155 Chapter
Ray was reluctant to show his skills to others.
Even though his achievements far exceeded what was normal for his physical age, the burden on his heart when he spun his core enough to manifest a Sword Energy was significant.
Thus, he absolutely needed the assistance of a Magic Circle. Once he fully utilized it, freezing everything around him would be effortless.
There wouldn’t be many people who’d laugh it off as Ray cosplaying Harshia.
Therefore, Ray had just cut his attack on Shay as short as possible.
The moment his sword was drawn, he accelerated the rotation of his core momentarily and used Overdrive.
Shay couldn’t properly react to Ray’s strike.
A sharp sound echoed as Shay was sent flying.
Speira, standing nearby, felt her hair whip around from the shockwave of the collision and was startled.
‘What…?!’
A flash of light erupted, sending Shay flying back.
Speira, despite her fatigue after the sparring match, was shocked that she had completely missed Ray’s movements.
While Speira was still processing this, Ray exchanged playful banter with Alesya.
“Alesya-sama, I’ve taken care of the person troubling you.”
“Indeed, you are my knight!”
Despite her confusion, Speira looked at Alesya and thought how much like a puppy begging for snacks from its master she seemed.
Meanwhile, Shay, who had broken through the barrier and rolled on the ground, got up on her knees, feeling pain all over her body.
Shay was just as confused.
What exactly was the nature of the blow Ray had just dealt?
By power alone, it was unmistakably close to Sword Energy.
However, the idea that Ray could use Sword Energy was absurd.
It was far more plausible that he had used some unknown artefact in a surprise attack.
Shay looked down at her hands.
She had blocked Ray’s surprise attack with her sword, but not being able to distinguish and draw her own sword properly was quite humiliating for a knight.
Gritting her teeth, Shay stood up in anger.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ray, a mere squire, had attacked one of Speira’s personal knights.
This wasn’t just an affront to the knight—it was practically a direct threat to Speira herself.
With a roar, Shay drew her sword, manifested her Sword Energy, and prepared to charge at Ray.
At that moment, a powerful force descended upon Shay.
Zing!!!
As Shay was pushed back by the overwhelming force, Ray muttered.
“This isn’t your living room.”
They were at the Alstein family mansion.
It was within the territory of the Alsteins, and Saria Alstein was present here.
And Saria had no intention of letting someone who openly threatened her nephew go unpunished.
Saria, wielding her Sword Energy, approached Shay with long strides.
“Wait! Saria Alstein-sama!”
Ignoring Shay’s cry, Saria charged forward.
Zing!
Easily deflecting Shay’s sword aside, Saria immediately grabbed Shay by the collar and slammed her down.
Boom!
“Ugh!”
Shay screamed in pain, unable to put up any real resistance.
Even though Saria was brought in from outside, she held an incredibly high rank within the Alstein household—equal to the head of the house—and wielded considerable influence now.
While Shay was floundering, Diorica ran up and clung to Saria’s ankle.
“Oh dear, Auntie! You can’t do this here!”
As Diorica dragged Saria around, Speira finally snapped out of her daze and intervened to mediate the situation.
Once things calmed down a bit, Speira apologized to Diorica first.
This land was granted by the royal family for a certain period to be owned by the Alstein family.
Given that they were guests invited by the Alstein family, it was clear they had made a mistake by showing arrogance.
Of course, if Ray’s abilities were subpar, Speira might have maintained her pride until the end. But seeing it firsthand, she began to understand why her great-grandfather had suddenly mentioned an engagement.
When Speira humbled herself, Diorica also expressed gratitude.
Before leaving the mansion, Speira greeted Johanna.
“You’re Johanna, right? I hope we get to see each other often. It was fun today.”
“Um, thank you.”
Johanna accepted the greeting while showing signs of being intimidated by Speira.
To Johanna, Speira was nothing more than a strong noble.
Speira then greeted Ray.
“My great-grandfather has a keen eye for talent. He won’t let you slip away. And since he generously rewards those he approves of, I suggest you think about it.”
Speira gave Ray a slight smile before turning to Alesya.
“Nice to meet you. I hope we work well together.”
Speira believed she would see Alesya’s face often in the future.
If Ray’s talents truly surpassed hers significantly, there was a high probability that Ernst would be lenient even if Ray brought in additional wives or concubines after marrying Speira.
Though Ernst might impose a condition that Speira should bear the first child.
In any case, the chances were high that Alesya would also have to interact closely with them.
Before leaving, Speira thanked Diorica once again for helping with the sparring session and departed.
The strange tension that had filled the Alstein mansion finally dissipated.
Relieved, Ray patted Johanna on the head.
“Good job, good job.”
Johanna had done better than expected.
Ray felt a sense of pride as he tousled Johanna’s hair.
Johanna, overwhelmed by complex emotions, blushed and lightly hit Ray’s chest.
Yet she didn’t shake off his hand, so Ray continued patting her head while looking at Diorica.
“Diorica-sama, could you guide Johanna to a place where she can receive treatment?”
“Ah, follow me. I’ll guide you directly.”
“Thank you very much.”
Ray was about to take Johanna and follow Diorica but, unfortunately, couldn’t.
Saria had picked him up and tucked him under her arm.
Since she had helped her nephew, Saria decided he belonged to her for the next hour.
Without consulting anyone, Saria had made that decision herself.
As Ray was carried off by Saria, he called out to Diorica to take good care of Johanna.
