Part 13

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***

But I guess I still had too high an opinion of my father despite what happened. Because I didn't expect him to start messing around as soon as we drove away from Bueno. When the village was already out of sight, Guillen handed me a letter from Paul. So there was something he didn't want to tell me in front of everyone, or he was afraid to do it to my face. Yeah, it's a bit embarrassing when your own father's afraid of you.

- Read it out loud, I want to hear it too. - Said Gillen.

- Umm, can't you... can't you read? - I was surprised.

- No. - The cat answered calmly.

It's a nightmare. A grown-up pussycat who can't read. That's the world, though.

- Okay. - With a sigh, I unfolded the letter.

Then I began to read it.

- There are a few more things, dear son, that I wanted to explain to you. This trip is not only for your training as a swordsman, but also to develop your independence. I think, though you're still young, you're ready for it. My family has agreed to take you in and give you a job, but we don't have the best relationship and if you fail at the job, you'll be thrown out on the street and Gilen won't be able to train you. Um, seriously?

I frowned and shifted my gaze to the fighting pussy.

- Yep. - She nodded.

- Okay...next. Gilen will explain the details to you. No, she's stupid, she's a muscle instead of a brain....

- What!? - The cat frowned angrily.

- I apologise, Gilen, my father isn't very smart himself if he writes such things.

- Hmpf... - She crossed her arms over her chest. - Read on.

- Since you already know how to read and write, you'll teach literacy to a nine-year-old noblewoman, and some magic as well. Gilen wants to learn spells too. For your work, you'll get a place in Greyrat House and a salary. Don't come home or write letters for the next five years. You can seduce the girl, but don't touch Ghislaine, she's mine. That's all.

Wow, father... never learns anything.

- Let's send this letter to Zenith. - Concluded the cat.

- I agree, Father must suffer.

Gilen and I looked at each other, and there was a note of strong mutual understanding in that meeting of gazes. The cat smiled kindly, and I returned the favour. But still, this point should be clarified.

- And, so you and my father....

- He was my first man. - The cat nodded. - I'd heard he was good in bed, so I thought I'd give him a try. But he quickly ran out of steam and passed out. And then he was still telling me how he'd defeated me in bed, even though it wasn't true.

- Oh...

Although, it's kind of weird that she just blurted it out in front of me without even batting an eyebrow.

- So you're not his mistress now?

- No, I'm not.

- I see.

Still, it was a bit of an awkward dialogue, I have to admit. Better change the subject.

- So you want to learn magic?

- Yes, I've seen you're good at magic. I'd like to learn it too, at least the basics.

- Oh, sure, no problem. What about that girl I'm supposed to be teaching?

- She's my ward. - Gilen replied. - I'm teaching her swordsmanship as well.

- I see. And what is she like?

- Hmm... - Gilen rubbed her chin thoughtfully with her hand. - An active girl.

Well, judging by the soft feline smile, they have a good relationship. Hopefully there won't be any problems with this girl. Although, truth be told, I wasn't so sure about the viability of this trip anymore. I mean, the original intent was just to study with Gilen, and then I'd still have time for my research. But if I were to take on the task of teaching someone else literacy and magic, would I even have time to improve myself?

On the other hand.

- And the Greyrat family... who are they in town? I've heard that my father is from a noble family, but my parents didn't talk much about it.

- The Greyrat family has several... families... Boreas-Greyrat are ruled by Fittoa. The Notos Greyrat rule in Millbot. And then there's Zafir and Euro... also ruling somewhere. There are other small Greyrat families, but they're not as important.

- Oh... and my father was a Boreas?

Cat shook her head.

- He's from the Notos.

- But, we're in the Fittoa region. That's Boreas Greyrat territory, right?

- Yeah.

- And are we going to... to the Boreas or to the Notos?

- The Boreas.

- Hmm, so Father gets on better with them than he does with his own branch.

- Yeah.

Looks like things aren't so easy in the House of Greyrat.

And then, after a while, a thought struck me.

