Chapter 12: Just Loyalty At First...Or... |
After everyone had dispersed from the scene, only Jonas and Asher remained.
Jonas said to Asher, "Well? A bet is a bet."
"Sigh, a bet is indeed a bet! I can only say my students didn't lose unfairly to Olivia. Young master, your judgment of people is truly accurate."
"Heh, it's not just people I judge well. Asher, remember not to slack off just because Olivia is an Albino."
"Don't worry...I wouldn't. Having such a student makes me overjoyed. With her talent, she's destined for more than this small place."
"That high of praise?"
"Such talent and temperament, I've only seen in the Empire's chief swordsman before. Now with the Empire in chaos, young master...are you planning to assemble your own forces?"
After spending these past few days with Jonas, Asher increasingly sensed something different about him. Previously, Jonas had been listless, but now his energy and spirit had revived. The look in his eyes was almost like that of a master swordsman. Asher, a veteran of many battlefields, knew he wasn't mistaken about people.
"Exactly! With the Empire in turmoil and major wars imminent, does someone's race really matter?"
"Don't worry about that...just focus on training Olivia well. Three months - she must at least break through to Ordinary-rank!"
For an average person, reaching Ordinary-rank Swordsman in three months would be pure fantasy. Even Jonas' talented sister Slynda had taken four months. But for Olivia...
Asher confidently declared, "No need for three months - one month will suffice. Young master, Olivia is even more gifted than you imagine!"
Hearing this, Jonas couldn't help but smirk. If Olivia could reach Ordinary-rank in a month, he himself might even advance from Greenstone-rank to Black Iron-rank. His sister had trained for so long yet remained at Greenstone.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
...
Following Jonas' instructions, Olivia went to soak in medicinal baths. Meanwhile, after prolonged treatment, Olivia's younger sister Phil finally awoke - though with some unexpected developments.
Crack—
As Jonas opened the hospital room door, the white-haired girl sat by the windowsill. Her pale face wore a guarded expression as she watched him enter. Moving to the windowsill clearly hadn't been easy with her atrophied legs, leaving the room somewhat disordered.
Seeing Jonas enter, Phil immediately raised the metal stand in her hands. "Who are you? Where is this?" She remembered being in their dilapidated home - how did she end up here? The bed was so soft she'd accidentally slept longer. And where was her sister? Had Olivia sold her to nobles to pay for treatment?
Jonas waved his hand dismissively. "This is a ward in Thunderkeep. As for me...well, I'm your sister's master!"
"Huh?" M-master? The girl's mind struggled to process this. A slave? Had her sister become a noble's slave to save her? Olivia would never do such a thing! She glared furiously at Jonas, about to erupt—
Until he produced a magic crystal, placing it before her. These mage-produced trinkets, common throughout the Empire, could record moments with absolute authenticity. Imprinted on this crystal was a white-haired girl wearing a collar, dressed in unfamiliar maid attire, standing before Jonas with reddened ears in obvious embarrassment. The collar was gently held by none other than Jonas himself as the viewpoint holder. The white-haired girl extended a slightly pink tongue, lightly licking the hand on her collar. And this girl was unmistakably her sister - Olivia.
"I..." Phil's grip slackened, the stand clattering to the floor. Her mind went blank, mouth opening but no words coming out. Her sister...had done this? Though Olivia acted tough and mature to survive, Phil knew her sister was actually quite soft-natured. This...this looked like complete submission!
Jonas said, "Rest well here! Your sister entrusted me with your care, including your treatment. Just focus on getting better."
"I...you...who are you? I mean, beyond your relationship with my sister, your identity." This place seemed too good to be real - she and Olivia used to press against noble shop windows, envying their lifestyles. This ward surpassed even those noble rooms in luxury.
Jonas smiled. "I'm Jonas Thunderkeep, the lord's only son of this territory. And the sole person your sister pledges loyalty to."
Hearing this, the girl's mind raced through countless implications, even recalling tavern stories about pleasing nobles... Given their status, only one possibility explained such accommodations. With complex emotions, Phil asked, "When can I see my sister?"
Jonas replied, "She's in medicinal baths now, but you can see her anytime after. And you're welcome to verify everything I've said with her." At this, the girl flushed slightly and rolled her eyes at Jonas. She'd never imagined her normally aloof sister behaving like this here.
"Alright...misunderstanding resolved. Please return to bed - I'm sure your sister wouldn't want you on the windowsill."
"Oh~"
"Wait, I'll have Olivia come."
...
Tap tap tap—
Hearing her sister had awakened, Olivia came running with still-damp hair, carrying a faint herbal fragrance. She wore another maid outfit Jonas had provided - a light blue dress with an asymmetrical cut that accentuated her beauty. When Olivia entered the ward, Phil could hardly believe this was her sister. The attire and rosy complexion made her resemble a noble's daughter.
"Sister?" Had Olivia's life improved this much? How wonderful.
Olivia sat by the bed. "Mm...you're finally awake. How do you feel now?"
Phil: "Amazing, better than ever. I even stood up earlier." Olivia exhaled deeply in relief.
"That's good."
Phil lifted her clothes, revealing prominent black veins. "Just this Black Toxin remains."
"Don't worry, young master will cure it." To emphasize, Olivia added firmly, "Master Jonas is a very good person."
At this, Phil's eyes turned teasing. "How good?" She flicked the collar around Olivia's neck. "What's this?"
Under her sister's suggestive gaze, Olivia blushed and quickly explained, "It's an accessory! Nobles like wearing these!"
"Yeah yeah, sure sure...so how's life been lately?"
Olivia's eyebrows rose as she launched into an enthusiastic account: "With young master's help, I became a swordsman! From my first homecoming to earning their respect and applause in the arena...Master Jonas takes me to eat the finest foods, gives me..."
"..."
Listening to her sister's excited rambling, Phil grew increasingly envious. People like them craved light and respect most. She never imagined Olivia could attain such a life in mere weeks - a life more vibrant than their entire past decade.
"How wonderful~"
"Yes, Master Jonas treats me very well."
"Hehe...sister, maybe you could get Master Jonas to marr—"
"Enough, don't say it!" Olivia covered Phil's mouth, face burning red.
"Okay okay...it's just that this 'accessory' is so pretty~" Phil tugged playfully at the collar.
The strange sensation electrified Olivia, making her jump back several steps with an even redder face. "What are you doing?"
"Hehe..."
Thud—
"Ow~" Phil rubbed her head where Olivia had flicked her.
"No more wild thoughts in that head of yours!" Olivia scolded.
"Oh~"
Her sister's words and the collar's lingering sensation stirred complex feelings in Olivia. She clenched her fists.
Just loyalty at first...or...?
Sigh.
But she was just an Albino after all...
...