Ethan stepped into the tavern, and Niklaus followed slowly, avoiding any curious looks that might raise suspicion about who he was. He wore a black cloak with a hood that hid the upper half of his face, leaving only his chin and lips visible.
The place was alive—merchants and travelers gathered to trade news, while villagers' voices rose with talk of adventures and deals.
Niklaus sat in a dark corner, leaving the talking to Ethan. "Don't draw any attention," he said. Ethan caught the words with a look that said: Leave it to me.
Ethan walked up to the innkeeper with confidence—a tall man with a thick beard and sharp eyes.
Ethan, with a friendly smile: "We're looking for a good wagon. Something fast, but not the kind that turns heads… We'd rather look like ordinary travelers. Any suggestions?" He gave the man a wink.
The innkeeper eyed him with clear suspicion, thinking: How stupid is this man? Then he wiped the table with an old rag and said, "You two aren't from around here, are you? These roads aren't easy for folks who don't know them well. Where are you headed?"
While Ethan chatted easily with the innkeeper, Niklaus watched from his corner, his brow furrowing slightly when he heard Ethan's words.
The goal hadn't been to announce outright that they didn't want attention, but to blend in smoothly among ordinary travelers without catching anyone's eye. For a moment, Niklaus felt how foolish Ethan was for revealing their caution so directly.
Niklaus let out a soft sigh and glanced at Ethan. Ethan caught the sigh, realized his mistake, but kept talking as if nothing had happened, trying to steer the conversation back to something more natural.
Ethan, with a measured smile: "Actually, we're heading north. We need something practical—not necessarily fast, but able to handle a long journey."
The innkeeper didn't look surprised, but he studied them with assessing eyes. In that moment, Niklaus seemed like nothing more than a shadow in the background, yet his mystery and deliberate silence made him provoke more questions than any words could.
The innkeeper, lowering his voice slightly: "The northern road to Vandemir isn't one many take. There are rough mountains and narrow passes. The winds up there are strong and can slow you down if the driver isn't experienced. You'll need a light wagon and a guide who knows the way."
Ethan nodded with understanding, then glanced at Niklaus, who said nothing but weighed the words carefully. For the first time, Niklaus felt how pitifully little he knew of the world beyond the palace. These roads had never been part of his training. Everything was new to him.
After brief negotiations, Ethan got a recommendation for a man who owned a suitable wagon. They agreed to travel the next day before sunrise, avoiding any watchful eyes that might stir suspicion, and prepared for the journey.
---
After leaving the tavern, Niklaus and Ethan headed to a small stable on the edge of the village, where they were supposed to find the wagon they'd hired. The place didn't inspire much confidence. The old wood of the wagon was barely holding together, and the horse meant to pull it looked like it was thinking about retirement rather than a journey. But there was no better option.
Ethan, in a low voice to Niklaus as he inspected the horse: "Are we sure this creature doesn't hold a grudge against travelers? Because he looks like he's about to file a formal complaint against anyone who tries to make him work."
Niklaus didn't comment. He just shot a cold glance at Ethan before climbing up next to the driver, who seemed uninterested in anything except getting paid.
The road was easy at first, but as they pushed north, the terrain grew harder. The winding roads weren't just a challenge—they seemed designed specifically to test their patience. Large rocks and sharp rises made the wagon shudder violently at every turn, forcing Ethan to cling to the sides as if fighting an uneven battle against gravity.
Ethan's head slammed against the wagon's roof. His patience seemed to be wearing thin, and he began to grumble under his breath: "Great. This is wonderful. Does everything on this road have a personal problem with me?"
Niklaus didn't move. He just sat quietly while the wagon jolted violently, as if he felt nothing at all.
Ethan, after nearly tumbling out of the wagon, muttered in an annoyed whisper: "Oh, of course. He sits there like he's on an imperial throne, while I'm fighting for my life. What is this legendary balance control? Is that part of noble training?"
