3 months after Albert made a friend
Albert is much more prepared than he was before. In fact It has been over a year since he last checked his stats. So he decided to do that
Strength 23
Agility 12
Intelligence 10
Skills: Navigation Master, Blue Fire Magic embodiment, Mental resistance 3, melee weapon mastery 4, axe wielder, Basic lumberjacking, Excellent teabrewing.
Spells known: Blue ember, Blue Flaming observer, Detonate object, Firedrown, Paralyze.
Magic tier 2.
"My stats are good, my strength is twice the average, and my other stats are slightly above their average as well. Good, I am glad that I'm strong." And Albert has a good reason to be glad. Since today, he is finally going to graduate from Dahlis' training.
For over a year now, Dahlis has been helping him grow stronger, he now knows how to use his axe like a master swordsman. Dahlis even admits that he is close to reaching her level, and that today is going to be his final exam. Albert also appreciates that he had grown more defined muscles and even a six pack last week! Although he thinks it is unfair of how soon he got it, he acknowledged that this was the effect of Dahlis' strict training regiment.
"Albert-sama! Today you are finally going to be a true warrior. Lucine-sama will be so happy!" Collene was right behind him, it was very surprising. Albert yelped.
"Collene! Don't scare me like that. Oh, wait why are you here? Where's Kuroba?"
"She's preparing tea and breakfast for Lucine-sama, since the two of them are really excited to see you become a true warrior." Collene yawned, her white hair reflecting the sunlight, making her seem like her hair is made of metal.
"Ok, just give me a few minutes to prepare myself. Is Steven here, like I requested? I need to make an example of a warrior for my friend." Collene simply nodded in response. "GOOD!"
As Collene left the room, Albert got his gloves and went inside the closet, he opened the cabinet.
"Ok Nihil, time to get ready."
---
Steven didn't know why Albert is being so kind to him. He's never done anything right for his family. His father always yelled at him, and his mother wouldn't even look at him. Though there wasn't any physical altercations, Steven never felt so unappreciated. He though that those days of being ignored and scolded would never end.
That was... until he saw their faces. Lucine Nocturne and Albert Luddovan. Steven didn't know there could be such kind people in the world, Steven didn't know he could see such love. Every week, he would visit them, with special permission from Duke Michael Nocturne.
Today was different, Steven is finally going to witness his best friend in combat, according to Lucine, his opponent is Dahlis, her head maid.
"Steven, are you confident in your combat abilities?" Asked Lucine, with eyes that seem jovial but also seem like they pierce through Steven's soul.
"Of course I am, may I remind you that as the heir to house Calyx, I am the wielder of the tier 2 magic sword, Thunder X"
"Oh, a tier 2 item? That's quite the rare achievement you have Steven-dearie." Lucine's voice was laced with sarcasm.
"As if you own many tier 2 or higher magic items?"
"Dont be alarmed Steven, I don't own many magic items, and they are all tier 1 through tier 2. But last year, my precious Albert found a tier 4 magic item. I am sure your little zappy stick is bullshit frail." Lucine's voice was condescending and cruel. But Steven knows her doing that is simply an act. Lucine is a kind person and she has the right to gloat and dote about her fiancee.
"If only I could have a wonderful fiancee, a beautiful girl."
"Maybe you'll meet her in the academy Steven-dearie!"
---
Albert walked out of thr door into the front yard, where Dahlis was waiting. But something was different this time, instead of her maid outfit, she was wearing a black suit of armor. Albert didn't see this suit of armor before.
"Um, what's the armor for?" He asked. Slight worry in his voice. If that is a magic armor, he might be screwed.
"Don't worry it's tier 1 blessed iron armor. Your final test is to break it, don't worry I'm still wearing my uniform in there." Albert didn't need to know that last part. That was fairly obvious for such a dignified person. His gloves started shaking.
Without hesitation, he drew Nihil and swung it, and just in time, Dahlis was about to strike him with her katana. And Albert realized that was the tier 3 magic item, Obsidian Blade. That magic item is a paid item, only accessible for a limited time as well, so of course she has it.
Obsidian Blade: Your Agility is 1.66x faster than before, this blade can cut through solid steel.
"Nice deflection, you are getting better at this." Dahlis said as she kept maneuvering and swinging her blade, as Albert was carefully deflecting them, trying to knock it out of her hand, but her grip is too strong.
So Albert decides to change tactics. He focused and activated the afterimage skill of Nihil, creating 5 illusionary copies of himself that charge towards Dahlis, he was among the 5 copies, his strategy was to break her guard, he even practiced using them for the last week in his room to pass time. But Dahlis is even stronger than he expected.
"Earthslash" With one fell swing, she slashed the illusionary copies, making them dissappear and exposing the real ALBERT!!!! Causing him to fall back.
