Srsli

19: Greenstone

I couldn’t help but smile at that. At least amidst the chaos of today, there was some joy to be found looking at the others in camp. The only other person who seemed as rattled as I was appeared to be Jordan.

I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk to him again yet. Memories of our earlier conversation that day were still fresh in my mind.

Milo had already raised a stone block to act as a butchery table outside the main building for the wolf. I guessed Jen would skin and butcher it ...

18: Ambush

The travel along the road was much the same as the day before. I noticed there were more forested areas along the path as we moved forward—the trees growing thicker and more densely packed.

Once again, Jen and Liane broke off from the caravan, presumably to go hunting.

It turned out the purification worked perfectly—Milo showed none of the effects of the poison, which I have learned can cause intense gut pain, vomiting, and diarrhea; all things you absolutely want to avoid on ...

17: The Front Line

The journey was uneventful until we stopped for lunch. I climbed out of the wagon, glad to stretch my legs. Even though it was the third time I’d seen Milo create a basic structure, the wonder never faded. I pulled out the stew, still warm from my storage, and placed it on the stone table Milo had formed.

“Milo,” I said as he shaped stone bowls for everyone, “after we eat, I want to test a new ability I got yesterday—Arcane Foraging. I might need to go into the trees for it.�...

16: New Growth

With everyone eating their meals, I decided it was a good time to check whether the results were random or consistent with the ingredients. In the past, rabbit had provided a Dexterity bonus of +1, and there was nothing else in this dish that I thought would affect it. So, all things going well, it should provide the same result.

It might also be worth asking how long the buff lasted—or at least checking if it held until we went to sleep

“What buff did it give you today?” I ...

15: Journey Begins

Staring at the structure before me in awe, clutching my waterskin and jerky, I thought about magic. Of course, I’d seen its effects before—in places like the cold room of the Temple.

But never up close like this. Now, I wished I were a mage. The academy had said they had little use in war without frontline soldiers, though—it was more honourable to hold the line.

I was broken out of my thoughts by Milo.

“Have not seen a lot of magic, eh?” he asked.

“No, bas...

14: On the Road

When I returned to the inn, I left my belongings in the small room—or storage closet; I suppose—I used to call a room and joined Geo in the kitchen. The night was halfway done, and I was not to go out front in case I was spotted. To pass the time and keep myself from spiralling into a panic, I decided to cook some food for Geo to use, drawing from the supplies I had in my Chef's Pantry.

If I were leaving with a caravan, I wouldn’t need the large amount of supplies I had stockpiled...

13: Falcone Residence

The trip to the Temple was uneventful. I didn’t see anyone loitering, and it seemed as if no one was following me.

Upon entering, I removed my hood and approached the nearest priest.

“Hello, sir. I was hoping to have an audience with Elder Peter. My name is Trevor,” I said, bowing politely.

The priest seemed unsure if Elder Peter was available but went to ask.

As he stepped into the hallways leading past the rooms I knew were there, I decided now would be the pe...

12: Preparations

I left the inn, following the advice I’d been given, and made my way toward the smithy.

My mind was racing. What did I even need? This was all too much. Part of me wanted to just head home, curl up, and hope it all passed—but everyone else was taking it so seriously. Maybe this was serious. Maybe this was normal here; but if it was, I had far too many questions and no one to answer them.

Pushing open the smithy door, I caught the attention of a younger man behind the counter.<...

11: Summons

I was absolutely right! Micca kept sneaking in little dances mimicking my own whenever she could. Any chance I got, I tried to sneak back into the kitchen — only that backfired because once Geo found out what was happening, he more than happily got involved and would force me back out front.

Today would be a long day, I thought to myself, but at least I had leveled up.

That night, the merchant guy was there again. Larry attempted to engage him in conversation, but it didn’t ge...

10: Attention

It wasn’t long before the notifications started coming in. I had counted fourteen meal and healing experience drops so far, bringing me to:

Name: Trevor

Class: Arcane Chef

Rarity: Rare

Level: 6

Experience: 604/2103

I’d gained a level! “Yes!” I said out loud, quickly glancing around to make sure nobody noticed.

