Chapter 6
Mitchell regained consciousness.
He lifted his heavy eyelids, but his vision was still blurry, so he closed his eyes and checked his body first. His entire body throbbed with pain, and his Aura Hole was completely empty.
Fortunately, he had absorbed every last soul to his limit before losing consciousness.
‘Only five souls.’
The number was small, but the quality was different.
The souls of the prisoners in the Kellion family's training cave were just ordinary people.
However, the souls he absorbed this time were all warriors who had trained in Aura. He had felt it vaguely when he first absorbed a warrior's soul, but seeing it now, there was definitely a difference in the quality of souls.
He wanted to fill his Aura Hole immediately to check the difference, but he sensed people nearby and held back.
It seemed his previous opponents couldn't see him absorbing souls. However, tearing a soul apart to fill an Aura Hole was a different matter.
Could it be because they were only 3rd-class Aura users? Mitchell ignored the lethargy rising to the top of his head and forced himself to stand up.
Inside the carriage were the man who had cleaved half the warriors in a single strike and the mage who had used powerful attack magic. The man spoke as he saw Mitchell sitting up.
“You’re awake. Is your body alright?”
“I’m okay, but... you look like you’re in worse shape than I am.”
The man was sweating profusely despite wearing several layers of clothes. His complexion was so pale that he looked like a patient on the verge of death.
“I’ll be fine soon. More importantly, I must thank you first. You saved our lives.”
“It was nothing. I just heard the sound of fighting and got caught up in it.”
“Haha, regardless, the result was a great help.”
As the man laughed and spoke, the mage beside him added a word.
“That’s right. You saved everyone, including myself. House Lunei will not forget this favor.”
“Lunei...?”
As Mitchell muttered the name softly, the man realized he hadn't introduced himself yet.
“Come to think of it, we haven't exchanged names. I am Grant of House Lunei. House Lunei is a martial family located in Ranga.”
“I am Loren, a guest mage of House Lunei. As you can see, I am an Elf, so don't be too surprised. Ah, looking at your outfit, you seem to be from the West, so you must have seen many Elves.”
In fact, that wasn't true. Kellion was a family of Black Mages. Since Elves dealt with "Yang" (positive) mana, they had no reason to be involved with House Kellion. Furthermore, since Mitchell had spent his whole life inside the family estate, he didn't even know if there were Elves in the outside world.
“I am Mitchell Wilson. I’m currently traveling.”
Mitchell introduced himself with an awkward smile. House Kellion was a proud Black Mage family recognized by the Empire. However, since he had decided to stand on his own after leaving the family, he gave his mother's surname instead. His mother was from a fallen noble family in the West, so he figured no one here in the North would recognize the name. Just as Mitchell thought, the two didn't show much of a reaction.
“Welcome to the North.”
“Ahem... By the way, about your Mana Car.”
Huh? Come to think of it, my Mana Car! Mitchell was startled by Loren's words. The maximum speed was slower than a horse, and it required hard-to-find Mana Stones to move, so there was much debate about its utility. However, for long-distance solo travel, it was rated better than a carriage due to its steady speed and cargo space. That’s why Mitchell had used a Mana Car to leave his family.
Regardless, such a Mana Car was incredibly expensive. It wasn't something he could just abandon easily. Seeing Mitchell’s reaction, Loren burst into laughter.
“Ho-ho, don't worry. We’ve tied it to the horses and are pulling it along.”
“Whew... that’s a relief.”
“So, since it seems to be broken, how about selling it to me?”
“I can't. I’m traveling, so I plan to repair it and keep using it.”
At the firm answer, Loren smacked his lips. Loren's eyes were burning with greed. However, that greed wasn't material. It was a look Mitchell had seen many times while living in a Black Mage family. It was the greed for research. And people with that look were usually not quite sane.
‘I should keep my distance...’
Mitchell scooted his butt slightly away from Loren. Grant laughed loudly at the sight.
“Haha, Lord Loren has been very interested in Mana Cars lately. He’s in charge of the Mana Car development project for our family.”
“I see. But I won't sell it.”
“...”
Loren went silent, and Grant continued to laugh even while breaking out in a cold sweat. Stop laughing. You look like you’re going to collapse again.
Cough!
As expected, Grant began coughing up blood from laughing.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? Your complexion looks like you’re about to die...”
“Gah! I’m fine. I’ve drunk a recovery potion, and this has happened a few times before.”
“Is it because of that martial technique you used to wipe out the enemies?”
“That’s right. It’s a technique that places a heavy burden on the body.”
“Still, if it’s that powerful, I’d like to learn it myself.”
At Mitchell’s words, Grant gave a bitter smile. However, not wanting to talk more about it, he quickly changed the subject.
“More importantly, since we owe you a favor, I would like to invite you to our family estate. If you come, we will do our best to help you recover.”
“I’d be grateful for the invitation. As you can see, I’m in quite a state myself.”
“Haha, excellent!”
Mitchell had originally planned to settle down somewhere a bit away from the metropolis of Ranga. This was a good opportunity to stay at a martial house in Ranga and get a feel for the atmosphere.
‘If possible, I’d like to learn swordsmanship systematically too.’
Above all, Mitchell had realized a lot after watching Grant and the other warriors fight. Because their foundations were solid, their attacks remained sharp even after countless strikes against the defensive formation.
‘And this man, Grant.’
Even though he looked to be in his early twenties, he radiated the energy of someone around the 5th-class.
According to the books, someone at the 5th-class at that age would be called a genius by the world.