"Oh poor little Albert, you were doing so well, but I guess you don't like it when I get serious. Boohoo." Dahlis was trying to provoke him into attacking, but he kept up the defensive, watching every swing Dahlis did.
Occasionally, she would do a fake swing, making him lose his guard and get hit by a swift kick to the face, but after a few more minutes, he could predict when she would fake out. Although it was still quite surprising. That means Dahlis really isn't holding back this time.
"Blue ember" Albert casted the spells which momentarily caused her to lose her balance, so he took the chance and sliced her sword with Nihil out of her hand onto the ground a few yards away.
"Thunderbolt" Dahlis declared. And a blast of lightning shot out and hit the ground next to him.
"Oh oopsie daisy, that was a misfire, oh well! Thunderbolt." This time it hit him, the pain in Albert's body was immense and Dahlis took the time to regain her stance.
Albert didn't know Dahlis was THAT strong. But then he remembered something from a specific line said by a random mob in the game.
"Did you know that if you cast any detonation spell on a being or object made of oricalchum, a giant blast of energy emits from the object, and the oricalchum doesn't explode! Try using it sometimes."
Although Albert didn't use it even once in his many playthroughs in the game. Maybe now, he couldn't use that obscure interraction to his advantage, to surprise Dahlis, his face was bleeding from thunderbolt and from repeatedly behind kicked, he even started to cry. But he just smiled, a wicked grin as he charged forward once more with Nihil.
"Detonate... Object" He said with a gravelly sadistic undertone, and as he did, a giant explosion emitted as it collide with Dahlis' armor. There was an explosion, and when it cleared, her armor shattered, even her clothing was burnt and part of it came off, revealing the left side of her midsection.
"I win, I graduate. I am now a true warrior! I am Lucine's fucking fiancee!" Albert said, triumph in his voice as he heaves. Dahlis simply clapped and nodded.
"I suppose you graduate, it appears I found someone who can finally keep up, and your body has improved quite vastly because of it. I am sure Lucine will be very pleased." Dahlis seemed satisfied, before patting his head.
"I would like to bestow you 2 skills."
You have acquired the skills, keen edge and Earthslash.
Keen Edge: Any sharp edged weapon you wield can cut through materials 33% more efficiently, flesh doesn't count.
Earthslash: You can activate this skill to temporary enlarge your blade before slashing, although this is guaranteed to not kill anybody. It is still capable of doing serious damage.
"Thank you, Dahlis. I need to go now." Albert said, leaving Dahlis as he walked back up, seeing Kuroba, Collene, Lucine, and Steven. Kuroba and Collene were happy as expected, Collene was asleep, and Steven was slack-jawed, he definitely didn't know what kind of training Albert went through.
"THAT WAS AMAZING ALBERT, YOU ARE THE BEST FIANCEE EVER. AND YOU ARE MINE! MINE FOREVER!" Lucine said, screaming at the top of her lungs as she gave me a hug. He could barely even hear her due to the aftershock of thr graduation, but he could make out her words, or at least he think he mouthed them right. 'Albert you were amazing, you are very handsome and lovely. Indeed strong.' Yeah, that seems like a realistic thing she would say!
"Wow, I would ask that fucking maid to teach me her ways. But if I did, you would know my strategy, so I'm going to get strong some other way, after all, we are best friends." Steven said, although with a hint of jealousy in his voice, Albert sensed no killing intent within himself.
---
2 years and 6 months later
Albert has grown into a well-looked man. He is growing some nice stubble dots, although not a beard, he thinks he still looks manly.
"Ok Albert! It's time for breakfast." Said Kuroba, walking into his room, she has grown over the last 2 and a half years. She has evolved from a ponytail to not a twin, but a tri-tail, she looks very mature, she has nice assets as well (from a c cup to a D. Very well).
"Ok Kuroba. I'm ready to start the day!" Albert said with a smile on his face. "Also, please tell Collene we ran out of goat cheese, since that cheese is the Greatest Of All Time." Kuroba started to giggle again, his sense of humor really hasn't changed one bit.
As he walked down the stairs, he could smell Lucine's perfume, she got that as a birthday present from Albert, and she loves it, maybe too much. He even caught her licking it once, but it's fine, maybe it tastes good?
"Albert, there you are! It's great to see you." There she is, Lucine. She now looks exactly like she does in the game, a Well-endowed young lady with Long, grown out Black and Blue hair with innocent blue eyes. Wearing a noble uniform containing a black skirt within. Albert is so happy that this sexy woman is his fiancee, and that instead of cruel, she's cute, rather than ruthless, she's merciful, and she's not a villainess, she's Lucine Nocturne.
"There's only 3 days before we make our debut in high society, Albert. Stay by my side the entire time, and DONT TALK TO ANY GIRLS! I mean, please don't make any advances on any young women, it's more polite to let them speak to you first."
There's only 3 more weeks before the game starts, and Albert is ready to face any challenge that comes his way.