Niklaus heard him but paid no attention to this grumbling that seemed to have brought out his true personality.
As they advanced further toward the northern mountains, the weather began to shift quickly. The winds that had been gentle at first grew sharper, and the horizon started to cloak itself in heavy gray clouds that promised a coming storm.
Ethan, looking at the sky with unease: "I don't like this… I have a bad feeling."
Before he could finish, the first raindrops struck the wagon, followed by strong winds that made the horse hesitate to continue.
But Niklaus was indifferent to all of it. He simply ordered the driver coldly: "Don't stop."
The driver, who had been glancing nervously at the weather, froze at Niklaus's words. He hadn't felt comfortable with these two from the start. Continuing was hard—they should have stopped. The wind was howling fiercely, and the rain was now pouring down, blinding visibility and making the road dangerously slick.
Niklaus remained unmoved by the weather or the storm. Though the wind lashed his face, he was rapidly analyzing the road ahead, searching for any exit. The mountains were close. If they could reach one of the small caves dotting the slopes, they might take shelter from the storm.
He said calmly: "There's shelter on the right side of the road… in the cave."
Ethan, gripping the wagon tightly as the winds became uncontrollable: "And does it look like this wagon will even hold together before we reach the cave?"
But there was no time to argue. The driver began steering the wagon quickly toward the shelter while the wind tried to rip everything around them away.
They finally reached the cave, after the wagon had nearly overturned with them inside. Everyone was drenched just from stepping out.
Ethan sat down, breathing hard, and looked at Niklaus, who appeared as though the ordeal had never touched him. He simply wrung out his cloak and put it back on, indifferent that it was still wet.
Ethan whispered sarcastically to himself: "Has he become something unnatural, or does he have a private deal with the weather? Why do I look like I've just survived a battle with nature while he's barely changed?"
Niklaus, without a word, simply sat near the cave wall, watching the fire the driver had started to kindle.
All the while, the storm raged outside with force, as if testing their path toward the Duchy of Vandemir. But this was only the beginning. The world beyond the palace held dangers Niklaus had expected.
---
As they sat inside the cave, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the entrance. Niklaus was instantly alert, his hand moving slowly toward the daggers on his belt, while Ethan looked on anxiously, then muttered under his breath: "Please don't be bandits… I don't want to fight in these wet clothes—that would be humiliating!"
But the newcomer wasn't a single person. It was a small group: two men and a woman, wearing uniform robes, their eyes scanning the interior cautiously.
The tallest among them spoke in a hoarse voice: "We're looking for shelter from the storm. May we share the cave?"
Niklaus didn't answer immediately. He simply studied them with his sharp eyes, analyzing their appearance and manner. They were tired but not weak. Their clothes suggested they weren't mere villagers—perhaps adventurers, or priests judging by the white robes.
Ethan, however, responded quickly with a forced smile: "Of course, welcome. The more of us, the warmer the cave…" That was what he told himself to avoid any unnecessary fights.
"Thank you, then. Pleased to meet you. I'm called Marcus." He gestured to the woman. "And this is Eliana." Then to the younger man. "And this is Rin." Each returned the greeting quietly.
Everyone began to exchange conversation, but Niklaus remained in the background, listening without speaking, trying to determine whether these strangers would pose a threat later—because he never felt at ease around them. He scrutinized Marcus, who wore light armor beneath his cloak, and Rin, who gripped a spear. But he didn't grant them enough importance to focus all his attention on them.
The storm eased, and it was time to leave. They returned to the wagon, and it entered one of the mountain passes. Then, three men surged out from among the rocks, weapons raised, while other shadows shifted behind them, indicating their number was larger than it first appeared.
The bandit leader stepped forward. He was huge, a scar across his face, a large sword in his hand. He said in a rough voice: "These roads aren't free. You have to pay the toll to pass safely."
It was clear they were no ordinary thieves. They knew the location intimately, meaning they had targeted travelers here before.
