The voice that spoke wasn’t loud or commanding. It sounded casual, devoid of any intent to control, yet Jacob Ashland, who was lunging at Kent, froze mid-motion before he could even get close.
It was as though the voice carried an invisible force. Its tone alone filled the room with energy, an undeniable weight pressing down on everyone present.
Not to exaggerate, but even John Alderford, a Peak Root Saint, didn’t possess such a powerful presence. The truth was, the presence that had entered the room belonged to someone far beyond their comparison.
Kent felt the pressure, and even though it wasn’t directed at him, he realized he was nothing in front of such a presence. A strange unease gripped him, and his instincts screamed that his fortune could have easily reversed, leaving him in Jacob’s position.
[Careful, Master. A Peak Root Sage has appeared,] the Tower warned, causing Kent to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
Then, the person appeared at the hall’s entrance, stepping inside with deliberate slowness. Every step seemed to carry its own will, asserting an unspoken authority.
Kent’s eyes quickly scanned her, and one thing became clear—he was in the presence of yet another fairy-like figure, a beauty that seemed out of place in the mortal realm.
She was stunning. Her pale complexion and incredibly fine bone structure gave her an ethereal quality. Her slender legs and hourglass figure only added to her allure, but it was her eyes—those captivating brown eyes—that locked onto Kent long before he even had the chance to truly appraise her figure.
Those eyes are beautiful and enchanting.
Flowing behind her like a silken waterfall was her dark silver hair, cascading down to her waist in effortless elegance.
[Beautiful.
Before Kent could even respond, his wingman—the Tower—spoke for him. Clearly, when Vexthra warned him about inheriting the legacy of a pervert, she wasn’t lying.
“Sword Saintess Selene, welcome to my Alderford Merchant Family,” John said, bowing deeply as soon as the lady came into view. His wife and daughter followed suit, bowing in unison.
Even Unity mirrored their reverence. Surprisingly, the two individuals accompanying Jacob also bowed without hesitation.
“No need for formalities,” she said casually, striding toward Kent, who sat holding a teacup, appearing unaffected.
In her hand was an elegant silver sword sheath paired with a sword boasting a matching silver hilt. It didn’t take a genius to see she had an affinity for silver, as her gown shimmered in the same metallic hue, exuding sophistication.
She stopped beside Jacob, her expression morphing into one of disdain. Then, with a simple shift of will, she released her control over him, causing him to collapse onto his rear.
“You should be thankful, young man. If he had accepted your challenge, you would have died without even realizing how it happened,” Saintess Selene said, shocking everyone present.
Kent, however, maintained a calm expression, though inwardly, he was far from composed. His mind raced as he pieced things together. That voice—it was unmistakable. It belonged to the same woman who had competed with him during the auction for the sword sheath.
His suspicions were confirmed when he noticed her gaze fixed on the golden sword sheath resting on his lap.
In the world of sword cultivation, sword sheaths were symbols meant to be displayed openly, a testament to one’s respect for the Sword Dao.
While Kent could have placed the sheath in his storage space, doing so would have been a blatant disrespect to the art of swordsmanship. He knew better. The sword record he received told him all he should know as a novice.
“How can my Alderford Family be of service to the Saintess?” John asked, his voice tinged with fear as the sheer pressure of her presence weighed on him.
And he was right to be. The presence of one of the strongest beings in the Kingdom visiting your home unannounced should cause concern.
Sword Saintess Selene is someone even the King would respect. She is one of the powerhouses the Kingdom relies on in times of crisis.
So, while she may appear casually at the Alderford family residence. If words get out, the Alderford family’s fame will skyrocket.
“No need to be alarmed. I am here for him,” Saintess Selene said, gazing at Kent.
“What… Saintess, may I know what Master Kent has done to offend you so greatly that you would carry your graceful self to this lowly family?” John asked. He knew a Saintess wouldn’t seek out a no-name for anything good.
Kent may have cured his daughter, but in Caprath City, he was still a nobody. His name had only started to spread recently after he cured Lilian.
So, for the Saintess to say she was there for him, there could be only one logical explanation: Kent had, in some way, offended her.
Jacob, who perhaps shared the same thought as John Alderford, smiled, though he was still shaken. But he smiled knowing that if his thinking was validated, Kent was done for. However, the next three words shattered that bubble, making his face turn pale in fright.
“Become my disciple,” Saintess Selene said to Kent, not even bothering to address John’s question.
“What!”
It wasn’t just Jacob Ashland who was shocked—John and his family were the same. Unity felt the same tension, and the people who had come with Jacob were practically sweating blood.
The only person who seemed calm was Kent. He stared back at Saintess Selene, who, for some reason, had been eager to say those words before even finding a seat. Yet, she stood before him, gazing at him with sharp, feline eyes.
She needed an immediate answer.
“I am sorry, Saintess, but I am an alchemist. From your name, I can tell you aren’t picking me as your disciple for my impeccable alchemy skills and Handsome features,” Kent replied, completely unmoved by her words.
A grin appeared on his lips.
To him, it didn’t really matter. Why? He wanted to see just how desperate the woman before him truly was.
It was a well-known fact in Althea’s Kingdom that many young sword prodigies sought her favor, hoping to be accepted as her disciples.
Yet, she had rejected them all. She never wanted to mentor anyone. So, for her to ask Kent to become her disciple was nothing short of extraordinary.
Of course, Kent was unaware of this reputation. In his eyes, this was nothing more than an opportunity to complete a bet—wrapped in the form of a quest from the tower.
[New Quest Received]
[Quest Name: Desperate Saintess]
[Quest Description: One of the Sword Saintesses of Althea’s Kingdom wants you to become her disciple—a kingdom-shaking request. Now, before you say yes (which you will because she’s stunning), why not toy with her and gauge just how desperate she really is? It could be fun.]
[Reward: Spirit Stone Roller Card (One-time use)]
Yes, while everyone in the hall was shaken to the core by this request, Kent and the Tower had other plans. Without a doubt, the two were destined to cause great calamity one day.
Nobody in their right mind would say no to such a request. The Saintess was renowned for her impeccable swordsmanship.
For someone of her stature to offer to take you as her disciple was an honor beyond measure. Kent should have been on the ground, kowtowing to her in gratitude at the moment.
However, not only did he outright question her request, but he also showed no sign of panic. Even with the Saintess standing just a meter away from him, her piercing gaze locked dangerously close, Kent remained unfazed.
“..”
‘Impressive…’