CHAPTER 211: FIRST GIFT

Lucen stayed in Caelhart for a few more days. During this time, he had a few visitors. Eisen was basically staying in the estate.

Eisen and Robert would have very long conversations about random things. The two had started experimenting on how to control Eisen’s vast mana pool so that he may be able to reach the second circle.

In return for helping him control his mana, Eisen decided to help Robert in any experiment that needed a lot of mana.

***

Mireya would also come from time to time to play Territory War with Lucen, but most of the time, she wanted to ask Lucen’s opinions on how to improve her illusions with the restrictions of the second circle.

It wasn’t just her. At some point, Elyra came alongside Kaelvar, and the two wanted to have sparring matches.

Lucen was alright with sparring against Elyra, but Kaelvar was another thing. Sparring with Kaelvar was just asking for a one-sided beating.

"Don’t say that, young Thornehart. I’ll even hold back, I won’t use aura." Kaelvar said with that carefree grin of his.

Lucen would have agreed if he didn’t know Kaelvar’s stats. In the game, Kaelvar could not be recruited, but there were a few routes were he becomes an enemy.

The second you see his stats, players regretted not being able to recruit him. Kaelvar had the highest attack and vitality among all the other characters. Of course, that was not including the unsealed Faust.

Even holding back Kaelvar would trounce him. So Lucen politely declined, and of course, this made Kaelvar a little disappointed.

"Fine, I’ll give up for now. But there will come a time when I’ll make sure you can’t refuse." Kaelvar finally calmed down and stopped pestering Lucen.

***

There was also the fact that after the first morning tea, Lysette continued to invite Lucen to different things.

In Lysette’s mind, she was having fun learning more about Lucen his habits, what he likes, and his accompanying her to different places was also nice.

On the other hand, Lucen thought that Lysette kept on inviting him to get more information from him. So he tried to get as much information as he could from Lysette instead.

He was actually quite enjoying the spy-like game between them. He wasn’t that wary of Lysette since, despite her being a future spymaster and revolutionary leader in the game, at her core, she was a good person.

What Lucen didn’t realize was that Lysette wasn’t gathering information at all; she was simply enjoying herself.

***

The day before, Lucen and the others decided to head back to Ironhold. A maid told him that Lysette had once again visited and was waiting for him in the garden.

Lucen did not think too much about it and headed out to the garden of the Thornehart estate.

He walked past the trimmed hedges and the pale stone walkway until he reached the pavilion. There, waiting quietly, was Lysette Crowlorne, hands folded neatly in front of her, posture straight.

"Good morning, Lysette," Lucen greeted.

Lysette dipped her head slightly, smiling. "Good morning to you as well, Lucen. I... came to give you something before you leave tomorrow."

Lucen raised an eyebrow. "You want to give me something?"

Lysette nodded, then reached inside her cloak and pulled out a small, ribbon-tied box. The box itself looked quite expensive.

"This is for you."

Lucen accepted the box, confused. "What is this for? Is it because of my departure tomorrow?"

"It’s actually for your birthday today."

The second Lucen heard what Lysette said, he finally remembered that today was indeed his birthday in this world. Since he only ever celebrated it once on his seventh birthday, he kinda forgot about it.

There was also the fact that the Thornehart household doesn’t really do birthday parties or give gifts. There were only missions and prizes.

’Now that I think about it, this might actually be the first actual birthday present I have received in this life.’

When Lucen thought about that, a small but bright smile appeared on his face. "Thank you, Lysette, for the gift."

The second Lysette saw Lucen smiling, her heart started beating faster, and her face felt a little hot. She wasn’t even able to hear Lucen thanking her.

Lysette used her aura and concentrated on controlling her body, trying to calm herself down. ’Why is he smiling like that?! That’s... That’s unfair... I didn’t know he could smile like that.’

Lucen didn’t notice Lysette’s internal meltdown and gently untied the ribbon on the box. The lid opened with a soft click.

Inside was a gorgeous-looking dagger with runes engraved on it. The blade was slender and gleamed faintly in the light, the steel polished to a mirror sheen.

The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, fitted perfectly for a steady grip, but what stood out the most were the runes; it was not magical, but rather symbols of protection and discipline carved by an artisan’s hand.

"This is quite a beautiful dagger."

