Selene exhaled slowly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she rolled her shoulders. For the first time in all their sessions, she wasn’t entirely composed. A sheen of sweat ran down her forehead, and there was a faint twitch of discomfort in her jaw from blocking too many of Ludger’s direct strikes. Even with her guards, his relentless assault was leaving its mark.

“Persistent brat,” she muttered under her breath, planting her feet. “Fine. You’ve earned this much.”

Her aura sharpened—not as flashy as Overdrive, but heavier, tighter, as though every muscle in her body had been coiled like a spring. She surged forward with a speed Ludger had never seen from her, her strikes flowing in precise combinations—elbows, knees, sweeping kicks, each one a test of his newfound resilience.

Ludger grinned through the sting in his arms as he blocked with his forearm guards, his feet skidding across the dirt. She’s faster… but she’s sweating too. She’s not untouchable.

He snapped forward with a flurry of punches, his fists hammering against her guard. Selene caught one on her forearm, grimacing as the impact jolted her arm. Her leg shot out, but Ludger twisted, letting it glance off his shin guard before countering with a kick of his own.

The clash rang out again and again—guard against guard, strike against strike.

From the sidelines, Harold let out a low whistle. “She’s actually sweating.”

Aleia smirked, leaning her chin in her hand. “Looks like the kid finally managed to annoy her for real.”

Cor’s eyes glinted behind his glasses. Not many could push Selene hard enough to make her show strain… not even among adults. Ludger’s pace really is something dangerous.

Selene blocked another heavy punch and shoved him back, her breath just a touch heavier. Her lips curled into a sharp smile. “All right, Ludger. Let’s see if you can keep up when I stop treating you like a child.”

Ludger spat to the side, sweat dripping from his brow, and raised his fists again. Bring it on.

By the time Selene called the spar to an end, both of them were dripping with sweat. Ludger leaned against the courtyard wall, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths, his arms and legs still throbbing from the barrage of blows. Selene stood across from him, her guard lowered, her face calm but not flawless—there was sweat glistening at her temples and a faint stiffness in her movements from the sheer number of strikes she’d absorbed.

Ludger wiped the sweat from his brow, a tired grin tugging at his lips. So it works… Healing Touch isn’t just for recovery outside combat. If I patch myself fast enough, I can keep going longer than I should. Even if I can’t hit as hard, I can fight closer to people stronger than me.

The dull ache in his bones still lingered, but it wasn’t unbearable. Every time it had pushed him toward collapse, a pulse of green light had steadied him, dulled the pain just enough to keep him moving.

If I can endure… if I can keep my body going… then I can fight above my weight.

Selene stretched her arms, rolling out the tension, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than usual. “You’re stubborn,” she said simply, her voice carrying no mockery this time. “And that stubbornness kept you standing. Not bad, kid.”

Harold let out a booming laugh. “Not bad? You actually broke a sweat! That’s more than ‘not bad.’”

Aleia grinned slyly. “Guess we’ve finally found a way to make Selene look human.”

Selene shot them a glare but didn’t argue. Instead, she turned back to Ludger and gave the faintest nod of acknowledgment.

Ludger sat down heavily, his grin softening as he caught his breath. If this is what it takes—enduring the pain, pushing past it—then I’ll use it. I’ll make this body fight on my terms, not the world’s.

Later that day, once the courtyard had cleared and the sun dipped low, Ludger slipped back to his room. His arms and legs were still tender from the spar, faint bruises coloring his skin. He sat cross-legged, hands glowing faintly green as he pushed [Healing Touch] into the deeper aches, knitting muscle and easing the lingering strain.

As the warmth spread through him, a faint shimmer pulsed across his vision—

Healing Touch leveled up.

Druid class received 100 experience points.

[Druid Class reached Level 5.]

New Skill Acquired: [Root Snare Lv.1]

Calls forth roots from beneath the ground to bind an enemy’s legs. Cost: 100 mana.

Ludger blinked, then let out a soft snort. “Figures.”

It wasn’t entirely unexpected. [Healing Touch] already accelerated growth in plants when he tested it, so the idea of commanding roots made perfect sense. The Druid class was clearly tied to life, growth, and the natural world.

Still, he couldn’t help but smirk at the thought. A binding skill. Not bad at all. If I can keep someone still, I don’t even need to be stronger—I just need to hit them where they can’t move.

He flexed his fingers, imagining the sensation of roots bursting through the dirt, wrapping around an enemy’s ankles, pinning them down while he or someone else struck. It was simple, basic even, but to him, it was another tool. And tools mattered more than pride.

Leaning back against the wall, he whispered to himself, “Bit by bit… I’m covering every weakness. That’s how I’ll stay ahead.”

The faint pulse of his [Spiritual Core] throbbed in agreement, mana already flowing back, ready for the next experiment.

Ludger flexed his fingers, the memory of the faint roots still fresh from his first test. [Root Snare] had its uses—he could picture Arslan grinning at the idea of tying down goblins or holding a beast still long enough to strike. But to Ludger, it felt clumsy. It wasn’t the kind of skill he wanted to rely on.

