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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Sichuan Tang Clan
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Sichuan Tang Clan
[Name: Arin]
[Traits: Quick Sword lv2, Clear Mirror, Still Water lv1, Aura Adaptation lv1]
[Affinity: 2 (Interest)]
There was a slight change in Arin's affinity. Just yesterday, it was a neutral 0, but now it had risen to 2, changing to "Interest."
I thought I might have to give her gifts like in a game, but it seemed I could easily raise her affinity just by changing my actions.
At first, I dismissed it, thinking it was like some dating sim, but this affinity rating was an overpowered ability that let me know what feelings people approaching me had.
"We've arrived. This is the Fourth Training Ground."
The Fourth Training Ground was far, just as Arin had said, but it wasn't too small, and it had all the equipment I needed.
"Hmm."
I picked up a wooden sword from the training weapons rack at the entrance of the training ground.
"As expected, nothing's happening."
If my trait had been Sword Saint, even a careless swing would have naturally followed the principles of the sword. But the trait I had was the locked Sichuan Tang Clan; I could barely even swing it properly.
"Young Master, the wooden swords there are all for the knights' training, so they have iron cores inside, making them a bit heavy."
"Hey, a bit?"
Contrary to what Arin said, it wasn't just "a bit." The wooden sword felt as heavy as the 5kg dumbbell from my old studio apartment, and Yuren's fragile body couldn't even handle that.
"Wow, this body is real trash."
"Pardon?"
"Just trying to get by is tough."
This time, I picked up a small dagger that was next to the wooden swords.
Again, nothing. I had no idea what I needed to do to unlock the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Frustrated, I tried throwing the dagger at a nearby tree, but it didn't even come close, just clattering to the ground.
"Sigh. Guess I'll just do some power walking."
The exercise benefits of power walking are outstanding, comparable to running. For me, who couldn't run, it was the best workout.
"Hngh!"
I started walking slowly, enduring the screaming pain from my leg muscles.
**
On a dark night, long after the sun had set, Marquis Willington was in his study, looking down at the darkening garden.
But his eyes were not following the flowers that beautifully adorned the garden, but the two figures within it—a man and a woman.
"Later than yesterday, it seems."
He checked the position of the moon, then turned his gaze back to the pair crossing the garden, Yuren and Arin.
Perhaps because he had just come from training, his entire body was soaked in sweat as he stumbled along.
For three weeks now. Yuren, whom he had expected to give up after a few days, hadn't missed a single day, showing up at the Fourth Training Ground for three consecutive weeks.
On top of that, he seemed to be increasing his workout time. He was leaving a little earlier and returning a little later each day.
"Hah, it seems he's moving more as his stamina increases. Is that boy really Yuren?"
It had only been three weeks, but the transformation Yuren had undergone in that time was beyond Marquis Willington's imagination.
The belly fat that once rippled like waves no longer jiggled, and his face, once buried in flesh and barely visible, had become the spitting image of the Marquis's own.
"Looking at him like this, he really is my son."
The spark of hope for Yuren, which had been on the verge of being extinguished, had slowly grown over the past three weeks. For the first time, Willington felt a sense of trust, a feeling that he could believe in Yuren.
*Knock, knock!*
A light knock came from outside. The Marquis knew who it was just from the sound.
"Come in."
*Click*
The person who opened the door and entered walked straight behind the Marquis and gently embraced him. The elegant fragrance drifting from her red hair put the Marquis's mind at ease.
"It's too dark to see anything. What are you looking at?"
"I was just thinking how beautiful the garden is."
Yuren and Arin had already entered the mansion, so all that could be seen outside was the desolate, empty garden.
"That's because I manage the garden myself. I put a lot of care into it, you know. Hehe."
"Indeed. Your skill is nothing short of admirable."
"The garden is the face of the family, after all. Hehehe."
"Thank you."
"It's nothing. But about what you mentioned before, when will you proceed with selecting Collin as the heir? A month has already passed. Since it's a settled matter, wouldn't it be better to proceed quickly and teach Collin as much as possible?"
As she spoke, she hugged the Marquis even tighter.
"Kaina, I'm sorry, but that will have to wait a little longer."
"What? But you said you would select and announce Collin as the heir within the month."
"As you've heard, that Yuren boy seems to have come to his senses lately, hasn't he? He is the eldest son of House Lox. If he works hard from now on, he might become a fine heir."
"Hehe."
Kaina's expression stiffened for a fleeting moment, but the Marquis, who was still looking at the garden, didn't notice. She wore a beautiful smile as if nothing had happened.
"That's right. I've heard the news about Yuren, too. The servants are pleased, saying he's like a completely different person. It's truly a wonderful thing. Hehe."
"I was so worried, but it seems he's finally come to his senses a little. To think he'd do so after getting beaten by his fiancée... that boy."
Until now, whenever someone mentioned Yuren's name, it was always to point out his problems. Hearing his eldest son praised for the first time, a broad smile spread across the Marquis's face.
"Hoho, you must be a little more at ease now. So, what do you plan to do about the heir?"
"It's only been three weeks since Yuren started training. I think I need to watch him a little longer."
The Marquis felt sorry for Kaina, but he spoke without hesitation, his mind clearly made up.
"I will make you one firm promise. If that boy Yuren reverts to being a good-for-nothing, I will immediately give the position of heir to Collin, your and my first son."
"I'm sure you will choose the heir in a just manner. I trust you. Whether it's Yuren or Collin, whoever becomes the heir, House Lox will be managed splendidly."
