Sung Jin-Woo POV
I came to the beast glades to check on how The Iron Body monarch's group was doing. Because when Arthur finished his bargaining with Cynthia The Iron Body Monacrh reported to me that there was a lot of mutated, and corrupted beast that appeared, hence he cut them all down leaving the normal ones alive. As it took nearly an entire day to revive the monsters, because of how scattered they were, and I didn't want to leave any evidence yet.
"Jin-Woo" Seris's voice rang inside my head
"Yeah?" I replied
"I just got reports that hundreds of thousands of mutated, and corrupted beasts were let out into the beast glades," She said
"I've already dealt with the majority of them" I replied as I was certain that they could miss some
"All right and the Vritra bloodied child in Darv I'm sorry but I still can't gather any information about him" She added her voice depressed
"It's all right I doubt he'll be a big trouble" I replied
"But we can never be too careful, I'll try to find the boy myself too," I said
"I understand. They are starting to send radical groups to infiltrate academies to destroy them from the inside" She then continued her report
"Are they attending using Vritra mana arts?" I asked
"No they're using Dicathen mana arts when attending the academies" She replied
"All right I'll see what I can do" I replied
"That's all I have to report," She said
"Ok thanks" I replied as I continue my walk in the dungeon
I finished what I came for, so I returned to the manor. When I opened the door I was greeted by the face of familiar people. The twin horns, as I opened the door all of them had their gaze on me, at first everyone was confused about who I was, but Arthur introduced me.
"Guys this is my traveling companion I've told you about. Sung Jin-Woo" He said
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," I said as I gave a slight bow
We then proceeded to have a chat and talked about Arthur's journey, and activities from Elenoir. We tried to not mention that his teacher was the former king, and what surprised them the most was telling them his mana core stage. We wanted as few people as possible about the Dragon's will.
"Most people would be bragging the fact that they have a dragon's will, and bond" I heard Sylvia say
"Yes and most people would be greedy" I replied
As we dove deeper into the talks, I didn't say much since even I rarely do conversation with a bunch of people.
"Ah that was some story, and you to experience it at such a young age" Helen said as she patted Arthur's head
"It seems like it's getting late we should prepare for tomorrow" Helen continued
"Tomorrow?" I asked curious
"The Helstea auction" She replied
The next day the manor was very busy, as maids scrambled around the manor, and guards ran in and out. It seems like the auction is popular I thought
"Well might as well help out while we're here," Ash said
"Your right," I said as I let out a small group of shadows around the manor
I was also thinking about putting shadows on the guests, but I didn't bother with guests who didn't have mana or were weak. As I strolled around the auction building I was already dressed in a black suit, black shirt, long black jeans. Then after looking around the building I returned to the manor and walked with the others to the auction building.
Arthur POV
The ride was pretty short.
The first thought that had come to mind upon arrival was that Vincent put in a lot of work into this. The Helstea Auction House was breathtaking. It was rather misleading to even call it a house as it towered high above any of the other buildings nearby. I've been to many national and historical monuments that were created by the most famous architects, but this was on a different level. I suspected that they had a lot of help from Conjurers from how large it was. The Auction House was a magnificent theatre with intricate designs all over. The main doors were over 4 meters in height and were made from petrified wood with carved designs on them. Compared to the naturalistic and elegant designs that I saw in the Elf Kingdom, this was more complicated and grand. It was in the shape of a half-cylinder with detailed stone sculptures of different weapons as supports.
We arrived early, so only the workers and guards were present, preparing for the event. The inside was equally, if not more stunning. The front door opened to a path that stretched out to a stage on the other end. To our left and right, there were rows of escalating seats made from a rather luxurious burgundy leather that could fit over ten thousand people comfortably. Upon looking up, I noticed that there were incased booths at the very top of the rows of seats and even higher, there was a single room attached to the ceiling and back wall with glass surrounding it, giving a clear view of the stage. It was easy to guess that those booths, as well as the single room, were for the VIP.
Turns out, that the VIP room on the ceiling was the room we'd be seated in. Father and the Twin Horns, who had decided to help my father and the guards to prepare for any unwanted commotions or outbreaks, were the first to separate from us. Vincent separated from us after as he barked out orders at the workers and readied the hosts to greet the more important guests.
Tabitha led us to the room, making us comfortable inside the carefully-designed and furnished area that was meant for only the most distinguished and wealthy guests. There was a wine rack and a few reclining seats and tables with closer seats by the window. I made myself comfortable on a seat closest to the window.
Growing bored of the hordes of overdressed nobles chatting eagerly amongst themselves, I shifted my attention to Lilia as she was teaching some sort of clapping game to Ellie. I couldn't help but smile myself as the both of them broke into a fit of giggles when either of them messed up and were flicked gently in the ear as punishment.
