Today is the 27th day of the second month.

Blacky, Faris, and I head to the adventurer guild in the morning, as usual, in order to turn in our mana crystals from yesterday and to continue my training. We collected a total of 211 normal mana crystals and 1 medium quality crystal, we used 10 for my clock and watch and sell the rest for a grand total of 2 gold coins and 11 silver coins.

I managed to block 5 arrows out of 50 with my ice shields today during the spars, I'm starting to get a better hang of it.

We head straight into the dungeon after training, starting off on the fifth floor this time. This floor seems to remain the same in appearance but the first enemies we find aren't the usual goblins but a pack of wolves with one giant wolf that's half the size of the boss from yesterday leading the pack of 10.

The wolves rush us with their numbers, forcing me to freeze the ground in our surroundings to break up the momentum of their charge while I pick off the smaller wolves with ice lances. The large wolf lunges at me but contrary to his expectations, his jaw is met with the impact of cold ice as he bites into my ice shield. Repeating the strategy from yesterday, I dodge to the side and thrust out my spear into his abdomen along with Faris who does the same on his other side. Our weapons pierce deeper than with the previous boss however it still isn't enough to incapacitate the giant wolf.

Faris takes the chance while the larger wolf's movement slows from his injury and focuses on culling the rest of his pack while I keep the large wolf company. With the large wolf being the only one remaining, he tries to switch target and attacks Faris, only to be cut off by my water stream that freezes his front left paw. I send an electric surge to paralyze him while Faris jumps in to pierce down onto his head, the short sword gets stopped by his thick skull and manages to send the wolf into a frenzy, breaking free from my paralysis.

He once again heads straight for Faris who caused him great pain and gets caught up in another one of my water streams again where I instantly freeze his paw in place this time as his frenzy rendered my electric attacks ineffective previously. At least going into a frenzy made his movements much simpler to predict, giving me no trouble to land attacks. He struggles to break his feet free but is met with Faris mounting onto his neck this time before aiming her sword straight into the wolf's eyesocket, embedding the blade deep into his brain. The wolf comes collapsing down as Faris holds on tightly to her blade.

"That fight sure was troublesome for being just normal monsters of this floor, let's hope there aren't many of these large wolves," I complained while collecting the mana crystals.

"Yeah, the giant wolves are really hard to kill." Faris voices her agreement while harvesting the mana crystals as well.

We spend the rest of the morning hunting on the fifth floor and our progress is slowing down compared to the previous floor. They were still the same old goblins hanging out around their traps but the problem is that there are way more wolves with one to three large wolves among each pack roaming around. The larger wolves are taking us a lot of effort to finish off which slows down our progress while draining our stamina, it's not worth expending large amounts of mana for charging lightning bolts to deal with regular mobs after all.

We return to discuss our plans over lunch.

"Faris, the slave traders must've sent you into dungeons before to train you to become as strong as you are now, how did you deal with opponents like these without expending too much strength?"

"...Hmmm, they sent us in a full group of six with one or two veterans to teach us. Usually, a strength enhancer would wield heavy weapons like a battle-axe or a war-hammer to deal the finishing blows against monsters with tough defense."

"Is that so? What are the usual party composition anyways?"

"It was different for us every time as the old slaves were sold and new ones are brought in but in general, they taught us that it's best to have about half the party being melee fighters and half ranged to be more versatile."

"...So we would want a melee heavy weapon user or ranged fighters for our party. Well, it's not something we can get today, let's hunt on the fourth floor for the time being."

"Sure master."

---

Today is the 30th of the 2nd month, the day before the tournament.

As usual, I wake up to the invasion of Faris's tongue, the sun has barely risen yet.

"Why don't you sleep in more Faris? We are taking a break for the day." I say while hugging onto Faris.

"But I'm used to waking up at this time, I can't sleep anymore," says Faris while cuddling up to me.

Facing Faris's provocations, I turn her around while we both lay on our sides and start hugging her close to me while spooning her. My hands start their offensive, roaming to grope her chest and moving to pet her between her legs.

"Resting is important if you want to be in perfect condition for the dungeons, I guess I've got no choice but to tire you out until you fall asleep for the entire day," I said while evilly grinning and quickening the pace of my attacks.

"Ahhh master, that feels good!"

Having gotten her sufficiently wet, I enter Faris and moans start to resound in our love nest. It's sure nice to be at our own place now, not having to worry about our volume. I continue laying on my side, spooning Faris until we fall asleep and repeating the process, only leaving to get some food to silence our rumbling tummies.

