As it turns out, I actually have to hunt through the comments for authors to advertise Also, I forgot to find one for chapter 10, so you guys get two today

  Sriper has been a reader since day one, and made a wonderful video about dual-wielding in real life . I recommend it because I too have my own foam weapons :p

  thejman09 is a good friend of mine who has written a few good ones, like , though I wish he'd post more

  Enjoy the last part!

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  Once Steel recovered enough to regain consciousness, Eric called him forward. "My boy, you have shown great initiative and dedication in my special training course. Know that you now take your place among my best students, and that you have completed one of the many tests the training center has to offer. I pronounce you, good enough to not die in a fight. " Eric smiled to himself, pleased with his speech.

  Steel, Mary, Maria, and Echo were less pleased. "Good enough to not die in a fight" was one of the worst titles they had ever heard of. Still, Steel was happy because it was then that all the notification boxes popped up in front of him.

  (This takes a lot of space, so I'm hiding them now for you guys :))

  Spoiler

  Steel smiled after reading the skills. When a skill was acquired through training, rather than finding it, the player's rank would be higher as a result. Being taught by a master would automatically level the skill up to D rank, instead of starting at F. This was why he was doing the quest for Mema, D level cooking would be very useful to have.

  Eric threw Steel his shield back, "Here boy, you can have it back now that I know you won't abuse her. Still, remember what I taught you; fight from the body, not the weapon."

  Steel bowed to his Master, "Thank you for everything you've done for the past 3 days sir. I hope to live up to your expectations."

  Eric chuckled and waved him off, "Quiet boy, you'll make me blush. Now, anything to ask before you leave?"

  Steel nodded, "Yes, a few Master. Why do you know so many skills and abilities?"

  Eric mused, "Well boy, as you know this world was made by the gods. . ."

  "I didn't want a story sir."

  "Shut up boy, this is important." Eric growled at him, "Anyway, they gave to the races the power to see their strengths, also known as one's status. When you have lived for as long as I have, you find that you've seen most skills used by people."

  "You say races, does that include the monsters too?"

  "No, the three monster types grow differently, which lead to all the varieties in the three categories. They have the ability to evolve and adapt, as you no doubt already know from your experiences."

  Steel marveled how the creators had incorporated the actual game play style into the lore of the world. 'Kinda feels like a different world. Oh wait it is.' He mentally smacked himself. Steel reached into his bag and pulled out the egg. In the three days of training, it had grown harder and a little bigger, though it still felt soft to the touch. "Master, can you tell me if I'm raising this right?" He asked.

  Eric pounded the ground in annoyance, "What do I look like boy, a monster lover? I have no idea what to do with that thing besides cooking it." The egg seemed to shudder at the words.

  Steel shrugged, and was about to turn around to put it away when Maria caught his arm. She was staring very intently at the egg.

  "Steel, is that a egg from your expedition?" She gazed at it in wonder, Echo jumped up to peek at it, and even Mary looked on in interest.

  (Remember, they switched last chapter, don't forget guys.)

  "Yup, this is my reward from the alpha wolf. I couldn't stand to let them sell or kill the poor thing, so I took it on as it's protector."

  "Is that why you gave up the wolf gloves?" Maria asked.

  Steel cocked his head, "How do you know about that?"

  Maria hurriedly said, "Um, because when we shopping her lady Mary showed off to the gloves to me, saying they were a gift from her father from the expedition." Mary tilted her head to Steel and nodded, holding up her glove covered hands.

  'Strange, I don't recall seeing those before.' Steel mused, looking at Mary. He returned to Maria, "Yes. I tried to bid for the gloves, but it got way too expensive for my coffers. On the bright side, I did pick up Echo on that trip, so it was worth it." He rubbed Echo's head, who pushed into it and relaxed.

  Eric coughed, "This is nice and all, but hurry up and leave. I have some drinking to catch up on." He chased them out of his office, and closed the door behind them.

  They walked outside the training hall and sat down. Steel looked over to Maria, "Thanks for being here to help Maria, but don't you have to get back to the tower? You've already spent 3 days with us."

  Maria shook her head, "No, the Archmage decided that I should go with you two as added protection. It was pure look that Mary found me when I was looking for you guys. Besides, I have to teach you your basic magic skills tomorrow before we leave."

  Steel winced, "I don't know if I could take that training again."

  Maria laughed, "Don't worry about it. Since you already know magic in the proper manner, it won't take nearly as long for you to learn. Besides, you won't have to get beaten up by anymore dummies." She teases him.

  The four of them shared a chuckle together, Steel's more of a regretful chuckle than the others.