Time passed by rather slowly until Vincent came back, leading a group of unfamiliar people inside.
The first to come in behind Vincent was an elderly man with long, deep-red hair that was aged with streaks of grey. His back was ramrod straight with broad shoulders that took off years in his appearance. The man's eyes were stern with harsh, sword-shaped eyebrows, giving him an undeniably eye-catching presence. He was wearing a red robe lined with white fur around the collar and had a cane that shined brighter than any silver I had previously seen. Trailing closely behind him was a lady that looked a few years older than my mother. While my mother had a lovely, sweet, friendly ambiance, this lady's facial features reminded me of an ice sculpture; refined, elegant, noble, and of no flaws, but also cold and devoid of emotion. She was wearing a shimmering silvery-white dress that complimented her dark blue hair that draped over her shoulders like a well-kept tapestry.
Behind the lady whom I assumed was the man's wife were two younger kids that could only be their kin. The older child, a boy that looked to be about the age of thirteen or so, took more after his father. With his serious brown eyes, straight brows, and his short mahogany hair that had a shiny luster just like his father's, it was apparent as to what he would look like a few decades down the road. Despite his fierce looks, however, there was a sort of unrefined charisma that was different from his father's. It was the sort of charisma that would make him the center of any group.
The younger one, a girl that looked to be about my age, surveyed the room carefully before locking eyes with me.
"Come on Arthur you don't need a second princess," Sylvia said
"Seriously you're going to be the start of a civil war" Jin-Woo commented
While Ash just hummed in agreement
"Sometimes I hate you all for the fact that you could just tease me at any given moment together," I replied as I looked back at the group
It would still be a couple of years until she started maturing, but needless to say, the potential was there. I couldn't help comparing her to Tess. They would both grow to be captivating to the men around them but in very different ways. Tess was the lovely girl next door, with her comforting almond-shaped eyes that glowed a bright teal. Her peaches and cream complexion and rosy cheeks. Her unique, gunmetal hair complimented her eyes, giving her a mysterious, yet approachable aura.
No, this girl was the complete opposite. Her porcelain white complexion was a canvas for her meticulously carved facial features. Her penetratingly sharp eyes that seemed much too mature for her age were a dark brown shade that appeared larger because of her long, thick lashes. Her hair was a glaring black, which she got from her mother. Compared to her dark hair and eyes, however, her small lips were covered in a soft pink shade that gave life to her doll-like appearance.
"My my, Arthur no need to go in specifics just say that's she's pretty would ya or at least disconnect from the mental link if your going to have thoughts like that" Jin-Woo said as I felt my face getting warm, and I cut off the mental link and returned my attention to them
It was hard not to wonder how they would grow up to be; whether mother nature would make them bloom or wither.
Peeling my eyes off of the girl in front of me, I focused on the three guards that followed after the picturesque family.
"I didn't know we would be in here with guests, Vincent," the man said, neither harshly nor kindly.
"I apologize, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having a few other people with you. You remember my wife, Tabitha, right? Well, these are our close family friends," he introduced, waving his arm in our direction.
After regarding us for a moment, his lips curled up into a smile. "If they are your friends, Vincent, then they are mine as well."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. At least we'll have some company besides these guards," the lady giggled.
I raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sharp contrast in the woman's personality to her appearance. She seemed much more welcoming, despite her intimidating looks than her husband.
"Everyone, as you all may know, I'd like you all to meet the King and Queen of Sapin. Introduce yourselves to King Blaine Glayder and Queen Priscilla Glayder and their children, Curtis and Kathlyn."
At this, my mother—who was holding my sister—Tabitha, and even Lilia, dropped down, genuflecting. I caught on and lowered myself a moment later as well. As I turned to look at Jin-Woo just looking outside
Giving us a nod, the King gestured for us to stand. "No more of this, now. No need to be stiff, we're just here for the auction, after all."
As I got back up, Sylvie peeked her head out from under my robe where she was sleeping, surveying curiously the new faces.
"Kuu?" she chirped, tilting her head.
I thought I heard a gasp from one of the guards in the rear, but I wasn't able to tell since their faces were covered.
"Oh my! What a cute little mana beast!" Queen Priscilla's face brightened up at the sight as she made her way towards me.
The King and the two children's eyes looked in my direction as well.
The guards took a step forward as well, making sure they were close enough to react in case something happened to the Queen.
"She just hatched a few months ago. Her name is Sylvie. Come out and say hello," I responded.
"Kyu~!" she cooed while hopping out of my robe and stretching her body like a cat.
"I assume this little mana beast is your bond, young man?" The King came closer, kneeling to get a closer view of Sylvie.
I just gave a wordless nod. It should be fine with Sylv's appearance the way it is. "How fortunate you are to have a mana beast. Even infant ones are not easy to tame, yet she looks to be very obedient."
