3rd Pov
Staring at the night sky, Dawn had gone back with the thief after his encounter with Luminous.
He was honestly not feeling well so instead of visiting with Laos and Raska, he went to their inn and rested.
Night has fallen and it seems his two colleagues went to a sort of party held in the Inn.
Dawn used this alone moment to collect his thoughts...
Dawn : How come I met Luminous this early...
It was a known fact that the vampire queen often took stroll in the human city to entertain herself...
But to think he would stumble on her...more than that she is interested in him.
Dawn : Ahh, now that i think she was really beautiful...seeing her here and in the anime is really uncomparable.
Still, he couldn't shake off the feeling of intimidation he felt...it was terrifying and it will follow him as long as he will this week.
Dawn : And i got one shot, huh...worse if it wasn't for Snowie's help i would have died...
Snowie was also awfully quiet, this was her first failure with her master...it sure hit hard and was a good way to question themself.
Dawn : I was given such powerful skills but in the end...they aren't suited for battle.
Sola once said, her power was more on the administrative side...and that Dawn was better on that field.
But it isn't quite right, certainly Reader is useful but it's more of an administrative skill.
Right now besides elemental magic, spiritual art and swordsmanship.
Fighting is hard and against an overwhelmingly stronger opponent all this becomes meaningless.
Dawn : I need to awaken a new skill...something that will compensate for my lack in raw power.
Unfortunately he had no lead...the voice of the world was far too complex for him to understand it.
He couldn't be like Rimuru, creating and forming skills like that...after all he wasn't the main character of this novel.
Dawn : Perhaps, this is the key...
His hand pressing on his chest, he felt his heartbeat...where his soul should be and where everything about him was.
There was still one skill he had...the one he was given by his mother and the heritage of multiple generations.
The unique skill : Heroism.
Dawn : I need to find how to use it...
Closing his eyes, he tried to activate it but once again no reaction at all...
Dawn : Nothing, huh...
Snowie : (Master, the skill seems to be sealed within multiple barriers.)
Dawn : Is that so ? (Could it be sealed by the founder ? He is a rather mysterious figure honestly...)
A sealed skill...he had never seen that, this was something new and the only guess he could make was that he had to break those barriers to use the skill.
Stretching his hand, he wandered around his possibility when suddenly the door opened as his teacher and fellow students came.
Raska : Oh Dawn ! Come here and drink toooo-ahh...
Falling down with a bottle of alcohol, Raska fell asleep just like that...behind her was Laos who was in a similar state crawling on the ground.
Laos : Alcohol...ahh !
Both now unconscious, Dawn stared at them seeping on the floor.
Dawn : Ahh...I'll think about this later.
Helping them to their bed, Dawn then left taking a walk in the night of Ingracia.
The city was much quieter and as a merchant city, a lot of citizens or travelers came and passed by enjoying the night before another day of business in the morning.
Dawn : (By the way, the knight order sure seems to have a lot of gold judging by the reward given to us.)
5 gold coins...even a single one of them is rare to find in the city due to the commerce...it would be equivalent to using a 500 euros bill in France.
Dawn : Night stroll, huh...been a while since i did one.
The last time was during his adventurer day where he would sneak out at night.
Dawn : Hope i don't fall on a vampire queen again...i still feel the pain from that one hit...
Fortunately for him the day passed without problem and so his school trip continued.
3 days left...
Sola Pov
2 years left before graduation...honestly i don't know what to think about it.
I achieved a lot for the academy standard but my goal of meeting Rimuru and the others is still so far away.
I need to evolve into a saint at the minimum but...despite my genius title I'm not even on the first step.
Sola : I don't even know the requirements to achieve it !
Crossing my arm, I looked out of the window...what should I do ? Dawn-kun isn't here and class is canceled today for whatever reason.
I got no duties of any sort..oh right, i think i received a letter from my mother to visit the familial mansion...
Sola : Yeah, I won't go.
Taking those old feathers, I imbued it with ink and wrote a simple to understand letter.
Content : I'm busy with studying.
Sola : This should do, I'll send it later.
Smiling proud of myself, I grabbed my vest and left in search of entertainment...I could train but I forced too much last day.
Now my magicule reserve are very very low...it would take a few days to completely recover.
Sola : Maybe the library...
I muttered and nodded, having chosen my destination. I was there 5 minutes later.
Hehe, time to use my gift ! My eyes glowing blue data, Dawn-kun isn't the only one who evolved.
My unique skill has become stronger ! And now I can see the data of other things than leaving being !
Sola : Let's see.
I'm currently inside the magic section of the library, my eyes traveling around. I could see the level of utility and complexity of each book.
It's really like a video game ! Perfect, with that I can waste the least amount of time possible.
For now, let's check the most difficult book here...
Sola : Mmh, it seems most of these books are about the basics of magic...
Only a few are complex and demand some advanced comprehension. I went to grab one of them and coincidentally someone else wanted it.
