Free Web NovelChapter 13: A Busy Day
The sun had already set by the time Adam left the Mage Tower.
The streets of Valoria were illuminated by elegant magical street lamps that cast a warm, gentle glow.
As he crossed one of the city’s main avenues on his way back to the manor, he spotted a familiar figure.
Lyriana.
The dark elf was also returning to the duchess’s estate.
Her long silver hair reflected the light of the magical crystals suspended above the streets.
"Adam?"
"Lyriana."
Naturally, they decided to walk back together.
For several minutes, they chatted about various topics.
Then Adam suddenly remembered a question that had been on his mind ever since visiting the different guilds.
"By the way... what’s your full name?"
Lyriana gave him a curious look.
"My full name?"
"Yes."
She hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Lyriana Noctis Sylvermoon."
Adam fell silent.
Sylvermoon.
It was a name he had already come across in several books borrowed from both the Merchant’s Guild and the Adventurer’s Guild.
An ancient royal bloodline of the High Dark Elves.
One of the most powerful families among their people.
"I see..."
Lyriana immediately noticed his expression.
"You learned something today."
"A lot of things."
She smiled faintly.
"Then you probably understand why some information isn’t written in ordinary books."
Adam simply nodded.
He now had enough clues.
But not enough answers.
So he decided to wait.
When the time came, he would ask Elena or Isadora directly.
A few minutes later, they passed through the gates of the manor.
After going their separate ways, Adam returned to his room.
He enjoyed a long, hot bath while browsing the System interface.
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System
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Available Points: 1,150
Free Summon Available
11× Summon: 1,000 Points
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"Let’s see what I get."
He started with the free summon.
A flash of light appeared.
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Reward Obtained
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+1 Stat Point
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"Not bad."
Then he activated the 11× summon.
A shower of colorful lights immediately filled his vision.
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11× Summon Results
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Mana Potion
White Grade Sword
White Grade Adventurer Boots
Green Grade Superior Healing Potion
+2 Stat Points
Blue Grade Beginner Alchemy Kit
Green Grade Blacksmith Hammer
Green Grade Portable Anvil
Green Grade Skill Book: Massage
Skill Book: Mana Control
White Grade Mana Crystal
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Adam then examined the general item ranking system.
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Grades
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Broken Gray — Poor (E)
White — Common (D)
Green — Uncommon (C)
Blue — Rare (B)
Purple — Epic (A)
Orange — Unique (S)
Gold — Legendary (SS)
Red — Mythic (SSS)
Black — Divine (EX)
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This ranking didn’t apply only to items.
It was also used for adventurers.
Artisans.
Mages.
And even monsters.
"Interesting..."
After finishing his bath and getting dressed, Adam used the two Skill Books he had obtained from the summon before heading downstairs for dinner.
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Skill Book Used
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Mana Control
Skill Acquired
Level 1
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A vast amount of knowledge flooded his mind.
He now understood how to circulate mana throughout his body and manipulate it with much greater precision.
Then he used the second book.
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Skill Book Used
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Massage
Skill Acquired
Level 1
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Adam stood motionless for a few seconds.
"Seriously?"
Dozens of massage techniques instantly filled his memory.
Muscle relaxation.
Mana circulation enhancement.
Fatigue reduction.
Tension relief.
"Oddly useful..."
After storing his new items inside his inventory, he headed downstairs for dinner.
As expected, everyone was already there.
Isadora.
Elena.
And Lyriana.
"Good evening."
"Good evening, Adam."
Dinner began shortly afterward.
The meal unfolded in a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
Adam recounted the events of his day.
He told them about visiting the various guilds.
His meetings with Selene Arkwell, Elaria Sylverleaf, Shiora Crimsonhorn, and Vespera Drakharis.
Several times, Isadora, Elena, and Lyriana exchanged amused glances.
It seemed Adam was finally beginning to understand just how influential those women truly were.
As the evening went on, the expressions on all three women’s faces became increasingly amused.
"Wait..."
Adam looked at each of them in turn.
"Why are all of you making that face?"
Lyriana burst into laughter.
"Because it only took you one day to meet some of the most important people in the kingdom."
"And because you only seem to be realizing now just how unusual that is," Elena added.
Isadora calmly took a sip of tea.
"Things are often far more complicated than they appear."
Adam decided to remember that sentence.
It sounded exactly like the kind of answer people gave when they wanted to avoid explaining something.
The conversation continued for a while longer before everyone eventually went their separate ways.
Adam returned to his room.
It had been a long day.
A very long day.
"Finally... some rest."
He removed his jacket.
Then he heard a knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Adam froze.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
This time, it wasn’t Elena.
Nor Lyriana.
Isadora entered the room.
The duchess wore an elegant violet nightgown covered by a long, lightweight robe.
Her crimson hair flowed freely over her shoulders.
She quietly closed the door behind her.
Then a soundproofing enchantment instantly enveloped the room.
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"Isadora?"
The duchess walked over.
A faint smile rested on her lips.
"Good evening, Adam."
"Good evening."
Neither of them spoke for several seconds.
Finally, Isadora sat beside him.
"I heard your day was quite productive."
"It certainly was."
"And educational as well."
Adam immediately noticed the amused glimmer in her eyes.
"You already knew who all those people were."
"Of course."
"And you didn’t tell me."
"You never asked."
Adam stared at her.
Then burst into laughter.
That answer suited her perfectly.
Isadora smiled as well.
Then her expression softened slightly.
"Elena is happy."
Adam blinked in surprise at the sudden change of topic.
"She is."
"I haven’t seen her smile this much in a very long time."
Silence settled between them.
A comfortable silence.
Then Isadora slowly raised her hand.
Her fingertips gently brushed Adam’s cheek.
"Thank you for that."
The authority usually present in her eyes had faded.
For a brief moment, she looked less like a duchess...
And more like a woman.
"Isadora..."
She smiled.
"Don’t overthink it."
Then, with a teasing smile, she added,
"Besides... certain decisions have already been made today."
Adam suddenly had a very bad feeling.
"What decisions?"
Isadora’s smile widened just a little.
"You’ll find out later."
At that very moment, Adam realized Elena, Lyriana, and Isadora had probably had a conversation he knew absolutely nothing about.
And somehow...
That worried him far more than any monster he had encountered that day.
