บท 4: Chapter 4 Outrageous Deception
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"Aiya, you're injured. Let me take a look at it quickly."
"Brother, you've suffered."
Rosyth and Benson blocked his path, subtly cornering him against the wall.
Ivan watched them with a cold eye, making no careless moves. Injured as he was, a wise man doesn't court danger.
After uttering those somewhat exaggerated words of concern, Rosyth leaned in feigning affection and whispered, "Listen, Ivan, things were urgent that day, and we were both panicked and scared, not sparing any thought to consider the consequences. It was an unintentional mistake."
Benson chimed in, "That's right, just an unintentional mistake. We were more worried about your safety than anyone else, even considering you a good friend."
Ivan sneered dismissively, "Spare me, I don't deserve friends like you. Just be each other's good friends; hopefully, next time you face danger, your 'good friend' will pull you to safety."
Upon hearing his response, the two exchanged glances.
Rosyth's voice took on a harsh tone, "Listen, you've only suffered a minor injury. Let's pretend that incident never happened. Hopefully, you won't publicize it and just let it go."
Benson added, "There are two of us and only one of you. No one will believe what you say. Don't force us to resort to other measures."
They had not come to make amends but to warn Ivan not to speak carelessly, lest it affect their reputations in Flying Fish Port. In a place neither large nor small, a tarnished reputation could bode poorly for their futures.
Such shameless words even tested Ivan's good temperament, angering him immensely.
The victim hadn't taken any measures, yet the wrongdoers had come to threaten him. It was utterly intolerable.
Ivan stared at them with a steely face, his gaze ice-cold.
Rosyth and Benson met his look unflinchingly.
"What are you doing?"
A crisp voice rang out, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Not far off stood a female knight clad in leather armor skirt, frowning, her long legs accentuating her elegance.
Ivan called out, "Sister Mellie."
This girl was a disciple of the Cassia Swordsmanship Hall, with considerable strength having reached the squire level, just one step away from breaking through to Knight Class. She was also the hall's senior disciple and the daughter of the hall's master.
Seeing someone bullying a disciple near the Cassia Swordsmanship Hall, she naturally couldn't ignore it.
"Ivan, don't forget our appointment. We will seek you out again."
Rosyth and his companion were students from another local swordsmanship hall and, knowing Mellie's formidable strength, did not dare linger. They left with a parting reminder before striding away.
Watching the two disappear with a stern look, Ivan finally turned around, "Sister Mellie, thank you for speaking up for justice."
Mellie was nonchalant, simply leaving him with the words, "Remember to study hard, and don't disgrace Cassia."
In fact, she was not very familiar with Ivan and had little to say to him, then she went back to the swordsmanship hall.
Ivan stood there thinking, deciding not to retort. Without improving his strength, words were meaningless. Regardless, he kept a mental note of the offense.
...
The Marichadon family.
Since he was injured, Ivan could do nothing but stay home to rest and recover, while reading and studying the book he had brought back, "Herbs Record Vol. 1."
The following afternoon, he made some progress.
[Apothecary Skill Experience Point +1]
[Apothecary Skill: lv0(5/10)]
Besides that, he identified another benefit of the 'Academic Prodigy panel'—it had enhanced his memory and concentration.
Given his former character, even with the best reasons, he couldn't have calmed down to pore over such a substantial tome, let alone commit it entirely to memory. While not claiming to have an extraordinary memory or focus, there was a significant improvement, and the change was evident.
For several consecutive days, Ivan immersed himself in medicinal texts, gradually losing track of time.
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Outside his room, two figures were peering around and whispering quietly.
Aunt Kasey said solemnly, "It's been several days, and little Ivan has been holding a book without even blinking an eye." She showed a worried expression.
With her years of understanding Ivan, she felt this situation was far from normal, so abnormal it filled her with concern.
Peggy tentatively added, "Could it be—could it be that brother is healing, and his injury is much more serious than he's let on?" Her own worry began to show as she spoke.
Aunt Kasey pondered seriously for a moment, then shook her head, "It doesn't seem like that, it's more like—" she hesitated, not knowing how to say something that might come off as offensive.
Peggy pressed, "Like what?"
"Like he's injured his head, right."
Sean poked his head out, startling the other two with his sudden remark.
Peggy clutched her chest with her fist and gave someone a fierce glare.
She said in a foul tone, "What kind of thing is that to say?"
Sean was not intimidated by her this time and analyzed with reason, "Ivan dislikes reading the most. Just seeing a book makes his head hurt and makes him want to sleep. He would never hold a book for days on end. If you don't believe me, just ask Madam Kasey."
He knew this so clearly because he was just the same.
Aunt Kasey nodded in agreement.
Sean spread his hands.
Peggy glanced at the two and muttered, "Perhaps, you're both wrong. Brother Ivan just wants to become a Pharmacist and it's his passion that's inspiring him to change. Yes, that must be it."
Hearing this, Sean nearly rolled his eyes back to his forehead, thinking it was another thing to get someone to believe.
Engrossed in their discussion, the three didn't notice Ivan had already come out of the room, just in time to see his brother's exaggerated eye roll.
"Peggy gets me, Sean, what's with that expression?"
He unceremoniously slapped the back of Sean's head, knocking his rolled eyes back into place.
Sean took the slap without much fuss, but was more interested in Ivan's words, "Mr. Ivan, are you serious about this?"
Ivan replied, "Serious or not, just watch my actions and you'll know."
Sean scrutinized him, seeing the word 'serious' written all over his face; it didn't seem like a joke at all.
"Oh dear, that means you won't be able to cover for me anymore. Won't I be scolded more often?" he lamented, unwittingly speaking his inner thoughts aloud.
Peggy darkly commanded, "Sean, I'm giving you a chance to rethink your words."
Sean gave a sheepish laugh, "I was just joking, haha." Saying this, he took off running, skillfully eluding his sister's reach—a clear sign of experience.
"Brother Ivan, I believe in you."
Peggy earnestly said to Ivan before chasing after her good-for-nothing brother to teach him a lesson.
Aunt Kasey had already gone off to busy herself with other things, clearly finding it hard to believe Ivan's words in her heart.
'Academic Prodigy'
Ivan muttered to himself.
[Apothecary Skill: lv0 (6/10)]
[Linguistics Skill: lv0 (1/10)]
Just a short while ago, his Apothecary Skill Experience Points had increased by one, bringing him even closer to the next level.
He had a strong premonition that upon reaching Level 1 in Apothecary Skill, a surprise surely awaited him.
Next time, he had to find a way to linger in Old Orio's clinic; that place was certainly a big bundle of Experience Points.
And the Breathing Method—once he recovered from his injuries, it wouldn't take long to master it. He wondered if it would translate into a subject on his panel. He hoped it would.
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