Cecilia left the estate two days later.
Perhaps taking the situation seriously, the grandfather known as the cardinal came personally, so the rural lord, the count, had no choice but to meet him directly.
In any case, before leaving, Cecilia made one request of Veris. It wasn't a particularly big request. She simply wanted to see his face without the robe.
With no reason to refuse, Veris easily showed her his face, and Cecilia, who looked strangely satisfied, left under the protection of the cardinal.
And now.
Gulp.
Sitting in his modest room without any unnecessary luxuries, Veris gazed reverently at the system window.
He had obtained two skills by rescuing Cecilia, who was not part of the plan. He prayed that this time they would be passive skills, not active ones, and soon pressed the skill list window.
< Skill List >
{ Passive Mastery (UR) (Unique) (Bound) (Mythical) }
{ Overgrowth (New!) (SSR) (Unique) (Legendary) }
{ Mana Master (New!) (SR) (Unique) (Rare) }
"Legendary and Rare!"
Veris jumped up from his seat and shouted as he checked the grades of the skills he had acquired. Legendary and Rare. What a pleasing resonance.
The previously obtained skill, 'Passive Mastery,' was a non-deletable skill of mythical grade. However, despite its high grade, it didn't have much merit, so Veris hoped that this time the contents would be good and checked the details.
[ Overgrowth ]
─Devour endlessly, and grow endlessly.
Type: Passive Skill.
Effect: Maximum growth potential stats increase by 50%. All experience gain amounts increase by 500%.
"Wow!"
The first skill he checked, Overgrowth, was a skill specialized for growth.
The fact that the maximum growth potential stats increase by 50% means that he could exceed the maximum stat of 100.
"This is amazing."
Moreover, since it was a passive skill and not an active one, there was no need to worry about penalties.
Veris had developed a taste for checking the stats of other people. Therefore, he understood better than anyone how important stats were, and the liberation of the stat cap held great significance for him.
And was that all?
It was a skill that even had a buff that increased experience gain by five times. Truly, it was an effect that matched the name 'Overgrowth.'
The jackpot that burst forth, rendering the anxieties he had felt when acquiring active skills meaningless.
Feeling inexplicably good, Veris then checked the skill he had acquired, Mana Master.
[ Mana Master ]
─To those who have mastered mana, remember. Mana is always with us.
Type: Passive Skill.
Effect: Proficiency in handling mana greatly increases. All stats +5.
"This is also a passive skill."
Veris clenched his fist as he checked the skill details.
The gloomy feelings he had from giving up the Heavenly Sword a few days ago seemed to fly away.
Although it was disappointing compared to the previously checked 'Overgrowth,' it was still a skill with sufficient performance.
He would have to check what the increase in mana proficiency would do, but the immediate increase in all stats was certainly valuable.
Moreover, with the stat caps now exceeding 100 and growing up to 150, the increase in all stats held great value.
"This is really good."
The performance of the skills he had obtained in succession was simply incredible. One would aid in growth, and the other would surely help in combat and daily life.
Knock, knock.
"Veris, are you in there?"
Just as Veris was lost in self-indulgence, reveling in his joy, a familiar voice came with the sound of someone knocking on the door.
Arwen.
The elf girl who had been rescued thanks to the knights destroying the secret slave trade in the estate and had become a maid of the family. It was her voice.
"Yeah, come in."
"Then, I'll excuse myself."
Creeeak.
Arwen entered, quickly scanning the room. And then came the nagging.
"...You still haven't tidied your clothes."
"Moving my body is more bothersome than I thought."
"Still, considering your position in the mansion, you need to maintain proper conduct."
Turning away from her stiff words, Arwen silently approached Veris.
She adjusted his disheveled tie and carefully smoothed out the wrinkled clothes from rolling around on the bed.
Since that scene seemed quite familiar, Veris looked at her and gave a playful smile.
"I could really get married now."
"Marriage, you say."
"Yeah. You seem to have grown a lot lately, don't you think?"
As Veris said, Arwen was gradually shedding the traits of a young girl.
Her height had increased tremendously compared to the beginning, and the curves of her body were slowly revealing themselves.
As a result, Arwen was now taller than Veris.
Of course, Veris was still in his growth phase, so there was a good chance he would eventually be taller than Arwen, but it was unavoidable that his male pride took a hit.
"I have no thoughts of marrying anyone yet."
"So, you plan to stay by my side for life?"
"...That doesn't sound bad."
