Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

As they approached the inn, the entire city seemed to have its gaze fixed upon them. It was quite evident that the magic people hadn't hosted many human visitors lately. Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, Esmeralda couldn't help but break into a light sweat under the weight of the intense scrutiny.

On the other hand, Branden's countenance remained severe as he carefully surveyed their surroundings.

For Rain, a rush of memories came flooding back. He recalled the grim significance of Branden's actions… Leo was somewhere in that country. He was the cause of many deaths in their families, and there was a chance that they could find him.

Rain couldn't help but wonder how Branden would react if they were to encounter Leo, the infamous traitor who held the dubious distinction of being the worst in the history of their human country. Leo's actions had led to the tragic demise of their grandparents and Branden's father. The potential for such a reunion weighed heavily on Rain's mind as they made their way through the city.

"He also caused me a lot of trouble, but…" Rain furrowed his eyebrows.

Leo caused too many problems for Rain's family, so he wondered why he was so calm about all that… he thought of having his revenge for a while. Still, soon, he focused on more productive matters.

In any case, the group soon reached the inn, and Geio also took a room on the side. Rain also wished that he had a room for himself. He was a bodyguard now, but he was starting to get annoyed by the atmosphere of the other two lovebirds.

When the atmosphere started to get weird, he would exercise a little, and that would be enough to stop those two from thinking of making out.

"You are with your weights again… how come you are not sweating?" Branden asked.

"I sweat, but I use magic to get rid of it before it becomes apparent," Rain replied.

Branden and Esmeralda found themselves utterly astonished by Rain's revelation. The idea of having such a precise control over sweat to prevent it from appearing during their journey left them truly amazed. It underscored the level of mastery Rain had attained through his rigorous training and showcased his exceptional abilities.

Sweat is formed as a natural bodily response to regulate temperature and cool down our bodies. It is primarily composed of water, with small amounts of dissolved salts and trace amounts of other compounds. The process of sweating begins when the body's internal temperature rises, typically due to physical exertion, high ambient temperatures, or emotional stress.

Sweat itself is usually odorless, but when it remains on your skin, it can mix with bacteria present on your skin's surface. These bacteria break down certain components of sweat, leading to the creation of odor.

Rain also used his magic to get rid of the smell, but to do that, he used the moisture in the air to clean himself completely. He didn't have to take a bath anymore if he wanted, but he liked to soak in a warm bath for half an hour.

"I never heard of someone that trained their magic like that," Branden said while frowning.

"You don't have to follow everything that others did. You can also forge your own path," Rain said.

That kind of training started just as a way for Rain to use his magic in the last few days and improve his control over water magic, but it reached a high level pretty fast. That wasn't all…

An unknown skill leveled up.

The Martial Artist path received 300 experience points.

Once again, Rain recognized the importance of experimentation and the need to explore various training methods to enhance his strength. He realized that continuous experimentation was the key to making progress.

As night descended, Geio gathered them for dinner in the inn's lobby, where the entire space had been reserved exclusively for their group. The absence of other guests was conspicuous. However, Rain's heightened awareness, assisted by his earth magic, allowed him to detect numerous individuals stationed around the building.

They seemed ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, creating a palpable tension in the air and highlighting the cautious approach of their hosts.

"We didn't have time to talk until now, but shall we?" Geio asked. "I hope that someone like me isn't thinking too highly of himself for having dinner with you two and the serious looking gentleman."

"I occasionally call some subordinates to have dinner at my home. We also celebrate often together," Branden said. "To be rather frank, I am not a fan of too much etiquette when eating."

"We heard a lot of you. Despite your young age, you are quite the talented commander and genius tactician," Geio said.

"There are others who are better than me. I am still a greenhorn in that aspect," Branden said. "I only learned most of the things that I known from books and got lucky in some situations, nothing more."

After extending his compliments to Branden, Geio briefly considered offering similar praise to Esmeralda but decided against it. He felt it might be inappropriate to comment on the attractiveness of an already engaged woman.

Continuing their conversation, Rain seized the opportunity to enjoy the piping hot, complimentary meal before him, savoring each bite as he satisfied his hunger.

While Rain had a fondness for Earth-style cuisine, he also relished the chance to sample new dishes. In the city, they encountered a unique culinary experience—resembling pasta in appearance, yet distinct in flavor. These dishes featured white, doughy pockets generously filled with a tantalizing blend of meat and vegetables, a delightful departure from his usual fare.

"Come to think of it, I didn't hear your name until now, did I?" Geio asked while looking at Rain and smiling, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Why the sudden interest?" Rain asked. "Besides, you already know who I am."

"Well, introductions are important," Geio said, still smiling.