Chapter 375 - 323: Unfathomable Mind (Part 2)

Chapter 375: Chapter 323: Unfathomable Mind (Part 2)

Bev knew perfectly well that with Zelir’s looks, talent, and Power, he wouldn’t even need a month away.

If he just happened to wander into a party for the Nobility, he’d probably receive countless flirtatious glances in a single night.

To quell this anxiety, Bev had even made a point of staking her claim on him to all her rivals at the winter ball.

But now that Zelir wasn’t by her side, that tangible sense of security was gone.

Distance always breeds suspicion.

Bev just couldn’t help but worry.

’We just made things official and he left... Is he really going to treat me well?’

"Silly Bev, why would you think that?"

Sienna shook her head helplessly.

"It’s a good thing for a young man to be independent and self-reliant... You wouldn’t want the person you like to lack ambition, would you?"

"If Zelir were stuck to your side every day, whispering sweet nothings to make you happy, after a while... would you still like him?"

"I suppose that makes sense..." Bev said thoughtfully.

"Besides..."

Sienna’s tone shifted.

"While love is a matter between two people, he is from a common background, after all... He’s probably a little conscious of your family’s background."

"What do you mean by that...?" Bev frowned slightly, not quite understanding.

"It means he wants to become better, stronger... so that you two will be a better match," Sienna said gently.

"Zelir... would he really think that way?"

Bev was stunned for a moment, finding it hard to believe.

In her heart of hearts, she’d always felt she was the one who was a bit insecure in front of Zelir.

’Zelir is so incredible, so exceptionally talented...’

’My life is comfortable, sure, and I have a noble title and all that.’

’But compared to Zelir, all of that seems so insignificant.’

’He doesn’t care about any of it.’

’Anything that can’t win Zelir’s favor is completely unimportant...’

’And to be honest, a part of the reason I’m working so hard now is because of Zelir...’

’Even though my talent can’t compare to his, if I work hard and jog a little to catch up, I should be able to keep up with him, right?’

"You can never truly know what someone else is thinking," Sienna said softly.

"I know, Mom..." Bev pouted slightly.

She glanced out the window again.

’The snow is so heavy...’

’If the snow stopped sooner, would Zelir come back faster?’

"Still so childish..."

Sienna ruffled Bev’s hair.

"Stop letting your imagination run wild. When he gets back, have a good talk with him, and everything will be clear."

Sienna seemed to want to say more, but a sudden coughing fit cut her off.

"COUGH! COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

Sienna’s face flushed red, her chest heaved violently, and her breathing grew short.

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

"Mom!"

Bev shot to her feet and gently patted her mother’s back to help her catch her breath.

After a while, Sienna’s coughing finally subsided.

"I’m fine... cough, cough..."

"Mom..."

Bev’s expression filled with worry. "Your health is getting worse."

Sienna had always been in poor health. To help her condition improve, Duke had spared no expense in finding all sorts of doctors for her.

He had even used his connections and spent a fortune to hire numerous Empowerment Mages.

From ordinary medical treatments to concocting Magic Potions and using gentle Magic to nourish her body.

They had tried nearly every method imaginable, but nothing had improved her condition.

At best, they could only keep her condition from worsening.

Now, an Empowerment Mage came every afternoon specifically to cast Magic on Sienna to restore her physical vitality.

"No, it’s just that winter has set in. It’ll be fine once I get through it," Sienna said, giving her daughter a smile.

Bev glanced at the wall clock, then helped her mother up.

"Come on, Mom. It’s time for your treatment. I’ll help you there."

...

「Sengu Town.」

「Afternoon.」

「Heart of the Emerald Residence.」

Zelir sat at his favorite small round table, which was formed from intertwined tree roots, a steaming cup of herbal tea by his hand.

He enjoyed the cool breeze as he turned the pages of a book.

But this peaceful moment didn’t last long.

"Zelir—are you in there?"

