Selene’s eyes narrowed as she studied Kent. His calm demeanor was both frustrating and intriguing. Most people trembled in her presence, but this young man sat there as if she were just another passerby.
Well, maybe on the outside. On the inside, though, Kent wasn’t that calm, but he wasn’t at the point of making it obvious to her.
“Don’t get me wrong; your offer is great. It would be something no sane swordsman would reject. However, I am an alchemist. The sword is just something I use to protect myself. I don’t really see myself as a swordsman,” Kent said, making his reasoning clear to her.
Clearly, she must have known something about him to have come this far, even risking offending a noble family in the process. Not that she cared. In her eyes, the Ashland noble family was nothing to her.
Jacob and the two who came with him to propose to Lilian knew this, so they remained quiet. If they made any foolish remark, they might die—and worse, they might cause the downfall of the Ashland family.
As for John Alderford and his family, they hoped Kent wouldn’t offend her. Though he wasn’t part of their family, he had just declared his intentions to take their daughter as his. In a way, they were linked.
He might cause their downfall before even becoming part of them.
Then there was Unity, who stood there with a pondering expression, though inwardly, she was reporting to the goddess who was lazily lying on a large bed, eating an apple.
<If he rejects this offer, I want you to tie him down and give him a good beating. Clearly, this sister sounds like someone who can make him extra powerful—more than you could at the moment. So make sure he accepts the offer, no matter what.>
Vexthra transmitted to her.
<Okay, Big Sister. I will do my best,> Unity replied before gazing at Kent, who was watching Saintess Selene very closely.
“I think we both know you’re a better swordsman than an alchemist,” Saintess Selene said with a calm expression.
“Ouch, Saintess, that was a blow to my ego as an alchemist, you know. I pride myself on being a great alchemist,” Kent said with a small smile.
Inwardly, though, he knew she was right. At the moment, he was indeed several times better as a swordsman than an alchemist.
His sword qi was at the Adept stage, the same as his sword mastery. As for his sword intent, it had entered the next level—the enhanced sword intent stage.
The sword mind cultivation technique was just too powerful. But that wasn’t the only cause. Although he didn’t have the strength to wield the entire sword intent that Vexthra had awakened in him, which was empowered with the aura of hatred and resentment, he was still using a powerful version of it nonetheless.
But he needed to become a sword Grandmaster first before he could awaken the true sword intent. But that aside, Kent wanted to be known as an alchemist.
The reason for that was the mission his first wife had sent him on—to kill the Alchemy God. He wanted the title of an alchemist to be attached to him.
Of course, his swordsmanship would also be known one day, but for now, he wanted to maintain the alchemy aura.
But that wouldn’t be the case anymore.
“I saw you use the sword, and I can tell from the way you battled with me for the sword sheath that you are someone who is fascinated by the sword. I know this because I am just like you. So, saying you don’t want to dive into the sword Dao… what a pity,” Saintess Selene said, shaking her head.
Kent smiled, seeing the desperation in her voice, though she was masking it. She wasn’t doing a good job, by the way. Kent, with his appraiser’s eyes, could see she truly wanted him to become her disciple.
The shifts in her mood and her body language gave her away. He won the quest even body he realised it.
“Then I ask, Saintess, say I become your disciple, would I still have the time to practice Alchemy?” Kent asked.
“Of course. I am one of the leaders of the Sword Gate in the Divine Palace Sect, but I also have some connections in the Alchemy Gate. I can even help you in that field,” Saintess Selene said.
“And what if, after you accept me as your disciple, you decide to go back on your words?” Kent asked curiously.
“You don’t have to worry about that. All I want is for you to never drop your sword,” she added. Deep down, she was happy, but of course, she had to maintain the facade.
She had witnessed Kent kill the three people sent after him by Dave Ashland, so she wanted nothing more than to get her hands on such a talent. She had been following him and would do anything to get her hands on him.
After all, the Continent Genius competition would happen two years from now, and she, like every Sword Saint or Saintess, would want their disciples to compete. She had been putting it off for long, but for the next two years’ edition, a huge prize is being offered.
So, since she couldn’t win herself because she didn’t fit the qualifications to participate, she needed an able person to become her disciple so she could prepare them for the competition.
“I see,” Kent smiled. “Then, in that regard, I will accept your offer and become your disciple. That being said, I would need some time to get my affairs in order.” Kent paused and turned to Jacob.
“As you can see, I have a death match to prepare for. But aside from that, I have other things to handle first.”
Hearing his words, Jacob, whose world was already crumbling, turned pale when he saw Kent smile. Just moments ago, the Saintess of the Sword had taken the person he was looking down on and wanted to fight to the death as her disciple.
He was screwed.
Jacob’s face twisted with fear. He took a step back, his voice trembling. “Master Kent, please… I beg you, don’t do this. I made a mistake. I never meant to challenge you like this. I was blinded by my ego and didn’t see superiority. Please have mercy”
He fell to his knees, his hands raised in a pleading gesture. “I’m not just asking for my life. The Ashland Noble family… we can’t afford to make an enemy of you, or her. Please, spare us.”
Saintess Selene watched quietly. Even though she wasn’t doing anything, she knew if words got out, the Ashland family would be done for. They challenged her disciple which is the same as challenging her.
The other two who came with Jacob were also on the floor, foreheads touching the ground.
Kent looked at Jacob and smiled. “You should have thought about that before you made the challenge,” he said calmly.
Jacob’s eyes widened. He could see Kent wasn’t moved by his pleading.
“I’m sorry, Master Kent. I was wrong. Please, I’ll do anything to make it right. The Ashland family can offer anything you want. Just don’t kill me.”
Kent smirked. “You’re not just begging for your life. You’re begging for the Ashland family’s survival. How touching”
Jacob nodded quickly casting a pleading glance at the Saintess.
“Yes! Yes, that’s right! Please, I know I’m nothing compared to you, but the Ashlands… We can’t survive without your mercy.”
“I won’t kill you, Jacob Ashford. You can leave. However, this is not over. After all, since I will now become the son-in-law of the Alderford Merchant Family, it’s only right to ensure they are protected.”
Kent smiled and turned to a certain lady in the room. “Isn’t that right, Lady Olive, or should I call you Lady Olivia Ashland?”
The lady’s face turned pale.
