I Need Money to Level Up

Chapter 9: Towers of Mastery

"That is fine. We don't have to act all buddy-buddy so soon," Harth said and offered a handshake to Raiden. "Let's work together from now on."

"It seems there is still hope for you," Lenore said and then snorted. "Are you already packed to come with us?"

"... I don't have many things to pack," Raiden replied after noticing the eyes of satisfaction in Lenore's eyes and the smile on Iri's face.

"Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Harth said. "I will come to pick you up tomorrow morning. You should talk with your friends and stay with them until tomorrow. Also, some of my friends want to adopt them, so you don't have to worry. They live close by as well."

"Is that so?" Raiden asked.

Raiden wasn't that worried, but that was some good news. Those two will take some time to fit in, but they are making progress with their social skills... still, it is better not to reveal that yet. After those three left, Raiden sighed... in a way, the whole situation was more tiresome than the situation before... Raiden felt that comparing it was unfair, but it was a fact that he was mentally exhausted.

After finishing his meal, Raiden packed his things into his room. His life was going to change again, and he didn't know how it would... it would change for the better, but he didn't know the specifics. Speaking of change, he still had the two swords that he got from the guards, and he wondered if he should sell them... he won't need them, and the money probably would help him level up.

"I need to check how my life will be from now on and then make plans for my next steps," Raiden thought while packing his things. "It doesn't look like I will be in danger anytime soon, but I should work on mitigating trouble."

Harth came to pick Raiden up after breakfast, and he came with his friends, who wanted to talk with Javier and Ruth. Still, he didn't wait for them, and then Raiden followed him.

"I never told you what I really do, didn't I?" Harth asked. Lenore decides most things here, but I am training the guards and our agents who are hired for jobs outside."

"The people here are hired to work outside the village? Like guards and soldiers?" Raiden asked.

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"It depends from client to client; we produce one of the best types of warriors in the world, after all," Harth explained. "It might be a bit too soon for you to know, but we do a bit of everything when it comes to working for others."

Harth explained that kids from the age of five up to fifteen receive training to defend themselves. They also learn how to write and read. When they are ten, they are told to choose between continuing their training or changing to another profession. There is no pressure on them since the village always needs all kinds of workers.

"Once they graduate, they can start working outside, but they keep their training with me since a good blade is one which is always sharpened," Harth added. "Iri joined us this year, so she stays with me most of the time, and Lenore works during the whole day as well. You will have the chance to study in the morning and then during the whole morning and half of the afternoon once you reach the fifth group. You look smart, so I am sure you will do it in no time."

Raiden imagined that the ten years old kids would have to train more once they made up their minds. It was a bit embarrassing to practice with five years old, but the requirements to pass on their lessons shouldn't be that high.

The house was a two-store mansion featuring a striking combination of traditional design and modern elements. Its exterior was adorned with charcoal-colored wooden panels, meticulously crafted to showcase intricate carvings depicting various scenes from nature. The roof, covered in sleek, curved black tiles, adds an air of sophistication to the overall structure.

The interior boasts an exquisite blend of traditional and contemporary design elements, seamlessly combining comfort and luxury. High ceilings adorned with intricate woodwork lend an aura of openness and grandeur to the rooms.

"This is our home; I hope that you can get used to it soon," Harth said. "Today is my day off, but the other two are already working. So, I will show you the house and the school and your instructor. You can start whenever you want."

"Tomorrow will be fine by me," Raiden replied.

"I guess you are in a hurry..." Harth said. "Well, I can understand your feeling."

Raiden was a bit bothered that he wouldn't be able to make money like most adults in the village as soon as he wanted, but there were other ways. Besides, he will have the afternoon and some part of the night to work on it.

"This is your room; I hope that it is large enough for you," Harth said once they moved the door to the side and revealed a room that was five meters wide and ten wide, and the walls, ceiling, and floor were made of high-quality wood. "Iri sleeps on the left side, and we are on the other side of the corridor."

"It is way more than big enough," Raiden said while looking at the bed, closet, chair, and table.

"If you need something to give the room more of your personality, you can tell us," Harth said.

"Okay," Raiden said and then put his back on the side of the bed.

"... Do you want to go to see the school already?" Harth asked. "Fine by me."

Harth thought that Raiden would get a good feeling of the room for the morning, and then they would check the school in the afternoon, but it seemed that Raiden lived his life at an insane pace.

The school of the district wasn't very far away from Raiden' new home, and thanks to the situation, he was able to see it up close better. Before he only saw the first floor, where the youngest students were practicing martial arts and learning how to read and write, but soon he confirmed that things were way more than just that.

The Towers of Mastery was a unique educational institution where knowledge and martial arts intertwined. It was a towering structure, rising majestically into the sky, consisting of ten levels, each dedicated to the holistic development of its students. Here, hundreds of enthusiastic learners from various age groups gather to explore a multitude of disciplines, with a special emphasis on martial arts.

The place had ten levels, Foundation level, novice level, apprentice level, journeymen level, adept level, and Scholar level... apparently, there were four other levels, but those could only be obtained after graduation; they were master level, elite level, grandmaster level, and council of the masters level.

Raiden was quite surprised by the grandeur of the place... the village took very seriously the fact that they were raising the next generation there.

The instructor on the first floor was a woman in her twenties who was teaching the five-year-old kids how to do handstands.

The woman had a youthful and petite appearance, reflecting her age and stature. She was a slender young woman with a fair complexion. Her most distinctive feature is her short, chin-length yellow hair, which was styled in a bob cut. Her bangs are neatly parted to frame her face, with a few strands falling across her forehead.

The woman's eyes were large and expressive, typically portrayed in a warm shade of brown. She wears a robe consisting of a black kimono with a white under-robe, held together by a black belt.

Their balance was quite impressive for their age. In any case, she stopped and made everyone copy her while she greeted Harth. At the same time, she nodded while looking at Raiden, and he did the same.

"It has been a while, Harth," The woman said. "It seems that you finally found the son that you all wanted. Are you planning to enroll him soon?"

"He wants to start tomorrow; it seems that another training freak joined the family," Harth replied.

"My, that is quite something... that is a good sign, though, isn't it?" The woman asked. "You look strong and healthy already, so I am sure you won't be under me for long. Still, I will be looking forward to having you here."

"Yes, ma'am," Raiden said and nodded again.

"It seems that you are disciplined already; I suppose Iri didn't spoil you too much already," The woman said. "We will be waiting for you tomorrow."