Whole again.

The auctioneer continued his shouting to amp up the crowd before finally introducing the royal family, and when he did you could hear the silence as everyone got down on one knee and bowed deeply in respect. Moments later the auctioneer introduced Vincent and the rest of us before the auction got under way.

""First up is a large axe that was enchanted with fire magic, the core being made with the core of a flare hawk. The bidding starts at 75 gold!"" The auctioneer called out loudly. But I was only slightly paying attention as it wasn't something I was interested in. I was currently thinking about when Reynolds would arrive, as him being a seasoned adventurer and fire augmenter should have things he can teach me. Also it couldn't be bad to learn unarmed combat, at least then I won't feel as naked without a sword.

""500 gold, and sold to the man in red. Grab your ticket and show it at the end of the auction and you can pay for it then.""

""Next up we have an unusual sword, it is a single edged sword with a slight curve. The handle is expertly braided, but the rest is rather plain I'm afraid. The bid will start at 100 gold."" I stared at the sword intently, and I wondered why he would say it's a plain sword. I could clearly feel some kind of power coming from it, though I guess it doesn't really feel like man. Whatever it is it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and sense of contentment rests in my stomach.

"Mr. Blaine, I want that one if it's alright." I speak up without letting my eyes leave the sword. The blade a darker grey approaching black, the handle braided with a dark black cord the hand guard was a bright silver, but I could see hints blue in the metal. The design was that of 2 feathery wings connecting at the base and at the tips with true rest of the wing splayed out. Not to mention the faint aura I could see radiating off the sword. The scabbard beside was a deep black color with a prominent gold metal mouth, where the sword will slide in. Lastly the cord that is tied around it hangs about 3 inches and is a thread that has both black and bright blue weaved together.

(AN: Sorry I don't have a picture of this as I just came up with it on my own. I was going to use Kuroh's sword, but I figured I borrowed enough from him)

"Are you sure that's the sword you want? I could get you a much better one." Blaine said trying to change my mind, but I only shook my head before looking at him and his eyes widened slightly. Surprised at my intensity, so he looked back and squinted at the sword to see if he missed anything.

"That is the sword I want, please." I state again, before turning back to gaze at it again.

""300 gold anyone for 400?""

"500!" King Blaine yells out.

The auctioneer calls out a few more times, but no one would bid against the king especially for a sword such as that.

""It will be brought to you promptly, your majesty."" The auctioneer called out, and then began regaling the next item on the block. Only a couple minutes did we hear a knock and an obviously nervous worker passed the sword to the guard who then passed back the pouch of gold coins. The guard then approached me, and extended out the sword towards me.

With a closer look I could see the expert craftsmanship on the on the scabbard and the handle as well as the guard. Patterns could be seen faintly running down the scabbard and wings of the guard were extremely detailed.

"It's a finely crafted piece, but it's rather plain is it not? I still feel like you could have gotten a much better sword." Blaine said as he inspected the sword with a discerning eye.

"It's perfect." Was all I replied before I reached out and grabbed it, and quickly attached it my sword belt that I was still wearing. It was the normal size for an adult so it looked slightly comical on my small body, but it just felt right. Like a piece of me was returned. I felt whole again.

I could feel my mana rotation go back to its 50% that I had lost after my sword broke, but then I noticed a slight boost to it. I was now rotating in and out around 60% now.

(Slightly important AN: let me quickly clarify this because I did a terrible job explaining previously. He's not refining his mana core at 50% his concentration while walking around. That number is purely for restoring his mana, without having to meditate. He DOES purify his core with mana rotation, but I would put it at around maybe 20% now 30% compared to when meditating. Hope this clears that up, no this is not a nerf. This is how it's been since I originally said that. I'm just bad about thinking something in my head and not writing it.)

As I was resting the sword in my lap I was absentmindedly watching the auction, but I was focusing on the sword and trying to feel everything out on it. I could hear the several times the royal family bought something that they wanted, and even when Vincent himself called for something Tabitha or Lilia wanted. Towards the end however something made me look at the showcase floor.

There I saw something else that drew my attention, a mana beast of the b rank called a Sonic Hawk. It was also being sold in combination with a sonic hawk beast core.

""The bidding will start at 400 gold""

However I was at an impasse, wouldn't it be strange for a non mage to want a mana beast and beast core? But I could feel it, I needed that Sonic Hawk. Something in my core was resonating with it and I couldn't tell if it was its wind magic and mine or if perhaps it was its sound deviation that Sonic Hawks have.

I discreetly nudged Vincent's arm, and leaned closer to whisper to him.

"Can you get me the Sonic Hawk and the core?" With him being the host surely he could, but even for him it will probably look strange to the royal family for him as well since they know none of us are mages. That they know of. Vincent turned to look at me and saw the look in my eyes, one he hasn't seen from me before as I never ask for things.