Sola : Huh ?
Luna : Mmh ?
This girl...she is Dawn-kun stalker !
Luna : Oh sorry, you can take it.
Retreating her hand, I stared at her for a few seconds before taking the book...I didn't even have time to try to talk with her as she had already left.
Honestly, she talks to no one and barely interacts with the bare minimum...what a strange girl, I wonder what's her backstory.
Sola : Meh, I'm not here for her so let's just start reading.
Going toward the reading section where hundreds of seats were located, I chose an isolated one and sat down.
Sola : Huh,
Coincidentally again, this girl Luna sat beside me at the very same time...
Sola : Why are you here ?
Luna : Reading.
Sola : But why here...at least 90 % of the seats are empty...
Luna : Because it's near the door and there is no window to spread wind.
I was speechless...this girl answered simply and directly went to read, ignoring me...
Ugh, if i leave now...it would taint my pride ! Whatever, I'll just read and ignore her.
Sola : Seriously...
I sighed and opened the book, so magic formation is a complex art and requires multiple elements for activation.
The origin of such a power is unknown but the rumors say that it all began with a superior entity known as God...heh, Veldanava then.
So humans still don't have the knowledge of Veldanava and the voice of the world...well even skills..
Sola : Mmh ?
As I was focused on reading, I was brought out of my focus when Luna stood up, what is she doing ?
I secretly watched her going back to the magic section and bringing another book...no way, she already finished her lecture...this fast ?
She then came back and sat reading again...grrr, i can't lose !
3rd Pov
And for the next 3 hours, Luna and Sola both went on reading books without stopping...when one finished the other wasn't far behind.
It was almost a competition though Luna didn't even know and just read at her normal pace.
In reality, Luna had other things in mind...2 days ago, she went back to her family mansion...the viscount Zickard had shared some confidential information that was overheard by Luna.
Flashback
Waking through the corridor of the big mansion...Luna suddenly halted when she heard her adopted father's voice.
It was in the meeting room where he welcomed another noble...staying as quiet as possible, Luna's eyes dropped on them.
Zickard : Everything goes as planned ?
???: Yes, more than 40 % of the army is on our side.
Zickard : Perfect, this kingdom needs a new ruler...the current is too senile to make the correct decision.
Both of them laughing, Luna barely reacted to this news...she closed her eyes and tried to leave but again stopped when another topic came in.
???: By the way, I heard your daughter had been hanging with that Lav-or rather Arceid brat.
Zickard : I heard about that too...but honestly it doesn't matter that both the Lavane and Arceid households will burn down before the revolution.
???: I see, then I count on you.
Turning around, the guest prepared to leave...with a smile he grabbed his coat and wore it on his overweight body.
Zickard : Yeah, baron Falmuth Edgar, by the way how is your son doing? I heard he was in the same class as Luna.
Outside, Luna's eyes widened coldly...her hand was rigid as she quietly left, an intense rage building within her...
The remainder of the conversation fell on deaf ears...
This was the first time since her childhood that she felt such an emotion.
After that, she locked herself in her room with the excuse of studying...her mind dozing around what she heard previously.
Flashback end
Her eyes traveling through the lines of her book, Luna didn't know what to do...
A revolution was ongoing, her father wanted her sole friend's death along with his entire family and she felt powerless in front of all these obstacles.
Luna : Mmh ?
Looking up, the sun had already settled down...the library was also open at night time and it seemed she was the only one left.
Luna : I should go too...
Grabbing her stuff she told goodbye to the employee who got the unfortunate night shift and left.
The moon was high in the sky, the silver color reflected in her eyes as she kept staring at it for a while.
Luna : Yes...why am I hesitating ?
This world is full of darkness...there was no light in her life before he came...there was no need of hesitation.
The answer was clear...
Back in Ingracia, Dawn was on top of one of the guard towers...it wasn't used at the moment so he took advantage of it and sat on the roof.
The clear moon was in sight as he held up the necklace he shared with Sola.
Comparing it to the moon, he smiles softly.
Dawn : I didn't notice...but I'm already starting to miss Sola's antics...
It sure was a weird feeling, he always thought of himself as a lone and here he started to care about someone...no in fact he cared about multiple people.
This was a great change in him, a change he could gasp as good or bad.
Dawn : Luna too...
Snowie : (Master, a soldier is coming that way.)
Dawn : I see...i wanted to observe the moon longer but i guess it's fine.
Standing up, he jumped away while making sure no one saw him...and so the night passed smoothly.
Along the remaining days of this school trip nothing worth it happened...until the way back, inside the carriage, they rested peacefully.
When suddenly the carriage stopped, as loud whisper were heard outside.
Raska : What happen ?
Getting serious, the teacher asked the driver who just turned to her with a scared expression.
Driver : We are getting aùbushed...i don't want to die...
Raska : Tch, bandits huh.
