That voice was none other than the Eternal Insect System, now activated within Arte. It was the grand legacy of the God Artemis to his true-born son.
The Mysterious Voice in question was the very figure who had approached Arte. The Voice told Hilda and Gunnar that it was time for Arte to know the truth, as destiny awaited.
Arte shouldn’t be forced to stay here, believing he is the child of Gunnar and Hilda. This belief would bind him and make him too pampered given the harshness of this magical world.
“If it's indeed the time, we must take action!” Hilda and Gunnar exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. These foster parents had decided to prepare Arte.
However, before revealing the truth to Arte, they waited for the right moment, at least until he was ready to accept his true identity.
"You're right. Before that day comes, let's make the most of our time, imparting to him all the knowledge of our world! We'll also pass on our Magic and Combat Skills to him," Gunnar decided.
"I understand, let's do it! I'm sure smart and genius Arte can grasp all our teachings. I will ensure he becomes the strongest wizard and the best knight on this continent!" Hilda said, energized.
The two, known as the continent's strongest Wizard and Valkyrie, immediately set a rigorous training regimen for Arte leading up to the predetermined day.
"With this, we can mold young Arte into one of the best on this continent. Even kingdoms and empires would think twice before crossing him," Hilda affirmed.
"We should also incorporate the secret we've been protecting, the one that has had us pursued by kingdom and empire wizards. We'll place this grand secret within Arte," Gunnar enthusiastically added.
Eavesdropping outside, Arte remained pensive without uttering a word. The Mysterious Voice's words in his dreams were becoming reality.
He was not the biological child of the parents who raised him. Arte also realized that the Mysterious Voice had conveyed the same understanding to his foster parents.
On the bright side, Arte realized he had nothing to worry about. Even if his foster parents weren’t his biological ones, their love for him remained unchanged.
“I can't let down Father Gunnar and Mother Hilda. Whatever happens, they're still my parents. Nothing has changed!” Arte mentally reassured himself, exuding a maturity beyond his years.
Having almost shed tears earlier, he now wore a broad smile and headed to his room.
Recognizing that there was no need for sorrow, Arte was well-prepared for the destiny that awaited him.
Furthermore, he had overheard about the rigorous training his parents had planned for him. He needed to be ready. He would embrace his fate.
***
The next morning, after the training schedule was established, Arte was set on a tough ten-year training program that would diverge him from normal childhood play.
He was to be molded into a formidable figure. Hilda and Gunnar had thoroughly planned everything, confident of no future mishaps.
Being a supreme Wizard and direct descendant of the Highest Valkyrie, they believed they could guide Arte to greatness, ensuring no failures.
“My dear Arte, from now on, Mother and Father will rigorously train you. All for your future betterment. Are you ready for this?” Hilda asked firmly.
“I am ready, Mother! I won’t disappoint you or Father. I'm confident I can handle everything!” young Arte answered with an adorable face.
"Very well, let's begin with Father’s training! Follow me, Arte!" Gunnar said, showcasing his prowess. He flew using magic circles to a nearby hill.
Arte, watching from behind, smiled and ran after him without a hint of complaint.
Gunnar, a master of his magical craft, initiated Arte's training immediately upon arrival.
He began with understanding elements, magic circles, and all things related to magic from dawn till midday.
“Keep at it, Arte! You must grasp the formation of each spell, starting with memorizing, understanding, and combining words from that book into a magic chant and materializing it directly!”
“Each word or phrase has a specific resonance related to a particular magical power. When a wizard pronounces a spell correctly, the magical energy is summoned and focused to its specific intent.”
Gunnar was stern in his guidance. He was a perfectionist in magical incantations.
A few moments later, Arte managed to memorize several magic spells. He briefly tried one out, successfully conjuring a ball of fire in his hand.
"Father, I did it! I have–"
"Don't get too excited, you are still far from meeting my expectations!" Gunnar cast a wind spell, extinguishing the fireball in Arte's hand. He then continued.
