A year had passed. During this time, under Ice Mor’s guidance, I trained my mana every day. Over the year, I had managed, though not completely, to achieve the state of "mana flow." Now, I could channel mana into the ring without long meditations. Currently, I could create a few things: a sword that would break after five strikes, four daggers that could only withstand one hit, and a bow with five arrows. Out of all of them, I liked the bow the most. After nearly five years of daily hunting with my father, the bow had become a part of me.

  Although I barely hunted during the first month because any weapon I touched would crumble. Even a knife for butchering animals was considered a weapon by the ring. I had to wrap my hands tightly in cloth, and under such conditions, I could forget about archery.

  Now that I could create somewhat decent weapons, Ice Mor added physical training to my mana control exercises. Though I complained, the old man didn’t care about my whining. In return, he would grumble about the current generation and the youth. I had to accept his new training plan.

  In my past life, I wasn’t particularly fond of physical exercise. I preferred sitting at home in a cozy chair and playing another dating simulator. Although I had practiced wrestling for four years until the 11th grade, I quit to prepare for final exams. And after entering the institute, I no longer had time or desire for training.

  Now, under Ice Mor’s strict supervision, I performed grueling exercises every day. Running, push-ups, pull-ups—all of this became part of my new life. The old man didn’t give me a moment’s rest, constantly pushing and criticizing.

  — Do you think magic is all you need? — he grumbled, watching me struggle through my tenth push-up. — Without physical strength, you won’t survive a real fight.

  I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. In this world, where magic and physical strength went hand in hand, physical weakness could be a death sentence.

  And so, day by day, I grew stronger. My hands, once accustomed only to a bow and a keyboard, could now wield a sword and deliver strikes. My legs, which used to tire from long walks, could now run several kilometers without stopping.

  Ice Mor, though he grumbled, occasionally praised me.

  — Not bad, kid. Soon, you’ll become a real warrior, — he said when I performed better than usual.

  These words, though rare, gave me the strength to keep going. I knew this was just the beginning. Ahead lay even greater challenges, but I was ready for them. After all, I now had a goal, and I knew it was worth enduring and working for.

  Another hunting trip. Today, I was without my father—he wanted to test how I’d fare on my own. With my hands tightly wrapped, I held a dagger. Surprisingly, even though it came from a low-level dungeon, it turned out to be of very high quality. Over the course of a year, I only asked the local blacksmith to sharpen it a couple of times.

  Lying in ambush, I waited for an unsuspecting animal to fall for the bait I had set up earlier. Soon, I heard rustling in the bushes opposite me.

  — Oink-oink-oink, — a black boar emerged from the bushes, making pig-like sounds.

  ?A boar! Just what I needed,? — I thought. The appearance of this porker meant that somewhere nearby, there were more of its kind. Thinking about changing locations and hunting in another part of the forest, I heard the old man’s voice in my head.

  — A boar... looks like an opportunity for a special training session.

  — Training? At a time like this? Old man, did you lose your mind while sitting in that ring? — I whispered, making sure the boar didn’t notice me.

  — Do you want to get stronger or not? Get up and start running circles around the boar, of course, while maintaining your mana flow.

  — Can you change your approach? I might just drop dead.

  — Don’t worry, you’ve already died once, so try not to die a second time, — the old man’s tone made it clear I had no choice but to obey.

  Standing up and revealing myself to the beast, I took a fighting stance. Our eyes met, and the boar immediately charged at me. Gripping the dagger tightly, I managed to dodge its attack and lightly graze its hide with the blade, though I couldn’t even leave a scratch.

  ?Damn, tough hide,? — I thought, just as the boar resumed its attack. Failing to dodge in time, I felt it knock the dagger out of my hand.

  — Phew, — as if mocking me, the boar stomped its hoof near my weapon.

  ?This walking kebab is even taunting me,? — I mentally fumed.

  My right hand, which the boar had hit, began to ache slightly. Waiting for the right moment, I backed away until I bumped into a tree. Noticing this, the boar charged again, but this played into my hands. Quickly dodging, I channeled mana into the ring, creating a small dagger, and immediately stabbed the beast in the back. The boar squealed. Without wasting time, I created another dagger and plunged it into its side. The boar thrashed for a bit before collapsing dead.

  — Ugh... that’s exhausting, — I said, catching my breath.

  — Well, old man, are you satisfied?

  — Quite, not bad. But at the end, you lost concentration and broke the flow. So start over.

  — Do you want me dead?

  — That’s for calling me a senile old man. I can hear your thoughts perfectly. Now get back to training.

  — Hey, wait, give me a break... you senile old man, — before I could finish, the old man’s voice in my head faded. — What am I supposed to do now?

  I didn’t have to think long about his words because the boar’s squeals had attracted two more porkers. They were clearly not happy that I had killed their companion...

  Two hours later, I was hauling three boar carcasses in a cart. I was completely exhausted and drained, but despite the fatigue, I approached the butcher’s shop where my father was waiting.

  — Here comes Ark, — said the kind old man running the shop.

  — Mr. Burn, hello! I’ve got a good haul today, — I greeted him with a smile.

