Chapter 21: First Adventure

As the Hog died there, she turned back and looked at Leon, fear in her eyes from the fact that she might have just blown her chances to leave with him and go to the manor.

She raised her hands slightly in a way that meant she wanted to explain, and then she opened her mouth, but before the words could leave, Leon spoke.

"Whoa, that was so awesome." He said as he came close, grabbed her hands, and looked at them keenly.

"What sort of magic is that? You controlled the blood of that hog and attacked it with it."

He looked at her with genuine curiosity in his eyes, and in only a few seconds, the walls and worry that had been set up in her heart were broken down.

"I don’t know where I got it from. I woke up and I had it. I was capable of controlling blood." She explained.

"That’s awesome. We have to try it out more and see what exactly it can do." He said eagerly while looking right into her eyes with eyes that you could not say no to. Her pale cheeks turned rosy, and she looked away.

"Fine, we can do that."

[...]

They stayed at the stream for a few more minutes and then Leon led her back to town, and when he was close, he picked her up and used the Slam Wind spell to fly them back. She was fascinated by the fact that he could fly and had a ton of questions about it.

When they arrived, he flew back through the window, and when he got into his room, he saw his two maids, mother, and Roger all in the room waiting for him.

He dropped Snow inside the room immediately.

"Oh shit!" he cursed and tried to get away through the window, only for Roger to move faster than an arrow and grab him by the collar, raising him off the ground.

"Young master, it would be best to not attempt an escape in the current situation." He advised.

"You know nothing, Mom will kill me." Leon said. He felt a cold chill run down his spine. He looked at his mother and saw her glaring at him with eyes that could only be said to be demonic.

"I’ll give you twenty seconds to explain, Leon, and if I do not like it, I’ll punish you." His mother spoke in a cold, detached tone.

Gulp.

Leon swallowed hard and began to narrate the story. He kept out every detail that he felt they did not need to know, like the fact that they could see a countdown and a few more key details.

"A vampire?" His mother asked.

"Your race has been barely seen for many years. In fact, I have only seen your race in books." She said and walked close. She knelt down before Snow.

"I’m sure whatever happened was a lot for you, and you are only a child, so because my son has asked that you stay, I’ll honor it.

When we are done here, I’ll take you to a room for you to stay."

"I cannot stay here with Leon?" Snow asked.

"Hmm, sorry, but you can’t," she said and shot Leon a look.

"And besides, Leon will be crying for the rest of the night. Bring him over, Roger." She said and then walked to the bed to sit down.

Roger dragged Leon.

"Come on, Roger, I thought we were friends. Don’t send me to my doom." Leon cried out.

That night, the sound of smacking against a bum could be heard. Leon slept with his behind facing the ceiling.

[.....]

Day 21, 1st month of the Vermillion Calendar, year 2011

A month had gone by after the pillar arrived. Leon had not been allowed to go adventuring for the simple fact that the pillar was there and no one knew what it was. Even the best minds had been coming to check and find out what it was, but to no avail.

But it was not the only issue. Reported all around the empire was the appearance of pillars similar to the one at Leon’s home. They appeared without warning and had everyone panicked empire-wide. They also suffered no damage whatever attack was used on each, even sword masters could not dent any of the pillars.

The research continued in multiple ways, but the enthusiasm was slowly running out as time went on, and it was not even intentional.

In Belmont, there was other important news. The count was returning soon, which would be the first time in a very long time since he had left.

Leon was not really into the idea of him coming back. He had a feeling it would be more of an issue than something to be happy for. Regardless of that, he paid it no mind because today he and Snow, who had now also become a wood-ranked adventurer, were about to head out for their first adventure.

The both of them started at wood rank regardless of their power levels. After wood came iron, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and Netherite. With each one having a subdivision of three stars.

For now, they were both one wooden star. The people wanted to offer them higher as he was nobility, but Leon refused. He did not really subscribe to all that.

"Alright, this quest fits you all perfectly." Roger said before pulling out a piece of paper from the notice board.

"It says there is a small farming town south from here at the other side of the forest that is being invaded by goblins who are robbing and killing.

This town falls under the jurisdiction of the count, but their guards have been unable to stop it, and with the war happening against demonic monsters, there is no way the count’s house can delegate any forces.

They were willing to pay a hundred silver coins, which is one gold coin, to whoever can handle it." Roger explained to them.

"I know you might not be okay with the amount, but this is what being an—"

"Can we go already? We need to make that money." Leon said and started walking. Snow followed behind, and they left Roger there looking at them confused.