NOVEL NEXT Chapter 153: Apology
Van's mysterious abilities could truly not be ignored, considering how everyone could tell that Xiel was an incredible Martial Artist.
The fact that he couldn't defeat Van, no matter what technique he tried, showed why he was an invaluable asset to the Manor, even as a Slave.
In any case, a year prior, the Farrells had actually acquired a third slave—a girl named Sarah, barely eleven years old… She is a petite girl and has red eyes and long red hair tied into two low ponytails.
Unlike Van and Xiel, who had come from a Slave Trader, Sarah was actually brought to their manor by Archmage Farrel's assistant. It seemed that he was aware that Julia needed a female servant as well.
Nonetheless, her story was tragic… She was born to a disgraced knightly house, and she'd been sold to pay her family's debts. But her potential was undeniable.
Because of that, Julia was able to easily connect to her... She genuinely wanted Sarah to become a strong Aura User.
"Please do it one more time…" Julia said as she watched Sarah slice a falling apple mid-air with a practice dagger…
Van's Ocularis Lens, on the other hand, didn't miss to analyze it…
[ Aura Density: Advanced Trainee Stage.
Technique: Swiftwind Blade ( Modified ).
Potential: *** ]
The Swiftwind Blade was something he had learned about from many books. It was a technique for using short blades or daggers. Furthermore, it was taught more about female practitioners because of their lower muscle mass.
Sarah wiped her brow as she continued to perform for Julia… After she was done, she looked at her master.
"Lady Julia's next!"
Julia groaned. "Ugh, no fair! Aura's cheating!"
In the meantime, Butler Judge was observing them from his study room… He liked how this was going. He could already imagine how Julia would soon become a powerful mage surrounded by excellent warriors guarding her.
Although Julia wouldn't be bringing these three all at once every time, he felt more at ease knowing that the Farrell Manor's "slaves" weren't normal Aura Users.
***
After a week had passed, as everyone's training was about to end, the tranquility of Farrell Manor was shattered when Renji announced the presence of a visitor.
Because of the noble status of the visitor, they could only let them in instead of sending them away…
Soon, the gates of the manor groaned open, revealing a carriage decorated with the crest of House Valtros—a coiled serpent devouring its own tail.
Butler Judge, who had been reviewing ledgers in his study, could only finish his tea to attend to the guests…
By the time he reached the courtyard, the Count of Valtros had already disembarked.
At his side stood his daughter, a girl around Julia's age. She seemed tired, but she still had this haughty tilt to her chin.
"Count Valtros," Judge said, bowing just deep enough to be polite without conceding deference. "To what do we owe this... unexpected honor?"
The Count waved a dismissive hand. "No time for pleasantries. I require Archmage Farrell's counsel immediately—a matter of national security."
Judge's expression remained neutral, though his grip tightened on his cane. "The Archmage is occupied in his tower. Perhaps if you had sent word—"
"This cannot wait!" the Count snapped.
Then, noticing Julia and her slaves gathered near the training grounds, his scowl deepened. "Though it seems the Farrells are preoccupied with... playthings."
Julia bristled, but before she could retort, the Count's daughter—Lady Shania—sniffed. "Father, their slaves don't even know their place. Look how they stare."
She wasn't wrong.
Van's gaze was calculating, Xiel's icy, and Sarah's—though lowered—looked quite annoyed at their presence...
They had never seen slaves acting like this at all.
The Count's lips curled.
"Ah, I see the issue. Untrained plaything." He turned to Butler Judge. At this time, he decided not to waste his visit here…
"Since the Archmage is absent, allow me to offer a trade: my expertise for his aid. I'll whip these slaves into proper shape. A few weeks in my dungeons will teach them to avert their eyes."
Of course, as soon as Julia heard this, she was angered.
Archmage Farrel also had the title of Count. This title was given to all who were able to reach the level of an Archmage. However, they weren't really able to obtain a land or territory they could control and collect taxes.
Instead, they were given a chance to buy land where they could build their Mage Tower for a very low price.
Nonetheless, because of that, Julia wasn't really afraid of the middle-aged man.
