Chapter 21: Fourth Rank

Chapter 21: Fourth Rank

The room was filled with light. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting warm stripes across the floor. Alisar slowly opened his eyes, blinked, and sat up. He was still in the same — yesterday's — luxurious room.

He looked around. A wide bed, a polished table, neatly folded clothes in the corner, elegant curtains, a soft carpet beneath his feet. Everything looked unfamiliar… and far too well-kept.

This must be an inn, he thought. I hope... It can’t be someone’s house, right? Not Rem’s. Not Sherial’s…

He wasn’t sure. Everything looked too expensive to be someone’s private home. And yet, doubt lingered — he didn’t know where they had brought him after he lost consciousness.

If this is an inn... it must be expensive. Very expensive.

And then the memory returned — something he wished he could forget. Those who attacked him had taken more than just peace of mind and confidence — they had stolen all his gold. Everything he had earned.

Damn… I was robbed. Those bastards yesterday…

He clenched his fists. Anger surged through his body like a wave, but quickly subsided, replaced by quiet determination.

It’s fine. I can earn more. I’ll earn even more than before.

He used his Alchemy skill.

Three second-rank health potions appeared one after another. He carefully placed them on the table beside the bed.

Then he paused for a moment, staring ahead as if expecting some guidance from the morning light. Everything was oddly quiet. No footsteps, no voices, no noise — just silence and the warm glow outside the window.

He walked to the door and carefully opened it. The hallway was wide and bright. Stained-glass windows cast colorful shadows on the walls. The floor was carpeted, and the walls were adorned with paintings — landscapes of forests, mountains, and castles. Everything was clean and peaceful.

Alisar stepped into the hallway, trying not to make a sound. He moved almost silently, like a guest not wanting to disturb anyone.

He had barely taken a few steps when a door down the corridor opened. Sherial stepped out, yawning.

“Oh, Alisar? You’re awake already?” she said in a sleepy voice.

“Good morning,” he replied. His voice was a bit restrained, even awkward.

Rem appeared behind her. Calm, as always. She looked at him for a moment and nodded:

“Hey. You feeling okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” he said.

“Good. Want to have breakfast with us?” she asked.

“Yes…” he nodded, lowering his gaze a little.

“You still don’t know how things work around here. We’ll explain. Come on, let’s go.”

They walked down the hallway and soon reached a staircase. As it turned out, their rooms were on the second floor. After going down, they passed through a small hall and entered a spacious room — something between a dining hall and an upscale restaurant.

The air inside was calm and clean. Tables were spaced apart, covered in white cloth with fresh flowers in vases. There were about twenty tables in total, but only three were occupied. This was clearly not a place for common travelers.

They chose a table by the window. Soft chairs, solid furniture, a glass chandelier overhead.

A few minutes later, two people — probably staff — came over. Without a word, they served breakfast. White plates, small silver lids, the smell of fresh bread.

Alisar looked at the food in silence. It wasn’t just beautiful. It was… luxurious. Neatly sliced meat, eggs with perfectly round yolks, baked fruits, butter, and freshly baked rolls.

He had never had a breakfast like this. Everything looked too perfect — like something out of a movie or a dream.

He picked up his utensils instinctively and glanced sideways at the girls. They were calm, as if this was all normal. For them — maybe. For him — definitely not.

But now he just ate. Slowly, quietly. The morning began unlike any other. And maybe… that was a chance.

They started breakfast in silence. Words didn’t come easily — each of them simply enjoying the calm and the quiet of the early morning.

It was Sherial who broke the silence.

“So, how’s the room? Did you like it?” she asked, turning to Alisar.

“Well, yeah…” he hesitated slightly. “Very nice room. Comfortable bed. Spacious.”

“See?” she smirked. “And the food here is amazing.”

She took a sip of water and added:

“Though stubborn Rem didn’t want to stay in a place like this — said it was too expensive.”

“Come on, enough,” Rem cut in, blushing slightly. “I already said… you were right.”

Sherial just smiled proudly.

Alisar lowered his eyes, feeling a little awkward. He stayed quiet for a few seconds, then finally spoke:

“I’m sorry. I don’t have any money right now. Yesterday… they took everything.” He sighed. “But I’ll earn it back. I’ll pay you.”

