40

Formal Self-Introduction

Amid relatively straightforward battles, Forseti and Ander swiftly evaded the Skrinth siege, sprinting through the forest.

Clearly, the Swiftness Potion not only boosted leg strength and endurance but also enhanced overall body coordination. Thus, they maintained their balance and speed seamlessly.

After about two minutes, no Skrinthians pursued them. Only a distant glow hinted at Lord Skrinth's palace.

They slowed their pace, catching their breath.

Reflecting on the sprint, Forseti estimated the Excellent Completion Swiftness Potion could increase running speed by more than half.

It was an impressive ratio. Forseti found the potion capable of outpacing most Aesir in short bursts.

Arriving at the rendezvous, Wayne had waited patiently.

"Forseti, this potion packs more punch than I expected!" Wayne exclaimed. "You must've taken down Lord Skrinth."

"Indeed." Ander displayed the lord's emblem, stained with Skrinth blood.

Forseti smiled, presenting the seized box. "Here's the loot we found. There should be treasures inside. Let's see."

Opening the box revealed a dazzling array of jewelry and gems, most prominently gold coins.

As agreed, pending sufficient loot, battle merits would benefit Ander, while loot would be divided equally between Forseti and Wayne. They promptly divided the box's contents of gold, silver, and precious gems.

The trio returned to camp, narrowly avoiding Gus's patrol.

While they hadn't planned to conceal their unauthorized risk-taking, encountering Gus could only spell trouble given his stringent reputation.

They waited until Heidi's patrol appeared.

Compared to the stern Gus, Heidi proved far more approachable. Intrigued by their exploits, she engaged Forseti.

"Forseti, I imagine your light magic must shine as bright as ever," Heidi remarked with a smile. "Better than any light wizard, I'd venture."

"Just doing my part," Forseti replied modestly.

Heidi continued, "You're the third person I've seen with such prowess."

"The third?" Wayne interjected curiously. "Aside from Master Scala, who else?"

Heidi explained, "None other than the adopted daughter of the Duchess of Norn, Lady Frigga. Though primarily a mage, she delves into herbalism. Lady Frigga's skill in melee combat, especially with daggers, is exceptional."

The conversation continued amicably.

Heidi turned to Forseti again. "Do you know my full name?"

Forseti hesitated, then admitted, "I'm sorry, I don't recall."

"Heidi Tilson." Heidi smiled, extending her hand. "It may seem odd, but I had a hunch you might become someone noteworthy in the future. So, a formal introduction seemed fitting—a memorable moment, perhaps."

...

Heidi was known for her candidness.

The following day, news of Forseti's exploits spread like wildfire through camp.

Commander Heimdall, not formally informed but aware through his soldiers' chatter, maintained his reputation for fair rewards and penalties. While Ander received a promotion, he also sentenced Ander and Wayne to serve as laborers for a time.

As a doctor, Forseti avoided soldierly reprimands. Medical Officer Scala, lenient in his oversight, offered only verbal advice—an incident for another time.

Back at camp the next morning...

"Hiss..."

Forseti awoke to find his legs incredibly sore, as heavy as lead, prompting a sharp intake of breath.

After a moment, he managed to rise, massaging his legs gently in an attempt to ease the pain.

While the Swiftness Potion bolstered speed, it couldn't alter physical endurance.

Yesterday's high-speed sprint for two minutes now exacted its toll.

Thankfully, his Aesir constitution boasted robust endurance and recovery. An ordinary human, sprinting at such speeds, might have collapsed in agony.

Even so, Forseti's legs throbbed persistently, hindering movement.

"Just resting won't cut it today," he realized, summoning the Holy Light, opting instead for a Restoration spell.

Restore Faith!

Warm Holy Light emanated from Forseti's hands, slowly seeping into his legs, swiftly alleviating soreness. Within half a minute, the discomfort vanished entirely.

Having returned to camp late the previous night, Forseti had skipped checking the rewards from his latest mission.

Now, he opened the Holy Deed to review the rewards.

Acquired: **Experience Book: Clay Puppet**

**Experience Level: Level 3**

A Level 3 ordinary monster—time for another challenge.

Entering the experience realm, the setting was unremarkable—standard forest and grassland.

Forseti sighed in relief; some environments proved far more challenging, like the cramped kobold mines or the underwater ordeal against murlocs. His Aesir constitution allowed him to endure extended periods underwater, preventing suffocation.

Nearby stood a humanoid figure crafted from mud—the Clay Puppet.

Devoid of speech or mind, the Clay Puppet merely gestured and flung soil at Forseti.

The soil posed no threat, but its sticky residue hindered movement, slowing Forseti down as if trapped in mud.