"Hmph. A lesson. Don't be a busybody."
The witch's lip curled in annoyance. She walked a few steps.
Thorne stood there, dumbfounded. Sellen shouted again.
"You're thick-skinned, don't tell me I knocked you stupid!"
Painful as it was, the blow hadn't hurt him. He was just surprised. His teacher usually supported anything he did. If Thorne wanted to eat shit, she'd provide the utensils. Then ask him what it tasted like.
Now, Sellen told him not to eat it. It was a world of difference.
"Teacher, I didn't expect you to care about people, too."
"Don't spout nonsense. Taking revenge on Godrick is too much trouble." Sellen glanced at him. Her blue eyes were clear. "Also, if you die, I get a headache. How about this, let's discuss the condensation method of primeval glintstone tonight..."
They chatted and laughed. Everything came up. Primeval glintstone. Dark cuisine. Enhancing the degraded version of Starlight movement. Optimizing magic wavelength and frequency. Changing the form of magic.
Without Sellen, Thorne would still be following the book. Carian Piercer would only be Carian Piercer. His casting speed wouldn't match his physical reactions. Swordsmanship and magic wouldn't be linked. He'd never walk a unique path as a Magic Swordsman.
They had a clear division of labor. The witch researched. The swordsman practiced.
Their casual conversation sparked wild ideas. Carian Iaijutsu. Magic Flurry Dimensional Slash. Bloodhound Starlight. Finally, Glintstone Excalibur.
The discussion stopped at the city gate. Godrick stood there like a servant. Head bowed. Waiting for the conquering army.
Perhaps he heard the conversation, for he raised his head slightly and looked at Thorne at the end of the line. An extremely violent hatred locked onto the latter. His gaunt face tightened. His hands clenched into fists. Thorne stopped. He knew what kind of scum Godrick was. Godrick never looked for problems within himself. Never admitted his own mistakes. Last night had been a waste of time. On these few ants. The Cleanrot Knight served their master. Why did this youth have to interfere?
A bully. Afraid of the strong. Tormenting the weak. Thorne stared, disgust twisting his features. No regrets. None at all. He couldn't go to Godrick, hat in hand, and declare last night a simple misunderstanding. Impossible.
"Want to kill him?" Sellen whispered in my ear.
I understood. This teacher feared repercussions, the sting of future revenge. Still, I was touched. I shook my head, a subtle movement. "No. We mess up Malenia's plan, she won't be forgiving." Then, I walked forward, unafraid.
I passed Godrick. Heard his words.
"Commoner. The Haligtree Army won't protect you forever. You will pay."
My steps faltered. I glanced sideways. "Fine. I'll wait." No need for further words. I entered the city. Trash talk was worthless, whether born of spite or a thirst for vengeance. Godrick wanted revenge. Coincidentally, he also craved the great rune.
The Haligtree Army. They owned Stormveil. Flags planted on the city walls. Joy, thick in the air. Malenia, busy as always, had not forgotten my contributions. I was preparing to explore the fortress when an attendant intercepted me. Led me into the palace. A long corridor. Then, a wooden door at the end. "My lord, this is the room Her Highness has arranged for you."
The attendant wondered. What virtues? What abilities did this swordsman possess? He was always with the common soldiers. Still, he maintained impeccable professional etiquette. Gently, he pushed open the door.
A golden chandelier blazed. Illumination. A large bed dominated the center, draped in purple curtains. A desk stood to one side, a gold-trimmed vanity on the other. Muddy footprints marred the wooden floor. Luxury, capital letters. I didn't know which noble's bedroom this once was. "The vanguard confirmed no traps. Rest easy.
But please go to the banquet hall this evening to attend the celebration," the attendant said calmly. He reached for the door. I stopped him. Held his hand. "My lord, is there anything else?"
"Uh, can you arrange two rooms?" I eyed the bed. At least two meters wide. Luxurious. Two golden, half-human-high handles at the headboard. I had no idea what purpose they served. "Sorry. All rooms allocated."
