NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: New Friends, new foes
Chapter 7 – New Friends, new foes
The sun barely peeked over the horizon as the Nishiki family embarked on their journey to Duke Eldrin's estate. The warm morning light filtered through the windows of their luxurious carriage, casting a soft glow on Phyro's face. He sat between his mother, Ayaka, and his father, Kaien, while his younger sister, Nico, sat by the window, clutching her stuffed animal tightly in her lap. Klein, his older brother, was sitting opposite him, a rare look of concentration on his face as he flipped through a letter.
The atmosphere in the carriage was quieter than usual, and Phyro could sense the weight of the day ahead pressing on everyone's shoulders. Today, he wasn't just going to be the talented son of the Nishiki family; he was expected to navigate the delicate balance of diplomacy and charm among the nobles and royals.
"Are you sure you're ready for today?" Kaien asked, his voice surprisingly soft for someone usually so stern.
Phyro looked at his father, noting the faint concern in his gaze. Kaien rarely showed vulnerability, but today was different. The political task Phyro had been given was important, and Kaien knew the pressure was immense.
Phyro nodded. "I'm ready, Father."
Ayaka, who had been quietly watching her children, smiled gently. She reached over and placed a reassuring hand on Phyro's arm. "It's not just about proving yourself through your strength. Your charm, your ability to make connections, and your wisdom will be just as important."
Klein, still focused on the letter, finally spoke up. "Don't forget about your reputation, Phyro. People here won't just judge your actions—they'll be watching how you handle yourself in front of them. Stay calm, be respectful, but also don't let them walk all over you."
Phyro took in his brother's words, feeling a sense of relief that Klein was there to guide him through this.
The carriage came to a halt in front of Duke Eldrin's sprawling estate. The grandeur of the mansion was overwhelming, with towering marble pillars and well-maintained gardens stretching out in every direction. As they disembarked, servants in fine uniforms welcomed them, escorting the Nishiki family inside.
As Phyro walked toward the grand hall of the noble estate, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[New Quest Available!]
He halted mid-step, his crimson eyes narrowing as the translucent blue screen appeared before him.
—
Quest: Noble Diplomacy
Objective: Befriend the noble children and make peace between the Nishiki and Dragonfly families.
Reward: 2000 EXP, 2 Skill Points.
—
Phyro raised an eyebrow. "Make friends? That's a quest?" he muttered under his breath.
"You say something, Phyro?" Klein asked, glancing at him from the side.
"Ah, nothing," Phyro replied quickly, dismissing the screen.
Making friends wasn't exactly what he expected for a mid-level quest, but if it got him skill points, he wasn't about to complain.
The moment they stepped into the grand hall, Phyro felt the weight of eyes on him. Nobles in expensive attire murmured among themselves as they observed the arrival of the Nishiki family. Elena, the daughter of the Dragonfly family and one of the central figures of today's task, stood nearby with her father, her bright smile almost making the entire room feel lighter.
"Phyro, it's good to see you again," Elena greeted him warmly as she approached, extending her hand. Phyro, putting on his most charming smile, took her hand and gave it a light shake.
"You as well, Elena," Phyro replied smoothly, trying to sound as confident as possible. This was his first opportunity to make a real impression, and he couldn't afford to waste it.
As they talked, Phyro noticed Klein conversing with a group of other noble boys. While his brother didn't seem interested in the political game, he had a natural way with people—something Phyro envied. Meanwhile, Ayaka and Kaien were deep in conversation with several important figures from other noble families, keeping their own eyes on their children.
Phyro excused himself from Elena for a moment, eager to socialize with other young nobles as part of his quest. He approached a group of teenagers, mostly boys and girls around his age, who were standing near a window, speaking in hushed voices.
One of the boys, a tall, handsome figure with silver hair and piercing green eyes, gave Phyro a friendly wave. "You must be Phyro, right? I've heard a lot about you."
