Chương 61: Cashing in on a debt

Ethan breathed in, feeling the mana in the air respond and enter his body, before being guided to his core. It was hot, the sun was sitting high in the sky, with no clouds to block its radiance. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, falling down his face and into the creases of his lips. He opened his eyes, allowing the ungathered mana to flow back into the atmosphere. It was a marvel, feeling it flow in and out of his body. A resource of untapped potential, he had never understood or utilised.

A slight breeze brushed against his face. Ethan wiped the sweat away and looked out at the view surrounding him. He sat high up on the cliffs, close to where he had fought the snake. Down below, he could see Highrocks, as well as an endless expanse of desert. Out there, more and more people were arriving, dying and fighting. Time was closing. Any day now a notification would arrive, explaining how humanity were all in the trials, dumped into any one of the different sectors.

And they would have three months to get to the next level. Now with the guild war over, that was all he could think about. There were so many people not prepared. And there was only so much a guild could help them. After all, they too had the issue of having to move on from this level. Especially the more powerful people. It often meant their two years on the level were about to end. One saving grace was his deal with Alex.

With the guilds actively helping and guiding people towards the oasis, the survivors should see a far higher rate at success. He also wasn't too worried about any of the other guilds not falling in line. With the prisoners secured, the Broken Dawns had quickly discovered who could and couldn't be trusted, in terms of the different guilds. Now, not only did they know those that wouldn't oppose them but they also had others trying to get back into favor with them.

So Ethan was more than happy to leave that with Alex and trust that they would help the new arrivals grow more powerful and clear this level. So he was left with little to offer the level. Which was quite nice. Since he had arrived, everything had been chaotic. With him chasing after his sister, discovering the plot that started the guild wars and bringing it to an end, he had been running around like a lunatic, all the while trying to grow in power. But now he felt free. At least until the second level.

The only thing remaining was to clear the way towards the oasis and leave this place behind. Before finally confronting The Father and stopping his ridiculous group from trying to cause any more harm on the second level. Ethan stood and picked up his helmet. His senses expanded out of his body as he activated [Keen Sense], marveling at the idea he could now see Highrocks clear as day, instead of the distant haze it had been.

It was a small reminder that although the trials were brutal and forced strength or death, it also had its beauty. Not a lot beat the feeling of your body growing stronger than you ever imagined. Ethan descended the cliff, leaving the three dead snakes behind. Their bodies were far too damaged from [Aura Field] to be of any use. When he reached Highrocks, the settlement had found its peace again.

With the Broken Dawns making deals and taking care of the prisoners, there were no longer any immediate threats to the place or the people. So as he walked through the streets, it was a breath of fresh air to see people enjoying themselves at the markets or down the streets. He was especially glad to know that everyone he knew or cared about was as safe as they could be. Even if it was only temporary. Ethan found his way through the guild hall and towards the room he still shared with Leah.

When he opened the door she was moving around the room. Packing whatever belongings she had.

"Where'd you go?" she questioned, not looking up from putting something in her pack.

"Just had to test some new skills out," Ethan answered, while moving over to his bed and joining her in packing. He also removed his armor—cringing as the added bonuses disappeared—before getting into a standard outfit of a loose shirt and some shorts, he had to purchase, now that most of his clothes had been ruined.

"Can't you sit still? It's only been a few days since the attack." This time she did look at him. Waiting for him to answer. Ethan shrugged.

"Not really. I didn't go far. It was nice." Leah threw a sock at him.

"You need to find time to relax or you'll burn out."

"Yes boss."

"Damn right."

"Are you ready?" Ethan asked, changing the topic. Leah nodded, throwing the pack over her shoulder. Ethan did the same, though his armor would be staying behind and being looked after by the guild. With a bit of luck, Donovan would also give it a clean and fix the dent in it. They exited the room and made their way to their new residence. Mark and Sarah's. Unfortunately even if you prevent a massive war you could still be forced to bunk with strangers. So Ethan and Leah had given the space up.

Already confirming with Sarah that they could crash there for a couple nights until they left Highrocks altogether. After an hour or so of setting up and confirming it was alright for them to stay, Ethan headed out. He had a few more things to take care of before he left. He met Mia in her office, she was sitting in a chair, legs resting on the table while she read a book.

"I know how you can repay me," Ethan stated. Mia looked up from her book, one eyebrow raised.

"And how is that?" she asked.

"I want you to spar with me," Ethan answered. Mia smiled and lowered her book.

"You want to spar me? Why?"

"Because you're the strongest person here. But maybe I wasn't clear. I don't care about using skills. All I want is an opponent who can push my swordsmanship through the levels." This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Mia clicked her tongue and let out a small laugh.

"I can do that. But it's not nearly enough." Ethan shrugged.

"I'd also like you to take the family I'm staying with under your wing when I leave. Including training them."

"You're leaving?" she asked, sitting up straight.

"I will be, yes. There's not much here for me anymore." Mia hummed.

"I must say, that's a slight surprise. I thought you'd been enjoying our guild and its benefits."

"I have. But I'd prefer to go hunt some powerful monsters and see what's on level two."

"Typical," she stated, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, yes. That will work. I can train you in swordsmanship, and this family, is it the one whose residence we went to?" Ethan smiled, but didn't bother correcting her about teaching him the sword.

"It sure is. Mark is a warrior, while Sarah is a healer. I'm hoping you'll be able to help them grow in a safe environment." Mia nodded.

"I can do that. So basically all you want from me is training?" she questioned.

"Yeah," Ethan said, rubbing his head.

"I don't know if that's enough." Ethan let out a breath. This woman didn't understand how to just accept things.

