“The Fivefold Bounty Festival is a celebratory event that happens every five years.” Elder Alric stated.

  He stood firm at the center of the village hall’s backyard, broad-shouldered and weathered, his deep brown skin marked by age and battle. A crimson headband held back his long, gray hair, while sharp blue eyes scanned with quiet intensity. He wore a sleeveless moss-green tunic and tight dark trousers bound at the calves, his bare feet rooted in the earth. Leather wraps covered his forearms, and a worn belt at his waist carried herbs and training tools.

  "It’s a time when all the villages gather in one place, not just to trade wares or show off their crops, but to honor the land, the gods, and each other. We bring the best of what we’ve grown, built, and trained. While many mainly recognize it as an event to celebrate the prosperity of the province, it is also a place to prove our strength.”

  He raised his training staff at me.

  It was a long, blackened rod of ash wood, smooth from use, but with a few cracks repaired by care and skill. He rarely needed to strike with it anymore, but I had seen the damage it could cause.

  Remember that time Arthur tried to skip out on cardio?

  I shivered.

  “The festival holds races to test speed, bouts to test strength, and duels of magic. It serves as not only entertainment, but for showcases to impress the nobles. Many ordinary villagers have gone on to serve in the capitals because of these very festivals.”

  He placed the staff onto the ground as he crossed his shoulders. “Usually, our village has never done exceptionally well in these competitions. Aside from Arthur in the races, we’ve never won any of the duels.”

  He grinned as he pointed right at me.

  “However, now we have you. We have a genius who managed to kill an orc all on his own, while also being a master at bonding magic.”

  He clasped his hands in a mischievous manner. “If we train you enough, you’ll easily destroy the entire competition.”

  Is it just me or do his eyes seem just a little bit evil?

  “Uh, no, it’s not just you.”

  “Hume, oh I can’t wait. ‘You’ve fallen off’, ‘The Great Alric has fallen’-” Elder Alric began to laugh like a madman.

  Should we say something?

  “Who’s we?”

  Should you say something?

  Sys and I looked awkwardly at Elder Alric. He was still laughing at the thought of what I assumed to be his victory over this person.

  “Should I come back later?”

  That seemed to snap him back to reality.

  “Sorry.” He cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting his weight. “Anyway, while you are undoubtedly a promising individual, there’s still a long road ahead. You managed to kill that orc, yes, but you were hospitalized afterward. That fight nearly broke you.” He met my eyes with a firm voice. “There’s no denying it: had you been stronger, faster, better trained, the outcome could’ve been very different.” His expression darkened with seriousness. “The orc may have been a savage beast, but in Zarvendia, far more terrifying foes lie in wait. It’s a vast world that we live in, and you’ll need to be ready for anything. For example, the festival. You’ll meet others, some of whom may rival, or even surpass, your current strength.”

  “Really?” I blinked.

  Was that even possible? Aside from the nobles, were there truly ordinary people at my level?

  He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Some of my friends from nearby villages have shared rumors. They speak of certain children, remarkably gifted ones. The kind that makes you stop and pay attention.”

  “And?” I pressed, leaning forward slightly.

  He ruffled my hair, smirking. “Never mind that for now. We’ve got more pressing matters, like your training.” He turned his gaze to the open field ahead of us, scanning the terrain.

  The first day of training began with Elder Alric. He was responsible for forging my body into something durable, something battle-worthy. Easily the most physically fit in the village, he was notorious for his brutal regimen. My classmates whispered about his sessions like spooky stories to scare each other. His simple motto fueled this belief. “If your body isn’t the same color as the blood that runs through you, then you’re not working hard enough.”

  Anyway, the elders had agreed that a strong, well-conditioned body was essential before diving into magic or swordsmanship. Yes, swordsmanship. Apparently, Elder Liora is incredibly skilled with a blade. So skilled, in fact, that people call her a Master Swordsman…….woman? Swordswoman?

  “Alright,” Elder Alric’s voice boomed across the field.

  I turned toward him, heart pounding.

  “I want you to warm up by running around the village a few times.”

  Warm up? Alright, hold on.

  This is warm up? Around the entire village?

  “Are you being serious?”

  “Hmmm…..” He looked around. “I suppose you’re right. It probably won’t do.”

  I sighed in relief.

  “Let’s do 100 laps.”

  ………”Sys, what did he just say?”

  I think he said 100.

  “So, I didn’t hear wrong?”

  Nope, I think we heard him right.

  I scraped the insides of my ears.

  “Both are clean. I shouldn’t have misheard him-”

  My thoughts scattered the instant Elder Alric let out a sharp whistle with his fingers. It was like a jolt to my nervous system.

