The Beginning of the Journey

I opened my eyes slowly, facing a familiar ceiling.

I couldn't help but have a feeling of déjà vu. This was my second time waking up in this forest after completely passing out. But instead of waking up in the middle of a forest, I was inside a cottage this time. Of course, it was Rowan's cottage.

'Oww... It still hurts. Looks like I'm not completely healed yet.'

I went outside and saw the dark night sky. Still the faint illumination from the stars and the moon still allowed me to see somewhat vaguely. I noticed Rowan making some medicines while sitting near a tiny bonfire.

"Are you that worried about your student that you couldn't even sleep?" I said as I approached the fire.

"Isn't it only the incompetent students that make their teachers worry?"

"So you're saying I am one of those?"

"You really like to overestimate yourself"

'This guy...'

I sat by the fire beside him and asked him with a curious voice.

"Anyway, how did you know that I was in danger."

"I was just passing by and saw you getting killed. So I just decided to lend a you hand after some deep thinking." Rowan answered with a deadpan expression.

I opened my mouth to curse him but decided not to. Well, he did save my life after all.

"I know that's not true."

"... I was watching you from the beginning since this was your first mission. Anyway, be careful from now on. I won't be near you next time."

Even though he said he wasn't my babysitter, he was still worried after all. Maybe it was for my better that I had no idea he was watching.

It helped me pushing to my limits.

"...I see. Thank you for saving me. I'll be more careful from now on." I thanked him with complete sincerity. Not only for saving me today, but also for everything that he has done for me ever since the first day.

"Well, it wasn't really your fault. You've completed your task properly. Though you made some mistakes here and there, they were only minor mistakes. And considering your first time in such a life or death situation, you were quite flawless today. So, be more proud."

"Yes!"

Although it's not my first time in a life or death matter, it felt quite refreshing to be praised.

"So, do you have any more questions?"

"Yes, how long was I asleep for?"

"About 12 hours. You need to rest for a day or two more before going back to your training."

"I see. Then what was the skill that you used to kill the Minotaur. Something like an arrow of mana..."

Before I passed out today, I saw that Rowan didn't have normal arrows in his hands but arrows made purely out of mana.

"You actually managed to see that? I thought you were already dead." Rowan said in a sarcastic tone. "Well, it's not a secret or anything and many of the elves can use it as well. I was going to teach it sooner or later"

I nodded my head and gestured him to continue his words.

"It's not a skill. Once you reach a certain stage of Mana Manipulation, you can make arrows through a little effort. The basic concept is similar to putting mana into your swords so it won't be too hard for you too. It requires quite a bit of practice though as you need to be very precise in manipulation."

"I see. So does that mean I can use mana to make swords and spears too?"

"No, that's impossible. They're just too big and require a lot of mana which is practically impossible, even for the elves. Though you can use a branch or stick and then use it as a sword or spear by pouring mana to it."

"I think I get what you're trying to say. Just forget the swords then, tell me more about the arrow you used?"

Then the next moment, Rowan stood up and extended his right hand as if he was holding an invisible rod. Dim lights emerged from his hand and slowly took the shape of a thin stick which finally changed into a bright ethereal arrow filled with mana and mana alone.

Under the dark sky with the stars burning and faint moonlight piercing through the dense forest, Rowan stood there with the ethereal glow lightening up the surrounding.

My eyes grew bigger and bigger as I couldn't help but think how cool he looked at that moment.

I have been training from the first day with the only goal of winning the competition and going back to my family.

But for the last few days, there was a part of me which kept wondering something.

If I return, will I be able to train there as I am training here right now? Or will I just give up on everything again and end up living my life like I did before.

I never really decided to dwell deeper into that thought and just went on telling myself that it was all for my family.

But right now, something was burning deep inside me. Something I was having for the first time.

A desire.

A desire to become strong.

Seeing Rowan holding the exquisite light resembling an arrow and smiling brightly, I could only question myself.

Did I ever smile like that in my whole life?

He was a responsible adult who had much more problems than me, a much sadder past than me and many more scars unlike me. But here he was, still able to smile more genuinely than a kid.