  — Oh, come on, Ark, just call me Grandpa Burn, — the old man smiled back, his eyes shining with kindness.

  — Ark, let me see what you’ve brought on your own, — Greg said, approaching the cart. — Three boar carcasses... Not bad, Ark. You passed my test.

  After these words, my father patted me on the head. Though mentally I was about ten years younger than him, the childish satisfaction from such praise still made me happy. It reminded me of my real father, who used to praise me like this before he passed away.

  Greg and Grandpa Burn started discussing the sale of the boar meat. I stood nearby, listening to their conversation, but my thoughts were elsewhere. All I wanted now was to rest.

  After the deal was done, my father and I returned home. Dinner was quiet, but I could feel my mother and father glancing at me with pride. After eating, I immediately went to bed and slept until morning.

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  Sleep enveloped me like a warm blanket, and I drifted into a world of dreams where there were no boars, no training, and no mana. Just silence and peace.

  Lying on the bed, I stared at the ceiling. The sunlight softly illuminated the room I shared with my brother. On the adjacent bed, Andy was still fast asleep, his breathing steady and calm.

  — Ark, Andy, get up, it’s morning! — my mother’s voice called from the kitchen.

  I wasn’t eager to get up. The memories of yesterday’s training session arranged by the old man only fueled my desire to stay in my warm bed.

  After lying there a bit longer, I finally got up and headed to the kitchen. After breakfast, I decided it was time to fulfill the second condition for entering the academy—earning money.

  There weren’t many legal ways to earn 20 million galls: find treasures and sell them or become an adventurer. The first option sounded nice, but in the game, dungeons always appeared randomly in each playthrough for added interest. And finding something valuable outside of them was very difficult.

  The adventurer option remained, but there was a problem. To earn the amount I needed, I had to become at least a C-rank adventurer. But the ranking system was too tedious.

  Ranks ranged from E to S, and moving from E to D required three months of completing E-rank quests. The ranking system worked like this:

  E – D: 3 months, complete 2 D-rank quests.

  D – C: 6 months, complete 2 C-rank quests.

  C – B: 6 months, complete 2 B-rank quests.

  B – A: 6 months, complete 2 A-rank quests.

  A – S: No time limit, conquer 10 S-rank dungeons.

  The transition from A to S was different because an S-rank adventurer wasn’t just strong—they were considered heroes of the kingdom. Upon reaching S-rank, you received a badge on a chain: wooden (E), copper (D), iron (C), silver (B), gold (A), and platinum (S).

  Currently, there were only five S-rank adventurers in the Kingdom of Dagen. In the second year of Nymphis Academy, one of the kingdom’s heroes—Luther Fontaine, the wielder of the title "Heavenly Spear"—would appear. He was one of my favorite side characters in The Story of Orsta’s Five Flowers.

  After putting on my shoes, I headed out and made my way to the capital’s guild. It wasn’t hard to find—the only four-story building, designed in a medieval German style. It even stood out a bit among the other buildings.

  Approaching the door, I confidently walked inside. Of course, a 13-year-old kid attracted a lot of attention. I felt many eyes on me, and it made me a bit uneasy. However, slapping my cheeks, I pushed away unnecessary thoughts. With renewed determination, I approached the registration desk.

  Behind the counter stood a young woman with long red hair. Her eyes were green like emeralds, and her smile was soft but slightly strained.

  ?I wonder, if this world didn’t have magic, would she be considered a witch?? — a silly thought crossed my mind as I looked at her.

  — Hello, I’d like to become an adventurer, — I said, trying to sound confident.

  — Register? Kid, did you mistake the guild for a playground? — she replied in a soft but slightly mocking tone.

  Her expression showed mild surprise. It was understandable—it looked like a brat trying to buy a can of beer.

  — Yes, you heard correctly. I want to become an adventurer, — I repeated confidently, looking her straight in the eyes.

  — But maybe you should grow up a bit and come back in a couple of years? — her voice shifted from soft to slightly irritated, though she tried to hide it.

  — Hey, kid, listen to the grown-ups and get out of here, — a rough male voice came from behind me. — This isn’t a place for children.

  I turned around and locked eyes with a man who was a true giant. He stood over two meters tall, his body clad in iron armor that gleamed coldly. A massive axe rested on his back, ready to strike at any moment. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, and his stern face, covered in light stubble, showed clear displeasure.

  — What’s it to you, big guy? — I retorted boldly, trying not to show that his appearance made me nervous.

  — I’m telling you, this isn’t a place for brats, — he growled, stepping forward. — Don’t waste the adults’ time.

  Before I could respond, he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck like a kitten and lifted me into the air. His intentions were clear—to toss me out of the guild. But the moment my feet left the ground, something inside me clicked. I felt a cold surge through my body, and a dagger of ice formed in my hand instinctively. The sharp end of the weapon was instantly at the man’s throat.

  — You little brat! — he hissed with wild anger, clenching his fist, ready to strike.

  — Albert, stop this circus! — a commanding voice filled with authority rang out.

  As if on command, the giant set me down. I turned and saw a tall, silver-haired man whose presence immediately changed the atmosphere in the room. His gaze was piercing, and his posture exuded authority. This was the guild master.

