Sucura stands poised before the majestic facade of Kalinski Manor. The stone walls, weathered by decades of relentless wind and rain, emanate an aura of mystery and grandeur.
A cool breeze gently rustles the leaves of the towering oak trees that stand sentinel around the manor, their gnarled branches casting eerie shadows upon the ground.
Sucura's eyes are captivated by the intricate carvings that embellish the entrance, depicting scenes of a mystical owl and monster creatures locked in an eternal combat. Two vigilant guards stand watch nearby.
Approaching the guards, Sucura's footsteps echo along the cobblestone path, while the scent of damp earth and moss permeates the air.
One guard halts him and inquires, "What brings you here?"
Sucura presents the Insignia of the Owl to the guard. After scrutinizing the emblem, the guard turns to his companion and commands, "Wait here."
Sucura gazes at the picturesque sky, where clouds veil the radiant sun. Unique birds soar gracefully overhead, and distant mountains create a breathtaking backdrop. His curiosity piqued, he examines the manor from various angles, taking in its grandeur.
After several minutes, a stunning, voluptuous maid appeared alongside the guard. She inquired with a refined air, "You are Sucura, correct?"
Sucura regards her calmly and offers a subtle nod in affirmation.
[Lvl. 49]
Assuming her role as his mentor, Linda, the captivating maid, introduced herself with poise. "Under Master Kalinski's directive, I am to serve as your instructor. My name is Linda, and I am an Assassin of [Adept] rank." With an elegant pirouette, she beckoned, "Follow me," and led the way.
'She's likely at the pinnacle of the adept rank, on the verge of ascending,' Sucura mused to himself as he trailed behind her.
"Where is Master Kalinski?" Sucura inquired serenely, his curiosity aroused.
"He will return within a few days," Linda replied, her tone reassuring.
As they entered the estate, Sucura's eyes were drawn to an exquisite fountain adorned with a mermaid clutching a golden jar.
The surrounding gardens boasted a profusion of vibrant flowers, and in the distance, he spotted a striking woman accompanied by a female guard. The woman, clad in a gothic emerald-white dress and hat, hummed softly as her platinum blonde hair cascaded in the wind.
Sensing Sucura's gaze upon the woman, the maid offered a word of caution. "That is Nicolette, Master Kalinski's daughter. Though blind, she possesses an extraordinary sensitivity to mana. It would be prudent to maintain your distance if you value your life." As she spoke, the enigmatic woman in the distance tilted her head, seemingly aware of their presence.
Sucura offered a subtle nod of acknowledgment to the maid and cast a brief, lingering glance at the woman. A sense of familiarity washed over him as he wondered, 'Have I seen her before?' With that thought, they continued on their way.
***
Linda led Sucura to a cozy room and announced, "This will be your quarters." As Sucura stepped inside, Linda inquired, "Do you have any questions?"
Sucura took a moment to survey his new surroundings before turning to Linda with a composed expression. "Are there any restrictions I should be aware of?"
Linda replied, "Simply refrain from wandering aimlessly throughout the premises." Sucura nodded in understanding.
Sensing that he had no further inquiries, Linda suggested, "If you have no more questions, I recommend you rest for the remainder of the day and prepare for tomorrow morning."
Sucura then asked, "Is it possible for us to train at night?" Linda arched an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing with suspicion, and gestured for him to provide further clarification.
"I possess a unique ability that enables me to learn more effectively during the nighttime, and my stamina and strength are also significantly enhanced," Sucura explained calmly. He then mused to himself, 'Hey… don't look at me like that, as if I harbor some ulterior motive.'
Linda meticulously assessed Sucura's physique before addressing him, "It appears you have been truthful regarding your capabilities. Considering your body remains in exceptional condition, shall we schedule our training for a later time?"
Sucura agreed, "Of course, I would appreciate that opportunity."
Linda replied, "Very well, I will return later to begin our training," as she gracefully exited the room and closed the door behind her.
Once Linda had departed, Sucura retrieved his belongings from the dimensional ring and organized them according to his needs.
After tidying up, he mused appreciatively, 'At the very least, I can still relish the picturesque view of the great outdoors and the celestial spectacle of the triple moons through the window.'
Subsequently, he chose a captivating book from his collection, ensconced himself in a plush armchair adjacent to the desk, and immersed himself in the literary world.
***
Ulrich Casimir [Manipulator Route]
"Chloe, are you quite alright?" Ulrich inquired, his voice laden with genuine concern. His eyes, too, mirrored his worry as he tenderly touched Chloe's hand.
Chloe regarded him with an enigmatic expression before offering a reassuring smile. "I'm quite well, Ulrich," she replied, gently squeezing his hand in return, conveying her gratitude for his care.
As Ulrich contemplated the situation, he thought to himself, 'Just a bit more time, and she will be mine at last. I can hardly wait to savor her entranced. Fortuitously, the incident in the village of Meroeda has brought us closer. Yet, I cannot shake the feeling that something is amiss with her. What could it be?'
Suddenly, the door swung open, catching Ulrich's attention. As he turned, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Chloe's eerie smile in his peripheral vision, but it dissipated as rapidly as it had materialized. His focus shifted to the figure standing in the doorway.
The woman asked playfully, "Oppss… have I interrupted a tender moment?"
Ulrich rose to his feet, feigning nonchalance. "Not at all, Susy," he replied with a smile, masking his true feelings. Silently, he sighed and thought to himself, 'Yes, you've disrupted us!'
"We've been assigned a new mission in a C-ranked dungeon at The Wind Grotto," Susy informed him.
"Very well, we shall depart tomorrow morning. We must prepare and gather supplies for the arduous journey ahead," Ulrich declared.
Susy approached Ulrich, her voice sultry as she whispered into his ear, "Visit me later."
With a coy smile, she moved towards the door, adding, "I'll leave the two of you alone for now," before making her graceful exit.
Ulrich couldn't help but feel a stirring in his pants as Susy whispered her enticing words.
As Ulrich's gaze fell upon Chloe, he was momentarily struck by the grotesque sight of countless teeth crowding her mouth, her head seemingly cleaved in twain. He blinked, and the horrifying apparition vanished as swiftly as it had appeared.
'What the tarnation was that? Perhaps I should rest for a few hours before visiting Susy. My fatigue must be inducing these ghastly hallucinations,' Ulrich pondered to himself.
He then addressed Chloe, "We should rest for now. Let's prepare for tomorrow's journey."
Chloe offered a subtle nod in agreement, her voice gentle as she replied, "All right, I'll do my best, Ulrich," and graced him with a warm smile.
Ulrich reciprocated the smile and nodded before taking his leave from Chloe's dimly lit chamber, the unsettling vision still haunting his thoughts.