Reincarnated with SSS-Rank Trait and Unique Ability-Chapter 20: Journey’s End

Without hesitation, Ares swung open the heavy door of the caravan and jumped down to the ground.

His gaze immediately lifted.

Standing before him was his supervisor, Viktor. A heavy, double-edged sword rested in his hand, its dark navy steel gleaming beneath the clear sky. Beneath Viktor's foot lay a boar-like creature, sprawled in a pool of blood that bloomed around it.

"Mana beast!" Ares recognised what the creature was immediately.

But a question lingered in his mind, "Could such a small beast have exuded the heavy presence I felt earlier?" His eyes shifted toward Viktor, who had now turned to acknowledge his arrival. "—Or was it Viktor's presence?"

The questions remained unanswered, as Viktor's voice rang out, cutting through Ares' thoughts.

"Ah, Ares. Please call the others and gather outside. I have something to show you all."

Ares nodded and quickly did as instructed.

Before long, the entire group stood just a meter away from the slain beast.

Viktor broke the heavy silence, his voice steady and calm. He lowered himself and extended his arm toward the creature's torso, positioning himself near its abdomen. "Here," he said. "The mana core is usually located near the abdomen. You should be able to sense it once you rank high enough, but for now, simply aiming for the abdomen is more effective than going for the head."

One of the twins interrupted, cutting through the lesson without a second thought. "Isn't it easier to just cut off the head?"

Both twins grinned, as if proud of the remark.

Viktor's eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained composed. "No. The head is a smaller target. It might be out of reach or too difficult to target, depending on the beast. The torso, on the other hand, is far easier to hit."

Standing up, Viktor continued, his stance firm. "Thrusts are usually a better option than slashes. The core is deep within, and a simple cut might not reach it, especially when it comes to the creatures of a higher category."

With that, Viktor turned on his heel and made his way back toward the caravan, leaving the group to contemplate his words.

The group lingered for a moment, eyes locked on the slain beast, minds racing with new information. Then, without a word, they followed Viktor inside.

Ares, who had already devoured countless books on mana beasts, wasn't particularly surprised by the lesson's nature. Instead, his thoughts wandered to his instructor, wondering what kind of enchantment he wielded. Curiosity burned within him, tempting his lips to form the question. He almost asked. Almost. But he stopped himself at the last moment.

Asking about someone's enchantment—or even their rank—was considered rude. In certain circles, it could even be a punishable offence. Ares doubted anyone would punish a kid like him just for asking, but still, he thought better of it. Staying on good terms with the instructor might prove useful later on.

Soon, the caravan was back on the road, heading toward the South Outpost.

Day after day, it pressed forward, relentless in its journey. The group made occasional camps every few days to stretch, train, and recover from the numbing hours of sitting.

Everyone began counting the days until the next stop. Despite the caravan's impressive size, it was far too cramped for them to travel comfortably. Sleeping meant dozing off in a half-sitting position, heads bobbing, backs aching.

But tracking the days was not easy. Their instructor, perhaps to keep them sharp or for his own amusement, constantly changed the schedule. The gaps between stops varied, as if he were toying with their expectations.

Days blurred into weeks. Weeks bled into months.

Moments like the encounter with the boar-like mana beast became routine. Each one was a new lesson or a trial. Some taught combat, others survival, but the worst were the cooking lessons.

In the Wildlands, food was scarce. Self-sufficiency was nearly as important as swordsmanship, and so the instructor drilled them on how to harvest meat from mana beasts, how to grill it over an open fire, and, most painfully, how to stomach its foul, pungent taste.

Then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, they neared their destination.

Excitement rippled through the caravan. The twins jostled each other, racing to peer out the windows. Selene's eyes widened as she pressed her face to the glass, trying to catch a glimpse of something in the distance. Only Ares and the instructor remained still, composed, and focused. The two of them understood what their arrival meant.

This wasn't a vacation. They were here to gain real combat experience.

Soon enough, the caravan rolled to a stop.

The instructor rose, giving the group a firm nod before stepping out. Ares was right behind him, already braced for it. He jumped down, boots landing with a wet thud in the mud.

He took in the scene. A light rain fell, misting the air and softening the landscape. The ground was slick with mud. A ring of wooden stands with merchants and traders huddled under makeshift roofs. Behind them, rows of larger wooden buildings stretched outward—crude but functional.

And in the center of it all stood the largest structure. A single building made of brick. It towered above the rest, out of place and imposing.

People looked ragged. Passersby watched the newcomers with wary eyes—some with curiosity, others with pity. Everyone looked tired and ragged.

Ares looked around, taking it all in.

Everything about this place felt... vile.