|SystemNotad*** congrats
"What are you congratulating me for?" Alaric grumbled at the system.
"Follow me," Zindred beckoned. Alaric and Magnis followed Zindred. As they walked…. Young Lady Maya Goldsworth appeared before him, adorned in a silver dress that seemed to catch and reflect every light source. The shimmering fabric clung gracefully to her slender frame, giving her an almost otherworldly glow that matched the radiance of her golden hair.
Alaric's jaw dropped for a moment before he quickly covered it with a cough."Maya, you appear to be different than before."
Startled, Maya blinked. "Is that so?"
Freya appeared behind Maya, glaring coldly at Alaric as if she would slay her.
Why is she looking at me like I've done something wrong? Alaric wondered, scratching the back of his head in confusion.
"Welcome, Alaric, I am pleased to have you here," Maya said with a smile that outshone even the shimmer of her silver dress.
"I am also grateful for allowing me to visit your estate with your beautiful greeting," Alaric said with heartfelt appreciation.
Maya's lips curved into a polite smile with a brief puzzled look from Alaric's sudden praise. "I-I will accompany you this evening." With that, she turned swiftly and disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Freya, again with the same look as before, follows her.
"What is wrong with these guys ?" Alaric whispered in a still confused expression.
Zindred, who had gone to meet Patriarch for the conference with Alaric in the meantime, comes back.
"Patriarch, calls you for the timed conference with you".Zindrad exclaimed.
Alaric asked Magnis to stay back as he faced the massive, polished doors of the Patriarch's main hall, which opened seamlessly and silently. Inside stood Elias Goldsworth, a man whose commanding presence and strong leadership had transformed the Goldsworth family from humble beginnings, once no different from the poor Ashworths, into the powerful house it was today.
"Greetings. I am Alaric Ashworth, and I am here as the representative of the Ashworth Family," Alaric announced, offering a polite bow. "I have come to request a favour
"Let's listen to what you want to say," the Patriarch Elias replied.
"An iron mine with rich deposits was discovered in our territory," Alaric announced. "I would request your merchant association to distribute our iron to all those in need, including small-scale blacksmith forges."
"I don't believe it's the only reason you wanted to visit me ?"Patriarch exclaimed with his confident amber eyes.
Wow, I have created a character with such a strong presence, followed by his intelligence, I am a genius, I still don't understand why people hated my novel, those comments, Alaric, with his pumped chest, thought.
Alaric took out a letter stained with dried blood. "This letter," As he walks towards Elias with deliberate, steady strides."That letter, which bears the seal of Baron Cassian on it, serves as proof showing the ties between Baron Cassian and the Criminal organisations, aka demonic followers, to be precise."
"What do you expect me to do with this?" Patriarch Elias asked, his expression sharpened by curiosity.
Alaric's smile stretched so wide it revealed even his molars."Baron Cassian has declared war to hand over the iron mine in our territory to him. As a saviour of your daughter, now it's your turn to rescue me and my people."
Patriarch Elias ordered, "Zindred, create a contract that the Goldsworth Merchant Association shall assume full responsibility for the trade and distribution of iron sourced from Ashworth territory."
"Zindred drafted the contract based on terms mutually agreed upon by Alaric and Elias."Alias and Elias had signed the contract, followed by their family seals.
As Alaric concluded his business, he collected the contract copy bearing the Goldsworth family's seal. With steady strides, he moved toward the same massive doors through which he had entered. Pausing, he announced, "And also, the attack on your daughter Maya was no coincidence was planned by Cassian." Facing the doors, he was gone in the next instant.
Zindred remained, watching as Patriarch Elias's expression shifted dramatically at the news.
|SystemNotad*** Notification
Ongoing Quest: Neutralize Baron Cassian Metthound's Threat(Cleared)
Reward: Bonus points 20+ Mana 5+(earned)
As the yellow screen appeared in front of him. "Let's go! Now I can become stronger than before. I will adjust and save the bonus points for now," Alaric muttered.
| SystemNotad***
Alaric:15,Male
Title: Ugly Mosshead, shut-off
Stats: Strength: 30
Dexterity: 29
Constitution: 29
Mana: 17
Bonus Points:20
Skills: Training skill, Boxing Skill(Expert)
Traits: Fighting Spirit
When Alaric's eyes searched for Magnis, he realized the spot where Magnis was supposed to be waiting was empty. Magnis had vanished without a trace. Alone, Alaric walked through the long, silent corridor, its length illuminated by lavish lamps that cast warm pools of light onto walls adorned with exquisite renovations
"Is that all you're capable of after all those arrogant words?" someone sneered, the clash of swords ringing sharply between them.