"Okay fine. Along with sponsoring a new guild, which Alex agreed to, I also want a storage item when I reach the second level. Preferably one that has a time stasis in it." Mia's eyes widened.

"Talk about one extreme to the other."

"It's the only thing I really want and would struggle to get on my own."

"I'll see what I can do. But with that, my debt to you will be paid."

"Understood," Ethan replied.

"So when do you want to start this training? From everything you've said, I assume you're leaving soon?" Mia continued.

"Now would be ideal," Ethan responded with a shrug. —~~— Ethan's blade came down in a diagonal slash, it was met head on. Mia's sword rising to the challenge. Hers was shorter, closer to the beginner blade that the system handed out, however Ethan knew it was at least of an uncommon rank. Without the fire encompassing it, he could see the pattern that was carved into its center and swirling up the blade and making it obvious the sword was at minimum, expensive.

Steel rang out as she caught the diagonal slash cleanly. She turned her wrist and guided the strike off-line, letting the weight of his greatsword carry past her. Ethan stepped through the momentum, his hands shifting along the grip as he brought the blade back around in a wide, controlled arc. The size of the weapon forced space between them, and he kept it that way, refusing to let her close in where her shorter blade would have the advantage.

His next strike came from range, a sweeping horizontal cut that forced Mia to step back. Her feet slid across the stone as she avoided the edge, her blade coming up only at the last moment, when she realized she wasn't out of range. Ethan pressed forward with measured steps, his sword moving in broad, deliberate motions. Each swing forcing her to reposition, to give ground or risk being caught in the path of the blade. But Mia wasn't a novice with her sword. She didn't try to match his reach.

Instead, she moved just outside of it, slipping in and out of range, her speed letting her test the edges of his control. Her blade snapped forward in quick, probing strikes whenever she found an opening, forcing Ethan to adjust his timing. Ethan let her come in, attack, and disengage a few times. Letting her get comfortable and find a rhythm. Until finally he acted. The moment she stepped closer, his sword shifted, cutting across the angle she needed to enter.

The length of the blade became a barrier, forcing her to parry at the last second. If it wasn't for her superior stats, he likely would have had her there. Instead steel clashed again. Mia had slipped in just enough to meet the edge before it could fully extend, her shorter sword catching his near the midpoint. The impact was sharp, but she didn't hold it. She redirected, sliding along the flat and stepping to the side, trying to angle around him. Ethan turned with her.

His footwork adjusted, keeping his body square, his reach always between them. He pulled the blade back and brought it down again in a heavy vertical cut, forcing her to disengage completely. The strike missed, and he had to adjust his weight, forcing his blade back up. Ethan recovered smoothly, resetting his stance before she could capitalize on the moment. Her blade flickered forward in a tight thrust aimed at the opening created by his recovery.

Ethan shifted his grip and brought the hilt across, knocking it aside before stepping back half a pace, reestablishing distance.

"Just what level is your skill? I thought you needed me to teach you." She huffed, while they were disengaged. Ethan smiled.

"Perhaps I'll tell you, if you can beat me." With that he pressed forward again, his greatsword carving through the air in another wide arc. This time he chained it, letting the first swing carry into a second, then a third, each one slightly adjusted, slightly tighter, forcing her to keep moving, to keep reacting. Mia met each one. Her blade snapped up again and again. She moved efficiently, her speed closing the gaps his technique created, but Ethan could see it.

The moment she had to respond instead of already being there. He pushed into that. His next strike came heavier, a diagonal cut that forced her to meet it directly. She did, her blade catching his near the edge, but the weight behind it drove her back a step. Ethan followed. He didn't let her reset. His sword came around again, lower this time, forcing her to shift her footing and deflect from an awkward angle. The clash rang out, her stance breaking slightly as she adjusted to absorb it.

Steel clashed again and again, Ethan maintaining distance, controlling the space with each movement of his blade. Mia tested it constantly, slipping in whenever she could, forcing exchanges that pushed him to adjust, to refine, to tighten his control. Time stretched. Ethan's arms began to burn, the weight of the greatsword taking its toll as he maintained the pressure. His breathing grew heavier, each swing requiring more effort than the last.

Sweat dripped from his brow, his grip tightening as he forced himself to stay precise. Mia felt it too. Her movements were still sharp, still fast, but there was a slight heaviness creeping in now. A fraction more effort behind each step, each deflection. Ethan pushed harder. He stepped in and brought his blade down in a heavier strike, forcing her to meet it. The impact rang out, and this time he held it for a fraction longer, letting the weight press into her guard before shifting and pulling away.

Then he came again. A sweeping cut, followed by a tighter return, then another, each one chaining into the next as he forced her to keep moving. Ethan drove his blade down with everything he had left, Mia meeting it head-on. The impact sent a sharp vibration through his arms as the two weapons locked for a brief moment before the force pushed them apart. They both stepped back. Neither moved to close the distance again. Ethan lowered his sword slightly, his chest heaving as he drew in a breath.

His arms felt heavy, his muscles screaming from the strain of controlling the weapon for so long. A notification flickered at the edge of his vision. Skill leveled: [Advanced Sword Mastery Lv. 6] He dismissed it without reacting, rolling his shoulders slightly. Though, internally he was stoked. This was exactly what he wanted. Someone who could push his ability to the limits. Mia stepped back, grabbing a container and taking a drink before wiping her mouth. She looked at him, narrowed her eyes, then held it out.

"Want some?" Ethan stepped forward and took it, drinking deeply before handing it back.

"Thanks." She watched him for a moment, a small smirk forming.

"Ready for the next round?" Ethan exhaled, steadying himself before tightening his grip on the sword. He nodded and straightened.

"Yeah."