Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she glanced from the papers to me. "What is this?"
I leaned back in my chair, my expression calm. "These are the documents that formalize your role as my personal servant for the next ten years."
Clara's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me. You expect me to just sign myself into servitude?"
I met her incredulous gaze with a serious one of my own. "Given your recent actions, Clara, trust isn't exactly a luxury I can afford. After what you tried to do, I have no reason to trust you."
She took a step back, her face a mix of frustration and humiliation. "So, this is how you're going to play it? You don't trust me anymore, so I'm forced to be your slave?"
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "You've made your bed, Clara. Now it's time to lie in it. This is your chance for redemption, but it comes with a price."
Clara's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "And if I refuse?"
A cold smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Then I'll simply share the evidence of your little scheme with your family. I'm sure they'll be quite interested to know what you've been up to."
Her defiance wavered, and I could see the internal struggle playing out in her eyes. Pride warred with desperation, and I could almost taste her frustration.
"Fine," she spat out the word through gritted teeth, her face flushed with anger. "Give me the damn papers."
I slid the documents towards her, along with a pen. "Sign and date it."
Clara's hand trembled slightly as she took the pen, her signature a messy scrawl on the paper. She pushed the papers back to me with more force than necessary.
"There. Happy now?" she snapped.
I studied her for a moment, her anger and humiliation palpable in the air. "Not particularly. But it's a start."
She turned on her heel, her steps heavy with resentment as she moved towards the door.
"Clara," I called after her, causing her to pause and glance back at me. "Remember, this is your chance to make amends. Don't waste it."
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, a mix of emotions flickering in her eyes.
Then, with a tight nod, she left the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Huffing out a big sigh, I turned my attention towards Elisha, who was still standing there, her eyes wide with a mix of astonishment and confusion.
"Elisha," I said, my voice steady. "Go grab your weapon and follow me."
She blinked, clearly surprised by my request. "W-what? Why?"
I met her gaze, my expression determined. "Because the days of me being weak are long gone."
The scene shifted, and we found ourselves in the garden of my mansion.
The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over everything.
The soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, and the sound of birds filled the air.
Elisha stood opposite me, her daggers held in both hands, her stance defensive yet unsure. She looked at me, her eyes searching. "Are you sure about this, young master?"
"Absolutely!"
I replied, before I grabbed a wooden sword from a nearby rack.
Even though the wooden sword's weight should be around a pound or two, it felt substantial in my hand.
I stretched my arms, getting accustomed to the weight. "I've been waiting for this."
Elisha's voice was filled with concern. "Young Master, are you certain about this? You have never hold a sword in your entire life."
"Do you believe in genius?" I said calmly as I examined the sword.
The weight of the wooden sword in my hand felt oddly comforting, as if it was an extension of myself.
My fingers closed around the hilt, and a surge of familiarity rushed through me.
It was as if I had held this sword countless times before.
"Do you believe in genius?" I said calmly as I examined the sword.
Even though I had never held a sword in this or my previous life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection.
It was as if the sword and I were linked in some inexplicable way.
"Yes, but..." Elisha started.
I interrupted her with a confident smile. "Do you wanna see the realm beyond Geniuses?"
With a deep breath, I assumed a stance opposite Elisha.
The sword felt like an old friend, and I was ready to embrace its power.
'So is what its feels like to have an SSS: class trait?'
I tightened my grip on the wooden sword, feeling the cool smoothness of the hilt against my palms.
Every fiber of my being seemed to resonate with the energy coursing through the weapon.
It was as if I could sense its history, its purpose, and its potential.
"Elisha," I said, my voice calm and resolute. "Let's begin."
Elisha's concern was palpable, but she nodded and readied her daggers.
Her eyes held a mixture of worry and curiosity, unsure of what to expect from me.
She had only known me as the young master who kept to himself, never engaging in physical activities like this.
-Swoosh!
In a blink of an eye, Elisha's daggers were just inches away from slicing my throat.
Even though she was holding back, she was still a monster.
Thud-! Thud-!!
The clash of our weapons continued as Elisha followed up with a series of rapid strikes.
I did my best to parry her attacks, my body moving on pure instinct.
The wooden sword felt heavy in my hands, but it was also strangely exhilarating.
Each movement felt precise, as if I was tapping into a wellspring of knowledge that had always been within me.
She launched another attack on my openings.
Thud-!
The sound of wood clashing against resounded as I barely blocked her move not to mention I had my 〈Observer〉trait on.
Elisha's eyes widened in surprise at my defense, but she quickly regained her composure.
She suddenly launched an attack towards my feet, a move I hadn't anticipated.
Although, I seen the attack but my damn body wasn't able to react in time, I felt the wooden sword knocked out of my hand and I stumbled, losing my balance.
Droop!
I hit the ground face-first with an undignified "Ahh...! Ouch." The impact sent a jolt through my body, and I couldn't help but wince at the sudden pain.
"Young master, are you alright?!" Elisha's voice was filled with concern as she rushed to my side.
I pushed myself up onto my elbows, rubbing my sore nose. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just got a bit carried away there."
Hearing her concern made me embarrassed, and the words I had spoken to her earlier echoed in my mind, intensifying my embarrassment. 'Shit! I shouldn't have said those words!'
As if sensing my disappointment, Elisha confronted me with a supportive tone.
"Young Master, I had no idea you were so talented with the sword. You were able to counter four of my moves! That's truly remarkable!"
I let out an awkward laugh, appreciating her attempt to uplift my spirits.
Despite the cringeworthy delivery, her words did make me feel a bit better.
I brushed off the dirt from my clothes as I stood up. Elisha looked at me with curiosity. "What's your plan now?"
"I'm going to put an end to this weak body."
And become strong and for that, I have to go 'there' but I am still weak so first I should strengthen this body.
.
.