No. That’s not for me. Healing Touch—that’s the one worth perfecting. If I can keep this body running no matter how much it breaks, I can fight anyone, endure anything. Roots can wait. Healing is everything.

With that thought, he buried the skill in the back of his mind and doubled down on what mattered most. Every day, he balanced his schedule: morning drills with Selene and Harold, focus training with Cor, chores at the tavern with Elaine, his evening visits to Aronia, and nightly meditation until his mana pool bottomed out. Each piece stacked, each day built upon the last.

Time moved quickly when every hour was spent pushing forward.

It wasn’t until one quiet evening, as he sat under the old tree tracing the flow of mana in the mist, that Ludger realized how much time had slipped by. Half a year had passed since Viola had last stormed into his life, demanding to spar with him and prove herself. She hadn’t returned for another match, but he knew Arslan still went every week to teach her.

He could imagine his half-sister growing stronger, training in her own way under her grandfather’s watchful eye. But the thought didn’t stir any jealousy in him. If anything, it barely registered.

That’s her path. She can do whatever she wants. I’ve got my own.

Ludger opened his eyes, clenching his fists as the faint glow of his Spiritual Core pulsed in his chest. The bruises, the sweat, the exhaustion—they were all proof of his growth. Viola might chase her strength, but he would keep forging his, day by day, until no one could catch up.

Name: Ludger

Level: 22(1,450 / 2,300)

Current Job: Cook (Lv 25 – 620 / 2,600)

Current Class: Pugilist (Lv 21 – 1,300 / 2,200)

Health: 790 / 790

Mana: 1,310 / 1,310

Stamina: 1010 / 1010

Strength: 77

Dexterity: 68

Intelligence: 102

Vitality: 69

Wisdom: 131

Endurance: 101

Luck: 27

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

Class Skills (Pugilist):

[Hard Fists Lv 25]

[Iron Guard Lv 17]

[Quick Fists Lv 02]

[Straight Cannon Lv 03]

[Quick Speed Lv 03]

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

Job Skills (Cook):

[Knife Handling Lv 30]

[Seasoning Sense Lv 22]

[Fire Control Lv 19]

[Food Preservation Lv 18]

[Dish Presentation Lv 15]

[Quick Cooking Lv 05]

[Brewing Lv 05]

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

Other Classes:

Mage (Lv 18 – 1,000 / 1,900)

[Create Water Lv 18]

[Tinder Lv 10]

[Dust Lv 04]

[Cold Wind Lv 04]

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

Swordsman (Lv 16 – 750 / 1,700)

[Basic Swordplay Lv 12]

[Parry Lv 05]

[Quick Thrust Lv 03]

[Counter Stance Lv 03]

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

Sage (Lv 14 – 600 / 1,500)

[Mana Bolt Lv 10]

[Mana Wall Lv 06]

[Spiritual Core Lv 06]

[Slot 4]

[Slot 5]

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

Druid (Lv 05 – 200 / 600)

[Healing Touch Lv 11]

[Root Snare Lv 01]

Now that his [Healing Touch] had grown alongside his improved mana regeneration, Ludger felt the difference every time he used it. What once took several attempts and left him drained could now be done in a single cast. Bruises faded at a touch, cuts closed in seconds, and fatigue melted away as though it had never existed.

He realized quickly—this wasn’t just useful for fighting. It could make money.

That evening, Elaine trudged into their home, shoulders sagging, her apron still dusted with flour and stains from the tavern’s kitchen. She forced a tired smile for Ludger, but her movements were heavy, her steps dragging.

“Rough day?” Ludger asked casually.

Elaine sighed, slumping into her chair. “The usual. Too many orders, too few hands. My back feels like it’s been chopped in half.”

“Then let me help.” Ludger stepped behind her, placing his small hands on her shoulders. She blinked in surprise, then chuckled softly. “Oh? My little gentleman wants to give me a massage? How thoughtful.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he let the green glow seep into his palms. Quiet, subtle, like a child’s innocent touch.

Elaine’s eyes widened almost immediately. The ache in her muscles faded like morning mist under the sun. Her weariness melted away, replaced by a soothing warmth that spread through her back and down her arms.

She let out a small gasp, then melted into the chair with a sigh of pure relief. “Ludger… that… that helps a lot.”

“Just good hands,” Ludger said with a faint smirk, pretending to keep kneading her shoulders. Inside, though, he noted every detail. One cast. That’s all it took. If she feels this much better from daily fatigue, imagine what I could do for regular townsfolk. I don’t need to wait for battles to make this useful.

Elaine leaned back, eyes closed, the corners of her lips lifting in a soft, content smile. “What did I ever do to deserve such a son…”

Ludger said nothing, his mind already on the next step. Yes. It’s time to put this skill to work.

Elaine blinked several times, twisting her shoulders experimentally. The stiffness was gone. The heavy ache in her lower back had vanished as though it had never been there at all.

“My fatigue… it just disappeared?” she muttered, glancing over her shoulder at Ludger.