The attendant's face was a mask. He glanced toward Sellen, who was already inside, eyes darting. "Of course, if you have any...unpleasant issues..."
Thorne cut him off. "Tell Her Highness Malenia I said thank you."
The attendant nodded, then softly closed the door. Thorne looked at his teacher. She was sprawled on the bed, limbs flung wide. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Here, in the Haligtree Army, he couldn't escape the stain of treason. Apprentice to a traitor.
A beautiful mage lay on the bed. Her dress was filthy, hiked up to reveal pale calves. Thorne's gaze drifted upward, tracing the curve of her buttocks. A flicker of heat. He took a step, then froze. Deep breath. He chanted under his breath, "See her as Isshin, see her as Isshin..." The words worked. The agitation cooled.
"Apprentice, what are you muttering about?" Sellen sat up, patted the bed beside her. "Plenty of room. At last, no more taking turns sleeping. Come on, try it. Softer than the academy beds."
I've never even slept in a bed at the academy, damn it. Thorne rolled his eyes. He changed the subject. "Didn't you hate these comforts?"
"Yes, but that filthy tent taught me. Good living conditions improve research efficiency."
"Yes, yes, of course. You're always right." Thorne didn't argue. He glanced at himself, then at Sellen. His chainmail was ripped, stained with blood and sweat. Sellen wasn't much better. Tina had only prepared one dress for her. Though she'd washed it a few times, it was still too dirty to look at.
"Teacher, don't sleep yet. There's time. Go bathe. Change your clothes." Sellen's schedule: sleep after noon. Already a bit dazed, she sniffed her collar. It was indeed rank. She rose, patient, and stepped onto the floor, barefoot. A huge three-door wardrobe stood nearby. Thorne opened the door. It was crammed with clothes.
There were both men's and women's, sewn with various pattern using gold thread, and hung with pearls and gems. It looked quite gorgeous. Thorne remembered the church village. The Cuckoo clawed three feet deep, searching for any bones. A mocking smile touched his lips. The powerful lived in sturdy fortresses, attended by maids. The shattering of the elden ring meant nothing to them. He understood Shabriri, for a moment.
Even if suffering exists forever, there is a small group of people living very well. Then it's better for everyone to go mad together. He casually threw a crimson long dress to Sellen, while Thorne searched as if he were digging in a trash heap, looking down on all these gorgeous and comfortable clothes. Silk had no defensive power at all, and long hemlines would only make a person fall face-first during rapid movement. After searching for a long time, he finally found a gray hunting outfit and black riding boots. "Barely wearable. I'll go to the armory to find a set of armor later."
Thorne held the clothes in his hands and looked to the side. Sellen was staring blankly at the red dress. "Teacher, aren't you going to take a bath?" Sellen's face was full of curiosity. She reached out and said, "I'm a bit curious about what this is. It doesn't look like an interrogation room." Thorne turned his head and saw a few whips, shackles, and some strange-shaped things he couldn't name hanging on the inside of the wardrobe. Damn, they really knew how to play.
He secretly cursed the shamelessness of the nobles and said solemnly: "This is to let people feel pain in an environment of enjoyment, thereby, thereby improving their willpower and ability to resist blows, and by the way, meditating in pain." What the hell am I saying? "So that's how it is. It seems the nobles also have their own set of training methods." Sellen pinched her chin in a contemplative posture. There were also nobles studying at the academy, but their aptitude was too poor, and she didn't look down on them at all. "It does make some sense.
A harsh external environment makes it harder to calm down, but if one can maintain focus, thinking ability will indeed improve." You actually believe it? Thorne opened his mouth, but couldn't spit out a single word. "By the way, apprentice, since this is a training method, and you have many distracting thoughts." Sellen looked at Thorne, her azure eyes full of rationality and seriousness. "How about I give you some special training?"