Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 17: Each With Their Own Lies

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Mission Complete!

You received 100 Battle Points, 25 EXP, and Random Talent Upgrade Card x1!

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[Do you want to use the Random Talent Upgrade Card?]

[Yes] [No]

Before he could decide, Charles suddenly walked over.

”Iʼm impressed with your swordsmanship, Alaric,” Charles remarked, looking as if he was proud of Alaricʼs growth.

”You flatter me.” Alaric smiled faintly while cursing in his heart

This traitorous bastard really knows how to act well.

”You have done well, my son.” Lucas approached with a broad grin on his face.

He looked incredibly happy to see Alaricʼs performance.

Alaric didnʼt say anything and just smiled as he bowed lightly.

”By the way, your uncle came here for another matter. He wants to speak with you about it. Why donʼt you guys discuss it in my study?” Lucas suggested.

Hm? What is this about?

Alaric had a bad feeling about this.

He looked at his uncle and saw him staring at him with a harmless expression.

Just what is this guy up to?

”Alright. Letʼs do that.” Alaric agreed with a nod of his head.

After the three of them left, everyone was still shocked by the results of the spar. No one expected the young lord to win, and overwhelmingly at that.

”So Lord Alaric is that powerful…” Elena muttered in disbelief as she watched Alaricʼs figure, her eyes flashed with deep veneration.

A while later, Lucas brought Alaric and Charles to his study room.

After taking their seats, Alaric didnʼt beat around the bush and asked while looking at Lucas with a stern gaze. ”What is this all about, father?”

Lucas sighed and replied. ”Your uncle heard that we managed to get our hands on some Dragon Tail Ferns so he came here and asked me to give him a few.”

”I told him that I gave you full authority in handling the herbs so I didnʼt make a decision.”

Alaricʼs face turned dark upon hearing this.

So this was his real objective. No wonder he came here earlier when the party will be held tomorrow. This fucking parasite!

Alaric glanced coldly at his uncle, but he quickly concealed his anger.

”Uncle, did my father tell you that it was me who found the Dragon Tail Ferns?”

Charles raised his eyebrows in surprise. ”Eh? You did?”

He couldnʼt help but look at Lucas for confirmation.

Lucas nodded.

Seeing this, Charles squinted his eyes. ”You have really done well this time, my nephew! Since it was you who found the herbs, I wonʼt mistreat you. I will buy it from you for 25 gold coins each.”

”What do you think?”

Alaricʼs eyes flashed with uncertainty.

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly realized Charlesʼs intentions.

This guy is testing me!

It seems like Father didnʼt tell him how many Dragon Tail Ferns we have. This bastard must have given that price to trick me into revealing how many stalks we have! What a sly snake!

”Give me a moment to think.”

Alaric took a deep breath to calm himself before making a decision.

Charles stared at him in amusement.

You might be a genius in swordsmanship, but you are still a kid, my dear nephew. Now, let your uncle hear how many Dragon Tail Ferns you have.

After a moment of contemplation, Alaric raised his head and said. ”To tell you the truth, we donʼt have a lot of Dragon Tail Ferns left. We sold off most of the herbs in different places so we are only left with a little more than twenty stalks.”

”You still have more than twenty?” Charlesʼs eyes flashed with greed the moment he heard this.

Meanwhile, Lucas had a different reaction.

He stared at Alaric with a hint of surprise and confusion.

I thought we still had several hundred. Why did he lie to his uncle?

Lucas thought deeply and upon careful consideration, he decided to stay quiet.

”Thatʼs right. If you want them, I can sell you fifteen stalks. The remaining stalks will be given to our Knights so I canʼt sell them to you. I hope you understand my difficulties, uncle.” Alaric revealed a look of regret.

While saying those words, he kept an eye on his father to see how he would react. Luckily, it didnʼt look like Lucas would expose him.

”Thatʼs fine! Iʼll take those fifteen stalks!” Charles didnʼt even hesitate.

Just where did this kid find so many Dragon Tail Ferns?

”That will be 375 gold coins, uncle.” Alaric extended his hand and smirked.

Hearing this, Charles laughed while slapping his thigh. ”Hahaha! You definitely got this side of yours from your mother.”

”Alright. Alright. 375 gold coins it is then. I only brought 100 gold coins with me. I will send you the remaining gold coins tomorrow before the party starts.” Charles grabbed a small pouch from his clothes and handed it to Alaric.

”I trust you, uncle. I will send you the herbs later.” Alaric kept the pouch and beamed.

”Alright.” Charles seemed to be in a good mood after securing this deal. Although he paid more than the market price, it was worth it.

As long as it would help me become a Transcendent Knight, I donʼt mind wasting this little bit of money. Once I successfully advance, I will take everything that is rightfully mine!

Charles laughed coldly in his heart.

After some small talks with his father and uncle, Alaric left and headed back to his room.

When he arrived, he immediately opened the system screen with his thoughts.

This was one of the things he discovered in the past month. He could control the cyan screen with his thoughts. He could make it appear and disappear if he willed it.

[Do you want to use the Random Talent Upgrade Card?]

[Yes] [No]

Seeing this, Alaric clicked [Yes] without hesitation.

[Congratulations! Your talent ʼHorseback Riding (D)ʼ has been upgraded to Horseback Riding (C)!]

Alaric Silversword [Knight] EXP: 31/500

Potential: B

Traits: Horseback Riding (C), Swordsmanship (SSS), Close Combat (D), Archery (F), Hunting (E), Tracking (F)

Strength: 28+

Stamina: 28+

Agility: 25+

Vitality: 27+

Endurance: 27+

Mana: 13+

Battle Points: 460

Stat Points: 35

(Requirements for next advancement: 500 EXP, 100 in all attributes, and 5000 Battle Points)