Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

"Miss Hibel, Count Theodore and I are cherished friends. Our friendship began, let's see... on a snowy winter a few years ago. That morning, the sun was shining brightly, and I was having breakfast.

I still remember that sausage was hot and spicy...

Oh... I just remembered I have something else to attend to. As for how I met the Count, I'll tell you all about it when I have time."

Yan Xing casually brushed Hibel off. After all, he couldn't make up a story on the spot.

Hibel looked at Yan Xing with a peculiar expression. She knew all her father's friends and had never heard him mention such a young one. Moreover, it was obvious that Yan Xing was visiting Newcast City for the first time. How could he possibly know her father? It simply didn't make sense.

Since Yan Xing wouldn't say, Hibel asked again, "Then why did my father ask me to protect you and teach you Knight skills? You are clearly so strong! Do you really need my protection?"

Hibel's impression of Yan Xing was still based on their initial encounter: the overflowing Magic Power, the dissipating aura. That voice had also left a very deep impression on Hibel. But when she had just gone to see her father, he had unexpectedly assigned her this task. This left Hibel thoroughly confused.

Yan Xing rubbed his nose. Being caught in a bluff was indeed very awkward. But they were practically family now... It would be safer for him if his true abilities were understood.

Yan Xing spoke truthfully, "Miss Hibel, those were actually just some alchemical gadgets. Look..."

Yan Xing activated the built-in fan in his armor, and the ribbons on the armor danced with the wind. Then he turned on the ambient lights, and what appeared to be overflowing Magic Power shone out from the gaps in the armor.

Curious, Hibel moved closer to examine Yan Xing's armor and touched it. Sure enough, air was blowing out from inside, and the light wasn't any kind of overflowing Magic Power. M|V%|@L&EM*-P!Y^R is the ho+m.e of thi%s ch.ap%t!e*r.

"These alchemical gadgets are incredibly realistic! And the material of this armor..."

As Hibel touched Yan Xing's armor, her attention quickly shifted from the fans and lights to its material. This was no ordinary steel!

Hibel tapped on the armor Yan Xing was wearing and even wanted to draw her sword and take a swipe at it. However, she realized that wouldn't be appropriate and sheathed the half-drawn sword. Hibel was certain... the hardness of Yan Xing's armor was no less than her own.

As Count Theodore's daughter, Hibel's armor was naturally not that of an ordinary Knight. The steel used to forge Hibel's armor had been personally smelted by a dwarven master blacksmith. After the armor was forged, an Alchemist had been commissioned to strengthen it with Enchantments, bringing it to its current level of defense. Yet Hibel felt that Yan Xing's armor, simply by virtue of its material, offered comparable defense to her own.

"Where did you obtain the steel to forge this armor?" Envy laced Hibel's words. For a material alone to achieve such a level of defense... if it were further enchanted, it would be an invincible suit of battle armor. All Knights longed for such armor.

Yan Xing patted his armor and replied to Hibel, "The ore used to forge this suit of armor comes from the Thunderous Swamp. After initial smelting, craftsmen worked day and night to refine it. It took a total of eighty-one days just to obtain a piece large enough for a helmet. In accordance with the spirit of craftsmanship upheld by my Eternal Domain, we continue to repeatedly hammer and refine this small piece of steel until only its essence remains—just one-tenth of the original amount. We call it platinum. Platinum is characterized by its extreme hardness and being lighter than ordinary steel, making it the best metal for armor."

Miss Hibel, full of anticipation, asked, "Do you sell the platinum you produce?"

Yan Xing said, "The yield of platinum is too low, so as a rule, we don't sell it... Did you just say the Count instructed you to teach me Knight combat techniques?"

Hibel answered, "Yes... Father said many people in Nuta City want to harm you. He asked me to protect you and teach you Knight combat techniques so you can defend yourself in times of danger. So, do you sell the platinum or not?"

Someone to teach Magic, someone to teach Knight combat techniques... The old fox really has thought of everything. Hibel is so young, though. I wonder how skilled she actually is?

Yan Xing asked Hibel, "Are you any good? If someone really tries to harm me, can you protect me without getting yourself into trouble too?"

Hibel confidently replied, "I was the champion of the last Silvermane Principality Knight Competition. In all of Nuta City, there are no more than five people who can defeat me. Hey, about that platinum..."

Yan Xing didn't expect Hibel to be so capable. One really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This 'niece'... I suppose I'll acknowledge her.

"Don't just say 'hey,' call me Uncle... Uncle Yan Xing."

Hibel had been avoiding this. Calling someone about her own age 'Uncle' is just so hard to say! But her father had said...

"Uncle," Hibel uttered in a mosquito-like voice.

"Louder. When I call Count Theodore 'Big Brother,' my voice is quite robust."

Hibel had no choice but to raise her voice and call out, "Uncle Yan Xing."

"That's more like it..." Yan Xing was very pleased to have acknowledged such a capable 'great-niece.' "Uncle won't let you call me that for nothing. Count Theodore asked you to teach me Knight combat techniques, right? If you teach me your best skill, I'll have someone tailor-make a suit of platinum armor for you."

Yan Xing, fearing Hibel might hold back when teaching him, made this offer upfront to ensure he learned her most powerful skill. After all, Hibel seemed a bit naive, easier to persuade than that old fox.

My best skill? Hearing Yan Xing's request, Hibel readily responded, "Let's go to the training grounds! I'll teach you my most powerful combat technique right now."

Yan Xing, surprised Hibel agreed so easily, asked, "You're not just going to fob me off with something mediocre, are you?"

"I'm going to teach you the strongest Knight combat technique—'Angel's Descent'! Of course, it'll be the crash course version. You can't blame me; even if I taught you the complete 'Angel's Descent,' you wouldn't be able to use it with your current abilities."

Wow! 'Angel's Descent.'

It sounds like a very powerful skill.

I must learn it.

A few dozen kilograms of titanium alloy for such a powerful skill... Worth it!

Eager to learn Knight combat techniques, Yan Xing decided to postpone his meeting with Eden yet again. After all, improving his own strength was paramount.