461 You are like night and day
*Emerald Lionheart Mansion – Evening*
“Vincent... are you fine now? You were very different after taking that red potion, but... ” Sakura paused for a moment. On her face was a worried expression. “I hope I didn’t b... break you.”
After they stopped their activity, Sakura became worried. Vincent spent a day with a mysterious drive to continue until it became dark.
The potion’s effects never disappeared because his heart didn’t rest for a second. Vapor escaped his mouth, his veins slightly bulged, and his skin turned redder and hotter after hours of non-stop movement.
Sometimes Sakura placed her hand on his chest and worried his racing heart might stop from exhaustion.
*Phew* “After a good wash and message by my lavender beauty, I feel better already.” Vincent raised his hand and clenched his fist. “I feel stronger too. I knew you were the best person to count on.”
“Really?” Sakura blushed and raised a smile. She became happy to be depended on.
Vincent used inspection on both him and Sakura. “Huh? You also became a little stronger?” He blurted out after Sakura’s stat growth surprised him.
.
.....
[Name] Sakura
[Soul Synch] 43%
[Race] Oni
[Age] 26
[Condition] Exhausted
[Traits] Blessing Of Synergy, Mana Tempered Body Stage One
[Class] Synergist
[Stats] Strength 74 || Agility 33 || Perception 45 || Mana 1430
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[Name] Vincent Lionheart
[Race] Human
[Age] 32
[Condition] Exhausted
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt[Soul Power] 230sp
[Traits] Blood Tempered Body Stage One, Mana Body
[Class] Soul Hero
[Class] Soul Mutation
[Stats] Strength 38 || Agility 33 || Perception 27 || Mana 103
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Vincent’s stats dramatically increased. He gained fifteen strength, twelve agility, and five perception points added. On the other hand, Sakura received a minor amount of stat growth.
[Hundred percent efficiency of this potion showed surprising results. I am impressed by the amount of stats you gained, so how about you do something different next time? Wink. Wink.]
Vincent understood what Kazumi meant. He looked at Sakura and asked, “Can you share the next nine Sundays with the others? If you also grew stronger with me, the others can too. But I feel bad asking this. It is ok to reject this favor.”
Sakura understood why Vincent had a nervous expression. Nine Saturdays meant nine weeks. The day when she could spend time alone with Vincent was going to disappear for two months and one week.
However, Sakura didn’t feel sadness, nor did she become angry at Vincent.
Sakura remembered a word from Lilith and reiterated, “I hope you can compensate me like today...” *Cough* “I mean go on nine dates the two of us together.”
‘The word compensate again? Is this the work of Kazumi or Lilith?’ Vincent pondered.
“I promise.”
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[Promised Quest: Nine date promise with Sakura Lionheart]
[Complete the agreed promise to Sakura Lionheart to go on a date alone and make her happy.]
[Quest conditions to be met.]
*Dates 0/9 (Not Met)
[Rewards]
*Sakura Soul Synch +9%
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“That look. Did you receive a quest?” Asked Sakura.
“Yes. Now I can keep track of our promise.” Vincent answered.
[I hope your dates will not lead to materials stores or a blacksmith. I hope it will be a romantic date like in the stories I read in the library.]
“Materials!” Vincent exclaimed. He grabbed Sakura’s hands and asked, “Could you make me a pair of durable enchanted gauntlets? I do not want to remain a helpless man after Overheat ends now that I can grow stronger because of this potion for nine more times.”
[Heh... is that all you got from my suggestion? Your idea isn’t a bad one, though, brawler Vincent.]
Sakura became happy to hear Vincent wanted equipment made by her. Additionally, it was a piece of armor instead of a weapon. Well, Sakura knew the gauntlet was going to be used as a weapon, but she overlooked this fact in her excitement.
Sakura was already thrilled to begin crafting a pair of gauntlets after Vincent left.
“Do not worry about the materials. I will give Maid Xu sixty silver coins. It should be enough, I hope. ” Vincent reassured. He went over to the worktable. He lifted and placed a bucket on it.
Green light illuminated the workshop, and two items were summoned.
“Is this the gauntlet from the arm you regrew when saving Iris and her people?” Sakura looked at the bucket and continued questioning, “Isn’t this what you call mutated ash?”
“Yes to both of your questions.” Vincent tapped on the gauntlet and continued, “This gauntlet is stiff like an unbreakable statue, and the fingers do not move. But you can use it for size comparison and inspiration. You can also break a few pieces if you can. I do not mind.”