I was slowly realizing that living here while training all day was tough, but at the end of the day, I was happy too.

And right now, I was slowly changing.

'I want to become strong. As strong as Rowan. No stronger than him. Much stronger.'

I don't want to put a limit on myself. I was thinking about going on a journey, looking for different people, people stronger than me. I'll meet them and I'll grow. I'll grow from my mistakes and I'll learn from the ones stronger than me.

I'll grow stronger.

Strong enough to protect my family from another tragedy like that. Strong enough to kill that one-eyed bastard.

Strong enough to find the real mastermind behind that incident.

And my Stigmata will help me in my journey. I still don't know what it is, but I know it wasn't a useless one. If my stigmata really can grow stronger with me, then one day I'll make it the strongest one out there.

I closed my eyes, thinking about my training, my parents, my teacher, my sisters and my own future from here on. I would return to my family one day but my journey wouldn't end there.

And for the long journey that was about to come, I was ready.

Rowan didn't say anything the whole time and just sat beside me near the fire.

Having completely made up my mind, I opened my eyes with all these thoughts buried deep inside. And a tiny smile appeared on my face when I saw the message floating in the air.

[Congratulations. You have achieved the second understanding of your Stigmata]

[Your Stigmata has been upgraded]

[Stigmata of void: ★ ---> ★★]

'Are you trying to motivate me too?'

Who knows?

....

After resting for another day, I could feel that I was ready for my training again. I was already healed yesterday but I rested for another day as I didn't want to put a toll on my body.

And after that, my daily life went like it always did.

Running in the morning, followed by training archery, swords and spears. The mana that I could feel from the surroundings without Mana Borrow continued to increase, although very slightly. I also trained my Mana Borrow applying the concept of manipulation.

More than that, once in a while Rowan would ask me to clear a Goblin camp again, though sometimes I have to travel too far into the forest in search of one.

Months passed this way and seasons changed. One year turned to another and without even realizing, I already spent four years together with Rowan.

...

[You have killed a 'Gnoll' Lvl. 20]

[You have killed a 'Gnoll Warrior' Lvl. 23]

[You have cleared a 'Gnoll's Camp']

'Sigh... I thought I would level up. I have been at the peak of my level for more than a month.'

'These monsters are too weak. They are not giving me enough experience points'

I sat down on the dead Gnoll Warrior whose head was missing and summoned my profile while removing the blood from my sword.

Name: Owen Grey

Species: Demi-God

Rank: Warrior

Age: 16

Level: 23

Strength : 113

Defense : 103

Agility: 124

Intelligence : 122

Mana: 111

Luck: 21

[Stigmata of Void (Active)]

Stigmata of Void: ★★

Passive : Beginner's Swordsmanship (99.61%), Beginner's Spearmanship (91.53%), Beginner's Elven Mana Manipulation(89.71%), 1st Path to Memories of Silence Archery(87.27%)

Skills: Fireball(1-star), Mana Borrow(3-star)

'... Not that bad.'

Clearing the place up, I noticed a tiny lake a little away from the camp. I was quite far away from the cottage and my whole body was filled with gnolls' blood so I decided to wash my body before returning back.

'Maybe I should take a bath here.'

I took off my clothes and got inside the lake. I felt like my soul jolting up at the pleasant and cold sensation that spread through my entire body.

"Ahh... So good."

I got out of the lake after washing the blood off and as I did, I glimpsed at my reflection in the water.

My body has considerably grown these past few years. I can now see my muscles clearly and in perfect condition. My face also looked much more mature as I didn't have the look of a kid anymore, and my gray hair was long to reach my shoulders.

I dressed up and returned to the cabin where I saw my teacher. He still looked as young as the day I met him.

'I know that you can maintain your youth to some degree in the higher levels but this is just a complete scam.'

I did notice that unlike the usual Rowan who was always busy with something, he was just standing idly by the door today.

'Looks like he was waiting for me.'

"Teacher! Did something happen?"

He looked at me seriously for a while, evaluating me like always and then he said with a smile.

"...I heard it from a certain reliable source. The 8th Blood Legacy Competition is now officially announced."