The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary - 31 - Invited Back Again

As my siblings and I came to Evelyn’s place the next day, when we came by the entrance, who greeted us at the door was Desmond.

“Hey Desmond, how are you?” I asked as he bowed to our arrival.

“Yesterday was quite a handful, but today is quite mellow, so all in all, I’m well. Please come inside, the family is waiting for you.” as Desmond led us inside to the dining hall. Walking by the hallway, I could see half a dozen maids lined up with their heads bowing down.

“Are they new here?” I asked.

“Yes, we hired them a few days ago just as we were starting to plan for the celebration. From now on, these six women will be handling the household chores.”

“I must not have noticed them with how busy the party was yesterday.”

“It’s fine.” said Desmond.

As I got a second look, I noticed something weird about one of them.

Feeling uncomfortable, I leaned in to Desmond’s ear.

“…one of them feels unnatural.” I said in a whisper only he could hear.

“Ah yes, she’s a hired guard dressed as a maid. Each house always has one kept for the protection of each member of the family.” he said.

“Ah…I see.”

As we finally arrived at the door leading to the dining hall, my little sisters Thalia and Tilly came close to me and grabbed me on both arms.

“…Umm, guys I can’t move.”

“I’m nervous…” said Theresa as she kept fidgeting with her hand.

“Don’t worry, they’re kind people, and along with them is Evelyn, we came here because Evelyn invited us over.”

“Right…” said Thalia

“O-okay!” Tilly grabbed her courage back as the thought of Evelyn made her brave. She didn’t want to disappoint Evelyn for they we’re close with one another.

After collecting their strengths, Desmond finally opened the door and what greeted us on the other side was Evelyn’s family.

“Welcome Thill, its good to see you again.”

***

We had dinner with the Amber family, and just as I expected, my brothers and sisters were too shy to socialize properly. Whenever the Amber’s tried asking a question, they would freeze up. Who can blame them? The people we were dining with were the richest merchant family known to the kingdom…

To keep the conversation going, they instead pointed all their questions to me.

“So tell me, Thill, what do you plan to do in the upcoming days? Do you have any certain work you intend to undertake? Maybe a new set of armor or weapon to make?” asked Reginald.

“Nothing as of yet. Right now, because of how I subjugated the dragon, I don’t really have to worry about any financial issues at the moment. But in a few days from now, my entire family will go to the city.” I said with Enthusiasm.

“Really? Why is that?” asked Evelyn’s mother, Emilia.

“Well, Thomas is planning on becoming a proper pastry chef, while our youngest brother Theodore is going to take the Academy exam to learn proper magic arts. The city has all of these things for them to fully cultivate their talents.”

“Amazing. The city does provide an academy with a well-earned reputation, and I’ve heard that the Bakeshop known as the Sweet Tooth is also one of the best known pastry shop in the kingdom.” she complimented.

“Well, we’re going there in a few days because we plan to look for an appropriate place for them to stay at. Maybe a boarding school would be nice. Also while we’re there, I wanted to tour the city with my siblings. Most of them haven’t been to the city yet, so we’ll be closing our shop to take a little vacation.”

“A place to stay? Hmm, if that’s the case, how about I recommend you to a place that’s perfect for the two of them.” said Reginald.

”Oh, you don’t have to bother yourself with such a task. We can handle it on our own.” I insisted.

“Its not a bother at all. I simply know a friend in the city who will be willing to lend a hand. Its because of them that I was able to put a location in the city despite how difficult it is to found the perfect spot.” he said.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll gladly accept your help.”

“Thank you, it’s the least I could do in return of gifting us the armor you’ve made.”

“Speaking of which, Thill…I’m sure that Evelyn has told you about our interest.” spoke Escanor.

“Interest?” I asked with a look of confusion.

“…Sorry, Brother Escanor, I didn’t tell him about your request.”

“What request?”

“It’s fine Evelyn. Thill, since you’re here now, why not indulge my wife and I in a little spar.”

“A spar?” I asked.

“Yes, you’re clearly a warrior who is capable of even slaying a dragon. Ever since I’ve heard of your feats, I have always been curious of just how experienced you are.”

