Growth

As spring gave way to autumn, the continent of Lordaeron entered the harvest season.

Pale golden sunlight slanted across the land, dispelling the slight chill. The vast sky was completely cloudless, save for a touch of deep blue that stirred the heart.

Withered yellow leaves carpeted the roads of Stratholme. The dry leaves danced in the autumn breeze, circling the bare trees as their branches stretched toward the sky like unyielding hands.

It was still the same small training ground where they had first met, and the same pair of figures—a large one and a small one, worlds apart in size.

The young Warrior wore simple armor and kept his hair cropped short. Holding a wooden shield half his height, he shouted at the boy attacking him, "That's it! Lower your body and put your whole strength into charging your opponent!"

"Adjust the angle of your shield, then thrust with your sword the instant you make contact!"

After swinging his shield once more to block the boy's attack and deftly sidestepping him, the young man halted his shifting footwork and gestured for the panting boy to stop. "It's been almost half an hour, Alvin. I think you should take a break."

"All right, Instructor Uther," Alvin said breathlessly, bent over with both hands braced on his sword.

Though he was nearing his limit, the boy didn't sit down right away. He remembered his instructor's advice: make the most of every second to recover your strength, but never sit down with your guard down. If you wanted to survive on the battlefield, you had to stay alert at all times!

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed. Uther had lived up to Archbishop Faol's expectations. The boy's physique hadn't improved by much, but he could now keep up with ordinary children, and a hint of muscle had begun to show on his chest and limbs.

After the stubborn prince showed Uther his unyielding resolve and near-fanatical effort, the stuffy Warrior abandoned the disdain he'd felt at their first meeting and began to take the boy's training seriously. In time, he was gradually won over by the boy's spirit as well.

This experienced warrior taught him nearly everything he knew: the basics of every weapon, how to face an enemy on the battlefield, and how to protect himself properly. Though still young, Uther had seen many battles and was highly skilled in all forms of combat.

But he knew his own limitations. Though the world called him a genius, Alvin knew he'd only stumbled into his talent for the Priest profession. As for everything else, it came down to the maturity of a soul from another world and an unbound way of thinking.

Alvin understood perfectly well that half a year wasn't enough to make him a master of every weapon. He was interested in close combat, but unfortunately, unless compared with children his own age, his talent for martial arts was only slightly above average.

So the boy cautiously focused his limited energy on a few areas that might prove truly useful in the future: the long sword, the shield, and the warhammer.

A long sword could deal effectively with Gnolls and Trolls lacking armor. A shield was for protecting himself, while a warhammer was exceptionally effective against enemies in heavy armor. Of course, he used specially made, smaller equipment for training. He couldn't handle a ten-pound warhammer nearly as tall as he was.

Having been given permission to rest, the young prince didn't sit down. Instead, he leaned on his sword, panting as he watched the green display the system projected onto his retina.

Name: Alvin

Languages: Common, Elvish, Dwarvish

Stamina 9, Strength 9, Dexterity 13, Intelligence 15, Wisdom 22, Will 14

Classes: Level 3 Priest / Level 2 Warrior

Domains: Good Domain, Travel Domain

Level 0 Divine Spells: Conjure Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic, Light, Purify, Read Magic, Mending, Blessing

Level 1 Divine Spells: Bless, Divine Favor, Shield of Faith, Summon Monster I, Entropic Shield, Detect Undead, Cause Fear, Bless Water (Protection from Evil) (Longstrider)

Level 2 Divine Spells: Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Eagle's Splendor

Feats: Extend Spell, Practiced Spellcaster; Combat Expertise, Weapon Finesse (Greatsword/Warhammer), Shield Proficiency

Though he had a personal system, Alvin had no ability to gain experience by killing, as he'd seen in novels in his previous life. He could only improve through constant effort and training. But no matter how hard he worked, the two great disadvantages of limited time and a young body still held him back.

Over the past six months, the boy's attributes had improved with growth and training. But for Alvin, who was constantly haunted by a powerful sense of impending danger, it still wasn't enough! The Scourge hung over his head like a sword of Damocles, making him feel as if he were in danger every moment.

On top of that, the weak foundation of his body, caused by a lack of activity in early childhood, was a hurdle he couldn't overcome. Though his physique was about the same as other children his age, Arthas, a year older than him and far away in the royal capital of Lordaeron, was practically immune to illness.

Without some sort of shortcut, he'd probably never rise beyond the intermediate level in combat. The boy drooped at the thought. It wasn't that he hadn't tried hard enough; the enemies he remembered were simply too powerful.

Uther, who had been watching the boy closely from the side, walked over to him and gently patted his lowered shoulder with a large hand. His voice was loud but warm. "Don't lose heart, child. You're still young. If you keep at it, by the time you're my age, you might well be my equal."

The trouble was, even then, Uther wouldn't be able to beat Arthas. Alvin had no idea what to say to the self-assured Uther, and could only grumble inwardly.

The best way to stop Arthas from falling and becoming a Death Knight was to wipe out the Cult of the Damned in advance, or prevent the massacre at Stratholme. Either goal depended on Uther, who would one day become the leader of the Order of the Silver Hand.

But he couldn't reveal his secret, so he had no choice but to keep playing the obedient child. He nodded helplessly, assuring the Warrior, who was new to teaching, that he wouldn't rush things and would faithfully follow his instructions.

Abberton hurried over to them from outside the training grounds. After greeting them, he quickly delivered the message to the prince: "Your Highness Alvin, the Archbishop wants to see you!"

"Instructor?"

Alvin didn't leave right away. Instead, he looked at Uther and asked cautiously. Only after the Warrior nodded his approval did the boy bow and follow the guard away.

In the old white corridor, hurried footsteps broke the usual silence. Alvin tugged at the guard's cloak and asked curiously, "What's the rush?"

"That Gnoll is back!"