With that response, Arwen moved closer to Veris.
Rustle—
They were so close that their breaths could tickle each other's faces. Yet, Arwen remained unfazed, merely touching Veris's collar.
"The count said he has an appointment in the afternoon and won't be able to attend the training."
"Okay."
"Aren't you disappointed?"
"Well, my father being busy isn't something new."
After a long, awkward silence, Arwen finally spoke up, revealing the purpose of her visit to Veris's room. Veris responded casually.
"You're quite mature in situations like this."
"Are you teasing me? There's no one my age as mature as I am."
"...Is that so?"
Arwen looked genuinely surprised, her eyes wide and her mouth covered. Seeing that expression was amusing, Veris burst into laughter and continued to look directly at her.
"Arwen, have you ever thought about learning mana?"
"Mana, you say?"
Arwen showed a slightly surprised expression at Veris's sudden suggestion.
Just moments ago, they had been so close that they could hear each other's breaths, and she had been expressionless, but now she couldn't hide her surprise.
"Yeah. I may not know swordsmanship, but I'm completely ignorant of spirit magic or spells."
"Why are you making such a sudden suggestion?"
"Why? Because your talent is too precious to waste."
Veris's nonchalant answer left Arwen with a puzzled expression.
She knew of Veris's extraordinary nature, but she had never felt that he had an eye for talent.
However, Arwen quickly dismissed her moment of contemplation thanks to Veris's next words.
"In a few years, I'll be entering the academy."
"Are you saying...?"
"Yeah, I'd like you to go to the academy with me."
Arwen, who usually maintained a poker face, showed a strange sense of anticipation or excitement on her face after hearing Veris's calm response. It was probably not just her imagination.
"With you, Veris?"
"The academy doesn't discriminate based on status for those with talent."
"Being with my master is a glory I should naturally follow."
Arwen's tone had strangely risen. Veris nodded in satisfaction at her positive response.
In truth, there was no reason for Veris to extend such kindness to a servant who served him.
Was it because Arwen was pretty? Or because she was an elf born with the love of mana?
...Of course, he didn't completely lack such feelings, but what was certain was that Arwen possessed extraordinary stats.
< Stats >
Arwen Enixray
Strength: 76
Intelligence: 90
Magic: 87
Agility: 69
Charm: 93
"Pass. You pass."
The stat window of Arwen, which he checked after a long time, always brought him satisfaction.
This was not a talent one would expect to find in a rural estate. Perhaps, aside from Veris and his father, Arwen could be the next best talent in this estate.
Of course, even if she boasted outstanding stats, if she didn't know how to use that power, it would be meaningless. That was why Veris had formally proposed that she train in mana.
"It's sudden, but... thank you."
"For what?"
"Thanks to you, Veris, I can stay by your side longer."
At Arwen's bold words, Veris raised his hand to cover his eyes.
This mischievous elf seemed unaware of the power of her words.
* * *
"...So, you want to invite a tutor for Arwen."
"Yes, Father."
Count Vitelbach, the lord of the Verdun estate, could not help but be taken aback by his son's unexpected request.
He knew well that his son held a terrible disdain for the people of the mansion.
As the lord's son, it was a virtue to protect and cherish his people. Thus, he secretly appreciated Veris's nature, but this was a matter of a different level.
"I want to hear your reasons."
Count Verdun clasped his hands on the desk in his office.
Inviting a teacher to train in swordsmanship, magic, or spirit magic was not particularly difficult.
While it was certainly challenging to invite an exceptionally skilled master, there were plenty of people in the world who had abilities but lacked the funds.
However, the problem arose if the teacher was to instruct someone who was not a member of the family but a servant.
Considering the lord's prestige, it was not an easy decision to make. Although Count Verdun was aware of his son's talent, this was a rather sudden request.
"I saw potential in Arwen."
"Potential?"
It was a ridiculous thing to say, but his son was a genius unlike any other on this continent.
Thus, the count did not easily dismiss Veris's words. His previously negative attitude faded, and his eyes sparkled at Veris's statement.
A talent that was recognized by his son. The fact that this talent belonged to Arwen, a servant in the mansion, was quite a coincidence.
It was ironic that an elf girl, who had been a product of the slave trade captured in the estate, turned out to possess immense talent.
"Very well. I will grant your request."
Count Verdun's contemplation did not last long.
He had always thought that the prestige of being a lord held little value. However, if he could secure a certain individual as his son's ally through this opportunity, it might turn out to be a profitable venture.