First Night | Training I
A few hours after Ash arrived in Seolo Forest...
Erethel is currently sitting on her throne, reading different novel series while enjoying her glass of wine.
She was originally watching her magic screen where she could see her dearest husband waking up in a forest and begun his journey but thought that it wouldn't be proper to keep her eyes on him all the time.
Although she loves and didn't mind spending all her time watching him, she couldn't just watch his every action and decided to stop. And also... she doesn't want to look like a creep.
She continues to read her book for some time before moving on to binge-watching 'romance' anime series on her magic screen.
Time passes by and she began feeling a little... bored and said to herself "When was the last time I felt this kind of boredom?..."
As soon as she thought of it she wondered "When have I ever bothered to worry about boredom anyway?..."
When she was telling her story to Ash on that passionate day they spent together, it could be said that she used to be an outgoing person... or rather, an outgoing Goddess who enjoys roaming around the countless worlds within the infinite universe.
And when she was betrayed, she chose to close herself and stayed in seclusion for countless years that for a normal human being, could be considered an eternity.
Oddly enough, within those years, she never felt bored and just 'enjoyed' her time in peace devoid of any noise and worldly distractions. She couldn't help but sigh and thought to herself 'I've really changed, haven't I?... since he came into my life...'
"I guess I really did... for good..." reminiscing those moments they spent together, she couldn't help but curl her lips upwards and smiled.
Unconsciously, she started missing him even though not a day has passed since they separated from each other. She lightly taps her lips with her index finger and muttered "I wonder what he's doing now?"
She snaps her fingers and there she saw him taking out something from his storage ring...
---
"Dear~... what are you doing?"
"Well... I'm about to process the carcass of the wild boar I hunted earlier so I can start cooking it... I'm starving."
When Erethel heard that, her brows furrowed in confusion as to why he needed to hunt for food when a sudden realization struck her.
"... I... I'm sorry I forgot to include those things in your starter pack..." hearing her tone, she seems to be blushing in shame for forgetting and blames herself about it.
He just smiled again when he heard that and comforted her "No, no... you don't have to blame yourself..."
"And besides... I quite enjoyed it you know... hunting. Also... I couldn't just rely on you every time when I know that I could do some things myself."
While they were talking to each other, Ash took out the tanto knife from his ring and proceeded to butcher the wild boar he hunted earlier.
Although his movements with the knife are still pretty crude when he began to process it according to the method in his mind when he got the 'Butcher' skill, it could still be considered and can be compared to a veteran butcher.
Moments later, he successfully separated its skin, sliced its meat in different portions, and buried the rest of its remains.
He chose a few portions and skewered them using the thin pointy sticks he made out of the chopped bamboo wood while keeping the rest inside his storage ring.
He sat near the fire and roasted it and continues to converse with his wife, Erethel while waiting for the meat to cook.
"So... how long are you going to stay here?" she asks.
Ash couldn't help but stop and think for a moment before saying "I think I'll stay here for a while and train myself before leaving. And based on what I saw in my status, I could advance and strengthen myself without even gaining a Falna and serving a God right?..."
"Also, I think I'll explore the surrounding areas while training before going to Orario. I wanted to see how big this world is and what it can offer me..."
"Oh, you're right about that, it's one of the effects of my blessing. Also, I sent you there so that you can build a solid foundation for your strength and most importantly, to enjoy yourself so it's up to you. I'll always be here to support your decisions."
She's smiling at him lovingly from where she was when she said those words.
Ash, upon hearing that couldn't help but smile and said "Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me... I love you..."
"Ara~ how sweet... I love you more..."
After exchanging a few sweet words to each other, the aroma of the cooked meat permeates the air, a sign that it was cooked.
"Oh~ that certainly looks delicious..." she said.
"Why don't you come here and join me?..." he said and grabs the roasted skewers and places is on the banana leaf and let them cool down while also taking out the fruits he gathered from his storage ring.
"Ara~ ara~ what's this?... missing me already? Fufufu..."
"Hmmm... you could put it like that"
She giggled and thank him for his invitation but denied it and said that she'll be creating their personal realm tomorrow and that they'll see each other soon.
