Chapter 2 - 3 Years (1)

Jade came out of his hideout as the morning dew filled the leaves.

It was a hideout that was created above a small hill, but thanks to Gnome's help, it didn't look artificial.

If anything, the hideout was covered in thick, lush trees.

"Let's start the day with vigor.", said Jade as he walked out of a small hut while stretching.

His appearance had changed a lot because a span of three years had pa.s.sed.

His hair was now long, and his facial hair was nice and thick – covering half of his face.

-Are you going to explore today too?

"Of course. There are still many places I haven't been to yet, and I especially need to remember where all the stronger guys are. That way, I can be even more careful when I pa.s.s by their territory."

-I guess we still have a long journey ahead of us.

"Is it okay for you to come out like this every day?", spoke Jade as he stared at the dainty little spirit sitting on his right shoulder.

It was the same size as Sylph but looked completely different from her.

-It's completely fine as long as you don't use your strength. I told you. Your affinity to spirits is at a crazy high level, so as long as you don't spend your mana, we can stay summoned in this world. It's honestly a wonder. Your level is so high that you can literally spit on a High Elf.

"I've been too lenient with you. You were so innocent when I first met you."

-Hey! I love the fact that I get to learn new words! I eventually also want to go to your world!

"I think it's going to get worse if you go over there.

Jade instinctively thought of all the food she would eat in his world, and how she would copy and follow all the show programs shown on TV.

This is the conclusion he had come to from what he had seen from her thus far.

-You'll be able to go. I'll help you! I can say the same for our other friends too.

"I hope so too, but I'm not sure if it's possible. I feel like we got a lot stronger, but it's not to the point that I can go back to my original world.", murmured Jade as he left the hideout.

Having spent the last three years living in the Great Forest, Jade had gotten much stronger.

It was to the point that it was incomparable to when he first woke up in this world, and not knowing a single thing.

Since the ancient times, many people had visited the Great Forest because it was placed in the middle of the continent.

There were many kings and emperors that had attempted to claim the Great Forest as their own because they had sought after the adjacent territories that were connected to it.

Although it was dangerous, they were greedy because of how large the land was.

Additionally, their memories were now with Jade, undamaged.

-Think of the past three years. You've become this strong in that short amount of time. I'm sure you're going to become even stronger.

"The problem is my growth has noticeably come to a crawl."

-That's normal. However, you have a special skill, don't you? I'm sure you're going to find a way to get stronger soon.

"I must. But first, I need to have enough mana to summon the true body for you four spirits."

Jade made a gloomy expression.

Although he was able to grow through the knowledge he had gained from his original world and the memories he had had pulled from artifacts, he was nowhere near content with his current level of power.

The Jade from when he first came to this world would have believed his current self to be strong, but recently, he felt like he was suffocating with his level.

Three years might not be much to most, but it was different for Jade.

-We will do our best as well, so don't be too depressed.

"I guess my current level IS outstanding. I don't have to worry about my life at least in the outskirts of the Great Forest. Only, the inner part of the forest is swarming with monsters."

-You can at least run away from them if you use all of your strength, you know? Although it might be difficult to win.

"That's true. Now, Let's go explore some more today."

-Okay!, yelled the wind spirit with an excited expression.

As he heard her voice, Jade used the skill that was enchanted on an a.s.sa.s.sin's earring.

The skill combined the technique of hiding and light steps together to move swiftly without noise.

Swish. Swish.

As he moved through the forest, he used his hands to draw out a map.

"I still have a long way to go."

-At this time, there isn't a single person contracted with a Spirit King, and even among elves, only High Elves are able to do such a feat. Even with them, there have only been one or two cases of such a thing happening.

"I can't even properly summon your true body.", shrugged Jade.

It was true that he had talent, but there was nothing he could do about time.

-Everything will work out in due time.

"If I'm still alive that is."

-If you don't do anything silly, there shouldn't be any reason for you to die. We spirits won't allow such a thing to happen either.

"Thanks.", Jade sincerely spoke.

If it wasn't for the spirits, Jade wouldn't be as sane as he was today.

