Grow Stronger

It's a few minutes after nine o'clock in the morning, and I'm currently on my way to Elise's house.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?"

I just glanced at Ben who spoke and grinned, to let him know that all is not well.

Because he chose the 'night' to tell me about his past I didn't get any sleep. I wonder how I will even cope today.

But what's bugging me the most is the message I got this morning.

[Mission : Grow Stronger 1]

[Requirements : Perseverance, LV.1 or higher]

[Description : You need to grow stronger to know your body's limits and surpass them]

[-Objectives-]

[• Press-Ups : 0/50]

[• Push-Ups : 0/50]

[• Sit-Ups : 0/50]

[• Running : 0/5km]

[Time Limit : 24hrs]

[Rewards : Strength +5, Speed +0.2mps, Endurance +7, Agility +5, EXP +20]

[Failure : Death]

'It says 'Mission' now and not 'Quest', I don't know maybe that's the reason I wasn't asked to pick if I wanted to DIE! Or not. And how the hell will I be able to do fifty push-ups?'

'I am just twelve-years old for goodness' sake!'

I kept on throwing tantrums in my head as I walked past the busy streets with Ben and the twins.

What Ben told me got me thinking, What are the druids true agenda? Why do they push so hard to be able to risk it all? And, What did Merlin prophesy?

We finally arrived at Elise's home. I turned and saw Ben's mouth wide agape, who wouldn't be surprised when they see a mansion that could easily fit more than a thousand people in it.

I stepped forward and knocked on the large orange door.

I felt someone approach the other side of the door and ran away, then came back again, but this person didn't have the same build as the person that ran away.

*Door opens*

"Can I help you?" Said the old maid dressed in a black and white dress with an elegant couture. She has faded yellow hair packed in a bun behind her head and not many wrinkles are on her face, but it is still obvious she's in her 50s.

"I'm looking for Elise ma'am." I answered simply without any further explanation because what happened yesterday was embarrassing.

"And who are you?" Looks like she doesn't want to let me in easily.

"I am Danton and my friend here is--" I turned to point at Ben, but he wasn't there. Ben just ran away as he saw the old maid; after being fast this is what he makes use of it with, being a wuss.

"I'm sorry, but Madame Elise isn't expecting any guest right now." The old maid spoke with elegance and class in her tone, making me rethink if she is actually a maid.

"Ma'am. Please I'm on a tight schedule, so if you don't mind I will really appreciate it if you stop acting like I don't know Elise is behind you." As I spoke, the old maid looked at me with disbelief.

"D-Danton. I'm so sorry but my brother asked Veronica to help him access the people I associate myself with." Elise spoke up with her timid and cute voice.

"So I failed your assessment test?" I smiled meekly to mask my anger and looked at Veronica straight in the eye.

"Hmm" She just turned and walked away.

On a normal day I wouldn't even care about her actions, but I don't like the fact that I was looked down on.

"My full name is Danton... STONEHEAD."

She turned around at looked at me with disbelief.

"And you expect me to believe your words?" Well this woman is a tough nut to crack, isn't she.

I reached into my shirt through the collar and brought out my family insignia, it's just a necklace of some sort.

The maid's eyes became wide, and she couldn't even mutter anything to say as her mouth wide agape.

"I-I'm so--" Before she could even finish begging for forgiveness I stopped her abruptly.

"I see you understand. I really hate the way you just treated me, but I will forgive you. I need you to never speak to anyone about this; I only told you due to the fact that you're my ally's guardian." I never knew using father's name will be this useful.

"I understand." Veronica answered with worry in written on her face like she didn't believe me.

"What is the meaning of that thing you pulled out? And what do... you mean by I-I'm your a-ally?" Elise asked with keen interest for her first question and blushed throughout her second.

"Don't worry about that. I don't have enough time today so let's start leaving." I rushed Elise because I don't want her to find out my father is the Overlord, so she won't start comparing her talent to mine and demean herself.

***

I found Ben later on, and he led us to a forest that is used for minor hunting in the city.

The forest has big and fat green trees that are normal. Occasional squeaks, chirps, creaking, and the ruffling of trees could be heard.

"So where are we going to start?" Elise who was sightseeing asked without looking at me.

"I am going to train my body by doing some exercise." I just summarized the death mission to her.

"Are you a fighter?" Elise asked me and to be honest I don't know the answer to that question.

"Uhm, what's a fighter?" I simply decided to ask and risk looking like the illiterate I am.

"Fighters are people who can't wield magic, so they rely on enchanted weapons and armour, and their fighting skills." She spoke like was reading out from a book.

Now I realized the most important thing that never crossed my mind was just what I was missing.

I held Elise's hand and moved closer to her face and asked,

"Please can you give me a detailed explanation on how magic works?"

"S-Sure." Her face flushed red, and she moved a few steps back and removed her hand from my grip since I was invading her space.

"The usage of magic is called the flow of mana. Mana resides in a core in the middle of the heart. There are veins from that core that touch the skin and lets the mana flow out from the core. The veins are called mana-connectors, and they don't disrupt the circulation of blood in the system since they are so thin like hair. The anatomy of the way they connect to the body is mainly what differentiates mage classes from each other. Sorcerers have more mana-connectors that are connected to their palm than Berserkers. What makes the same type of magic different is the magic definition and power signature. The magic definition is simply how an individual sees magic, how an individual sees magic is how it will work for them; this is why magic cannot be taught. Power signature on the other hand is what the magic is for that specific individual. For example, if my magic definition is 'magic is a wild spread forest fire that burns everything it encounters', and my power signature is 'Destruction', the magic I will perform will be what I interpreted 'Destruction' as, correlating to my mana definition. That is why the more you broaden your mana definition through hard work, research and experience, the stronger your magic becomes. And finally, the mana-capacity, it is simply how much mana your body and core can extend before getting tired or dry."

Elise spoke in one breath and made me realize she liked it when she helps people with her knowledge. I started questioning why my intelligence stat is still higher than hers a little.

"Do you have any questions?"

"No, you explained it in a way even a two-year old will understand." I complimented her and look at Ben, who I likely just insulted because he looked like he didn't understand a thing.

"So training my body is apparently useless?" I asked even after saying I didn't have any questions.

"No. It increases your speed, build and flexibility, but for magic? Yes, it is useless." Elise answered like a renowned wizard.

'Then why the hell am I getting a death penalty for something that wouldn't even make me stronger?'

I am so damn perplexed.