22 Let’s Spar!
"We have a lot to talk about." The beautifully dressed little girl said while gesturing me to sit down. Her eyes were shining as she invited me in.
"Is that so?" I asked in suspicion...
"Of course. Father wanted me to help you reach the third level of Aura Manifestation." She replied without minding my paranoid attitude. Only after realising that she was truly wishing for my benefit did I reluctantly stop my formalities and sat down.
To think that the daughter of that sharp and scheming guy was such a happy-go-lucky type of girl. Just her smile alone hold boundless optimism.
"The House Master such a kind individual..." I praised with a meaningful smile. It wasn't hard for me to figure out that Duke Swordswick had nothing to do with this meeting.
If it really was him who wanted me to train with her, judging from his personality, he would have personally led me here instead of allowing the Young Miss to personally invite me.
"I know, right?" She agreed. My smile couldn't help but stiffen as I wasn't able to figure out if she was sincere or just making a joke... I almost felt as if I was unable to see through her mask.
A noble girl like her wouldn't lie so blatantly, right? Don't nobles have this inborn pride that them from doing that? She seemed completely ignorant to my doubtful eyes and continued.
"Father doesn't want to waste your talent. If you are able to reach the third level of Aura Manifestation, then your inborn Magical Talent won't really matter much since you would be able to rely on your Skill Root in combat." She said as she innocently smiled while leaning forward. Her eyes seemed to be full of interest as she gazed at me.
A chill ran down my spine as my instincts screamed that I shouldn't try to get any closer to her heart. Why do I feel this? I have no idea, but if I was pick between logic and instinct, there would be only one true winner.
"You don't need to help me. I can find my own path by myself." I said as an excuse. This girl must be eyed on by an assassin or something. If I try to get any closer to her, she will definitely attract an endless amount of trouble for me in the future... This ominous feeling is so clear that it can't be wrong!
"I WANT to help you out even if you're capable enough to figure out on your own, so stop declining already." The Young Miss frowned in displeasure.
I decided to stop struggling after hearing her words. It would be too troublesome to explain why I wanted to train my new Art by myself anyway.
How bad of a disaster could socialising with her bring me anyway? I'm sure another kind of trouble will come if I don't try to be on good terms with her.
"I know about Skill Roots, but how am I supposed to turn my ability into an actual Skill Root? Is there some sort of trick to it?" I asked in concern.
It would be really embarrassing if I lost the bet with her father because of such a shallow reason like 'not knowing' how to reach Level 3 Aura Manifestation.
"Simple, just mix your most practiced technique with your Mana Flame and a Skill Root will be born if both of them are able to fuse. Try to visualise the foundation of a Skill Root as the colour of your Aura and the Art or Spell you've chosen being what's built upon it. The creation of a Skill Root is still decided by luck so success or failure is up to whether you've got good luck." She spoke while pointing at her heart.
"The colour of my Aura?" I couldn't help but ask as I imagined the five different types of Nature Transformations I was able to produce.
"Yes, you might think that the only special types of Aura's are mimicked ones, but you're wrong. The original Light Aura humans can manifest is actually the best foundation for all ability. Those with mimicked Aura type abilities are usually unable to bring out the true strength of a Skill Holder since they aren't able to have the flexibility of a Light Attribute Skill Holder." She explained generously without holding back even a drop of information.
I never thought the Young Miss could be this sincere... To think she'd actually take her time to explain something like this to one of her insignificant servants.
From what I've heard, aren't Nobles supposed to be arrogant like her father? Why is she so kind to me? How does she want me to return her favour?
"You really are well informed!" I praised without hiding my surprise.
"Hehe~ if you praise me more, I might fall for you~" She blushed while trying to hide the sharp glint in her eyes. It looks like she's trying to 'test' me...
I wasn't completely dense to the point of not understanding her thoughts. I can understand her intention is to create a closer bond between us than the master-servant relationship we currently have, but not in a romantic way though... She most likely is trying to make me a 'friend' of hers-
However, my instincts are basically pointing at her and saying: 'Getting close to her equal goodbye to your normal everyday life as a Butler!'.
"Then I'll praise you less." Her face fluctuated a little as she was unable to understand why I retreated. As a girl, it seemed she may have taken my words a little offensively. I probably shouldn't have been so blunt with my response...
Her face darkened as she turned silent for a few moments, I didn't interrupt her and patiently waited for her to continue. Now I'm actually feeling a little guilty for answering her in such a disrespectful way. If only I was more experienced with girls in my past life...
I mean, it's not like I was a virgin in my past life. It's just that the girl's I dated really didn't care about romantic things like love and only approached me due to my high standing as a 'Hero' in my past life. They'd always leave once they have had enough with taking to me...
I was one hell of a boring guy back then despite how much fame I gained...
