Arc | Chapter. 30: Affinity (Patreon)

Chapter. 30: Affinity

He was a Grand Duke, his name was Filmas. For many years he had strived for wealth and power within Draliz, and finally, it was close to coming true. All that was left were the papers to be signed. He had made so many sacrifices, accepted so many shady deals, and even sold himself out a couple of times, but finally, it was going to happen.

He was going to be a King.

Or that’s what was meant to happen.

“No!” he screamed as the papers were torn before his eyes.

But he couldn’t do anything as they landed onto the ground and shattered into misty pieces, like broken glass. Just like that, everything he had arranged was gone. Of course, they were just papers that could be re-drafted, but the meaning was much worse, given that Ceylon, Thomas’ daughter, came along with a white-haired stranger.

The deal was over.

For a moment he stared, and then, he got angry. A vein popped in his forehead. This was legitimate business, perhaps the tactics used had been underhanded or inhumane to reach this point, but Filmas always abided by his contracts. If they signed, Arlow would be left alone, their lives in safety, but now that wasn’t the case. His generosity had been thrown away.

He stood up, the wooden chair falling behind him as he bellowed.

“You people will all regret it!” He was seething. “I will destroy your family, I’ll make sure the name of Arlow disappears from the history books starting from today, you’ve made a terrible enemy today, it’s now personal⁠—”

“What makes you think I’ll let you do that?”

His eyes went wide as the white haired girl stood in front of him, already charging a punch, and before he could even do anything her fist dug into his stomach⁠— Filma’s brain rocked as he nearly vomited, multiple ribs broke as he was launched back rolling through the ground as he began to cough blood.

“If anything, it’s best to kill you now.” The white haired girl said coldly as she walked to him. In just a moment, she stood before him and grabbed him by the neck.

It was so cold⁠— and she lifted him into the air.

“That way, all of the trouble is suddenly solved.”

“You can’t do that…” he squeaked. “Otherwise Draliz will get directly involved, things aren’t as simple as you think⁠—”

And her grip tightened with a frown. Filmas, seeing her cold gaze realized that she didn’t care. Laws, or nothing didn’t apply to her, just like the man that had forced him to⁠—

“Ugh!”

“Arc, let him go,” the blonde girl said with a sigh. “If he dies, given recent activities, a heavy investigation will be placed, and once they find out Arlow’s connection it will be over…”

At that moment, Filmas was dropped to the ground like discarded garbage as he struggled to stand. He would show her how wrong she was for treating him that way. But now he would leave.

“Though, that doesn’t mean I can’t beat him up so…” The white haired girl said.

And before Filmas could react he was bludgeoned onto the ground. He felt stuff break, other things snap, and before he could plead, he was hit again, and again, and again…

The world spun around him, until he fainted.

* * * * *

In the end, I was only human. Knowing the man before me had attempted to kill Ceylon multiple times made me unable to hold back, even if I couldn’t kill him I could at least beat him up to my heart's content. And that’s what I did.

I stood before a bleeding man, with arms bent the wrong way, barely breathing as I finally let out a long breath. I turned only to see Ceylon looking at me as if I was a monster, and Ceylon’s father was… taken aback.

Finally she let out a long sigh. “You… did it for me, right? Beat him up that badly.”

“I did…” I nodded. “Sorry, I guess I still went overboard.”

“You did,” Ceylon said with a long breath. “And now we have to give him medical attention. Thankfully, I still have a potion.”

With that, Ceylon approached the fallen Grand Duke and uncorked the potion. Contrary to my expectations she just bathed him in it rather than pouring it into his mouth. There was a moment of silence before she nodded.

“He’ll be alright, though…” She let out a sigh looking at the blood. “I guess I’ll have to grow used to it.”

I felt a pang of guilt in my heart when she said that, but chose not to say anything. Ceylon had indeed said to not do it again, and I went and did it again. It was… disappointing in a weird sense.

As I stood there, the father walked up to me, his expression weird.

“You do realize what you’ve done, right?”

I shook my head. “It was Ceylon’s wish, and I will help her see it to the end. Arlow will remain a noble family, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

Ceylon’s father, Thomas blinked. “That is… I see… so you are ready to die with us.”

“Yeah,” I solemnly nodded.

“I see.” He nodded. “Well, in that case you are welcome to use the name of Arlow for anything you may need. Our affairs are not known to the world, and our name is still one to be respected.”

I turned to him with some surprise. “Are you saying…?”

“You can borrow our name, is what I’m saying.” He smiled lightly. “Of course, I doubt you’ll ever need to, but now you have our entire support.”

Before I could say anything, Ceylon turned back to me. She had gone entirely silent looking at the beaten Grand Duke, and only just now recovered.

“Arc, can you take us home? Including my father.”

“Sure,” I agreed without hesitation.

She approached me as I offered her my hand, also did that for her father who flinched at my cold touch.

“Father, please brace yourself for an incredible bout of nausea,” Ceylon said quietly.

I blinked, as Thomas gave her a nod, and then I basically gave the signal.

“Let’s go then⁠—”

Though, as the established unwritten rule that it was now, I didn’t speak the skill name out loud since there was a stranger.

[God Step].

And we vanished from the warehouse in the blink of an eye, leaving the beaten Grand Duke on the ground.

◇ ◇ ◇

If I was honest, I didn’t exactly know what I had gotten myself involved in. In terms of nobility and the consequences I could face for beating the Grand Duke; all of that was unknown to me. While I wasn’t worried about something happening to me, I was certainly concerned about my actions affecting Ceylon and her family.