"Well we're able to communicate mentally, so it's more like a mutual agreement rather than obedience," I simply shrugged.
"What? You mean to say that you are under an Equals Contract?"
We all turned our heads to face the source of the voice. It was one of the hooded guards behind the children.
Damn, did I say something I wasn't supposed to?
"Umm, I'm not sure what that is, but she was the one that initiated the contract, so I think so?" I shrugged, hoping to switch the topic.
Was it that big of a deal who formed the contract?
"Let me take a closer look at your bond!" the hooded guard exclaimed, creeping closer to us,
Before I could say anything to him, the King stepped in.
"This isn't the time nor place to study someone else's pet. You're being rude, Sebastian." His gaze turned harsh as he rebuked him.
"My apologies..." he said.
"Arthur. Arthur Leywin," I finished, giving a curt bow. As he and his wife gave me a small smile, we took our seats in time to hear the clear voice declaring that the auction would start soon.
A cold shiver made me turn back just to see Sebastian, who had taken off his hood, staring intently at Sylvie, who was nestled on my lap.
"Should I deal with him?" Sylvia asked her tone angrily
"No, we don't need a dragon to appear" I replied
"Besides we could kill him at any time, what makes things complicated is just him being the king's royal magician," Ash said
The auction proceed like any normal auction but with the exception that nobody wanted to outbid the king. And that's when I realize Sylvie wasn't with me, I quickly stood up, and try to find her calling her name multiple times in our mental link. And that's when I found her trying to hide I released my blood lust enough to make Sebastian stumble down, as The King and his family also felt it. The door opened, and I could see guards coming at me while I saw Jin-Woo behind one of the guards.
"What is the meaning of this," The king asked
"You should ask your magician" I replied not bothering to speak politely anymore as I approached and grabbed Sylvie
I saw Sebastian get up, and whispered something to the king. The king then looked at me and said
"Sebastian, here, has been a royal guard for a while now and has helped our family an uncountable amount of times."
His voice stayed relaxed he spoke to my father, but the condescension in his tone was still apparent. "For the exemplary services he has provided me, and therefore the country, I do feel the need to reward him at times. You see; he has taken a fancy to your son's bond. I know it's not easy to sever a contract and I'm sure the boy has grown close to his little pet, but I would be more than willing to hire a mage to take care of the contract and compensate you and your family for the troubles."
the King had his attention to my direction, regarding me loftily, and I suddenly realized that I was returning his gaze. He realized, then, that for the entirety of their conversation, I had been staring icily at him and his guard.
"Boy. Didn't your father teach you to lower your gaze when speaking to someone of your superior?" Sebastian snarled in disdain as he slammed the end of his metal staff to the ground.
"Sebastian, silence!" The King held up his hand. Besides the royal family and their guards, the King's request had caught the attention of the rest of my family as well as Vincent's.
"Child." The King approached, standing an arm's length away from me. "I'm sure you've just heard me speak to your father so I won't repeat myself. How about it? My royal armory would certainly have a sword befitting that of any aspiring knight."
Not wanting to make a big commotion, I swallowed back the profanity that was itching to spew out of my mouth. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious offer, but I must refuse. A simple sword could never replace Sylvie."
"How dare⎯"
"Sebastian!" King Glayder roared. Turning back to me, he spoke again with a much more impatient tone. "How about a trade then? The world lion cub that I just purchased for your bond?"
"Father!" Curtis scurried over to his father, pulling on his sleeve. "I thought the mana beast was mine?"
Ignoring his son, the King waited for my response.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I do not wish to give, sell or trade my bond," I reiterated, failing to mask the annoyed expression on my face.
"I have asked you twice, child, for a favor. Twice," he emphasized, his tone growing grave. "I will ask you once more; will you give me your bond?"
"This guy is starting to irritate me" I could hear Ash say his voice filled with disgust
"Agreed," Sylvia said
The air was tense as everyone's attention was directed at me. Sebastian gave me a menacing look from bloodshot eyes, just waiting to be released. The rest of the royal guards were on standby near the two, carefully observing the situation.
"Then let me ask you a question in response, Your Majesty. How much are you willing to sell your children to me?" I asked coolly, never batting an eye.
Thrown off-guard, the King wasn't able to respond to the seemingly random question. "You have asked me twice and I have rejected you both times, yet it seems your pride won't allow you to accept my refusal. You don't seem to be aware of what you were asking me, so I hoped to clarify using my question instead. How much money should I give you in return for your son or your daughter, King Glayder?" I rephrased, without wavering.
