Ancient City Arville (7)

How much time had passed?

Like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swing that had been rocking wildly slowing to a gradual stop without any push, the flow of mana between them dwindled bit by bit.

And finally, each absorbed an amount befitting their capacities.

Calix slowly parted his lips. Laila still had her eyes closed, seemingly unconscious.

But then, a small shadow darted out and burrowed into Calix's chest.

Upon closer inspection, it was the parent larva of the twin larvae that had been nestled inside Laila.

"What the hell? Why's it acting up all of a sudden?"

Calix tilted his head for a moment before realizing why. It was because of the 'ancient shaman's relic' he'd tucked into his chest pocket.

"Hmm, you like this, huh?"

When Calix pulled out the blue orb and dangled it in front of the fuzzy little larva, it followed his hand eagerly.

"Heh, maybe I'm getting used to it after seeing it so many times. Kinda cute now, in a way..."

Calix carefully caught the larva and wrapped it in a white cloth.

For all the headaches it'd caused over the past few days, the ending felt anticlimactic.

He tossed the bundled larva aside carelessly and checked Laila's nostrils with his finger.

Fortunately, her breathing was steady and regular, with no irregularities.

Calix gazed at her for a moment before turning away. She'd probably wake up on her own after a bit.

In the meantime, he'd read the skillbook.

Flipping it open, Calix savored every word, not skimming a single one.

Pena Telum was a power manifested purely by will, and Perum Infinitus was closer to a passive curse skill.

They required no deep understanding or practice.

But Kantum Secrum was different.

It was a skill that demanded consistent, personal effort—no amount of high rank mattered without it.

Surprisingly, Calix found training in mana breathing methods enjoyable.

The mystical sensation of sensing and manipulating mana—something he'd never even known existed on Earth—was irresistibly alluring.

He lost himself in it completely, to the point he didn't notice Laila stirring.

Meanwhile, she had regained consciousness but kept her eyes shut, staying still.

In truth, she'd been aware for a while. Until the larva left, she'd simply surrendered control of her body and observed as a bystander.

Instead of sitting up right away, she subtly turned her face to scan the surroundings.

A dim stone chamber lit by small light orbs floating lazily. Beneath them, Calix sat entranced, absorbed in his book.

She touched her lips. Recalling that 'kiss' from moments ago made her face burn and her heart pound.

Fearing he'd spot her flushed cheeks, she quickly turned away and, still lying down, began mana breathing. Hands on her mana hole, she inhaled and exhaled slowly.

Mana reacted to her breath, swirling grandly through her body. Laila nearly screamed.

Gasp!

Biting her lip hard, she felt the massive torrent surging inside her and nearly fainted.

If her old mana had been a babbling brook, this was now on par with the continent's mightiest river, the Elin.

It had grown so suddenly that controlling its power was tricky.

Comparing to the records in the skillbook, this must be close to class 5 levels. How in the world...!

Tears welled up in Laila's eyes.

It was undoubtedly a gift from the man sitting there. For someone like her, who'd always been a pawn, this pure kindness was something she'd rarely experienced.

And she'd already betrayed his kindness once—using the mana breathing method he'd given her for her revenge... no, abusing it.

"Why?"

She snapped at him sharply, unthinkingly. It was fury at herself for repaying his first selfless gift with the worst possible 'suicide for revenge.'

"Awake already?"

Calix replied calmly, eyes still on the skillbook.

His refusal to engage frustrated her; she ground her teeth.

"Why did you do it? There's no reason to be this good to me."

Only then did Calix close the book with a sigh and look at her.

"Don't misunderstand. I just discarded it to save my own skin. You happened to pick up my trash. No need to thank me."

"Liar! Anyone else would've kept that spirit pill for themselves—no way they'd give it away."

"Then they must be fools."

"So why give me the mana breathing method? Was that trash too?"

"Exactly. Too much hassle to bother picking it up myself—not worth the appeal."

"You could've auctioned it!"

Calix clamped his mouth shut, as if it wasn't worth responding.

He could make a fortune easily by leveraging his knowledge of the future. No time to waste collecting and selling junk items.

Unaware of that, Laila bit her lip in guilt. Her body trembled with self-loathing for betraying his expectations despite the huge gift.

"I should've just let you die back when the ancient worm attacked..."

Calix's face hardened at her words.

"That... was the most rational call. A lone escort knight in a worm's gut? 100% death. But with both of us? Slight chance of survival."