We finally manage to leave the house in the late afternoon to go sell our crystals as well as do some shopping for food. I ordered a large drawer to made to use as a fridge with my ice magic, I just have to reform the ice twice a day to keep it all from melting so we don't have to get groceries every day. I should really start making some ice cream too when I have time, I'm sure Faris would love it.

We enter the busy afternoon line at the guild, we've been staying on the fourth floor of Greens Filth for the past few days and averaging around 200 mana crystals every day and I managed to level up my magic again which helped me block about 40% of all the arrows during our morning training.

Human Male Age: 18

Magic Level:

Water Lv.14

Electric Lv. 12

Light Lv. 2

Fire Lv. 1

Earth Lv. 1

Wind Lv.1

Healing Lv. 1

Dark Lv. 1

Nature Lv.1

Unique Magic:

Identify

We continued patiently waiting in line until a familiar voice suddenly called out to me.

"Aster! Haven't seen you in a while, did Lawrence deliver my message to you?"

I turn to the approaching voice and spot a youth with familiar dark green hair, Norton Lockhart, the second son of the Count and my friend walks toward me with a smile. Standing behind him are his party members who all shared the common feature of wearing a slave collar around their necks.

Right behind Norton, a tall and stout looking man with short brown hair that looked to be in his early thirties wearing full plate armor minus the helmet, looming behind him with an intimidating presence.

Standing right beside Norton are two girls, a foxkin girl standing at the same height as Norton with snow-white hair with large fluffy looking ears standing tall and a bushy tail. On Norton's other side, there is a short catkin girl with bright pink hair dressed in a maid uniform, holding onto the hem of Norton's shirt.

Standing further behind Norton is a tall, cool-looking human girl with short jet black hair, she definitely looked like a tomboy who would be popular with other girls with her style and long legs.

"Yep, the slave auction, right? When is it exactly again?"

"It's going to be on the 10th of the 3rd month, in ten days, we can talk more after you finish up, we'll save you your spots at the pub area."

We finally get our turn and sold off the remaining mana crystal we have except the ones my pocket watch needs and head off to the pub area to find Norton.

"Hey, so where've you been Norton?" I say sneaking a pat on Norton's shoulder while he isn't paying attention.

"Oh, took you long enough, please, sit. Let me first introduce you to my party." Says Norton while he starts pointing to the stout looking man first.

"This is Otes, he's a former knight and has a lot of battle experience and I rely greatly upon him."

Human Male Age: 29

Magic Level:

Strength Lv. 37

Stamina Lv. 28

Dexterity Lv. 1

Water Lv.1

Fire Lv. 1

Unique Magic:

"The catkin beside me here is Zoey, she has been with me since I was young." This time he points to the pink-haired catgirl in the maid uniform.

Catkin Female Age: 16

Magic Level:

Strength Lv. 1

Stamina Lv. 12

Dexterity Lv. 16

Fire Lv. 1

Water Lv. 1

Unique Magic:

Night Vision

"Next we have Reika, the foxkin. She's skilled in magic and detection."

Foxkin Female Age: 19

Magic Level:

Fire Lv. 20

Light Lv. 11

Water Lv.1

Electric Lv. 1

Earth Lv. 1

Wind Lv.1

Healing Lv. 1

Dark Lv. 1

Nature Lv.1

Unique Magic:

Keen Senses

"Last but not least, we have the talented mage, Iris."

Human Female Age: 18

Magic Level:

Earth Lv. 18

Wind Lv.14

Fire Lv. 1

Light Lv. 1

Water Lv.1

Electric Lv. 1

Healing Lv. 1

Dark Lv. 1

Nature Lv.1

Unique Magic:

My gaze returns back to Norton, might as well finish the job.

Human Male Age: 18

Magic Level:

Strength Lv. 17

Stamina Lv. 15

Dexterity Lv. 1

Fire Lv. 1

Water Lv. 1

Unique Magic:

I check them each out with identify while Norton's party each politely nod their heads at me during their introduction, seems they're rigid and acting conservatively to not embarrass their master.

"Ahem, allow me to introduce ourselves to your party as well, I'm Aster, a rank 2 adventurer and this is my only party member so far, Faris."

Faris stands up and gives them a proper bow. What is this? Etiquette battle of the slaves?

"Now that we're done with the pleasantries, let me answer your earlier question. I've been training with my party at the dungeon, Birds High, we stayed at a nearby village so we could train all day to produce results for my father to see. Else he probably won't fund me for this upcoming auction and I wouldn't be able to get my sixth party member." Norton says with a helpless expression.

"Ohhh, never knew you could be such a hard worker Norton." I tease Norton.

"Yeah, definitely more hard-working than someone who I hear returns to his cozy house and leisurely plans what's for dinner every day while being all lovey-dovey with his slave." Norton snaps back while grinning at us, causing Faris to blush.