Ethan, with a smile worn thin by patience: "Oh gods, bandits in the middle of our journey. How lucky we are!"
Niklaus swept his gaze around quickly. He assessed the number of enemies. Seven, spread strategically around the pass.
Suddenly, he heard a metallic sound in his head.
A System window materialized before his eyes, glowing with its familiar blue lines:
[Mission: Survive the First Real Combat Encounter]
[Reward: 20 Points]
Niklaus glanced at the window and paid it no mind.
Ethan said quietly, his eyes scanning the bandits with precision: "You're planning something, aren't you?"
Niklaus had already calculated everything: the angles, the distances, the weak points.
He spoke in a low voice: "Stay behind me when I move."
And without any warning, Niklaus moved with lightning speed, using the wagon's bulk as cover, then drew his dagger and struck at the nearest man, deflecting his weapon and sending him staggering backward in shock.
Ethan, who had been watching Niklaus's movements in awe, didn't miss the opening. He used wind magic to cause a quick disruption, making two of the bandits reel back for a moment, disoriented.
But one of the bandits, more experienced than the others, understood that Niklaus was the real threat. He lunged directly at him with a long sword. Niklaus was faster. He pivoted lightly and delivered a sideways blow that made his opponent lose his balance for a moment.
The fight wore on. Ethan used his magic to hamper the enemies' movements while Niklaus faced them head-on, moving with an agility and precision that didn't match someone who had supposedly never left the palace. It was clear that his training inside the palace had been no mere theoretical lessons—it was of a caliber that would make any fighter take him seriously.
After a few minutes of combat, the gang began to retreat, realizing they had chosen opponents far more skilled than they'd anticipated. One of them let out a whistle—a signal to withdraw—while the others started pulling back toward the rocks.
Ethan, leaning against a stone and panting slightly, said: "Well, that was entertaining… but you won't mind if I say I prefer fighting in less slippery conditions!"
Niklaus didn't comment. He simply returned his dagger to its sheath, then looked toward the road ahead.
Then to the spot where the wagon had been… which had vanished.
Ethan, in shock, stared at the empty space: "How? I didn't even notice! That old man… he ran off and left us here!"
He looked at the long road stretching before them, at the rugged mountains, at the sky that had begun to rain once more.
He sighed deeply.
"Wonderful… just wonderful."
---
Among the distant rocks in the shadow, Marcus watched the two figures from afar. He and his group had witnessed the fight from the very start.
Eliana exchanged a glance with Rin. Something had become certain to them now.
Rin whispered in a low voice: "It's him. No doubt."
Marcus nodded slowly. His gray eyes were fixed on Niklaus, who stood there in the middle of the road, indifferent to everything.
"Yes. It's him."
Suddenly, a metallic clicking sound struck Niklaus's mind. The System window reappeared, its golden lines glowing faintly before settling, displaying before him the details of his physical and spiritual progression.
[Status Window]
User: Niklaus von Valderin Theodore Oblivion Azura
Current Rank: D+ (Sealed)
Physical Status: Accelerated Development / Acute Muscle Fatigue
Mental Status: Stable
Points: 20
[Basic Stats]
· Strength: 58 → 67 (+9)
· Endurance: 52 → 61 (+9)
· Speed: 60 → 70 (+10)
· Perception: 66 → 74 (+8)
· Spirit: 78 (Note: true spirit cannot be measured due to the seal)
· Mana: SSS+ (Sealed)
[Magical Seal Status]
· Unbreakable by conventional means
· Magical Seal: Restricts mana flow by 99%
· Alert: "Hostile" energy detected within the seal. A specific catalyst required to break the seal (unknown)
[Latent Skills]
New Skills (Locked)
· Elemental Activation (requires breaking the magical seal)
· Shadow Summoning (requires Spirit level 90)
· Internal Energy Manipulation (requires advanced magical knowledge)
[Previous Mission Assigned by the System]
· Survive the First Real Combat Encounter ✅ (Completed)
· Improve physical capabilities by at least 10% ✅ (Completed)
· Reward: 20 Points ✅
· Gather information about the magical seal ❌ (Incomplete)
Main Mission: Head to the Forest of Death (Ongoing)
Niklaus showed no reaction. His physical stats had noticeably developed after the fight, but magic… still locked away, still under a seal that prevented him from using it. Not that he cared about using it in the first place.