  “COME ON, LET’S GO! WE DON’T HAVE ALL DAY!” he roared, voice echoing across the field.

  Before I could fully register what was happening, Elder Alric gave me a rough shove, practically launching me forward.

  “FASTER, FASTER!” he barked, already surging ahead with a pace that was anything but beginner-friendly. He glanced back, eyes narrowed. “AT THAT PACE, YOU’D GET CAUGHT BY A DAMN SLIME!”

  “What—?!” I gasped, stumbling a little.

  “MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!”

  I gritted my teeth and forced my legs to move faster, every step a battle against the rising burn in my thighs. From the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of mischief. Elder Alric had the audacity to smirk before turning back around to lead the way.

  You got this!

  I blinked.

  There was Sys, somehow holding a pair of pom-poms, wildly cheering me on with exaggerated enthusiasm.

  What in the world— Where did he even get—?

  No, focus. Not the time. I shook my head, tuning everything else out. I needed to conserve my stamina. If I just maintained this rhythm, I’d make it. I mean, I took down an orc, didn’t I? Compared to that, this should be manageable.

  *side eye*

  “Who the hell are you side-eyeing?”

  *side eye*

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  B……By the-........By the 50th-............

  I got it.

  Thanks-

  It’s the 50th lap, and he’s already tired as hell. He’s too gassed to even talk, so I’ll have to do it. Hell, he can’t even narrate.

  “WHERE’S ALL OF THAT ENERGY FROM BEFORE!"

  Beric’s still somewhat keeping up, but his speed has been slowly diminishing. I mean, I can’t really blame him. Who’d expect him to last 100 laps? It’s impressive he’s even still moving considering his body.

  Agh!

  Oh, there he goes. He fell down.

  It’s alright, Beric. You did great. No one will fault you for this. Really, what’s up with Alric? Why’s he making you do this? Warmup my ass. Ah, whatever. Just take a break for now. You did excellent, so just relax and be fine with-

  I slowly pushed myself back up, limbs trembling beneath me. I took a deep breath, too deep, maybe. My stomach lurched, and for a terrifying second, I nearly threw up right then and there. But I swallowed it down, clenching my jaw. Just a little more air. That’s all I needed. With barely enough oxygen in my lungs, I forced my body to move again. One step. Then another.

  Beric?

  My calves burned like they were being lit from the inside, each muscle fiber on the brink of tearing. My lungs screamed with every breath, raw and ragged. Sweat soaked me through, dripping into my eyes, stinging. I nearly slipped from the sheer amount of it. Everything in front of me blurred into a smear of motion and heat.

  But still, even like this, even with all this pain, it didn’t hurt as much as it did against that orc.

  If this training was going to help me fight more monsters like that, then I’d endure it. No matter what.

  Elder Alric’s voice was just noise now, muffled and distant, like it belonged to another world. I couldn't even hear Sys either, even though I felt him land on my shoulder.

  It’s like you.

  But, it doesn’t matter. I don’t need to hear them to continue. I don’t need to hear you to continue.

  I’ll just keep going forward.

  Just a few more steps, hell even one will do.

  I can at least do that.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  At some point, when my vision had blurred to the point of near blindness, and every sound had become a dull hum, I felt Elder Alric’s firm hands grip my shoulders and bring me to a halt.

  He steadied me for a moment, then gently lowered me to the ground. I collapsed without resistance, my chest heaving as my lungs desperately tried to suck in air, any air.

  My entire body felt like it was on fire. Every nerve screamed, and every muscle trembled with exhaustion. The only thing I could hear was the thunderous pounding of my heart, beating like it was trying to break free from my chest.

  Sweat drenched my face, stinging my eyes until I could barely make out the world around me. I gasped, only for the salt to sting my throat. Some of it streamed into my nostrils, and I choked, nearly drowning in my own sweat.

  I felt like shit.

  “What a workout, right?” Elder Alric said out loud while sighing in contentment.

  Holy crap, are you good?

  “..........I think so.”

  I felt something cold press my lips, and upon letting it enter, I felt an overwhelming sense of relaxation as cold water was given.

  “Drink up, Beric. We still have a lot to do.”

  Still?

  “........What’s next?”

  “First, we’ll start with 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 squats, and 1,000 pull-ups, to toughen your body from the ground up,” Elder Alric said, arms crossed like he was reading off a grocery list. “After that, we’ll build your core and pain tolerance by hitting you. Repeatedly.” He gave me a look that almost passed for reassuring. “Next comes basic hand-to-hand combat—attack patterns, positioning, the works. And once we’ve broken you in properly-” He cracked his knuckles "we’ll finish with another 100 laps.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  ………….