He only gave her a small, proud smile—the kind of grin that said of course I did it. After all, she saw him training every day, sweating in the courtyard, bruising himself against Selene’s drills, and draining his mana until he nearly collapsed. Why should it be surprising that all that effort had borne fruit?

Elaine shook her head with a soft laugh. “Why am I even surprised…?” She reached out, cupping his cheek gently, her eyes softer than usual. “You’ve worked so hard. If you want to use this gift to heal others and earn some coin, that’s fine. Just make sure you don’t get too greedy.”

Her tone sharpened just slightly, a mother’s warning hidden in her warmth. “And remember—those who can’t pay with money should be healed anyway. That’s not charity. That’s just the right thing to do.”

Ludger nodded, already prepared. “I know, Mom. I’ve got a solution for that.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

He smirked faintly, confidence glittering in his green eyes. Not everyone has coin. But everyone has something to give—whether it’s knowledge, work, or favors. As long as they bring something to the table, I’ll make it worth my while.

“I’ll handle it,” he said simply, leaving the details unsaid.

Elaine studied him for a moment, then sighed. “Sometimes you sound far older than your years… but fine. Just don’t forget—you’re my son first, not some merchant haggling over miracles.”

Ludger’s smirk softened, but inside, his thoughts were already racing. With this, I’ll never lack resources. And the more I heal, the stronger my skills will become.

A few days later, Ludger found himself standing beside his father outside the tavern, a wooden sign hastily scrawled with chalk propped against the wall:

Healing Services – Fast, Clean, Reliable.

Arslan, ever the salesman despite his carefree grin, had already dragged half a dozen adventurers from the guild into the experiment. Some had bruised ribs, others fresh cuts or twisted ankles, and one even nursed a broken finger. They looked skeptical, but the word free had a way of pulling people in.

“Trust me,” Arslan said with his trademark confidence, clapping one of them on the back. “One cast, and you’ll walk away like nothing ever happened. And if you don’t, I’ll pay for your drinks tonight.”

The promise got them laughing, though it also got them curious. All eyes turned to Ludger, who stood calmly with his small hands glowing faintly green.

The first adventurer, a burly man with a bandaged arm, stepped forward. Ludger placed his hand gently against the injury, and within moments the glow sank into the flesh. The man blinked, flexed his arm, then pulled off the bandage with a shocked laugh. The wound was gone.

The others crowded in, each taking their turn. Broken finger, healed in seconds. Twisted ankle, straightened and painless. A split lip, mended as though it had never been there.

By the time the last one stood up—stretching his shoulders with a broad grin—the group was buzzing with excitement.

“Kid’s the real deal!” one of them barked. “Faster than any healer I’ve seen!”

“Cheap too, right?” another said, glancing back at Arslan.

Arslan stepped forward, raising his hand dramatically. “For anything healed in one cast—just one silver coin. That’s all. No gouging, no hidden fees. Clean, simple, and worth every coin.”

Ludger hid his smirk, but inside he noted how perfectly it had gone. This was more than just practice—it was advertising. By the end of the week, word would spread across the guild that a boy healer was faster, cheaper, and more reliable than most clerics.

Arslan folded his arms, his grin smug as ever. “And those first few? Free. Just a little taste. Typical advertising tactics, eh?”

Ludger only nodded, his hands still glowing faintly with residual mana. This will work. One silver at a time, the city will know my name.

The monetary system of the world was built on five types of coins: iron, bronze, silver, gold, and diamond. Each held a clear value, not only in trade but also as a symbol of status, and the conversion between them was simple enough for even commoners to understand.

Iron coins were the smallest denomination, used mostly by peasants and children. A handful of iron coins could buy nothing more than a piece of fruit or a cup of watered ale, and most people saw them as pocket change. Ten iron coins equaled one bronze coin, and bronze was where everyday trade truly began.

Bronze coins were the backbone of common life. They were used in markets, for food, cheap tools, or simple clothing. One bronze coin could buy a loaf of bread, a candle, or a pint of standard ale. For most farmers and laborers, wages were counted in bronze. One hundred bronze made one silver, and silver was where adventurers and merchants operated.

Silver coins were the lifeblood of commerce. A night at a decent inn, a set of arrows. Adventurers typically carried their earnings in silver, and townsfolk often measured wealth by how much silver one had in hand. One hundred silver coins equaled one gold coin, and gold was where real wealth began to show.

Gold coins were the domain of nobles, rich merchants, and seasoned adventurers. A single gold piece could pay for a month in a fine inn or purchase a quality steel weapon. Most taxes, property exchanges, or large trades were conducted in gold. One hundred gold coins made one diamond coin, though such money was more symbol than currency.

Diamond coins were so rare they were rarely seen outside royal vaults or powerful noble houses. They were used for estates, enchantments, or funding entire mercenary companies. A single diamond coin represented the kind of wealth commoners could not even dream of. In practice, diamond coins were less about convenience and more a mark of prestige.

Altogether, the system was easy to follow, that meant a single diamond coin held the value of one million bronze coins. In that light, Arslan’s decision to charge one silver coin for a single healing spell was incredibly cheap, considering most temples would demand three to five silver for the same service.

‘I just hope that this won’t cause problems…’