"Your magic will be wasted if you don't use a magic circle around it. All of this is to bind and minimize the magic mana you use, remember that!" Gunnar asserted, staring intently down at Arte.
"Listen closely, Arte! The magic circle is a crucial aspect of spell casting. This circle is a magical boundary created to separate the physical world from the magical one."
"The circle's purpose is to protect the mana within you and amplify the magical energy used in all magic skills. The process of forming a magic circle starts by stating the intention behind the circle."
"Then, using a magical tool or your own hands, the magician creates a perfect circular line around them. This circle is adorned with magical symbols that have special meanings derived from your incantations!"
"Now, do you understand all the mistakes you made earlier?" Gunnar pressed, not giving Arte much time to think.
Arte paused for a moment, then raised his hand. In a short time, he managed to create a massive magic circle and shouted.
"Fire Magic: Giant Fireball!" Arte exclaimed, his innocent face unchanged. However, he managed to conjure a fireball as big as a modest village house.
"Damn, my son is truly extraordinary! Even the smartest person on this continent couldn't possibly do this. This fireball is insane!" Gunnar thought to himself, astounded as he stared at the colossal fireball.
In the daytime, the training continued, led by Hilda with lessons on the sword, spear, and arrow. It was an intense session that had always been part of Arte's training regimen. "My dear Arte! Would you like to rest for a bit after practicing with your father earlier?" Hilda offered, having witnessed her son conjure a massive Fireball. It consumed a considerable amount of Magic Mana. Thus, she wanted to give her son a brief respite. But Arte's reply was decisive. "It's alright, Mother! I still have the stamina to practice swordsmanship! Let’s begin your training!" Arte responded confidently. "You truly are gifted, my son! In that case, let’s not delay any further. Let’s start with this sword!" explained Hilda, tossing a wooden sword to Arte. "A skilled swordsman trains in various offensive and defensive movements, combining speed, precision, and agility to defeat their opponent. That's the essence of wielding a sword!" Hilda began her explanation. She continued, demonstrating a s
The rigorous training went on, and before he knew it, Arte Balder was now 20 years old, blossoming into a fearless, handsome young man. All the skills possessed by his parents had been passed down to him entirely. Nothing was left out. However, he still needed to boost the capacity of his mana. Arte had even mastered the four fundamental elements of magic simultaneously, and there wasn’t a magical weapon he couldn’t control. That's who he had become. His most significant achievement was integrating magic with weapons. This placed him alongside the genius wizards of this continent. "This is your last training day, Arte Balder, my son!" Hilda exclaimed with joy. “We have nothing more to give. Perhaps, it's only the world that can provide you with valuable lessons!” she added softly. Gunnar, having just arrived, handed over a magical staff and the finest sword to Arte, treasures of the highest caliber in the World of Magic and Swordsmanship. "You've always wanted a genuine sword, ri
Hundreds of witches in this operation are immensely powerful. All of them had trained precisely to launch both ranged and close-quarters attacks. Their combined assault was flawless, with not a single miss. They then attacked Gunnar from all sides, giving the old man no space to move or retaliate. They managed to lock him up with a powerful sealing spell. Meanwhile, Hilda grabbed Arte's hand and tried to flee the scene, following Gunnar's earlier instructions. She did not want her son to be caught by those scoundrels. "We need to get out of here now! Trust your father with everything here! He's strong, he won't be defeated!" Hilda tugged at the somewhat stunned Arte, who was overwhelmed by the inexplicable battle unfolding before him. Arte snapped out of his daze, declaring with conviction, "We should fight alongside Father, Mother! I won't leave him alone! I've become strong, and I'll fight to help Father!" Hilda stopped in her tracks as her pull on Arte had no effect. She looked