Rem looked at him calmly, without even a hint of reproach.

“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “We’re not in a rush.”

“With your skill,” she added, “you won’t have any problem making money. And about the room — don’t worry at all. When you have the money, you can just pay us back. No pressure.”

“Yeah… Thank you,” Alisar said quietly. “I’ll definitely repay you.”

They talked calmly, without any rush. The conversation was light, almost like background music to the morning light outside the windows. But Alisar’s thoughts were growing sharper with every minute.

He learned that tomorrow, Rem and Sherial were going into a dungeon. According to them, they wouldn’t return for about a week.

The dungeon was ranked fourth. It could be reached in three to four hours on foot — not too far, but not close either. Going there and back each day would be too tiring and simply a waste of time. So they planned to stay near the dungeon to save travel time.

Alisar had almost asked if he could go with them. The words were ready to come out — but he stopped himself. He knew full well — he’d just be a burden. He didn’t know how to fight, had no real combat experience, and would hardly be of any use.

His current path was different.

He needed to level up. As much as possible.

That was the best — no, the only — option for him right now. A way to get stronger without slowing anyone else down.

Instead of asking to join them, he asked about food. That was more important for his plan. He was going to spend a lot of time in the Training Room — without leaving.

Rem explained that he could stay here as long as he wanted. Food and water were provided. There were no official limits. He could use the room as long as he needed.

It was… comforting. A kind of stability he hadn’t felt in a long time.

After breakfast, he thanked the girls and returned to his room. On the way, he picked up some food and water — everything he might need.

He closed the door behind him.

And activated the Training Room skill.

---

He began training.

Every day, hour after hour. Again and again. He didn’t go easy on himself. No breaks. No excuses. Just work. Just progress.

He spent no less than twelve — sometimes even sixteen — hours straight in the Training Room. And in the real world… less than ten minutes passed.

He knew this pace was impossible without Alchemy.

Specifically for himself, he created first-rank health potions — not for battle wounds, but to relieve muscle pain, physical fatigue, and keep his body going. Without those potions, he simply couldn’t have trained so long.

Every time it felt like he couldn’t go on — when his body was about to give in — he drank a potion. Sometimes he’d take a short break. But then he’d go right back. And continue.

The next day, Rem and Sherial left — just as they said they would. Alisar stayed behind. Alone.

He only left the Training Room for two things: to eat and to sleep.

The potions dealt with physical exhaustion — but not mental fatigue. When his mind started to fog and his focus scattered, he would step out, lie on the bed, and sleep. It was the only way to recover concentration.

Fortunately, the inn didn’t restrict its guests. When his food supplies ran low, he just went downstairs and asked for more. No questions asked. They simply brought him what he needed. Calmly. Without judgment.

Eight days passed like that.

Inside the Training Room, the interface displayed a message: Level completed. Experience gained — 90,000,000 points.

“Finally…” Alisar exhaled, smiling tiredly.

As always, he leveled up.

No hesitation. No delay.

He instinctively summoned his status window and looked:

---

Name: Alisar
Level: 84 (0 out of 38,000,000)
Rank: 4
HP: 10,250 + 8,160
MP: 17,220 + 26,240
Strength: 359 + 272
Defense: 332 + 272
Speed: 334 + 272
Intellect: 582 + 880
Magic Power: 565 + 880
Magic Defense: 575 + 880
Free Attribute Points: 0

Skills: —
Special Skills:
— Training Room (Level 40)
— Alchemy (Rank 2)

Unused Experience Points: 22,315,441

---

He was satisfied with his progress.

Yes, he had gained only twenty levels — but the growth in his stats had become far more impressive.

When he reached the fourth rank, everything changed. He was finally beginning to understand what the rank next to a level truly meant.

With each new rank, the number of stat points gained per level increased.

At Rank 3, he received 8 points to each attribute and 24 free stat points per level.
With Rank 4 — it jumped to 16 per attribute, and 120 free stat points.

And that was… amazing.

He left the Training Room, stepped into the bathroom, washed up — and went straight to bed.

No time to stop.

“I’ll keep going. After I rest.”