Listening to Ray’s voice fading into the distance, Diorica turned to Johanna.
“…Let’s go.”
Diorica secretly sighed in relief as she ordered the servants to prepare a carriage to visit a proper treatment facility.
‘Thankfully, the Alstein family hasn’t treated Auntie poorly.’
When Saria was first brought into the family, there was much debate about whether giving excessive benefits to an outsider of humble origins was appropriate.
But that turned out to be a stroke of genius.
Saria was the strong link between the Alstein family and Ray, personally acknowledged by the Empire’s Swordmaster for Ray’s potential.
Recalling this, Diorica smiled.
*
The day after Speira visited the Alstein mansion,
Ray took the fidgety Johanna to Zeppelin’s workshop, or rather, his forge.
Originally, he planned to visit leisurely, but fearing Zeppelin might complain about tardiness, Ray scheduled it first.
Thanks to the guidance of an attendant from the Alstein household, Ray and Johanna found the workshop without getting lost.
“Huh…”
Upon arriving at Zeppelin’s workshop, Ray chuckled wryly.
Instead of imagining a large smithy-like space, he was greeted by a building resembling a small castle.
Looking at the unexpected sight, Ray murmured.
“Where did the sweat, furnaces, and steam go?”
“Do you think I only do quenching?”
Zeppelin emerged from the main gate, frowning.
“I heard your name has been making waves. Looks like you’ve gotten yourself into trouble.”
“I don’t really feel the waves.”
“Everyone who matters knows.”
“Well, that’s probably true.”
“Then why did you bring her?”
Zeppelin pointed at Johanna.
Johanna bowed slightly.
“Hello.”
Zeppelin ignored the greeting and gave Ray a look demanding an explanation.
Ray lightly placed his hand on Johanna’s shoulder and smirked.
“She’s a talented child. With her, Zeppelin-sama, you can carve your name into history with your works.”
“…”
“Her body growth is almost complete, so I’d like you to make her some protective gear if you have anything spare.”
“You really think I’m some kind of sucker?”
Zeppelin smirked and continued.
“I don’t believe in anything I haven’t seen with my own eyes. Show me this ‘talent’ of hers.”
“Hmm…”
Just as Ray was about to respond, someone interjected.
“The girl’s talent…”
An elderly voice came from behind Ray.
“is no less impressive than my great-granddaughter’s.”
The Empire’s Swordmaster revealed himself.
Seeing Ernst personally vouch for Johanna’s talent, Zeppelin glanced down at her again.
Although Zeppelin usually trusted only what he saw with his own eyes, Ernst’s endorsement made a difference.
Approaching Zeppelin, Ernst requested.
“Show these children something suitable. I’ll cover the cost.”
“Hmm…”
While Zeppelin pondered, Ernst greeted Johanna first.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Hello.”
“My great-granddaughter is really fond of knowing you. Speira may seem outgoing, but she’s actually a lonely child. I hope you become a good competitor and friend to her.”
Confused about how to respond, Johanna hesitated as Zeppelin interjected.
“Ernst-sama, inside there are items worth hundreds of thousands of gold coins. Are you sure about this?”
The question arose because Ernst was covering the costs.
Ernst waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t worry about it. They’ll eventually return to my possession anyway.”
Standing silently, Ray chuckled.
‘So either become mine or be destroyed—a warning delivered rather elegantly.’
Nevertheless, there was no reason to decline having him foot the bill.
Refusing wouldn’t make Ernst lose interest anyway.
Zeppelin led the three guests into the workshop.
“You asked about equipment capable of A-Space storage?”
“Yes.”
Zeppelin briefly looked at Ray and chuckled softly.
“There’s none in this workshop. Do you know why?”
“Hmm… Not really.”
“Most storytellers talk nonsense about losing ancient techniques, but the real reason is the lack of materials.”
While some lost techniques certainly exist, they are extremely rare.
Mages tend to keep their knowledge tightly guarded, but the existence of the Royal Magic Tower prevents the loss of core magical knowledge.
Magic engineering continues to evolve, albeit creakily, and overall technology levels are higher now than in the past.
A-Space storage?
It requires the collaboration of multiple mages, which makes it expensive, but it’s not impossible.
The problem lies in the scarcity of materials durable enough to withstand entry into A-Space.
“Because we exhausted such materials in the past, they’re incredibly hard to obtain now.”
“Ah, I see.”
As Ray listened to Zeppelin’s story with moderate interest, Ernst asked him.
“Are you here to buy weapons?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How many swords do you need?”
“One will suffice.”
Rather than receiving several mediocre ones, getting one quality piece was preferable.
Ernst frowned at the decent iron sword tied to Ray’s waist.
“You need two swords.”
Ray paused.
Ernst scanned Ray’s body again.
Whether left-handed, right-handed, or what type of weapon one uses, muscle development varies accordingly.
While precise distinctions based solely on appearance are impossible, Ernst could easily tell if someone wielded one or two swords.
And according to Ernst, Ray needed two swords.
If Ray had only the iron sword at his waist, he would surely try to acquire two proper swords from this workshop.
But his satisfaction with just one…
“You don’t seem relaxed enough to leave your life-and-death weapon behind, hmm.”
Ernst deduced and accepted his own answer.
“The other sword must be in A-Space.”
“…”
Ray thought inwardly.
I really feel like throwing up.
Workshop (2)
