Chapter 68 The Treasure Of The Great Empire

That day was Sunday, and since Nathan had woken up earlier than usual, they decided to have breakfast together and discuss what they would do to prepare for entering CEHA.

They sat at a dining table near the window. It was one of their favorite spots in the house, surrounded by flowers and with a great view overlooking the lake from where they were seated.

Linda served Nathan a cup of hot tea. She placed the cup in front of him and then sat close to him. "Good morning Oppa," she greeted with her sweet voice.

Linda wore a cute white dress which was a little bit low for her.

"Morning, Linda." Nathan smiled brightly back at her before answering cheerfully, "And what is this Oppa thing?"

"Linda-chan.... You should call me Onii-chan too, because I'm two years older than you." Muramoto said while holding the cup of tea in his hand.

Linda turned to Muramoto. "Well, I don't think so, Muramoto! But okay if you are sure about that!" She answered quickly, looking into Muramoto's eyes with a teasing smile. "I'll call you Onii-chan when you risk your life to save me, just like what Nathan Oppa did for me. Just wait a little bit longer..." she said in a soft voice while biting her lips seductively.

Nathan noticed all of this and smiled. After calming down, he said seriously while looking at them both seriously, "Now... Let's have breakfast. I want to visit an auction house today."

"Auction house?" They asked curiously at the same time.

Nathan explained calmly, "I need a new weapon or a battle suit, and maybe some for you, too. We need them to prepare us to enter CEHA."

"Ah... I remembered something." Muramoto said and made a gesture with his hand, and the screen on the wall on one side turned on.

The screen showed someone doing an interview in front of several people wearing suits with cameras around him.

"Who is he?" Nathan asked.

"Pascal Rigal." Muramoto said. "He is the acting grand master of CEHA."

The man on the screen looked to be 50 or more years old but looked really fit and healthy. He wore a striped gray suit and had short black-gray hair. His face always smiled faintly, and his eyes stared intently at every question asked of him.

"The academy is going to become even more challenging this year." The man said with confidence. "The entrance test is going to be very challenging. I'm not sure how many students will even pass."

"CEHA is about to enter a new chapter. We have invited the residents of Yunatea to join the academy too. We have also prepared a more challenging test. I will make sure only the best become part of us." The man said in a calm tone, with confidence in his voice. "To those who want to be part of this challenge, I invite you to our academy."

"Yuhu... I love it, I love challenges." Linda said while raising both her hands. "Let's go!" she added with determination.

"Hmmm..." Nathan hummed quietly while thinking carefully. "This may turn out to be a tough competition..." he said with a bitter smile. "I'm not sure how to deal with this..." Nathan muttered while rubbing his chin.

"But, I'm sure you will do your best for us, Oppa-"

"Why is that so, Nathan-san?" Muramoto said.

Nathan looked at Muramoto. "Well, you know, he mentioned inviting the residents of Yunatea. Does this mean various races like elves and others can take part?"

Muramoto shook his head from side to side and answered slowly and seriously, "I don't think this kind of challenge would be interesting. My head nearly explodes, just imagining what is about to happen. The exams in previous years alone only passed a fraction of the total who applied. Plus, if what you're saying is correct, elves, they have higher potential than humans of the same age as us." He sighed. "If only Marco were among us." He said sadly before looking back at Nathan. "I hope I can meet your expectations, Nathan-san." He finished with a glum look on his face.

Nathan smiled gently at Muramoto and then turned back to look into the screen again.

"What can a cripple do for us?" Linda said. She stood up and moved closer to the screen while pointing at Pascal. "I'll take that offer!" she yelled excitedly.

"Linda-chan, aren't you overconfident?"

Linda turned back to Muramoto. "Then, aren't you being too pessimistic, Muramoto?"

"No way! You are always so optimistic and hopeful. That's why you keep on trying things no one else dares try."

"And? Isn't this fun?"

Muramoto shrugged his shoulders with his usual smile, but after hearing this question, he paused for a moment and thought carefully. "Maybe I'm too pessimistic. I'm sorry. I'm not afraid of challenges. I will do my best for us."

Nathan nodded, "Don't worry, Muramoto, I know. You have done enough to prove that you can be relied upon. Including how you have bravely stood in front of Leon to protect me that day." Nathan chuckled lightly.

"Oh, come on, Nathan-san. Don't you know that I almost peed my pants that time? My head could be crushed with one snap from him."

