It was a warm and humid morning in the middle of summer. Vincent had already been at the training camp for a few weeks and had continued to do the chores of the camp. Many had taken to calling his the chore boy behind his back. Vincent was oblivious to these names, because he was still bathing in the happiness of his improving stats. Also, due to his poor reputation, he was ostracized by everyone, but he didn’t mind it much; he was used to it in his past life. Sometimes being ignored was a blessing.

“What’s your judgement on the Redwall boy?” A man asked as he observed the youth chopping wood.

“I don’t get that kid. He comes to camp dead drunk that even a fire wouldn’t wake him. Slacks off when no one was watching and acts stuck up and refuses to socialize with anybody. However, whenever I punish him he always perks up and smirks like a smartass back at me.” Halt complained. He was the instructor for Vincent, and was an old hand at training soldiers, but Vincent’s attitude still left him guessing.

“From what my informants managed to dig up, the Redwall boy was the lowest of trash. Aside from murder, he had done it all. There were rumors that he would have thugs kidnapped young girls for him to play with. Those are just rumors, but since he’s the scum of Redwall, it’s most likely true.” The man sneered.

“I’m not sure if that’s true.” Halt hesitantly replied. “From what I’ve seen so far, aside from his poor communication skills and tendency to daydream, he’s just like any normal kid… maybe more like an easy-going kid.”

“Still… I can’t stop imagining what could’ve happened to my niece if she was in her room when he barged in…” Aster clenched his teeth in frustration.

“It didn’t happen, that’s all that you should care about. Isn’t that why the kid is here? I think it’s time to test the kid’s temperament.” Halt lightly said.

“You don’t mean…” Aster turned to look at Halt all bewildered-like.

“With this test, we’ll truly know just what’s going on in his mind.” Halt flashed a toothy grin.

“Alright. I’ll give you permission to use THAT.”

“Thanks.”

Unbeknownst to Vincent, two men had already decided his next punishment. Vincent was ecstatic the last couple days. His stats were steadily raising and his endurance had already reached 20. His chores, which he called daily tasks, consisted of washing the dirty clothes, drawing water, chopping wood, patrolling, and drilling, had all contributed to the increase of his stats.

“If only my perception and magic would increase.” He let out a soft sigh. “It truly wouldn’t be a fantasy world if I can’t use magic.” He felt some regret. Magic was something that required lots of time and training in order to use. Not only was magic costly, but only the talented could become powerful magicians. Even though he obviously had no talent in magic, he still wanted to raise his magic stat, in the off chance that he would be able to use it. Just as he was contemplating how he would raise his magic stat, his prison warden, Halt appeared in front of him.

“Drop those buckets and follow me. Don’t ask any questions.” Halt motioned for him to follow and they took off into the forest.

“This old man can’t be bringing me out of the camp to kill me right?” Vincent thought. “No, the original Vincent had gone through this and came back alive.”

“Here we are.” Halt stopped in front of a stone door with a strange symbol on it.

“What’s this?” Vincent traced the engraved symbol.

“I said not to ask any questions.” Halt berated him and motioned for Vincent to enter.

The inside of the cave wasn’t small nor was it very big. There was no lighting inside the cave and Vincent could only make out a small indent in the center of the cave.

“Wait here.” Halt commanded and left. Soon after, a low rumble was heard at the door.

“What are you doing?!” Vincent sucked in a cold breath as he yelled only to be met with the echoing of his own voice. The darkness encroached closer to him as he felt a shiver pass down his spine. “Could this be how I die?” He felt his breathing quicken as he shrunk down and curled up.

“No… Not like this…”

“I… Don’t want to be alone… again…”

Images of the cold hospital room flashed in front of him. The darkness of the cave was gone, replaced by the dead setting of the pure white hospital room. Vincent… Chumong laid on his bread, hooked up to the ICU. His limbs refusing to obey him as he laid motionless. His eyes stared at the ceiling with no light in them.

“NOOOOO!!!” Vincent began to dry heave.

It was during his hysteria that Halt rushed into the cave, once more illuminating the darkness with light from the outside. Halt grabbed at the boy, stopping the boy from further scratching at his face in fear.

“Goddamnit! What the fuck is wrong with you, Kid!” He yelled. As soon as he pulled apart the youth’s arms, he felt a strong embrace wrapping around him.

“D-don’t!... Don’t leave me… I’ll be a good boy…” Vincent spoke out, sobbing in fear.

Halt was stunned and didn’t know how to react. However, he could feel the youth’s trembling body and only feel his heart soften. “Look kid, I dunno what’s wrong with ya, but don’t be scared. I’m here.” Halt felt uncomfortable, because as an instructor he wasn’t supposed to show compassion, but this was the first time seeing such a reaction from someone.

Not long later, Vincent had finally calmed down somewhat and moved away from Halt. He felt around his body and felt his rapidly beating heart. He swung his arms around and stamped his feet. He jumped and skipped around and after finally reassuring himself did he let out a deep breath.

