“Thank you for your efforts.”
Yue Wu led the girls to buy whatever food they desired.
Back home, Alisa Dragon lay sprawled on the floor, murmuring to herself, her actions a mystery.
Jeanne D’Arc sat beside Yue Wu, blissfully savoring her favorite Xililu.
Luoge East, ever graceful, sat in a chair, sipping her black tea and delicately tasting the Xililu.
Windy Feron cradled an ice cream, each lick eliciting a childish gasp of wonder. This was no ordinary ice cream; Yue Wu had retrieved it from his spatial storage, and it possessed the power to restore magic.
Shavier Aznar ate her strawberry cake, propping her chin on her hand, her expression one of utter delight.
Shana Aznar gazed at her strawberry cake, her eyes flicking towards Alisa Dragon still sprawled on the floor. Eventually, Shana offered her cake to Alisa.
“Shana, thank you!”
With teary eyes, Alisa Dragon hugged Shana Aznar’s leg. Shana, however, remained motionless, holding her plate, her gaze as devoid of color as ever.
Alisa eagerly took Shana’s cake and began to devour it. Earlier, after they had bought the cakes, Alisa had insisted on carrying her own. Unfortunately, a child had bumped into her, causing her cake to fall to the ground.
“Do you want some too?”
Noticing Xiao Qing’s continuous gaze at Windy Feron’s ice cream, Yue Wu produced another one.
Xiao Qing accepted the ice cream and cautiously extended her tongue for a lick. She was currently dressed in a cute, emerald-green outfit. Though Xiao Qing’s body was typically veiled by her long hair, Yue Wu and the others had decided this was impractical. Regardless of her protests, they had dressed her, which had led to a small tantrum.
“Is it good?”
Yue Wu gently patted Xiao Qing’s head. After another lick of her ice cream, she looked up, holding the treat out to him, her meaning clear: she wanted to share.
“No, you eat it, Xiao Qing.”
Yue Wu smiled and shook his head.
Yue Wu found himself thoroughly enjoying this new routine. For the next few days, he remained at home, accompanying Xiao Qing and teaching her basic human customs. Yet, Xiao Qing remained unchanged, showing no emotional fluctuations whatsoever.
Beyond instructing Xiao Qing at home, Yue Wu also dedicated time to training the six girls, including Jeanne D’Arc. Under Yue Wu’s guidance over the past two weeks, their strength had steadily improved.
While Yue Wu was already aware of Jeanne D’Arc’s talent, he was surprised to discover that the other five possessed abilities equally remarkable.
Name: Jeanne D’Arc
Level: 55 (C-rank)
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 14
Profession: None
Affiliation: Ten Rings of Power (Adventure Group)
Attributes: Holy Light, Netherflame, Sacred Flame
Strength: D
Physique: D
Stamina: D
Magic Power: C-
Spirit: C-
Agility: D-
Description: A girl from Domremy Village.
Name: Luoge East
Level: 70 (B-rank)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 14
Profession: Songstress
Affiliation: None
Attributes: Holy, Sound
Strength: E
Physique: E
Stamina: E
Magic Power: B+
Spirit: B+
Agility: E
Description: A genius songstress with a unique voice, capable of deciphering ancient texts.
Name: Shavier Aznar
Level: 55 (C-rank)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 14
Profession: Swordsman
Affiliation: None
Attributes: Holy Light, Heavenly Lightning (Resurrection)
Strength: C
Physique: C
Stamina: C
Magic Power: C
Spirit: C
Agility: B
Description: The eldest daughter of Count Aznar from the former Fasilan Kingdom. Her family was massacred overnight, leaving only the two sisters. She is a highly responsible older sister, deeply devoted to her younger sibling.
Name: Shana Aznar
Level: 57 (C-rank)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 14
Profession: Swordsman
Affiliation: None
Attributes: Netherflame
Strength: C+
Physique: C-
Stamina: C
Magic Power: C+
Spirit: C-
Agility: D
Description: The second daughter of Count Aznar from the former Fasilan Kingdom. Her family was massacred overnight, leaving only the two sisters. Having witnessed her family’s death, she fell into fear, becoming taciturn and ruthless towards enemies, determined to protect her older sister from harm.
Name: Alisa Dragon
Level: 56 (C-rank)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 15
Profession: Mage
Affiliation: None
Attributes: Sacred Flame
Strength: B
Physique: B
Stamina: B
Magic Power: C+
Spirit: C
Agility: D
Description: The daughter of a tavern owner in Sachsen City, she has always lived with her father, never having met her mother. Having assisted in the tavern for a long time, she is rather carefree and straightforward, though a bit of a simpleton.
