Two days flew by.
Ide opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Ur, sprawled out on her back, sleeping like the dead without a care in the world. He sighed softly, picked her up gently, and tucked her back into the bed. Then, he opened his system panel.
[Current Total MP: 88]
Yes, for the past two days, Ide had been on a strict, high-intensity schedule: twelve hours of deep meditation, eight hours of sleep, an hour and a half for cooking three meals a day for Ur, and thirty minutes for hygiene. He cut out every second of wasted time.
This routine netted him 34 Magic Points per day.
Two days meant 68 points. Add that to his previous 20, and he now sat at 88.
"Just 12 points away from breaking a hundred."
"I'll make breakfast for Ur, then make the final push."
Ide glanced at his stats one last time, then sprinted up the mountain.
Aside from his first trip, where unfamiliarity with the terrain slowed him down, Ide—now using all three forms of Haki—could hunt, prep, and cook everything in under thirty minutes.
He even prepped the ingredients for lunch and dinner during his morning run.
"Mmm."
By the time Ur woke up, food was already on the table, and Ide was already outside training.
"Thanks, Ide."
Ur thanked him, sat down, and started her breakfast.
"So good!"
"Way better than my cooking."
"If this keeps up, I'm going to become useless."
Ur nibbled on her food while watching Ide train diligently through the window. After a moment of thought, she decided, "I'll go into town today! I'll sell the beast pelts Ide hunted, then buy some supplies and food! I need to do something to contribute. I can't let Ide spoil me rotten."
"Ide, I'm going out!"
With that in mind, she quickly finished eating, put the dishes in the sink, hoisted the pelts Ide had processed over her shoulder, and ran toward town. As she ran, she shouted, "Ide, I'll bring back something tasty for you!"
"..."
Ide, already deep in meditation, didn't respond.
But Ur was used to his constant training mode, so she didn't mind.
---
In Town.
"Tsk."
"Only 8,000 jewels for such high-quality pelts? Uncle Jack really is a total crook."
"If I took these to a bigger city, they'd probably sell for ten times that."
Ur walked out of the leather shop, counting the 8,000 jewels in her hand with a sour expression.
"Whatever."
"Better than nothing."
"I need bread, butter, chocolate, vegetables, and fruit."
Clutching her "massive fortune" of 8,000 jewels, Ur pondered her shopping list.
In this small town, income was low, but thankfully, prices were low too.
"Ur! Where have you been the last two days?"
"Why haven't you come to chat with me?"
As Ur passed the fruit shop, sharp-eyed Susan spotted her immediately. Noting Ur's glowing complexion, she waved and called out with a grin.
"Oh, Susan."
"I was just coming to buy some fruit from you."
"Give me a discount, yeah?"
Ur walked over to the shop, smiling.
"Ooh, Ur."
"You look different since you got a man, huh?"
"Look at that glow! Someone's been getting 'nourished' these past two days."
Susan gave Ur a once-over and immediately started teasing her.
"Huh?!"
"What are you talking about?!"
"I didn't do anything!"
"Say that again and I'll smash your shop!"
Ur's face turned beet red again. she glared at Susan, issuing a flustered "threat."
"Pfft."
"Just kidding."
"But seriously, Ur, you should think about settling down. I think Ide is a great catch."
Susan chuckled. Teasing the innocent "little virgin" was just too much fun.
"True."
To Susan's surprise, Ur didn't argue. Instead, she nodded in agreement.
"Eh?"
"No way?"
"Did it actually happen?"
Susan stared at Ur, who seemed lost in thought. A look of disbelief crossed her face as she realized what Ur's reaction might imply.
"Did what happen?"
Ur looked up, confused.
"Nothing."
Susan shook her head, trying to play it cool.
But on second thought, it made sense. Ide and Ur, two attractive people alone in a cabin? It would be weirder if nothing happened.
"Give me some oranges, apples, and strawberries."
Luckily, Ur didn't dwell on it. She was quickly distracted by the fresh fruit in the shop.
---
Back at Ur's Cabin.
"Phew!"
"Done!"
After six hours of grueling training, Ide finally gathered 100 Magic Points.
"My strength comes purely from my own hard work."
"System, add points!"
Without hesitation, Ide dumped all 100 points into Ice-Make Magic.
BOOM!
As the points were added, a surge of cold energy erupted from within him. An Ice-Make magic circle bloomed in front of him like a flower.
His system panel updated instantly.
[Magic Origin:]
First Magic Origin:
Gains 1 MP every 10 minutes in Deep Meditation.
Gains 1 MP every 20 minutes while Sleeping/Resting.
Current Total MP: 0
[Magic:]
Ice-Make Magic: LV2 (+)
"Awesome!"
"Ice-Make: Lance Volley!"
Testing his new strength immediately, Ide struck a pose. Four or five ice spears materialized instantly, shooting forward and piercing through the trunks of several nearby trees.
Thump.
Just as Ide was testing his limits, Ur returned from her shopping trip. She saw the display of power and froze. Her bag of fruit slipped from her hands and hit the snow.
"Ide... he broke through again? How long has it been?"
Even ignoring his Haki and swordsmanship, Ide's magic alone was now strong enough to join a Wizard Guild.
In other words, in less than three days, Ide had gone from a complete novice to a full-fledged Wizard.
A sense of urgency welled up in Ur's heart.
At this rate, it's only a matter of time before he surpasses me. And when he does... what reason will he have to stay here in this little town?
The thought gnawed at her.
"I have to train harder!"
"I can't let him catch up to me so easily."
Ur picked up the fallen fruit, her eyes burning with determination.