Archduke’s tent was at the exact center of the camping area. It was the most secure place if they sohow ended up getting attacked in the middle of the night.
From the outside, it was a simple, charcoal-grey heavy cloth, with no special markings. The bland state offered no hint of its owner’s status.
However, with just one step inside, Xion felt the heat rushing to his face. It must be the work of Magic. How convenient!
Like any other human from Earth, Xion was imnsely interested in magic. Yet he could not spare extra brain cells to learn it!
How could he when he had to protect his dignity and fragile life first?
A subconscious sigh of comfort left his rosy lips without his permission.
He removed his shoes just like Darius before stepping on the plush dark-purple carpet that lined the floor. If it was not for the lantern casting a soft glow over the carpet, Xion might have mistaken the color for black.
The furnishings were sparse but even an idiot like Xion could tell they were of very high quality.
A low bed with a fur-lined blanket occupied one corner with a carved wooden chest placed beside it.
It worked as a nightstand for a small stack of books, paper rolls and a gleaming dagger. There were two chairs beside the small wooden table in the middle.
There was sothing near the back of the bed hidden under the huge cloth which Xion decided to ignore. The less you know, the better you live.
"Sleep there," Darius pointed to the other corner.
Albeit a smaller, well-prepared mattress had been placed on the carpeted floor, accompanied by a thick duvet for the healer’s use.
This way, the silly healer would be positioned directly in front of the Archduke’s bed, allowing Darius to see every subtle, sneaky movent Xion might try to make under the guise of the night.
"Oh, thanks... your grace." Completely oblivious, Xion bowed slightly before trotting to his side of the tent.
With his back turned toward the Archduke, Xion missed how his sudden ntion of the title made little Darius frown.
Slipping out of the coat and his outer robe, Xion eagerly sank into the warmth of the duvet. The soft touch on his skin made him groan lightly.
He did not bother to hide his face in front of Darius. Anyway, this noble child had already seen him. Xion didn’t think for a second that the barely eleven-year-old boy would be interested in his looks.
Without any fear, he rested his back against the heavy cloth of the tent, which, thanks to magic, felt as solid as a concrete wall.
Xion wrapped himself up so tightly in the duvet that only his pair of bright blue eyes and his red nose peeked out.
His gaze drifted over to Darius, who was sitting on a chair, completely engrossed in the sa pile of docunts he had been reading all afternoon.
Xion shook his head sympathetically. Studying like this at his age... what a tragic life.
But then, as quickly as his sympathy ca, it left. He suddenly rembered that he, too, had his own studies to deal with!
Rolling his eyes at his own fate, he ntally opened the system mall and bought a learning channel.
He glanced at the corner of the screen where a pitiful 0.5 points were displayed.
Xion, "..." Just another step closer to becoming a broke healer.
Ignoring his poverty, he ntally clicked on the screen. The huge, thick book popped into view. It was titled, "Basic Theories and The Art of Mana chanics"
Xion squinted at the various titles varying from beginner’s learning level to advanced theories. The list spanned over 100 such titles.
No wonder it was so expensive. If the people of this world get their hands on it, they would kill for such knowledge.
He selected the first Chapter and soon, his attention was completely consud.
Minutes slipped by, unnoticed, as he flipped through pages at lightning speed. The more he read the more he understood that Mana was like another form of energy travelling in one’s veins just like blood.
It was as if all the knowledge was directly being transferred to his brain. No textbooks, no lectures, just... bam!
He felt he had the world’s most efficient cheat code. Xion barely had to try as complex theories of Mana and healing techniques filled his mind.
It was all so damn easy!!!
Engrossed in his learning, his head tilted to the back, and before he knew he fell asleep.
Darius finally raised his head from the docunts. He rubbed his head slightly with his thin fingers. He had sohow managed to finish reading the report.
He finally rose from his seat. His feet moved toward the direction of a drowsy healer. Crouching in front of the boy a slight smile flickered past his eyes.
The boy was curled up in the duvet, looking both innocent and too peaceful, given his circumstances.
"Only you dare fall asleep before ," Darius muttered.
No one would dare to fall asleep before the Archduke, not even the servants. They had to remain alert to fulfill any need of their master.
Only when the lights in his tent disappeared would his entourage move to rest in their own tents. Yet here was the little healer, who had been ignoring all the basic manners since he t him.
Darius’ fingers moved almost as if on their own accord. They lightly pinched Xion’s fair cheek, causing it to flush with a soft pink. "Why are you so soft? And... Where did you co from?"
Archduke’s lingering touch seed to annoy the sleeping doll. Xion’s delicate brows furrowed ever so slightly in discomfort.
In the next second, he smacked the mischievous hand away. The sudden movent caused Xion to lose his back support, and within monts he tumbled right into the softness of the mattress.
The Archduke glanced at the stinging hand in disbelief, and then at the curled-up figure next to him.
A low laugh echoed softly throughout the tent, only to be swallowed by the quiet, dark night outside.
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