Meanwhile, Hilda and Arte had reached a sprawling forest that stretched from the remote village to several major cities in the kingdom. The forest was dense, with sunlight barely penetrating its depths. Moreover, it was inhabited by numerous monsters of various races and high power levels. Yet, none of this deterred Hilda and Arte from their escape. They swiftly made their way through the forest, heading east toward the Blue Dragon City. "Hurry up, Arte! Don't let them catch us!" Hilda sternly warned, holding back tears that threatened to fall at any moment. She was thinking of her husband who was cornered earlier. But all this was just a facade, a ruse to evoke sympathy from Arte. Hilda and her husband had meticulously planned everything. They aimed to eventually mold Arte into a fearsome figure. She had managed to keep this secret perfectly. "Mother, shouldn't we–" "If I say run faster, you run! Your father's sacrifice must not be in vain! We can't teleport too far because of
Hilda and Arte, having skillfully evaded each of the enemy's assaults and taken refuge on a tree branch, saw no other choice but to counterattack. Especially when they witnessed the sorcerers relentlessly bombarding the dense forest, launching various attacks, causing fires to blaze sporadically. The enemies seemed indifferent to such destruction. Their sole focus now was capturing Valkyrie Hilda Inggrid. Witnessing this, Arte no longer had room for doubt. With a heavy heart, he finally said, "I will do it, but can you promise me that you will live for a little longer?” "I swear I will find both of you, father and mother, soon after I've acquired what I need from my forthcoming journey. I will search for both of you relentlessly!" "Can you promise me that, Mother? I won’t be gone long, I will surely–” But before he could finish, he was embraced in a warm final hug by Hilda. A contented smile appeared on Hilda's face, hearing Arte's response. She could see her son's calm demeanor
"I won't let you do anything strange!" Gunnar's shout made Ulla glance at her subordinate. She seemed to be signaling for him to do something horrific to Gunnar. "Understood, Leader!" the subordinate replied, grasping his superior’s intent. He swiftly moved his hands, and soon after, a burning flame capable of blistering human skin appeared within the Eternal Crystal Prison. "Argh!" Gunnar screamed in pain, his voice filled with agony. Especially to Arte, who was hiding in the distance, the torture was unbearable to witness. "Stop tormenting my husband, or do you want me to unleash my forbidden power? Don't force me into my most powerful state!" threatened Hilda, trying to free herself from Ulla Sven's grip with all her might. "Stunning Magic: Paralyze this woman's joints!" Ulla shouted, sealing Hilda's joints and rendering her unable to move freely. Even speaking became a struggle for her. Ulla’s magical skill was overwhelming. She held the upper hand, ensuring neither Gunnar nor
Imdal Magni, a middle-aged man with a muscular and tall stature, stands out among the people around him. His dark skin radiates valiance and an inner resolve that shines from within. His jet-black hair falls gracefully over his shoulders, adding an air of mysterious assertiveness. When the wind blows, his hair billows beautifully, further enhancing his strong masculinity. Imdal has an imposing presence and sharp eyes that signify determination. His rugged face evokes strength and can inspire respect from anyone around him at that moment. "State your command, Lady Hilda! Is this about annihilating everyone here?" Imdal Magni inquired enthusiastically. He specializes in body and physical enhancement magic. "Indeed, I, Freya Inggrid, have arrived and am ready to lay waste to this world! Please give your command, Lord Gunnar! I can no longer restrain my eagerness to wreak havoc!" exclaimed a beautiful woman in a long white dress. Her name is Freya Inggrid, a woman with an enchanting b
"We finally managed to escape from there. But, did you sense something odd about the behavior of our two masters, Imdal?" Freya asked as they continued flying eastward. Carrying Arte on his shoulder, Imdal immediately nodded in understanding. Doubt appeared in his eyes, questioning the mysterious actions of their masters. "It seems our summoning was only to protect this young man named Arte through this uncertain and long journey. Are we to become slaves to this young man? Is this—" Imdal's words were abruptly cut off. "Don’t speak of what was commanded to us telepathically. Fear that this young man might hear it. Even though he's unconscious, I can see something special in him. Let's execute the order,” Freya whispered. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Freya! Our mission is to protect this boy and train him to navigate this world,” said Imdal, his face both wise and sweaty. "It's also a good thing, as we're no longer confined to that dimension by the Two Masters. We must do everythi