“Me as well.” said Eliana.

“But brother Thill has only been training for a couple of months. He’s not experienced enough to take down a knight.” said Theresa as she tried interfering.

“Really? You’ve only held a sword not long ago? If that’s the case…for you to be capable of slaying a dragon is but evidence of your talent.” said Emilia.

“Indeed, just as how my son-in-law and daughter showed interest in your skills, why not reveal your strengths in front of us? We’d all love to see just how capable you are.” said Reginald.

“Well? What do you say Thill? After dinner, care to join us in a little exercise?” he asked.

“Hmm, that does sound intriguing…but before we do, because my brothers are moving away in a few days, I wanted to test Theodore on how much he’s improved in the past to months I’ve drilled him in training.”

“What? B-but brother…we never talked about this?” said Theodore.

“Are you nervous? Not confident? Because if you are…then don’t bother with going to the academy.” I said in a harsh tone.

“…” my siblings looked to me with a surprised expression. It reminded them of how our father used to call to us when he was mad about something.

“No…you’re right. I’ll show you just how much I’ve improved since then.” said Theodore as he looked confident.

I smiled at him, thinking that he’s improved not only in his confidence but his decisiveness.

“I’m sorry for saying such a thing during this time. But do you mind if we also use the yard for this moment?” I asked.

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. I’m quite curious about the boy as well and just how much talent he possesses.” said Reginald.

“Thank you, we’ll be sure to put on a show.” I said.

As we finished dining, everyone left to go to the open yard. From there, they sat near the shade to watch as Theodore and I stood against one another about 20 meters apart.

“…” with nothing on hand, but a stick on my waist, I stood ready to see what Theodore had in store for me.

“Are you ready?” he asked as he looked worried.

“Yes, now remember back to about half a month ago. What did I tell you when confronting an enemy who has his weapon out?”

“A-always be ready.” he said.

“Really? Even against someone like me? You could lose your life you know.” I said as I slowly released my killing intent down to him.

“!!?” Theodore felt immense fear as I poured down my intentions on him. His knees were shaking uncontrollably.

“At this point in your life…because you are still learning to live, always secure your life by running away. It’s not cowardly to run in situations where its clear you are overwhelmed.”

“But what if I have someone to protect? What if I’m with my sisters and their powerless against a monster stronger than me? What then?” he asked.

“Then its for you to decide what you do in that exact moment…run, hide or even face the monster…it doesn’t matter. You decide in the end what action you take.”

“But what about my life? How can I secure it against a strong opponent while I’m protecting the others.”

“So you decide to protect them? If that’s the case…then theirs only two choices, you live or you die. It matters just how lucky you are in the field of combat, not everyone gets to have a happy ending.”

“He’s right Theodore…no matter what choice you make, it all matters if you’re capable enough to do something. That’s the reality of a life of battle.” said Escanor as he stood by with his arms crossed.

“…T-that’s a bit hard to swallow.” said Theodore.

“It’s okay…its not like you’re going to go to the city picking fights with whoever you want. You’ll be inside the academy, and all you will be doing there is to improve your talents, right?” I said.

“…Right, I’ll avoid as much violence as needed.”

“Okay, if that’s the case, then let’s begin. Show me everything you’ve endured over the course of two months.”

I did everything I could in my instinct of teaching Theodore to overcome his limits.

Through the first month, all we did was improve in his capacity to use magic as a whole simply by willpower alone, and in the next month from then on, I trained him physically. Both in endurance and strength, as well as a little bit of hand to hand combat in over the week.

Although he showed little improvement in the physical aspect, I’m confident he can survive even that of a regular bandit by the street.

I showed him how to properly take in a few punches as well as how to dodge even in an awkward manner. All necessary in the life that’s quite dangerous in the city.

“Beating me up for a week straight…I can’t really call that training, brother.” he said as he rubbed his stomach as he remembered the days we spent together.

“Those rough days will serve you well in the future. Now, come and give me everything you have!”

The moment we started, Theodore gave his best.

“Here I come!” he shouted.

