Chapter 8: Enhanced

"All the knights are showing signs that their minds have been meddled with ever since the attack. There's something really wrong going on... Hey, Miss Lilith, wouldn't it be better for us to get reinfor-" As Sir James glanced at Lilith to see what she had to say about it, he instinctively took a step back after meeting her golden eyes, which stared intently at Raphael's tent.

'I thought I could forget it... That stench... That sickening stench...' Lilith kept thinking again and again as she bit her lips.

'... Why does he smell the same?' Lilith, feeling her fingernails nearly ripping through her palms, frowned and took a deep breath.

...

In the carriage, Raphael barely paid any attention to Lilith, whose behavior was becoming more and more erratic.

'Talent... This book is definitely doing something about my lack of talent...' As his eyes dulled as he thought about the possible consequences of it, he shook his head and looked outside the window. The white walls of the capital met his eyes.

'Grandiose.'

It was made out of dwarven damascus and moon stones. The ancient engravings made out of elven gold glimmed as if they were recently built.

Sigh

'This book is definitely too special to be used by a random bandit...' As he thought about who could create such a relic, a memory crossed his mind as a splitting headache hit him.

'That husky voice.' As a splitting headache hit him, his face remained emotionless and distant as he remembered what happened before he had fainted.

//

 ~Hiss~

*Well done.*

 ~Hiss~

\\

...

*Lokhis...* I murmured as I opened my eyes.

"Huh?" Lilith's eyes seemed to nearly pop out of her sockets as she asked. "Did you say something, young master?"

"...? No, I didn't..." I lied as naturally as I breathed.

"... We're almost there, young master." Lilith, who was staring at me, finally said something as we passed through the capital's walls. Unlike usual, however, I didn't feel much pressure from her voice...

'Enhanced sense of hearing and smell...' As the city's stench hit my nose, I glanced at Lilith, who had an equally disgusted expression.

*Mom, look a pwetty carriage!!* A child pointed at us excitedly.

Shh

*Don't stare too much, honey...* The mother pulled her child away from the street with a worried look on her face..

A smile came to my face as I paid attention to the voices around me, however, it quickly faded away as my eyes narrowed slightly at the bag that contained 'my' book.

After entering the mansion, only two frail-looking maids came to welcome us in. I felt pretty irritated at my cousin, but I decided to let it go. Given my current reputation, I shouldn't ask for much. As I laid down on the bed in my new room, I started to test the limits of my newly enhanced senses.

When I started spreading my mana thin through the capital, I noticed how much it had grown in quality since I left the family's manor. Although it is still lacking in quantity, I could already be considered a good student in any academy of prestige.

//

A pungent smell flared up my nostrils as I heard the silent cries of people in a particularly shady underground part of the city.

*When is the merchandise coming?* A short noble man with blonde hair asked a tall elf woman at his side.

*It should be here in a week or two, Lord.* She answered promptly.

Tsk

*Send someone to give a heads-up to the knight captain.* He said as he prepared to light a cigar.

*Yes, Lord Decroix.* She bowed and left the room with a bitter smile on her face.

\\

'There's a black market here...'

Sigh

*Finding out the new limits, my strength doesn't sound so bad...* I murmured as I got up.

'Everything has a price...' I thought as I looked at the book I put on my desk before sitting down and studying through the night.

...

Knock, knock.

*May I come in, young master.* Lilith said as she opened the door and entered.

"... Why do you ask if you're going to barge in anyway? And for how long are you going to keep calling me young master?"

"..."

Sigh

"What's up, Lilith?" I asked while rubbing my temples.

"... Miss. Lily was asking me if she could be so honored as to have your presence during today's breakfast."

"... I'm not hungry, and tell her I'm going to the city and may not come back until tomorrow. I have a few things to take care of." I said as I got up and looked at the sun rising outside.

...

ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/selfishapple