Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 43: Hershey’s Elegance in Tea Making

So this is the man that my lady is crazy about. He is indeed handsome and he is also skilled with the sword.

Hersheyʼs personal maidservant, Maris, thought as she looked at Alaricʼs face.

She almost fell for Alaric when she saw him fight against Cassandra.

”Weʼre here, my lord. Do you want me to give you a tour of the mansion?” Hershey asked as she stared expectantly at Alaric.

She was also like this in my past life. Even when I ignored her for a long time, she would always look at me with that face.

Alaric nodded his head absentmindedly.

And so, they spent almost an hour touring around the guest mansion.

Hershey introduced everything to him in detail, from the paintings on the walls to the furniture, and she even told him how the mansion was built.

She talked non-stop for that entire tour, but Alaric never got tired of her voice.

He attentively listened to her and even occasionally made comments.

As they interacted, they gradually became more comfortable with each other.

Alaric could now look straight in her eyes and Hershey could already make jokes with him.

Elena saw everything happen and she had mixed feelings about it. She was happy that her lord met an elegant and kind young lady, but she was also jealous of their growing familiarity with each other.

She firmed her heart and repeatedly told herself that everything would be fine.

After the tour, Hershey offered to make tea for him to which Alaric agreed without hesitation.

”I will be back in a minute, my lord.” Hershey excused herself before she turned around and left to get the things she needed to make tea.

As soon as she left, Alaric took his seat and opened the cyan screen.

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Mission Complete!

You received 150 Battle Points, 30 EXP, Random Trait Upgrade Card x1!

___

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

[Yes] [No]

Alaric clicked [Yes].

[Congratulations! Your trait Close Combat (D) has been upgraded to Close Combat (C)!]

A new set of memories appeared in his mind. He wasnʼt flustered by the sudden influx of foreign memories because he had already experienced this before.

New hand-to-hand combat methods were introduced into his mind. It was a unique feeling as if something was incorporated in his body.

Itʼs Close Combat this time, not bad. This will improve my combat ability.

Alaric Silversword [Knight] EXP: 325/500

Potential: B

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

Strength: 100

Stamina: 34+

Agility: 43+

Vitality: 27+

Endurance: 42+

Mana: 13+

Battle Points: 2300

Stat Points: 23

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

He already accumulated 22 stat points, but he decided to keep them for the time being. There might come a time when he would need to increase a specific stat just like what happened during their encounter with the goblin chieftain.

Without those extra points in agility back then, he wouldnʼt have lasted long against that monster.

After checking his progress, Alaric closed the cyan screen.

A few minutes later, Hershey and her maidservant arrived.

The latter was pushing a tray cart with a tea set on top of it.

”Thank you for waiting, my lord.” Hershey smiled at him. She then sent her maidservant a look that said, ʼIʼll take care of this.ʼ

Maris understood her intentions and took a step back with her head lowered.

Her lady was proficient in tea ceremony so she wasnʼt worried that she would make a mistake.

”I will now prepare your tea, my lord,” Hershey informed Alaric before she started preparing his tea.

Alaric had already witnessed her expertise in tea making in his past life. It was refreshing to see it once more and it was performed by a younger Hershey.

The young ladyʼs hands moved elegantly and it looked as if she was doing a performance.

Her movements were well-practiced as if it was deeply engraved in her bones.

Elena who was watching this was awed by her impeccable performance.

I want to learn it!

That was her thought as she watched Hersheyʼs unmatched grace in making tea.

A moment later, a freshly made tea was presented to Alaric. ”Hereʼs your tea, my lord. I hope you enjoy it.”

Alaric nodded with a smile. ”Thank you.”

He lifted the teacup and inhaled the unique aroma of the tea.

Hershey felt a bit nervous as she watched him.

Will he like it?

While she was nervously watching him, Alaric brought the teacup to his mouth and took a light sip.

This familiar taste…

His eyes glazed over as the familiar taste filled his mouth.

”Itʼs delicious,” Alaric remarked as he tried to smooth down his emotions.

Hersheyʼs eyes brightened upon hearing his words. ”Iʼm glad that you like it, my lord.”

She couldnʼt stop herself from beaming.

Meanwhile, images of Hershey making tea for him in his past life flashed in Alaricʼs mind. Her gentle smile, her tender gaze, and her unwavering love…

”Iʼm sorry…” He muttered as he lowered his head.

”Hm? Did you say something, my lord?” Hershey stared at him in surprise, wondering if she had heard him wrong.

Did he just apologize to me? Maybe I heard it wrong.

Alaric was silent for a moment as he looked at the tea inside the cup.

”Itʼs nothing.” He shook his head.

”The tea made me recall a distant memory.” He added.

”I see.” Hershey was curious about this, but she felt that it was something that she shouldnʼt probe.

”Why donʼt you join me, my lady? Letʼs talk about other matters while we drink tea.” Alaric changed the topic.

Hershey smiled and nodded at the suggestion. ”Alright. What would you like to talk about, my lord?”

”I heard that…”

The two engaged in a heartfelt conversation as they enjoyed their tea.

Time passed by unknowingly.

A servant came to inform them that it was almost time for dinner.

”I enjoyed our conversation, my lord. Letʼs talk again another time. We shouldnʼt let the others wait.” Hershey reluctantly stood up.

Alaric nodded in agreement.