The Demon Queen's Disciple
Chapter 55 - Consequences

In the afternoon, after all the F class students finished eating with them....

"Lucius, are you busy?" ask Alex in a soft voice.

Hearing that question, Lucius actually really wanted to answer that he was busy. He knew that if he said he wasn't busy, then Alex would drag him in on other troublesome things.

In other words, it would interfere with his training.

Even so....

"No. Why?" reply Lucius brief.

"After handing over your payment at my request earlier, I'd like to have a little talk with you. Not between class mates, but between nobles." explains Alex.

To avert his surprise, Lucius turned his head. In the distance, the figure of his other classmates had walked quite far towards their respective homes.

"What about?"

"I'll explain later."

With that retaliatory sentence, Alex immediately walked in front without another word coming out of his mouth.

Both of his palms seemed to be clenching firmly as if what he was going to talk about with Lucius was of paramount importance. Likewise with his footsteps that seem very rushed.

Seeing that, Lucius could only continue speculating in his mind.

'That man, it's unbelievable.' Carmilla said suddenly in Lucius' mind.

"What do you mean?" lucius asked back in a very soft voice.

'When I was alive, the most unbelievable people were those who moved for money. Thatvs right.... Just like one of the demon lords who sold all the other demons' information for money.

"What-what?!" lucius asked in surprise.

Sure oes. He had absolutely no idea there would be such an answer on such a leisurely journey.

"Hmm? Lucius? What's up?" alex asked who heard Lucius slightly scream. He slightly turned his head to look at Lucius behind him.

"Aaah, no. I'm just surprised about it." Lucius replied while pointing in a direction on the edge of town.

What Lucius pointed to, was none other than the sight where two slaves were being whipped by their master to speed up their footsteps.

The hands of the two slaves appear to be carrying a wooden box that is quite large and looks heavy. Even so, the slave owner continued to force the two to walk quickly.

"Right, you lived in the village before, huh Lucius?" alex asked after noticing what Lucius had pointed at just now.

"Disdissimulate me?"

"No. It's just that, a scene like this is quite rarely seen in the countryside. Makes me want to move the trading office out of the crowded city." Alex retorted before returning to speeding up his footsteps.

For Lucius who was always busy with himself, this was the first bad sight for him on the streets of this city.

A familiar sight, but whether by luck or misfortune, Lucius never saw it.

Pity began to fill Lucius' heart and mind. See how other humans are treated like animals like that.

But how else?

From the beginning....

The world is never fair.

Even with his immature mind, Lucius also knew very well such a thing.

It is the same with people born with talent from the heavens. On the other hand, there are people who are born with no talent at all. Like himself.

In silence, Lucius continued to follow Alex's footsteps in front of him.

Keep walking towards Alex's blacksmith shop, Brown Smithworks.

............

"Please sit down" Alex said before sitting on a large sofa, opposite Lucius' couch.

Between the two, there is a beautiful glass table with a cloth tablecloth that is so luxurious. Light dishes and drinks brought by several servants immediately enliven the table.

But right behind Alex himself....

Seen standing a man with a plain black shirt that is quite thin. Showing his body so big and heavy. Her hair was covered in white bandana.

In addition to the big man, there were 12 others standing behind him. Most of them looked like witches. Two of them looked like blacksmiths.

"Alex, what does all this mean?" lucius asked with a hint of suspicion in his heart.

Before retaliating, Alex is seen picking up a piece of pastry in front of him. Eat it slowly and then sip the black tea that is still warm in the silver cup.

"Shortly, Lucius. They're all indirect witnesses of your ability." Alex replies.

"Attention not directly from my ability? What does it mean with...."

"Don't pretend anymore. The blue fire that is still burning in the forest, is your doing, right? We all have enough evidence for that" Alex said, cutting Lucius' words.

"Huh?"

The thirteen people behind Alex seemed to keep their heads down. Not daring to stare at Lucius or their Master.

"The mission is hunting down the bandits.... It's a way to measure your abilities, Lucius. Besides of.... Come here, Albert." said Alex calling his most trustworthy servant.

The figure of a rather old man emerged from behind the door of this room. Both of his hands were carrying the same black box as when the old man had measured Lucius' strength.

"Mr Lucius, if you'd like, please put your hands on this crystal ball" Albert said kindly and respectfully.

Looking at the tool once more, Lucius became doubtful. Should he allow his strength to be measured once more?

What would happen if the measured power was too strong for a human of his age?

Will his life at the academy change? Will the attitude of others change? So, is it in a better direction? Or in a worse direction?

'Justdoit. Even if this entire city is hostile towards you, there are only about 4. no, 5 people alone can rival you at this time.' Carmilla said in Lucius' mind.

In his heart, Lucius thought. Has he really progressed that far? He constantly tries to reject it.

His life as a weak and always underestimated figure was still firmly stuck in him. Lucius always looked down on himself.

But....

'Stamp!'

In the end, Lucius placed his right palm on top of that crystal ball. Letting that complicated tool measure its power.

'Sreeett!!!'

On the side of the box, the pointing needle appears to be moving to the right. Pointing to the number 271.

On the other hand, a similar pointing needle also moves to the right and stops at 56.

Everyone in this room was surprised not to play after seeing the measurement results.

"Yes-who's right?! 271?!" shouted the big man standing behind Alex.

'Aaah, it seems that I should not let my strength be measured.' thought Lucius in his heart after seeing the terrified expression on the faces of some people before him.

He had memorized that look. The same look he received, when he was nobody.

A look of disdain after seeing an abnormal figure. Either because it is too weak, or too strong.

But, there were two people who were completely unaffected by the results of Lucius' Mana measurement just now.

