Arthur, who had been inspecting the spellbooks acquired as a reward for defeating Knight Rush, learned the incantations instantly and without complication.
[You have learned Fireball.]
[You have learned Wind Cutter.]
[You have learned Water Bolt.]
[You have learned Stone Arrow.]
Fireball (Level 1)
This is one of the most fundamental fire spells. It deals damage equivalent to 100% of your current magic power to the target.
* Resource Consumption: 100 Mana
* Casting Time: 2 seconds
* Cooldown: 5 seconds
Wind Cutter (Level 1)
One of the most basic wind-based spells, it deals damage equivalent to 100% of your current magic power to the target.
* Resource Consumption: 100 Mana
* Casting Time: 2 seconds
* Cooldown: 5 seconds
Water Bolt (Level 1)
A foundational water spell that deals damage equivalent to 100% of your current magic power to the target.
* Resource Consumption: 100 Mana
* Casting Time: 2 seconds
* Cooldown: 5 seconds
Stone Arrow (Level 1)
A basic earth spell that deals damage equivalent to 100% of your current magic power to the target.
* Resource Consumption: 100 Mana
* Casting Time: 2 seconds
* Cooldown: 5 seconds
With these spells in his arsenal, Arthur mused that training his magic mastery would proceed much faster.
However, before focusing on that, he needed to reach intermediate sword mastery to unlock the Aura resource.
After reviewing his rewards, he prepared to depart the training grounds, but his exit was stayed by the approach of Earl Ashur and his wife, Countess Freya.
The Countess appeared to be in her early thirties, possessing a striking figure, dark blonde hair, and piercing green eyes.
'Countess Freya... if I remember correctly, she died of an incurable disease in the future, Arthur pondered. But I doubt that's the truth.'
'She was the only one in the family to fall ill; neither of her two sons showed any symptoms. Something is wrong.'
Shaking off his thoughts, Arthur knelt as the noble couple drew near. The surrounding cadets and soldiers, initially confused by his sudden display of etiquette, panicked and followed suit once they noticed the Earl's arrival.
Earl Ashur stopped before Arthur, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the young man's face and stature. After a moment, he hummed in approval. "Introduce yourself, young man."
Arthur looked up, meeting the Earl's gaze with steady, fearless eyes. "I, Arthur, a commoner, greet the Great Magician Earl Ashur and, Lady Freya, rulers of Patrian."
Ashur nodded with a faint smile. "You may rise." As Arthur stood, followed by the others, Freya beamed with pride, clearly pleased that such a talented individual recognized her husband's prestige.
"Sir Arthur," Ashur began, "I wish to personally thank you for visiting Patrian. Though our city is modest, your efforts in clearing the rabbit infestation have secured our harvest. Our citizens will have food for the coming winter. As the Lord of Patrian, I thank you."
To the absolute shock of the knights and instructors, the two distinguished nobles bowed their heads to a commoner. Arthur, startled by the gesture, quickly spoke up.
"Earl Ashur, Countess Freya, please raise your heads! A noble should not bow to a commoner, especially in view of their own people!"
The onlookers nodded in hushed agreement. Ashur and Freya, impressed by Arthur's humility and character, straightened their posture.
"We are truly grateful for your contributions," Freya added warmly. "We hope you might join us for dinner this evening, if your schedule allows."
Arthur hesitated for a heartbeat, calculating the opportunity. This is the perfect chance to build a connection with Ashur.
'I might even learn advanced magic from him. More importantly, I can find a way to save Freya and prevent the grief that eventually destroys this family.'
"I would be honored, My Lady," Arthur replied. Freya's smile widened, and Ashur dismissed his troops for the day. Together, the three of them departed the training grounds for the Earl's mansion.
At the Eral's Castle, Ten minutes later...
Arthur arrived at the Earl's Castle. The guards saluted as they entered, and curious onlookers whispered about the identity of the guest walking alongside the Lord and Lady. Inside, a butler named Dan greeted them.
"Welcome back, My Lord, My Lady. And this gentleman is...?"
"His name is Arthur," Ashur replied firmly. "He is an honored guest. Treat him with the same respect you would a noble."
The butler bowed deeply and led them to the dining hall. Once they were seated, the conversation flowed easily.
Ashur questioned Arthur about his tactics against the rabbits and his impressions of Patrian. Arthur answered with poise, noting the kindness of the local residents.
Suddenly, the pleasant atmosphere shifted. Freya began to cough violently, eventually spitting a small amount of blood into her handkerchief. Ashur rushed to her side, casting a Cleanse spell and handing her a health potion.