Placi...

9: The Matron

Early the next morning, it felt strange waking up in such a large room by myself. I’d gone from sleeping in a barracks-style dormitory, to a tiny bedroom at the temple, to an even smaller closet at the inn—and now? Now I had a spacious bedroom all to myself.

Taking it in, I noticed some very worn cloth sheets covering the windows. Curious, I went over and tried to open them. To my surprise, it was easier than I expected; they were simply looped over a metal bar at the top.

Wit...

8: Pavilion

I caught Micca as she was finishing for the night, heading to the door. I asked if I could walk with her as she went home, and with a look of clear confusion, she sceptically agreed.

We hadn’t made it ten steps out the door when she asked, “So, what is it? You’ve never asked to walk with me before.”

A little embarrassed and not wanting to be imposing—especially since I did not know what she usually did after work—I quickly said, “Sorry, I just wanted to ask this outs...

7: The Pantry

Slowly heading my way back to the inn, I noticed a few notifications coming through

Notifications:

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

Well, I guess lunch service had started at the Inn—I’d completely fo...

6: Real Friends

Micca soon emerged from her room, dressed in fresh clothes and carrying the bucket out. I was still staring at the status screen, puzzled by the day’s revelations. Maybe now I could finally level up—hopefully.

I sat down on another chair, and Micca settled quietly nearby, sipping her cup of water and patiently waiting.

“Did you work it out?” she asked after a brief pause.

“Not entirely,” I admitted. “But I think I have to make the entire meal on my own for it t...

5: Sickness and Friends

Two weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. By now, I was helping during the evening rush—bringing empty mugs back to the bar and taking dirty plates to the kitchen. I still went to the market with Geo each morning. As before, only my Knifework skill had increased, while the others remained stagnant. Still, I even managed to get a level up!

Knifework

Level: 4

Experience: 134/1056

And as I’d figured out by now, I ...

4: Kitchen Hand

Early the next morning, I arose from a very restless sleep, with many thoughts running through my mind. The predominant one was that I had made the right choice. In the end, it seemed correct, and worst case, I could save up my money and figure something out.

I packed my belongings, which comprised just an old, tattered academy uniform I hadn't worn since I left, the spare tunic and trousers provided by the temple, and my five copper coins held in a tiny leather pouch given to me by Mar...

3: The Roaring Inn

I woke up late the next morning with Martin’s words still fresh in my mind. After dressing, I made my way through the quiet halls of the Temple, stopping at the statue in the main hall.

“Dear Goddess,” I murmured softly, “I still don't know what you have planned. Any guidance would be great.”

As expected, there was no answer.

Leaving the Temple, the faint aroma of roast chicken drifted past me again. It was strange—I’d never seen any sign of poultry in or aroun...

2: Temple of Guiding Light

As I sat there, Elder Peter approached me after finishing his conversation with Amanda, who had many questions about what was to come in her future. The only other person still seated was Gemma, quietly reading over her own status screen and abilities.

"Worry not, young Trevor," Elder Peter said kindly. "Fate has a path for us all. Today, yours took an unexpected turn, but only you can guide it forward. When we return to the Temple, we will give you a room to rest in while I consult the...

1: Choosing

It was early morning, and today was the day! I was about to receive my class, along with all the other students in our 15th year at Borgons Military Academy. Ten years of intense training, all focused on swordsmanship, were coming to a head today. This moment had been building up for so long.

I excitedly jumped out of bed, grabbing my worn, mostly tattered academy uniform. As an orphan adopted by the academy at five, I’d been moulded by this place. Like all the others who were taken i...

Welcome everyone!

Updated: 09/09/25

I just signed a deal with Aethon to produce the book! in ebook/audio and print :D

Thank you so much for checking out my Patreon page. I hope you stick around, I will have all chapters that have been released on RR here for free. I'm also going to provide links to handy spots at the bottom.

Today marks the final day in Rising Stars. We peaked at #22 and had a phenomenal run!

Thank you all so very much for the amazing support!

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