- Wait... I don't even know noble etiquette. I'm not going to get my head chopped off if I bow to someone inappropriately?

- What kind of foolishness is that? - Gilen stared at me in surprise.

Well, looking at the reaction of the pussy swordswoman, I was left to breathe a sigh of relief. And with a clear conscience I decided to play with magic on the road, while there is a chance. The reserve is getting harder to empty. Often you have to twist, cramming into complex spells a bunch of contented unnecessary conditions and parameters to increase their cost.

In general, although I remained somewhere within the holy rank, but it can not be said that I am weak in magic.

Technically, higher rank spells don't really become more useful in battles, just scaled up. Who cares if you can create drought or rain on an entire continent if you can get bumped off by the first holy swordsman you see? And, if a top ranked mage is proficient in his level, he can easily overpower both a royal and imperial mage who isn't very good at battles. With god level magic, it's more complicated. Such a huge magical power in itself can give many advantages to the mage. Yes, and it's hard to keep an estimate of such categories anymore.

In general, I mean that my goal was not even to advance to higher ranks of magic, but to improve my skills to master magic on a more subtle level. And to become stronger, combat-wise.

I had learnt such details about the ranks of magic from Roxy not too long ago. Or rather, I learnt it from the grimoires she sent me. But, in any case, a large supply of magic still plays a big role in magic. That's why even on the road I tried to use it up to the bottom. And, by the way, the very question of magical progression was interesting. I mean, constantly doubling your mana reserve, it must be crazy. But, it's not that simple. And it's not even just the amount of mana. Magic isn't homogeneous. It was not easy to understand because of the general descriptions of the system and the fact that the science of magic itself is not particularly advanced in understanding its fundamental principles. And, that's just my guess. I think that my magic is growing not only in quantity but also in quality, becoming, as it were, thicker and denser. Because of that, the same amount of mana of different concentrations is enough for different number of spells. It is also likely that more powerful spells of higher ranks simply require more powerful mana, but in case of insufficient concentration, this can be partially compensated by the quantity. However, a large amount of mana in a vessel tends to compact, making it impossible for a mage with a large reserve of weak mana. Funny enough, such a thing as magical crystals also came to my mind on such reflections. Essentially, crystallised magical energy. And since mana can take such a form, I assumed that it is possible to change its, how to say, aggregate state and density.

But this is all theoretical reasoning.

In practice, I continued to complicate the spells and began to approach the development of a life support barrier. It was not even a spell, but a form of a magic circle, which I drew in my head. Theoretically, the barrier could be made one-sided, so that it did not let anything inside, but let out air and mana, as well as attack spells. You could also add a function to fill the interior of the barrier with artificial air suitable for breathing. As a basis it is suitable. But it should be considered that not only poisonous gas around can cause problems.

All in all, it was something to think about.

Also, the thought of lack of mobility came up during the journey. There are spells for small jerks on gusts of wind, but that's not it. The thought of flight and teleportation, that's what you can really call really high mobility. But, with teleportation, you don't know where to start. But with flying, there's still something you can do. Air magic or the same lightning magic. Use electromagnetic field control to create a levitation effect. Can magic be used to subdue gravity?

And so the days of the trip passed. I haven't made much progress yet, but I've already started to develop a life support barrier and put aside some interesting ideas for the future.

And finally...

The fortress city of Roa!

Generally, there was a long queue at the city gates, but Gilen was let through right away. In the meantime, I appreciated the city itself. So many people, and not only people, I saw a few furry animal ears in the crowd. A market with many stalls, workshops, and the usual dwellings. And in the centre, a mighty fortress. This city was mentioned in one of the books I read as a child. It's a very old city, and it used to be a very ordinary Fittoa trading centre. But during the time of the Demon War, Roa was fortified many times, becoming a veritable fortress.

I wonder if the Greyrats ruled the city back then too.

- This is it.

Gilen led me to a strong castle surrounded by sturdy walls. I wouldn't be surprised if they contain defence magic too.