-Thanks for what? We've been friends since day one.

"I didn't think you would take Sylph's form though."

-Hehe! I was the first to notice you! And, I was the first to form a contract with you!

Having remembered the past, the wind spirit laughed in delight.

It was a smile that was filled with innocence – the same as when they had first met.

"That's true. Ah, while we're at it, should we change how we do our exploring since there aren't any strong monsters around this area?"

-At best it would be Harpies.

"Even they move around in groups though."

-Meh. Just summon Scylla. If it's that child, it should finish with one hit.

The wind spirit spoke arrogantly.

It wasn't as strong as her, but Scylla wasn't a spirit that couldn't be disregarded.

It would be able to take care of a harpies without any issues.

"It's fine. It's best that we continue this balance. There's no point in making a ruckus over nothing."

-But I like watching fights.

The wind spirit smacked her lips.

As there were many monsters and animals in the Great Forest, it was quite fun watching them fight.

They were just as fierce as human wars.

"You can watch as much as you want after I leave. Just hold it in for now,"

-How much stronger do you need to get before you leave the Great Forest?

"Until I get enough strength to at least topple a single nation?"

-That should be possible if you summon all four of us.

There was a twinkle in the wind spirit's eyes.

There was a high chance that she was thinking of something crazy again inside her head.

"I think once I'm able to do that, I'll be able to move around freely on this continent and search for sages."

-Wouldn't it be faster to go find a dragon? Although their numbers have dwindled, there are dragons still living in this world.

"Yeah, but I could die looking for them."

-That's true. They all have eccentric personalities.

The wind spirit frowned, as if she had recalled a bad memory.

Jade had to at least have a Spirit King if he wanted to talk big in front of a dragon.

"Who knows if that day will ever come. The day I confront a dragon with confidence."

-It will. I also want to be there when that day comes. Dragons are such b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Especially, Red Dragon and Black Dragon!

"I guess you're still not at a level where you can fight against them?"

-I must at least become a Spirit King. Of course, even if I do, there are some that would still disregard me. But, in reality our strength is on the same level. We just never get to fight because dragons summon us, and of course, it would also be different if we fought in the Spirit World.

"A Spirit King you say."

Even with Celestine that was currently in front of him, he was quite shocked when he first saw her true body.

That's how big of an existence she really was - just overwhelming.

Jade had though he had gotten strong, but after seeing Celestine's true body, his confidence hit rock bottom.

He was just considered strong when it came to humans.

-Everyone is interested in you, Jade.

"Really?"

-Yeah! You currently have the most potential out of everyone here in this world. They don't really want to respond to a dragon's summon anymore either. Even if they're dragons, the ones to decide whether they accept the summon or not are the spirits.

"At least they're interested in me."

-There's no way they wouldn't be. Once you become a Spirit King, it's really difficult to cross over to the human world. Even for me, it's not as easy as you think!

Celestine yelled out in excitement.

She had adopted to temporary methods to come over to the human world.

In order to maintain herself, she had to downsize her body to Sylph's size, but she did not feel any discomfort from doing so.

She could always change herself to her original size if she wanted to too.

'The only thing was that Jade couldn't hold off for too long.'

He was doing his best to grow his mana, and his growth was extremely quick when compared to humans, but even still it wasn't enough.

The time won't be long until he reaches a higher level though.

"I'm not lonely either with you by my side."

-Hehe! I AM fun to be with!

"Although there are times when you can be annoying."

-Hey! I know when to act like myself and what not to now!

Celestine proudly yelled out.

She wasn't always loud. And, she was pretty helpful to Jade as well.

 "It's quite a big change compared to the beginning. Now, shall we get started again, Scylla?"

Woosh.

As Jade called out its name, wind gathered together, and a mid-level sprit appeared in the empty s.p.a.ce.

With a half translucent body, the Pegasus looking spirit rubbed its head on Jade's shoulder.

It was expressing its joy with everything it had.

"You little fellow, you."

Jade laughed as he watched the huge spirit show its affection, and gently patted its mane.

Neigh!!

Completed - Chapter 2 (1)