  “Does that sound good to you-Beric? Hello?” He gently shook me.

  Sys quickly flew to my side.

  Beric, are you okay?!

  I barely kept my eyes open.

  “.......Sys-”

  Don’t force yourself to speak.

  “I have to tell you something.”

  *sniff* What is it?

  “Clear my search history.”

  I felt my body shut down as my eyes shut.

  Yet, I still knew that Sys gave me a weird look.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  “Are you okay?” Elder Liora asked with an awkward smile.

  Her dark hair, streaked only faintly with silver, was pulled into a tight braided bun. Her green eyes, sharp and steady, observed me intently. She wore a fitted, sleeveless tunic of deep charcoal cloth, cinched at the waist with a worn leather belt that held a training sword, a pouch of chalk, and neatly bundled herbs for bruises and burns. Her arms were wrapped in clean linen from wrist to elbow, not just for grip but to keep her strikes fluid and protected. Tight trousers, dyed a dusty brown, were tucked into short, laced leather boots scuffed at the toes.

  As for me, well it was no wonder why she asked if I was doing fine.

  Even after days of rest, I was still suffering from Elder Alric’s hellish training regimen. Most nights, I couldn’t even sleep. I kept hearing his voice echo in my head, yelling “Keep going!” even when no one was there.

  You look like a ghoul.

  “I’m okay. I’m still a bit worn out from Elder Alric.”

  She clicked her tongue. “That man pushes you all far too hard. I keep telling him to ease up, but he just doesn’t listen. It’s like he refuses to accept that things have changed. This generation just isn’t the same as ours-” Her eyes shifted as she looked at me again, this time, with something different behind them. “Though, to think you’re still standing after that.” She let out a soft laugh and smiled. “Well, don’t worry. I won’t go nearly as hard on you……..for now.”

  She tossed me a small wooden training sword, and I barely managed to catch it.

  “I want you to start by getting used to the weight and feel of a blade in your hands. Practice a basic sequence—thrust, wide slash, then an angled overhead swing. In that order.”

  “Understood,” I replied, gripping the training sword and positioning myself. I took a breath, then began the combo as instructed.

  Elder Liora paced in a slow circle around me, watching every movement. “There are four primary styles of swordsmanship,” she began. “First, there’s Crimson Fang. It’s a brute-force, offense-heavy style that focuses on overwhelming the enemy with relentless strikes.” She stepped lightly across the training field, her eyes never leaving me. “Then, there’s Iron Shell, a polar opposite to Crimson Fang. It’s defensive, patient, and it focuses on endurance and counterattacks. For the masters of this style, timing is everything.” She folded her arms. “Between the two lies Silver Gale. It holds qualities of the previous too, but it’s not as lethal. However, it makes up for this with its fluidity. It emphasizes clean, flowing combos and speed, while also relying on fast footwork to avoid attacks. She paused, then let a faint smirk touch her lips. “And finally, there’s Wild Claw, the most unpredictable style. It uses strange, unorthodox stances and even the environment itself to throw opponents off balance. It’s wild, messy, and incredibly dangerous when mastered.” She went quiet as she observed my swings for a moment. “Do you feel comfortable with that sword?” she asked.

  I stopped mid-swing, glancing at the weapon in my hands.

  "I guess,” I admitted. “It doesn’t feel bad or anything, but it’s not like it’s a perfect fit either.”

  What does that even mean?

  “I don’t know.”

  Then, how is Liora going to know?

  “She’s the master swordsman, isn’t she? She should know.”

  Elder Liora stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she reached for my right hand. She held it gently but firmly, turning it slightly as she examined my grip and fingers. “Interesting,” she murmured.

  “Elder Liora?” I asked, unsure if I should be concerned.

  She released my hand and stepped back. “Continue that combo until you can perform it in a single second,” she said. “Once you’ve mastered that, I’ll teach you the next one.”

  Yo, no way she actually thinks I can do it in a second.

  Surprise quest: Do the combo in a second.

  ………..Seriously?

  Punishment if to fail: Sudden pain similar to a hangnail.

  “HUH? I thought you stopped giving punishments?”

  It looks like you need more motivation.

  “Sys, come on man. You’re just troll-” OWWWWWW-

  Are you sure about that?

  ………..

  I started the combo again.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  “Hm.” Elder Walden closed his eyes as he meditated on something.

