After the training session, Arthur lay sprawled across the field, looking like a corpse.
Scáthach glanced at Arthur's utterly drained expression, nodded slightly, and said with approval, "Very well. It seems your individual training has been quite effective since I left."
That woman has already taught Arthur three abilities… Is she planning to train him to become the next God of Death…?
If so, she'll have to keep pretending she doesn't see everything.
Scáthach silently observed Arthur, her mind absorbed in the events of that afternoon.
And to think that when he provoked me last night, he had already made his preparations?
As she continued teaching Arthur powerful magic, and since Arthur had not yet fully absorbed the dragon's blood, she had provoked him so recklessly.
Unfortunately, that woman underestimated me. In any case, Arthur is still my disciple. If he can become stronger, why wouldn't I be happy to help him?
Upon hearing Scáthach's words, Arthur's pupils— which had just lost their focus—regained a bit of their shine, and his mind suddenly became far more alert.
What Scáthach had just said sounded like praise, but in truth it was more of a provocation.
She clearly already knows where I learned the illusions I used today.
So she's already found out about Morgan?
While Arthur was lost in thought, Nessa leaped into the training field with a loud whoosh.
"Arthur, let me take you back to your room. You must be far too tired to walk right now, aren't you?" Nessa crouched down worriedly, looking at Arthur as she muttered in a complaining tone, "Honestly, Mom was way too harsh today."
"Nessa, before you talk to me, could you please get your feet off me?" Arthur said breathlessly, looking as though he were on the verge of death.
It had been hard enough already. He was completely exhausted after training with his master, and then he had been stepped on by Nessa, who had just jumped into the arena using runes.
If Arthur had already been close to a corpse, Nessa's kick pushed him even closer to death.
Nessa frowned, her hair fluttering as her delicate white toes—visible beneath her purple sandals—pressed lightly against Arthur's waist. "I feel like you're implying that I'm heavy."
"I don't have the strength left for your jokes… please stop messing around…" Arthur said weakly.
"I didn't cause any trouble; you're the one causing trouble," Nessa frowned. "If it were my mom stepping on you, you definitely wouldn't say anything."
"No, that's completely different…"
"Mom, why don't you try it? Let's see if Arthur still dares to say it's heavy," Nessa said, turning to Scáthach.
Scáthach cast a glance at Arthur. Seeing his bitter expression—clearly saying 'Please don't make things harder for me'—she couldn't help but smile faintly. "Stop playing around, Nessa. He's truly exhausted today. Take him back to his room."
After saying that, Scáthach turned around and left the training field.
Nessa hopped off Arthur with a soft buzz, and a light shone in her hand as she healed him.
Soon, Arthur felt a warm sensation enveloping his body, and the pain throughout him seemed to lessen considerably.
This was the power of runes: combining offense and defense, and even possessing healing properties. Arthur thought that if this were a game, runes would be an absolute bug—absurdly overpowered.
After a while, the light faded, and Nessa said, "Alright, you should be able to move now. Get up quickly. Or do you still want me to carry you?"
"I do," Arthur nodded.
Nessa lightly tapped him on the head and said irritably, "Keep dreaming. Now get up—I'll walk you to your room."
After that, Nessa supported Arthur and slowly guided him back into his room.
"Alright, you can rest now."
"Mhm." Arthur closed his eyes.
After some time, he felt the edge of the blanket beside him being lifted, followed by a soft touch on his arm, and he opened his eyes again.
"Nessa, what are you up to now?"
"I'm going to sleep." Nessa patted Arthur's arm. "You should sleep too. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
"No… why are you sleeping in my room?" Arthur looked at the girl beside him. Even in the dim light, he could clearly see her violet-amber eyes.
"I was worried about you resting alone, so I decided to sleep with you. Isn't that kind of me?" Nessa smiled sweetly.
"You should go back to your own room," Arthur tried to argue.
"Why? You used to love sleeping with me—why are you so cold now… I guess kids aren't cute anymore once they grow up," Nessa sighed softly at the end, her sad expression contrasting with her adorable face, enough to soften anyone's heart.
"If Master sees this, I'll probably have to stay with her in the training field tonight…" Arthur had no choice but to tell the truth.
"Hm… what you're saying is quite possible, but it's fine—I can just hide under your blanket," Nessa said reassuringly.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Have you already forgotten how you were discovered last time?"
"Arthur, look…" Nessa, wearing her pajamas, gently lifted the fabric of her top to reveal her shoulders.
Arthur and Nessa stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then Arthur sighed, picked up the somewhat eccentric girl, and placed her outside the door. "Good night, Nessa."
After saying that, he closed the door.
"You'll regret this— you'll definitely regret this, Arthur! Just wait! Tomorrow, I'll teach you a lesson!" she shouted.
With that, she stormed away from Arthur's room.
Arthur lay back on the bed, listening as the sound of her footsteps gradually faded, and finally let out a sigh of relief.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Arthur felt quite satisfied.
Although he could still sense something coming from his master, he now possessed energy overload, immense magical power, the ability to create illusions, precognition, and even the power of the word "death." All of these were abilities that would allow him to grow stronger and stronger in the future.
What he needed now was time and effort.
The only thing he probably had to worry about at this point was Artoria's side.
If his thoughts were correct, Morgan's personality would begin to change drastically after Artoria pulled the sword from the stone.
In a few months, after Artoria draws the sword and becomes king, will Morgan truly become a "witch"?
I need to talk to Morgan a bit tomorrow… give her some psychological guidance.
Arthur stared at the pitch-black ceiling, lost in thought.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Arthur quickly closed his eyes, sensing footsteps slowly approaching.
He took a light sniff and caught a very familiar scent… it was Scáthach.
Why would Master come so late at night? Did she come to listen to my stories?
That shouldn't be it… She should know I'm extremely tired today and probably already asleep.
Anyway, I'll pretend to be asleep for now.
Arthur kept his eyes shut, feeling the footsteps draw closer. He did his best to control his breathing while thinking silently.
Why exactly is Scáthach here?
(End of Chapter)