Chapter 23 - Theo's Choice
On that day, Theo took Peon to shop for clothes and necessities for both him and his sister. and at that, Peon didn't make it difficult for Theo, he was content with whatever he got and didn't ask or chose anything special, he began to resign to his new reality as a slave.. afraid that his new master won't be happy anymore if he were too excessive.
but he asked specifically for one thing... a cheap mask to cover his disfigured face. and he got what he wanted, Theo bought him a black cloth mask that hid his entire face except for his eyes that were full of sadness and cruelty.
Then it was time to choose a new weapon.
Peon's primary weapon was the broadsword, this of course was no longer possible after losing his left arm in battle, but his next choice was somewhat obvious and he quickly found it. a light sword with a short handle, ideal for one-handed use.
Then Theo took him to the institution's library to buy him a martial art to teach him the technique of the light sword. After entering it, Peon went to choose while Theo waited near the entrance... absent-minded.
Robin's words have been echoing in his head since morning.. will he be able to study a major law? Like those emperors and their dynasties?! It's hardly been more than half a year since he was a naked slave was on a slaves' platform, but now he has such a chance? it was so good to be true
He continued his puzzlement for a while until he woke up to the sound of Peon's fingers snapping next to him.
Two more days passed by in the blink of an eye.
Robin taught the little girl the energy cultivation technique personally and started teaching her little things that the girl loved so much, like... Drawing!
Although he was a bit harsh in teaching her to draw and she didn't understand why, especially when it came to precision in drawing circles and curves.. but she didn't care, it's still fun!
"Theo, come on," Robin shouted.
Theo, who was busy teaching Peon the new method of training, came to him. He looked at Robin waiting for his instructions, who said while drawing with Zara, "The three-day deadline is over.. Have you decided which path you want?"
Theo nodded.
"Then try pointing out things or explaining it in your own way... damn it, I should start teaching you to write."
Theo hesitated a bit before moving towards the nearby candle and blew it out
"The Extinguishing Law? But it's a minor law..." Robin was surprised
Theo shook his head quickly and pointed at the room around him
"...You mean...the dark?"
Theo nodded heavily.
"Darkness, hmmm… I don't think the major law of this path would have high combat abilities… Are you sure you want it?"
Theo went silent for a bit then nodded again
"Looks like living in the Dark Ruins has taken a toll on your character.. well, I'll see what I can do." Robin nodded and started thinking about his future plans for extracting the major law of Darkness.
"Big brother Robin, I can teach Brother Theo to write if you want," Zara said excitedly and shyly at the same time, as a Baron's daughter she had a high-quality education and certainly more than qualified to teach something as simple as reading and writing, she really wanted to contribute something so that her new master would like her more.
Robin patted her head and laughed, "Haha that's good too, it's going to spare me a lot of work, but remember that the first importance is drawing lessons..you can teach him in your spare time."
'Painting again?' Zara was surprised, she finally found something important to do, but her new owner still insists on playing with colors with her! This puzzled her but also made her happy, it seems that her life will not be so bad as she expected
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Eight months have passed quickly... Only two months remain until the set date for the fight.
Caesar is still locking himself in his room studying, his food and energy stones come in from under the door every day, the only thing that reminds them of his existence is the heat from inside every now and then.
Peon increased his level during this period, reaching the seventh and starting to make strides towards the eighth.
While Theo is still high at the top of the seventh level, he's about to break into the eighth at any time.
Even little Zara jumped to the top of the fourth level!
Robin himself ascended a level but even though he is still at the top of the fifth level, no one around dared to underestimate him, they know very well that their master's strength is not in his muscles but in his mind, just one month ago he was able to complete the first level of the path of darkness that he made for Theo, and now he's in the midst of turning it into a cultivation technique so Theo can understand it!
This was the major law of darkness!! something that has not been discovered in the world yet, there are secondary laws associated with it that have been revealed.. but the major law itself is completely mysterious. And yet a boy who looks like thirteen has managed to do it?
But that didn't come easily either.. The major law of Darkness was much more difficult than The major law of fire to extract its perfect pattern, Robin had to go into deep caves and even dig in his yard and have Theo close the hole on him, all in order to create a good environment to get real darkness he could Extract his pattern from.
But even though the major law of Darkness took a little longer than the Fire Path to extract and made Robin struggle to get it... the result was much better than he had expected!
After about a month of closure, Robin finally came out of his retreat and shouted "Theo, come here!"
Theo came excited and terrified of what he was going to hear, until Robin said, "Congratulations to you, at first I thought the Law of Darkness was going to be about hiding at night or something...but I've found much more! Deep abilities such as stealth at any time of the day, Swallow abilities, and Dark Corrosion. I don't know if you meant to ask for this path or not, but you chose well!" Robin threw a book of about 700 pages to him.
"The path is really not very good as the fire path in close combat, but I think it would be perfect if you chose to be an assassin." Robin hinted, then went back to his room to reward himself with a few days of good sleep, leaving Theo outside.
If someone saw his features and heard his heartbeat now, then saw what was in his hand he would think that he is carrying a box full of treasures and not just a book!
But indeed.... this book cannot be compared to any treasure.