On Starcrest 29, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair started explaining to Priestess Julia Gomez that his presence was merely a coincidence on his journey to another destination. "Priestess Julia, I happened to stop here. On my way, I heard about the injured people inside the church due to a lack of supplies, so I felt compelled to help. As you know, every church member must support one another, even in the most dire situations."
The priestess smiled, relieved that she wouldn't need to ask further questions about Alistair's arrival. "Thank you again, Brother Alistair. In truth, since the majority of our combat forces are still resting, I would like to request that you take on a snowy beast extermination quest. Will you accept? There is a reward for completing the quest."
Alistair responded, "I will not accept the rewards. Instead, please use them for the village. I could also provide you with some beast meat to help increase food supplies." The priestess bowed her head in gratitude and handed him the document detailing the extermination quest to hunt down at least ten snowy beasts known as Winter Bears.
"Mission accepted. Kai, let's go," Alistair said. Before leaving, he retrieved a box of supplies from his inventory and offered it to the church for distribution. The box contained warm clothing, potions, water, and food supplies—gifts he had received randomly and didn't know how to use. Instead of keeping them, he chose to give them away, ensuring the people of Snowy Flows would benefit.
Alistair and Kai set off to hunt the snowy beasts, unaware of the hidden treasures within Alistair's supply box. Because the box came from the gift system, all the items inside were of exceptional quality. It contained high-ranking potions capable of healing severed hands or feet, along with food and water that could boost their health and energy. When the village people and the church discovered this, they assumed Alistair was being exceptionally generous by providing such high-quality supplies—far better than what they typically received each week. As a result, Alistair's trustworthiness among the residents and the church members soared. However, this was entirely unintentional on Alistair's part; he had assumed the box contained only basic supplies meant to help, not realizing he had actually given them something truly valuable and beneficial.
As Alistair and Kai moved farther away from the village, Alistair spotted a group of winter bears banding together like a pack of wolves hunting. "Get ready, Kai," he instructed. Kai nodded, gripping his battle mace tightly.
Alistair jumped off the rock and ran straight toward the winter bears.
"Guard Deflection!" he shouted, aiming at the leader of the winter bears, which quickly became aggressive and charged at him. "Shattering Fist Crack!" Alistair unleashed a series of aura-infused fist attacks, knocking down several smaller winter bears. Meanwhile, Kai used his battle mace to deliver the final blow to one of them.
The winter bear leader swiped at Alistair with its sharp claws, but due to his steel-like body, he was immune to physical attacks. He seized the bear's arm and threw it aside, sending the creature crashing to the ground and breaking its spine. Seizing the moment, Alistair executed "Crashing Pulse Strike," delivering a powerful strike to the bear leader's head.
"That's a total of 14 small winter bears and one big winter bear leader," he called out. Then, Kai spoke, "My Lord, could you guard me for a moment? I think I am about to break through to another level." Alistair nodded and stood by Kai, who glowed for a moment. "Thank you, my Lord. I am now at Aura Materialization Realm Level 7. My Basic Aura Generation has been upgraded to Intermediate Aura Generation, and I have learned an ability called One-Strike Mace Technique: Bash Strike and Greater Strike."
"Congratulations, Kai! Maybe I should consider reaching my next level as well. I feel that I am close to breaking through to Mid-Stage Aura Transformation Realm," Alistair pondered aloud.
"What? My Lord, you are at the Early-Stage Aura Transformation Realm at just 15 years old?" Kai was astonished.
"Oh right, I didn't mention that. I apologize. Yes, I am indeed at the Early-Stage Aura Transformation Realm and nearing the Mid-Stage."
"How is that possible, my Lord? Achieving such a feat at such a young age is remarkable!"
"Let's just say I've been fortunate enough to receive this luck."
"I see, so luck is also an important factor when ascending to the next realm or leveling up."
Afterward, Alistair and Kai began slicing off the skins and meats from the winter bears and placed them in their inventory storage. They separated the skins from the meats to deliver them to the villagers. As the sun reached its peak, Alistair and Kai made their way to the village to increase the local supplies. Upon their arrival, they were greeted with immense gratitude, particularly because of the box of supplies they brought. "There's no need to thank me so profusely; I'm just helping the common people, the soldiers and knights protecting the village, and the brothers and sisters from the church," Alistair said.
In celebration, they held a small festival, allowing everyone in the village to enjoy a hearty meal. There were no restrictions for church members regarding drinking, so some of them began to indulge and got drunk. A few members from the church even invited Alistair to join them, but he declined, as he was still young. In this world, individuals aged 15 and above are considered adults. One of the acolytes asked Alistair how old he was, and he bluntly replied that he was 15 years old. This revelation shocked everyone, including Priestess Julia. They all wondered how a 15-year-old boy could achieve the rank of Judicator Aura Knight, the same status as a bishop. This was also why Alistair declined the offer to drink; he had been taught by his mother and two older sisters that he should wait until he was 16.
After spending a few days in Snowy Flow Village, the new year began; it was now 1851. The first month of the year, called Ignisar, signifies the start of the imperial new year, marked by warmth and ritual flames. This month also marks the beginning of winter's end and the gradual warming of the temperature. Just as Alistair and Kai were about to leave the village, Alistair's body began to glow. The system informed him that he was about to breakthrough to the next stage.
"Kai, protect me. I am about to breakthrough," Alistair said.
"Understood, my Lord," replied Kai. Alistair sat down on the soft, white snow and began to stabilize his breathing. As his body shone brightly, the light soared into the sky, catching the attention of the villagers. People from the church gathered, drawn by the commotion, as Alistair successfully broke through from the Early-Stage to the Mid-Stage of the Aura Transformation Realm.