Chapter 15: Scheme 5 in four weeks

Julius kept the fact that he had reached Scheme 3 from Berlin until 10 days later, making sure to reveal Scheme 2 in between.

The both of them sat cross-legged in the garden again, and Berlin was indeed impressed by Julius' accomplishments.

"At this rate, you'll be able to join the other apprentices. You've achieved resonance with your element and gained enlightenment for your first spell rune." Berlin nodded at him with a smile and stood up.

"Use the sword. Try practicalizing essence enhancement. Knights do it all the time," the man said as he brought out a long wooden sword, and it was wrapped in a visible purple aura.

Julius let out a breath, closed his eyes, and focused. He pulled out the Ninjato from its sheath, and a golden aura surrounded his body before spreading onto the sword.

Julius moved forward with a swift strike. It was clear that he was faster than before. Berlin clashed with the sword a few times, and Julius activated his first spell rune.

He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt to hide the second rune, and he shot out a beam of light from his fingertips. Berlin took it head-on with his blade.

"Interesting," he said, moving towards Julius. The prince was confused.

'Is he going to atta—?'

Before Julius could finish his thoughts, a wooden blade surrounded with purple energy came for his face, and he had to raise the sword to block it.

He almost couldn't see his uncle's movements, but because he was calm, he could see better and block to some extent, though he was getting pushed back.

'Nice, good enough. Let me show you your limit,' Berlin thought to himself. He then moved towards Julius, faster than before, and swung the wooden sword horizontally with even greater speed. Julius gritted his teeth as he wasn't fast enough.

Berlin stopped an inch before hitting Julius, whose eyes widened as he had already ducked down to dodge the attack.

Julius kept his eyes on the ground. Sweat dripped from his head, causing his white hair to stick to his face. He didn't dare move as he hadn't felt something go over him.

"Impressive, Julius," the man nodded, though he frowned slightly.

Julius then fell to his knees, feeling weakened and tired after all that.

"You've been keeping your essence in use for quite a while. Here..." The man went over to the table and poured Julius a cup of black tea that looked like coffee.

Julius frowned at this, then activated the Omniscient Perspective.

[Consumable: Black Dew Tea

Description: A special tea that increases essence circulation for quick recovery. Taking more than a cup might cause sleeplessness.

Status: Made from 300 days old mountain dew, Healthy]

He blinked and sighed at this.

'It's a good thing I can use this skill with my eyes just by staring for a while. I can't trust many people in the castle,' he thought as he wiped his face with his cloth and used his hand to push his hair back.

His uncle brought the tea to him, and he was about to drink it, then stopped and stared at the liquid with a frown.

"Hm? Drink it..." Berlin said, raising a brow, looking at Julius.

"Oh, right," Julius said with a slight smile.

'Had to double-check if it wasn't poisoned or something.'

Julius proceeded to drink the tea and, after finishing, put the cup down. He could feel all the essence in his body responding to the tea he drank.

"You feel it, right?" Berlin asked with a smile, and Julius nodded.

"It's like a magic drug. I feel a lot of energy in my body," he said with a smile, and the man offered Julius another cup.

"Oh, no problem. I don't want to be a bother. Oh, and what's the next step after the first three schemes?" Julius asked, trying to change the topic.

'I knew he didn't have good intentions,' Julius thought as he looked over to see Berlin drinking his second cup.

'Perhaps it's healthy for him to drink more than one,' he nodded as he thought.

"Julius, the next step in essence refinement cultivation is to train your body. The essence will react to this and strengthen your body faster while increasing its capacity," Berlin said, and Julius nodded.

...

For the next few weeks, Julius spent most of his time with his uncle Berlin, going through rigorous training like climbing up marble stairs with a bucket of water, doing pull-ups, and other sorts of exercise.

In that time, Julius managed to touch Scheme 5, and he was slightly unhappy as it took a lot of time.

Julius had a golden hairpin holding his hair, which he tied in a ponytail. There were three magic dummies in the compound, and he glanced at all of them before pulling his sword and getting into a stance.

All the dummies moved as Berlin snapped his fingers, and Julius noticed all the shadows moving, so he took action.

The dummies were all holding swords, slashing at Julius.

He was way faster than he had been a month ago, and his defense seemed impenetrable.

He left a trail of golden light as he danced around, striking the dummies at vital parts like their necks and arms.

Noticing they were no longer surrounding him, his sword became covered in a layer of light that got brighter and brighter. He jumped forward, slicing all the dummies while evading their attacks.

He turned around and noticed that they were all cut flawlessly, his blade sizzling hot from the heat of the light.

"Well done, Julius. In terms of using a sword, I can say for sure, you might actually be more talented than your sister," Berlin smiled happily.

"No fancy techniques, just quick and smart decision-making, and deadly calmness. You're even calmer than River when fighting," he complimented, and Julius bowed 90 degrees to him.

"Thank you."

"Well... I will be leaving the castle two days from now to deal with something, so you'll be joining the other apprentices today," Berlin said, and Julius sighed as he walked towards him.

"No, no, keep the sword. I don't even use it anyway. Take it as a gift from me," Berlin said with a smile as he stroked his beard, and Julius thanked him before leaving the garden.

'All my elder brother's children just came out talented, one way or the other. It must be hard for them as they are watchful of each other because of the next crown,' Berlin thought, and then his mind went to Julius.

"Tsk... Nah. He doesn't have what it takes to stand up to River, much less his sister. And he won't pose a threat to me either," the man's voice turned cold at that instant, and he smiled.

...

Julius finally reached where the new recruits were.

Today, he wore a long-sleeved shirt that covered both of his runes, and the mark of the grimoire behind his palm was concealed with a band he used to tie his hand.

His purple eyes glanced around the area, and the instructor from before signaled for him to come over.

'Hm. Would they notice if I use it now?' Julius thought to himself, then activated the Eye of Providence while still closing his left eye with his hand.

He was surprised to see that he could still use the perspective, and he glanced around at the students.

Suddenly, a girl caught his eye, and his eyes widened as he saw her.

'A disguise? Ah, my fiancée... She's one of the major villains, how did it slip my mind?' Julius panicked as he observed his situation.