Chapter 19: Cassman's Old Injury, the Lord's Son Matthew

Noticing Cassman's confusion, Luca smiled and said, "Yesterday, Franklin brought me to the Mages' Association for my profession change. President Lucia thought I had good potential and took me as her student."

Cassman didn't know what to say.

This kid's luck was off the charts!

This wasn't just any opportunity; it was becoming a student of two high-level purple-gold professionals!

Every year, countless people in Emerald State dreamed of becoming their students.

Yet, Luca managed to become a student of both in just one day?!

Cassman's eyes filled with envy.

He couldn't help but admit he was a bit jealous of this kid.

With them backing him, there would be very few people in Emerald State who would dare to mess with Luca in the future.

Sophia had been surprised initially. 

But after a night to process it, she was much calmer.

She looked at Luca and said, "My mother's condition has worsened. She has fallen into a deep sleep. If you need anything, prepare it now, and then we will head to Howard Manor."

When she mentioned her mother's illness, Luca noticed a flash of worry in Sophia's eyes. 

It giving her a more human touch.

"Alright, I'll get ready," Luca said, understanding Sophia's urgency. He didn't waste any time and went into Franklin's clinic.

Franklin was still asleep in the backyard, so Luca didn't disturb him.

He gathered some common tools and herbs, packed them into a toolbox, and then joined Sophia in the carriage.

With a flick of the reins, Cassman drove the carriage out of the city.

The scenery outside the window flew by, and the carriage ride was a bit bumpy.

Sophia stared out the window, lost in thought.

Luca initially wanted to bring up the matter of the Beast Forest outside the city. 

But he seeing that Sophia was not in the best mood, he decided to hold off.

It would be better to mention it after treating her mother.

Soon, the carriage left the city.

Howard Manor was not in Riverfall City but situated on a picturesque mountain outside the city.

Below the mountain was the Iron Mountain military camp of Emerald State.

The camp was filled with tents, and soldiers in light armor trained rigorously on the training grounds.

It seems like a thousand soldiers there.

They were strong, disciplined, and clearly well-trained elite soldiers.

During their journey, Luca learned from Cassman. 

That both the city guards like Catherine and the Howard family's personal guards like himself were selected from the elite troops of the Iron Mountain camp. It turned out that Cassman and Catherine even knew each other.

Cassman reminisced, "Catherine is the orphan of a comrade of mine. Her parents died early, and she raised her brother alone. She's very resilient and has good potential. She's one of the best in this generation of the Iron Mountain camp."

"If nothing unexpected happens, in a couple of years when I retire, she will take over my position and become the next captain of the Howard family's personal guard."

"You're planning to retire this early?" Luca asked, surprised as he looked at Cassman through the carriage window.

Cassman was in his prime. With the Howard family's resources, it wasn't impossible for him to break through to the Platinum Grade in the future.

Retiring so early seemed unnecessary.

Sophia, who had been silent, sighed softly and said, "Uncle Cassman was seriously injured while saving me a few years ago. Recently, his injuries have started to show signs of worsening, so my father wants him to rest and recuperate for a few years."

Seeing Sophia's downcast mood, Cassman laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, miss. If it weren't for the count insisting I take a break, I feel like I could work for another few decades with this body of mine!"

Sophia sighed again and didn't say anything more.

Seeing this, Luca's mind began to turn.

It seemed that Cassman's condition was not as good as he claimed.

After thinking for a moment, he activated the witch doctor skill he had learned the previous day.

Eye of Insight!

As the skill activated, a faint blue light appeared in Luca's eyes.

When he looked at Cassman again. 

He saw a mass of gray mist filled with death energy in Cassman's abdomen.

This mist was continuously eroding his life force.

So it was death energy!

Luca realized.

Death energy is a toxin found in undead creatures, similar to the poison from Dire Wolves but even harder to deal with.

No wonder Count Ryan wanted Cassman to rest.

This death energy had been in his body for some time.

If left untreated, it would eventually consume all of his life force.

After some thought, Luca said, "If it's because of that death energy, I might be able to help."

Hearing Luca's words, both Cassman and Sophia looked surprised.

"You can see the death energy in my body?" Cassman asked, looking at Luca in astonishment.

The death energy was hidden deep within him, making it difficult for ordinary doctors to detect.

Yet Luca had noticed it so quickly.

This kid was indeed extraordinary!

Sophia was also surprised, and a glimmer of hope appeared in her heart.

If Luca could see the problem in Cassman, perhaps he really had a way to help her mother as well!

Thinking of this, she said, "Junior, if you have a way to remove the death energy from Cassman, please help him!"

[Ding! You have triggered the quest "Cassman's Old Injury"!]

[Introduction: A few years ago, Sophia was attacked by a necromancer. Cassman was seriously injured while protecting her. If you can remove the death energy from his body, Sophia will reward you with a piece of Silver-grade equipment, and you will gain Cassman's friendship.]

Seeing this, Luca couldn't help but smile.

Sophia is indeed generous, offering a Silver-grade piece of equipment worth at least a hundred gold coins!

Truly befitting the daughter of a count—wealthy indeed!

Without hesitation, Luca took out a quill and wrote down a list of materials on a piece of paper.

Handing it to Sophia, he smiled and said, "Though removing death energy is challenging, it's not impossible. I happen to know a recipe for dispelling it, but it requires some magical materials."

Hearing this, both Cassman and Sophia were pleasantly surprised.

They hadn't expected Luca to have a way to address Cassman's death energy problem.

"Thank you, Junior," Sophia said quickly, taking the recipe from Luca and glancing at it. She saw that the ingredients were peculiar, like minotaur tears, rooster combs, and man-eating flower pollen.

However, they were all low-level materials.

Carefully putting it away, she solemnly said to Luca, "When we get to the Howard estate, I'll have these prepared. Regardless of the outcome, thank you for your willingness to help."

Cassman's hearty voice came from the front, "Kid, if you can really heal me, feel free to ask for anything in the future!"

[Ding! Sophia's favorability towards you increased by +50] 

[Ding! Cassman's favorability towards you increased by +200]

Luca glanced at Sophia in surprise.

He hadn't expected her favorability to increase, thinking it was stuck at a standstill.

She noticing Luca's astonishment. 

Sophia quickly reverted to her usual cool demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

If not for the favorability notification, Luca might have thought it was just his imagination.

At this moment, the carriage arrived at the Howard estate.

Getting off the carriage, Luca saw a sprawling estate covering thousands of acres.

A meticulously designed garden surrounded a magnificent villa adorned with elaborate decorations and smooth lines, exuding luxury and grandeur. Busy gardeners and servants further highlighted the noble status of the estate's owner.

As soon as the three got off the carriage, a servant came to take the reins, and an impeccably dressed butler with neatly combed hair approached them.

"Welcome back, Miss, Sir Cassman," the butler greeted them first. 

Then turned to Luca with a somewhat stiff smile. "Hello, Luca Witch Doctor. I am Charles, the butler of Howard estate."

Luca couldn't help but notice that Charles' smile seemed a bit forced.

Sophia noticed the butler's unusual expression as well.

She frowned:"Butler Charles, has my mother's condition worsened?"

"No, no, Miss, you've misunderstood," Charles quickly shook his head and then smiled wryly. "Baron Matthew came by earlier with a mid-level healer, claiming he could cure Lady Lenna's illness. They are currently waiting in the parlor for your return."

At these words, everyone's brows furrowed.