The Herb King

124 I’m Stupid

Alec Ward frowned as he looked at Janrose’s figure. His position as the top contender in the competition has become uncertain because of that young lady. As a spy of the Northern Viper Group, he was tasked to perform well in the battle event. His pride wouldn’t allow him to be satisfied with just getting into the top five. Besides, he had already promised his direct superior that he would get the championship. It would be embarrassing for him if he fails to obtain the top spot.

‘Janrose... I won’t allow you to win even if I have to use drastic measures!’ He muttered coldly in his heart.

Janrose smiled at the spectators and waved her hands at them. She could feel the support of the crowd and this made her feel happy. However, she knew that this was only possible because of her teacher. ‘Too bad you are not here to see me win...’ She muttered.

Suddenly, a group of nobles blocked her path, preventing her from returning to the contestants’ resting area.

“Hey, girl! How did your strength increase in just one day?”

“Did you eat a legendary fruit?”

“Where did you get that Refined-Rated sword?”

She frowned when she heard their interrogating tone. She truly despised these nobles who thought of themselves as above the common people. Did they really think that she would bow down to them just because of their high status? Just as she was about to offer a retort, she recalled Aethelwolf’s words before he left.

“Just tell them that you are the student of the Level 4 Alchemist, Aethelwolf.”

.....

Janrose let out a smile when she remembered those words. She then glanced at the rowdy nobles and replied with a cold look. “If you have questions about my increase in strength, you guys can ask my teacher. His name is Aethelwolf. I believe you guys have heard of him.”

“Aethelwolf? Who cares who your teacher is!? Wait! Who did you say your teacher was? I think my ears have a problem.”

“She said her teacher is Aethelwolf. Isn’t that the Level 4 Alchemist who has been the talk of everyone in the city?”

When they heard that her teacher was Aethelwolf, the nobles’ looked like they had swallowed a fly. They could only stare at Janrose as she walked away with her head held high.

‘Damn! That felt good!’ Janrose laughed in her heart as she returned to the resting area. She had been tolerant of those nobles during the past few years and she didn’t even dare to talk back to them since she feared that they would hurt her mother, but it was different now. Her teacher is a powerful figure that even those high and mighty nobles feared and respected.

Hm?

Janrose paused her steps when she saw a familiar old knight walking in her direction. ‘Eh? Isn’t this the guard captain of the Reynolds Household?’ She was taken aback when she saw Reed. She had seen this guy when Lord Julius visited the clinic last time.

“Miss Janrose.” Reed politely nodded his head at the young girl.

“Is there anything you need, Sir Reed?” Janrose curiously stared at the old knight, wondering what his purpose was.

“His Majesty is looking for you. Please follow me to the VIP section upstairs.” Reed said in a calm voice.

“His Majesty?” Janrose was shocked when she heard that, but she still nodded her head after regaining her composure. “Alright. Please lead the way, Sir Reed.”

Reed brought her to the VIP section and when they arrived, Janrose saw three people seated together. One man was garbed in luxurious gold and white clothes. He has a golden crown above his head. ‘That must be His Majesty.’ Janrose thought. She then scanned the other two.

She was familiar with the old man, Lord Julius, so she moved her gaze to the remaining person. It was a tall and hulking man who was dressed in a black uniform. ‘Who is that guy?’

“Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Lord Julius! Greetings, er, Lord!” Janrose greeted the three people respectfully.

“Oh my. It seems like she doesn’t know who you are, Baron.”

Janrose heard the emperor’s joking words and when she heard the name ‘Baron’, she finally knew who the last person was.

It was the Shield Duke, Duke Baron!

“It’s not surprising that she doesn’t know me, Your Majesty. I stay in the citadel most of the time and I rarely show myself in public.” Baron chuckled as he shook his head.

“Come here, little girl. Sit beside us. You are Sir Aethelwolf’s student so don’t be courteous with us.” Emperor Ragnar said with a laugh when he saw Janrose’s nervous expression.

“Your Majesty, I think the little girl is intimidated by your aura. Just let her sit wherever she wants.” Lord Julius said as he pointed at a seat near his spot.

Janrose saw this, but she ignored the old man’s hint. She didn’t want to provoke any of these three even if she was Aethelwolf’s student. “I’ll just seat behind you guys.” She answered carefully.

She thought that they would also ask her about her suspicious level up, but the three of them only asked her about matters related to other things.

“So you’re saying that you managed to summon your pill fire after being taught by Sir Aethelwolf?” Lord Julius asked probingly.

Janrose nodded her head lightly. She thought that Aethelwolf’s teaching method was easy to follow so it wasn’t difficult for her to learn how to summon her pill fire. “That’s right. He spent an entire night teaching me how to summon my pill fire. I’m stupid so I only managed to summon my Pill Fire on my second try.”

The three old people almost fell from their chairs when they heard her words. She is stupid because she only managed to summon her Pill Fire on her second try? Then what about those Alchemists who spent months or even years of training before they successfully summoned their Pill Fires?

“Can you show your Pill Fire to us?”

Janrose nodded her head and opened her palm. A small red flame appeared, flickering gently.