"Vives... family."

Gauss searched his mind, and soon remembered where he'd heard the family name before.

He remembered quickly. It was on the road from Grayrock Town to Lincrest Town, when that talkative cavalry captain had casually mentioned local powers while chatting.

The Vives family, also called the Bailang family, was a viscount family with deep influence across the three Coral Cities.

The family was populous and powerful;

their foundation and stronghold was this very Sena City.

Seeing the thoughtful expression on Gauss's face, Adelle smiled slightly—not surprised that he had heard of them.

She lifted the fragrant tea the servant had just brought, took a light sip,

and continued in a calm voice.

"It seems you've heard of my family." She put down the teacup and idly drew an irregular circle on the table with her finger.

"In this port city, nearly thirty percent of the taxes from daily merchant ships eventually flow into the Vives family's coffers. One could say most of the major docks and merchant guilds behind the port have the Vives' shadow behind them. Even the training room we're in now receives their magical materials and technical support."

Her tone was even, neither hurried nor boastful—simply stating facts.

"But even so, as a direct-line scion, for more than ten years after I became an adventurer, I still wandered away from home."

"I fought storms and sea beasts, I stood guard at island outposts, facing Fishmen raids and tsunamis. It wasn't until I won the title 'White Falcon' with my sword, and successfully leveled up to Master rank, that the family called me back to take my current post."

"Even now, though, the family doesn't interfere much with me."

There was a hint of pride in her voice.

If she had been a parasite living off her family, her life would have been easier—served and waited on everywhere—but she probably would never have controlled her own fate.

She might have been used as a marriage bargaining chip, sent to some stranger noble's household as a tool to secure alliances.

Her ability to maintain independence stemmed from choices she had made many years ago.

She fell briefly into thought. After a moment, seeing Gauss looking at her,

she tapped her temple and remembered what she had meant to say earlier. Hesitating slightly, she parted her red lips.

"What I am about to say is not personal. It is the Vives family, speaking through me, extending an invitation—we wish to establish friendly ties with you."

Adelle flipped over and produced a scroll.

Is this an attempt to recruit me?

Gauss met Adelle's gaze, thinking silently.

"You can view this invitation as forming an alliance or a guest-affiliate relationship."

"If you are willing to accept this goodwill."

"The Vives family is willing to provide you with some conveniences on your adventuring path."

"These include, but are not limited to: intelligence support, resource channels—not as direct gifts, but when certain high-demand items become available on the market, you will be able to obtain supplies from the family's caravans at better prices."

"Introductions and connections. When you need to contact lower-tier circles or resolve everyday troubles, you can make use of the Bailang family's relationship network."

"Every year you may be allowed to learn a few skills appropriate to your current level, though not too many."

....

Gauss listened quietly to Adelle's formal presentation while unabashedly eating the pastries and food on the table.

Thinking of what she'd said earlier about her own experiences,

he couldn't help but ask,

"Then, what is the price?"

Adelle nodded subtly, as if it left no trace.

"As long as you agree to pledge marriage to a direct-line member of the Vives family, and your first-born child will be raised by the family."

Hearing that, Gauss thought to himself: unsurprising—there are no free lunches in this world.

Especially with nobility;

they're even more calculating than commoners.

This cost might be nothing to some—possibly even an honor.

To enter a noble network, the price could be handing over your firstborn to be raised by the Vives family—essentially the family investing early to secure the bloodline of a genius they approve of.

And once a marriage is established, even if not a full house-entry, maintaining some autonomy, could the Vives family stand idly by if misfortune befalls them?

Gauss fell silent.

Adelle made no haste to press him.

She simply held her teacup, lips parting to sip tea now and then.

"Sorry." Gauss raised his head, eyes clear and steady, meeting Adelle's gaze.

"Thank the Vives family for their kindness, but I must refuse the marriage and child arrangement."

"I understand. Then this matter is closed."

Huh?

Aren't you going to persuade him a bit more?

To Gauss's surprise, Adelle only nodded calmly—no attempt to talk for her family.

He refused decisively, and Adelle accepted it just as cleanly, almost with a sense of relief for a task completed.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm only their messenger." Adelle waved a hand, showing a little helplessness, and quickly rolled the scroll back up.

