Chapter 50: No Matter What Happens, I Will Always Be Loyal to You |
Watching Jonas effortlessly block Olivia's strike using only his sword hilt, Slynda standing nearby was utterly stunned.
What?
Huh?
Just like that?
He blocked it?
Are you some kind of monster...
She was well aware of Olivia's monstrous talent, not to mention the insane amount of time she dedicated to daily training. Olivia's diligence even made Slynda feel ashamed of her own efforts. Yet such a person had been easily overpowered by Jonas.
Besides, hadn't Jonas been busy executing nobles in Tars City?
How... how did he find time to train this much?
For some reason, as fellow youths, she felt the gap between people was wider than that between humans and dogs.
One was more talented than her yet worked harder, while the other was even more gifted yet could casually surpass her without trying...
"Sigh..."
Slynda suddenly felt discouraged, staring blankly at the sword in her hand.
Was there even any point to her training like this...
Meanwhile, Olivia bit her lip upon hearing Jonas' words: "You've already done very well."
Warmth surged through her chest.
Master Jonas had been watching over her all along.
Gripping her sword tighter, Olivia met Jonas' gaze with determination and nodded firmly.
"I'll work harder, Master Jonas."
She had to narrow the gap - she couldn't allow herself to fall too far behind!
The thought of losing her place by Master Jonas' side was unbearable.
If even her master never boasted about being a genius, how could she afford to be arrogant?
Seeing Olivia's fighting spirit, Jonas felt pleased.
This was exactly the drive he wanted.
The harder Olivia trained, the stronger he became.
With this thought, Jonas retrieved a dark purple pouch from his spatial magic ring and handed it to Olivia.
Olivia: "Master Jonas, what is this?"
Jonas smiled: "A gift for you. Open it."
The word "gift" made Olivia's heart flutter. Even during his time in Tars City, Master Jonas hadn't forgotten about her.
When she opened the pouch, the faint glow emanating from within shocked her to the core.
Magic crystals?
This many?
She knew exactly how precious magic crystals were. Even Lord Holdo possessed only a handful. When Jonas had gifted him ten previously, Holdo's overjoyed reaction spoke volumes about their value.
But now... Master Jonas was giving her... this many?
This... this looked like eighty crystals!
He'd only given Lord Holdo ten!
Olivia's mind went blank, her words stumbling:
"Master... this... these are for me?"
Nearby, Liliana was equally stunned. She'd assumed Jonas brought back so many crystals for his own cultivation. Never did she imagine he'd gift them to his retainer.
Though this retainer was exceptionally talented, eighty crystals at once? Even major noble families wouldn't make such extravagant gestures...
Slynda, who'd been practicing sword forms, froze mid-motion, eyes widening.
What?
That many magic crystals?
As his sister, she hadn't received a single one!
Instinctively, Olivia tried returning the pouch:
"M-master, these are too precious! I can't accept them!
You need them for your own cultivation too!
If you give me this many, what will you use...
I really can't..."
Her head shook like a rattle drum, overwhelmed by Jonas' generosity.
Jonas waved dismissively: "I don't need these.
For me, you all are Thunderkeep's future - my future."
"I..."
The significance of magic crystals for any profession needed no explanation.
How could anyone not need them?
"I truly don't—"
Jonas cut her off: "Enough. Keep them all.
Unless you intend to disobey me?"
"N-no, Master! I just fear disappointing you."
What swordsman didn't crave strength?
This many crystals were every swordsman's dream.
Smiling, Jonas ruffled Olivia's hair: "If you fear disappointing me,
then grow stronger.
Prove to the world that Albinos can stand at its peak.
Win the respect your people deserve.
By then, you'll have countless followers."
Countless oppressed Albinos would become his core force,
with Olivia as their leader -
an absolutely formidable power.
Gazing at Jonas, Olivia pressed her lips together.
Master Jonas always knew what she desired most.
From beginning till now, he'd constantly looked after her.
She raised her head slightly, staring dazedly at Jonas,
her gorgeous eyes shimmering faintly.
"Master, no matter what happens, I will always be loyal to you.
I swear to strive for this with everything I have."
[Olivia]
[Loyalty: 70%]
[Return Multiplier: 14x]
As the multiplier increased, Jonas felt power continuously surging within him.
Delighted, he produced a hairpin from his spatial magic ring - its body dyed profound blue, with shimmering light resembling scattered stars.
"Another gift for you."
"Eh?
This... this is for me too?"
The hairpin was breathtakingly beautiful - she fell in love at first sight.
Most importantly, Master Jonas had prepared it for her.
Jonas: "Of course!
I thought your white hair looked too plain."
Gently, he secured the hairpin in Olivia's locks.
She was his greatest contributor, training so diligently every day.
How could he treat her poorly?
Olivia obediently let Jonas adorn her, none of her battlefield fierceness present.
Jonas admired his handiwork: "Beautiful!"
"Mhm! Hehe..." She couldn't resist lightly touching the hairpin.
Nearby, Slynda watched Olivia's lovestruck expression and silly grin with resignation.
Hopeless. Completely hopeless.
Damn that Jonas - where did he learn all these tricks?
When Jonas departed, Olivia immediately changed into training clothes.
Taking a deep breath, her eyes burned with determination as she turned to Slynda:
"Shall we continue training?"
"Huh? There's a banquet tonight!"
"We still have hours before evening! How can we slack off? How could I betray Master Jonas' trust?"
Slynda: "Hah???"
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