The Author's POV

After waking up, I headed downstairs to the kitchen.

The first thing I saw as soon as I entered the kitchen was a small note left on the table.

Picking it up, I read through the contents.

Ren, if you're reading this your mom and dad have already gone to work.

Once you wake up, bring Nola to the park outside and enjoy your weekend. I've already sent you some money to your account for when you go out.

At around 12:00 P.M. you should come down to the guild with Nola. After we are done sorting out some stuff we will bring you guys to lunch.

See you soon.

Love mom and dad

They're already at work huh...

I guess with everything that was going on in the guild, it wasn't strange for them to work on weekends too.

Neatly folding the small note, I headed towards the dining table where warm dishes covered in a thin plastic film were already prepared.

As I sat on the table, lifting the plastic film, the fragrance of the bacon and the eggs on the plate instantly invaded my nostrils.

Without skipping a beat, I devoured everything that was on the plate.

"Delicious"

After eating my fill, patting my now bloated belly, I checked the time on my watch.

6:45 A.M.

It was still very early in the morning, and looking outside the window I could see the sun slowly brightening up the surroundings. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to train for a couple of hours before waking Nola up and bringing her to the park.

-Clank!

Sliding the glass doors that led to the garden, the morning breeze instantly cooled my body.

Walking in the garden, feeling the lush green grass tingling at my naked feet, I took a deep breath and took out my sword from my dimensional space.

"Fuuuu..."

Releasing a long breath, a white glow slowly started emanating from my body. Following which, with my sword, I drew three circles in the air.

-Voom!

As I drew the circles, after each full circulation, a translucent ring wobbled in the air. After the first ring formed, closing my eyes I drew a second and a third.

-Voom!

Right after the third ring formed, I once again closed my eyes and concentrated my mind. As I did, the circles slowly started revolving around my body.

-Swooosh!

Pointing towards my right side, one of the rings flew in the direction of where I pointed. With my left hand, I pointed upwards and another ring flew upwards. In the direction of where I pointed.

Like that, for half an hour, I continuously moved the rings around me.

-Swooosh! -Swooosh! -Swooosh!

After two minutes, whenever a ring would dissipate in the air, I would quickly create a new one and continue with what I was doing.

After the Hollberg incident, I didn't stop training.

In fact, as a way to get my mind off of things, I trained even harder than before. And because of that, my second sword art [Ring of vindication] reached the minor realm of mastery.

With the sword art reaching the minor realm of mastery, I could now freely control the rings I created. If I wanted to, I could make them revolve around me for as long as the ring could last.

Even better, the rings could now withstand the full impact of ranked individuals without breaking. Even ranks would now have a hard time breaking the rings that I made, creating a perfect defense system.

As far as rings went, as of right now I could comfortably control three. I could do four, but that would strain my head too much due to my lack of control over my mana.

the more rings I could control. Moreover, the more I mastered the technique, the better the rings would get with

a massive improvement in my strength as now I wouldn't have to worry about needing to waste time to use the [Keiki style]. With the rings protecting me, I could quickly control them to protect me whenever I

...

"huuuuam..."

9:00 A.M.

steam dissipated from my body, checking the time, I stretched

guess it's about time to wake

my watch and seeing the time, I knew it was about time to wake

I first took a quick shower

want to make Nola smell my

-Creak!

at her little body sleeping soundly with her

Nola, it's time to wake

couple of more times to try to wake her up, poking her cheeks

"Hmm...brawder?"

it's big brother

I picked her up from her cradle

groggy from having just woken up, Nola leaned on my shoulder and stared at the ground.

had to bring her to the park, I gave her a cup

into two ponytails, I

"I'm done!"

"that's great"

a one-piece dress decorated with flower patterns, Nola took my

"Alright, let's go"

"um"

-Clank!

the door behind me, we soon left for

...

Park, Nola's eyes immediately started shining

Park, I couldn't help but be impressed by

it was a large lake where swans and ducks happily swam on the surface of

a bunch of children were happily playing

air, the children happily screamed as their parents pushed

at Nola whose eyes were glued on the playground, I bitterly shook my head

things that children could play with. It had multiple swings, a large slide, and a castle which seemed to be the

spread out over the vibrant green grass, sitting on large covers, families could be seen

that

"...hm?"

walking towards the playground with Nola, I suddenly heard someone call

head in the direction of where the sound came from I soon spotted two individuals heading in my

dark hair and green eyes smiled as he looked in my direction. On his ears were a couple of earrings, and coupled

is you! How

indeed the person he was looking

the long-haired youth pointed towards me as he nudged his friend

of

jeans, a red sweater, and a black cap,

"...who?"

way towards my

Who were they?

perhaps the old

being, I assumed they were...but why did my heart feel a slight sense of repulsion and

pondering over the feeling I was having in my heart, hooking his

"How are ya doing!"

"I'm doin--"

strength equivalent to a ranked

you before to never appear in this area

aback by his sudden change in attitude, I was left

"...What?"

me you

it for something else, the long-haired youth strengthened his

might have to teach you a

hand, I let out a long breath before

"Fuuuu...wait, not here."

his brow, the long-haired youth smirked and mockingly

makes you think you can decide what we