"I wonder what I'll get. I hope it's something useful."
With this thought, Natsuki Subaru claimed the third quest reward and opened the random box.
A golden light flashed, and the box opened.
Appearing before him was a black dagger, intricately engraved with delicate patterns.
[Weapon: Black Blade]
[Type: Dagger]
[Effect: Sharp]
[This is a weapon forged from fine steel, light and deadly.]
"Huh, a dagger? Black Blade... I didn't expect to get a weapon from a random box."
Natsuki Subaru was somewhat surprised. He immediately claimed the weapon, and the Black Blade materialized in his hand.
The hilt was wrapped in fine leather, feeling very comfortable in his grip.
For some reason, Natsuki Subaru felt a sense of familiarity, as if this dagger had been with him for a long time.
"This is a bit strange..."
Natsuki Subaru casually twirled the dagger in his hand with a beautiful flourish, the movement so smooth that even he was a little surprised.
"Eh... I've never used a dagger before, how am I so proficient?"
Looking at the weapon in his hand, a sudden realization flashed through Natsuki Subaru's mind.
"Could it be... the passive skill, Advanced Dagger Arts?"
He immediately opened the system panel and checked his skill list.
Indeed, the system had granted him two passive skills:
One was Life Resilience, and the other was Advanced Dagger Arts.
[Advanced Dagger Arts: Dagger mastery, weapon damage increased by 100% when using dagger-type weapons.]
"It seems it really is because of Advanced Dagger Arts that I'm so skilled with daggers."
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
Although he didn't know why the system gave him this skill, it was ultimately a good thing.
"However, with this dagger and this skill, my combat power should increase considerably."
Natsuki Subaru nodded in satisfaction, then returned the Black Blade to his system inventory.
Speaking of which, having an inventory was like having a spatial backpack, which he found incredibly convenient.
The system was really thoughtful, even preparing a storage function.
Just then.
Emilia walked over, gently tucking her silver hair behind her ear, and asked in a soft voice:
"Subaru, what are you doing here?"
"Emilia." Natsuki Subaru turned around, a smile on his face, "What brings you here?"
"I saw you running for a long time. Have you finished your workout?"
Emilia's gaze fell on Natsuki Subaru's face.
"Yeah." Natsuki Subaru nodded, flexing his arm and feeling the power surging through his muscles. He said with a relaxed expression,
"I just finished a special training session, and I feel much more energetic."
After adding two points to strength, the effect was truly immediate; his body felt much more solid than before.
It seemed that as long as he persisted every day, he would definitely become stronger.
"Subaru, you're really working hard," Emilia said with a gentle smile. "But, you should also pay attention to moderation in your training, don't tire yourself out too much."
"Thank you, Emilia." Hearing Emilia's concern, Natsuki Subaru's heart warmed, and he nodded. "I'll be careful."
Even though he had only met Emilia yesterday, she was already so concerned about him.
For a moment, it even gave Natsuki Subaru the illusion that she had fallen for him.
Of course, that was just an illusion!
Natsuki Subaru knew very well that Emilia wasn't just concerned about him; she would be like this even with strangers.
Emilia was just that kind-hearted of a person.
However, it's difficult for such a kind-hearted person to become a king...
At this moment, Emilia tilted her head slightly, looked towards the mansion, and said softly:
"Oh my, what are they doing?"
"Hmm?"
Natsuki Subaru followed Emilia's gaze and saw the twin maids, Ram and Rem, walking out of the house and heading in their direction.
Ram and Rem walked up to Natsuki Subaru and Emilia, bowed solemnly, and said:
"Lady Emilia—Master, Lord Roswaal has returned. Please, everyone, come inside."
"Alright, I'll be right there."
Emilia nodded in response.
"It seems the master of this mansion has returned..."
A faint smile appeared on Natsuki Subaru's face.
Honestly, he really didn't want to face Roswaal, that old schemer.
After all, Roswaal was truly a deeply cunning old monster.
In the original story, Roswaal's audacity was also very high. Without knowing the specifics of Natsuki Subaru's abilities, he was able to gamble with his life to set up a plan. He hardly seemed human.
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but recall Roswaal's various actions in the original work, and a shiver ran down his spine.
If it came to wisdom and audacity, even if he had the ability of Return by Death, he probably wouldn't be able to outsmart Roswaal.
However, now that he had the system's power, he might be able to contend with Roswaal.
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru felt a little more at ease and secretly resolved:
"No matter what, I have to deal with that old schemer carefully and not let him lead me by the nose."
While thinking this, Natsuki Subaru was led to the dining room by the twins, who said it was time for breakfast.
Emilia, however, went back to her room to change, so they parted ways midway.
Walking into the spacious dining room, Natsuki Subaru immediately spotted a petite girl.
She had golden, vertically curled hair styled into twin pigtails, pink pupils, and wore a red frilled dress adorned with pink ribbons. She looked like an exquisite doll.
"It's rare for you to be here, but brother still hasn't arrived."
The twin-tailed girl muttered, her expression somewhat dissatisfied.
Natsuki Subaru immediately recognized her – Beatrice.
Over four hundred years old, she was a great spirit created by the Witch of Greed, Echidna.
However, speaking of which, this was his first time meeting Beatrice.
Because he wasn't injured like in the original story, he didn't need Beatrice's treatment, and he hadn't opened the Door Crossing, so he and Beatrice were essentially strangers, with no interaction.
As expected, Beatrice still had that arrogant demeanor.
He could understand Beatrice, though.
After all, she wasn't human and had little interest in them.
She treated everyone with an arrogant and disdainful attitude but was very bad at dealing with people who unreservedly closed the distance with her.
It seemed that to get along well with Beatrice, he would have to use some special methods.
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself as he looked at Beatrice's cute face.
"Lord Puck and Lady Emilia are changing in their rooms. Please wait a moment."
Rem bowed her head slightly, her hands clasped in front of her, and spoke respectfully to Beatrice.
"Honestly, Betty's time is very precious."
Hearing Rem's reply, Beatrice snorted lightly, crossed her arms, and tapped her foot gently, appearing somewhat impatient yet childishly cute.
Rem bowed slightly again and then left the dining room, presumably to prepare breakfast.
At this moment, only Natsuki Subaru and Beatrice remained in the dining room.
A subtle silence filled the air.
Natsuki Subaru's gaze unconsciously fell on Beatrice, looking at her petite figure and slightly puffed-out cheeks, he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Clearly a great spirit over four hundred years old, with terrifying strength, yet her appearance and personality were like a little girl's.
Noticing Natsuki Subaru's gaze, Beatrice turned her head, her pink pupils staring straight at him, her brow slightly furrowed as she asked:
"What are you looking at?"
_____
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