"I'll crush Leon's head too, one day." Linda said and smiled cutely from near the screen.

They continued hearing what Pascal was saying.

"For anyone who might participate in the entrance test. Please, prepare your best. Who knows what you will encounter?" He said, smiling brightly while raising his hand as a teacher would do. "All right everyone. I will leave this for now." He ended the interview, then turned around and calmly walked away without looking back at them.

"Master Pascal, are the rumors about the safety net on the test being removed true?"

"Is there any leak about how much risk will be borne by the participants?"

The reporters asked those questions but got only vague answers.

Muramoto sighed as he replied, "I heard that they're considering removing that safety net too. The one that protects anyone from fatal injuries that can even lead to death. There would be a risk of death if this continues."

"I think that will be too much for some people. They might prefer to not participate." Nathan said.

"But even so, it should still remain optional, shouldn't it? Otherwise, no one will join CEHA anymore." Muramoto concluded and shook his head.

Linda sat near Nathan and joined them, whispering into his ears, "This is our chance to take part in something important, Oppa! You'll become popular!" She looked excitedly at him with her sparkling eyes.

Muramoto laughed softly at her words, "Why do I think that you yourself would become more popular than Nathan-san, Linda-chan? You are really cute when you get that determined look on your face... I mean, that will be cute if you crush anyone's head who tries to challenge you," He answered with an innocent voice.

"Hmmm, really? I don't think that much." She smirked smugly while standing up straight. Then suddenly, she crouched down again, "But, in my case, winning means a good way for me to stay alive longer."

Nathan raised his eyebrow and questioned, "That's a contradiction, isn't it?"

They continued their breakfast in silence.

After a while.

"Linda, I think you must really prepare yourself with the best and most suitable battle gear. You haven't told me about your role in the team and also about the power you have. With what kind of weapon do you fight with?" Nathan asked curiously, as he had been thinking about all that since the last time he talked to Marco.

Linda blushed slightly, as usual. "I'm a front-liner. I fight using a greatsword as my main weapon. As for the special powers..." She hesitated, "Well, I can use some magic like fire and earth element, but few people know that I'm able to control these elements."

"What? You have an affinity with two elements, Linda-chan? That's amazing." Muramoto said and looked at her in admiration.

"You see, I have my reasons why I'm overconfident." She smiled broadly at Muramoto. "I'm so very powerful."

Nathan just smiled silently while drinking his tea quietly. "Then we need heavy armor for you, Linda. And for a greatsword, I think I have one for you."

"What is it?" Linda was curious and stared at him intently.

"The treasure that has remained from the ancient times of the Great Empire," Nathan answered and took out a greatsword from his inventory, something that was made of adamantine. "It is a gift from the emperor for the bravery that I showed him."

"That's so funny, Nathan-san." Muramoto laughed.

"And you can take it for your new weapon, Linda!" Nathan added quickly before laughing himself when seeing her reaction. He handed the weapon to her.

Linda's eyes opened wide when she saw the weapon. The weapon looked carved with delicate carvings made by blacksmiths with excellent skill, as if they were real living beings. It shone with light reflecting off its silver color blade and gave an imposing impression even to someone like her.

Linda touched it slowly with her hand, feeling how cold the metal was and observing how sharp it was.

She stood and held the sword that was almost as long as her whole body. She admired how beautiful it appeared in front of her. "This is truly a magnificent sword." She said in a calm voice that didn't betray any excitement.

She then turned around and looked at Nathan. "Are you sure that I can use this greatsword, Nathan Oppa? You won't get mad if I damage it?"

"Don't worry about that. You can take it if you can handle it properly." Nathan replied seriously.

"You're so cool with that sword, Linda-chan! I think we should make a movie or something after your victory over the challengers. What do you think?" Muramoto asked enthusiastically.

Nathan chuckled softly while looking at her. "It will surely become our legend."

Linda nodded. "Yes. We'll definitely do that."

"I think this is the only weapon that has a silver color. I think you'll prefer bright colors over dark ones." He continued.

"Nathan-san, don't you say that you have more like this?" Muramoto questioned him while pointing at a greatsword in Linda's hand.

He smiled and shook his head lightly before answering, "Not really. At least I don't see any Grimoire so far. I'll tell you if I got some, Muramoto."

Muramoto shook his head quickly, "No, I got too many things from you. I expect nothing anymore from you."

Nathan nodded happily. "Well... now, shall we go to the auction house?" Nathan said with an amused expression on his face and walked to the door.