  — Guild Master, why did you come out? — the girl at the registration desk asked, her voice trembling with nervousness.

  — I heard noise in the main hall and decided to check, — he replied calmly. — But what’s important is: what’s the cause of the conflict?

  — Guild Master, this brat wanted to register, and when I tried to escort him out, he attacked me, — Albert explained, pointing at me. — He even had a knife in his hand.

  However, under the guild master’s pressure, my ice dagger, created from magic, began to melt. The ice crumbled, leaving only a small puddle of water on the floor.

  — What knife? My hands are empty, — I said, demonstratively spreading my hands.

  — Albert, you should take a break, — the guild master said, his voice sounding like an order. — And you, kid, I suggest you go home and wait until you’re at least fifteen.

  He was about to leave, but his gaze fell on my right hand. His eyes narrowed, and he stopped.

  — Kid, where did you get that ring? — he asked, pointing to the ancient ring on my finger.

  — This? A gift from my late grandfather, — I replied, trying to sound confident. Part of it was true—Ice Mor, though not my grandfather, had indeed given me this ring.

  — A gift, you say? — The guild master rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his gaze becoming more intense. — Alright. Angela, register the kid. Consider it an apology for the inconvenience.

  — It will be done, Guild Master, — the girl at the counter replied, her red hair slightly disheveled as she nodded.

  The guild master, without another word, turned and headed to his office. Albert, throwing me one last displeased look, followed the guild master’s advice and headed to the local tavern.

  — You’re lucky, kid, — Angela said, fixing her hair. — You got your way. Come on, step up, I’ll register you.

  I approached the counter, and the paperwork began. Remembering how much I hated bureaucracy in my past world, I filled out the necessary documents with a slight smile. In the end, I was handed a wooden badge on a chain—a symbol that I had become an E-rank adventurer. It was a small but significant victory.

  Without wasting time, I took a quest to gather medicinal herbs for the local apothecary and headed into the forest.

  In the guild master’s office, silence reigned, broken only by the soft crackling of the fireplace. The silver-haired man, leaning against the windowsill, gazed out the window. His piercing eyes followed the young man who had just run out of the guild building, full of enthusiasm and ready to embark on his first quest. The guild master’s face remained impassive, but a faint glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes.

  — I wonder who you’ll become in a few years, — he murmured softly, as if speaking to himself. His voice was thoughtful, but there was a hint of hope in it. — I hope you don’t disappoint me, kid.

  He stood by the window for a while longer, watching as the young man’s figure disappeared into the distance, blending into the hustle and bustle of the capital’s streets. Then, with a heavy sigh, he turned away from the window and returned to his desk, where piles of documents and unresolved matters awaited him. But his thoughts were still occupied by that boy, who might one day change the course of events in this world.

  Almost three years had passed since that day. A sixteen-year-old boy sat in the middle of an endless field, deep in meditation. His breathing was steady, and his mind was as clear as a mirror-like lake. Suddenly, as if signaled by an invisible bell, he jumped to his feet, assuming a combat stance. He pressed his left hand to his thigh, and in an instant, three ice daggers materialized in his palm, gleaming like diamonds under the sun’s rays. With his right hand, he drew a sword made of ice and delivered two lightning-fast strikes, leaving trails of icy splashes in the air. Then, he spun around and threw the daggers at a nearby tree. The blades embedded themselves into the trunk with such precision that they formed a perfect triangle. Finally, he created a bow of ice, drew the string, and fired an arrow that struck the center of a makeshift target tied between the trees with pinpoint accuracy.

  — I see you’re having fun, — Ice Mor’s voice echoed in his head, sounding both mocking and approving.

  — Testing my abilities before heading to the academy, — the boy replied calmly, watching as his ice sword disintegrated in the air, leaving only a faint mist.

  — I don’t understand what you’re looking for in that academy for rich kids, — the old man asked skeptically. — Haven’t you gotten what you wanted in these three years?

  — There’s one person whose choices will determine the fate of this kingdom, — the boy said quietly, his eyes burning with determination. — I want to guide them toward an outcome where my loved ones won’t be in danger. — He smiled slightly, looking at the clear blue sky. — Besides, there are a couple of people I’d like to meet.

  — It’s your will to do as you please, — Ice Mor said, his voice growing quieter, as if fading into the depths of the boy’s mind. — But remember, every choice has consequences.

  — Yes, I have the power to change the course of history, — the boy said, examining the silver badge he held in his hand. The sunlight reflected off its surface, creating glimmers like sparks.

  In his dimension, hidden from sight, Ice Mor watched his protégé. His thick beard hid a wide smile, but his eyes shone with genuine satisfaction.

  — Perhaps, after eight hundred years, I’ll witness truly interesting events, — he thought, his voice echoing in the void, filled with ancient wisdom. — This boy... he might become the one who changes everything.

  The boy, standing in the middle of the field, felt the wind playing with his hair. He knew challenges lay ahead, but his heart held no fear. Only confidence and the readiness to move forward, to protect those he cared about and change the fate of this world.