Chapter 29 - Chapter 29 

In a living room that felt like a battlefield after a chaotic uproar, four people—Renovan, Ruin, Daisy, and Cabella—sat facing each other.

Finally, Daisy, who had been sitting with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed in displeasure, spoke up.

"So, this girl is Adorno's granddaughter?"

With a faint sigh, Renovan nodded. "Yes, that's right."

Daisy shook her head in disbelief, muttering again. "But why would that man's daughter suddenly come looking for our Ruin…?"

As she continued, glaring at Cabella with incredulity, Ruin quickly interjected. "Um, Mom?"

"Ruin, just stay quiet for a moment," Daisy snapped. "This isn't something we can just laugh off and let slide. Why on earth would the granddaughter of the Cerion Magic Tower Master show up at our house out of nowhere? And saying she's here to see you?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Daisy's voice rose sharply. Renovan closed his eyes tightly and turned his head away.

Cabella cautiously opened her mouth. "Well, you see, Mother—"

"Who're you calling Mother?" Daisy cut her off.

"Uh, then what should I call you? Haha…" Cabella let out an awkward laugh, glancing nervously at Daisy, but no response came.

With a bright smile, Cabella tried to lighten the mood, speaking as gently as she could. "Then how about Aunt Daisy? That's okay, right?"

"Call me whatever you want," Daisy replied coldly, her expression unchanging.

Cabella, undeterred, continued in a soft, measured tone. "Alright, Aunt Daisy. I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding. I met Ruin by chance, and we just got to know each other. I didn't approach him with any ulterior motives."

As she explained calmly, Daisy shot back with a fierce edge. "Then why did you come to our house? And calling for Ruin, no less?"

"Well, that's because…" Cabella began, trying to come up with a quick excuse, but Ruin jumped in.

"I invited her, Mom."

"What?!" Daisy exclaimed.

"I'm the one who asked her to come here," Ruin insisted. "Right, Cabella?"

"Uh, yeah! Haha, that's right," Cabella said, forcing another awkward laugh while glancing at Daisy.

But her acting was painfully unconvincing. Daisy's eyes narrowed with suspicion as she shouted, "Lies! You two are lying to me right now, aren't you?"

At that moment, Renovan, who had been silent, spoke up. "Ruin."

"Yes, Teacher?" Ruin replied.

"Is the reason you asked me about Cabella earlier related to her showing up here?"

"Yes, that's right," Ruin admitted.

"Haha, probably!" Cabella chimed in, seizing the lifeline Renovan had thrown.

Daisy, still unconvinced, turned to Renovan and shouted, "Teacher!"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Renovan asked. "Do you think I'm lying to you, Daisy?"

"No, it's not that, but…" Daisy trailed off, her words faltering.

Renovan gave a wry smile and nodded. "I understand how you feel, but too much protectiveness can end up harming the child."

Daisy pouted, feeling a bit wronged. "Ugh, Teacher…"

"You're still as reckless as a thunderbolt, just like back then," Renovan said. "Listen to me."

With a deep sigh, Daisy glared at Cabella and muttered, "Fine. I'll let this slide just because of Teacher, but don't expect any leniency next time."

"Yes, Mother," Cabella replied.

"Not Mother—Aunt!" Daisy corrected sharply.

"Oh, right. Aunt Daisy," Cabella said, lowering her head.

Then Daisy turned to Ruin. "And you, Ruin."

"Yes?" Ruin responded.

"You got caught lying to your mom."

"But it wasn't a lie…" Ruin protested weakly.

"Enough!" Daisy snapped. "I'm letting it go this time, but if you do it again, you're in big trouble. Got it?"

"Yes," Ruin said, nodding quickly to avoid reigniting the situation.

[Heh heh heh, serves you right!]

The Sword Spirit, finding Ruin's scolding endlessly amusing, cackled to itself.

"Now, let's end this discussion here," Daisy declared. "Since we have a guest, I'll bring out some fruit. You three keep talking."

With that, Daisy briskly headed toward the kitchen outside the living room, wrapping up the situation on her own terms.

A heavy silence settled over the room. Renovan, Ruin, and Cabella sat quietly, none of them speaking.

Then, suddenly—

"Ugh, this is too much! I'm sorry, it's all my fault!" Cabella burst out, standing abruptly and bowing to Renovan.

"Teacher Renovan, I… I pretended to be your disciple. And Ruin kept questioning it, so I told him to ask you, but I didn't think he'd actually do it! I was just listening quietly, but I couldn't hold it in anymore."

