19 The Bet

The House Master's opinion was biased in many ways, but even so, his argument held a great amount of weight to it due to how reasonable and logical it was. My confidence in my abilities still hadn't faltered considering I was indeed a 'special case'.

'The the higher the mountain, the more difficult it is to climb.' This is a fact that is accepted by all magical fighters of this world called Sphera.

But so what if it's difficult? I'm not going to get a second chance if I waste my time becoming a weak servant. I may have a low quantity of Mana, but that doesn't mean I won't be able to increase the number of my otherworldly techniques with time.

If others grow stronger, then I'll just surpass them! Plain and simple!

"I never really thought about what I'd become in future." As the Duke heard my words, he smiled as if he was pleased by the fact I was thinking about my future prospects properly.

"I wanted to become strong enough to defend myself and my family. At first I thought that being able to defeat Jack was enough to prove my potential, but I was wrong. It seems that beating him really had no meaning to everyone at all...

All those uncles and aunties were probably shocked by my weird magical abilities, but it seems no one had the confidence to say that I will reach the the ranks of expert Warriors." As the House Master heard my words, his eyes narrowed. The light in his eyes sharpened as he glared in my direction.

"Knowing that nobody besides your father expects anything from you, will you still continue down this path?" As I heard the Duke's harsh voice, my eyes couldn't help but glance at the expression of my parents. Only to see that their eyes were actually similar.

"House Master, I believe in my son as well." My mother declared straightforwardly, causing the Duke to look at her strangely. His expression then changed to one of confusion.

"Martha, I didn't expect that you too would support your husband in his foolishness." The Duke's face changed as he realised what her words meant.

"Calling my parents foolish is going too far." I retorted with a sharp glare!

"You think an Rank F like you will be able to become a genuine Warrior with mere hard work alone? You don't need actual Magical Talent?" The Duke didn't mind my rudeness and continued his argument. His eyes seemed to look down on me like an I was just some ignorant child who doesn't know anything about the world or what I'm talking about.

"I do, and I'll prove it by creating a Skill Root!" I swiftly replied.

"And how long do you think that will take?" The Duke asked in an unconvinced manner. There was a massive gap between a Specialist with a Skill Root and a ordinary Specialist.

The Duke probably didn't believe one bit that I would be able pull it off since even his own Skill Root was something he created with years of effort and a little bit of luck. The amount of Mana Control and luck needed to create a Skill Root was just that large.

"A week." I answered unhesitatingly.

It was a short time period, but pressure is something that helps awaken human potential. I'll be sure to train like madman until I've formed my very own Skill Root and become a Skill Holder through throwing myself into my own 'Training Hell'!

My parents were both shocked by my answer since they knew that I wouldn't lie or try to bluff in this kind of situation. I couldn't understand the mixed emotions in my parents eyes as they started to secretly exchange glances with one another.

There weren't many Specialists who could form a Skill Root due to their lack of talent in Mana Control and amazing luck. Even Jack might not have the potential of forming one after growing up.

"Let's make a bet then." The Duke lifted up his index finger and said in serious tone. I couldn't help but frown at his suggestion due to its suddenness.

"The bet is simple. If you're unable to create a Skill Root in a week's worth of time. You will be expelled from my household and will join my personal Knight Order as a squire training from the basics." A chill ran down my spine as I heard such blatantly unfair conditions. He was probably taking revenge for the rudeness of interrupting him earlier...

Joining a Knight Order meant losing a great amount of my freedom and having to follow even more dutifully under the Duke's command. I wouldn't have the right to decline any orders given to me by the Duke or the freedom to see my family...!

"And if I'm able to create one?" I couldn't help but ask in response.

"I will reward you with something priceless!" He answered sincerely.

I didn't believe that the Duke would let go of his pride in order to lie to me.

If the Duke was to say that the reward was 'priceless', then it must be something that even other ancient bloodlines of nobility would fight a bloody battle over. Just thinking about obtaining such a reward excited me. I wonder what this treasure will be?

"You're excited, aren't you? Though don't get too happy because it's not like someone with multiple Ether Affinities will have a good time trying to create a Skill Root. In fact, there hasn't been any cases recently regarding a Universal Specialist creating a Skill Root over the years.

It mostly had to do with the flexibility of a Universal Specialist since they usually has more options for growth than a regular one. Being a Universal Specialist and a Skill Holder would make you the most unique existence in history." The Duke informed. His knowledge about my growth has been too thorough when I thought about it.

A strange look appeared in my eyes as I glanced at my 'dearest' father who was playing innocent at the side. Even my mother couldn't help but sigh as she now understood why the House Master was so well-informed about my abilities and techniques.

It's not that I wanted to keep my multiple Affinities a secret, it's just uncomfortable when someone else knows too much about me.

This kind of information was not supposed to be shown to people I've don't properly understand. I've only outwardly displayed few types of Spells and Arts in my match against Jack so it was a little surprising that the Duke knew my various affinities with elements from just that.

