Chapter 293 A Challenge

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"I overheard papa talk with the priests once. He said that there's a new Demon King in the Lost Continent, and that he began getting active eight years ago." Elizabeth replied. "Since then, Cults that obey demons also became more active, some Demonic Towers also began opening their gates and pouring demons inside, while some cults that had large sizes began exploring the inside of the towers and finding demonic treasures… The entire world might be soon fall into turmoil… Thinking about it always gets me scared."

"Wha…" Erika muttered in shock. "That sucks! What will we do now?!"

"Calm down, we had been mostly living alright for eight years here." I said. "The war is mostly happening to the north of the continent, that's hundreds of kilometers away, you know? If they're handling things just fine, we still have time…" I tried to reassure my friends that things will be okay.

But deep down, I couldn't help but grow concerned. Is this world being attacked by demons even more than before due to my own rebirth? Also, with the monsters growing two ranks or even three ranks stronger… Could this be also because of me? Is Lucifer making the entire world even more difficult just to make things amusing?

"So the rumors related to the wyvern that the priests were talking about is all related to this, yes?" I wondered.

"Indeed, the monsters growing way stronger, and the demon's invasion, the cults becoming more bolder lately… It all connects." Erdrich answered, feeling frightened by the prospects of a grim future shrouded in war and bloodshed.

"At the very least we got this big forest shielding us from the Grassy Plains and the Mountain Range…" Sighed Elizabeth.

"That's… until the monsters just decide to go in a rampage. Even if we got rid of the demons, the monsters in there will notice the empty forest eventually! My father always talks about it… He says that even more frightening monsters will show up one day to take over the empty forest!" Chris cried.

"Ugh… I don't want that… Just after dealing with the demons… That Demon General was so scary too, how strong would a Demon King be?!" Cried Eric.

"Calm down you two, stop speculating pointlessly. Let's live the present and prepare for the future. This is why it is important for all of you to keep focusing in growing stronger. The future might look grim, but we are not alone, there might be many other people fighting as well. You're all extremely talented, so do the training regimes I told you without hesitating about it." I said.

I used this opportunity to reinforce my training regime. I was still sorting out my thoughts about this entire thing, but for now I simply wanted to go back to the more innocent topics than talking about our imminent destruction.

"Ugh, you mean THAT training regime?" Asked Chris.

"What's so special about using a spell countless times without doing anything else? Isn't that just stupid?" Asked Eric boldly.

"Spinning for hours gets me dizzy… And whacking my blade at a tree is no fun either, Blake!" Complained Erika.

"Hitting a tree constantly with my fists and legs gets me tired every time." Sighed Erdrich.

"Also wasting my Mana healing even the smallest of wounds is quite a waste, my papa always said I have to save my Mana!" Said Elizabeth.

They seriously don't understand a thing about Skill EXP. Of course, without an actual grimoire like mine, they cannot see the Skill EXP at all, so they don't even understand Skill Leveling. Some simply think it is a thing of the blessings and not constant practice. Well, I guess it is reasonable they dislike repeating an action constantly, especially to level up Skills, but they're just wasting their MP which I would be gladly using to gain more Skill EXP.

"I've told you already, repeating the actions that triggers a Skill constantly grants you Skill EXP, this is how you can level up a Skill. It is the best way to grow stronger in an environment where we can't go around freely leveling up. Be diligent and do it! You'll notice your skills leveling up quicker than you think." I said while nodding. As they were not Cursed, their MP regeneration was way faster than mine, and they also didn't need ridiculous amounts of Skill EXP to level up a Skill either.

"Yeah maybe a bit of practice each day, but punching and kicking a hundred times a tree?! And each day?! You're nuts!" Erdrich complained.

"You're the one that is so grim about the future! Be diligent and train!" I roared back.

"Ugh… Fine… But if my Skills don't level up soon, I'll tell you you're wrong." Said Erdrich.

"All of you as well, level up your skills. Also, do Ki and Mana Meditation and Manipulation Techniques as I told you, every day, several hours a day, without stopping! Don't slack!" I roared at everyone, the kids began to give me gruesome expressions in their faces.

"Uuggh… Fine… I'll try again…" Sighed Chris.

"I-I am better at Alchemy, but I might train more archery and magic." Said Eric.

"I lack Ki but my Aether is just fine, right?" Wondered Erika.

"Yes, keep using your Aether and Mana constantly to make it grow bigger, that's the whole point of this practice. Your Stats and Skill EXP will rise constantly. I believe that if you do my regime for a month, all your skills will go up by at least one level each." I said.

"Is this a challenge?" Asked Chris. "And what if it doesn't happen then?"

"Then… I will grant you a wish." I said with a smile.

"A wish? What are you, a lamp genie?!" Asked Chris angrily.

"Fine! Let's do it guys! If we do what he says and nothing happens… Then… hehehe, we'll ask him something embarrassing!" Said Erika.

"Hmm… Right…" Eric said.

"Yeah… That'll teach him." Said Chris with a smile.

"Doesn't sound so bad!" Giggled Elizabeth.

"Okay… If you lose I'm kicking your ass though!" Erdrich said.

"Sure thing, I'll give you my word. I trust all of you won't cheat. I'll know if you cheated in your training regime." I said.

"Eh?! Y-You'll know?" Asked Erdrich.

"I have eyes everywhere!" I proclaimed, as I saw a few crows resting over the nearby trees' branches.

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