Kaina showed a flawless smile, as if she truly wished for Yuren's change of heart.
"Thank you for understanding, Kaina."
"It's only natural. I am also truly happy about Yuren's transformation."
"There's truly no one like you."
Kaina was still showing a bright smile, and seeing it, the Marquis couldn't resist giving her a deep kiss on the lips.
"Hehe, well then, I'll be waiting in the bedroom. Don't work too late, and come quickly."
"Ah, I'll be there soon."
"Hehehe."
As Kaina left the Marquis's study, still smiling, her expression instantly turned as cold as ice. Muttering something with her red lips, she was incredibly beautiful, yet an unidentifiable, chilling aura emanated from her.
**
"Most of the visible fat is gone now!"
By showing up at the Fourth Training Ground every single day for four weeks, my body had undergone a dramatic transformation.
My hard work was part of it, but the effects of the Chirein soup that Arin brought me every day were incredible.
It couldn't do anything about the muscle soreness, but even if I was exhausted, eating the Chirein soup before bed let me wake up the next morning feeling as refreshed as if I'd slept for ten hours.
The biggest effect was how the fat just melted away, a visible change.
From the second week, once I'd lost some body fat and gained a little muscle, I started doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats.
I was plagued by muscle aches every day, but seeing the changes in my body made working out enjoyable.
"But this is bullshit."
However, the one thing that mattered, the Sichuan Tang Clan, absolutely would not unlock. No matter how many times I threw daggers and knives or swung a wooden sword hundreds of times, nothing changed.
"But there has to be a way."
It felt like searching for a legendary weapon in a game without even knowing where it was hidden. But for this, there was no walkthrough video, not even a hint from the developers. I had no choice but to find it myself.
"Haa, this is so frustrating."
I had no idea what to do. The thought occurred to me that it might be better to start learning the sword now, even without talent, and go searching for a fortuitous encounter.
"Young Master."
"Come in. Ugh..."
Before I could even finish, Arin came in with the Chirein soup. The smell of it suddenly made my stomach churn.
"Haa..."
I admit the soup's effects are amazing. They're incomparable to plain chicken breast. But I'd been eating only that for three meals a day for a month, and I felt like I was going to die.
"I've brought your meal."
"Arin, how much longer do I have to eat this?"
"Are you tired of it?"
"Of course. I've been eating nothing but this for a month."
Arin nodded and placed the Chirein soup on the table.
"What is it that you desire, Young Master?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you simply wish to lose weight? Or do you wish to build a body fit to be a knight?"
"Obviously, I want a body fit for a knight."
Not that I had any intention of becoming a knight.
"Then please eat the soup. Even the Marquis, the strongest man in the domain, drinks Chirein soup after his training. You still have a long way to go."
"Ugh."
"I do not intend to force you. The decision is yours to make, Young Master."
This was what was peculiar about Arin. She only observed; she never spoke up first. Even though she was a master of swordsmanship, she never interfered, even when I swung the sword clumsily.
"If you put it like that, I have no choice but to eat..."
I approached the table and was about to pick up my spoon.
"Young Master."
"Yes?"
"If you intend to become a knight, then how about you start learning swordsmanship now?"
"Huh?"
This was the first time Arin, who had always been an observer, had suggested something to me. Did she have some kind of change of heart? Or had she opened up to me a little?
"Swordsmanship?"
"To be honest, it is quite late to start, but as a direct descendant of the Lox family, you will surely have a talent for the sword."
Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no talent for swordsmanship whatsoever. All I have is this uselessly locked Sichuan Tang Clan.
"You should start at once, from tomorrow. If I report to the Marquis, he will surely assign a good instructor to you."
"Swordsmanship..."
"I am certain you can do it."
I considered it for a moment, but I felt it wasn't time yet.
"No, it's fine. I'll build up more stamina first."
Even if I, a former novelist, learned swordsmanship in Yuren's untalented body, I'd probably only be good enough to catch a few bandits. It wouldn't help me survive.
The knights I sometimes ran into at the Fourth Training Ground held an immense killing intent toward me. When I asked Arin, she said I had tormented them like hell when they were trainee knights.
Learn the sword with them? Out of the question. Even if I apologized now, their affinity for me would more likely drop than rise.
"You can build stamina while learning swordsmanship. Besides, there are specific muscles required for swordsmanship. You should start now..."
"No, really, it's fine. But Arin, why the sudden suggestion? Did my father ask you to?"
"No. The Marquis said nothing. This is just my own thought."
Was this her own idea? I decided to check her information again after a while.
[Name: Arin]
[Traits: Quick Sword lv2, Clear Mirror, Still Water lv1, Aura Adaptation lv1]
[Affinity: 20 (Deep Interest)]
Her affinity rose to 20. Is that why? Because her affinity went up, she's suggesting something that seems beneficial to me, looking out for me.
"Thanks. But I have my own plans."
I decided to try a few more things for just one more month. If that didn't work, I would have to steal the protagonist's fortuitous encounter and learn the sword.
"Let's eat first and think later. It'll taste even worse if it gets cold."
"Yes."
To quickly finish the Chirein soup I was so sick of I could vomit, I took a large spoonful and swallowed.
"Hm?"
The taste of the soup this time was subtly different from what I'd had before.
"Arin, this soup... by any chance..."
I was about to ask Arin if she'd added a new ingredient when a new window, one I'd never seen before, appeared in front of my eyes.
[You have ingested poison.]
[You have met the condition to unlock the Sichuan Tang Clan.]
[The locked trait, Sichuan Tang Clan, has been unsealed.]