- Mistress Guillen... and this, I believe, is the young master. - A local servant in strict attire bowed to us.

- Aye. - The cat confirmed.

- Please, I will take you to the guest room and inform Lord Cyrus of your arrival.

- Mm-hmm.

- Thank you. - I nodded.

In the house itself, the local maids caught my eye. Young girls, all with animal features. Some had rabbit ears, some had cat or dog ears. Whereas in the city itself, I've never seen so many beastmen. Meanwhile, the butler took us to the waiting room.

And not only took us. When I was seated on a comfortable couch in the room itself, a servant placed a glass on a small table and poured juice for me. Gilen, on the other hand, was offered nothing. Well, I suppose that's because she's not a guest, but an employee here.

Oddly enough, this little formality made me feel a little nervous. I had a gut feeling that there was a catch.

And it didn't take long.

First I just heard some angry footsteps. And then a tall man swung the door open.

- HE'S HERE!?

He looked to be about fifty years old, not quite old yet, but with a noticeable grey in his hair. And he was shouting in a voice so powerful it sent shivers down my spine.

- Glad to see you. - I couldn't even sit still, I got up at once to show respect. - Rudeus Greyrat at your service.

He even bowed.

A powerful grandfather who makes everyone walk in lockstep with one shout. Now I wonder even more if it was ever a good idea to come here.

- Pfh..." Cyrus wrinkled his nose.

- Lord, Mr Rudeus has never left Bueno before. He is too young and has not had time to learn etiquette. I beg you to forgive him for this oversight. - The butler said guiltily.

- LOL! - The lord bellowed at him.

I wondered.

From what Gilen had said, I had assumed that etiquette wouldn't play much of a role here. But that's how it turned out. But I glanced sideways at the cat. She was leaning against the wall and didn't react to Cyrus' appearance. And Grandfather had no complaints about it. So she was the one who didn't care about court etiquette. For some reason, I'm more in demand. Probably because I belong to the House Greyrat myself.

- Paul hasn't even taught his son the basics of formal conversation. - Cyrus gave me a disgruntled look.

Grandfather, you're completely...

- It's my fault, Mr Cyrus. I was too busy learning literacy, languages, sciences, magic and swordsmanship, and I overlooked the importance of court etiquette without giving this skill much importance. That is my mistake, and one I would hope to rectify.

Fucking etiquette. Fuck it.

- Hmpf..." Cyrus hummed in surprise. - You admit a mistake and you don't even make excuses. Maybe you'd be good at it if you tried hard enough. All right, I'll let you stay, but you'll have to learn etiquette!

When he finished, he turned round and left the room like a disaster. Even in his calm speech, when he was no longer shouting in his throat, his voice sounded very loud and imposing.

- You held up well, young master. - Encouragingly remarked the butler.

- Thank you... that was Cyrus, wasn't it?

- Yes, Mr Cyrus Boreas Greyrat, Lord of Fittoa.

- And if I were to say the wrong thing now, I would be thrown out the door?

- I believe so, young master.

- Gilen..." I glanced irritably at the cat.

- А?

- No, nothing.

My father was right about something. She's not very clever.

Just before I could catch my breath, another man appeared in the doorway. A young guy, more or less the same age as my father, and even looks very similar. There was a family resemblance to both Paul and Cyrus.

- Looks like we have company. - He smiles politely.

The man's eyes are half-closed in a sort of squint, which, along with the smile, gives the impression of a fox plotting mischief.

- Rudeus Greyrat at your service. I apologise for my inappropriate manners, I was not trained in noble etiquette.

- Oh, that's all right... - The man raised his hands, feigning harmlessness.

- Huh... if that's the case. I hope I can learn at least the basic rules of decorum here. Lord Cyrus was a little upset at my lack of education.

- Haha... - The man laughed slyly somehow. - Ohhh, sorry, I should have introduced myself too. Philip Boreas Greyrat, your great-uncle.

- Nice to meet you.

