Ruel had washed up and put on a white t-shirt and pants, donning his usual leather armor over them with his longsword hanging at his side.
He made his way to his parents' room, knocked, and after receiving no response, walked away.
It was around the time his mother taught the community's kids so it was nothing odd that she was away.
His father, on the other hand, was asleep, enduring pains Ruel couldn't begin to imagine.
Walking out, Ruel thought, 'After this, I need to find a way to go back to Enma. I don't think I will be needed for a while so I should be able to.'
Before leaving his room, Ruel had also adjusted his Anchor in Talia to link to his room, so any gate opened from Enma would lead directly there.
After getting dressed and checking in on his parents, Ruel stepped outside, the afternoon air brushing against his skin.
Just a few steps from the porch, he spotted two familiar figures approaching.
Approaching were Anna—Alan's daughter—and Yuma, Ruel's other close friend.
Yuma had a defined jawline, brown hair that reached his neck and fell over his forehead in strands, and brown eyes.
He was dressed in leather armor and had two short swords at his waist – he was also a scout.
Seeing Ruel, his face brightened up as he quickened his pace.
Ruel smiled and said, "As energetic as usual."
Yuma clapped a hand on Ruel's shoulder. "Dude, you had me worried!"
"I just felt weak and slept," Ruel chuckled with a shrug.
"Not that. After the awakening, you were gloomy–that's something I have never seen from you. Are you good?"
'I was the one who awakened a Talent, while you and the others failed, yet I'm the one being consoled…'
Ruel then flexed his biceps. "I'm as good as ever!"
Yuma's eyes darted to it and his mouth opened in surprise. "You got bigger? Now that I think about it, you even got taller! Is this an effect of your Talent awakening?"
Ruel, now standing at 191 cm, had noticed the change in his body earlier and decided to show off in front of Yuma, who used to be way more physically fit.
Changing his flexing position, Ruel laughed.
"At this rate, you might catch up to me. I can't lose!" Yuma was about to show off what real muscles were when Anna stepped in.
Clearing her throat loudly, she smiled. "Good afternoon, Ruel. I see you're doing better."
"Oh, Anna. Sorry, I got sidetracked. Good afternoon," Ruel said. "And thank you for yesterday."
"Meh. It's nothing. Sir Eden asked us to come check up on you."
"Right. I have to go," Ruel said, about to rush there.
"Let's all go," Anna stopped him. And with a smile that was more than innocent, she added, "I need to know what crazy thing you were doing last night."
'Not today, missie. You can't scold me today!'
"Actually, my reason is very good," Ruel explained, just as Yuma chimed in.
"Yeah! I heard you found signs of a ruin, how did you do that? How did that energy come out of it? What was it like to be there?"
Ruel was speechless before he muttered, "I guess you already know most of it…"
"Everyone does! Do you know how great this is? Feast-worthy great!"
After Yuma spoke, Anna added, "We're all just waiting for you to tell us the full story—in detail, of course."
'You're not fooling me, Anna. You just want more ammo to nag me with…'
As they walked to the station, Ruel explained to them.
- - -
Walking across the town, Ruel felt the bright mood of the people.
The atmosphere in town buzzed with energy. News of a potential Ruin had lifted spirits like a festival was coming.
Most of the men were working at the town walls now, leaving about 30% behind, along with the women, the elders and the children.
Those who Ruel came across looked at him with gratitude that made him satisfied.
Like he always thought, his Talent Awakening will be the source of joy of many – even though now it was indirect.
During his conversation with Anna and Yuma, he realized that information about his Talent hadn't been revealed.
It wasn't supposed to be a big deal, so Ruel assumed Eden and the others had left it to him to decide whether to keep it secret or not.
And he did tell them.
Yuma was the only guy who could match his pace and Anna had been helping his mother for years, and they gave him many reasons to trust them.
They were both very impressed and Yuma even praised him quite a few times.
After asking what Rank it is, Ruel decided to hold back that, like he did with the Elders, and told them he felt like it was B rank.
Fortunately, before they could press him further, they arrived at the staging area of the so-called First Excavation Party.
Eden, along with Lia and Mark, stood ready in front of the Captain's Office.
Eden was dressed in metal armor that covered a few parts of his body and his gauntlets were currently tied to his waist.
Lia was a slender endowed woman with her short dark blue hair and eyes.
She was wearing a shirt and leather pants, wore leather armor and had a shortsword at her back along with a bag.
Mark was a large, broad-shouldered man with black hair and blue eyes, and a face partially covered by a short beard.
He was similarly dressed as Eden, but wielded a longsword.
When they arrived, Yuma said, "Brother Eden, have you noticed the change on Ruel's body?"
"I was equally surprised," Eden said dejectedly. "But we can't lose and we won't lose!"
"Yeah!" Yuma agreed, leaving Ruel to laugh.
"Good afternoon. Sorry for keeping you waiting," Ruel stated. "I'm ready whenever you all are."
Lia said, scrutinizing him, "Ruel, you seem… different from when last we saw. How impressive."
Ruel chuckled as he didn't know how to respond.
"Hello there, Ruel. Been a while," Mark waved.
"Uncle Mark, how is the family?"
"We are all doing well. Thank you. My wife says I should earnestly thank you for bringing such a hopeful time to this town."
"It's the least I can do to repay everything the town has done for my family and me."
Mark nodded with a simple smile, "You have become a fine man."
Seeing they have concluded talks, Eden called their attention.
"Come on, let's get moving. Warriors gave us a window, and I'm not wasting their hard work."
Receiving nods from them, Eden turned to Anna and Yuma.
"Tell your father and the Captain that we have gone."
Anna nodded.
After, they made their way to the gates, passing by the Warriors who were busy around here.
With hopeful eyes, everyone watched the First Excavation Party leave.