  His hooded mantle cast a shadow on his aged face, with a sleeveless dark tunic that lay beneath the cloak, cinched with a broad sash lined with rune-stitched pouches, each holding stones, herbs, or parchment strips. His rugged trousers, tied at the calves, were smooth and comfortable, and his boots were thick-soled. The cloak draped over his arms and shoulders, its hem faintly scorched and stitched with faint sigils at the edge. He kept his walking stick close to him, though he didn’t really need it since he was just standing still.

  “Hm.”

  Hm.

  Elder Walden continued to stand still.

  “...........Elder-”

  He suddenly raised his stick to me. “Quiet!”

  I raised my arms. “Sorry.”

  What’s up with him?

  He then cleared his throat and looked at me. “I’ve been thinking about what else to teach you, considering the disappointment that is your inability to use elemental magic.”

  Ouch.

  Sys flew to him in a fury.

  Hey, what do you have against him? Are we going to have a problem?

  My mouth slightly creaked as I watched Sys try to annoy Elder Walden, even though to him, Sys was a nonexistent fly.

  “So, now what?” I asked.

  He stamped the ground with his stick, a sharp thump against the earth. “We’ll need to focus on what you can use, like arcane magic and soul-bonding.”

  Eh, I agree. It was better than nothing. It's kind of a shame I couldn’t go through with that spirit idea, but it was for the best. Besides, I still had my summons to—

  “Beric!”

  All three of us snapped our heads toward the voice as a familiar bright light shot past the trees and straight into my face.

  Smack.

  I stumbled backward. It actually hurt when the Sprite slammed right into me.

  Wait, the Sprite?

  I must’ve shared the same dumbfounded expression as both Sys and Elder Walden, because the Sprite burst into laughter, floating in the air like nothing happened.

  “I can go with you!” she chirped.

  “What are you—” I started, and then it clicked.

  Right. I did say she could come with me if she dealt with her sisters….......But, uh—

  A low throat-clear brought our attention back to Elder Walden, who was now looking directly at me with raised brows.

  “Beric,” he said slowly, “would you care to explain why an elemental spirit has suddenly appeared?”

  The Sprite flitted nervously to my shoulder, her glow dimming slightly. She still seemed wary around humans.

  I scratched the back of my head, trying not to look guilty. “Uh, well-”

  Yeah, definitely not a great idea to spill everything. Probably best to avoid mentioning the Fairy Mother…….along with the whole nearly killing them thing…….and you know, everything else I said to them.

  “So, I met this Sprite during one of my travels,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “And I asked for a Soul-Bond with her.”

  Technically true.

  The Sprite glanced at me, watching my face carefully. Then, slowly, she added her own part. “What the boy has said is true,” she said, voice clear but formal. “I also wished to travel and explore the world. But first, I needed my mother’s and sisters’ permission.”

  She messed with her fingers while looking down. “And I-......I also wanted to mend the relationship between our races.”

  Elder Walden remained silent.

  Throughout my life here, I’d been warned countless times to be careful in the forests. It wasn’t just the monsters lurking in the shadows. There were also spirits, evil beings that cursed any unsuspecting humans who wandered too far. My parents had passed down stories from their parents, tales of the bitter blood feud that had existed between humans and spirits for generations.

  I never gave it much thought, honestly. But ever since meeting the Sprite, the other spirits, and the Fairy Mother, I could finally understand. There was a genuine, mutual fear and disdain between the two sides that was deep-rooted and painful.

  I glanced at the Sprite.

  Her childlike wonder and eagerness to explore still shone brightly, but it wasn’t her only motivation. Beneath that excitement was a quiet sense of responsibility. It was her desire to mend the fractured relationship between her kind and ours.

  And if that’s the case, then why not start now?

  “I know the village, and humans as a whole, resent and fear the spirits because of the curses and attacks,” I said carefully, “but the spirits feel the same way. They hate us for invading and destroying their homes. They fear our greed and our destructive wrath. Both sides have been holding onto those feelings for so long that maybe, maybe it’s impossible to fix. But I believe that I, and this Sprite, are proof that it doesn’t have to be this way.”

  The Sprite and I held our breath, waiting for Elder Walden’s reply.

  “.........I don’t care.”

  Huh?

  Sys literally dropped to the ground in surprise.

  The Sprite’s eyes widened, stunned.

  “Regarding my feelings toward the spirits,” Elder Walden continued flatly, “I hold no hatred for them, nor do I favor them. They’re simply another race living in the forest.”

  “Ah.”

  I glanced at the Sprite. She looked back at me.

  “So,” I said slowly, “do you think the rest of the village will be okay with her?”

  “No,” he replied bluntly.

  Oh.

  “Most villagers have had to endure watching loved ones suffer and fall victim to curses that brought pain and even death. Some have experienced it firsthand.”

  The Sprite lowered her gaze, shoulders slumping.