  Forgetting his troubles, Steel checked the time, "It'll be sunset soon, why don't we turn in back at the inn?" Over the training days, Steel had given his room to the two girls and Echo, and had been forced to pay for another room for himself. Mema had no sympathy for, as she put, "Girl related shenanigans in my inn." Apparently, while she was sweet on him, she believed he was too young for night time activities. Which was ironic given the....Steel didn't have time to think of unnecessary things.

  Maria looked over to Mary, who nodded. "Sounds like a plan my student. Remember to treat your teacher again tonight." She smiled and grabbed his arm, leaning into it. Steel felt a warm sensation traveling up his arm, but he yanked it out of her grasp, "Okay then, follow me ladies." As he walked away from the training hall with the girls in tow, he didn't see Maria's sad face. Nor did he see her jealous face when he let Echo hold his hand.

  Spoiler

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  (This is the status menu with added stats and shield back)

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  Mema greeted them as the group walked through the door into the guild.

  "Did you finish your training Steel?" She asked.

  "Yes ma'am, I am finally ready for the real world." He grinned happily at her.

  She snorted, "Good, now you can hurry up and finish my request. I already used up what you got for me last time, unless. . ."

  "No Mema, the egg is off limits." Steel hugged his bag protectively, giving her a stern look.

  She sighed, "Worth a try I guess. Anyone, you guys came just in time for dinner. Pull up a seat and dig in; on Steel's tab of course."

  He winced at the reminder, taking a seat with Echo struggling to crawl onto his beside him. He leaned over to Maria, "So, why don't I get an allowance for taking care of her ladyship?"

  Maria snorted, "Isn't it obvious? Where's your manly pride in taking care of women?"

  "My pride is draining out with my coffers." He replied bluntly, "And it doesn't help the only room available was an expensive one."

  Maria took a sip of her drink, "You could always sleep with us you know, save some money?"

  Steel snorted, "No way I'm sleeping with her ladyship. She seems like a real prude, and I bet she snores."

  Maria was quite passive as she took another drink, "What makes you say that Steel? I think shes a wonderful lady with a big heart and an elegant body."

  "Well, no denying her beauty." He admitted, "However, she never did apologize to me for all the pain I went through, and she barely seems to acknowledge my existence. I wish she was more like you, but I guess I'm stuck with her." He sighed.

  "Yes, what a pity indeed." Maria responded coldly, taking another sip. Steel raised an eyebrow.

  "Everything okay Maria? You seem a little off."

  She eyed him sideways, "Says the man insulting my benefactor and his own charge. It's a good thing she isn't listening right now, or she'd be really angry." The hand hidden from Steel's sight clenched into a fist.

  Steel sighed, "I guess your right. It's not like I know her like you do, and I know how it feels to be judged unfairly." He scratched his chin ruefully, "I'd better apologize to her." He got up, but Maria quickly put her hand out.

  "Why don't you wait till after we eat, let her relax some before you apologize." She gave him a small smile. He shrugged.

  "Your the teacher, and know her better than I do. Whatever you say." Mema served them dinner, and Steel sank his teeth into a nicely cooked bird leg. Maria smiled to herself, sending a mental command to "Mary" to switch with her after the food.

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  Steel knocked on the door to his former room. He renewed his resolve, for this would be a difficult mission. The door opened to reveal Maria with a questioning look.

  "Yes Steel, what is it?" She asked.

  He gave her a confused look, "Didn't we talk about this at dinner?"

  Her face broke into a smile, "Oh right, silly me. I'l go get her ladyship for you." She winked and closed the door. Steel rubbed his head.

  "How does she forget a conversation we had 20 minutes ago? It was her idea anyway." He muttered to himself.

  The door reopened and Mary steeped out, looking regal in her night attire. Steel couldn't tell the difference between this dress and the one he originally saw her in except for the color. 'Must be a trend.' He thought to himself.

  He cleared his throat, "Good evening my lady. I was wondering if you would be interested in a walk through the night with me."

  Mary raised an eyebrow, "Isn't it dangerous being on the streets at night? Sounds very daring of you to propose."

  Steel shook his head, "No ma'am, I meant one of the verandas in this guild. I was hoping we could have some time to talk, seeing as I haven't had the chance to get to know you yet."

  She inclined her head, a finger to her mouth in thought. "Very well then, lead the way Sir Scout." As Steel turned to lead her, Mary and "Maria" exchanged thumbs up. Echo looked annoyed but resigned as the two watched the other two leave. He reached up and pulled on "Maria"'s shirt.

  She looked down at him, "You want to spy too?" Echo nodded, a hard line in his eye. "Maria" laughed, "Okay then, I want to as well, but remember to be quite." The two of them slipped into the hallway and stealthy followed the two, taking positions close enough to listen in but not give themselves away.