He promptly stood up and excused himself from the box, when asked by Tabitha he unabashedly said a little louder than needed he was going to the bathroom. Which earned a chuckle from the royals as Tabitha looked a little embarrassed for having asked.

Moments later the announcer received a paper from a worker.

""It seems someone has paid the outright price discretely! Sold for 1700 gold!""

Vincent entered not long after and sat back down bedside with a smile on his face and winked at me. I was stunned, he actually endured some embarrassment on my behalf just to get me that mana beast and beast core. I gave him a bright smile and softly leaned my head against his shoulder. I could feel his body stiffen for second from the unexpected movement, but he eventually relaxed and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

The rest of the auction went on without anything surprising really crossing the stage, but like we expected, the royal family bought me several things since I only had them buy me the sword. They bought the biggest possible dimension ring that could easily hold all my current possessions, even my clothes Tabitha bought me, and I would still have plenty of space to add more things.

I can't lie I was rather excited to have such a cliche item from all the isekai and reincarnation novels I read. Who wouldn't want something like that. They also bought me several other clothing items, that had minor enchantments like cooling or heating depending on the weather. Thankfully that was the end of what they bought as I felt that Tabitha and Vincent might faint if they bought anything else.

With the auction over and the excitement kept to a minimum, we had all the things the Glayder bought for me sent to the mansion with the exception of the dimension ring which I immediately put on. It proved handy right away as Beauregard's Berceuse does not allow weapons. However Blaine immediately stopped me as we were walking in.

"No need for that young Jaron, a knight and guardian of the realm must always keep his sword about him. Especially when protecting a royal." He finished with a nod off to my side where I saw Kathyln standing. I realized what he was implying, so taking the sword back out I walked beside Kathyln in the restaurant and sat beside her.

Our table was circular and the seating arrangement was me and then Kathyln to my right following down to her brother, then mother, then finally her father. To my left was Lilia, then Tabitha, and finally Vincent sitting beside King Blaine. Coincidentally I was directly across from Blaine in the seating arrangement, always within his eyesight. It was rather nerve wracking, but I pushed them down and made pleasant conversation with Kathyln throughout the meal.

Gaining smiles here and there, that she usually tries to hide. From what I remember she didn't like many of her "friends" because she felt they all had an ulterior motive, so it must have been nice to be able to talk with someone like me. It was nice for me too, as with her being a royal she proved to be more mature than most kids our age.

The meal went on for a couple hours before it was mutually decided it was time to call it a day. Hugs were shared between Tabitha and Priscilla, handshakes between Blaine and Vincent. Surprisingly Curtis came up to shake my hand as well, and even had a pleasant smile on his face.

I turned to Kathyln and smiled slightly as I grabbed one of her hands pressed between both of mine.

"Take care princess, I look forward to when we meet again." A dusting of red spread across her cheeks, and she gave a faint nod before running off to her family. I made my way to mine and we all headed back towards our home. Well the royal family went back to the inn they were staying at, but they would be heading back to their castle tomorrow.

(AN: does anybody know where the castle is located? I feel like I looked everywhere but couldn't find it. I don't remember it saying anything about it being in Xyrus, so I'll just assume they stayed in a high quality inn while they were here for the auction.)

We arrived back to the mansion and everyone took off to their respective rooms to have their baths before going to bed. The warm water soothed my body and washed away the dust and grime that had inevitably found it's way on to my body. I felt relaxed, even know I could technically keep my sword with me even in the tub because of my dimension ring.

I held it in front of my face and was reminded that I needed to learn at least basic artificing, and seals. At least for my cores protection. Dropping it back down I rise from the run and dry off, clothe and then head off to bed myself.

Once in bed I retrieve my new sword from the ring so that I could really get a look at it. So many things still fascinated me about it. How could no one else sense the power in this sword? Now that I'm closer, I'm positive it's not mana. But still people can feel auras too I know that because of how I felt when being near the king and queen, and that's just them being born into the role or married in the queens case. I wonder how it will feel when I meet Arthur?

Thoughts for another time and I have all day tomorrow to learn more about this sword. I curl into my covers as I feel the night air begin to chill my room. We're halfway through fall and almost into winter, only 6 more months until my duel with Kaspian. If I wasn't confident in victory before, I am now. This sword, it feels even better in grasp than the previous. I feel at peace with this sword I think as I begin to fall asleep. As I do I feel my core break from solid yellow to light, but I'm too tired to care.

——————————————————————————

Author's Note

Don't worry more about the sword will be unveiled as the story goes on. Hopefully you all enjoy what I have planned for it. Also you met Jaron's mana beast bond! The Sonic Hawk! B class mana beast with wind magic and has a sound deviation, perfect for helping MC progress into his deviant. Also the beast core will help with that.

Pretty standard chapter, and the next one will be much the same. I'll give a little more insight into the sword, little of this, little of that. And poof a wild distraught Leywin family will appear at some point.

Thanks for reading.

-SocioPhobia