Silas looked at the kid that Max was talking about. Apparently, Luna found him laying under a tree, covered in moss and animal skins. Blood everywhere on the kid's body.
When he arrived at the scene, Luna was healing the kid with her spell.
He crouched down and checked the kid's condition. After feeling the energy and mana inside, he ordered Luna to stop.
"You can stop healing now. Any further usage of healing will result in damage to the physique. Right now, he needs to rest." Silas said.
Luna stopped the spell and stood up, cleaning the dust from her robe. Silas picked up the dirty kid and ordered Max to clear the place for the kid.
He then asked Max to clean the kid and placed him inside the bed.
After that, Silas and his group went and checked the surroundings thoroughly again. They didn't find anything unusual.
Silas and Roland stared at the tree which Luna found the kid under.
"Judging by the dried blood, I think the kid stay here for 2 or 3 days." Roland discussed.
"I think so too. Where did the kid come from?" Silas asked, not expecting an answer.
"Slavery?" Ice-pick chimed in.
"Impossible." Silas said. "The kingdom abolished slavery a few hundred years ago. Well, there are still some illegal slaves but they won't be out in the open like this."
"So what is your theory,Silas?" Roland asked. "You are the most knowledgeable in the group."
"I would rather not say it." Silas murmured and went back to the camp.
He had ordered a knight to stay guard a child in case the kid tried to escape.
Silas took one last glance at the kid and went back to the carriage. Before he left, he ordered the group that they would stay here until the kid woke up.
***
Another vague nightmare fell upon him like a curse. But the horror behind the nightmare was slowly revealing itself to him.
Silas clenched his hand and let out a deep sigh. The night was long and cold. The winter is coming.
He lifted up the blanket and left the carriage to get fresh air. He wanted to clear his mind and maybe checked the traps he set up.
Silas conjured a small crest and channeled the mana, the crest transformed into a light ball and floated around him, illuminating the surroundings around him.
"Where are you going?" A soft voice sounded behind him.
Silas looked up at the carriage and saw Roland waving.
"Just taking a walk." Silas said.
"Can't sleep?" Roland jumped down without making a noise.
Silas nodded. "Follow me."
"Okay."
The two men quietly went around the camp site, checking the crest Silas implanted on the trees, ground and air. He also checked the crest made by Luna.
He didn't find the crest as her concealment was skilled. So, he had to ask the Knight's sense.
Silas studied the crest and nodded.
"Looks like our small mage is growing stronger." Roland said, sensing the power behind her crest. While it was not as strong as Silas, it was still impressive as Roland saw her improvement in real time.
They didn't interact a lot but Roland saw her train. He admired someone like that. Having a passion is great but working toward it earned his respect.
Roland glanced at Silas and contemplated the days they spent travelling. He won't lie but Silas was not worthy of his loyalty yet. But he won't mind helping a fellow friend.
They arrived at the same tree Luna found the kid.
Silas crouched down, touching the ground and smelling it.
"A lot of blood went. It is a miracle that the kid is alive." Roland said.
"I won't call it a miracle. It is the kid's strength that he stays alive." Silas sighed as if he decided something important for himself.
"Hey, can you help me with something?" Silas asked the knight.
"Sure."
"I want to take my sword seriously." Silas said, his voice dropped with heavy emotion.
"Why?"
"Just a nagging feeling." Silas smiled. "A very bad feeling."
Of course, he lied. He knew what was coming. But he lied. He lied because that was all he could do.
He lied for himself. Otherwise, he won't be a con man.
***
They spent three days in this place.
A sword cut through the air and created a sonic boom.
Roland extended his feet and guided his weight to front, toward his sword, guarding the incoming sword. After a brief exchange, he twisted his sword and made a low swing.
It was blocked by a sword but the difference between strength was visible as Silas was sent back to the side.
As Silas touched the ground, Roland speeded up. The speed of his sword far surpassed the limit of humans.
The air around the air compressed and was sent flying into an air slash.
Silas looked at the incoming air slash and readied himself. He put his sword in front of it and channeled energy into his sword. Then, he guided the energy and his body to one task.
Parry the air slash.
If he missed, the slash would cut across his chest.
His hands blurred as the sword cut the air slash in half. The two trees from behind him exploded, creating a small-scale dust storm which covered Silas.
Roland looked at this and nodded, sheathing away his sword.
"Second circle?" He called out, trying to confirm.
But Silas didn't reply.
Soon the dust around him settled, revealing a youth with black hair kneeling with one knee, clenching his chest in a pained expression.
Roland sensed something was wrong with him and dashed toward with an incredible speed. He gathered energy and pushed it into Silas's body, guiding the untamed energy with his own.
"Slowly. Slowly."
Silas calmed down, his breath getting slower and composed.
Roland let go of his hand and watched Silas take control over the energy inside his heart.
Time slowly passed under his watchful eyes. He was ready for something. In case another untamed energy escaped from Silas's control.
But his worry was not unnecessary as Silas regained control with ease.
Silas looked up at Roland and smiled. "I have reached my normal condition."
Roland clapped his hands. "Congratulations."
Silas frowned and got up, stepping onto Roland's toes. "That last air slash was uncalled for. What if I die?"
"Haha. You won't die, Sir. You are amazing." Roland said. "Besides, I know you will activate the barrier spell if you can't parry off the slash. Anyway, look like my job is finished. I will be unemployed."
"What are you saying?" Silas rolled his eyes.
"Can't protect someone who is stronger than me." Roland shrugged.
"What makes you think that? I am not strong at all. Look! That wind can kill me. Hurry. Protect your young master." Silas grabbed Roland and stayed behind his back, shaking his body.
"Get off me. Gezz.. you are too strong." Roland slapped his hand.
Silas smirked and channeled a wind spell from his second mana circle. Roland was blasted away to the sky.
Silas looked up and laughed out loud.
Roland landed on the ground and was not amused by Silas's prank.
Silas ignored his banter and looked at his hands. The skin of his palm was falling apart, breaking down because of the training he did in the past and now.
For three days, he trained without taking a rest. He trained in the art of sword and mana. Trying to regain the previous Silas's strength.
Worthy of taking on the name of Viremont, Silas was strong. But he could be stronger.
He got his sister's talent into his head and messed up his training rate.
Otherwise, his heart circle will be the fourth circle as well.
He had recorded two techniques inside the two rings inside his heart. He also exchanged the crest inside four mana circles as well.
So his strength was unlike previous Silas. He modified his skill set after his personality and a few trump cards.
Max came running at their training ground, panting.
"Sir, the kid is awake."
Silas's eyes lit up and nodded.