Chapter 12: Reverse Veins (2)

Foden’s bewildered expression shifted to curiosity, then anger, and soon to cold composure.

The lazy son who constantly caused trouble had finally reformed and immersed in training. 

Even displaying talent reminiscent of his uncle, a Continent’s Twelve Hero—though unshown, surely overjoyed.

For such a son to suddenly skip yard training for outings—abrupt indeed.

Composed, he spoke threateningly.

“…Aiden. Arrogant from beating apprentices? I said Shpiol deferred till birthday. If you show poorly against that Julio Bass…”

“I remember well. Will enhance skills by any means to win upcoming duel.”

“Huh… Linfred Milner assigned is top family instructor. Better growth than his teaching?”

“Might disappoint Sir Milner, but yes.”

Confident reply. Foden, momentarily speechless, asked a man in the office corner.

“What think you.”

.

Personal instructor Linfred Milner, with me past months. Poker-faced as ever.

“Excluding mansion rumors/prejudices: second prince not one for baseless talk. Worth trusting once.”

“Hm…”

“Plus, no new techniques left to teach—further guidance yields diminishing returns. Solo sword practice same efficiency.”

Linfred added to pondering duke. Foden thought, then spoke.

“Fine then. Do as you wish. Rightness judged on birthday duel.”

“Thank you.”

Eyed Linfred gratefully for aid—he nodded subtly.

***

Stroke mansion room.

Eldest prince Litton asked.

“Your view on Aiden’s skill?”

“Hard to believe, but bottom regular knight level. Mana rivals elite. Mastering Stroke heart/sword in months—rare continental genius.”

Plainly answered: Fritz Reichardt. Publicly top elite knight; privately, heir Litton’s closest.

“Then Julio lose chance to Aiden?”

“None.”

“Firm.”

“Naturally. Second prince’s growth from blank slate. Once on track, explosive jumps unlikely.”

Litton, Stroke martial heir, knowledgeable—Fritz’s words rang true. Decisive reason Aiden must lose.

Fritz grinned.

“Plus… you know the biggest gap between second prince and Julio.”

“Hm… ‘Energy Armor’?”

Energy Armor.

Advanced energy breathing: expel energy externally, envelop body for ultimate defense. Julio, young teen, already mastered. Under armor, even real sword hard to damage.

Aiden’s growth amazing, but duel in ~month. Year maybe, but not this short to counter armor.

Yet why.

Litton felt inexplicable unease.

Imagined Aiden beating Julio spectacularly, dedicating to Chesa. Long nail-biting, finally spoke.

“…Know your thoughts, but caution never hurts. Order spies under you monitor his every move.”

“Understood.”

***

Two days post-Foden meeting, 20 days till Aiden Stroke’s birthday morning.

Stared piercingly at system message.

[A-grade Trait/Skill Arbitrary Selection x1]

[Tripper System Recommended]

[1. Trait/Swordsmanship Genius (A) (Owned)]

[2. Trait/Magic Genius (A)]

[3. Trait/Spirit Affinity·Strong (A)]

[4. Trait/Innate Combat Sense (A)]

[5. Skill/Imperial Guard Swordsmanship (A)]

[6. Skill/High-Grade Spirit Arts (A)]

[7. Skill/Rikium-Style Heart Method (A)]

[8. Other]

First MacGuffin reward A-selection, shelved three months—time to use.

Six recommendations left besides Sword Genius from first draw. Ignored, selected [8. Other].

[State desired trait/skill name.]

“Trait, Reverse Veins.”

[Acquired Reverse Veins (A) trait.]

System rang; indescribable body change. Momentarily floated, senses dulled—seconds later, normal.

“…Worked?”

Opened sheet, detailed new Reverse Veins (A).

Reverse Veins (A)

Body energy veins gain alien flow.

Generated energy vibration intensifies.

※Worst compatibility with most heart methods.

※Incompatible with other vein traits.

Seemingly unworthy of selection—bland benefits alone, two penalties (※)—bottom A-grade.

Reasons for choosing despite: two.

First, cards neutralize one penalty.

[Harmony energy residue weakens Reverse Veins heart method clash penalty.]

[Processed Yin-Yang Tea (A) control boosts weakening.]

[From now, Reverse Veins clash penalty fully deactivated.]

Not ‘removed’ but ‘deactivated’—lingering risk, but good enough.

Second: cheat skill only Reverse Veins owners learn.

Plan: meet original owner, Estriel Mirvana—learn his cheat secret.

Called Linia.

“Linia, guide to target.”

“Understood.”

Donned practical clothes, left Stroke mansion.

~30 minutes: entered capital bustle, strolled main street—arrived.

—Golden Apple Inn.

32 licensed lodgings in Rykrol, Stroke capital—this mid-upper service. Unobtrusive yet comfy—perfect for target’s tastes.

Ding-a-ling!

“Welcome! Room or meal?”

“Meal only.”

“Table 13. Orders?”

“Mushroom soup, butter bread, jerky. Mini sweet rolls dessert—all double. All three basic spices.”

“Hm hm.”

Waitress noted smilingly.

Hooded Linia whispered.

“…Young master who only touched top cuisine—how know commoner foods?”

“Studied bits.”

“Wow… always beside, never noticed.”

Source: pre-possession memorized Reca settings—obvious.

Curious why detailed northern cuisine etc. What thought NonameC?

…Question unfit for me, memorizer of trivia.

Shook head, cleared thoughts. Scanned tables.

Target absent.

Linia’s intel: Estriel’s meals, routines, sleep—irregular.

Makes sense: tracking legendary ‘Firebird’s Heart’ to principality. Likely info-hunting nonstop.

“First eat, rest.”

“Wise choice.”

Ate soup/bread with Linia. Nearing end, Linia startled.

“Young master, look there.”

Glanced entrance.

Blond, hazy mid-teens boy.

…Character sheet!

<Estriel Mirvana>

[Level: 60/62]

[Stamina: 12] [Strength: 12] [Agility: 25] [Mana: 15][Mind: 10] [Senses: 16]

[Divinity: 06]

[Traits: Ghost (S+), Reverse Veins (A), Innate Combat Sense (A), Priest (B) +2]

[Skills: Alsigima Resonance Shatter Art·Extreme (S), Alsigima Heart Method (A), Comprehensive Assassination·Extreme (A), Silent Realm (A), Desert Empire Soldier Arts (B) +5]

[Description: 48 years old, human. Legendary assassin of Circulation Church. Blessed by Circulation God—body unaging.]

“…That sheet brutal.”

Potential lower than Chesa’s, but Estriel complete monster. Survived active to part 4 near-original specs.

To detail strength:

Assume even traits/skills, balanced stats, no matchup—head-on duel.

5+ level gap: lower wins ~10-20%. 10+ higher: winrate near 0. Linfred (20) toyed me childlike.

Estriel 40+ higher: truckload Linfreds massacred laughing.

And I must rob this monster.

Approach planned. Two days secluded post-Foden permission—for prep.

Dropped prepared line.

“Wanderer? Look young.”

Whisper: entrance to adjacent table only.

Estriel’s 16 Senses caught; turned.

Eyes locked.

He widened eyes instantly.