Name: Windy Feron
Level: 54 (C-rank)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 14
Profession: Sage
Affiliation: None
Attributes: Water, Liquid
Strength: E
Physique: E
Stamina: E
Magic Power: C
Spirit: C
Agility: E
Description: The daughter of a wealthy merchant, she was introverted and easily shy since childhood. Wishing to temper herself, this young lady of noble birth ran away from home and possesses a strong will.
These were the fruits of their labor over the past two weeks. While Luoge East’s level was the highest, the others were quite similar, but Windy Feron was the one who surprised Yue Wu the most.
Despite her other attributes being unremarkable, the system’s assessment revealed an A+ talent, on par with Jeanne D’Arc and the other five. Perhaps it was due to her sheer determination, for effort cultivated over time could indeed be considered a talent.
It was September 7th, 608—the day before the academies’ admissions began. On this particular day, Yue Wu did not conduct any special training for Jeanne D’Arc and the others. As a side note, Luoge East and the other four girls visited Yue Wu’s home almost every day.
The eight of them—Yue Wu and the seven girls—gathered around the living room table. Some played with the baby, others ate, and some simply chatted. It seemed they intended to rest for the day, as Yue Wu was scheduled to report to Fiore Academy tomorrow, not as a student, but as a teacher. This was why Jeanne D’Arc and the others hadn’t requested any special training.
“Brother,” Jeanne D’Arc said.
“Hmm?” Yue Wu responded.
“There’s something I’ve really wanted to ask you.”
“What is it? Are you out of pocket money? I’ll get it for you now.”
Jeanne D’Arc pouted. “It’s not about pocket money at all! It’s a very, very serious question, so please, Brother, answer me earnestly.”
Yue Wu sighed helplessly. “Alright, alright, go ahead and ask.”
“Brother, do you know someone named Merlin Avalon?”
“Yes, I know him. He just joined the Ten Rings of Power.”
“Then what’s his relationship with you, Brother?”
“Well, he’s a friend.”
“Then, Brother Yue Wu, who’s stronger, you or that Merlin?”
“Hmm, it’s a fifty-fifty split.”
“Fifty-fifty? What does that mean?” Shavier Aznar asked.
“Does it mean your strengths are equal?” Luoge East inquired.
“Luoge is quite clever.”
“This humble one is very curious about what kind of being he is.”
“He? How should I put it? He’s just an idler who wanders everywhere.”
“A Sage? Isn’t he a Mage?” Shavier Aznar questioned.
“No, it’s ‘idler,’ as in leisure.”
“This humble one dares to ask, how does your strength compare to the Emperor of Europe?”
“I don’t know either.”
“Brother Yue Wu, please tell me how I can become as strong as you!”
“Calm down.”
Luoge East pulled Alisa Dragon, who had climbed onto the table, back down and gave her a light tap on the head, finally quieting her. The group continued chatting until after lunch, when Luoge East and the other four girls bid farewell to Yue Wu and Jeanne D’Arc.
“Jeanne D’Arc, this is for you.”
Back inside, Yue Wu suddenly remembered something and retrieved the Holy Crimson Blade from his spatial storage.
“This is… for me?”
Jeanne D’Arc could sense the immense power contained within the exquisite one-handed sword in Yue Wu’s hand. It was certainly no less potent than Luoge East’s Sacred Artifact.
“Yes, it is. You’ve learned basic swordsmanship, haven’t you? This is perfect for you.”
Yue Wu placed the Holy Crimson Blade directly into Jeanne D’Arc’s hands and affectionately patted her head.
“Isn’t giving it to me a bit of a waste?”
Jeanne D’Arc knew that if she were given such a sword, she would surely dishonor it, which was why she hesitated to accept.
“But I don’t think it’s a waste to give it to my sister.”
Yue Wu turned and headed towards the stairs.
“I’m going to take a nap first. We can go out for dinner later.”
Xiao Qing, who had been sitting on a living room chair, watched Yue Wu ascend the stairs. She immediately jumped down and scampered after him, her manner of climbing the stairs utterly adorable.
“Thank you, Brother! I won’t let you down, never!”
Jeanne D’Arc hugged the Holy Crimson Blade to her chest. Yue Wu had always taken care of her, giving her whatever she desired. Whether she threw a tantrum or not, he was always patiently by her side. She had gradually grown to depend on Yue Wu, yet this reliance never hindered her independence.