Lysette was momentarily stunned when Lucen said the word beautiful, but then she nodded her head, a little too quickly.

"It’s a dagger, something practical. I noticed you preferred equipment that’s straightforward, useful, and not ornamental. So I thought you would, like this more than anything decorative."

Seeing Lysette’s reaction of playing with her hair as she spoke made him chuckle a little. This was very different from the Lysette he remembers when this world was a game. Compared to that, Lysette, the one standing in front of him, was quite cute.

’Why did he chuckle like that?!’ Lysette shouted in her mind, but on the outside, she was still smiling gently as she spoke.

"Is there something funny?"

Hearing Lysette’s question, Lucen shook his head. "It’s nothing, I just thought you had a cute side to you."

Lysette froze, not outwardly. Outwardly, she maintained her polite, composed smile, but inside? Her entire mind exploded.

’Cute?! He... He said I had a cute side?! Why?! How?! What did I do?! Was it the hair? Was it the dagger? Was it my voice? No, calm down, Lysette, CALM DOWN!’

Her aura flared for half a second before she forcefully strangled it back down.

Lucen watched the twitch at her temple and the very slight stiffening of her shoulders. A normal person would have missed it, but he didn’t. He was able to notice that sudden flare of her aura.

’I guess she’s flustered again. Heh, she really is different from that spymaster/revolutionary leader from the game. I guess this one is still a child, but even like this, she is already quite good at gathering information.’ He found it oddly entertaining.

"I’m glad you liked it," Lysette replied. Her voice remained sweet and her smile ever bright. It was very different on the inside were she was practically screaming.

"I really do." Lucen held the dagger in his hand; it was very nice to hold. "I can use this for many things."

Lysette looked relieved, brightly, genuinely relieved. Her shoulders loosened, and her smile became softer, more honest.

"That’s good to hear. As I expected, a Thornehart is truly different from other noble children. Others would have wanted something shiny or expensive."

"As you know, in Ironhold such luxuries are practically worthless." Lucen then made a slashing motion with the new dagger in his hand. "On the other hand, this dagger might help me see another tomorrow."

Hearing Lucen’s answer just made Lysette smile wider. Truly a family of true warriors. Even his answer was awe-inspiring.

"I guess that is true. Then I hope that dagger helps you see many more tomorrows."

Lucen placed the dagger back into its sheath and tied it on his waist. "This truly is a great gift," Lucen spoke while looking directly at Lysette’s eyes. "It’s also a promise to keep on surviving."

Lysette’s expression softened, but there was something else behind it, an emotion that was unknown to both of them.

"To keep on surviving so that we may see each other again and have a nice conversation over tea and snacks," Lysette spoke with a smile, showing her teeth.

"Heh, I guess that does sound nice." The two then started chuckling.

For a moment, her smile faltered, not from nervousness this time, but because something warm and unfamiliar curled in her chest. It was not her normal curiosity, nor was it the usual interest she had; it was just a quiet happiness.

Lysette lingered for a moment longer, her hands clasped behind her back as if reluctant to leave.

"Well then, I must take my leave."

She gave him a small nod, and Lucen responded. "See you."

"Yes, see you." Lysette turned away and left. Her steps were calm and measured, but Lucen could tell she was walking faster than usual. Lucen watched her silhouette disappear around the hedge.

"Truly different from the Lyssette in the game..." Lucen muttered to himself.

He touched the dagger at his waist, feeling its weight. ’My first birthday gift in this world, heh...’

***

The next morning, the Thornehart estate in Caelhart was unusually lively. Servants loaded supplies onto the carriage, checking straps and tightening ropes.

Today, Lucen and the others head back to Ironhold. There were other people present to bid them a good journey.

Eisen Terre, Evander Judicar, Mireya Aeromont, Lysette Crowlorne, and the father-daughter duo Elyra and Kaelvar.

Lucen stepped into the carriage, the familiar scent of leather and oil greeting him. The others were already on their horses.

As the carriage Lucen was on moved forward, Lucen looked through the window and saw that the people who had come to see him off were still there.

A few of them were waving their hands, and the others simply stood there watching him leave. Seeing them like that made Lucen smile as he waved back at them.

As Caelhart slowly slipped away behind him, Lucen chuckled as he touched the dagger on his waist.