"Your slaves are the disgusting ones!" She bravely said even after Butler Judge was signaling her to stop...
Julia even glanced at the two servants waiting for them at the door of the carriage.
"My servants are stronger than your entire household!"
Van was a bit stunned after hearing this. It was as if Julia was truly looking for trouble.
However, the Count started it. Why would he even try to discipline the servants of other nobles?
'I feel trouble's coming…' Van mused as he read the situation really well.
Indeed, the Count's face darkened.
"You let a child speak to me this way?" The Count asked as he looked at Butler Judge. Of course, he also wouldn't act like this if Archmage Farrell were here.
After all, he only had two Mana Circles in his heart. However, since the Archmage wasn't here, he wasn't afraid at all.
Butler Judge then stepped between them, and gently bowed. "Lady Julia merely expresses her... unique perspective. As for your offer, I'm afraid Farrell slaves are trained to Farrell standards."
The Count's laugh was humorless. "Standards? They're property, not pets." His eyes locked onto Van. "That one especially. He looks at you like he's planning how to slit your throat."
Van didn't flinch. Well, he wasn't wrong.
His Ocularis Lens was truly analyzing everyone who had just entered the Manor grounds, including the coachman.
Well, the coachman of the Manor was at Second-Circle Level. He wanted to ensure that he'd get as much data as possible.
Julia, however, was already trembling with rage. "Van would never—!"
"Enough." Judge's cane struck the ground and it sounded like a gunshot.
"Count Valtros, the Archmage is unavailable. If your matter is urgent, I suggest taking it to the Royal Council."
For a moment, it seemed the Count might press further—until Sarah stepped forward.
"My lady," she said softly to Julia, "The apple tree you wanted to practice on... it's ready."
The blatant dismissal hung in the air.
The Count's daughter gasped. "How dare a slave interrupt—!"
But the Count, finally recognizing the futility of his visit, grabbed his daughter's arm. "Come, Celeste. Clearly, the Farrells have forgotten their station." As he turned to leave, however, his daughter didn't budge…
Shania stepped forward… Unlike her father, who had planned to just leave in defeat, the girl's pride burned hot…
"If words won't convince you, then let's settle this another way," she declared…
Soon, their tallest Sword Slave with scarred arms stepped forward...
Count Voltras frowned, but since her daughter had already decided, he didn't want to stop her…
Van then looked at the man, who seemed to be in his early twenties. He was already a genuine Aura Knight.
However, it seemed quite unstable, unlike the other Aura Knights he had seen before.
It seemed to be related to being a slave, or perhaps, his method of advancing was a lot different than how normal Aura Knights did it.
"Dren has served our house for ten years since I was born… Let's see how your pets fare against a real warrior." Shania announced.
Butler Judge wanted to speak, but Julia was faster.
"You're on!"
Butler Judge considered how to intervene, but the Count held up a hand, smirking. "Let the children play, Butler Judge. Unless you're afraid your investments will break?"
At this time, Julia glanced at Van, not Xiel…
Van was obviously a lot smaller and seemed many times weaker. Because of that, if he were able to defeat Dren, the impact would be larger.
Seeing her gaze, Van needed no instruction.
He stepped forward while his Ocularis Lens was already dissecting Dren's physique.
[ Subject: Dren ( Valtros Slave )
Age: ~25
Possible Combat Style: Heavy Strikes ( Axe / Brass Knuckles )
Weakness: Left knee—old injury, slight favoring of right leg. ]
'Nice…' Van smirked as soon as he read the Lens' analysis.
Dren cracked his knuckles. "I'll try not to kill him too quick."
Just like that, the courtyard became an arena.
After Shania saw Dren's opponent, she couldn't help but half.
Then, she jokingly said that no weapons were allowed for the duel!
She didn't mean it as she knew that Julia's servant would be crushed to death if he didn't equip a weapon.
However, to her shock, they readily agreed!
It was as if they wanted their Slave to be killed!
'Ahh… Is it their method of offering their apology? They want us to take their servant's life? Hmmm... They weren't as stupid as I thought.' Shania thought.