episode_0064

“……”

“……”

Cain, who had been staring at me with a strange look in his eyes for a while, turns away.

Then, holding a plate of food, he starts walking alone towards another table.

“Huh…? Cain?”

“Cain, where are you going!”

Lucy and Aria called out to him with puzzled looks, but he didn’t stop.

I also felt something was off.

“At this moment, they wouldn’t know that I’m the Madman Gongja Sian, right? Why is he acting like that?”

It was truly peculiar earlier.

His eyes were empty, the atmosphere around him tense as if on guard.

“If he hasn’t revealed his identity yet, then why?”

The Madman Gongja Sian, who had previously approached Lucy and Aria in his chubby form before possession, now unrecognizable even to those individuals after shedding his disguise, had no reason to be recognized by Cain.

“Lucy, today Cain seems a bit strange.”

“That’s true… Maybe we can ask him later. Should we finish our meal for now?”

After finishing lunch with them amidst the strange atmosphere, I returned to my private dormitory.

No matter how much I thought about it, Cain’s actions remained a mystery. But worrying wouldn’t change anything.

Becoming stronger at this moment is the priority.

Once I reach about half of the old-timers’ level through rapid growth, whether it’s Cain’s matter or the Demon King’s matter, everything will be resolved.

I took out the pouch given to me by Aria.

Inside were two clear blue Azure Dragon Pills.

“Even one would suffice, but perhaps it’s a gesture of gratitude for saving my life.”

Azure Dragon Pills.

In other words, an advanced elixir that aids in the growth of 5th-rank warriors, forcibly elevating predetermined limitations of their realm from birth to efficiently foster their development.

Warriors below the 5th rank sometimes work for families that possess a large quantity of Azure Dragon Pills in order to obtain them, abandoning the mystical facade of wandering vagabonds.

“However, conversely, if consumed by those below the 5th rank, it simply degrades into a mere nutritional supplement.”

Containing the accumulated energy of the cold of the Frozen Northern Region and the natural energies of various continents nationwide, the Azure Dragon Pills are formed using precious herbs close to the origin of energy, trapping the inner energies within a structure.

Upon ingestion, as the outer layer of the pill dissolves due to stomach acids, allowing absorption through the esophagus.

When the barrier composed of herbs containing inner energies dissolves,

The natural energies and vitality contained within the Azure Dragon Pills rapidly disperse and spread, only absorbable by warriors with a realm of 5th rank or higher without missing a beat.

For those below this level, it degrades into a mere supplement, taking at least several days for lower-ranked warriors to absorb, hence becoming nothing more than a nutritional aid.

Most are unaware of this principle, believing it to be an elixir that cannot be absorbed by those below the 5th rank.

But what’s crucial is that I understand this principle, isn’t it?

…I’ll show you now. I know the principle, so what can I do with it?

“Hup.”

I swallowed the two Azure Dragon Pills from the pouch and immediately entered a meditative stance, focusing on absorbing the vital energy.

With the Maekseok sword at my waist.

-Shooo.

I could feel the spiritual energies of the pills surging within me as digestion began.

From now on, I will contain these energies within my body.

If the pill’s barrier disappears, couldn’t I just create another barrier within my body?

“Gulp…!”

Gathering all my mana, I concentrate it towards my stomach.

Then, I gripped the Maekseok sword at my waist.

Whoooo….

Normally, an accident occurs where the vital energies of the Azure Dragon Pills scatter due to the time needed to create a mana barrier in the stomach.

But with the help of the Maekseok sword, I will eliminate this accident.

The Maekseok sword shimmers with a blue light, interfering with the mana within my body.

The intention is to help me realize and act.

The Marsak sword helps rapidly spread the mana within my body. Soon, I felt as if a stiff mana barrier was forming inside my stomach.

“It’s done…!”

It was just as I had theorized. The spirits of the Azure Dragon Sect are now completely isolated within my stomach.

In three days, I should be able to fully absorb the energy of the Azure Dragon Sect.

“For the next three days, I won’t be able to eat or drink anything. We can’t afford any holes in the mana barrier.”

Humans would die if they didn’t eat for more than three days, but the bodies of people in this world are sturdier than those in reality, so going without for about three days should be no issue.

I might experience some muscle loss, but absorbing the energy of the Azure Dragon Sect and gaining strength is more beneficial.

Unconsciously, a smirk crept onto my face at the thought of soon becoming stronger. I looked forward to what lay ahead.

If luck is on my side, I might even advance straight to the latter part of the 4th rank.

Although the final gate, the 3rd trial, is two days away, I am currently at the 4th rank.

