Chapter 12 – Arelia (1)

'As I thought, a special sword.'

A light smile appeared on Jade's face as he closed his eyes. The ability that had once given him pain, was now able to be used with ease.

Mana was one thing, but it was also because his mental fort.i.tude had grown.

That's why Jade leisurely checked the memories contained within Viscount Madrane's sword.

'The viscount's mana technique isn't that much better when compared to the Imperial Knight's technique, nor does it feel original.'

Jade made a bitter smile.

The viscount's mana technique was definitely advanced.

It was to the point where it wasn't much different to the technique that Jade was currently using.

However, Jade unfortunately didn't have much to take away from it.

'He was for sure a master swordsman, but it's only within Paulstein's standards. It's not to the point where he can become renowned throughout the continent.'

Although his critique was cold, it was realistic.

Furthermore, Viscount Madrane's family crest was no longer in existence.

Even at this moment, Lloyd was exterminating his family and cutting off their family line.

As Madrane was the second prince's closest a.s.sociate, Lloyd was cruelly killing off his family members.

Of course, this was the same scenario that was currently occurring to all the n.o.bles that were involved with the second prince.

'But experiencing it indirectly will definitely be a big help.'

Although Viscount Madrane was known to be a master swordsman, it was unexpectedly rare for a Sword Master to be discharged.

Viscount Madrane was also someone who had become a Sword Master for the first time in a long time.

'I want to gain a Duke's written divination too. I wonder if I'll have the chance.'

In Paulstein, someone who had the same level of strength as Viscount Madrane as a master swordsman was the Duke.

That's why Jade was envious.

Although the current Duke wasn't a Master, he was known to be an expert at the highest level.

It wouldn't be strange for him to suddenly become a Master at any given moment.

'Hmmm.'

However, Jade stopped thinking about such things.

He instead began to concentrate on the memories contained within the sword.

He was watching the most recent memory that was stored in it, which was the fight that had occurred with Arelia.

'She's definitely strong.'

Although they were fighting like h.e.l.l, Jade could tell as he was watching from a 3rd person view.

From the beginning to the end, Arelia appeared to have plenty of leisure during the fight.

She didn't even utilize her summoner skills at the beginning of the fight.

She was purely fighting the viscount with her sword skills.

'The cut to the chest was definitely big.'

Through the sword's memories, Jade could feel the viscount's utilization of mana and his state of mind.

Jade could even feel his swordsmans.h.i.+p.

Although there wasn't much he could take away from the viscount's mana technique, there were many things he could take away from this experience and swordsmans.h.i.+p.

“Hoooooo!”

-How is it? Was it of any help? Can you take away anything from the memories?

“The mana technique is whatever, but I have plenty to take away from the swordsmans.h.i.+p.”

-The Royal Family seems to want it too. Although the viscount is dead, losing the swordsmans.h.i.+p and mana technique is regrettable.

Celestine and Elestra approached Jade without stopping.

However, the first one to enter within Jade's arms was none other than Hwid.

“It's definitely regrettable from the perspective of the kingdom, since the person holding the sword is the bad person, not the sword itself. So, I'm sure they'll give it to the proper person, since it was the same for Viscount Madrane.”

-Heh? You've been looking that far into it?

“My mana and mental fort.i.tude are now much stronger.”

-Hehe! I wonder if other will know? That Jade is good at stealing things too.”

“It's not stealing. I'm just peeking. There are plenty of restrictions that come with the ability too.”

Jade answered back firmly.

Although he wasn't wrong, it wasn't completely right either.

Knock knock.

As Jade was talking with the two spirits and petting Hwid, the sound of knocking could be heard.

Then he heard the voice of a servant that had always been tending to him.

“Sir Jade, miss Arelia has come to see you.”

“Please send her in.”

“Yessir.”

A leisurely, calm answer responded back as the door to the entrance opened.

And with a fresh, soft scent, Arelia appeared.

“It's been a while huh?”

“Have you been well?”

“Unfortunately, I haven't. This place is too artificial compared to our forest. It's a little uncomfortable to look at too. There are a lot of n.o.bles that pretend like they're not looking but keep sneaking their eyes on me.”

“I had heard there were many n.o.bles that bought mixed-race slaves.”

“Paulstein actually responds decisively regarding those types of people. It's most likely because the royal house has elf blood within them. Of course, it's a very thing bloodline now.”

Arelia shrugged her shoulders.

It was as if she was remembering the two siblings that didn't have any affinity with the spirits.

However, she didn't seem to have a hint of regret or sympathy.

“You guys must be heading back soon.”

“Yes, since we were only planning on staying until they settled down and Heinze is almost completely healed now as well. Of course, it'll be difficult for him to show his skills from when he was in his prime, but he's physically better now.”

“There's nothing we can do about that. He's old.”

“I was once again able to feel how short human lives were. That might also be the reason why they live their lives with such vigor.”

Jade nodded his head.

He also seemed to believe the same thing as her as a few geniuses burned their lives away with intensity and died.

'I wonder how long I'll live for.'

As they were talking about lifespan, Jade was suddenly thinking about his own lifespan.

It was definite that he would live slightly longer than most people as he had gone through a boy change.

He would at least live for another 100 years, but he wasn't sure exactly how many years he would live for.

“Jade?”

“Ah, sorry. It's because we were talking about lifespan.”

“Hmm. I see why Laney's pride was hurt. For you to be thinking about something else when a pretty lady is standing in front of you. Are you by chance…..?”

“That's definitely not the case.”

Jade made a serious face.

However, Arelia smiled as she saw his expression, because it seemed like he was trying too hard to be strong.

Of course, even if he did like men, she would've respected his choice either way.

“I don't care either way, so you don't have to be so serious.”

“I'm really not. I like women.”

Completed – Chapter 12 (1)