  I reached out to give her a reassuring pat on the head.

  Elder Walden turned away and said simply, “However, the festival.”

  “The festival?”

  “If you can, with the help of this Sprite here, defeat every opponent and win the entire tournament, then maybe you’ll convince everyone of the benefits of working with the spirits,” Elder Walden said firmly. “You might even plant the seeds to mend this broken relationship. Perhaps you two will be the very reason this ill-fated feud finally ends. If it’s anyone, it could be you.”

  Sys flew over to my other shoulder.

  That’s a lot of pressure.

  The Sprite placed a hand over her chest, a small, hopeful smile spreading across her face. Only moments ago, she had seemed so sad, but now, she was reinvigorated by the possibility that she could truly make a difference.

  “You hear that?” I asked.

  She turned toward me. “Yeah.”

  I felt my own heartbeat begin to race. I didn’t truly have a reason to look forward to this festival, aside from getting stronger, but now I did. I had a goal in mind……..Huh.

  Why am I so excited? Why do I want to help this Sprite so badly? I should have relieved my guilt already…………Is it because she looks like her?

  “Well?” Elder Walden prompted.

  I looked at him.

  “Aren’t you going to Soul Bond with her?”

  “Oh, right.”

  I nudged the Sprite gently. “Are you sure about this?”

  She nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I am.”

  I took a deep breath. She did the same.

  We leaned our foreheads together and closed our eyes.

  Since everyone believed I had Soul Bonding magic, Elder Walden had been teaching me everything about it. Thanks to that, and my elvish blood, I had actually learned it.

  In short, it’s like Soul Absorption, but different. Instead of forcibly pulling in a soul, I simply reveal mine and connect it to the Sprite’s. We both relax and let our soul flows intertwine naturally. Once our souls truly connect, we share everything—mana, pain, thoughts, everything.

  It’s actually a long process, which is why I did a quickened version with her and her sisters. Since that one was short, I couldn’t fully control them as I wished, and I was short on time to do the true process with all of them. That’s why I settled for the short version anyway, since I was going to k-

  Never mind.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  “Hello?” I heard her say in my mind.

  “Yo.” I responded.

  “Oh, that’s trippy.”

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  The Sprite and I exchanged our first thoughts silently, our minds linked through the Soul Bond. It was the same kind of mental connection I shared with my summons, so it only made sense that my mastery with Soul Communication carried over here.

  “Are you done?” Elder Walden asked.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Would I be wrong to assume you wanted to Soul Bond with a spirit because you can’t wield elemental magic on your own?”

  Right on the mark. “No, sir.”

  “I see.” He sighed, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Well, unfortunately, it won’t work quite the way you want.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You won’t be able to cast your own elemental spells just because you’re Soul Bonded with this Sprite. She can cast her own spells, yes, but you won’t be able to. Since she is your summon, you can command her to cast spells, but you won’t be able to directly form them yourself.”

  Ah. That sucks. What am I supposed to do now?

  “However,” Elder Walden continued, “there is still a path forward within these limitations.”

  “What is it?”

  “You and the Sprite will have to train together until you’re perfectly in sync.”

  “In sync?” I asked, glancing at the Sprite.

  She was busy picking dirt off her hair and brushing it onto my neck.

  I flicked her forehead. “I don’t know about that.”

  “What I mean is the two of you working together perfectly. Since you’re Soul Bonded, I assume you can communicate through your minds?”

  I nodded.

  “Another effect of this Soul Bond is that you share mana.”

  I widened my eyes. “Oh.”

  “Exactly. The Sprite can summon as many spells as she knows, as long as you both have enough mana. In other words, you are her power supply.”

  If you’re the power supply, then maybe we need a backup generator.

  “Shut the hell up.”

  Elder Walden moved closer. “While you won’t be able to form these elemental spells yourself, the Sprite can, as long as you provide sufficient mana. And since you can share your thoughts with her, she can obey your commands within seconds. Do you understand?”

  Yeah, I get it now.

  “You’re the power; she’s the machine. She will be the source of your elemental magic, and you will both fuel her and decide how she uses it.”

  The Sprite looked bewildered. “You sure know a lot, human.”

  He gave her a neutral glance. “I’ve dealt with similar cases before.”

  Before she could ask more, he stepped back. “Enough talk. I need to train you both now. Because of the Soul Bond, the Sprite will grow alongside you, but that means you both have to learn as well. She’ll only be able to learn new spells if you do. Understand?”

  We nodded.

  “Good.”

  I thought I caught a small smile.

  “Then, Sprite, for now, show me what you know.”

  And with that, our training for the festival began.