That morning, as the sun just began to rise over the Flame Mountains, Arte, Imdal, and Freya prepared to continue their journey. They planned to delve deeper into the mountains to find the legendary Phoenix Ashes. However, their plans were abruptly halted when Arte received an urgent notification from the system within him. [It's urgent, Master Arte! Your shop in the city is facing serious trouble. It seems some people are causing problems. You must return immediately!] Arte, surprised by the sudden notification, paused and stared into the distance. "We need to return to the city now," he said with a serious tone. "Our shop is in trouble." Imdal, who was checking his equipment, turned quickly. "Trouble? At our shop? What happened, Arte?" Freya, who was gathering the last of the herbs from the ruins of Dragon Steel, also looked shocked. "Our shop? We need to get back immediately. Who dares cause trouble there?" Without any delay, the trio quickened their pace back to the city. The
Still in the valley of the Flame Mountains, the battle between Arte, Imdal, and Freya against the herd of Dragon Steel reached its climax. Each of their attacks struck with incredible force, creating blinding explosions and lights. Imdal's first attack, "Blade Storm," created a whirlwind of swords pelting the steel skin of the Dragon Steel. Each blade struck with fierce speed and power, making a loud clanging noise upon hitting their steel skin. Though hard, the skin of the Dragon Steel began to show signs of cracking. Freya, with her "Eternal Blizzard," enveloped the battlefield in a bitter ice storm. The ice assaulting the Dragon Steel's bodies produced a deafening cracking sound, momentarily halting their movement. The glowing eyes of the Dragon Steel now emitted smoke, a sign of the burning rage within them. Arte, using "Shadow Strike," leaped high and swung the Time of Death Black Sword with precision. Each of his sword strikes created shadows slicing through the air, targetin
As Arte, Imdal, and Freya continued their struggle against the increasingly enraged Fire Golem horde, the system's voice within Arte brought good news. [Master Arte, you have now successfully defeated twenty Fire Golems. Each Golem is worth 10 Experience Points & 1 System Point. You have accumulated 200 Experience Points & 20 System Points, and... congratulations on your initial success!] Arte, hearing the notification in his head, couldn't hide his satisfied smile. "Thank you, system. I have indeed made significant progress today," he murmured to himself while continuing the battle. Meanwhile, Imdal and Freya were busy harvesting Crystal Hearts from the bodies of the fallen Golems. They worked efficiently, storing the precious hearts in their bags. "Look at this, Imdal. These Crystal Hearts will surely be useful for our new weapons and potions," said Freya, her eyes sparkling at their harvest. Imdal, lifting one of the Crystal Hearts with his sturdy hand, laughed. "Yes, this wi
[Master Arte, remember! These Fire Golems are enormous creatures, clearly made of hot stones and flowing lava, towering in the valley of the Flame Mountains, yet they are vulnerable, and you and your guards can win!] This was the voice of the system within Arte, which continued, [With their massive bodies rumbling with each movement, they seem like the volcano itself is speaking. So, good luck on your first hunt!] Their eyes, glowing with embers, surveyed the vast surroundings vigilantly. Every move they made was filled with the power to shatter anything in their path. Arte, Imdal, and Freya now observed from a distance, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their foes. "They are strong but slow. We must use our speed and cunning," whispered Arte, his eyes focused on the nearest Fire Golem. Imdal, with his heavy sword ready in hand, stared at the Fire Golem, as if challenging it. "I'll attack from the front, drawing its attention. You two take that chance." Freya, her magic s