"I apologize, Sir Arthur," Freya said weakly, noticing his concerned gaze. "That was an unsightly display."
"There is no need to apologize, Lady Freya," Arthur said seriously. "But may I ask... are you suffering from a curse or a specific illness?"
Ashur sighed, his expression darkening. "Neither. The priests and doctors say she simply has a weak constitution following the birth of our sons. There is no cure for exhaustion of the soul, they say."
Arthur remained silent as the servants brought in the meal. The family said a brief prayer to the Goddess Rebecca, but as Freya reached for her fork, Arthur suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"How dare you!" Ashur roared, a wave of oppressive mana erupting from his body. "Just because I have been hospitable does not mean you can lay hands on my wife!"
Arthur didn't flinch. He released Freya's wrist and looked the Earl in the eye. "I apologize for the suddenness, Lord Ashur, but I had to stop her. This food is poisoned."
The room went cold. Freya looked at her plate in terror; she had been eating this specific diet since her first symptoms come to light.
"Explain yourself," Ashur commanded, his voice trembling with suppressed rage.
"The food itself isn't a traditional poison," Arthur explained calmly. "Individually, the ingredients are edible. However, when combined in this specific manner over a long period, they create a chemical reaction—a 'slow poison' that targets the heart and lungs. Think of the stomach as an alchemist's flask where these ingredients fuse into a toxin."
"Then why me and my sons healthy?" Ashur countered. "We eat at this table!"
"They are magicians," Arthur countered. "Their natural mana circulation acts as a filter, purging the impurities before they can settle. Lady Freya, however, lacks that internal defense."
Ashur's face turned pale as the logic clicked into place. He turned to the butler with a voice like ice.
"Dan... have the knights take the head chef to the dungeon. Question him until we know who ordered this."
As the staff scrambled to clear the table, Freya turned to Arthur, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you, Sir Arthur. If not for you, I might not have lived to see another spring."
Ashur stood and bowed deeply to Arthur. "I owe you my wife's life. I apologize for my outburst; I was a fool."
[Affinity with Ashur +25]
[Affinity with Freya +30]
Arthur smiled. "I didn't do it for a reward, My Lord. It was simply the right thing to do. However, I can help her recover. If you provide the resources, I can find someone to craft a restorative medicine within two weeks."
Ashur immediately extended his hand. "I accept. You shall have everything you need."
[Hidden Quest: Ashur's Hope]
* Difficulty: B+
* Description: Craft a medicine to restore Countess Freya's health.
* Time Limit: One month.
* Clear Rewards: Max Affinity with Ashur/Freya, Tax exemption in Patrian, Magic tutoring from Ashur, Access to the Royal Library, and one reasonable request granted.
* Additional Rewards: Title: [Distinguished Person of Patrian] (+100 Dignity, +100 Charm).
After finalizing the details, Arthur left the estate as the sun began to set.
Arthur soon arrived at Anna's shop, only to find the "Closed" sign hanging on the door. Just as he turned to leave, a voice called out.
"Arthur?!"
He turned to see Anna walking toward the shop, accompanied by a five-year-old girl with short black hair wearing a crown of wildflowers.
Wait... Arthur's heart skipped a beat. That's the flower girl from patrain. Arthur saw from the illustration in his previous life.
She used to sell flowers to buy medicine for her mother. The fool of a player Grid bought flowers from her everyday in order to get a quest... then one day, she just vanished.
Arthur never knew her mother was Anna and earlier she mention her sick daughter, that means Anna probably poisoned in order get the ingredients to make a cure for her daughter.
Then one day the flower girl vanished that means the mother-daughter duo succumbed to fate. Arthur felt fortunate to rewrite Anna's and her daughter's future, even it's a coincidence.
"Hello, Anna," Arthur waved. The little girl mimicked him with a wide, toothless grin, causing Anna to giggle. They went inside, where Anna prepared tea.
"I came to see how your daughter was doing," Arthur said. "She looks quite lively. I assume the medicine worked?"
"It did!" Anna beamed. "This is my little angel, Lily. And you're right—the plants exposed to the mana in that area made for a remarkably potent cure."
Lily tugged on Arthur's sleeve, her eyes wide with wonder. "Are you the Prince Charming who saved Mama from the monsters?"
Anna turned bright red. "Lily! You shouldn't say such things!"
Arthur knelt down and smiled gently at the girl. "I don't know about being a prince, Lily, but I am the one who looked after your mama."
Lily's eyes shone as if she were looking at a legendary hero. Little did she know, she was speaking to the future King of Heroes.
After an hour of conversation, Lily fell asleep in her chair, leaving Arthur and Anna to talk quietly about the future.