Chapter 20: Commissioned Mission
Intense Dou Qi surged, shattering with the clang of colliding blades.
Beside them, Ophi was pushed aside by Verafia, but the young girl didn’t stay angry for long. She soon sat next to Flarn, her ice-blue Dragon Spear, etched with gorgeous runes, lying on the ground as she watch with great interest.
“Wow… I didn’t expect this Phoenix’s swordsmanship to be so formidable. I thought this guy could only bully people with flames.”
Watching Ig, who was still being beaten by Verafia, who wielded a sword even after erupting with Dou Qi, Ophi blinked her clear big eyes, bit down on her snack, and said in surprise.
After all, although Ig had only recently entered the Silver rank, relying on Duke Oran’s residual power, the young man’s Dou Qi intensity was comparable to that of seasoned Silver rank adventurers with years of experience. Coupled with the swordsmanship personally taught by Verafia, his actual combat power was already quite impressive.
However, Verafia didn’t use any magic, nor did she rely on her body’s strength. She defeated Ig in a disheveled state solely through two sword techniques and the changes in her moves.
Such a thing was quite novel for a dragon like Ophi.
Beside the ice dragon girl, Flarn took small bites of the cookies shared by the young girl. Her big red eyes looked up, and a slight smile appeared on her tender little face.
“After all, she is Sister. Having such swordsmanship is nothing.”
“But Flarn, I feel like this Phoenix seems to be venting some anger? Otherwise, there’s no need to beat Ig so badly. Hmm… as expected, she’s a savage Phoenix!”
Ophi seemed to have discovered something new and asked with some curiosity.
Flarn, who sat obediently on the side, blinked her big innocent eyes.
She couldn’t possibly say that her sister was unhappy because Ig had caused trouble for Zhong Yan like this, wasting so much of her energy, and wanted to beat up this young man herself, could she?
—
Ig, who was suffocating under the pressure of Verafia’s sword light, had no time to eavesdrop on the two girls’ whispers. Under the girl’s casually swung longsword, Ig was already unable to parry.
Although Verafia had clearly held back a lot at this moment, the pain from the gashes on his body proved how miserably Ig had been beaten.
Since meeting Ophi and the others, Miss Verafia had become lazy, only occasionally choosing to instruct Ig in swordsmanship, while most of the practice sessions were handed over to the ice dragon girl and Flarn.
But this time, Ig couldn’t help but recall the fear of being dominated by the girl with a mere wooden stick!
“Bang!”
Ig’s black hair was completely soaked with sweat. For the last time, he retreated, his trembling arm tightening its grip on the hilt of his longsword. Ig knew in his heart that he had nowhere left to retreat. Even if Verafia went easy on him, he would be completely defeated by the next sword.
“Hiss, Ig, you’re quite good. You actually have some self-awareness. However, since you’re this young lady’s attendant, for the final blow, I’ll show you ‘Sword of Ash Destruction and Annihilation’ one more time. Watch carefully!”
The girl’s crisp laughter mingled with the gusting wind, followed by a palpable sense of destruction.
Ig forcefully raised his eyes. A gray line rapidly expanded in his sweat-soaked vision. The silver Dou Qi in his tightly gripped longsword surged, and he drew it out!
“Flowing Light Sky Chasm” “Starflow Sword Qi Slash” —
Amidst the brilliant starlight sword light, the suddenly raised longsword thrust out with dazzling brilliance, but Verafia casually slashed her blade, and with a single “Ember Destruction and Severance,” all techniques were destroyed.
“Bang!”
Ig’s sword was knocked flying. It hit the ground and shattered into pieces. Even though the girl stopped her force in time, Ig retreated several steps, falling to his knees and gasping for breath. Sweat mixed with blood trickled down his face, dripping onto the ground.
Verafia casually threw her steel sword aside, clapped her hands, and seemed to feel much better after beating Ig.
“Alright, done! Ig, you know how powerful this young lady is now!”
The girl cheerfully walked to Ig’s side, her youthful face filled with pride:
“Ig, although the few swords I’ve recently taught you are not very good, you’ve managed to practice the Starflow Sword Qi Slash passably. Well, this young lady will consider you to have passed for now!”
“Thank you for your guidance, Miss… I really haven’t made much progress on the last two swords taught by Lord Lothel.”
Ig tried to recall the girl’s final sword slash in his mind, forcing himself to stand up, wondering if this little phoenix was genuinely kind or acting out of revenge.
Verafia, who had been watching Ig cheerfully, suddenly changed her expression and looked suspicious, saying:
“Hey, Ig, with that look in your eyes, you’re not doubting my intentions, are you?”
Ig hastily shook his head firmly.
“That’s more like it…”
Verafia nodded with satisfaction. Looking at Ig, whose body was covered in wounds, she suddenly revealed a cheerful smile.
As she had just said, the broad-minded Miss Verafia was not seeking revenge for being humiliated a few nights ago. Although the young man before her looked somewhat miserable, she had still paid attention to her strength. The minor skin wounds would only cause a little pain at most and would not affect Ig’s training at all.
Verafia suddenly stomped her delicate foot on the ground and called out, lifting her face.
“Ig, practice is over. Hurry up and get me something to eat! I’m already very hungry!”
…
To avoid being beaten by Miss Phoenix again, Ig endured the pain of his wounds, gritted his teeth, and busied himself in front of the campfire ignited by Verafia.
Although Ophi also wanted to help, after this kind ice dragon little princess accidentally overturned several soup pots, Ig had to break out in a cold sweat and ask the young girl and Miss Verafia to stay aside.
As the twilight sun slanted towards the ground, under the gleam of the twin moons in the sky dome, Verafia sat by the campfire, her fair little hands holding freshly roasted demonic beast meat. She bit down on a piece with her white teeth, then suddenly raised her big eyes.
“Speaking of which, I remember there’s a commission around here… it seems to be issued by the lord of this place, dealing with some poachers?”
Ig wiped his hands, quickly took out the commission document, scanned it under the campfire light, and then looked up at the girl, smiling.
“Miss, you are correct. It is said that in recent months, the small town next to Granth Highlands has suffered several incidents of population capture. However, the Baron of this town could not resolve it and could not bear to watch his territory be ravaged by these people, so he chose to personally disburse funds to the Adventurer’s Guild to issue this subjugation quest. Coincidentally, you received it.”
