I sohow managed to convince Cal to mass produce those poison elixirs. He was shocked at my resistance to poisons at first, unsure of whether I was involved in sothing nefarious. What I showed him was sothing that no human should be capable of. Poisoners and assassins would sotis be capable of this, spending years ingesting their own wares to build a tolerance, but Cal knew
well enough to know that was not the case.
I assured him that I wasn't doing anything bad, relying on our long standing friendship and the trust we had built up between us. Maybe Cal did think I was involved in so sort of dark magic, with my strange actions and bizarre behavior, but I knew he wasn't particularly the religious type either. He did what was in his own best interest, and if that ant supporting soone involved in the occult, then so be it.
I of course was less concerned, having the knowledge that I had no connection with black magic. So long as I didn't make my powers too flashy, nobody would dare question soone of my station. Perhaps in the capital I might need to show more restraint, but that shouldn't be a problem at all with how subtle enhanced constitution normally was.
Equally important, my constitution allowed
to take full advantage of Cal's cheap alternative to the other elixirs, sothing I could capitalize on with Cal's support.
In the anti, I commandeered the entire chest that was intended for nurturing Marcella's talent. Drinking a handful more in a few minutes, it occurred to
just how inefficient this was. Feeling so sympathy for the mages of the world who could only rely on such thods. But if it could save
a few points from the system, any amount of investnt was worth it for .
I had no real plans for the day, only that I knew I wanted to go exploring outside again. I found a maid that was willing to help her learn how to read, allowing
to leave Belle in her care for the ti being.
Afterwards, heading on my way to the family barracks, slightly away from the mansion but not far. The grounds were busy, but nobody barred my way as I made for the front door, opening it to find what was essentially an oversized parlor room. Dozens of knights conversing with themselves, relaxing, and wasting ti while off-duty.
Cringing as I noticed one of my older brothers, Tristan. Hoping he didn't notice ... but it looked like I didn't have any such luck. In the last few years I really haven't gotten along with my family very well, especially my brothers. I was always sothing of a black sheep, far skinnier and scrawnier than the rest. I'm not sure if it was a consequence of the rged-soul situation, but I suspected as much. If I didn't have the system, it would have always remained a curse instead of a blessing.
He saw , but just smiled and returned to his previous conversation with another young man who was holding a flowery letter in his hands as they stood about the fireplace, tossing the letter in to burn. I thought things were going great until he pointed
out, wrapping his arm around my brother's neck and walking up to
with a swagger in his step.
"We were just talking about you, Keaton. Gawn here has been dying to et you since this morning."
Triston introduced his friend, who stepped up confidently, sticking out a hand for
to shake, which I obliged.
The man was trying to crush my hand with his grip, leaving
confused as to whether he was trying to show off... he had a pleasant enough face, smiling, but his gaze was really intense gaze and he maintained direct eye contact the entire ti. His eyes never leaving mine.
"It's a pleasure to et you, Keaton. I've heard a lot of things about you." He said while continuing the grip.
"Like what?" I asked, sowhat interested.
"Things." He replied cryptically.
Good things, I hoped. Looking at my brother suspiciously.
"You're a knight I assu?" I asked him, trying to probe why he was so interested in .
"And only the most talented swordsman in the entire city." My brother bragged for him, seeming to hold this Gawn character in high regard.
Amazingly young for such a boast, he looked my age...
Well that's good I supposed, I could use so muscle for where I was going.
"I was actually coming here to pick up so guards, I'm headed out to the forest today. There was a commission I wanted to take a look at for the guild." I explained to him.
"Do you care if I join you?" He seed a little forceful with his words, but there really wasn't a reason not to have him. I'll take as many as I can get.
"I don't mind particularly, but I'm curious what you find so interesting about ?" He was honestly being a little creepy.
"You're too humble. A space mage like yourself is plenty interesting. Not to ntion you have such a beautiful wife. You're a very lucky man." He said to
with an earnest glint, finally letting go of my hand.
"How many n would you like to bring? I'll find them for you." He offered.
"About twenty or so should be good, but I want them to avoid killing when possible. A policy of mine."
"I didn't take you for a pacifist." He let out a brief chuckle.
"Well... not exactly a pacifist per-say, just maim them instead of killing and it should be good. I'll take care of the rest."
"An interesting man, didn't I say?" He responded.
I averted my gaze, a little uncomfortable that another man was finding such interest in .
Gawn did find the n though, and quite quickly I might add. Not even an hour later we were headed out the city gates, eight knights and twelve soldiers leading the way. My brother joining, but only really to tag along with this Gawn character.
I wasn't really sure how to ever bring up the becoming a mage thing with my family, and my interactions with Tristan were just reaffirming to myself why I had such hesitation in eting them. Trying to talk with him was so awkward, and in the end we just ended up marching in silence.
Making our way through the grasslands, killing the occasional muck-rat enclave on our way.
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