Ray awoke feeling refreshed, but Manoban was gone. A part of him wanted to finish the game as quickly as possible, but another part, remembering the night before, wanted to stay forever.

"I shouldn't think so carelessly," he muttered, stretching his body.

Just then, a knock on the door broke his thoughts. "Astban! Wake up, there's an emergency!" a familiar voice called.

Ray couldn't place it, but when he opened the door, he found a man in his late thirties. As Astban's memories flooded his mind, Ray recognized him.

"Brother Belar, what's the emergency?" Ray asked.

"The feudal lord is coming in three days. We have to make space for their horses in our stable," Belar said, his tone serious.

"Why us?" Ray questioned. "Doesn't the city lord have his own stable?"

A quick smile spread across Belar's face. "Their stable is full, so the lord paid me in advance. Here, 50 silver coins. Take 20." He handed over the coins. "We just have to take care of the horses for three or four days, a week at most, and they'll pay the rest later."

Ray's suspicion grew, but he kept it to himself. After Belar left, Ray's mind went back to the trial information he had been given: "Trial of Manoban."

The description had stated that the beautiful Manoban had many admirers, but her heart belonged to Astban. The city lord, who also desired her, killed Astban and forced Manoban to be with him. She eventually took her own life.

"It never said how Astban died," Ray thought.

"What if this is how they killed Astban by framing him? It doesn't make sense that the feudal lord's horses can't be placed in the city lord's stable." They made a deal with Belar, who owns the stable, while Astban is just the caretaker.

It all felt wrong. Ray took out the metal and wood scraps he had secretly collected the day before.

ay examined the waste materials and brought out a simple-looking crossbow. He already had a design in mind, so he used his Modification skill to create a weapon similar to the gun he had made for Old Man Shan.

[Skill: Modification]

[Wrist-Needle bow]

This crossbow fits over the user's wrist and is loaded with small, sharp needles. It can hold up to 50 needles at a time, making it a deadly weapon for assassins and for self-defence.

Ray smiled, satisfied as he read the description. "If I can defend myself, half the problem is solved. As for the other half, I'll deal with that later," he mumbled, glancing at a four-handed bracelet. "Now, it's time to meet her."

He stood up and headed for the stable.

There were seven horses in the stable: three mares and four stallions. Ray approached a female horse that sensed him and whinnied happily. It was Paiga, Astban's childhood pet, now a full-grown horse.

Ray bent down, gently lifting her hind leg. He then used his Modification skill on her horseshoe.

[Skill: Modification]

[Reinforced-Impact Horseshoes]

These horseshoes are made from a lightweight, shock-absorbing alloy that dramatically reduces the stress on the horse's hooves and legs during high-speed travel.

Their unique design and material enhance traction and grip on various terrains, allowing for explosive acceleration and sharp turns. Each shoe is reinforced at key points to withstand powerful impacts, protecting the horse while giving its kicks and charges a devastating force.

"Plan B is also ready," Ray mumbled, stroking Paiga's fur. "Paiga, be prepared for a long run, soon."

The horse rubbed her head against his chest, as if to say she was ready for anything. After that, Ray returned to his room and put on two of the wristbands, saving the other two for Manoban's safety. He left the room, heading to meet Manoban and her parents.

Though they hadn't told her about the situation last night, he assumed they had already done so today. He then left for the fields.

Ray slipped inside just as Manoban's parents were leaving. He waited for them to be out of sight, then moved in, holding her from behind. She startled, a small gasp escaping her lips, but as he held her, a sense of familiarity washed over her, and she knew it was Astban.

"Let me go! My parents just left, what if they return?" she whispered.

"We might not have much time," he said, his voice low. "It's better to be prepared."

"What do you mean, we don't have much time?" she questioned, her brow furrowing as Manoban's parents haven't said a word about the city lord's offer to her yet, so she didn't knew how serious the situation was.

"Just listen to me first," he urged, then he showed her the Wrist-Needlebow.

