Chapter 57
Daphne treats the sage like some neighborhood unemployed person, but sages are beings that are clearly recognized and respected.
The term sage refers to a being that has surpassed the 7-star realm, meaning one who has absorbed the knowledge of the world.
However, just as one doesn’t call a knight who wields a sword a scholar, most sages refer to ‘mages who have surpassed the 7-star realm.’ In fact, such sages established the magic towers on the continent.
Currently, there are a total of 8 sages in the world, but the Great Sage is not included in these 8. This is because the title ‘Great Sage’ is for a being outside the standard from the beginning.
No one knows how many years the Great Sage has lived, how much knowledge he possesses, or how much ability he can display. Nevertheless, the reason he is given the title ‘Great Sage’ is because records of his contributions to the continent’s history have poured out from various places.
For example, he participated in the 8-star barrier surrounding the ancient temple of the Oria Kingdom, or he made great contributions to revealing the mana flow buried in the land of the Dominion Empire where Daphne currently lives, and so on.
Therefore, to mages, the Great Sage was like a great god they wanted to meet at least once in their lifetime, and most magic towers revered and followed him.
The 5-star mage, Polin, is the same.
“The Great Sage’s autograph……. I…… I can die now…….”
Polin, who belonged to a famous mage lineage and had made a name for himself, was nothing more than a mere ant in front of the Great Sage. He clutched his chest, intensely expressing the surging emotion.
“I will treasure it as a family heirloom. I will pass it down through generations!”
“Haha. Do as you please.”
Shio responded nonchalantly, as if he was used to Polin’s reaction. Polin made a face overflowing with emotion, as if even that response was touching.
“But, Lady!”
Then, he suddenly turned his head toward Daphne.
“How on earth did you come to know such an amazing person, Lady?”
Finding the Great Sage is difficult even if the emperor personally orders it. In fact, the Oria Kingdom had failed several times.
But how did this little lady come to know the Great Sage? Polin’s eyes sparkled. And in contrast, Daphne, with an indifferent expression, said.
“First off, I don’t think this guy is particularly amazing.”
“What?!”
“Hmph. I’m more amazing.”
Daphne snorted and pointed at the Great Sage with her thumb.
“Taiti guy introduced him. Saying to use him as my slave number 2. I want to keep this guy in the annex and raise him.”
Heros felt Daphne’s gaze looking at him. His eyes narrowed.
“Are you asking for my permission?”
“The cost of feeding and housing this guy for the time being will be paid by you, Financial matters should be clear.”
“…….”
It didn’t seem like something a child would say, but remembering that Daphne had always been strange like this, Heros pondered briefly.
How can I make use of the Great Sage, and how can I keep the Great Sage around for a long time. The latter seemed like Daphne would handle it on her own, so he only needed to worry about the former. The deliberation wasn’t long.
“It’s possible if he lends his strength to reinforcing the mansion’s barrier. Currently, there’s only a barrier in the annex, but I’d like to install one in the main building as well.”
Soon, he would have to set out for the dragon subjugation under the emperor’s orders. If he left the house empty, this mansion would be like a tiger’s den without a tiger, so it was right to prepare the barrier.
“Slave. Do it.”
“Yes, Master.”
Shiosen, who had placed his hand on his left chest and lightly bowed, grinned.
“Oh. This role-playing is fun, isn’t it?”
“Shut up.”
Daphne ignored the nonsense, pulled Shio’s sleeve taut, and placed it in front of Polin. Polin’s face completely flushed.
“Th-that, yes! Then, Great Sage, come with me…….”
“It’s Shio.”
“Yes, yes! Then, sir Shio, you can come with me to the basement! We’ll prepare your quarters afterward!”
“Okay.”
Shio folded his characteristic droopy eyes halfway and smiled, waving his hand toward Daphne.
“I’ll be back. See you later.”
“Okay.”
After they left, Daphne turned her gaze back to Heros.
“When do I enter this training institute?”
“Next month.”
“Hmm.”
Hero Training Institute.
Just hearing the name makes chills run down my spine.
But as Heros and Polin said, it seemed that only by going to the training institute could Daphne make things flow in the direction she wanted.