"Am I pretty?" The Young Miss suddenly asked out of the blue. Now contrastingly I'm taken aback by HER bluntness. What is her goal?
"Yes." I replied with one word.
"Is there someone else you like?" Her eyes were just like her father's as she overbearingly asked. She's asking me this now? What was the first question for anyway? To lighten her mood?
"Yeah, I like that short-haired maid of yours." I lied straight through my teeth.
Even I don't have the courage to stand up to such a gaze. So my only option is to try to smooth things over. Wait... I think I'm starting to corner myself!
"Do you know her name?" She smiled coldly. I think we've strayed off the original topic now. I'm sure we were supposed to be discussing about Skill Roots and other closely related stuff!
"It's love at first sight." Oh no... I think I'm digging my grave a little too deeply.
"Hmph, you don't have to lie, it's not like I confessed to you." She said with a frown. No, even an elementary schooler would be able to tell how serious you were! It doesn't need to be said in words, but since you want to get some of your dignity back, I won't argue.
The mind of this young girl sure is terrifying... She obviously has no romantic feelings for me yet she still wanted me fall for her confession... Did the fact that I had beaten that arrogant asshole really have this much of an impact? Even a young girl like the Young Miss wants to have some 'control' me over me using her beauty...
Well... It's not like I'd fall for a young girl like the Young Miss anyway. She's obviously too young for my tastes! I like busty women with curves, not children like her! I'm NOT a pedophile!
"By the way, what practical ways can help speed up the process of creating a Skill Root?" I asked after resolutely deciding to change the subject.
It doesn't look like she wants to answer anymore. From what I can tell about her personality, she isn't going to just let me off lightly since I basically lied to her face. A servant like me making such a bold move must have upset her!
After hearing my question, she suddenly smiled mysteriously.
It looked like she found an opportunity to vent her frustrations... I hope she doesn't turn violent towards me. The difference in status is something even I'm scared of. I don't want to be locked in prison for something so small...!
"Constant battle helps forming a Skill Root." She advised with 'sincerity'.
Now that's just immature! All I did was tacitly reject you... You should show the the great pride of a noble and look down on a mere servant like myself!
Hah... What was I expecting? Although she's definitely hiding something. I can feel there are no lies in what she had just spoke. Life or death battles seem to mysteriously help form Skill Roots...
"I'll ask Jack for a spar." I didn't want to continue talking with her since I felt incredibly awkward after our last exchange... I really don't want to get involved with such a scheming girl...
"No need. Don't you want to battle with a genius like myself? I'll be sure to go easy on you~" These words may sound arrogant and narcissistic, but she has the strength to back up what she said.
"I refuse." I stated clearly. What 'I'll go easy on you~'? That wouldn't be a battle between warriors, that would be a dinosaur slaughtering a chicken!
I definitely don't have any way to resist her current strength. If she's anything like the rumours about her, then I'm sure I wouldn't be able to touch her considering the fact that she can conjure a myriad of swords she could use to defend herself from every angle.
From the calculations I made, the only way to even stand a chance against the Young Miss would be by creating more techniques. I especially need to find a way to counter Dark Specialist techniques because those ones are especially great at deceiving their foes.
Although I've never seen Dark Specialists in action and only have a rudimentary understanding of them since I am able to imitate the Dark Attribute myself. The knowledge Anna shared about her profession was enough to make me realise the difference between Elemental Specialists and Dark Specialists, which the complexity in their techniques!
The Young Miss might not be able to be considered a Time Specialist like those of the Royal Family, but her high Magical Talent allowed her reach the requirements of a Light Specialist. The exact opposite of a Dark Specialist!
Darkness, Light and Fire... If I was confident in beating such a monstrous young girl who specialises in all three of these Attributes, then I'd be insane!
"Don't be so quick to refuse~ Look how Sylphy is watching, I'm sure you wouldn't want her to see you acting cowardly, right?" She seemed to have predicted my answer as casually asked with a 'innocent smile' after pointing towards a little girl her own age who seemed to have entered her personal Training Ground moments ago.
The short-haired maid was still as expressionless as a doll as she heard her Master's words. Her face seemed to not care in the slightest towards the Young Miss' mischievous words.
As expected of the Young Miss' personal servant! To think that I'd be trapped by another's silence. I couldn't help but stiffly smile as gave up on making a tactical retreat. Who told me to use this quiet girl as my excuse anyway? Looks like I'll have to man up and properly reject her next time or else I'll suffer at her hands again...
Hmmm... Wait... This is our first time meeting isn't it? Why did I get scared and how was I able to accurately describe her appearance to the Young Miss without ever having met her before? It's not something I would usually do... Urgh, I can feel a headache coming on again. What was I thinking about? I can't remember anymore...