"Those old collectors are so eager for talent. When they see geniuses like you, they get excited—treat you like a collectible, wanting to merge your bloodline into the family."

"You're not the first genius to receive such an invitation."

"Did the others agree?" Gauss asked with some curiosity.

"A few agreed. Of the rest, not all rejected because they couldn't accept the condition—some simply wanted to unite with even stronger families;

others refused because they didn't want to be bound."

"After all, every gift already has a price set in the dark."

Gauss nodded at that.

It seemed routine: cast a wide net, haul in some fish.

"Alright, trivial matters done. Let's rest a bit more and then start the sword lesson."

"I'm not hungry. You can help yourself to the rest."

Adelle noticed Gauss had been eating the whole time;

his pastry plate was empty.

She naturally pushed over her own almost untouched plate of delicate pastries.

"Thank you."

Gauss thanked her and continued eating.

Watching how comfortably he ate, Adelle felt no offense—rather, she approved.

Though noble-born, she was not strict about etiquette.

She disliked pretentious, awkwardly formal people who fumbled and fretted. True strength lets a person be themselves.

Although Gauss was only Level 4, she saw the core traits of a strong person in him.

Steady at the core.

Neither arrogant nor self-deprecating—following the will of his heart.

Someone like that, barring death, is destined to succeed.

A small, wry thought crept up on her.

Years from now, the family elders might kick themselves for not coming in person and offering a larger price.

After a while, Gauss finished eating and his energy recovered.

His Energy Storage Gland had evolved into a Special Stomach and, with the level increase, its effects were stronger than before.

Previously, the pastries on the table would not have been enough, but after evolution his digestion efficiency had increased.

Of course, his appetite was still larger than normal—because his better absorption meant his energy needs were rising.

He only hoped the two could stay balanced to avoid becoming a bottomless pit.

Adelle propped her chin in her hand and watched Gauss set down his utensils and stand.

"Aren't you going to rest a bit after eating?"

"It's already digested." Gauss shook his head.

"Then shall we begin?" Adelle raised an eyebrow. Since Gauss insisted, she did not delay further.

She walked across the smooth floor to the arena where they had sparred earlier.

"First lesson of the White Falcon sword technique."

"Perceive and guide the 'breath' in your body."

"Isn't that just sword moves or a vibration technique?"

Adelle smiled and shook her head.

"Sword moves—that's superficial fluff."

"Of course, your Basic Swordsmanship is solid. That's excellent."

Gauss had intentionally shown a section of his basic sword technique during their earlier fight, which had impressed her greatly.

Even many professional swordsmen lack the basic fundamentals Gauss had displayed.

But beyond fundamentals lies something deeper.

"Breath—some call it qi. Without its support, even the most exquisite sword moves are a rootless tree, empty in form."

She pointed with two fingers like a sword and tapped lightly on the soft armor covering her own body.

"The core of White Falcon sword technique, and of most sword arts, lies in breath—or the inner rhythm that guides the flow of energy within the body."

"Some warriors call it 'fighting spirit' or 'rage';

some swordsmen call it 'sword qi'. Fundamentally, all of them use breath to guide the power of their Rank."

"This is an integration of life energy, willpower, and physical strength."

"In fact, some spellcasters also learn related techniques—whether or not you're a melee class, you need a better coordinated body."

"Especially you."

Adelle blinked.

In their earlier fight, though Gauss had held back, his combat methods and style had been clearly revealed to her.

She certainly would not consider him an ordinary spellcaster.

"Your body—the Dragonborn bloodline within you—holds enormous potential, capable of generating a mighty qi."

"Your idea to learn a professional-level sword art is correct. Previously, your way of using it was like trying to control an unbroken wild horse—relying only on instinct and brute force."

"Once you master this skill, new possibilities may open."

A glint of expectation flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Obviously she understood why Gauss was learning swordsmanship.

She was curious, too—what direction she could guide him in.

After a brief distraction, she signaled Gauss to stand in the center of the arena, facing her.

She took out a yellowed scroll and placed it in Gauss's palm.