Even if it’s the final test of the prestigious Ariel Academy, facing a 1st-year student would probably not require strength beyond the 4th rank.

I had plenty of time.

***

After finishing lunch, Aria received a Stitch from Princess Rosaria while she was about to practice her swordsmanship to aid digestion.

The Stitch invited her for teatime.

“Again. I’ve been personally invited by the princess during her private time.”

Aria had no right to refuse. Who could reject an invitation from a princess, let alone a fourth princess with a distant position in the royal family?

Of course, being invited to the personal time of a royal as a noble is very honorable. However…

“Why does she show such interest in me?”

Aria had never properly engaged in school activities and was still just a first-year trainee with no achievements.

“You’re here. Aria Silvesta.”

“…Greetings, Your Highness.”

Aria vowed to ask the pressing question she had today while observing Rosaria enjoying teatime in the center of the academy garden.

“Please, have a seat. I prepared something sweet since I thought you’d like it.”

“….”

With a maid standing beside Rosaria, the table was filled with desserts emitting scents of jam and sugar.

‘I don’t know why, but this isn’t like me to indulge in such things…’

Crunch, crunch.

As soon as Aria sat down formally, she started picking up biscuits at the front of the table with her hands, resembling a cute sight of a cat eating treats.

“Oh, I’m glad you seem to enjoy it.”

Rosaria smiled contently at Aria.

Despite her reservations, Aria couldn’t deceive herself.

The Silvesta family excelled in swordsmanship.

They highly valued physical training for wielding swords, striving for perfectly balanced muscles tailored for combat.

Therefore, high-calorie foods like snacks and bread were strictly limited in the family to prevent Aria, who found it hard to suppress her appetite during her growth period, from indulging. To her, finding pastries in front of her was like a cat stumbling upon a sausage.

“Th-thank you for your hospitality, crunch.”

“Take your time. No one’s going to snatch them away.”

After devouring four pieces each of bread and biscuits, Aria finally regained her composure.

Realizing what she had done, Aria’s face flushed red.

After sipping her tea and clearing her throat, Aria spoke, “I apologize.”

“No need for that. I prepared it for you. I was happy to see you enjoy it.”

Rosaria rested her chin on her hand and gazed at Aria with a smile.

Feeling awkward, Aria looked up at Rosaria.

Soon, Rosaria asked Aria, “Are you that curious?”

“What… do you mean?”

“Out of the blue, why did I start taking an interest in Ariya?”

“…!”

It was an unexpected turn of events.

Rosaria brought up a topic that she had planned to ask about at the right time.

Given this, Ariya had no choice but to affirm.

Ariya nodded and said, “Other than my first-year grades, I have no achievements to speak of. I haven’t participated in any class tournaments, nor have I been involved in any school activities.”

“I know.”

“In that case, why…?”

“A man recommended you, Ariya.”

“A man…?”

Ariya furrowed her brows at the unexpected word.

From her family lineage to her current enrollment in the academy, she had never built any relationships with men.

‘Could it be… Cain?’

Except for him, her life consisted solely of training, training, and more training, especially in swordsmanship.

If she thought of a close man, no one else came to mind.

“May I ask who this man is?”

“That’s not possible.”

Rosaria said firmly, “Due to the promise with him, it might be difficult to reveal his identity. But rest assured, he has no ill intentions towards you.”

“…”

No matter how much she thought, if a man could recommend her, she could only think of Cain.

That’s when it happened.

“Oh, Cain!”

What perfect timing.

As Cain was about to cross the garden to go to the training grounds, Ariya spotted him.

Responding to her call, Cain walked towards where Ariya and Rosaria were.

Ariya politely nodded to Rosaria and asked Cain, “Your Highness. Excuse me for a moment…”

“It’s fine. Please, carry on.”

“Thank you. Cain! What was that earlier? Ignoring me and leaving like that…”

Cain, who had arrived nearby, briefly glanced at the 4th Princess Rosaria.

Sensing his gaze, Rosaria assumed it was just a passing glance and calmly sipped her tea, while Cain bluntly replied to Ariya, “It was nothing. I just wasn’t feeling well.”

“Is that so? It’s good if nothing serious happened…”

At that moment, as Ariya called out to Cain in confusion, he approached Rosaria.

“Cain…?”

Ignoring Ariya’s call, Cain knelt before Rosaria and spoke, “Barbo Viscount Cain greets Her Highness, the 4th Princess of the Liana Empire.”

Sipping her tea, Rosaria simply looked down at Cain with a composed expression.