"Tsk, anyway, so why'd you come back if you're supposed to be working hard, grinding it out? It can't be because you missed me right?"

"As much as I missed you, I came back to take a much-needed break and to check out the iron badge dueling tournament while I'm at it, so I can scout out what it's like when it's my turn to participate."

"Then you're in luck, you get to see me in that tournament tomorrow and get promoted to rank 3, leaving you behind, haha."

"Seriously? Didn't you just become rank 2 not too long ago?" Norton speaks out with a surprised expression.

"Let's just say with our skills and a little luck, it wasn't a problem at all." I glance toward Faris while speaking out.

"Well, I guess I'll be cheering for you tomorrow, won't be long until you'll be the one cheering for me while I shoot past you in the ranks." Norton too gives me a confident look after glancing over his party members.

"Glad to have ya."

Seeing we haven't ordered anything yet to clink cups with Norton, I start ordering drinks for Faris and I as well as some snacks while we hang out with Norton's crew. I ordered some type of juice that tastes like blueberries.

"Cheers!" I initiate the belated cheers as our drinks arrive.

"Cheers!" Norton and his party return the gesture.

"What are you drinking? Why don't you have some alcohol with me? You're probably not heading back to the dungeon this late anyway." Norton comes wraps his arm around my shoulders with the slight smell of alcohol.

"Sorry, I don't drink." I curtly respond.

Seeing my response Norton stops pestering me about it which I'm thankful for, and change to a different topic. We finish our little afternoon tea session or whatever you want to call it and part ways for the evening.

"Master, why do you not drink?" Faris voices out to me as we are riding Blacky home.

"Hmmm? Oh, alcohol? Why, do you want to drink? I don't mind."

"No, I just wanted to learn more about master."

"...Well, I never liked the idea of drinking and the whole culture around it."

"Culture?"

"Some random people made up the idea that drinking should be a social norm and a measure to see if you're a mature, sociable adult by making everyone feel that it is normal to spend their hard-earned money on an expensive drink that is addictive, bad for your health, and can make you lose control of yourself and maybe kill you. I just don't think it makes sense at all, that's all, I'm fine with other people drinking though so if you want to drink, that's your decision to make."

"Is alcohol bad for me?"

"Errr... I guess you wouldn't know, well, it won't do any harm to you in the short term especially if you drink in moderation, but if you drink excessively often, you'll start regretting it in the future as more illnesses sprout out for you to deal with as you get older if it doesn't kill you first."

"...Then I won't drink alcohol as well, master."

"I'm not trying to scare you, it won't be that bad if you drink in moderation, it's still up to you," I say as I turn around to pat Faris on the head, seeing the earnest her try to copy me is so cute.

"No, I'll do the same as master."

I'm going to have to "punish" her once we get home for being so cute, though I probably should rest up for the tournament tomorrow.

---

The next day, on the 1st day of the 3rd month, we head straight to the guild to participate in the iron badge dueling tournament.

We are instructed to head toward the training ground area upon arrival and is met with the scene of at least hundreds of adventurers hanging around with the entire training ground seems to have transformed overnight, having tons of marked out arenas surrounded by large bleachers for the audience.

I somehow spot Lawrence sitting under a parasol in his guild uniform at one of the registration counters.

"Morning Lawrence, there sure is a huge crowd here."

"Oh, aren't you early for being Aster?"

"What does that mean? And register me as present would you?"

"Yeah yeah, don't worry, the tournament won't start right away, and there are around a thousand adventurers participating so it will take a while before they are even ready to draw out the brackets. Which means I don't have spare time to chat with you, so begone." Lawrence says shooing me away.

"Didn't want to look at your sorry face for long anyways, I'm off to find Norton," I say while waving at Lawrence who seems to be already ignoring me.

I cut the banter short and start walking around aimlessly to try to find Norton and his party, though, with a thousand participants plus all the spectators around, I doubt I'll find him before my matches start. Just as I walk away from the registration area I hear an overpowering obnoxious shout.

"HAHAHA, look at all these people Caroline, they're all going to witness my glorious victory here today."

I turn over to see the sharp red-haired kid making a ruckus while he holds onto a girl in each arm, followed by his entourage of females.

"...Tsk, just my luck, of all things to happen, we would run into him in this tournament... Let's go, Faris, he'll probably lose early anyways if he fell for elementary traps like pitfalls, let's try not to come into contact with him."

We retreat into the crowd and resume our mission of finding Norton except with the added condition of avoiding the plague named Kou.

Goddamnit, is this the bad part that comes with the luck blessing?