And with it, he put out his hands forward, with his palms open.

“…” gathering every magic he could muster, he created a fireball big enough to be as big as his own body.

“…Wow, you’ve never shown this much during our training together. Were you secretly doing this behind my back?” I asked.

“You drilled so much stress in my body about repetition…about growing as a mage…even after we moved to doing harsh physical training, my body just couldn’t sit still without manifesting my strongest magic. Each day for thirty days…my magic grew…and now, I’m going to show you everything that I have!”

“…Ha, you sound mad. Is this all the payback of me putting you through all of that?”

“Fuck yeah it is!”

***

As Theodore manifested a large fireball, the audience watched in awe.

“What do you think father?” asked Rosker.

“Incredible…to create a magic spell without using any form of chant or magic circle and simply by willpower alone, it shows his potential all to well.”

“So you think he’s a person worth watching out for?” asked Rosker.

“Yes…just like his brother, Theodore has the talent to reach the top.”

“I’ve only seen so little who is capable of producing magic this large without any form of preparation. One example was the daughter of the duke who is around the same age as this boy. If I look at it simply by talent alone, the duke’s daughter is superior, but that’s only because she has a proper education focused on magic alone. But this boy…if he is given a chance to cultivate his talent in a proper environment, he will surely become greater!” said Escanor with such confidence in his tone.

“Incredible…a boy who’s talent in magic is far greater than most and a boy who’s skill in the blade is incredible as well. These people…it seems as though they were blessed with greatness.” said Emilia.

“You’re right dear…but who knows, maybe there’s someone else in the family as well who has a hidden talent deep within their souls.” said Reginald.

As the fire manifested, Theodore launched his attack straight to Thill’s direction.

But even with such a large attack, Thill smiled.

“Incredible…from this alone, its clear that you’re this determined to pursue magic.”

“…”

“But…it’s not enough to make me feel threatened.”

As Thill spoke last, he reached his arm out towards the fireball, and from it, he flicked the fireball the moment it touched his hand.

*Fwoooshh!!*

All but easily, the fireball was dissipated.

“!!??” Theodore was shocked.

For Thill had easily erased his entire effort.

“W-what did you do?”

“I put it out…”

“H-how?”

“That’s a secret little bro. In time, when you learn more about the world, you’ll soon understand just how capable I really am.” he said with a smug look.

“Did you see that brother?” asked Ronald.

“I…I don’t know what happened. What about you Brother Escanor? Did you see what he did?” asked Rosker.

“…I…I don’t know. It felt like he used magic, but at the same time, I couldn’t feel an ounce of magic being produced from his actions.”

“Of course it would be impossible. He has a pure core in his body, he’s unable to use magic at any account.” said Eliana.

“So are you saying that he was able to destroy an attack simply by a flick alone? Is his body that strong?” asked Rosker.

“That’s can’t be…he’s core is only at the 3^rd stage. He’s not strong enough to move the winds simply by a small action.” said Eliana as she herself was at the 3^rd stage of the pure core.

“If that’s the case, that how is it possible?”

“Let’s ask him ourselves then.” said Escanor.

Unbeknownst to them, wind and or air was invisible at all angles, to the naked eye.

Only if one were to experience the attack head on, can they actually understand that Thill was freely manipulating the air by his will. But for now, they can’t.

Elemental Affinity was a rare case that only a few people have ever experienced in their lives.

It has no use for magic nor mana nor even the pure core itself.

To attain an Elemental Affinity, one has to awaken one’s mind into a state that no mere mortal could ever achieve. One has to surpass the 9^th stage of the pure core and become near god-like.

And from it, one can attain an understanding towards their skill to a higher level.

Because Thill had lived his life using the Tempest Blades of the Gale technique all up to a point he reached and surpassed the 9^th stage of the pure core, he had attained what was known as the Elemental Affinity of the wind. An ability he had learned through all battles in his life as a mercenary.

He could do anything with the wind.

He could kill an entire army simply by thought alone, by manifesting a storm capable of tearing away cities and kingdoms.

And because he had reverted back to the past, his understanding towards the wind had not been deterred. He was an awakened person…