Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 102: Lavinia’s Trump Card

Alex looked at Everguard with great satisfaction. Not only did the shield get a new look, but it was also much sturdier than before.

——

< Everguard >

”You hold it not because you are unafraid, but because someone has to be brave.”

Item Grade: Super Rare

Type: Shield

Stats: Defense +74

Active Skills: Taunt [EX], Shield Boomerang,

Passive Skills: Guardian’s Core, Last Bastion, Guts, Charm Immunity, Petrification Immunity, Aegis Riposte.

< Shield Boomerang >

Stamina Cost: 10

Range: 100 meters.

— Spinning with the force of an unbroken Oath, the shield returns to its master after completing its mission.

— Deals damage equivalent to the Oathkeeper’s Constitution and Strength Stat Parameters.

< Guardian’s Core >

— Everguard draws strength directly from Alex’s lifeforce, setting its defense equal to his Constitution.

< Aegis Riposte >

— Upon blocking a melee attack, Everguard reflects a small portion of the damage back at the attacker.

— Reflects 5% melee damage for each successful block.

— When the Oathkeeper enters a seriously injured state, Aegis Riposte will get an upgrade, and reflect 50% melee damage for each successful block.

Note: It is more than a shield. It is the promise that the new Oathkeeper has made, and the weight he will bear until the end.

——

’I do need ranged attacks. This Shield Boomerang is a good addition,’ Alex thought. ’Guardian’s Core is also very interesting—the higher my constitution stat, the higher my defense.’

Knockback Immunity was gone now, but Alex didn’t mind it too much. It was not a bad thing at all. Besides, he would just have to be strong enough to endure each blow and firmly plant both feet on the ground.

Last but not least, Alex examined the skill Aegis Riposte, which reflected a portion of an attacker’s melee damage after a successful block.

Although it only returned 5% damage when Alex was uninjured, it was still a practical skill.

He only had to block and the enemy would suffer damage. He could already tell how annoyed his enemies would be whenever their attacks were reflected back at them.

’This skill is broken,’ Alex thought. ’Sure, five percent might seem little, but if someone tries to deal a killing blow on me, they will be in a world of pain once I block their attack.’

The young man chuckled evilly, already itching to test his new shield. However, he fought the urge to head to the Dungeon of Beginnings immediately and thanked Lavinia for bringing the shield to him.

”Thank you, Lavinia,” Alex said. ”With Everguard, I feel like I’ve become twice as strong.”

”I’m glad you like it,” she replied.

As there was only a week left before the Trial of Frieden Academy started, she had made sure to get the shield to Alex as quickly as possible.

”By the way, I also plan to take the trial inside the Dungeon of Beginnings,” Lavinia stated.

Since her brother had said no earlier, she decided to tell Alex about it, hoping the latter would support her decision.

Unexpectedly, Alex reacted the same way as her brother.

”You shouldn’t.” The young man shook his head. ”If you plan to enroll in the academy, you should just pay the tuition fee instead. I’m sure the Hartwell Clan has enough funds for that.”

Lavinia immediately pouted. She had initially thought the young man would be on her side. Worse, Alex hadn’t even hesitated before telling her to take the easy way out.

”You’re going, aren’t you? So why can’t I?” Lavinia pressed, doing her best to keep her voice as calm as possible. ”I’m stronger than you.”

Alex glanced at his master, as if asking whether he should tell the young lady about the real reason why they didn’t want her to take the trial.

After pondering for a few seconds, Cairo nodded, signaling Alex to tell Lavinia the truth.

The last thing he wanted to happen was to sour Lavinia’s relationship with him and Alex because of a misunderstanding.

”Okay, please listen to me carefully,” Alex said. ”I’ll tell you why you can’t come with us. But before that, let me introduce you to our new friend, Charles.

”Charles, this is Lavinia. She’s my master’s little sister. Lavinia, this is Charles. He’s also a trial taker and will be taking the Trial of Frieden Academy with us in the dungeon.”

After the two greeted each other, Lavinia shifted her gaze to Alex with her arms crossed over her chest. Clearly, she wanted to hear a proper explanation for why she couldn’t join them in the Dungeon of Beginnings.

As Alex started explaining, Roselia gradually switched sides. The maid also felt that her young mistress shouldn’t enter the dungeon, for it would be too dangerous for her.

Lavinia now understood that Alex was concerned for her safety, but she couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

”You’re still going even though it’s very dangerous?” she asked.

”Yes,” Alex replied. ”Charles is my friend, so I want to help him too.”

Charles looked at the young man gratefully, not expecting that Alex would volunteer to help him clear the Dungeon of Beginnings.

The three of them had already witnessed the effect of Charles’ skill, Challenger’s Mark, during their expedition into the Hidden Dungeon in Briar Mountain.

It had only been a small dungeon, yet it had made Charles keenly aware of how challenging the Trial of Frieden Academy would be.

Alex had already spoken to Charles, expressing his and Cairo’s desire to help the teen find the exit leading to the City of Harmonia. The young man had even added that they would wait until all the trial takers had cleared the trial before they entered the dungeon to ensure that no one else would be involved in the impending calamity that might befall them.

Just as Alex thought that he had convinced Lavinia about the dangers of the trial, the beautiful Catkin held his gaze with a determined look in her eyes.

”I still want to go,” Lavinia insisted.

”You can’t.” Alex shook his head. ”How can I face your grandfather and brother if anything happens to you?”

”Are you worried about me, Alex?”

”Of course, I am. How can I not worry? That’s a dungeon outbreak, you know?”

Lavinia smiled, satisfied after hearing what she wanted to hear.

However, that hadn’t made her any less strong-willed. She was still going to speak her mind without holding back.

”I think you’re misunderstanding something, Alex,” the Catkin replied. ”I want to come along to increase your chances of survival. With me there, any unexpected variables along the way can be dealt with faster.

”I am faster and stronger than you. Besides, if I’m going, Roselia has to join us as well.” The young lady then looked at her handmaiden with a confident smile.

But seeing Alex about to try to convince her again, she decided to use her trump card.

”Did you know?” Lavinia smirked. ”Roselia is a Rank 4 Horizon Striker. Since she is duty-bound to protect me, you don’t have to worry about my safety. Isn’t that right, Roselia?”

”Yes,” the handmaiden replied. ”I will do my best to protect you, My Lady, even at the cost of my life.”

Dumbfounded, Alex looked at the maid who had given him food during his stay in the Hartwell Residence.

He didn’t expect that the mild and mannered Roselia was actually a Rank 4 Horizon Striker.

What did this mean?

It meant that the lovely maid was stronger than his master!

”Well, if you insist, then I guess you can go,” Alex replied. ”However, you will follow my orders. If you can’t do that, I will not allow you to come with us even if Roselia is a Rank 4 Horizon Striker.”

”Okay.” Lavinia nodded. ”I will listen to you.”

The young lady’s face brightened now that she was finally allowed to join their dungeon expedition.

She had trained hard after separating from Alex, and she wanted to show him just how much she had improved during the time that they hadn’t seen each other.

Meanwhile, Cairo could only sigh internally. There was nothing he could do when his sister had her mind set on something.

’Maybe this is for the best,’ Cairo thought. ’A strong sword can only be sharpened through the baptism of fire. If Lavinia experiences a dungeon outbreak now, she will gain valuable experience that can lead to her growth.’

Since the Hartwell Clan had been the pillars of the Clawford Tribe, all of its members should be able to overcome trials to become stronger.

While he was still a little worried about his sister, Cairo decided to have a private talk with Roselia later to ensure that she would prioritize Lavinia’s safety and take her away by force if needed.