take risks, doing simple quests for extra money.
Promising → Ascending adventurers who fight monsters and seek growth.
Notable → Veterans who have been through several fights and are starting to gain recognition.
Models → Where most talent stops. They are leaders of recognized groups in their country and surrounding regions, called for major missions.
— Well, those are the limits for most normal people, like me. — I thought. — I know my abilities will hardly take me beyond the Model category.
Above these, there are two more types of adventurers who are no longer restricted to the guild, working directly for kingdoms or large institutions.
Unique → The ones who come right after Model. They are symbols of their nation, recognized worldwide, and capable of influencing politics.
— I don't want to meet one of those anytime soon... Better wait for the protagonist to deal with them.
Legendary → The most powerful, who would leave legends in history. Their existence can shape the world and influence everyone, changing the course of history.
— That level is exclusive to the protagonist and the ancestral demon, so I have nothing to do with it.
With this knowledge, I looked at the woman differently.
— So you're a Model... But what would you teach me, anyway? — I asked, interested.
— The art of the whip. — she replied, resolute.
— ...How?
— The art of the whip!
— I think it's better n-
Before I could finish answering, a whip was already tied to my waist, dragging me somewhere.
— You'll love it! The whip is good for attack, defense, binding, pleasu—... Many purposes!
— ...I feel like you almost said your real intention!
She handed me a whip and pointed to a tree.
— Come on, just hit that tree!
— Can you hear me?!
— Go on, do it n— Ouch! That hurt! — she yelled, interrupted by my strike.
Since she wasn't listening to me, I hit her with the whip on her back. She started massaging the spot, leaning slightly.
— Now listen to me... — I said, serious.
— You still have a lot to train! You didn't even strike with the right force! — she retorted.
— …
— Ouch! Again!? Hit the tree, not me!
This time, I hit her hip, causing a loud crack to echo. I immediately started worrying about what the other travelers would think upon seeing this scene.
— Haa... why did I have to meet an idiot like this... — I sighed.
That day, I didn't get to train my magic, but I learned how to use a whip... at the cost of my reputation, which caused the other travelers to distance themselves from me.
[To be continued…]
[???]:
— The whip can be considered a good control weapon, with unpredictable attacks. Although it's not lethal, it can latch onto enemies and manipulate them.
[+++]:
— You like whips that much? I have one with me.
[???]:
— ...Why are you carrying a whip?
[+++]:
— Just in case... it's needed.
[???]:
— …