I heard the sharp whistle of a sword leaving its scabbard. "Insolent peasant! You dare insult the King and his family?" a guard roared as he charged at me before anyone had the chance to respond. But before he could reach me Jin-Woo appeared in front of me releasing his pressure, as I saw black, and purple mana particles appearing inside the room making all the guards kneel, while letting the others stand.
"King Glayder it seemed like my brother's answer was not enough for you so I hope you don't mind me stepping in to stop your guard from slashing my brother," Jin-Woo said in a cold tone
"As for you" He pointed at Sebastian
At first, nothing happened but Sebastian suddenly fell on his kneed, as I saw his knees slowly bleeding from the amount of pressure Jin-Woo gave to him.
"Poor man he's about to get squashed" I heard Ash say
"He deserves it" Sylvia replied
"I despise people like you who have power, and decide to do whatever he wants." He said as he walked closer towards Sebastian, at this point the room was silent, but soon after the silence was broken by the sound of Sebastian's bones being broken as Jin-Woo didn't even need to add more pressure. As jin-Woo walked closer towards Sebastian Sebastion couldn't even speak nor scream because of the barrier Jin-Woo set up, as Jin-Woo arrived in front of Sebastian the man was completely flattened, as a puddle of blood was formed. His flesh was flat, his bones crumbled into the size of stone pebbles. As he cleaned the mess he turned his gaze back at the king as he released the pressure. The guards who were once kneeling collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"I hope that this will be the last time King Glayder" Jin-Woo said
The king just nodded unable to say anything. Later Vincent called some guards to lift them from the floor as they all left.
The rest of the day continued without anything big happening. Then days passed by fast as it was already a day before my birthday.
"So... who's it going to be?" My father took a sip of his coffee, setting it down on the round wooden table we were all seated around.
We had been currently just finished eating breakfast with the Twin Horns party., The group had chosen a rather modest inn full of lively chatter. As they conversed while eating breakfast, while my Mother was currently busy wiping off the remains of food chunks bits of food that had managed to escape my sister's mouth off of her.
"Kuu!" Sylvie hopped up onto the table, with her head held high. Even without her mentally transmitting, everyone was able to make out that, 'I'm enough to protect Papa!', everyone was able to tell that that's what she was thinking.
"Sylvie! Come here~!" My sister waggled a piece of meat in front of Sylvie, tempting my legendary dragon bond, who instantly began to drool like a starving puppy, right before she leaped into my sister's arms.
When I saw this, I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Sylvie wagging her tail at a bandit smart enough to simply lure her away with a piece of meat.
Apparently, my father's ex-party members had just finished a dungeon exploration with several other parties, so they had some free time before their next mission or quest. Thus, it wasn't a matter of if they had the time, but rather if any of them wanted to.
Adam, who spoke up first while polishing the tip of his spear, was the first to speak up., "Babysitting doesn't fit my style, so I'll pass on this. Besides, I feel like, with my personality, Arthur might kill me in my sleep one day."
"Agreed" Ash said mentally
While Jin-Woo and Sylvia just giggled at Ashborn comment
Despite the joke, my father responded with a solemn nod. He knew what kind of temperament Adam had, and in turn, knew that they weren't likely to get along with each other.
"I was hoping that Durden or Helen would accompany Arthur. Honestly, although I can't offer much, Alice and I are more than willing to compensate you guys in whatever way we can if you do this."
"Don't talk like that, Rey, we're all family here. I, for one. would love to accompany him and watch him grow, anyhow," the gentle giant responded, his narrow eyes becoming even smaller as he smiled.
"Durden is right. You, of all people, should know that we aren't doing this for the money. Besides, we managed to get quite a bit of treasure off from our last dungeon raid." Helen said, shaking her head.
Suddenly, a silent hand shot up, making everyone at the table turn to look.
"I would like to volunteer."
"J-Jasmine? You, you want to go with Arthur?" Angela sputtered, looking at her brusque companion in shock.
"Hmm... Logically speaking, Jasmine is the most suitable person to protect Arthur. Durden only specializes in offensive area of effect spells. Although II do want to go with Arthur too, I feel that maybe I'm probably not the most suitable person since protecting someone isn't my strong suit." Helen just scratches her head.
"Jasmine, are you okay with going along with Arthur?" my mother asked, concerned.
Giving my mother a determined look, she looked at my mother with a determined gaze as she nodded firmly in response.
"Pfft! The lady says she wants to go, let her go. She's the only Augmenter among us that has an elemental affinity! She just reached the dark yellow stage last year and coupled with her wind attribute, I think she'd be the best suited." Adam said after a let-out chuckle as he leaned back on his chair.
It was decided that, in a week, I would go with Jasmine, and Jin-Woo to the Adventurer's Guild and register myself. I' would automatically start as an E-class adventurer after passing a simple test and could, depending on how well I do on any missions or on quests I take, raise my class accordingly.