A man’s lazy drawl came from outside the door.

He knew it was Gray just from the sound of his voice.

"Come in," Zelir said, still looking down at his book.

The moment Gray entered, the room filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Without looking up, Zelir could picture his friend’s beaming expression.

"Look! Look at this!"

Gray unfastened the Sword from his waist and placed it on the table.

"TA-DA! It’s a new treasure I dug up from the Blacksmith Shop!"

Zelir glanced at it from the corner of his eye.

It was a brand-new Longsword, still in its scabbard.

The scabbard was a silvery-white material, giving it a more elegant air than the traditional gray-black.

Glistening metallic threads formed a simple yet elegant flowing cloud pattern on its surface.

Zelir raised an eyebrow slightly.

He gripped the hilt and drew it from the scabbard.

The blade reflected a cold light, its overall curve flawless.

He could clearly see the rippling, water-like layers of the forging pattern covering its surface.

The spine of the blade was thick, and its center of gravity was perfectly balanced.

Held in his hand, it had a reassuring, perfectly balanced weight.

"Whoa... Not bad."

Zelir said with admiration, "It suits you well."

"Of course! I have great taste."

Gray was ecstatic.

"The owner of the Blacksmith Shop said this sword is made of Cloud Steel, which is a pretty rare material. He said he personally hammered it over a thousand times to forge it!"

Gray held the sword in a reverse grip and performed a flourish, his movement as smooth as flowing water.

It was much better to wield than the Longsword that was destroyed in his fight with the Thorny Giant Beast.

"How much did you pay for it?"

"Seventy Gold Coins." At the mention of the price, Gray winced a little.

That was more than half of the reward he’d earned from his recent trip to the ruins.

Zelir just nodded slightly.

’Hmm...’

’The price is quite reasonable.’

"What book are you reading?"

Gray leaned in, glanced at the titles of the books on the table, and couldn’t help but frown slightly.

’They’re all so strange.’

*Mythical Creatures Atlas*, *Encyclopedia of Nightmare Monsters*, *Hidden Ancient Beings*, *Legendary Creature: Dragon*...

Zelir had been living quite comfortably these past few days.

He would wake up leisurely in the morning light and enjoy the complimentary breakfast provided by Miss Hera at the front desk.

Then, he’d go to the river to practice his Instant Flash Ball on the lucky giant rock.

Once his Magic Power was nearly depleted, he would return to the Heart of the Emerald Residence.

He would either continue with his Magic Potion Refining to improve his proficiency or read books to expand his knowledge.

Perhaps because he was about to unlock [Seizing Tyranny], Zelir had become particularly interested in powerful Demons.

He had specifically bought many books to learn about the Demons not recorded in the *Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas*.

As he read, Zelir wondered what traits he might be able to obtain from these creatures.

His finger stopped on the page with the illustration of a dragon.

The scales, outlined in vermilion, seemed to shimmer under the sun, looking incredibly lifelike.

Zelir closed his eyes, and a scene unconsciously formed in his mind.

On the highest peak of a rugged mountain range, the perpetually snow-covered ridge was being vaporized by intense Flame, melting the rock into dark red rivers.

A Red Dragon was coiled on the collapsing summit, its colossal body nearly obscuring half the sky.

The heatwave from the unfurling of its wings distorted the very air.

Its scales were like solidified lava, and every breath spewed thick smoke reeking of sulfur and charcoal.

Legend had it that the Red Dragon was the most ferocious of all Giant Dragons!

It commanded unparalleled Flame, with Power sufficient to crush everything in its path!

Without a doubt, slaying a dragon was the ultimate dream of every Adventurer!

Dragons were the most powerful race.

Kill one, and your fame as an Adventurer would instantly resound throughout the Sel Kingdom.

It might even spread across the entire Candia Continent.

Minstrels would write new epics for you, and the Nobility would vie to invite you to their banquets.

Even the King himself would award you a medal.