Chapter 73: Climbing The Hills (2/2)

Accompanying Arion was, of course, Mei, Shun, and Yaro. Some people were surprised that Yaro decided to accompany them and felt that she must be really concerned about Arion.

”Aunt Yaro, you really didn't have to trouble yourself like this,” Arion said, feeling touched that she was coming to make sure he was well fed during the training.

Yaro put her hand around Arion's arm and said as her bosom pressed against his arm, ”How could taking care of my favorite boy be troublesome for me? You have no idea how tired you can become during your training, and that's when you need the right food to keep you going.”

Arion held his breath as her soft round bosom pressed against his arm and replied with a calm expression, ”Then I guess I can't stop you, hehe.”

'Come on, control yourself. She's like your aunt…' Arion inwardly mumbled as he tried to calm his mind.

Mei's brows creased as she saw the two interacting but then looked away.

”Where is Old Zi? Isn't he going to come with us, or is he already at the top?” Arion curiously asked.

Mei answered, ”He already went ahead to make sure our path is clear of any Dreadlings. So he would be waiting at the top for us. But you two should stick close to me and Aunt Yaro in case there are any Dreadlings prowling though they wouldn't be much stronger.”

Kisho dropped the four near the bottom of the hills, and as Arion got down, he said with a smile, ”Go, little Arion. We all will be looking forward to seeing you coming back as a stronger hero. If you pass the second trial, then you will not be making only our Fok Grove ward proud but the entire Rimefall Village.”

Arion placed his palms over each other and said, ”Thank you, Uncle Kisho. I will surely try my best.”

Kisho left after bidding goodbye to all of them, and Arion finally tilted his head up to see how tall the hills were.

'Wow, the peaks are clouded by the clouds, but it should be at least 2,000 meters tall,' Arion mumbled in awe though he knew that these hills weren't really that tall, but still, the place around looked beautiful.

Still, the place seemed so silent and peaceful, Arion wondered how there could be Dreadlings in this place or if it was because they were in hiding.

”There might be Wild Dreadlings around, so be careful,” Mei said in a tone of caution.

Arion knew that the weakest Dreadlings were known as Wild Dreadlings, and they were the ones who attacked in large numbers to make up for their individual strength.

Arion had a bow and quiver strung along his shoulders, which Mei had bought for him, while Shun had an ordinary sword behind his back which Mei generously gave, seeing how he didn't have money to buy one for himself, much to Arion's protests.

However, he came to terms with her decision seeing that the sword was not expensive, and Shun could also defend himself without dragging down others in case something happens.

He also had a sword strung to his hips, just in case he had to fight at close quarters. He wanted to browse through other weapons, but he decided to buy one on his own instead of making Mei spend more.

By the time they had climbed the hills halfway, thirty minutes had elapsed since they had to take some detours to climb the hill and couldn't just climb straight up.

On the way, Arion did see some wild animals running here and there and decided to test out his bow and arrow skills by trying to shoot one of them.

”Be careful. Your weapon is not something meant to be used by amateurs. So don't shoot me by accident,” Shun remarked with a wary expression.

Arion curled his lips as he quickly turned his body around to target Shun, ”Maybe shooting you might feel nice.”

”Aiyo, he has gone mad. Protect me, Aunt Yaro!” Shun shrunk back as he hid behind Yaro.

Yaro giggled as she said, ”Don't worry. Arion is a nice boy. He wouldn't hurt you, hehe.”

Mei smiled, but then she suddenly frowned as if she felt a certain change in the air.

Arion noticed Mei looking around with a wary expression, and so did the other two.

”Mei, what's wrong? Did you see or sense something?” Yaro asked as her expression became alert.

Arion couldn't find what was wrong since the hills seemed as peaceful as ever. But then he started to pick up a weird smell that totally contrasted with the pleasant atmosphere before.

”Be alert! The prana in the air seems disorderly, ” Mei said in a wary tone while Arion again confirmed that Mei indeed could easily detect the changes in prana around her.