  The veranda was small, holding two chairs and a flower pot. However, on nights like this one, it sat perfectly under the full moon, which shone down on them rivers of silver. Steel waited til Mary had sat to sit himself down. "Tell me Mary, why do you want to explore the wilds so much? This question has haunted me since I first heard about it from Maria."

  Mary looked into the distance and smiled, "I know what you must be thinking; 'Why does a spoiled girl like her want to endure the harshness of adventuring?'" She grinned at Steel's uncomfortable face, "It's okay, that is an important question is it not?"

  She leaned back and relaxed into the chair, "I've been in that tower since I was a little girl. When my mom passed, father decided it was too dangerous for me to ever leave the tower. He made me study magic as hard as I could until I was second only to him in the tower. He was stern, but kind and loving to me. When she was alive, he used to regale me with tales of his adventures and how how he met mother, but he stopped after she was gone. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, so I made it my dream to adventure someday, just like him. Does that sound silly?" She asked gently.

  Steel shook his head. He got on to the floor and bowed to her, "I'm sorry my lady, for judging you before I had the chance to know you. I'm sure you must have your reasons for your decision." He looked up to find Mary very flustered.

  "Please, allow me to apologize for the pain I brought you when we first met. I admit, I had heard tales about you from Mary, so I took a bit of satisfaction getting some revenge for her. You know you really hurt her before you left for the expedition." She folded her arms under her chest, which had the interesting effect of emphasizing her attractive attributes. Steel coughed, lowering his eyes.

  "I know, and I hope the apology I left for her reached her ear. She was good to me, and I shouldn't have let such a childish thing get to me."

  Mary smiled at him, "She received it, don't worry. Still, you didn't show up again after the expedition was over to report your health." Steel thought he could detect a bit of an accusatory tone to her words.

  This time, Steel was the one to look toward the distance, "I lost my important friend during the expedition. She was taken from me, yet there was nothing I could do about it to prevent it. I was mourning my loss, though I guess that's no excuse." He sighed.

  Mary reached for him, but stopped before her hands touched his. She pulled it backwards with an embarrassed look, "Sorry scout, I almost put you in pain again. It's infuriating that father has made it so I can't comfort you in your grief." Her mouth frowned momentarily, a rather cute gesture in Steel's opinion.

  He winked at her, "It's okay, I have the strangest feeling I'll see her again soon enough. Hopefully, I'll be able to help her out of her predicament."

  Mary laughed, "Your funny scout. Even when your down, you always find things to bring you back up."

  Steel chuckled, "Well, it's been a habit of mine for a s long as I can remember. Anyway, call me Steel, please."

  Mary blushed, "Are you sure? I am your charge after all, no matter how important my father is. It would be better. . ."

  Steel cut her off, "I insist. Call me Steel."

  She smiled warmly at him, "Well then, you may call me Lady Mary."

  He raised an eyebrow, "Not much difference in that."

  She shook her head, "Nope, remember I will always be better than you." She said this with a cheeky look.

  "Always." The two of them shared a laugh under the moonlight, watching the stars come out. Steel glanced sideways at Mary. "You know, I just thought you were typical spoiled princess. Seems that you have a little more depth than I first thought."

  She shot him a glare, "Really, what a rude thing to say to spoil the mood."

  "But I'm not wrong, right?"

  She pouted, but nodded, "Well, I must admit that others have pointed out tiny flaws in my character before. Selfish and vindictive I guess." She shrugged daintily, "I admit, I am not perfect, even when I strive to be the person I was raised to be. Besides, one gets used to being called "lady" after an entire lifetime living in a proverbial castle."

  Steel laughed, "That's true. I feel like the next time I see the tower, a dragon will be flying around it."

  Mary sighed, "You're missing the point Steel."

  Steel shook his head, "I don't think so. Who you were doesn't matter too much to me. After all, it is unlikely I'll see you again after the trip, you being so special and all." Seeing her frown, he continued, "What I mean to say, live how you want to live while you're here with me. I'll treat you as a friend to help you with your problems; I won't pretend I can help, but I can promise you an adventure."

  Mary raised an eyebrow, "So, I'm suppose to play the adventuring girl just starting off?"

  "No, you are the adventuring girls starting off. Just let it play out, and we'll both come out of this with a smile." He winked at her, "Even if we don't end up as best friends, I'd like to end up counting you as a friend."

  'For future quests anyway.' He thought privately.

  She turned to watch the moonlight, "That's fine with me Steel. Friends it is then." He joined her in watching the moon, both content in their thoughts.

  The moment was broken when a rock flew into the railing, startling the both of them. Steel looked over to the edge to find an argument below them. He sighed, than offered his hand to Mary. "Shall I take you back?"

  She smiled and took his hand. They made it into the building before the pain struck him again.