Her reaction was so comical she couldn't believe what it was. Ray smiled and demonstrated its use, puncturing the bronze pot on the wall with a needle.

Manoban cried out in surprise, a mix of fear and wonder. "My mother is not going to like this!" she wailed, looking at the hole in the pot.

Ray took the pot in his hands and used his Modification skill.

The hole vanished, and the pot transformed into one that would keep hot things hot and cold things cold. Manoban watched, speechless.

Ray saw the change and read the new description. "It's made of a special alloy now," he explained. "It'll keep hot things hot and cold things cold."

Manoban stared at the pot, then at him, her jaw slightly agape. "How?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper.

"How can you do this?" she asked, her gaze questioning him. "Are you really my Astban, or some black magician in disguise?" She widened her eyes, a mixture of playful suspicion and genuine shock.

Ray pondered for a moment before telling her a story that was a careful blend of truth and lies, a tale was truth as well as lie.

"The night you told me about your parents visiting the city lord, I had a strange dream. When I woke up, I had memories of someone from a different world. It's like I'm him and he is me—we're the same, but at the same time, we aren't. This thing I just showed you, it's called a skill, a type of magic the person in my memories could perform. Since that day, I can do the same."

His explanation was met with silence. Ray had no idea how she would react, but he hoped she wouldn't misunderstand.

Manoban thought for a moment, then spoke. "If you're conflicted about whether you're my Astban or not, let me tell you this: you are. I don't care about the person in your memories. To me, you are the only Astban."

With that, she kissed him, and Ray couldn't refuse. Once things settled down, Ray handed her the two remaining Wrist-Needlebow.

"Wear these," he said, holding her face in his hands. "And if you ever feel your life is in danger, remember this: don't hesitate to use them."

Manoban nodded, seeing the seriousness in his eyes.

"Did you hear the feudal lord is coming in three days?" he asked. "Did your parents tell you anything about it?"

"No," she said, her expression confused. "Maybe they will when they get back this afternoon. How did you find out?"

"Our guy Belar took a job from the city lord to look after the feudal lord's horses. He even paid me 20 silver coins in advance."

Manoban smiled. "Then that's great! Just make sure you don't waste them on the wrong things."

Ray shook his head and handed her ten of the coins. "You take this. You'll need them."

He then added, "Meanwhile, can you bring me a bowl full of the stored grains? I have something in mind."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Don't tell me, another magic trick?"

Ray nodded. "Go get it. I'll show you."

Manoban returned a few moments later, a wooden bowl full of golden grains in her hands. "What is this for?" she asked, holding it out to him.

"Just observe," Ray said, taking the bowl. He focused his mind, and the familiar blue light of his Modification skill enveloped the grains.

In an instant, they changed. The grains swelled to twice their original size, their color a richer, deeper gold. A sweet, earthy aroma filled the air, so potent it could be mistaken for baked bread. Just by looking at them, Manoban could tell these were no ordinary grains.

She couldn't hide her surprise. "If people found out about your skill, they'll capture you and make you a slave, you know that right?" she joked, but her words carried the weight of the truth.

Ray nodded solemnly. "That's why I created these," he said, showing her his Wrist-Needlebow. "These are for our safety."

He then looked at the description of the modified grain.

[Skill: Modification]

[Modified Grain]

These grains have been genetically and physically enhanced through the Modification skill, becoming a superfood unlike any other. They are significantly larger than normal grain, with a richer color and a subtle golden sheen. The most notable change is their aroma, which is deeply nutty and sweet, hinting at a higher nutritional content.

A single bowl of this modified grain contains enough energy to sustain an adult for an entire day, making it an invaluable resource for survival or long journeys.

Beyond just sustenance, it also provides trace amounts of an energy that, when consumed regularly, can slowly strengthen the consumer's body.

While it cannot grant skills or special abilities, it can enhance a person's natural endurance, stamina, and overall vitality, making them resistant to common illnesses and diseases. This makes it a critical resource in a world where physical prowess and a sickness-free body are key to survival.

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