After leaving Adelyn's office, I made my way toward the kitchen to order some food from the chefs. However, as I turned the corner, I came face to face with Emma, the first heroine of the game. She leaned against the wall but quickly stood upright, blocking my path.
Emma's beauty was undeniable, inheriting her mother's yellow eyes and red hair. Though she was still a child, her appearance held a certain allure. However, my focus shifted from her physical attributes to her expression and demeanor. Her swollen, red eyes suggested she had been crying, but it was the intensity of her hatred that struck me.
"You're finally out of your room, you rat," she hissed, taking deliberate steps toward me.
In an instant, she grabbed me by the collar, slamming me against the wall. The anger in her eyes could have killed me on the spot.
"It's all because of you! If you hadn't gone out with Father, he would still be alive. Why? Why were you the one with him? You're just a failure!" Emma's grip tightened around my throat as she unleashed her fury.
While it seemed she desired to end my life, I wasn't about to stand idly by and let her choke me. Activating my trait [Tyrant's Aura], I met her fierce gaze, causing her grip to momentarily loosen. Seizing the opportunity, I freed myself from her hold.
Coughing, I managed to speak. "You're foolish, Emma."
Confusion clouded her expression as she attempted to regain control. However, this time I intercepted her hand, preventing her from grabbing me again.
"Like your mother, you're a fool. You blame me for Father's fate without considering the truth. You should use your brain, even if it's as small as a bird's. Yet, here you are, crying and pointing fingers instead of seeking justice for our father's murder. You've disappointed both him and me."
Emma's fury intensified, and she spat, "Shut up! Don't utter our father's name with your filthy mouth, you bastard child. Just like your mother, you're a whore's son until the end!"
Her mention of my mother ignited a fury within me that I struggled to contain. My emotions boiled over as I grabbed her by the throat, instinctively activating my [Tyrant's Aura] and [All-Seeing Eye].
"If you speak of my mother like that again, I'll extract each of your teeth, one by one, until your mouth is empty. Blame me for Father's death or whatever you wish, but I won't tolerate insults against my mother. I will avenge our father on my own, without your help or your mother's. But if you dare obstruct me again, I will crush you without mercy. Understood?"
Emma's face contorted in fear, and she could only nod in response. I released my grip, allowing her to catch her breath. Even though she was the heroine of the game and someone that had very high potential, in the end, she was still just a child who had yet to scoop under pressure. Therefore, my oppressive aura was enough to make her lose composure.
Coughing, she couldn't speak as the words were stuck in her throat.
"If you truly seek revenge, focus on those responsible for Father's death. Don't make me your enemy because of childish emotions, and don't waste my time either."
With those final words, I left her behind, continuing toward the kitchen while glancing at the system panel before me.
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Emma Augustride
Age – 13 Years old
Class – Magic Swordsman
Knight Rank – 2-star
Mage Rank - 2-star
Attributes – Fire (High)
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As I activated my [All-Seeing Eye] skill subconsciously, a system panel materialized before me. It was a remarkable ability, allowing me to peek into the status pages of others, making it one of the most formidable skills available. However, my mastery over it was still limited, and much of the information remained obscured.
Nevertheless, it was a valuable tool, and I intended to practice it throughout the mansion, searching for any potential threats or hidden individuals.
The sudden notation in the system indicated that my mastery over the [All-Seeing Eye] had increased, reinforcing my understanding of what I needed to focus on for the remainder of the day.
With that in mind, I proceeded to the kitchen, discreetly observing the status pages of those around me. I quickly discovered that I could only access the pages of individuals with a maximum rank of two stars. Attempting to view the statuses of higher-ranked knights drew unwanted attention, as they became aware of my intentions. Clearly, I needed to refine my skill and learn to control my intent.
In this world, assassins and rangers alike trained to conceal their intent, as it played a vital role in their success. Intent and instinct were intimately connected, and failure to mask one's intent proved detrimental. This mansion would serve as a perfect training ground for me, given my reputation as a quiet observer in my childhood. My tendency to observe others had often been misconstrued, causing discomfort among those I observed. However, as their employer, they were powerless to act against me.
Upon reaching the kitchen, I instructed the chefs to prepare a meal for me, specifically requesting the use of the herb 'Bloodthorn.'
"Huh, Lord Callius, are you certain you want us to use 'Bloodthorn'?" the chief chef questioned, taken aback by my request.
Naturally, the chief's surprise was justified. 'Bloodthorn' was a repugnant herb typically consumed only by beggars or peculiar individuals from certain regions. However, in the game, it possessed the unique ability to open mana paths without relying on class effects. The newly opened paths would connect to the entire body. Later in the game, a notorious mage with a troubled past emerged. As a child, he had survived on 'Bloodthorn' due to the absence of blessings from any church. Eventually, a nine-star mage discovered and accepted him as a disciple. This tale presented the perfect opportunity for me to partake in the 'Bloodthorn' herb.
Nevertheless, a single ingestion would not yield significant results, and time was not on my side. I needed to enhance its effectiveness by combining it with other herbs.
"Yes, prepare the meal with 'Bloodthorn,' and ensure that the herbs on this list are delivered to my room along with the meal," I instructed, placing the prepared list on the table before making my way back to my room.
Today would be a painful day as I will be forcibly opening my mana paths and fortifying my foundation using a concoction. Both processes will be excruciating, but they are necessary for my future endeavors. Given the inherent weakness of this body, direct combat was ill-advised, making it more advantageous for me to become a mage.
To become an exceptional mage, relying solely on blessings was not the optimal path. If alternative methods existed to augment my strength, it would be foolish not to utilize them.
Arriving in my room, I began making preparations. I needed to prepare both a hot and a cold bath since I would first need to cool my body before subjecting it to heat during the process. While ordering the food, I also instructed the maids not to disturb me for the remainder of the day, emphasizing the confidential nature of my activities.
After approximately ten minutes, my meal and the additional items I requested arrived. With everything in place, I braced myself for the arduous journey toward becoming stronger.