Chapter 43: News of the God of Time

Several months later, in the Matthews Territory.

The crack of wooden swords clashing echoed constantly from the training grounds of the Viscount’s mansion.

“Not bad, Mann. You’re improving quickly.”

Viscount Matthews kept one hand behind his back as he sparred with Mann.

“You’re surely not limited to this level, are you? Don’t hold back on my account. Go all out!”

“Fine, you said it yourself!”

A sly grin flashed across Mann’s face.

‘Old man, after a month of training, plus my practice in the Spiritual Space at night, I’m definitely hitting you at least once today!’

He assumed the stance for Earth Shrink Technique, locking his gaze on Viscount Matthews.

“Oh? That move again? You should know it won’t work on me, right?”

“Is that so? Then how about this?”

As Mann’s words faded, a faint layer of light enveloped his body.

If the Earth Shrink skill relied purely on physical strength, then the body-strengthening Divine Light could theoretically be used in conjunction with it.

But since this was his first real combat application, Mann chose to carefully control the Divine Light’s output.

Viscount Matthews looked at him, his expression shifting slightly.

“That’s somewhat interesting…”

“Watch yourself, Father.”

“Ground Shrink Extreme!”

With a flash of light, his figure vanished from the spot almost instantly.

The Viscount’s face no longer held its initial nonchalance; it became uncharacteristically serious.

With a sound like a thunderclap, their wooden swords clashed, and almost simultaneously, both swords snapped in two.

“You even used the Thunderclap Step technique? It seems you’ve learned quite a bit from this month of training. If only you could use mana… a pity.”

The Viscount nodded. He withdrew his broken sword and gave Mann a look of approval, offering his highest praise so far.

“However, in terms of speed, you’ve already surpassed me. What you still lack is a way to end the fight in one blow.”

“But it should be more than enough to handle the advanced course at the academy.”

Mann did not feel pleased; instead, he was somewhat dejected.

But seeing that his father didn’t seem stuck on the past, the weight in his heart finally lifted.

Although in the original novel he was also someone who never easily spoke his mind, he hoped the man would truly pull through.

As for matters concerning his mother, he should just forget them and not mention them to anyone.

He plopped down onto the ground, propping himself up with his hands, gasping for breath.

The toll this skill took on his body was still too great. With his previous physical strength, even if Mann had thought of it, he absolutely wouldn’t have dared to use it.

It seemed that the Evil God’s head he had absorbed by accident had also strengthened his body to some extent.

“You seem a bit distracted, don’t you?”

His thoughts exposed, Mann could only hastily reply:

“It’s just regrettable… that was my trump card…”

“Feel frustrated, do you?”

Viscount Matthews reached out a hand to Mann and pulled him up.

“But these things can’t be rushed.”

“Uncle Matthews! Brother Mann!”

At that moment, Lai La also walked over and handed them both towels.

She wasn’t as shy as when she first arrived; by now, she had generally grown accustomed to the environment.

Seeing that she was no longer so reserved, another weight lifted from Mann’s heart.

He took the towel and thanked her.

“Oh, right, Brother. A guest named Sophien just arrived and specifically asked for you.”

‘The Princess? Why would she come?’

According to the original novel’s progression, after the Matthews Territory incident, she should be studying at Rickwell Academy of Magic.

Mann looked at the Viscount, who didn’t say anything but just nodded at him a few times.

Despite his doubts, he couldn’t afford to slight the imperial family.

“Alright, take me to her.”

Before long, they arrived in front of a room.

Mann looked at Lai La, who immediately understood. She bowed to him and left.

‘This mana sensation… why does it feel strange?’

Although it was very similar to Sophien’s mana, there were subtle differences.

With that suspicion in mind, he knocked on the door.

“Lord Mann, is that you? Please, come in.”

A familiar voice came from inside the room.

‘Hmph, let’s see what trick you’re playing.’

Mann made up his mind and pushed the door open, stepping inside.

“Long time no see, Lord Mann.”

The speaker was none other than Sophien, sitting gracefully at one side of the table.

She was crossing her legs and sipping tea elegantly. Dressed in simple white clothes, she appeared understated, even concealing her feminine features well. Clearly, she didn’t want to be recognized.

“Seeing that the reconstruction of Matthews Territory is going smoothly puts my mind at ease.”

“Oh? Did you come all this way just to catch up?”

Mann’s reply was somewhat confrontational. Up close, that strange sensation became even more pronounced.

‘Impostor, keep pretending.’

He thought to himself, his expression turning a bit amused.

“Heh… Since you like cutting straight to the chase, I won’t beat around the bush. To be honest, I came to ask you to carry out a mercenary mission. It’s near Rickwell Academy.”

“Sorry, I refuse.”

Mann didn’t even bother to hear the mission details.

“First, I’m no longer a member of the Griffin Mercenary Corps. Your esteemed captain personally expelled me.”

“Second, if you’re not planning to show your true face, then don’t blame me for showing you out.”

Upon hearing this, the Sophien in front of him let out a soft laugh. Her entire demeanor suddenly shifted.

“So, how exactly did you see through me?”

“My disguise takes even the Imperial Court’s mages a while to see through. No wonder my sister said your perception of mana is incredibly sharp. It seems she wasn’t exaggerating.”

“Sister?”

“Fourth Prince of the Empire, Chris Uliken. Pleased to meet you, Lord Mann.”

“The Fourth Prince…”

Mentioning this, Mann had some recollection. In the original novel, this guy basically acted as Sophien’s stand-in. Whenever she had to leave the mercenary group, he would temporarily play the role of Sophien. He was mostly a background character, and a serious siscon.

Still, he shouldn’t be underestimated because most of Sophien’s intelligence came from him.

And for him to approach Mann at this time—was it because the entire story’s direction had been overturned? It was hard not to suspect he had ulterior motives.

“So, Lord Chris, I assume you didn’t come just to deliver a message from Lady Sophien?”

“If I recall correctly, you’re about to go to Rickwell Academy of Magic for advanced studies as the Viscount’s heir in a few days, right?”

“And then?”

“Also, you’ve been gathering information on the God of Time lately.”

“…”

Mann stared at the man in silence, but for some reason, he felt as if he had been seen through, and he felt a deep sense of disgust.

Chris, seeing his silence, added:

“As it happens, I have information about him—information that only I know. So, I think we can cooperate.”

“What do you want me to do?”

Chris stood up and patted Mann on the shoulder.

“Don’t be so tense. I’m not here to blackmail you.”

“As for the content of our cooperation, once you arrive at Rickwell Academy, you’ll understand naturally.”

“Well then, farewell, Lord Mann.”

Listening to his fading footsteps, Mann stared intently at the Communication Artifact on the table. But in the end, he decided to put it away.

Over the past few months, Ge Rui En’s covert operations had yielded no useful intelligence. Now that an opportunity had finally presented itself, how could he easily let it go?

Besides, he was going to the academy for advanced studies no matter what. As for whether to cooperate, the choice was still his.

For now, it was best to play along. Ideally, he’d obtain a way to rescue Helgort. But the most important thing was to first figure out what this unknown Fourth Prince was really after.