Chapter 51: Ch 51: A Sharp Mind With An Unyielding Resolve
Raidan stopped in his tracks. He maintained his imposing posture, resting the tip of his Mythril Blade against the cobblestone ground.
"State your business," Raidan replied in his deep voice.
The Knight said:
"I have been watching you from a distance. You gather those strange foreigners around you. You hand them tasks and offer them rewards. The city guards might turn a blind eye, but I will not. I want to know exactly what your true motive is with those ignorant people."
Raidan remained calm. Why should he even answer to this woman, when he was now stronger.
He did not owe this stranger any explanations.
Seeing Raidan refuse to answer, the Knight took a step closer. He glanced at the heavy Mythril Blade in Raidan’s hand with obvious disdain.
"I think, you masquerade as a veteran swordmaster in these streets. You showed them a parlor trick of brute strength by lifting a heavy boulder. But brute strength does not make a true swordsman. Frankly, looking at your stance, I strongly doubt you even know how to swing that blade properly."
Raidan’s frowned.
With his newly acquired 754 Attack attribute, his physical parameters were completely monstrous.
Besides, he was also learning the Epic Sword Saint Manual.
"My motives are my own and my blade is not drawn for the amusement of strangers. If you truly wish to test my swordsmanship, you are welcome to draw your weapon right now.
But be warned. I do not spar. I only kill."
The female Knight felt the invisible pressure he radiated. It was definitely on par with her own, or maybe it even surpassed it.
So, she chose to let him go.
"You are quite something. My name is Ephilis Xander, remember it."
After saying that, she left.
Raidan looked at her departing back, noting the terrifying muscles born from years of training.
He knew he was strong. But he was not sure if he could defeat her in terms of pure combat skills.
But the Epic Sword Saint Manual could change that. He needed to start learning it as soon as possible.
He returned to Naida’s house before evening, but instead of resting immediately, he started training the Sword Style in their small backyard.
Naida was already finished with her apothecary work for the day. She was currently busy cooking dinner, but hearing the shouts and grunts from Raidan, she came out to check on him.
He was swinging his sword after reading a simple-looking scroll.
She thought the scroll was nothing special, but soon she could feel the profound intent behind each swing and each thrust.
’Raidan, we both have different aspirations, but there is another force that is binding us together. I am sure one day both of us will succeed.’
She returned to cooking dinner after that.
--
Not long after, the warm aroma of roasted meat and hearty vegetable stew filled the small dining room.
Raidan and Naida sat across from each other at the wooden table. The quiet clinking of their spoons was the only sound for a while.
Raidan finished his meal and set his wooden spoon down. He reached into his coat, secretly accessing his spatial inventory, and retrieved a small crystal vial.
He placed it gently on the center of the wooden table.
The viscous red liquid inside the vial seemed to move with a life of its own.
It was a reward generated by his Multiplier System, and he knew exactly who could make the best use of it.
Naida stopped eating instantly. Her emerald green eyes went wide with pure astonishment.
She carefully set her bowl aside and leaned closer to examine the glowing vial without touching it.
"Raidan, Is that a Mythical Healing Potion?"
"It is. I acquired it recently. I want you to study it. I want you to see if you can understand its true composition."
Naida picked up the vial with her delicate trembling fingers.
"Raidan, rhis is incredibly rare and unbelievably expensive. Most alchemists will go their entire lives without ever seeing a potion of this high tier in person. The purity of the mana inside is simply amazing."
Hery green emerald eyes brilliant inspiration.
"If I could somehow decode its base formula, even just a tiny fraction of it, I could create lesser variants. I could help countless people who suffer from severe injuries and incurable ailments."
Raidan smiled warmly at her selfless ambition. Her desire to heal others was one of the many reasons he cared for her so deeply.
"Then do it, Naida. Take your time and study every single drop of it. And if you can successfully decode this formula, I make you a promise right here and now. I will buy you your very own Apothecary Shop right in the middle of the Central District."
Naida gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand. The Central District was the wealthiest and most prestigious area in the entire city. Only the best merchants, high mages, and master healers operated their businesses there.
"Are you serious?" she asked, still in disbelief.
"Absolutely serious. I always keep my promises."
Hearing him, Naida became fiercely. Her wish to establish herself in the Central district wasn’t born to enjoy fame and glory. But to be a better healer, and learn even more advanced alchemy. So that, she could treat the poor out of charge.
Her mind was already running with complex alchemical theories and extraction methods.
"I accept your challenge, Raidan. I will not let you down."
--
The moon hung high over the quiet streets as Naida locked the heavy wooden door of her small apothecary shop.
The only light in the room came from a few flickering beeswax candles.
Unlike Raidan, Naida did not possess a magical interface to give her the guidance. She had no divine Quest Creation system, no floating blue screens, and no ancient power awakening within her veins.
What she did have was an unyielding resolve and a mind sharpened by years of relentless study.
"I must do it!"
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