Cabella's words spilled out in a rush, like a runaway train. Renovan raised a hand to stop her.

"Cabella."

"No, but seriously, at this point, shouldn't you just accept me as your disciple? I'm the greatest talent recognized by the Magic Tower professors! And you did say back then that if I got to this level, you might consider taking me as a disciple."

She didn't stop, her words tumbling out relentlessly. Renovan shook his head lightly.

"That was just drunken nonsense because of your grandfather. I've never formally taken you as a disciple, Cabella."

"No, come on, just do it! Please! I don't care, I'm your disciple now!" Cabella insisted, even covering her ears and throwing a tantrum.

The living room descended further into chaos, as if a war were still raging. But at that moment—

"…What? So I was right?" Ruin's low voice echoed through the room.

His tone was cold and heavy, and Cabella, who had been covering her ears, widened her eyes in surprise.

"Huh?"

"You kept insisting I call you Senior Sister, didn't you?" Ruin pressed.

"No, wait, Ruin, it's not like that. There's been a misunderstanding," Cabella stammered.

"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?"

"Haha, well, you see…" Cabella tried to laugh it off, but as Ruin's presence grew more imposing, she couldn't take it anymore.

Whoosh!

She suddenly threw something to the floor and shouted, "Whatever, I'm out! See you later, Teacher! Blink!"

Flash!

A blinding light erupted, stealing the vision of everyone in the room. When it faded, only Renovan and Ruin remained, both looking exhausted.

[Hahaha! That girl's a real piece of work!]

The Sword Spirit muttered, clearly delighted by Cabella's antics.

Ruin rubbed his stinging eyes and looked at Renovan. "Teacher."

"Yes, she's always been like that," Renovan said, answering the unasked question.

"I see," Ruin replied.

Renovan then asked, "By the way, how do you know that girl?"

"Well…" Ruin began, recounting how Cabella had come to find him.

Renovan sighed deeply and shook his head. "I see. That's very much like her."

"Is it true that she's the greatest talent recognized by the Magic Tower?" Ruin asked.

"Surprisingly, yes," Renovan confirmed.

"I see," Ruin said again.

Just then—

Creak.

"Sorry for the wait. I brought some fruit… Wait, where'd that girl go?" Daisy asked as she returned, carrying a tray.

Neither Renovan nor Ruin answered.

Some time had passed since the commotion involving the continent's sage, Renovan, and Cabella's sudden appearance.

Flash!

The moment Ruin opened his eyes, a brilliant golden light burst forth.

Ding!

Your unique ability, , has advanced to the next level.

Finally, had reached 3 stars.

[What's this? Your aura's changed all of a sudden! What did you do, you brat? Don't tell me you've been learning some other trick instead of swordsmanship?!]

The Sword Spirit, which had been watching closely, threw a fit, but as usual, Ruin ignored it.

Then—

Ding!

Due to the effects of , the special ability has advanced to the next level.

Due to the growth of , the user's physical traits have changed.

has become .

Ding!

Due to the effects of , the special ability combines with a body.

The special ability has been created.

"Eye of Analysis?" Ruin murmured.

Despite being only one level higher than 2 stars, reaching 3 stars had unleashed a cascade of new, powerful abilities from .

Ruin whispered urgently, "Status window!"

A translucent display of text appeared before his eyes.

Name: Ruin Rhinegrime

True Name: None

Titles: Forest Hunter (Common), One Who Passed the Sword Spirit's Trial (Common)

Traits: Perfect (Physical), Sword Spirit (Spirit), Mana Insensitivity (Greatly Weakened)

Abilities:

[Unique]

???Thousand Seamless (3 Stars)

[Special]

Unity of Mind and Body (3 Stars)Eye of Analysis (1 Star)

Please click for detailed information.

The status window had changed significantly. His titles and traits had updated, and—

"My mana insensitivity is almost gone?" Ruin noted.

The chronic hereditary condition that had weakened his body was largely resolved. The curse of the sword had completely dissipated, replaced by a new status: "Sword Spirit."

"What's this 'Spirit' next to it? Does it mean the Sword Spirit is the spirit of the sword?" Ruin wondered.

Though intrigued by the new information, he set it aside for now and checked his newly acquired special ability.

Eye of Analysis: Allows direct observation of all information.

"Observe all information? What kind of vague description is that?" Ruin grumbled, expressing his first dissatisfaction with .

He activated the ability. Instantly, his vision turned gray, and faint lights emanated from objects that could be analyzed. A particularly bright glow came from the sword on his back.

When Ruin focused on the Sword Spirit, a display appeared: