With a wide smile, Rena looked around the outskirts of the city. With her left hand holding the magic bag filled with trash, she carried it effortlessly, as if the weight of the garbage meant nothing.
Alright… now I just need to take this magic bag to Hero Claire!!
With her cheeks lifted, Rena walked casually toward the city center, carrying the trash-filled magic bag, humming and daydreaming as she got lost in thought.
Hmm…
Hmm…
Going on an adventure with Hero Claire…!!
Hmm…!!!
But before Rena could walk away, suddenly from a distance, on top of a half-finished building—
Heyy!!
Where do you think you're going???
Rena recognized that voice. It sounded like someone she knew. Quickly, she reflexively looked for where the voice came from and called back.
Hero Claire!!!!
Wait for me!!!
As if weightless, Rena ran with the magic bag in her left hand, her eyes sparkling, heading toward Hero Claire.
I'm coming!!
Hero Claire!!!
I've completed the task you gave me!!!!!
Hero Claire watched Rena approach. Easily, Claire descended—but strangely, as she descended slowly, she was surrounded by white light particles that followed her movement. As she landed, she furrowed her brows and squinted her eyes.
Hey… take it easy, Rena…
Slow down…
Meanwhile, Rena, getting closer, didn't hear Claire's words at all. Instead, she was busy imagining herself going on an adventure with Hero Claire, laughing lightly to herself.
Hehe…
Hehe…
Finally, Rena arrived right in front of Hero Claire. Claire, having watched Rena run all that way, felt tired just from seeing it, and said.
Rena, aren't you tired??
Rena was startled by Claire's words. Her mood immediately changed to a serious face, her cheeks lifted, her right hand clenched tightly—but this time, her right hand was placed over her left chest, and she said.
Don't worry, Hero Claire.
I, Rena, have a talent that is very rare these days. I can perform natural recovery—physical, mana, and everything else can recover instantly as long as I'm not stressed!!
Plus, this recovery can also be used on others, within certain limits!!
So please trust me when I go on an adventure with you, Hero Claire!!
Hero Claire, seeing Rena's attitude do a 180-degree turn, could only squint her eyes in surprise and think to herself.
Ah… so this kid can also be very serious, huh…
Then, Hero Claire noticed Rena was still holding the large magic bag full of trash. Her eyebrows lifted slightly as she observed the magic bag, which was enveloped in magic—a black bag resembling a plastic trash bag, but very strong.
Rena, hand over that magic bag…
Hearing that, Rena easily handed over the bag. But just before Claire touched it, the trash-filled magic bag suddenly vanished and turned into an ordinary small black plastic bag. Rena just stared, mouth agape, tucking both hands into her oversized robe pockets.
Eh??
What happened??
Hero Claire then held that small black plastic bag in her right hand. Strangely, this time Claire didn't squint her eyes—instead, her eyes sparkled as she looked at the confused Rena.
Rena, take this bag!…
Rena, confused, could only stare blankly at the ordinary-looking plastic bag, clenching both fists still inside her robe pockets.
What does this mean, Hero Claire??
Then, nervously, her eyes darting around, Rena concluded on her own.
Did I fail to complete my punishment??
Quickly, Rena wanted to kneel before Hero Claire. But before she could, Claire gently held Rena's shoulder with her left hand.
No, Rena… this is actually a reward.
Take it.
Still confused, Rena could only accept the gift from Hero Claire with her right hand. But after taking it, she quickly stuffed the plastic bag inside her oversized robe pocket, her eyes still darting around, not daring to look at Claire.
A reward???
Is this a reward for my failure??
Hearing that, Hero Claire squinted her eyes and said firmly.
Sometimes, valuable things don't have to look luxurious, Rena…
Isn't that also what the Headmaster taught you?
Did you forget??
Rena was startled, then put on a shadowed face. She pulled both hands out of her robe pockets and took out the plastic bag with her right hand.
You're right…
Right… I really forgot…
Then, with a serious face and sharp eyes, Rena stared at the plastic bag in her right hand while clenching her left fist tightly.
Yeah… this is a meaningful gift for me, Hero Claire. It's not just a small black plastic bag, but the meaning and significance behind it—how I got it, the journey I went through with it until it became this small black plastic bag.
Thank you, Hero Claire.
Hero Claire, seeing that Rena had realized how valuable the plastic bag was, lifted her cheeks slightly while looking seriously at Rena.
And not only that, Rena…
That plastic bag will be useful for you in the future as an adventurer!!
Hearing that, Rena stared back at the plastic bag and tried her hardest to figure out how a plastic bag could be useful for adventuring, her eyebrows arching.
Adventuring??
Hero Claire quickly continued, squinting her eyes and smiling at the bag.
That's right!!
Useful!!
That plastic bag can hold anything you want, Rena—no matter how big the item.
And most importantly, the bag won't change size, no matter how big the item is.
Hearing that, Rena's eyes glistened a little. Her left hand tried to wipe away a few tears that were about to fall, and with a sniffle, she said.
Something this good…
Is it really okay for me to have it, Hero Claire??
Hero Claire, seeing Rena getting too emotional, could only squint her eyes analytically and think to herself.
This kid… isn't her reaction a bit over the top??
Then Claire jolted, remembering something similar had happened with Anna (the Headmaster).
Oh… maybe Rena is also going through something similar to Anna…
I need to calm her down…
Quickly, Hero Claire hugged Rena tightly, closing her own eyes.
Then she said.
Take it easy, Rena…
Your role as a knight is just as useful as any other role… so… don't look down on yourself, okay…!!
Hearing that, Rena could only hold back her tears forcefully, gripping the plastic bag tightly in her right hand, and said with a stutter.
Okay, Hero Claire!!..