"Normal people value their own life most. The rational choice there is the one maximizing your survival odds—even if it means 100% death for someone else."

Calix frowned slightly.

"Why are you so pissed? I acted on my values. Not to please you!"

"Because you're too damn soft—it's worrying me!"

"If you're that worried, use the mana I handed you to get stronger than anyone and protect me."

"What kind of nonsense is—"

Calix grabbed her collar and yanked her close, their breaths brushing cheeks.

"Think escaping this ruin alone is easy? Stop wasting energy and figure out how to use your new mana efficiently."

He shoved her away roughly. Laila stumbled back and fell on her butt.

But she didn't get angry. She just hugged her knees, chin on them, wearing a bitter expression.

Seeing her sudden dejection, Calix sighed shortly. He'd pushed too hard; guilt tugged at him.

"Laila."

She looked up with moist, teary eyes. In that moment, a squeezing pain gripped his heart.

Forcing down his pounding chest, he said,

"Laila, become my knight."

Her eyes widened hugely.

"D-did you forget? I'm a woman."

She averted her gaze to hide her flushed face, but Calix cupped her cheeks with both hands, forcing eye contact.

"Doesn't matter. In the Lock Kingdom, barons and above can knight class 4 vassals—woman or not. No law against it."

It was more a loophole than intent, and Calix hadn't formally inherited the count title anyway, so no real authority.

But that wasn't important now.

Calix drew a dress sword from his inventory with a serious expression.

A ceremonial blade he'd used out of necessity due to low strength.

But perfect for knighting a new vassal.

"You're mine now. Without my permission, you can't even take your own life. Do you swear true loyalty and devotion?"

She knelt slowly. Calix placed the sword on her shoulders.

"Die for me. Live for me."

"Yes, my lord."

The simple rite ended, and silence fell. Alone in the dark underground ruin, emotions had exploded—but now embarrassment flooded in.

They turned backs, cooling flushed faces.

As emotions settled, Laila spoke.

"I grew up in a cathedral. No parents. My big sister took care of me. As a kid, I copied everything she did—laughed when she laughed, got mad when she did. Even joined the Shadow Squad with her."

"Training was brutal, but bearable with her. She regretted not stopping me, but once in, only death got you out—so she just gave a wry smile."

"Actually, I was the talented one. Caught up to my sister—who was nearly ten years older—in three years. Two more, and I was the first woman selected ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for the execution squad."

"Weeks later, in the execution squad trials, I met her again. Not as family—as a target."

"Betrayal?"

"Heard she eloped with some guy mid-mission. When we met again, she begged—spare the child, at least."

"Couldn't kill her. After she abandoned me... how long I'd resented her. But seeing that girl's pure eyes—her childhood twin of my sister—I knew I couldn't harm her. Then..."

She bit her lip, trembling violently.

"That bastard Tabar... he..."

Laila clutched her head.

She still couldn't forget the child's head rolling on the dirt, or her sister's hollow stare.

Calix silently embraced the shivering Laila, like a rain-soaked puppy. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed bitterly.

"Should've stopped it... didn't have the courage to stand in his way... I'm sorry. So sorry! Waaah."

She repeated endless apologies—to whom, unclear—like a child, weeping heartbrokenly.

Calix let her cry it out. When her shoulder tremors faded, she said,

"This rosario? My sister's keepsake. Thought killing Tabar with it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would honor her. Needed mana breathing for it—a pipe dream until recently."

"Thanks to the one I gave you, you could try."

"Sorry. For abusing your kindness. That's why I quit. I'm your knight now."

Calix shook his head.

"You felt that massive mana in you. Soon, Tabar will be no match. And... you're my first knighted vassal. Your grudges, your debts—all mine now. Serve me. I'll fulfill your wishes."

"...Yes."

Laila mumbled her lips before answering shortly.

Calix patted her back gently.

The next day, Calix began swinging his sword slowly—fusing Szczecin family swordsmanship with the mana breathing method.

House styles paired with their breathing methods for peak efficiency.

This higher-grade one wouldn't weaken it, but adaptation took time.

Laila worked to acclimate to her vast new mana, occasionally critiquing Calix's form—and gaining insights herself.

Her dagger arts were mercenary practical—efficient, no frills—but unsuited for mana-infused swings. Mercs stalled at class 4 anyway.

Observing noble house techniques over his shoulder, she carved her own path.

Thus, the two sweated underground. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And someone else was doing much the same.