Phyro raised an eyebrow. "I guess that's a good thing, right?"
The boy chuckled. "Definitely. I'm Lucian, heir to the Vanderwood family. We're all curious about the son of the Nishiki family—your father is quite the figure in Argenia, and it seems you're following in his footsteps."
Before Phyro could respond, a young noble girl with long blonde hair, wearing an elegant pink dress, stepped forward. "Don't mind him. Lucian has a tendency to get ahead of himself." She smiled, her voice sweet but with an edge of mischief. "I'm Seraphina of the Stavros family. It's a pleasure to meet you, Phyro."
"Likewise," Phyro responded, his mind quickly analyzing the conversation. He needed to keep them engaged and gather as much information as possible without overextending himself.
As the event continued, Phyro found himself engaged in numerous conversations with young nobles, each conversation testing his ability to balance politeness with subtlety. He found that using his charm and wit helped him gain trust, but the deeper he went into these exchanges, the more he realized just how much politics influenced everything.
His Charisma skill finally leveled up, a notification popping up in his mind.
Charisma Skill Level 1 Unlocked
Your presence now carries more weight in social interactions. Your ability to influence others has improved.
The day was long, and just as Phyro began to feel comfortable it was already time to leave.
The Nishiki family made their way back to the carriage. Phyro felt both exhausted and exhilarated. He was eagerly waiting for his quest complete notification he'd made better relations with most of the young nobles, but it hadn't been easy. Diplomacy was far more complicated than he had anticipated.
[Quest Complete!]
Reward: 2000 EXP, 2 Skill Points
A wave of relief washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by curiosity as another window popped up.
[Skill Unlocked: Ultimate Fireball]
A devastating fireball infused with red and blue flames. The higher the level, the greater the destructive power.
Phyro clenched his fists, excitement flickering in his crimson eyes. Finally, a new skill.
But as he instinctively tried to pull up Editor, he was met with disappointment. No matter how hard he focused, Ultimate Fireball remained untouched.
"So that's how it is…" he muttered to himself. Editor could only modify physical characteristics—it couldn't unlock or enhance skills. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed skill points.
With that in mind, Phyro didn't hesitate. He navigated his status menu and allocated his two newly earned skill points—one into Ultimate Fireball, enhancing its strength, and the other into Combat Instincts, sharpening his reflexes and battle awareness.
The moment he confirmed his choices, a rush of power surged through him. His mind felt sharper, his body more attuned to the flow of battle.
A smirk formed on his lips. "Now we're getting somewhere."
As they made their way towards home, Phyro starting feeling a sense of unease creeping up his spine. The game was far from over.
It was then that the peaceful evening took a sudden turn.
As the carriage trundled along the road back to the estate, bandits appeared out of nowhere, leaping from the shadows. The peaceful countryside had been replaced by the smell of death, Phyro's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively spawned a sword, his instincts kicking in.
"They've been lying in wait," Klein muttered, his hand already gripping his sword hilt, his expression hardening.
"Stay close to me," Kaien ordered, his tone sharp and commanding. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the surrounding area, every muscle in his body prepared for battle.
Phyro Kaien and Klein all burst from each side of the carriage.
Phyro's mind raced as the bandits surrounded them, their faces masked and their weapons drawn. He didn't hesitate. With a thought, the skill Ultimate Fireball manifested in his palm, swirling blue and red energy. He launched the ball of fire toward the closest bandit, watching as the flames exploded on impact, sending the attacker sprawling backward in a blaze.
It was chaos. the family fought fiercely, but Phyro knew they were outnumbered. He was tired, but he couldn't afford to falter. His mind raced, and his body moved on instinct. He slashed at the nearest bandit, his sword cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
The battle raged on, the crackling of fire and the clash of steel filling the air. But even as Phyro fought, he knew this was only the beginning. There was much more at stake than just this fight—this was just one more obstacle in a long line of challenges he would have to face.