Chapter 13: Come, Let's Go to My Room |
...
Over a month later.
At the training grounds below.
Olivia swung her sword at an incredible speed, generating powerful air currents around her.
Her white hair danced wildly as if merging with the swirling wind.
The longsword in her hand gleamed with a chilling light, leaving afterimages with every slash—as if countless swords were thrusting simultaneously.
Swish—
Sharp sword energy like countless blades carved deep marks into the ground.
Huff—
Her face showed slight exhaustion, but her eyes sparkled with joy.
"Teacher Asher, I've completely mastered Whirlwind Slash now."
Asher looked at Olivia with complex emotions, remaining silent.
This Whirlwind Slash was his signature technique.
He had relied on this move to defeat countless formidable opponents on the battlefield.
The sword technique was fierce and notoriously difficult to master.
Yet this girl before him had already achieved remarkable proficiency.
And this... this was after just one month!
This... was simply unbelievable.
Seeing Asher's silence, Olivia asked uncertainly, "What's wrong, teacher? Did I make any mistakes?"
Asher waved his hand. "No mistakes. You're the most talented person I've ever seen. Sigh... I have nothing left to teach you. Now you just need more practice."
Remembering their first day, Asher found it hard to connect the Olivia before him with that frail girl from before.
He wondered where Jonas had found someone with such terrifying talent.
Perhaps this good-for-nothing young master had some redeeming qualities after all.
Sigh...
If only she weren't an Albino.
...
Not far away, Jonas sipped juice while leisurely checking his system interface.
[Olivia]
[Loyalty: 55%]
[Ability Return: 11x]
[Swordsmanship Value: 2003]
[Ordinary-rank Fourth Layer Swordsman]
[Skill: Whirlwind Slash]
[Whirlwind Slash Proficiency: 213]
[Whirlwind Slash (Stage 1): Wind Tracing]
...
Then he checked his own status.
[Jonas Rejin]
[Swordsmanship Value: 20693]
[Greenstone-rank Eighth Layer Swordsman]
[Skill: Whirlwind Slash]
[Whirlwind Slash Proficiency: 2343]
[Whirlwind Slash (Stage 3): Wind Breaking]
(Wind Tracing, Wind Riding, Wind Breaking...)
...
What surprised Jonas was that proficiency in techniques like Whirlwind Slash could also be returned.
Even Asher had only reached the Wind Riding stage of Whirlwind Slash, while he had already achieved Wind Breaking.
He wondered what expression Asher would make if he knew Jonas had effortlessly reached the third stage.
Moreover, in just over a month, he had reached late Greenstone-rank—his cultivation speed was like a rocket.
His sister Slynda had taken years just to reach early Greenstone-rank.
Even his father was only mid Black Iron-rank.
With ability return, he might reach Black Iron-rank before his father's return. Combined with his high Whirlwind Slash proficiency, he might even surpass his father.
Best of all, he didn't need to lift a finger—Olivia was practically a perpetual training machine.
Daytime perpetual training machine, nighttime maid service.
Life couldn't be better.
...
Another month passed.
Jonas had broken through to Black Iron-rank.
His Whirlwind Slash was nearing the fourth stage.
However, Asher seemed unable to provide further instruction for Olivia.
Her swordsmanship growth had slowed, and her Whirlwind Slash had hit a bottleneck.
Jonas pondered.
This wouldn't do—before the war arrived, he needed to rapidly increase his combat power.
Now that his swordsmanship far surpassed Olivia's, perhaps he should personally train her.
This way, as Olivia improved, he'd receive 11x returns.
Double improvement—two birds with one stone, creating another perpetual motion machine.
With this in mind, Jonas decided to visit Olivia that evening.
...
Nighttime
Olivia had changed into her maid outfit and was massaging her sister Phil to aid her recovery.
"Sister, why do you look so down?"
"I... I feel like my swordsmanship has stopped improving. I'm not sure how to progress further."
Phil comforted her: "But you can already defeat many veteran soldiers from the barracks. Isn't that enough? Sister, you're already amazing."
Olivia shook her head: "It's not enough. I'm just an Ordinary-rank swordsman, like most soldiers. When the lord returns... We're Albinos. Without sufficient strength and value, I fear we'll be driven out."
Having grown accustomed to this life—to training, to being by Young Master Jonas' side...
Olivia dreaded returning to their previous existence.
"But sister, you've worked so hard. Leave the rest to Young Master Jonas..."
"Yes, the young master is truly kind."
Yet... people said Young Master Jonas was incompetent and powerless.
Compared to his sister and father, he held little authority. How could he protect them?
...
Knock knock knock—
Jonas rapped on the door.
"Come in."
Entering directly, Jonas got straight to the point: "Olivia, come, let's go to my room. I'll teach you something."
"Eh... ah?" Olivia blinked in surprise, her face immediately flushing red.
Go to the young master's room?
Teach her something?
No way...
Yet somehow, Olivia didn't refuse. Almost against her will, she nodded in agreement.
"Then I... um..."
Head bowed, she followed Jonas out.
Phil watched them go, a small smile forming.
This seemed like one of those tavern stories coming to life.
She could tell Young Master Jonas genuinely cared for her sister.
Perhaps this wasn't such a bad ending.
...
Jonas' room was spacious.
Large enough for dozens of people—perfect for sword practice.
Olivia followed closely behind Jonas.
Nervously clutching her maid skirt, she wondered:
If the young master wants to...
What... what should she do?
The thought made her face burn crimson.
Being summoned to his room at night—the intention seemed obvious.
Thump—
"Mm..."
Jonas stopped abruptly, causing the distracted Olivia to bump into his back.
Startled, she took a small step back.
Seeing her flushed face, Jonas looked puzzled.
Why was she blushing like that?
He tossed the Frostclear sword to the flustered girl.
"What are you thinking about? Starting tonight, I'll train with you in the evenings."
Olivia caught the sword, staring blankly at Jonas:
"Ah?"
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