Vincent tapped on the bucket and continued, ” On the other hand, I am giving you all the mutated ash I collected because it might come in handy one day.”
Vincent looked at Sakura to see her expression. He hoped he wasn’t asking for a lot.
The next thing Vincent saw was a pair of eyes burning with passion. The perfectionist and workaholic Sakura was already thinking of a suitable pair of gauntlets for Vincent to wear.
Later, the two of them went to eat dinner. The amount of food they ate surprised everyone. It was enough for Lupa to compete with them and lose.
Bessy arrived in a hurry and saw that Vincent was still at the mansion.
She sighed in relief and asked him to meet her in the guest room. There she could give him the agreed payment for the hospitality.
“I have bad luck some... many times. This place brings me comfort from the outside world.” Bessy gave Vincent four magic contracts. One more than they agreed. “Here, this is an extra scroll for the peace of mind I have while living here, Vincent Lionheart.”
“There is no need to...”
“No. Please accept them. I insist.” Bessy interrupted. She looked out the window and continued, “I hate attention, so I travel to my clients alone while hooded. I dislike the gaze of men focused on me too.”
“I never expected my son to make an acquaintance with a person like you.” Bessy looked at Vincent and smiled. Bessy was a beautiful mature woman, and her smile was alluring as if she was still a teen.
“The two of you are like night and day. My son is the night while you are the day. I am glad your light reached us.” She said as if her son was the opposite of Vincent.
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[Reputation gained.]
*Reputation – Bessy Wittwoll +30 (Total 50 rep)
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Vincent and Kazumi were surprised when a reward notification appeared out of the blue. This meant Bessy Wittwoll trusted Vincent, yet her words sounded cryptic and mysterious.
Why was Elias Wittwoll the night and Vincent the day?
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhy did one act of goodwill light Elias’s darkness as if he lived or had to live in the shade?
Was it because she and her son ran away and they were in hiding?
And lastly, why does Bessy talk to Vincent as if she was a noble of a higher standing?
So many questions and guesswork, but in the end, Vincent had his own problems to worry about. Vincent couldn’t solve the problems of everyone he met. After all, his goal of finding the whereabouts of Kevin’s child was still incomplete.
Vincent headed outside and saw Sakura hugging Ester, Lupa, Iris, and Lilith together.
Vincent didn’t want to interrupt them, so he went to Maid Xu. After telling her to buy what Sakura would request and giving her the money, Vincent left post-haste before Maid Xu’s angered frown formed a bridge.
Vincent approached Sofy. She was petting Plow on the coachman’s seat.
“We are ready to go soon. ” Vincent said.
“Is that all, my master?” Sofy didn’t look very happy for some reason.
.....
“Why...”
“I overheard about your Sunday tryst, but I didn’t receive an invitation from a certain someone. ” Sofy interrupted.
“...” Vincent became shocked to hear Sofy say this out of the blue. He stared at Sofy with a blank expression as if his mind froze.
[Oh la la. We have an interesting development on our hands, hehehe.]
Kazumi giggled to no end.
“Ahem.” Vincent cleared his throat. “You lived your life suffering so much that I hope you can spend your night as you desire.”
*Wink* “You are my chosen man.” Sofy said. She turned her head and looked at Ester, Lupa, Iris, Sakura, and Lilith as if they were her next targets for her goal.
Later, the carriage left. After they arrived, Vincent felt uneasy when Sofy looked at him. He had a hunch he might fall into a trap soon.
*Day 126 – 12 October – Monday*
*Day 127 – 13 October – Tuesday*
*Day 128 – 14 October – Wednesday*
*Day 129 – 15 October – Thursday*
*Day 130 – 16 October – Friday*
A week passed, not too much different than the previous week. Vincent was close to understanding the CQC foundation stance and how to best move and attack when his body channeled Energy Flow.
Furthermore, his mastery of mana and control increased. He could now tell when to stop, even if Force Shock barely left any damage or his gauntlets absorbed too little mana for one charge.
The ten-minute Ice Lance absorbing training with Maria remained the same. Only the time was reduced by one minute. Vincent would disappear from their sight and later hear a tree breaking and falling.
Whenever Maria asked, Ester, Lupa, Iris, and Lilith shrugged their shoulders every time.
This week, Vincent and Lilith met with Gusto’s wife, Alessia. She was kind and friendly. Her behavior reminded Vincent of Kevin’s wife, Trisha Brooks.