- If you meet your great-uncle again, do this-" Philip put his palm to his chest, and bowed his head slightly. - Nobles bow with their hand to their heart.

- Thank you, I'll remember that. - I'm trying to copy that bow.

- Not bad. - Uncle nodded.

Then he gestured for me to sit down and sat down opposite.

- So, how much did your father tell you?

- That I was to teach the young lady literacy and magic, the amount of payment he did not specify. I will be provided with lodging in the house of Boreas Greyrat and training in sword techniques with Gilen, as I understand it.

- I see..." Phillip nodded. - It's surprising to see such a young applicant for a tutor position, but I don't think Paul would exaggerate your talents. Hmm, let me ask you one question, since you're Paul's son...'

- Yes, of course, I'll try to satisfy your curiosity.

- Do you like girls?

Oh.

- Ahem, of course.

- Good. - Nodded Phillip. - That might work.

- Excuse me?

Without opening his eyes fully, he raised his eyebrows, as if surprised by my question.

- Given your father's talents... maybe my daughter will be interested enough in you to start studying. She has had trouble with other teachers. In fact, she only accepts instruction from the etiquette teacher and Gilen. Everyone else has given up, even the teacher from the royal palace.

- Oh... seems like she's a troublesome person? - I was surprised. - But, really, she's nine years old and can't read or write?

- Unfortunately, that's true. She's a bit of a problem child. So, if you can really get her to listen to you, you'll receive a generous payment of ten silver for a month's work. How's that?

- That's quite generous. - I appreciated it.

Thanks to Roxy, I had a pretty good understanding of the prices for various services and goods. It was a topic we sometimes discussed, especially when it came to selling my figurines and the simple artefacts I enchanted at home. Well, ten silver isn't much with my talents. I can earn a lot more from figurines.

But really, are this girl's parents that desperate? Her father is personally asking me to seduce his daughter into studying. It just doesn't even make sense. And, that's my third cousin.

- I hope you have more sense than your father. If you go too far... you'll have to get married.

- Ahem... I don't think it'll come to that.

- Well, if it does.

That girl, she's my cousin, right? And she's nine years old, she's a punk. But it's still weird that Phillip would even consider it.

- I don't really expect much from you. But you can try.

- Yeah..." I nodded.

Even if I get kicked out the door, I won't be lost. I've got money, and the skills of a mage of holy rank are worth a lot. Anyway, I'll find a job somehow. I'm staying here for now more for training with Gilen and some curiosity. After all, these guys are my kin, sort of. It's interesting to learn more about them.

- I think I should just meet her first, and then I'll see if I can teach her.

- All right, then let's go now!

Anyway, off to get acquainted and before I even left the room, a system message popped up.

Assignment received!

Taming of the Shrew

Subdue Crazy Bitch Eris and become her master.

Reward: Crazy Bitch.

Hmm, what?

Considering this assignment, I decided to clarify a few more questions before we met the girl yet.

- Mr Phillip... purely theoretically... could the young lady pounce on me and try to beat me up?

- Oh, she certainly would.

Shit. She seems to be quite mad.

- Please, Mr Rudeus, the young lady is ready to meet you.

- Ahem, yes.

The butler walked ahead and led us down the corridor to another room. It was here that I met my cousin. A girl with long scarlet hair, whose dress was being adjusted by a maid with the features of a beast. Yeah, they seem to have beastly maids around here. Maybe Cyrus or Phillip has such a fetish?

- Hmpf? - The girl looked round.

The angry piercing gaze of the scarlet-eyed lady stared into my face.

I, on the other hand, used the scan to realise more.

Eris Boreas Greyrat.

Raging Bitch grade 5

Health - full of rage

Mana - matches the tsundere type.

Strongest skill - Rage

Mood - filled with resentment and anger.

Note - cruel, treacherous and beastly cunning.

It's like the system is trying to intimidate me. But it's still a little girl.

She crossed her arms across her chest, spread her legs wide, and snorted arrogantly.