He looked at the Points field: 20 points. He didn't understand what these points meant, and the System had never clarified their purpose. He didn't care to understand now. He dismissed the matter as usual.
Ethan looked oddly at Niklaus, who was staring at nothing: "What's with you? You look like you've seen a ghost?"
Niklaus replied calmly, adjusting the belt that held the daggers on his thigh: "Nothing."
But when he lifted his gaze toward Ethan, there was a System screen appearing in front of Ethan as well. Yet Ethan didn't seem to see it. Could only Niklaus see it? That was strange.
[Status Window]
Name: Ethan Firestone
Current Rank: D+ (Speed Support Specialist)
Class: Wind User – Unrefined
[Capability Analysis]
· Strength: 39 (Physically weak – unsuited for direct confrontations)
· Endurance: 47 (Average – requires protection)
· Speed: 65 (Remarkably agile – his primary asset)
· Magic: 72 (Raw – possesses pure mana but lacks technique)
[System Note]
"Ethan possesses an innate talent for escape and camouflage. If the skill (Instant Acceleration) is developed, he will be able to move like a shadow behind the User."
[Latent Skill Analysis]
· Wind Healing: A very rare skill that merges the magical element with vital ability (making him a "healer" who cannot be caught on the battlefield)
· Summoning Minor Storms (requires better magical energy control)
[System Note]
"The only obstacle before him is his mentality. Ethan sees himself as a servant, while the mana sees him as a 'Lord of the Winds.' He needs a shock or harsh training to break this psychological barrier."
[Past]
Origin: The Northern Barbarian Tribes
Survivor of extermination: An attack by unknown monsters tied to the Forest of Death wiped the village off the map in a single night.
He was sold as a "slave" to underground market traders.
Niklaus thought: Why is the System showing me Ethan's stats and past? How did it manage that? And what use is this to me?
Ethan was from the northern barbarian tribes. Those tribes he'd read about in one of the books in the imperial palace: tribes living on the northern borders in the mountains, where life depended on nature and combat skills. And their most prominent trait was their pure magic. Those tribes had been few and rare, and it seemed their eradication had never been a coincidence.
Ethan, it seemed, possessed these potentials that needed development owing to his tribal lineage—and if he developed and exploited them, he would become powerful in the future. But indeed, his staying beside Niklaus in the story would bring about his end. And that part seemed to be proceeding exactly as it had in the novel. Not that he now cared about Ethan. From the very start, he wanted no ties with anyone. He would simply leave him when he was no longer useful.
Niklaus looked at Ethan with a different gaze for a moment. It wasn't a look of pity—he loathed pity, and it wasn't as if he would pity anyone even if they were in a pitiful state. He looked at him with a cold, appraising stare.
The fact that the monsters that destroyed Ethan's village resembled the monsters of the Forest of Death made Niklaus feel that the question marks were starting to pile up in his head regarding the events of this clichéd novel.
Ethan, who was still bemoaning his luck and shouting about the driver who had fled with the wagon.
"Stop the noise," Niklaus said in a quiet voice.
Ethan fell silent, though the look of complaint remained on his face, muttering: "I hate the north."
Niklaus said nothing. Instead, he looked at the weather that was turning stormy again. The wind was fiercer than he had expected, its howling splitting the mountain silence.
Ethan, in his usual way, was trying to contain his silent anger at the weather, pushing the air away from himself to no avail. His cloak flapped uncontrollably, and his hair, which had looked orderly in the morning, had become a scattered mess from the wind.
Niklaus closed his eyes for a moment, as if the wind meant nothing to him.