Daphne muttered. I’m absolutely not going there to become the next hero, I’m just going to deal with those black mage bastards, I have pride, I haven’t abandoned my pride…… while doing so.
“There won’t be any children younger than you.”
Heros bluntly said to Daphne, who was frowning while looking at the letter.
“They said they’re gathering juveniles, so most will be around 10 years old. Any sane parent wouldn’t send a 5-year-old child to such a place.”
“……Are you spitting on your own face right now?”
“You.”
Heros pressed his forehead as if he had a headache and said each word with emphasis.
“Isn’t it because you threw a tantrum about dealing with the ghosts that I reluctantly allowed it?”
“Excuses are unnecessary. I already knew you weren’t a sane father.”
“You…… Ha, never mind.”
If he continued speaking, his composure would break. Heros waved his hand.
Come to think of it, conversations with Daphne always made Heros boil like this.
In the past, no matter what Daphne said or did, there wouldn’t have been much change in his feelings. The conversation content would disappear as soon as he turned away.
But now…….
‘Am I stopping her?’
Heros unknowingly let out a chuckle. This feeling is unfamiliar, but it’s not bad.
He covered his mouth with his hand, straightened his twisted lips, and then looked straight at Daphne again.
“You are the lady of the Archduke Akion family.”
“So?”
“Even if you are the youngest trainee, it means you shouldn’t be pushed back by other children or fail to attract attention.”
“……Huh?”
“There will be performance evaluations in the training institute. If you get low scores in those evaluations, not only will you be expelled from the training institute, but you won’t be able to participate in future ghost subjugations either.”
The front of Daphne’s eyebrows lifted up, and the ends drooped into a V shape. Her lips twisted randomly. Daphne’s slender shoulders trembled slightly.
Heros was slightly flustered by the change. Was my word too harsh? No, Daphne isn’t the type to be hurt by such words…….
“Puhahaha!”
Before the thought finished, a loud laughter echoed.
As Heros guessed, the reason Daphne made that expression was simply because she burst into laughter.
“What a funny thing to say. Me? Being pushed back? By those worthless things? Me? Being pushed back?”
Daphne burst into giggles again, then suddenly stopped the laughter and glared with wide eyes.
“Brave little one . Live with your wits about you. Saying I can’t achieve results in that damn kids’ training institute is the same as saying sprouts grow in sand.”
“Arrogant.”
“It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence in my abilities.”
Daphne crossed her arms and smirked.
“Even in my current state, I could go and beat them all, but as you said, since I’m a lady, it would be good to learn the appropriate swordsmanship before going. Since there’s a month left, teach me the Galaxy Sword 2nd and 3rd forms by then.”
Before Daphne even finished speaking, Heros strode toward her.
Then, he reached out his hand swiftly,
“Ugh…… Why are you pinching!(Why are you pinching!)”
He firmly pinched Daphne’s chubby but delicate-looking cheek.
“A guy who hasn’t even properly performed the 1st form yet. Snap out of it.”
“I can do it!(I can do it!)”
“Do it and then say it.”
“I will!(I will!)”
Daphne pushed away Heros’s unmoving hand and stepped back.
“How long do you think you can look down on me? Just wait a bit. I’ll punch you in the face!”
“Do as you like.”
I’ve been hit by swords but never by fists, so that might be novel in its own way.
Heros turned his back to Daphne and said.
“The test for the 1st form is tomorrow.”
And he added.
“If you don’t pass the test, there won’t be a 2nd form.”
As if holding the sword forms hostage.
Daphne’s tiny fist clenched tightly.
***
“Argh, annoying bastard!”
Daphne trembled as she moved to the training ground.
Actually, today there were many tiring incidents, so she thought about resting and organizing her thoughts, but with the hero guy provoking her like that, she couldn’t rest.
‘Okay. I’ll surprise you so much you’ll flip over!’
Upon arriving at the training ground, Daphne looked for Lloyd, then remembered that he had gone to the Pinch Marquis family in her stead to inform Brysa of the appointment cancellation.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Daphne tightly gripped the sword that Brisa had given her as a gift.
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By Anna 💓