- Who did you bring to me? HE'S A CHILD! I refuse to learn anything from him! - She stamped on him at once.

A hard case indeed.

- Hmm... allow me to introduce myself, Mistress. Rudeus Greyrat at your service. - I made a noble bow, ignoring her cries.

- What? You're Greyrat!? - She blurted out, frowning. - I don't know you!

- I'm your third cousin.

- Who?

- Um... son of your father's cousin. The grandson of your grandfather's brother.

- What are you talking about? What nonsense! GET OUT!

She just didn't understand what I said. I mean, yeah, cousins, what's that all about? But you can see her grandfather's upbringing. She even screams like Cyrus.

- Hmm.

Now I'm seriously wondering if I need all this. The system seems to be set up to lure this girl into my group once she's tamed. Except, what's in it for me? Is training with Gilen worth the hassle with this girl? Considering I want to develop as a mage first and foremost, not a swordsman.

- So you don't want to learn writing, reading and magic?

- WHAT ELSE? Wasting time on all this rubbish!

But still, one idea I can try.

- I suppose, dear sister, you think that once you've learnt something from Guillen, you don't need anything else....

- WHAT A SISTER I AM TO YOU, YOU STUPID FOOL!

- Very stupid.

- HOW DARE YOU...

Her eyes bulging, she couldn't take the torrent of rage and snapped out of her seat, bringing up her childish fist to strike. Anger and aggression blazed in her gaze. I didn't move from my seat and just calmly caught her fist with my palm.

- Ay... ay-ay-ay-ay...

And twisted the girl's hand so that she turned round. She threw up her other hand, but I caught that one too. And, it's worth noting, she does have a Burrow. Even in this position, she did not give up, and as smashed the heel of her shoe under my knee, that I could not save face, grimacing with pain. Afterwards, I just threw the girl off me to get ready.

- I'll take that bet, sister.

- What are you talking about? - She turned round.

And now Eris looked no longer like a young lady, but like an angry little lioness with a thick red mane that was tinged with the girl's beastly aggression. When I was about to speak, she lunged again. But this time the girl was much more focused. She raised her fist to strike, but at the last moment she struck with her other hand and from below, trying to punch me in the stomach.

- AY-shhhh...

Tears spurted from the girl's eyes and she backed away, shaking her battered arm.

- W-what...are you made of stone or something....

- I'm a mage.

And showing my hands, which are covered in carbon armour. It's a separate configuration of a protection spell that creates passive armour. It doesn't repel and only faintly tickles with electricity, but it's still just as strong and malleable.

- I can turn my body into metal, I can summon flame. - I light a blob of fire in my left hand. - And lightning.

And in my right hand, white bolts of electricity start sparking.

- You think this is bullshit? Remember that, you little brat! Magic can do anything! Your disrespect for magic is ridiculous. You're so stupid you don't even realise it. But I promised your father I'd at least try to teach you something.

- Y-you..." the girl growled angrily. - Gilen! Beat him!

- Gilen brought me here because it hurts her too to see what a fool you are!

- SHUT UP!

By now I had already extinguished the flames, but the lightning sparks spread all over my body, touching my clothes and making me look more imposing. So much so that Eris, having adopted a fighting stance, never dared to attack me again. She was terrified of the electric shocks and was simply afraid of getting electrocuted. And it seemed to interest her, though. She saw what magic could do and that it could be useful in battle.

- So, my dear little sister. My wager. If you defeat me in a duel, have it your way, then you don't need my lessons. I humbly apologise for calling you a stupid fool.

- YOU... - The girl started to boil again.

- But if you lose again, you will shove your ego up your arse and study diligently until you stop being a useless weakling and become at least a little smarter than a monkey.

- Who are monkeys? - Eris blinked incomprehensibly.

The comparison seemed to put her in a stupor.

- Oh, you don't even know that. - I shook my head. - Why should I explain it to you? Just answer me, do you agree to these terms?

- Why should I agree to this nonsense? Dad! Get that moron out of here! Get him out! I won't learn anything from him!? GRANDPA!

