Chapter 29: The First Task

As usual, the line is long in the early morning and right now Jayven joined the line while covering his face.

Although his master said that he is safe for now since there is no connection to his involvement, he is still making sure he is safe.

'I do hope the guards are not one of them. But I guess I have no choice but to do this fast if not I will suffer. Also, let's look at how much we progressed during that training.'

Anxious he thought of what was going to happen he thought of just looking at his stats to calm himself down. After looking at it he was he calmed down a bit and thought of what happened when he restricted the debuffs on him.

Everything is good but as activating my skills to restrain the negative buff is really scary.  Although my stats returned back to their original value due to my skill it will permanently lower its value once the effects are gone.

As he was contemplating all this it was finally time for him to enter.

'I guess the only thing I could do now is to avoid using it as much as possible.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After he entered the north gate, he rushed to the inner area where he hunted the Vine squirrel.

Not long after he found one. Unlike the usual way I hunt, I must use basic mana techniques which is going to be hard.

The moment Jayven attacked the Vine Squirrel it was not defeated instantly later it ran and escaped Jayven's grasp.

"Damn, I need to try again."

Looking around it was still the same but it didn't take long for Jayven to land a decisive blow.

With a thud the Vine squirrel was knocked into a tree.

'Good, let's finish this.' As he was about to follow up an attack his fist was caught by the vine squirrel.

Following that a screech came from it then another vine squirrel came which wrapped both of Jayven's feet in a stealthy manner.

"Shoot What's going on what should I do?"

Currently confused about what to do with his current predicament he tried to slam his ram to kill the Vine squirrel but to no avail, as it is able to avoid getting serious injuries.

Later on, Jayven gave up attacking but his eyes became even more determined and he then did the basic mana technique and this time it was an application of the mana user stage ability.

Stabilizing his footing he tried the technique. Then as if blown by the shock wave the vine squirrel released its grip and then there Jayven finished the first one off, following that a second one which halted his steps.

"Huff, Huff I see so that's the reason for this training to make me get used to certain situations and also make good use of what I have."

Jayven relaxed himself as he made his own conclusion about the training currently given to him.

"But the biggest gain I have about this is definitely the chance to realize the potential usage of Mountain Tiger Claw. Just thinking of the possibility of using it and not the Basic mana technique."

With his newfound discovery, Jayven started to hunt with great vigor and not long after barely after a week he had submitted thousands, of Vine squirrel

"Finally, I am done Let's see how Master will rate this."

Now that his done he tried contacting his master.

With a few rings the phone connected.

"Master, I'm done."

"That was fast I thought it would take a month for you to finish it."

"Eh? But you said I have a week to complete it."

"Did I? Let me see."

Hearing that Jayven was confused but not long later his master saw his mistake. He then started by saying sorry.

"I guess you are right it was a week written in here sorry about that."

"I see. Haaah so what should I do now? Knowing it was a mistake Jayven was a bit annoyed but hearing his apology he could only sigh as he asked for his next task."

"Oh, you're not curious about your reward?"

"I'll just wait for your arrangements."

"I see, well I was going to let you choose but from the looks of it the second option it is."

"What do you mean?"

"The choices I was about to give you were something along the lines of power-up items. Or You can just save it later for a much better reward if ever you win. Also, you could use it as punishment for failing a trial."

Hearing that Jayven realized that there are many ways for it to go under if he made the wrong choice. So with a clear mind, Jayven answered back.

"Sure, I guess that could be used for something better in the future."

"Great then wait till I give your reward on the time you retrieve it."

"Okay, master."

Then the call between the two ended.

~~~~~~~~~~

After the call ended Klein got up and asked to the woman he was with.

"Chris, is there any news about the group?"

"There are but they are clearly just fakes we need to look into it more."

She said as she turned to take a look at him. "But from looking at your face I think the results were good."

"Yeah, he is actually better than I expected he already was done with the first task. He really is someone who can take my position. But he is late in developing so his growth would be limited in the future."

"That's to be expected, but was there any foul play during the task you had given him? He finished earlier than we had expected."

"No, you yourself should know the effects of the contract, right? So, he really didn't lie about his results."

"That's amazing he did faster than what you did before."

"Well, that's because he thought he needed to finish within a week. I guess there was a typo with what I sent him. Also, it was a year after I finished my bestowment ceremony of course I would take longer than he did."

"Well, that's true."

As they were talking a beeping sound from their devices resounded which had taking their attention.

"What is it?"

"Let me see."

Chris then took a look at what it was and what she saw made her face grimace.

"I think we have a lead."

She then showed him a place and certain patterns that connected everything and also hinted at their enemy's action.

"Good, I'll be going then." Seemingly convinced, Klein made his decision.

Then Klein dressed up to prepare but before Chris could even move Klein stopped her.

"Wait."

"What is it? We need to go right?"

"As much as I like for you to go with me, I want you to look after my disciple for now."

"What!?"

"I know this seems ridiculous-"

"Of course, it is."

"Hear me out first."

Knowing that he might have a reason she stopped herself from talking and started to listen to him.

"This is not without any reason. You've seen it for yourself this place is almost contaminated by those guys."

"Yeah, I can see that. But that doesn't apply only here it is to all other places."

"That's why I want you to cover up this place since you could say it is currently in my jurisdiction. I don't know but I think there is something wrong here and we are not seeing the bigger picture."

"So, you think this could be also a trap."

"Most likely yes."

"So, you want me to stay here and babysit? "

"Exactly."

"But I don't want to."

'Haaahh I know but I want assurance since that guy might also be involved. Although the probability is low, I just want to be careful."

Hearing him say that she calmed down for a bit.

"Okay but get out of there fast if ever you are in danger Also what should I tell your disciple you haven't given him proper guidance yet?"

"I really want to instantly teach him about magic usage and evolutionary methods but."

"It's still early. You do know that we can't immediately let kids below twenty gain magic system knowledge if not licensed.  After all, they don't have, "that" yet. Just wait till he graduates and enters an institute that way it would be easy for him once he knows the basics."

"I know even the six families adhere to this rule so I know where to set my boundaries."

"Anyway, what do you want him to really do?"

"Nothing."

"Eh, then what is all that training for?"

"Well, I was also thinking of giving him some proper training but with the situation we are in I am tight on time so I will just leave some tasks for him to do and the level of intensity to improve his training."

"Fine but since I will be the one looking after him you better not complain about how he will develop."

"Of course."

After saying that he opened the door to the balcony ready to leave.

"Also." And as he was about to take a step out, he heard Chris as she called out for him.

"What is it?"

"Don't forget to keep in touch."

"Sure thing."

With that, he finally left.