“I’m sorry for that odd behavior.” Vincent said apologetically.

“…” Halt studied the kid once more. “I can’t seem to understand ya, Kid.” Halt grumbled and left, leaving the entrance to the cave wide open. Vincent followed after him and soon returned to finishing his chores.

Aster was drilling a batch of cadets when Halt came up to him.

“Halt! So how’s the Redwall boy’s reaction?” Aster asked interested in the reply.

“… He’s a good kid.” Halt answered solemnly and turned around leaving. Aster was left with a confused look on his face as he looked at the back of his leaving comrade.

Ever since the affair with Vincent’s breakdown in the cave, Halt had stopped pestering him. Vincent had also reflected on what he did. He continued his daily routine until summer became autumn.

“Status.”

===

Status

[Strength] (20)

[Endurance] (21)

[Agility] (23.2)

[Perception] (12.3)

[Magic] (6)

Talents

[Flexible Body] (null)

Titles

[Inheritor of the Aion Ring]

===

Vincent felt some satisfaction upon viewing his stats. However, ever since he reached the twenty threshold, he began to feel his improvements stagnating. It would take him the whole day before even earning 0.1 in one of the three categories.

“Is this the full potential of this body?” Vincent frowned. “This is only slightly stronger than a full grown man.” He frowned. Right now he was as strong as a soldier who had undergone training for a year. Even though he only spent a few months to get to this point which was already amazing, he was comparing himself to the main character. “Even at my strongest, I can’t even match up to the main character.” He humorlessly laughed at his pitiful ability.

“What are you going on about, Kid?” Halt appeared and asked. In the time that Halt stopped pestering Vincent, he had been studying Vincent and trying to make sense of Vincent’s temperament. What he had concluded was that Vincent wasn’t what the rumors had indicated. In truth, Vincent was more like positive gentle kid with a communication disorder. Halt had paid attention to Vincent’s earnest hard work and positive outlook during this short period.

“…” Vincent silently stared at Halt. In his perspective, Halt was a cruel man who loved to torture him.

Halt flinched at the kid’s clear and sharp gaze and felt a little guilty. “*Kuhum* I came to tell you that your punishment had ended. You can rejoin the other cadets in their physical training.”

“There’s no need. I won’t get any stronger.” Vincent shook his head.

Halt’s gaze narrowed upon hearing those words. “What do you mean?” He walked over to Vincent, “Let me see.” Halt said as he starts feeling Vincent’s body.

“Wha- Hey!” Vincent yelled in fright. “I don’t consent~!”

“Shut up, Idiot! I’m only checking your muscles.” Halt yelled back embarrassingly. Even though it looked like Halt was doing a poor job at checking Vincent’s muscle mass he was actually paying close attention.

“Are you finished yet?” Vincent cried out. ‘I can’t get married anymore…’ he though.

“Just about.” Halt said and stepped back. Halt was actually impressed. Although Vincent didn’t look well-built, the kid’s body was actually very toned and hard. In short, Vincent’s muscles were very dense; a perfect body for explosive strength and endurance. In fact, Halt was even slightly envious, because halt would prefer having a body like Vincent instead of his stocky build.

“So?” Vincent asked curious at the results.

“It’s as you’ve said, Kid. Your body is at peak fitness.”

“Then what should I do?”

“…” Halt studied the kid’s earnest eyes before making his decision. “Normally I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass, but I’ll tell ya something good.” He motioned for Vincent to come closer. “There’s a way to surpass your limits and continue improving yourself.”

“What is it?” Vincent asked enthusiastically.

“Do ya remember that cave a while back?” Halt asked carefully, paying attention to Vincent’s reaction.

“Oh… That cave?” Ever since that incident Vincent had worked hard at calming his mind.

“Yes. In truth, that place is a very special place. That place is used to train our top agents. Right now, what you are seeing are our basic cadets.” Halt motioned around. “After finishing their basic training, the cadets would then choose a specialization and go on from there. Out of every batch of cadets there is sometimes one that exceeds the standards and recommended to join our top unit, the Ranger unit.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about them. That’s where the Evergreen Ranger corps first got its name from.” Vincent chimed in. In one arc of the novel, the Evergreen Rangers played a pivotal role in supporting the MC.

“Yes, every Ranger not only requires a fit body, but also a fit mind.” Halt tapped his head. “That’s where the cave comes in. It’s an enchanted room, gifted by the royal throne. Once inside and closed off, the whispers of the devil will tempt one’s mind and must be resisted. Through this tempering, we’re able to train our minds and willpower.”

“So that’s why!” Vincent’s eyes brighten up. “So you thought I was ready for it, that’s why you took me there the other day, right?” Vincent felt his heart warm up at this tsundere uncle.

“Err… R-right! I always believed in ya kid. I didn’t think ya would react so strongly to it, so I decided to wait fer a while before asking again.” Halt awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “So? Ya wanna give it another go?”

“…” Vincent clenched his fists before sticking out his chest. “I’ll do it!”

“Atta’boy!” Halt yelled while smiling.