"Close your eyes. Clear all distractions. Feel the energy vibrations on this scroll."

"Relax your body and carefully sense how it pulses in your blood and heartbeat. You need to see your own 'breath' and then adjust it."

Gauss obeyed, closed his eyes, and sank his attention into his body.

Soon he felt a very faint coolness seeping from the rough leather of the parchment.

That gentle energy flowed through his arm meridians,

bringing with it a calm, rhythmic undulation.

Where it passed, it seemed to mark an energy pathway inside him,

making his whole body warm and turning him, in a sense, into a sensitive 'sensor'.

He suddenly felt detached from himself and saw his body clearly.

His inner vision sharpened.

Not only the familiar traces of Dragon blood, but beneath that golden sea, there were many starlike points of energy flickering.

Those stored forces in his body—muscular strength, endurance, Special Stomach, ancient ghost-tribe bloodline—

was this what Adelle called the manifestation of life energy and bodily strength?

"Do you feel it?" Adelle's soft voice came.

"Yes." Gauss briefly described his sensations.

"Good. Sink your breath here." She reached out and quickly tapped between his chest and abdomen.

"It's too tight."

"Relax a bit more."

Gauss adjusted quickly.

"Yes—that's it." Adelle keenly sensed his breathing and bodily changes.

"Now continue this process. Feel how your body changes with each breath—whether it expands or draws inward in a soothing contraction."

"Then keep adjusting your breathing."

"Do not chase speed in the process;

pursue smoothness."

..

Time slipped by under Adelle's guidance without them noticing.

Soon dusk fell outside the window.

"Let's stop for today."

When Adelle announced the end, Gauss realized how late it had become.

Had he managed to grasp the White Falcon sword method's breathing technique in a single day?

"Am I progressing too slowly?"

Gauss asked uncertainly.

He did not know whether his pace was fast or slow.

He already knew his aptitude for magic was remarkable, but swordsmanship talent was a different matter.

"Huh?" Adelle, who was putting her work clothes back on over her soft armor because she had to go out, looked up and tilted her head—wearing an expression of "what on earth are you talking about?"

"Uh... why would you think that?"

She paused, her expression mixed as she countered.

"It's only been breathing technique;

it's normal for a whole day to yield some results."

"Only?" Adelle laughed until her shoulders trembled—partly amused, partly exasperated.

"If other swordsmen heard you say that, they'd probably want to punch you."

...

Gauss blinked.

Adelle was speechless inwardly.

In fact, during the teaching process she had been surprised more than ten times.

Breathing sounds simple but is actually very difficult to adjust.

Everyone has breathed countless times in their life—it's the most frequent conscious action a person does.

An instinct carved into the bloodline is the hardest thing to correct.

Even harder than learning magic.

Magic begins from zero;

no one is born knowing spells, so they only have to learn.

But breath training requires overcoming a powerful inertia.

While teaching, she felt both envy and regret.

Envy because she had once been proud of her talent, but after personally guiding Gauss, her own gifts seemed diminished.

If Gauss had started with swordsmanship rather than magic, his attainments in that field might already be profound.

"Your progress is frighteningly fast." Adelle commented.

She did not lower her evaluation out of jealousy;

she plainly stated the truth.

"How long does it usually take others to reach the stage I'm at?" Gauss asked curiously.

"Well..." Adelle pondered for a moment. "I can only compare to my own speed."

"When I learned the breathing method for this sword art, to reach the stage you're at now probably took me five days."

"Yet my aptitude was stronger than most."

"And I wasn't without a foundation like you. When I learned it, my professional level was already Level 3."

Adelle sighed.

Though proud of her talent, facing Gauss she had to call him a swordsmanship prodigy.

"Do you have time tomorrow?" Adelle asked.

"I should." Gauss thought for a moment.

He had no pressing commitments lately.

As for the two new three-circle spells he'd acquired,

he could practice them nightly in spare time.

He had actually tried them last night.

They were difficult,

but not impossible.

They only needed time to hone.

Thus he wasn't too anxious.

What mattered now was his sword training—strike while the iron's hot.

Consolidate each day's gains and push forward while momentum lasted, aiming to take it in one go.