"You don't have to be so reserved. Even if you created an ability that was stronger than the Sword God's Aura Sharpening Art, no one will even try to interrogate it off you since that would cause the our Drakeyol Kingdom's ruling King to spare no effort in erasing that individual from our world." The smile on the Duke's face was quite scary as he spoke till here, looking quite eerie...

"Hmm? Why is that?" I couldn't help but ask in surprise at the Duke's nonchalant words. I forgot how valuable my techniques are to others.

"The King hates those that try to obstruct the road of talented in creating techniques. As for why he becomes hysterical when people try to steal the techniques of others, you will definitely find out in future. Just focus on improving your magical techniques for now." The Duke didn't seem interested in going into detail.

After the Duke was finished advising me out of his good will, I walked out with my parents who seemed troubled over something. My curiosity was picked as I tried to find out what it was.

"What is this priceless reward that the Duke will reward me if I succeed?" As I asked, they stopped in their tracks.

I stopped walking as I turned to look at them. They have never hid anything from me before so there shouldn't be a reason for them to hide what this 'priceless' treasure is, but their expressions are a bit suspicious.

"Simon, do you know why we agreed to serve the Swordwick Household in the first place?" My mother had completely changed the subject but her eyes seemed serious as she awaited my answer patiently.

"Wasn't it for money?" Although this bland answer sounded crude and insensitive, it at least cut straight to the point. Even I felt the pay of being a servant here was quite rewarding~

"Well considered." My father praised but my mother just gestured at him to stay silent. Father wasn't dumb and understood that mother wanted to speak to me in private, so he left. He waved his hand towards us before putting on the cold facade he usually has on when facing other servants.

"I can't remember anymore if it was due to gratitude or greed, but I remember that one of the reasons we chose to become servants was to settle down someplace safe to raise a child.

You don't understand right now because seeing what the world is like is better than hearing about it. There are plenty of Humans on Sphera, but remember that outside this kingdoms borders, the true rulers of the world are the Devas. A race that's supported by the great Lightning God." Her eyes seemed to suppress a bitter emotions as she spoke that last sentence.

Of course I didn't tell mother that I already knew about Devas before I even reincarnated into Sphera. The purple-skinned race who looked a lot like they came from India seemed to be the rulers who governed the four other neutral races. From what I've read in the Duke's library that I sneaked into a few times, the Devas actually promoted a 'all should be in harmony with nature' propaganda.

I don't know what they're up to but seems the other four neutral races were very inclined to listen to the Devas rather than the Human Race.

Perhaps this has to do with the special relationship between the other godly entities like the Fire God and the Water God had with the Lightning God. It's hard to believe that the battle loving species like Dragons didn't have any qualms with following the rules and regulations set by Devas.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Devas actually had the strangest magic among all the ones on Sphera. The magic used by most Human Specialists could be considered straightforward when excluding Time Specialists birthed by Royal Families. However, the magic used by Devas was unusual due to how they were able to affect anyone who swore by their God's name or joins their religious worship towards the Lightning God.

For example: When anyone gives a promise and swears it on the name of the Lightning God, those that break their promise are mercilessly struck by lightning falling out of nowhere.

To be perfectly honest, I actually think that the Devas are a peaceful race considering how they were able to solve many problems between humans and other races. Humanity has always been the one of the two largest groups on Sphera and have given birth to many criminals who would harm those of the neutral races for their own petty gains.

It's was a good thing that humanity had a lot of morally upright heroes as well or else we would have been destroyed by their combined might already. The only thing that bothers me about the Devas is the date they appeared... It's a little suspicious to me that they arrived on Sphera the same day I was summoned here...

Either way, there was no reason for anyone on Sphera to hate Devas.

That's why I felt shocked as I looked at my mother's face that was twisted with malice, not understanding what could have caused her to grow such deep rooted animosity... However, my heart was also affected by her wrath.

I don't know what happened to my mother in the past but anyone who's her enemy is my own. Even if they are considered a neutral race that have no real conflicts with humans, it didn't mean there couldn't be any of them with bad intentions.

"After you grow up and become a splendid Specialist. Make sure you go to the Hunter Branch of the Mercenary Guild to register yourself there as a Lightning Type Bandit Hunter. This is the only thing I want you to do after growing up into fine warrior. My child, promise me that after you becoming a true Universal Specialist. you'll become a Bandit Hunter in future." She requested.

"I promise." After hearing my heavy answer, a tear fell on my clothes as my mother hugged me. A feeling of helplessness invaded my heart I thought back to her words. Why did mother hate Devas so badly? I don't know why but accepting her request like this makes me feel a little... uncomfortable. I don't like it...

Why is that so? I'm not promising to kill innocent civilians or helpless children, right? Every race has their fair share of criminals, so killing them shouldn't be a crime, right...?

"I will be leaving then." I said before leaving. My mind spun as I separated from her to go back to my room to think. I felt like a worm was digging into my thoughts as time went on...