Although he probably couldn't learn the powerful secret technique Grant used, Mitchell wanted to absorb the experience of a man called a genius.
‘There will definitely be a lot to learn.’
Up until now, he had only trained by reading books. He lacked both the time and the experience to build a proper foundation. Mitchell felt a surge of longing for learning once again. Wasn't the reason he came to the North in the first place to learn proper martial arts? Before he knew it, Mitchell's eyes held the same glint as Loren's earlier.
The carriage Mitchell was in traveled for several hours before arriving at Ranga, where House Lunei was located. As expected of a large city, the roads in Ranga were well-paved and lined with massive buildings. However, in contrast, it lacked vitality.
This was because the faces of the people on the street were clouded with shadows. Seeing Mitchell's expression, Grant gave a wry smile.
“It used to be a very vibrant city. But it became like this as House Lapel gained power.”
He had heard about House Lapel on the way. The family that tried to kill him. They were said to be mainly involved in underground businesses. As they grew, drugs, brothels, and gambling dens naturally took over, and the city was being stained grey.
“Still, it will be a bit better once we get near our family estate. That’s a place where Loren's influence cannot reach.”
“Even with the situation like this, are the officials just staying quiet? If they were sent by the Emperor’s command, they should be fixing the city's security.”
“They likely made a backroom deal with the Lapel bastards. Even if they didn't, intervening in the affairs of martial families is something that only happens in the center of the Empire. In the outskirts like here, they won't move unless it’s a foreign invasion.”
Mitchell had heard of such things. He just didn't realize they ignored each other to this extent. Grant saw Mitchell's expression and continued.
“From their perspective, they see us and Lapel as the same—people holding weapons and running businesses. They probably don't want to get involved and get burned. But isn't it the same in the West?”
“...”
“Well, I suppose not everywhere is the same, so you might not know. Regardless, our family estate is safe, so you won't have any problems staying there.”
Grant's words were not an empty boast; the scenery changed as the carriage moved further.
At the stalls spread out, people were chatting noisily while busy buying and selling food, and children ran around laughing. It felt like a completely different place from the Ranga he had seen so far.
While he was taking in the sights, the carriage eventually stopped. Mitchell was impressed when he turned his head to look at the building.
Compared to House Kellion, the scale was smaller, but the atmosphere emanating from the outer walls and the main gate was entirely different.
House Kellion, which had prospered relatively recently, had many new buildings, but the building before him felt elegant rather than old-fashioned, despite its age.
“It’s nice.”
“It’s a building that’s over two hundred years old. It’s hard to maintain, but it’s good for remembering past glories.”
At Mitchell’s words, Grant’s face filled with pride. Though it darkened at his last sentence.
Mitchell, who had been curious, finally understood why Grant had that expression once the main gates opened. Compared to the exterior, the interior was incredibly shabby. The trees on the vast grounds were unkempt and in a wild state, and even the ground was dug up here and there.
‘Are they poor?’
Coming from the wealthy House Kellion, Mitchell wondered if it was okay to be a burden in a place like this. However, he didn't voice those thoughts. Soon, the carriage stopped again. Seeing a building as grand as the exterior, it seemed to be the main hall of House Lunei.
“I’ll introduce you to my father first and then show you to your quarters.”
Since it was common courtesy to greet the head of the house when visiting, Mitchell nodded. Soon, Grant, Loren, and Mitchell got off the carriage and entered the main hall.
“He might have fallen into a pit and fainted.”
“I told you, no! It’s definitely a kidnapping!”
However, the atmosphere was strange. In the main hall's lobby, people were gathered in small groups, each talking amongst themselves. And in the center was Grant's father, Kayden Lunei. Grant saw his father and greeted him.
“Grant, look at the state of you. Did you use the Heaven-Shattering Sword?”
“Yes, it just happened that way...”
“Didn't I tell you never to use that cursed technique again!”
“It was a dangerous situation, so I had no choice. We barely survived because the person here helped us when we were about to die while surrounded. Thanks to him, Lord Loren and the warriors are also fine.”
“What? You almost died?!”
Grant introduced Mitchell, who was standing beside him. Only then did Kayden notice the presence of an outsider and grabbed Mitchell’s hand firmly.
“Thank you, truly, thank you.”
Mitchell felt a deep fatherly love in the warmth of Kayden’s tight grip. For a moment, Mitchell remembered his own father, who was the complete opposite, before wiping the thought from his mind.
“Our House Lunei will never forget this favor. I express my gratitude once again.”
“I didn't really do much, so I feel a bit burdened by your words.”
“Haha, and humble to boot!”
After Kayden finished repeating his thanks for a long while, Grant finally stepped forward.
“Father, I’ll tell you the details later. More importantly, where is Chief Administrator Hail?”
“I suppose you heard on your way here.”
“Pardon? What do you mean...?”
“Everyone is gathered here right now to find the missing Chief Administrator Hail.”
Anger clouded Grant's face. Chief Administrator Hail was suspected of being an enemy spy. The fact that he had disappeared meant the probability of him being a traitor had increased.
“If you are about to go out and search for him now, please postpone it for a moment. I have something to say along with Mitchell here.”
Me? Why me? Mitchell’s eyes widened at the sudden mention of his name. Then, Grant, who was beside him, slowly turned his head and moved his lips silently.
[Please help me with this matter. Didn't you say you wanted to learn the martial art I used? It’s a secret technique of the family, but I will find a way to teach it to you.]
Then it's a deal! Only then did Mitchell’s face brighten into a wide smile.
