As Leon enters the war monk's house, he notices the sacred eagle perched nearby, the jewel in its claws glowing faintly. The eagle watches over him, waiting for the moment to pass on the burden of the sealed demon lord.
Inside, Leon wonders to himself, "Does this man live alone in this big house?"
War Monk: "The room on the right is empty. You can move your things in there."
Prince Leon: "Thank you, sir."
War Monk: "Your training begins tomorrow, so take this time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings."
Prince Leon: "Understood, sir."
War Monk: "Now, head into the forest and gather some food for lunch."
Prince Leon: "Why, sir? Don't you have lunch prepared?"
War Monk: "The lunch I prepared is for me, not for you. Here are three rules you must follow:
1. You must take care of your own tasks.
2. Never be lazy or waste time.
3. Stay away from the dark areas of the forest—no matter what."
Prince Leon: "Understood, sir!"
War Monk: "And don't call me 'master.' It's too formal. 'Sir' will do."
Prince Leon: "Yes, sir. I'll get started right away."
Prince Leon ventured into the forest, immediately struck by its vibrant beauty. The air was filled with the songs of exotic birds, and the forest floor was dotted with a variety of herbs and plants, some of which he recognized from his previous life. He collected some familiar-looking mushrooms, remembering their usefulness.
As he continued exploring, he spotted a peculiar rabbit—it had horns, unlike anything he'd seen before. Intrigued, he set down his gathering and tried to catch it, but the rabbit was too quick. He chased after it, weaving through the trees, but his inexperience got the better of him. He stumbled and collided with a tree, bruising himself in the process.
Frustrated and realizing the difficulty of his task, Leon gathered his things and returned to the house with only the mushrooms in hand.
War monk: Why are you so late? And what are those? Didn't I tell you to be careful?
Prince Leon: Sorry, sir. I tried to catch a rabbit, but I couldn't manage it.
War monk: Those aren't ordinary rabbits. They're horned rabbits, much faster than the regular ones.
Prince Leon: Oh!
War monk: What did you bring back?
Prince Leon: Just some mushrooms and herbs, sir.
War monk: Cook your own food, then.
*Prince Leon: *But sir, I don't know how to cook!
War monk: There are poisonous mushrooms in the forest.
Prince Leon: How am I supposed to know which ones are poisonous?
War monk: Simple. Eat a small piece. If you're fine, it's safe. If you start feeling nauseous or get a headache, it's poisonous.
Prince Leon: What? Are you serious?
The War monk looked at him with a serious expression, then smiled slightly and walked away.
Prince Leon: What's that supposed to mean? I have to choose between starving or poisoning myself?
(To himself) That bastard just left me without a clue...
Prince Leon's stomach growled with hunger.
Prince Leon (to himself): Think, think... In my old world, the protagonist would use an appraisal skill in situations like this. If I'm really in this kind of world, I must have something similar. Let's see... Appraisal! Appraisal! Come on, work! Appraisal!
Prince Leon: This isn't fair! Are all those anime with overpowered protagonists complete nonsense?
War monk (hiding, observing Leon): It's amusing to watch them struggle, but at the same time, it's kind of boring.
Prince Leon: It seems I have no choice but to trust in my luck.
He gathered stones and sticks, carefully arranging them to start a fire. He tossed aside the vibrant mushrooms, choosing only the pale ones to cook.
After preparing his meal, Prince Leon ate enough to satisfy his hunger and saved some for later. Once finished, he ventured back into the forest.
Prince Leon (thinking): I should familiarize myself with the area... maybe I can map it out in my mind.
Deeper into the forest, he stumbled upon a cave, noticing a trail of blood and the massive footprints of a bear leading inside.
Here's a modified version of that segment, aligning with the story's overall tone and themes:
Leon stumbled out of the dark forest, his heart pounding from the recent encounter. He had ventured too far into the forest's depths, where the tree trunks grew twisted and the air felt oppressive. But he had discovered something breathtaking—a serene waterfall cascading over smooth rocks, its waters shimmering like liquid jewels under the golden sunlight. The tranquil beauty of the scene was a stark contrast to the dangers lurking in the shadows.
As he ventured deeper, the trees thickened and the air grew heavier. The peaceful ambiance quickly turned ominous. A sudden, guttural roar echoed through the forest, sending a chill down his spine. Cautiously, he crept towards the source of the sound, his steps muffled by the dense underbrush.
In a dark clearing, he saw a horrifying sight: a demonic beast, with scales that glinted like dark metal and eyes that glowed with a malevolent light, was feasting on a corpse. The scene was gruesome, the beast's maw smeared with blood. Leon froze, his breath catching in his throat.
In his nervousness, he accidentally snapped a twig underfoot. The beast's head snapped towards him, its eyes locking onto his with a predatory gleam. It let out a furious roar that shook the ground. Leon staggered back, the sheer terror propelling him into a frantic run.
He sprinted through the forest, branches whipping at his face, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The beast, still hungry and disinterested in the chase, eventually lost interest and returned to its meal. Leon emerged from the forest, collapsing in front of the War monk's house, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. He had narrowly escaped the clutches of the beast.
Leaning against the doorframe, he took a moment to catch his breath. As he entered the house, his eyes immediately searched for his bag, where he had stored the mushrooms and herbs he had gathered. saw the bag but its empty .
Leon: "Damn it! The mushrooms are gone!"
He roared in frustration, his stomach growling loudly in agreement. He had hoped for a simple meal, but now he was left with nothing. The thought of the rat's audacity gnawed at him, adding to his mounting anger and hunger.
Leon: "I've got nothing to eat. This is just great."..