Nonetheless, it was something that I’d deal with in the future, for now…

I stood in front of the mansion as Ceylon’s father panted and struggled not to throw up, Ceylon let out a small sigh, and then, the door opened. Where Ceylon’s mother came running towards us, or more specifically her husband.

In no time she arrived and made sure to check up on him, then on Ceylon, and finally, she turned to me. Her golden eyes bore into me for what felt like an eternity before she sternly spoke.

“Arc you cannot manhandle my husband like that.”

I blinked. “Manhandle…?”

She snorted. “Ceylon told me a lot about you, namely emphasizing that you were the strongest adventurer she had ever met. So, while I know you aren’t used to handling F Tier people you should be gentler, look at him.”

I followed her gesture only to see Ceylon’s father resting against the metal fence of the property with deep breaths. All while servants rushed out of the house.

“That was caused by you.”

“Right…” I took a moment to digest. “I’ll keep that in mind for the future, if I ever do anything with your husband…”

“Good.” She nodded before her gaze softened. “Also thank you for taking care of Ceylon, I hope she wasn’t a handful. I’ve been meaning to talk to you, but you kind of left.”

“Right…”

“Let’s all go inside and have a nice dinner, hurry hurry.”

She ushered me and Ceylon along with Thomas. All while I couldn’t help but think she was a bit self absorbed but also caring. As for her name, I didn’t know, but Ceylon’s mother was quite sweet. At least now.

When we entered, the servants were already preparing dinner. Ceylon’s father went to take care of some things, and then we were left alone. I sat across from Ceylon’s mother in the living room, and Ceylon was… sitting in a different chair altogether from awkwardness.

“My name is Arsha, Arsha Arlow, pleased to meet you Arc…?”

I blinked. “It’s just Arc.”

She paused for a moment before shaking her head. “To think a commoner has such magnificent clothes, it makes me jealous. Are they not too warm?”

“They are… okay?” I answered with confusion. “I never really feel hot if that’s what you’re asking, nor do I ever feel super cold either.”

“That’s strange.” She pondered for a moment. “Perhaps you could go to the capital and take a look at the Institute of Magic, they might be able to help with your condition.”

I blinked. “The Institute of Magic…?”

She nodded. “Every kingdom researches magic and the System, it is only natural that Draliz would have its own. I assume your condition is related to your ice mana nature.”

“You know that because my presence is cold or…?” I asked confused but also somewhat alarmed.

Ceylon’s mother paused. “Oh, I can just see it. You have a pale blue aura, Ceylon’s on the other hand is golden, an affinity to light. As for how strong the affinity is.” She shook her head. “I cannot see it, and I don’t think anyone in this world can.”

I nodded very slowly. “Interesting…”

For a moment I wondered if I had to be worried about it or not, Ceylon’s mother seemed to be very kind to me which was surprising, so perhaps I could ask her more about it later. Though for now, I was satisfied. As for my body temperature problems, I didn’t know if I actually cared to fix them since this was my normal.

Though just as the conversation was about to continue a servant came to inform us that the banquet was ready.

And so, I found myself at a dinner table along with Ceylon’s family and… wonderful smelling food. I didn’t know what manners were for nobles, but I still decided I’d try my best to be as refined as possible.

Some thank yous were said, and finally the meal started.

I stared at the juicy meat before me, and finally with some hesitation I cut in and tasted it⁠— my eyes went wide as I realized that what I wanted to do was going to prove much more difficult than I anticipated.

That night, Ceylon’s family got a completely different impression of me, for better or for worse. But I still went to bed happy.

* * * * *

After a rather long journey, Rory found herself in Ranedale, a town that greatly interested her. The rumors of its unique good had become widespread, though with a limited supply its price was quickly rising. Yet still, she bought one, it was a piece of ice except it wouldn’t melt.

It had been called Everlasting Ice by the locals, appearing after an extremely powerful adventurer rescued the city from a deadly spider attack. Further details were further unknown, but Rory had a hunch that the adventurer that had saved the town had been no one else but Arc.

She threw the ice into her Storage Ring and went on her way, it was time to traverse the Black Forest⁠— or at least that’s what she intended to do if not for the crowd gathering at the Adventurer’s Guild.

“An artifact is being sold!”

“Did you hear? It’s the highest Tier seen in years⁠—”

“A spear!”

Whispers of the people attracted her enough to check out what was going on, Rory pushed through the crowd slowly but surely as she entered the now full adventurer’s guild. And that’s where she saw it, at the counter behind the receptionists and covered in a display of magical glass there it was.

[Spear of Everlasting Ice. Tier: S]

It was in its nametag. Yet there was no doubt about the quality of the item, given its hefty price tag.

300 Platinum Coins.

That was worth more than a lot of houses, or even more than some C Tier adventurers would make in their lifetime, and yet no one thought it was overpriced. However, no one could afford it either.

Rory sighed. If only she could take a closer look at that spear.

And people began to gasp, Rory paused as she turned only to see a tall man walk through the crowd. He had black short hair and golden eyes, an uncovered cloak that revealed his identity for everyone to see. Rory too recognized him, as numerous people did.

It was one of the few true high Tier adventurers in Draliz.

Jake, the Weapon Master, an S Tier adventurer.

Without putting on much of a show, he spoke simply to the bald receptionist.

“I want to buy the Spear of Everlasting Ice.”

Rory paused, and at that moment the whole guild went silent.