Opening the door, Raska jumped out...Dawn peeped his head through the window scanning the area.
Dawn : (How many?)
Snowie : (There are 24 of them, none are imminent threats.)
Pondering, he wanted to go outside but retracted himself...there was no need of participating, Raska would be more than enough if Snowie didn't give a warning.
Shortly after, the first few bandits came out provoking and threatening the small group.
Laos : There are so many of them !
Dawn : Shut up.
Certainly, the number difference was big but when it comes to magic and fighting, quality will always be better.
Dawn : (Their weapon...)
Something caught Dawn's attention...the quality of their weapon is way too good for simple bandits.
Dawn : (This ambush is also way too organized.)
The location give nowhere to run and perfect to encircle...along that, it was early in the morning, the exact time where monsters are less on the road...
Dawn : Ugh...
There was only one way for him to be sure and this was to get out and find out himself.
Laos : What are you doing ?
Dawn : Some warm up.
Getting out, Raska wasn't surprised as he stood next to her, this boy character was just like that.
Raska : To think i would have to exercise now...well at least i can show off in front of my students.
Dawn : You want a praise ?
Raska : Brat...nevermind, let's just get over this.
There were 7 bandits in front of them, 8 behind and the rest still hidden.
Dawn : (Should I kill them ? It doesn't really matter as I got THIS to gather intel afterward.)
Making up his mind, he turned around slowly walking toward the bandits behind...the moment he was a few steps away.
The clash started as his teacher bursted forward...
Dawn Pov
I stared at the few bandits with cold eyes, the one hidden doesn't seem to move...so I should take care of those 8 first.
Forming a katana of ice, I could hear these pieces of shit laughing and mocking me calling me a lost brat or something like that.
It doesn't really matter anyway, then shall i start...my breath turning icy, i channeled magicule in my sword and heavily hit the ground.
The blade piercing through the grass, dirt and stone below...I muttered my first attack.
Dawn : [Ice ground]..
As the name suggests, I froze the entire area ground...the release of my magicule made them shiver, this is understandable after all none of them are strong.
Bandit : What the-
Bandit 2 : My legs !
Their cry and shout reached my ears, it seemed they were too slow and got caught in my spell...frost covering their legs.
It was an easy kill for me now...I grinned before using a burst step forward, a single instant before my blade made contact with their flesh.
4.23 seconds...this is what I took to kill the 8 of them...blood splashed on my clothes as I swiped the taint of my cheek.
Dawn : Now who next.
Staring down at the last one I killed, my grin widened as I then turned toward a seemingly random spot in the surrounding forest.
But for the one I was glaring at, he knew I had already localized all of the hidden bandits.
Bandit 3 : Shit-Arght !
Trying to leave after noticing my glare, I didn't let him as in a single instant with Burst step I appeared right in front of him.
Sword in hand, I directly stabbed his chest with the tip of my blade...
Dawn : You liked the show ? You're next now.
Lifting the katana, the bandit only saw a white flash as his whole life played in front of his eyes.
As the blade sliced him into two distinct parts, his blood, organs and flesh...all flew in the air.
The remaining bandits who until had stayed hidden saw the horrific scene...frozen, they were shocked to see a 13 year old boy mercilessly killing someone.
It was too much for them as they tried to leave...their instinct just screamed at them to run, abandon their pride...
Life or death, this was their choice, or was it ?
The moment they tried to run...an entire chunk of the forest was turned into ice as i casted a large range of ice magic amplified with spiritual power...immobilizing most of them.
Dawn : Running from a kid now ? How pathetic.
The last dance has started.
3rd Pov
Finishing off her enemy, Raska then went to check on Dawn...what stood in front of her sent chills to her spine...
She had captured them...not killed yet a boy decades younger did it...
Standing in the middle of multiple dead bodies...the boy didn't even acknowledge them as instead he grabbed one of the decapitated heads.
Raska : (He is...a monster...)
What was he doing ? She wondered but probably won't get an answer so she just went back to the carriage to reassure the driver and Laos.
On Dawn's side, he was using his power to read their mind...normally he couldn't as he still hasn't reached this level yet.
But using some trick, he managed...the unique skill : Reader allows him to read the composition of objects, matter and more.
But it doesn't apply to living beings...so humans aren't an option but now...using the unique skill : Author.
He can change the composition of those dead bodies...passing them from former living beings to objects.
Now he could read their composition like a book, the history, the memories and more of this object.
Dawn : (I see...he was sent by a noble to kill me...i couldn't see who it was as this guy just received the directive but my guess would be a noble rival or hater of my family, either Arceid or Lavane.)
Pondering, he went to do the same with the other body and as expected none of them had more information.
His eyes turning colder as he read the last body, he then went back to the carriage.
Raska : You're done ?
Dawn : Yeah, let's go.
As he said, the teacher agreed and they went back on their adventure back to Muth.