At the moment when silence enveloped the Sacred Dragon-Drake Shop, Arte, Imdal, and Freya surrounded a large map spread out on an old wooden table. Their eyes sharply scoured it, seeking the perfect location for their upcoming hunt. Candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, creating a mysterious aura that enveloped the room. "What do you think about the Flame Mountains?" Arte asked, his finger firmly pointing at the map. "Rumors say, there lies Phoenix Ashes and Dragon Steel, both ingredients we need for our new potions and weapons." Imdal, with his sturdy posture, nodded. "The Flame Mountains, a place full of challenges. I'm confident we'll find what we need there. But we must be cautious, the fire monsters there are no easy foes." Freya, her gaze sharp, added, "Also, if I'm not mistaken, there's the legendary Fire Golem. Its power is tremendous, but if we defeat it, we could obtain the rare Crystal Heart, essential for our magic potions." Arte pondered over these facts, weighi
Henry Pendragon sat behind his desk at the Trade Association. The large window beside him provided a perfect view of the city center, including the Sacred Dragon-Dragon Store that was beginning to assert its dominance. Sunlight streamed through the window, perfectly illuminating his room and casting delicate shadows on the marble-floored surface. With a sharp gaze, Henry observed the activities surrounding the store. "He truly is extraordinary!" he murmured, "how did Arte and his two subordinates manage to swiftly transform the face of Blue Dragon City, all starting from a shop I granted them? They are immensely talented!" He smiled in satisfaction, but that smile quickly faded as his eyes landed on an object atop his desk. It gleamed with captivating colors. An ancient artifact called the ‘Nyxion Prism’. An epic-grade artifact resembling a prism, beautifully engraved with a dragon symbol at its center and rare gems on each of its sides. These gems could refract light in a magnifi
With meaningful eyes, Henry replied, “I admire your confidence. But remember this, through diplomacy, showcasing, and respecting their game rules, you can easily prevail.” He then stood up and walked over to the large window, gazing at the city shimmering under the moonlight. “Always bear in mind, every noble has secrets, every family has vulnerabilities. You must learn to observe and listen, turning that knowledge into a formidable weapon!” “Never reveal everything, but always be prepared for any possibility. Play your cards right, and you can acquire power, wealth, and most importantly, live peacefully in this city,” he added with ambition. Freya inquired curiously, "Lord Pendragon, why share all this with us? It seems your relationship with the Firestone Family isn't in good standing, is it?" Henry offered a thin smile. "The Firestone family and I share a long history, filled with conflicts and collaborations. I tell you this because I see potential in the three of you.” “I wag
On the fifth floor of the Trade Association, silence dominated the grand and lavish room. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, casting a gentle and soothing light. This room bore silent witness to countless transactions and negotiations in the Blue Dragon City. Henry Pendragon sat majestically in his mahogany chair, fixing his sharp gaze upon the three individuals before him. Arte, Imdal, and Freya stood confidently, but their demeanor conveyed respect. Henry took a deep breath and then said, "Three strangers coming into this city with a high-grade Artifact surely have specific intentions. So, tell me, what are you really after in this Blue Dragon City?" Arte glanced at Imdal and Freya, then sighed lightly. "We come with sincere intentions, Lord Pendragon. We merely wish to set up a shop here, conducting our business peacefully. This artifact is merely a sample of the quality goods we possess." Henry's eyes narrowed. He could sense something being hidden by the trio. "Many peopl
When Orion Firestone's threat echoed across the floor, his burly and valiant guards quickly moved towards Arte's dining table and his two subordinates. They all stepped forward confidently, acting as if nothing could obstruct their mission to retaliate for the impudent remarks made by Arte and Imdal earlier. Their sharp eyes, like hungry wolves, glared at Arte with full rage. It was clear they wouldn't hesitate to attack. They shouted fiercely. "You commoners are but trash in front of our noble Firestone Family. So, don't blame us if we get rough!" declared one of the guards. "Oh, then try it!" Arte's voice remained calm, now standing tall beside his table, seemingly challenging the guards. He stood firm, knowing he was up against the Firestone Family's elite forces. But just as the guards prepared to charge, two shadows swiftly darted in front of him. Imdal and Freya, Arte's subordinates, with surprising agility and speed, stood between Arte and the advancing guards, ready to co