A few weeks have passed by after Cotton was born. Compared to Leona that only needed a few days before they can do things they normally do, Cotton needs to unlock prerequisites to do so. However, that is only for the quick maturation of cotton. If we still continue to take care of Cotton, just like Leona will also grow big too.
Also, we found out that Cotton is a female with her status showing her gender and her name. But aside from those things, nothing else is shown, not even the requirements on how she will grow, what kind of species she was, or her stats and skills. They are all labeled unknown. And even as someone who came from the future that returned to the past, Cotton is a creature I have not seen even in the later continents.
What I did these past few days is leveling up my EX Jobs, taking some requests from my Teacher Almira in blacksmithing, and creating a few scrolls. It was a mundane time for me. And oh, after I finished the class up, my level bar finally removed its cap, I managed to achieve level 101 and I thought with the number of enemies, I killed, I might be able to proceed to level 102, but it only filled half of the exp bar, which is kind of sad since I killed plenty of enemies and bosses, only for it to fill to the half bar. They are also quite a high level too when I killed it so it is a shame I didn't even get close to the next level.
After the mundane things of doing the usual daily tasks of leveling my EX Jobs, the time to go back to Sandurk arrived. I let my followers train too and fight enemies for material procurement while I am working, allowing me to hit two goals with one action. As of now, almost everyone is ready to hit level 100, with the exception of Lina since she already gained the class up and already hit level 104 the other day.
...
...
"Son? Where are you going this time around?" my mom asked, as I helped her in the kitchen, and even though I still didn't get the EX Job for Chef, I am trying to master a few tricks of my peeling skills.
"Ah, I am going to Sandurk since I got a quest from Queen Tanya, I might not be able to come back here for a few days or months in the game due to this."
"Is that so? Then, have you packed up supplies to use? Potions, food, and other things necessary like extra armor and stuff?"
"Yup, all done."
"Ah, good. And I am sure you will be bringing Lina-chan along with you right?"
Lina, who was stirring the pot of food, answered my Mother's question.
"Of course, Madam. It is my duty to help master everything he needed to do. And as a dedicated Battle Maid, I will do my best to serve him."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh my, that is reassuring, then please take my child with care."
"Yes, Madam," Lina bowed.
"Where is Father? I have not seen him these past few days."
"He is trying to complete one of the quests he took so that he can obtain an EX Job. It was a long one so I don't think he will be done anytime soon."
"Is that so? How about you Mother?"
"I have free time so I have decided to at least train my abilities. After this, I will be training my Gardening skills for later."
"Oh, since you are going to train your Gardening EX Job, then can you please plant these things? It will help a lot in creating potions and other items in the future."
I opened my inventory and handed her the seeds for the herbs and healing plants that will be necessary for creating a High-Grade Potion.
"Don't mind if I do!"
...
After helping out in the kitchen and eating breakfast in the game to fill our character's hunger bar, I gathered my followers and went to Sandurk to fulfill the quest. It is time to see how Tina managed to get trained by Queen Tanya.
...
...
Sandurk: City of Tarioso
When we arrived at the Palace, we can hear the boom sounds of magic clashing to each other. The shockwaves can also be felt even in the distance. I wonder if Queen Tanya trained Tina to be a berserker instead. Still, I went to the open field where they are fighting and see what is happening with my own eyes.
BANG! BOOM! CRASH! CRACK!
Dang, I saw Queen Tanya is fighting with her bare fist against fully equipped Tina. Despite being armored from head to toe, Queen Tanya easily pummeled Tina with ease and even though Tina is able to hold out and fight back, I can see in her armor that it is barely holding on, and if my guess is right, the durability of that armor is almost close to zero due to its battered state.
As expected of Queen Tanya, even just using her bare fist, she can pummel you close to death if she wanted to. Not even a full-body armor can save you.
BANG!
The last punch of Queen Tanya was the last straw on Tina's armor, it fell after the punch. Tina slumped to the ground, panting from the intense battle while Queen Tanya just flicked her hands, without breaking a sweat.
"You have definitely improved compared to the last time we trained. Although you still lost, you have definitely managed to hold out for an hour and fight back from time to time. Not bad!"
"I am not worthy of that praise, your Majesty, I am still lacking and I needed more experience to at least defy my father and my siblings," Tina said as she slowly stood back up. Her clothes are a bit tattered but you can say it is normal after fighting against Queen Tanya.
Queen Tanya already noticed my presence in the distance.
"Oh, Bladeheart, you have come early. You even brought together with your Battle Maid," Queen Tanya smiled as she elegantly walked towards us.
"Yes, with the estimation of the time you will train Princess Tina, I think it is already the appropriate time for me to come."
"You have indeed arrived at a great time. I am just testing Princess Tina on how she fights and seeing how my training worked. I must say I am quite proud of my training regimen."
"But she still lost," Lina interjected.
"Of course, however, that is to be expected as I didn't intend to hold back at all. Her father is not someone that can be easily trifled with. He might be lesser stronger than me but he is not someone you can just easily trifle against in battle."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmQueen Tanya is right, the King of the Insect Kingdom in Aquagius is someone strong and competent. He might not be able to handle Queen Tanya, but he is still a fearsome foe and he is not someone that you can just easily mess around with.
Queen Tanya snapped her fingers and the armor that was broken after the battle between the two girls returned to its original and new state. You can't even see the damage that was done with it since all of the scratches and cracks that appeared after it was broken were quickly repaired.
"Let's return to the castle. Tina-chan, rest up for a bit and then join us in the reception room after you are fully rested."
"I will, your Highness."
...
Queen Tanya's Castle: Reception Room
The two of us sit down in our respective chairs, while Lina stood beside me like the battle maid that she was.
"Your Battle Maid is quite strong compared to our battle maids. I didn't train them but they are quite strong in their own right too. However, she excels in many things and I can see that she has still an unawakened potential yet."
"Yes. She already has undergone the class change recently so that we can increase our level cap. Lina became a Versatile Battle Maid after the ascension class up."
"Huh... A Versatile Battle Maid? So in other words, she is similar or closer to your battle style?"
"Of course, not. Although Lina is also a Versatile class type warrior, the only classes she can choose from are the branches of Battle Maid classes that she didn't choose during her upgrade. She can't use the classes that I use."
"That is a pity but it is understandable as she is originally a Battle Maid. If she isn't a battle maid but a warrior like you, she might be able to use skills other than Battle Maid classes," Queen Tanya rubbed her chin.
"I am fine as I am. Since it's my Master's wish, I will do my best to fight with you."
Queen Tanya's eyes glow when she remembered something.
"Ah, then how about you and Tina will do a mock battle? That way, we can see how Tina has grown and also for her to experience a new enemy other than me."