Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

Chapter 29: Avollo's Invitation, Adult Nero's Choice

The day was as bright as ever, but it soon felt better when Nero saw the name of the person who sent him a message. While he was a prideful youth who didn't like strangers, deep down, Nero always wanted someone he could call a friend.

Though he was a bit surprised by Avollo's sudden message, he promptly opened it and read the details.

[Avollo -"Hey pal... or rather, Silver Boy. Huhu... I just got on; how are you holding up?"]

Nero seeing this message frowned as he thought, 'Silver Boy? Where did he get that name from?'

Not liking the name, Nero promptly replied with a message of his own as the two then started to converse.

[Nero - "Where did you get that name? I'm called Nero, N E R O, don't forget it."]

[Avollo - "Haha, I know I know, cool your flames, Silver Boy. That title wasn't something I came up with, it's a curse brought to you by women. I think that sometimes it's not that good when you're popular with their kind.]

Nero reading this reply felt angry, but he didn't bother paying it any mind. He recalled his previous question and answered.

[Nero - "Women? Humph! Let them do as they wish; it doesn't bother me. As for how I'm doing, I'm fine, I am training a bit before I do a Normal Quest."]

[Avollo - "Oh training, sounds like fun. A Normal Quest? You might want to refrain on that for a while longer."]

[Nero - "Huh...? What's that supposed to mean?]

[Avollo - "Nothing... nothing... oh! I know, right now, I'm about to go leveling for a good while, but I'm going to be free by 4 pm. Why don't you join me at that time? I want to give you a few pointers at the Battle Arena?]

[Nero - "Pointers, tch! Like I need it, but as for the Battle Arena, isn't that in the nearest town, Birgime?]

[Avollo - "Yup! I can take the chance to increase my score on the [Ranking List] and offer you some proper advice with training. I don't know if you're speaking out of pride or something else, but yes, you do need it. What's wrong? Are you scared?]

Nero felt annoyed by those words, though he couldn't hear him, he thought that it was written in a teasing tone. Not wanting to seem like a wimp, Nero replied with a message.

[Nero - "Fine, I will be there!"]

[Avollo - "Great choice, see ya later then, pal."]

Tink!

Following the end notification sound, the texts faded from Nero's eyes as his previously firm mood turned a bit downcast. He knew that getting to the city wouldn't be easy; he would have to pass through the region for his quest to get there.

He bit his lips and asked inwardly, 'Hey, if I were to try and pass the quest grounds, what are my odds?'

Adult Nero replied in an icy tone, "0%"

'You can't be serious! How could I still be so weak?' Nero inwardly exclaimed as his face turned red in anger.

Adult Nero chuckled and spoke, "Such is the fate of the weak, we weren't born of high bred clans, every single one of them has been trained since birth. When they enter this domain, it doesn't take them long to achieve mastery of a Low-grade technique, which typically has 3 Stages. Even for more prominent prodigies, they can grasp Stage 4 or even 6 of one or two Middle-Grade technique. While the best of geniuses are either nearing or have already achieved Stage 7 of High-Grade techniques."

Nero hearing all of this clenched his fists tightly, feeling that it was unfair, he thought, 'Darn it, I don't want to lose to any of them, how can I hope to save mother if I can't beat them? There are likely those who have already become masters in this world. If I hope to surpass them and find this treasure, then I cannot stay at the level of the weak.'

Adult Nero looked at him in silence for a while as he recalled some old memories. He recalled the worlds Avollo said to him when he couldn't make it, 'Nero, it's okay, I'll come to pick you, I should have known better,' Adult Nero frowned when he recalled that scene, he was teased over and over again for years because of it. As such, it was his most vivid memory.

'That darn Avollo and his scatterbrain, like hell I'd let that happen again...' Adult Nero thought as his eyes flashed in a firm ray as if he decided on something, Adult Nero spoke again, "Do you really wish to enter that town?"

Nero replied with a firm look in his eyes, "Not like I have a choice; I certainly can't let him come pick me up like some child now can I?"

Adult Nero felt a bit awkward hearing that, he shook off the feeling returning to his usual demeanor as he spoke, "Okay, then I'll help you at that time, but remember this, I will only do it once. For now, focus on your training. Right now, you haven't properly understood your advantages. People from special families or societies have been training since birth. Still, you... you are different, despite your lack of training, there is a way for your increase your mastery other than relying on regular training. I was a bit reluctant at first, as I fear it may hinder your mindset for training, but right now, let's just say it's needed."

'Hmm? You mean that there's a way I can train faster?' Nero asked in excitement.

Adult Nero smiled at his look before he spoke, "Correct, you have been given memories, but did you ever stop to think and ponder upon those memories for each technique?"

When Nero heard this, his eyes widened as he spoke inwardly, 'Oh right, I had completely forgotten to inspect them, I was so busy, and with all that information recently I couldn't focus on one thing.'

Adult Nero knew that this was his fault for wanting him to develop a sense of crisis, but he didn't point it out, he cleared his threat embarrassedly before he spoke once more, "Let's not think about that, now where were we, memories. Yes, memories are more than just a series of images and information. It is an accumulation of my... no, our experience. As such, not only will your mind slowly remember, but your body will also show signs of recollection. The muscle memories of each movement are encoded within our bodies, and only by pondering upon them can you bring it out, further increasing your understanding and speed of mastery. By doing this, you would be no way inferior to prodigies of prominent families or societies, and your mastery will increase. If anything, the only weakness is the grade of your techniques and actual battle experience in the short term. However, this is something that can easily be rectified with time and constant training."

Nero felt enlightened as he heard this, he didn't want to waste any time as he spoke in his mind, 'To think I never saw it this way, I have to try it right now!'

Adult Nero seeing this, spoke, "Wait!"

Nero was puzzled, he questioned inwardly with a frown, 'What is it now?'

Adult Nero replied, "You don't have time to sit around, training is better of done through live-action. From here on out, you will continue using the limit training methods that I've imparted you, refining your body as you fight against foes on your way to the Bamboo Grove. You can use your enemy's openings in a battle to draw up any of the memories of the technique. Doing so will further increase your mastery. As for that sword art, we are not swordsmen, and that art is only a temporary substitute until we awaken our Inheritance Weapon since I have no memory of sword techniques. You will have to depend on yourself to bring it to mastery, but remember, it is only but a temporary skill to amplify your damage power, as well as a means for you to kill more efficiently."

Nero thought for a bit before he replied, 'Fine.'

Adult Nero hearing his confirmation had a sharp glint in his eyes when he stared at the distance and spoke, "Good, now begin, our day is still young, and there's plenty of monsters out there for you to kill."

When he heard those words, Nero felt a bit of chill; he could sense a dense amount of killing intent that Adult Nero had unknowingly released.

However, rather than being repulsed, as if something inside of him was attractive to it, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of battle lust as his red pupils shone in a sinister ray when he ran forwards and shouted, "I will be stronger!"

A few others looked at him because of his sudden outburst, showing looks of strangeness, but as everyone was of a similar age, such antics were considered usual for teenagers.

Soon, Nero had bolted from this field towards the direction of the Bamboo Grove. He battled wildly against any creature that came into his path, leaving behind a road of blood and carnage.