She bade him goodbye but not before sending him some things for his daily needs in his storage ring.
Although he told her that it's not necessary for her to provide everything, nevertheless, Erethel didn't listen to him. Partly because she's still blaming herself for forgetting and caused him to put some effort and work to acquire food.
She knew that he won't ask her for help with those things and she also knew that Ash could still find a way to somehow get by but still, as his wife, she thought that it's her responsibility and took it upon herself to support him.
After devouring the food, he laid his back on the grass and pats his belly while sighing in satisfaction.
And a few moments later, he stood up and cleaned for a while, and went to the plunge pool and bathe.
Ash submerged himself in the water and enjoyed the view of crystal clear water cascading from the steep cliff while appreciating the brilliant full moon and starlights across the night sky.
He didn't take too long bathing and dried himself up. He took out some extra clothes from his storage ring, stored the used ones he wore moments before, and walked back to the cave to finally get some rest.
Ash took out the bed, blankets, and pillows he received from Erethel when she talked to him earlier along with some other things.
"Fortunately, Erethel sent me these things despite my refusal earlier or I would be sleeping on the ground right now instead of this comfortable and soft bed."
He couldn't help but feel thankful that she sent the things to his ring since he actually forgot to gather some materials in the forest earlier to make a bed to sleep on.
He almost succumbed to the softness of the bed and pillows and fell asleep when he suddenly remembered that he hadn't yet digested the basic swordsmanship knowledge he got earlier.
He set himself up in a lotus position, closed his eyes, and focused his mind absorbing the knowledge on the basics of swordsmanship.
It played like a video clip running in his mind and he engraved the step-by-step movements deeply into him so he can execute the same movements properly.
A few moments later, he finally opened his eyes. He didn't know how long it took him to finally absorb the knowledge about basic swordsmanship but the excitement of being able to train and fight can be clearly seen burning in his eyes.
"Wise, what time is it?..."
[*Answering... It's currently 9:54 pm...*]
"Right... Wake me up at 6:00 am tomorrow and also... please look out for any possible intruders. Thanks!"
He finally laid his back on the soft bed, and closed his eyes but not before...
"Goodnight, Wise"
[*...Goodnight Host...*]
"Goodnight, Erethel... sweet dreams..."
"Goodnight dear~... you too..." he suddenly heard her voice inside his mind.
Ash, upon hearing that, smiled and it didn't take long for him to finally fall asleep...
---
The next day, Ash was awakened by Wise voice repeatedly echoing through his mind. Although he is feeling tired due to the previous day's events, he never had a problem waking up early, perhaps since he's a morning person or he's just used to it.
*Stretch* *stretch*
"Haaa... morning Wise... Erethel..."
[*Goodmorning Host...*]
"Goodmorning Dear~" hearing his wife's voice once more, he couldn't help but welcome the brand new day with a smile.
After greeting them, he slowly stood up and stretch himself, had a bit of conversation with his wife, and then continued to stretch himself.
Ash went out and was greeted by the fresh air of the wind breeze from the mountains and the pleasant morning heat of the waking sun. He continues to do some stretches for a while when...
[*QUEST:
Duration: Daily
Description: Your body is the foundation of your strength. Start your day with a warm-up and strengthen yourself with some physical exercises.
Rewards:
*System Exp - 15
*System Points - 100
*Qty: 1 - Mystery Box (Random)
1 Kilometre Jog - [0/1000 meter (30 Seconds rest)]
Sprint - [100 meter/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 meter/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Lunges - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Pushups - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Situps - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Bicycle Crunches - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Jump Squats - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]
Burpees - [20 reps/3 sets (30 Seconds rest)] [0 reps/0 sets (30 Seconds rest)]*]
A holographic interface suddenly pops up in front of his eyes with all the exercises and everything in it. Scanning through it, he couldn't help but widen his eyes since he could actually tell that it's going to be intense.
And although it seems like it, he didn't complain and whine like a kid. Instead, the burning determination to get stronger burns through his entire being.
'I guess I'll train in swordsmanship after I finish these exercises... couldn't wait to try it out!' he thought.
Slapping his cheeks lightly attempting to encourage himself, he shouted "Alright! Let's do this!..."