But found some mushrooms lying on the floor and other were remenents of a rodant's feast.
to identify edible items. But I don't have any magical abilities here—or do I? Maybe there's something I've overlooked…
Leon looked down at the mushrooms, feeling a mixture of frustration and desperation. The warmonk's training had already begun, testing his resourcefulness and ability to survive. He picked up one of the mushrooms, examining it closely, hoping for some instinct to guide him. With no better option, he decided to trust his gut. He broke off a small piece of the mushroom, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously tasted it.
The taste was bitter, almost nauseating. His heart raced as he waited for any signs of poison. Minutes passed, and though he felt a bit queasy, it wasn't enough to be lethal. Maybe this one's safe, he thought, feeling a small surge of triumph.
But just as he was about to eat more, a soft voice spoke in his mind, clear and gentle yet carrying a hint of urgency: "Not that one, Leon. It's close, but not quite right."
Startled, Leon dropped the mushroom and looked around, but he was alone. The voice was different from his own thoughts, almost like a whisper carried by the wind. He remembered the strange aura he had felt when the curse was lifted, and how the priest's sacrifice had imbued him with something beyond mere strength. Could this be the artifact's influence? he wondered.
Deciding to trust the voice, he set the mushroom aside and began searching through the forest again, this time with more focus. Soon, he found another cluster of mushrooms, these ones with a faint glow to them. They seemed familiar, almost like something from one of his games. Carefully, he picked one and brought it close to his mouth. The voice in his mind spoke again, more confidently this time: "This one is safe, but remember, only a small amount will sustain you."
Leon nodded to himself, grateful for the guidance, and ate a small piece. The taste was sweet and earthy, and he felt a warmth spread through him as he swallowed. It was like a subtle rush of energy, enough to clear his mind and calm his hunger.
Returning to the war monk's house, Leon prepared his simple meal, his thoughts racing with the implications of what had just happened. If this voice is really connected to the artifact, it could be a powerful tool—but I need to be cautious. It might not always lead me down the right path.
As he sat down to eat, the war monk appeared in the doorway, his stern gaze softening ever so slightly as he noticed Leon's determination.
War monk: You managed to find something edible. Good. But remember, this is just the beginning. You'll face much harder challenges ahead.
Prince Leon: I'm ready, sir. I'll do whatever it takes.
War monk: We'll see. Tomorrow, we begin your real training, and it won't be as forgiving as today's lesson.
Leon nodded, the weight of his mission pressing down on him, but his resolve only growing stronger. The head mage, the kingdom, and his family's legacy—all of it depended on him. He had no choice but to succeed, no matter what the warmonk threw at him.
As night fell, Leon lay in his room, staring up at the ceiling, the day's events replaying in his mind. The voice had been a surprise, but perhaps it was a sign that he wasn't alone in this fight. Somewhere deep inside, he felt a connection—a bond forming with something ancient and powerful, something that might just help him reclaim his destiny.
----
The next morning, the war monk wasted no time beginning Leon's training. From the outset, it was grueling—rigorous exercises, intense sparring sessions, and demanding physical tasks that pushed Leon to his absolute limits. The monk was relentless, driving him hard without mercy. Despite the exhaustion, Leon refused to give up. The painful memories of his fallen family fueled his desire for vengeance, keeping him going even when his body screamed for rest.
As the day wore on, however, Leon's strength finally gave out. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his muscles refusing to obey him any longer.
War Monk: "Enough for today," the war monk said, his voice stern but tinged with a rare hint of understanding. "I'll let you rest this time since it's only your first day. But don't expect such leniency again."
Leon nodded weakly, grateful for the reprieve.
War Monk: "Now," the monk continued, "I want you to go to the forest and gather supplies for your lunch."
Prince Leon: "What? You want me to go back out there… to find food?"
War Monk: "Yes. Today, your task is to catch a horned rabbit. This isn't just about finding food; it's about survival. Let's see if you've learned anything from today's training."
Prince Leon: "Okay, sir. I'll try my best."
Determined, Leon re-entered the forest, now with a new goal: to hunt a horned rabbit. The forest seemed more ominous now that he was alone, with its thick foliage and unfamiliar sounds amplifying his unease. He moved cautiously through the underbrush, trying to apply everything he had learned about stealth and patience.
After some time, Leon spotted a horned rabbit grazing in a small clearing. Its antlers gleamed in the dim light filtering through the trees. He crouched low, moving slowly and silently toward the rabbit, careful not to make a sound. When he was close enough, he sprang at the creature with all his might.
But the rabbit was faster than he expected. It darted to the side, avoiding Leon's grasp with ease, and bolted away. Without thinking, Leon leaped to his feet and gave chase, his heart pounding as he sprinted through the forest.
Despite his best efforts, the rabbit was too quick. It zigzagged through the trees, eventually disappearing into the dense underbrush, leaving Leon breathless and empty-handed.
Prince Leon (frustrated): "Damn… that f**king rabbit."
Disheartened but not ready to give up, Leon decided to hunt another one. He tried again, attempting to sneak up behind a second rabbit, but it, too, noticed him and ran off before he could get close.
Exhausted and discouraged, Leon considered his options. Remembering the monk's instructions, he thought of gathering mushrooms instead. As he searched the forest floor, he recalled the voice he had heard that day, guiding him about the types of mushrooms that were edible. Using this knowledge, he carefully selected a few safe ones, grateful for the memory that had surfaced just in time.
Though he had failed to catch the rabbit, Leon returned to the war monk with his foraged mushrooms, determined to prove that he had learned something from the day's trials.