Author's Note: Chapter 1 re-edited and Chapter 2 is up. This fanfic mainly features Silabus, but I put Haseo as second character in case because he's pretty important to this plot too and is often referenced/spoken about. The story is mostly friendship based (I apologize to any yaoi fans, as I am not experienced in that kind of writing). Hope you still enjoy!

I want to become stronger...just like you Haseo

Blade Brandier user Silabus sighed as he got revived for the 4th time by Harvest Cleric user Atoli from being defeated by a dungeon monster monster. He, Atoli, and their party leader/Adept Rogue user Haseo were attempting to get some solid training to help improve their levels. Even though it's been a long time since the tournaments were over, Haseo wanted to be ready for anything, and since the three of them had been through most of the rounds together he thought their teamwork would work out the best. But so far they hadn't made it halfway through the dungeon without Silabus taking a beating.

"RGGH, come on Silabus, pull it together! It's just a bunch of lousy monsters, you should be better than that," Haseo growled as he waited impatiently for the Blade Brandier to get back on his feet. Silabus gave a small apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that Haseo. My mistake, won't happen again!" Silabus replied in his usual optimistic self. Once Haseo made sure all their stats were back in order, he moved on without a word. As Silabus watched their leader started walking, he gave another sigh. This time, Atoli couldn't help but notice.

"Silabus, is something the matter?" The harvest cleric politely asked, eyeing Silabus with concern.

"H-Huh? Oh no! It's nothing to worry about, haha. We better catch up to Haseo before he gets too far." The blade brandier gave a shy smile and hurried off ahead. Atoli tried to figure out if something was wrong with him, and then remembered she had to catch up too before she gets left behind. She ran after them, putting Silabus' behavior aside for now.

After more rounds of Haseo's impatience, Atoli's healing spam, and Silabus getting beat up but luckily not dying again, the trio finally cleared the dungeon and reached the reward chest. Haseo kicked it open and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it Haseo?" Atoli asked.

"It's...a new weapon for a Blade Brandier. This one seems to have higher stats than yours Silabus, take it," Haseo offered as he opened up the trade function. Silabus was caught up in a daze that he didn't notice Haseo was talking to him.

"Uh, earth to Silabus, you there?" Haseo called, taking a step closer to him to check if he went AFK.

"What? Did you say something Haseo?" Silabus finally snapped back to reality.

"I'm offering you a new weapon from the rewards chest," Haseo repeated. "Man what's with you today?" Haseo crossed his arms and gave a little scowl.

"S-Sorry," Silabus exclaimed scratching his head. "Guess I'm a little tired." Haseo opened up the trade function again and transferred the new sword to Silabus.

"This was a pretty difficult dungeon huh?" Atoli added.

"Oh really? I didn't see anything difficult about it. It's right at our level, don't you think so Atoli?" Haseo asked.

"Yeah you're right, it is at our level..." Atoli realized. She didn't have much difficulty with the dungeon either, but she also didn't want to sound like Silabus seemed behind in battle.

"Well anyway were done here so lets head back to town," Haseo sighed as he headed first to the Chaos Gate, followed by Atoli, and lastly Silabus who hesitated for a moment.

At our level huh? That's easy for Haseo and Atoli to say, them being 3 levels higher than me. Oh well, guess I'll just have to try harder.

Delta Server Mac Anu

As Silabus appeared back in the Dome of Mac Anu, he noticed Haseo and Atoli weren't around. Huh? Where did they go? Did I take too long? Silabus panicked for a moment in fear that they had suddenly abandoned him until a notification popped up about a message sent by Haseo.

Haseo: Silabus, where are you? Did you forget we go to the Netslum now?

Oh yeah, Silabus remembered, there was a major incident that happened in the world where all of the root towns crashed and a town called Netslum appeared, and where the guild Canard was transferred to. Silabus quickly hurried to change towns.

Netslum Tartarga

When Silabus warped in, he felt relieved to see Haseo and Atoli waiting for him.

"Sorry, I got lost haha..." Silabus gave a weak laugh. Haseo merely shrugged.

"Now that we're all here, what to do next...up for another dungeon?" Haseo asked, but Atoli butted in.

"Haseo!" She hastily pulled him close to her as if to whisper like in RL, although she forgot that unless she uses whisper mode the words she says will still appear in text. "Don't you think you could give Silabus a little break? He's been through a lot today."

"O-Oh, really? I guess I should've thought about that more-and hey use the whisper mode! How many times do I have to tell you?" But it was already too late; Silabus had seen what they had said.

"Haha, it's alright Haseo, I'm up for another dungeon if you would like me to come along. I have to stop by the guild shop first, I think Gaspard should be there at the moment. I'll be right back." Silabus gave a small wave and passed through the door that leads to the rest of the Netslum. Once he was out of their sight, Silabus slumped his shoulders and gave another sigh.

I wish I could be as strong as them so I don't slow those two down...what is it that I'm lacking? Silabus wondered as he scratched his head and stared up towards Netslum's digital sky. He moved on to see Gaspard at the shop, unaware of being watched by a pair of mysterious eyes.

"So you want to become as strong as Haseo...Blade Brandier user Silabus," a voice chimed in the shadows. "Hee hee, this should be fun!"

When Silabus got to the guild shop, Shop Acorn, the place was already packed with business. Lately their guild Canard has gotten quite a bit of attention and fame over time that their guild shop was one of the top shops of the town. The reason was most likely due to Haseo being their guild master, and having won all three of the arena tournaments, the shop was bound to have good items. Although Haseo mostly fills up the stock with items he doesn't particulary need, Silabus thought. Silabus was going to say hi to Gaspard once business thinned out, but it was so busy that Gaspard didn't even notice Silabus standing amongst the crowd. Then Silabus noticed Gaspard was having so much fun, he didn't want to interrupt him and would probably just get in the way if he tried to help. So instead Silabus moved on to Canard's HOME.

But upon entering Canard's HOME, he didn't feel right at home either. There was so much on his mind, so much he wanted to do for his friends, but unaware of how he could pull it off. Silabus sighed as he sat down cross legged on the floor, Haseo and Atoli are getting way above my level, and even Gaspard is better at running the shop than I am. But what about me? What can I do to be more useful? The more Silabus tried to think about his usefulness, the larger headache he got. I guess there's no use thinking more about this, Silabus thought, I'll just take a break and see if I got any emails.