She screamed so loud, Cyrus must have heard it for sure.

- Oh, is that how my little sister has no pride? She loves being a talentless, good-for-nothing fool and relying on everyone around her. Well, if that's okay with you and you like being that pathetic, that's your choice.

- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! YOU! All right. - She breathed through her teeth. - Let's go to the courtyard, dummy! I can take you with my sword.

- Wow, that almost sounded decent. Almost.

Just then, Phillip and the butler were jerked apart, and Cyrus appeared in the doorway.

- WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?! ERIS!

- Grandfather!

And the girl immediately blossomed into a cute little cutie.

- That man is hurting me! Grandpa! Throw him out of town!

- RUDEUS! - I got a mean look in my eye.

Only it wasn't getting through anymore.

- I apologise, Lord Cyrus. But this is your fault!

Grandfather's eyes bulged in surprise.

Even Philip opened his eyes, dumbfounded by what was happening. And Gilen opened her mouth.

- Your granddaughter is already nine years old, but she can neither write nor read, she is rude and spoilt beyond all limits. As long as you fulfil her every wish, she will grow up to be a helpless girl and a laughing stock among the nobility. If you wanted an underachiever who would just squeak happily around your neck, unable to do anything else, then why all this farce of training? You've just wasted my time. She doesn't need any of that to remain your stupid pet.

My every word rang with the echo of thunder and the grinding of electricity. And though I didn't scream, even the panes shook with restrained energy.

Cyrus Boreas Greyrat was surprised.

He was dumbfounded.

He was aghast.

So was I...

I think I've gone a little overboard and overstepped my bounds.

- I apologise if my words seem harsh to you, my lord, but I speak as I am.

- Grandfather..." Eris squeaked in fear rather than joy.

She had never imagined that someone could speak to her grandfather like that. And now, the others also shifted their gazes to Cyrus in suspense.

- Eris is my sister, and it pains me to see what you've turned her into. Maybe I'm just a kid myself and I don't understand a lot of things, but it's obvious that Eris's upbringing has failed. Hit me if I'm wrong.

Cyrus clenched his fist with force, and in one sharp step he came closer to me. His face reddened, and he gathered air in his lungs for an angry yell. Then he looked at his granddaughter. And exhaled noisily, and his shoulders slumped.

- You're right. - He said bitterly.

And, gathering his lungs into the air again, as he yelled....

- ERIISS!

- Yes, Grandpa? - The girl squeaked.

- YOU WILL LEARN! FROM RUDEUS!

- N-but... grandfather...

He was about to shout, but he noticed that I timidly raised my hand.

- Excuse me, Lord Cyrus, may I say something?

- SPEAK!

- Earlier, we made an agreement with my dear sister. If she can defeat me in a duel, I will retreat. And if she loses, she will study hard. It's just that when you arrived, she thought her word was worthless and the agreement could be ignored. I suggest we have this duel after all.

- ERIS! - Grandfather bellowed. - YOU AGREED TO THE DUEL!? YOU GAVE YOUR WORD!?

- I didn't...I did...but he did...it doesn't count.....

- ERIISS!

- Yes, we agreed.

- THEN YOU MUST KEEP YOUR WORD!

- Yes, Grandpa.

She's so obedient now.

- RUDEUS!

- Yes, sir!? - I straightened up.

- You haven't learnt etiquette yet. - He jabbed a finger at me. - So this time I'll turn a blind eye to your rudeness, but you must be more respectful of your elders, you nincompoop. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!

- Yes, sir! I beg your pardon, sir!

With a displeased snort, the grandfather turned round abruptly and I was whipped by the edge of his camisole, whereupon Cyrus left the room with a quick step. There was a ringing silence in the room for a few seconds. Then it was broken by a clap. It was Philip clapping his hands, and then another and another.

- Rudeus, I have to admit, you surprised me. - He said with a pale face. - You're a real madman.

- Yeah... - Guylaine nodded.

I'm considered crazy now.