Blackstone Town

Jonathan heard the door creak open. Abraham spoke softly with someone outside, and Jonathan couldn't make out what they were saying.

But before long, Abraham came in.

Knock, knock, knock~

"Come in."

Abraham saw Jonathan reading and smiled faintly. "I'll be away for a while starting tomorrow. I'll be back within ten days at the latest. Stay here and don't go wandering off."

After a pause, he added, "And don't forget your training."

Jonathan nodded obediently. "I understand, Father."

Then Abraham closed the door and returned to his own room.

Jonathan had long since grown used to Abraham's frequent absences. For the past few years, Abraham had gone on a mission every month or two.

When Jonathan was younger, Abraham would leave him in the care of a family in nearby Blackstone Town.

Now that Jonathan could live on his own, there was no need for that. Abraham only had to tell him he was leaving.

Jonathan was grateful to Abraham, after all, he had saved his life.

Although Jonathan knew Abraham and his companions had killed his former body's family, he had come into this world in someone else's body, and unlike most transmigrators, he had none of the original owner's memories. So he felt little about it.

When he woke up, he had said he'd lost his memory—even his own name.

Abraham had been suspicious, but after thinking it over, he decided that such a horrific scene would be too much for a three- or four-year-old child. And after coming so close to death, it was only natural that he might lose his memory.

After spending some time with Jonathan, Abraham confirmed that he really had lost his memory and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Adopting and raising a child who hated him and wanted him dead would have been like putting a steel wire around his own neck, leaving him vulnerable to being turned on at any moment.

Jonathan had no such intentions. Once he confirmed he was in the Coiling Dragon World, all he wanted was to grow stronger.

It was currently the year 9988 of the Yulan Calendar.

If he remembered correctly, he was two years older than Linley.

Jonathan was naturally curious about the protagonist, but he wouldn't go out of his way to seek him out. He had his own path to follow.

The Yulan Continent was small. Once he became a top powerhouse, they would surely meet someday.

"I should be a third-level warrior by now."

Jonathan came to this conclusion because his soul had been strengthened three times.

The Soul Dao Fruit strengthened his soul whenever he broke through, so his spiritual power far surpassed that of warriors at the same level. Even mages couldn't compare.

By looking inward, he could see a Cyan Fruit in his mind, covered in mysterious runes.

The mist around the fruit was thin. Because of the injuries he'd sustained when he transmigrated, he had quickly used up all the energy protecting him.

The Soul Dao Fruit took ten years to replenish its energy.

Therefore, until he was fourteen, the Dao Fruit wouldn't be able to protect his soul.

"I wonder if I have a talent for magic."

"If I do, then with the Soul Dao Fruit's special properties, I'll probably cultivate as a mage even faster than I would as a warrior."

"Next time Father comes back, I'll ask him to find a way to test my talent for magic."

After reading the Magical Beast Compendium for a while longer, Jonathan went to bed.

In the middle of the night, Abraham quietly came in and stood beside him, watching for a while. When he saw Jonathan kick off his blanket, an affectionate smile appeared on his face.

He carefully pulled the blanket back over Jonathan, then stroked his head.

After that, he left and ran through the night.

The night was deep, and without the moon, he was almost impossible to see.

When Abraham left the room, Jonathan opened his eyes.

After years of Abraham's strict training, he'd developed a keen sense of alertness.

At first, he hadn't noticed Abraham pulling up his blanket, since he felt safe here. But when Abraham stroked his head, Jonathan woke up at once.

He looked toward the door and whispered, "Come back safe."

At the first hint of dawn, Jonathan got up for his morning exercises.

Afterward, he ate a little bread, then started training.

Squats, horse stance, long-distance running, swimming, and leaping from tree to tree in the woods—all of these trained his stamina and balance.

If Abraham had been there, Jonathan would also have had a morning lesson in assassination, learning to use weapons like daggers and short swords.

Every few days, Abraham would personally spar with him.

Jonathan had made considerable progress that year, which pleased Abraham greatly. He was sure Jonathan would surpass him one day.

Jonathan finished all his training in less than three hours. An ordinary person would probably have rested by then.

But thanks to his body's recovery, Jonathan increased the intensity that afternoon and began pushing himself to the limit. He trained even harder than he did when Abraham was around.

The days passed. Two days later, when he ran out of food, Jonathan went to town to buy more.

He was the one who always did the shopping, so he knew many of the townspeople quite well.

At his pace, he reached town in just over ten minutes.

Even running at full speed, it would take him nearly half a day to reach Black Flame City.

"Little Bard, here to buy food again?"

The shopkeeper, a plump auntie, smiled and reached out to pinch Jonathan's cheek, but he leaned back and dodged her.

"Getting shy, are you? You've grown up, and you're more handsome every time I see you. You'll have plenty of noble ladies falling for you one day."

"How about I give you my daughter's hand? Unlike those delicate noble ladies, my girl's strong and healthy. She'll be great at having children!"

Thinking of the girl who weighed twice as much as he did, Jonathan's mouth twitched.

"Auntie Yuegeer, no thanks. Father will decide who I marry."

"Stop teasing Jonathan. Here's what you asked for. Take it!"

Yuegeer's husband was a burly, red-haired middle-aged man. He smiled as he handed Jonathan a large bag of bread.

"Thanks, Uncle."

After thanking him, Jonathan hurried away. Behind him, he could still hear the couple chuckling.

He bought some meat and vegetables in town, then set off for home.

As he passed through the square, he saw a scarred middle-aged man sternly training a group of young boys, none older than thirteen or fourteen.

The scarred man noticed him and immediately smiled. "Jonathan, buying supplies again? Come over for a moment. Could you give me a hand?"

The scarred man was named Bode, and Jonathan knew him quite well, so he walked over without hesitation. "Uncle Bode, what is it?"

Facing the dozen or so boys, Bode said solemnly, "Today, I'm going to show you what a true genius looks like."

Jonathan understood at once. Bode wanted to use him to motivate the boys.

"Give me your things first. I'll put them to the side."

Jonathan nodded.

Suddenly, a boy of thirteen or fourteen said, "Instructor Bode, are you sure he can do it? He looks about ten to me."

"How strong could he be?"

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