A Weekend's Rest

Thomas spent the entire Friday forging his sword. The system guided him how to balance the different materials into a harmonious state. It took an entire day to re-forge and smelt to fit the molecular magical bondings together into an ideal setting.

"Phew… all it needs now is to cool down and I can pick it up Monday morning," Thomas wiped his forehead.

Thomas left the sword in a cooling cylinder which one could magically lock to ensure it was not stolen during one's absence. He inserted the code 3-7-5-6-1 and scanned his palm. Thomas exited shortly afterwards and left the blacksmith behind to meet up with his friends.

"Yo! What took you so long! It is already evening!" Alex greeted Thomas once he found them relaxing in the garden.

Thomas bumped knuckles with both Alex and Corbin.

"I take it training went well?" Thomas asked.

Corbin nodded, "And how about on your end," he asked.

"You will have to see on Monday," Thomas grinned.

"What a tease…" Alex laughed and kicked himself back on his feet from laying down on the bench.

"Let's return to the dormitory, shall we? We figured you would be late, so we bought some groceries," Alex smirked cleverly.

Thomas shook his head.

"Do either of you know how to cook?"

Corbin and Alex looked at each other, "Nope!" They answered in unison and turned back grinning at Thomas.

"Fine… I will cook for you to repay you for purchasing the materials!" Thomas sighed and held up his hand regrettably against his face.

"Knew you would say that," Alex replied.

Thomas did not mind the change of pace. Prior to enrolling into the academy he was always alone, even at the orphanage before Thomas got his old apartment. He enjoyed cooking, although the ingredients were scarce because of monthly allowance by the state.

The state always emphasized, "The bare minimum amount in order to survive". Thomas swore that one of these days, he would cook and eat until his belly was full rather than saving up food efficiently on a spread out monthly basis.

Back at the dormitory Thomas prepared a couple of steaks, potatoes, sallad and some sauce. The aroma filled up the room and Alex could barely sit still in his seat.

"Wow! I knew you would be able to cook! I am really glad we are friends," Alex smiled.

"Me too," And Thomas truly meant it.

He thought loosely back when Alex sacrificed himself without a second thought the first day of the demon encounter.

"When is it ready?" Alex interrupted Thomas reminiscence.

"Ah give it a rest! You have been asking me every minute now for the past quarter! It will be done in a few more minutes!" Thomas nagged.

However Alex kept his unwavering smile and kept asking to get on Thomas' nerves. Corbin could not help but laugh at the entire endeavour.

Once the food was ready they dug in. Neither Corbin nor Alex could stop stuffing their faces.

"Alright this needs to become a daily thing! You are our designated chef from now on!" Alex made it sound like a promotion.

"Mm… Mmmm…!" Corbin could not even voice any words but made an agreeing tone with both cheeks stuffed.

Thomas was more than glad to cook for them. After all, they both managed to save him and turn his life around here at the academy. They had his back undoubtedly and he felt it was the least he could do to repay their kindness.

The night was concluded with them talking. Their entire weekend was spent talking about future things and primarily resting. They all agreed to try and aim to become the top together squadron of demon slaying in the kingdom.

"When you get your sword tomorrow, let's start training for real!" Alex told Thomas while the three of them stared up at the ceiling, each in their bed.

"Yeah, cannot wait!" Thomas answered.

The weekend managed to escape them, and morning class was just a few hours away.

"Good night guys," Corbin said.

"Night," Thomas responded.

"Nighty-night," Alex replied last.

Thomas checked the system a final time before going to sleep.

[Daily Quests: None]

[Main Quest: Reach Level 10]

There were no new changes and Thomas had not received any new daily quests since slaying the demon.

"Is there some kind of a trigger to it? Or does the system want me to discover something before allowing me to gain new daily ones?" Thomas pondered and shortly afterwards went to sleep.

Upon morning they did their daily routine. Corbin would get up first and occupy the bathroom, then Alex would insist going on second and they would wait for Thomas by the door.

"Hurry up! We overslept!" Alex said and Corbin gave him a look.

"Yeah… your clock is still not fixed! Why do I let you do the alarm?!" Corbin complained.

Thomas could hear them from the inside of the bathroom.

"I forgot to volunteer after we were late for Tuesday's class, huh?" Thomas got reminded about the first time Alex's clock was faulty.

Corbin and Alex bickered for a bit. It ended up with Corbin being in charge for future time management. Once they left the premise of the dormitory, Thomas patted both on the back.

"Head to class before me and inform Chitose that I might be a few minutes late!" Thomas sprinted off to head to the blacksmith and pick up his sword.

Alex was slightly annoyed. He wanted to see the sword first-hand, but gave in since this was a better plan instead all three of them potentially showing up late again.

Once Thomas entered and input his code and scanned his palm, the cylinder opened and he took out his sword. Thomas swung it around a few times. It was extremely light and its sharpness rivaled one of the heavier in-built swords with the rarer materials.

The sword was perfectly tuned in both its edge and weight. Thomas unsheathed the sword into a hilt that Corbin got for him on Sunday. Corbin wanted Thomas to have something from him as well when they ventured lightly around the capital yesterday and happened to come across it.

When Thomas let go of his grip and prepared to head out, a new message appeared.

[Daily Quest: Wield your sword and practice Arcane Foresight]

[Reward: 10 Exp]

Thomas grinned, "I knew it!" He clenched his fist excitedly.

His expectations before going to sleep last night seemed to be true. The system waited for another trigger and now Thomas could get even stronger.