As Alaric followed the noise, he discovered Magnis slumped against the wall, his breath, bruises, and sword marks marred all over his unique skin. Magnis's ceremonial clothing was only able to withstand sword blows, resulting in small cuts with blood trailing. Magnis was left in this condition by men who accompanied them with the carriage. "Warrior tribe, my ass, You not even able to withstand my aura properly." one knight holding his sword flowing with energy of willpower, Aura.
Alaric, in a swift motion, appeared before Magnis so quickly that none of the knights nearby could see him arrive. His speed was almost a blur, catching everyone off guard and leaving no time for reaction.
Knights in a wary tone." Where did you come from?" they grumbled with sweat.
The knight who still holding a sword enveloped with Aura, who was able to see Alaric's movement, "At least you are not completely unskilled, I will give that."
Magnis, who was still in pain," Y-Young lord, they insulted you, calling you a poor bastard who has come to beg in the pretext of saving Young Lady Maya. So I challenged them to a duel.
|SystemNotad*** Notification
Quest: Deal with scums without getting into a fight
Reward: Inspect Skill
Failure: -30 Respect points
"There we go, now I got a one hell of a quest right here," Alaric muttered.
"Quest? What are you talking about? Poor son of a bastard," Knight shouted at Alaric.
Alaric smiles with an expression filled with shadows. "Are you going to take responsibility for what you guys did?.
"Pufff, responsibility?" The knight's laughter echoed across the training ground. "Who's going to care about something like that?"
Unfazed, Alaric slowly withdrew a white parchment, the Goldsworth family's seal gleaming at its edge. "This," he declared, "is the official contract between the Goldsworth and Ashworth families confirming our trading bond for iron."
"This means that the so-called 'poor' Ashworth family now stands on equal footing with the Goldsworth family as producers," Alaric announced.
The knights who understood the weight of the matter fell silent, making the room so quiet that even the gentle passage of a breeze could be heard.
"Maybe I should report you to Patriarch Elias," Alaric said, hiding a faint smile. "You see, I'm starting to see our conversation in a new light." Alaric, while hiding his expression with a faint smile.
"No, sir! Please don't do this—we'll lose our comfortable lives!" one of the knights cried out in desperation.
"I have a wife and three children waiting for me at home," another pleaded. "Even without swordsmanship talent, I was able to provide for them, only because I bore the Goldsworth name."
Then the third knight, the one who had used Aura earlier, stepped forward. His arrogance from before had vanished, replaced by sincere remorse.
"What must we do to atone for this?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
"Ohh…" Alaric paced slowly, marching from left to right and back again, his left hand clasped behind his back while his right hand rested thoughtfully at his chin, as if deep in thought.
Alaric stopped straight at the knights who had been silently trailing him with their eyes."Valuables," he said coldly. "Hand over everything you have on you—including the payment Zindred gave you in that oversized pouch when you arrived at this estate." Alaric's grin stretched wide, shadows clinging to his face as he extended a hand as if he would suck every coin off them.
|SystemNotad* Notification**
Quest: Deal with the scums without engaging in combat — Cleared
Reward Unlocked: Skill Acquired — [Inspect]
Skill Description:
Grants the ability to analyze and reveal the latent potential, strengths, and weaknesses at a glance.
"Another OP Skill." Alaric's eyes gleamed with an excited, ominous intensity as he watched the knights scatter in fear across the training ground
In the shadowed corner near the door, Freya lingered silently, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Hidden from view. She muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible as she slowly backed away, "I can't believe Lady Maya is attracted to someone like him…"
Magnis, weakened and burdened by guilt, lowered his gaze. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Young Master… forgive me. I couldn't even uphold my oath as per my tribe's tradition, let alone protect you when they slandered you with such disrespect."
Alaric stepped forward, his tone calm yet sincere. "Magnis, I can see the potential in you. You carry the strength to become one of the strongest in this world. That's why I chose you to be my shield."
|SystemNotad***
Inspect skill is used on Magnis.
Magnis: 20, Male
Race: Mandorian Tribe
Latent Potential: S
Skills: Not Acquired
Trait: Not Acquired
"How about we eat steak tonight?" he said casually.
Magnis's eyes widened, a rare light blooming across his face.
"Really?" he asked, filled with expression full of life.