Those two guys are none other than Alex and Albert. In fact, the two of them seemed to be smiling with satisfaction after seeing Lucius' strength just now.

"Congratulations, Lord Lucius. It seems that your Mana has grown at least 3 times larger than the previous measurement" Albert said, bowing his body.

"Eh?" lucius asked in surprise and confusion.

"Lucius, I don't know what you're thinking but.... My goal in bringing you here is to ensure your ability, as well as provide an attractive exchange offer." Alex said afterwards with a satisfied smile.

"Huh?" asked Lucius who was getting confused.

'Cat!'

Alex snapped his fingers. Coded some of these outside maids to get in.

Not long after, two female servants were seen walking in while carrying a sword with a reddish blade.

Only, the sword blade was only about a fifth left. The rest has melted until it is no longer shaped.

"Lucius. Even with 10 witches, melting this sword the same way you did is very difficult. We can melt it to the point where it can be forged. But until it melts like this? It's impossible with these 10 witches behind me." explained Alex as he raised the broken sword with his right hand.

With those words, Lucius immediately understood the direction of this conversation.

Based on Lucius' knowledge and mindset, he guessed there would be three opportunities from the direction of Alex's conversation.

The first, was the direction in which Alex intended to threaten him with this information. Then force him to work under him.

Then the second chance is where Alex intends to trick Lucius once again on the grounds that the damage to his sword is too severe. Then asked him to pay dearly and wrapped Lucius in debt once again.

And lastly, Alex was terrified of Lucius' power and asked him to stay away from him.

But nevertheless....

Lucius never thought about a fourth chance.

"Lucius. With your talent, you can change the world. I will be happy to support you using the treasures I have.

So forget this lousy infernal steel sword. I intend to make you a high-level Mithril kit. Aah, of course. Everything's free. Even all your debts will also be considered paid off. Interesting?" alex asked with a big smile.

Mithril. A metal that could be said to be close to perfection itself.

It weighs only a quarter of iron, but has strength and durability tens of times stronger than iron. While the sharpness itself even rivaled or even exceeded diamonds, depending on the blacksmith who made it.

But Mithril's main advantage was not in his physical strength. Rather, it was at its very high affinity towards all magic elements. Make it the dream metal of all knights and witches.

Only, its existence was extremely rare. There are only three Mithril mines in the world. Two of them were in the territory of the Dwarf Kingdom.

Whereas humans had just obtained one mine after seizing one of those mines from the Dwarf region through warfare.

Sure oes. Thanks to the scarcity and sky-high price, whoever Mithril offered him would immediately accept him. It doesn't matter what they do to Mithril.

Lucius thought the same.

"Oi?! Give me Mithril's gear? You kidding? A business like you gives it away for free? I can't believe that!" reply Lucius while standing up from his chair.

Alex, who understood Lucius' concerns, immediately retaliated.

"of course. Instead, Lucius." replied Alex while thrusting a white sheet of paper decorated with golden grooves on all four sides.

A long enough inscription was on that piece of paper, complete with the official seal of the Brown family.

"Lucius, the Browns just want to always be on the Nightshade family's side. Both in bad times, and in times of glory." continued Alex.

"I-I don't understand what you really want, Alex...."

"In short. Don't forget the Browns when you succeed. For us, no.... For me, you and your family are a bridge for the Browns to rise to even greater heights. Not just being a small family in this small town."

Unlike Lucius who always looked down on himself, Alex as an outsider could see Lucius' potential well.

Lucius' completely inexplicable talent was something too precious to pass up.

If his family were to help Lucius at this time, Lucius would indirectly raise the Brown family's rank in the future.

After all, a 16-year-old boy who already possessed strength equivalent to an S-level knight?

Anyone could also realize that Lucius would become much stronger after graduating from this academy.

Although Alex? He placed all his bets on Lucius. It was hoped that Lucius would become one of the strongest people in this human kingdom after graduating from the academy.

And his family, will be considered to be the family of Lucius supporters. Awesome name at once enliven his business.

Perfect plan that benefits both sides. That's what Alex thought.

It's just....

"Uughh." said Lucius in pain while holding his head.

"Oi, Lucius?! What's up?!" ask Alex to panic.

"No.... It's common. Just a momentary headache from lack of sleep. It will soon disappear too." Lucius replied while forcing a smile on his face.

"Ordinary?! What do you mean by ordinary?!" alex asked worriedly as he approached Lucius.

From up close, Alex could see it. Lucius' blackened eye bags and tired-filled eyes.

A sign that someone has been pushing themselves too hard.

"Well, I don't really understand the noble level or anything like that. As long as you keep my current strength a secret, I will accept your request." replied Lucius who now had to use his left hand to support his body to remain standing.

"You're really okay?" ask Alex to panic.

"Can I go home? I have to practice." Lucius replied. He was seen walking in a broken way towards the exit of this room.

"Practiced?! What are you saying?! You need to rest! Albert! Help Lucius to walk to his house!" alex's orders panicked.

Albert only lowered his head for a moment before immediately running towards Lucius. Give him a support so he can walk well.

"I.... Must become even stronger...."

That last sentence from Lucius really made Alex and the 13 people behind him confused instead of playing.

"Practiced? Even after having such power?" ask the big guy behind Alex's couch.

While Alex himself could only stand in silence, seeing the figure of Lucius walking along with Albert leaving this room.

"Even if you have the equivalent amount of Mana as an S-level mage, you still continue to force yourself? Practicing? More powerful? Wh-wh-what for? Lucius.... Don't you realize that your strength is already within the ranks of the strongest people in this city?" ask Alex to be astonished.