28 :Refining the Noble Spirit
The corridors of Ravenshade Manor stood in solemn silence, as if mourning my suffering. After enduring another grueling session under Baron Lucien's relentless tutelage, my body ached in places I didn't even know existed. Yesterday's dance lessons had already wrung the strength from my limbs, and today's combat theory had burned away whatever remained of my dignity.
And yet, here I was—seated stiffly in my private study, posture perfectly straight, repeating etiquette phrases like an enchanted puppet.
If anyone had told me in my past life that "noble manners" could be a battlefield in themselves, I would have laughed. Now, I wanted to cry.
I pressed my fingers to my aching temples, recalling Sir Garret's merciless voice:
> "A noble must not only fight with his sword but also with his presence."
And the Baron's ever-so-polite cruelty:
> "True dignity is maintained even when your body falters."
I inhaled deeply, straightened my spine, and forced a refined expression onto my face. I would not break. I would endure.
Then, from my windowsill, a mocking caw shattered my focus.
> ["Your elegance has transcended into battle. Truly, a noble even when getting beaten."]
My eye twitched.
That damned Frost Raven.
Did it find joy in rubbing salt into my wounds?
I turned my head, locking eyes with the spirit perched smugly by the window. If I had any energy left, I'd have thrown my ink bottle at it. But alas, even raising my arm felt like an impossible feat.
Instead, I let out a slow exhale and glared.
"Must you always be this insufferable?"
> ["It is my solemn duty, Enduring Chick."]
…Enduring Chick.
This bird was testing me.
---
A Moment of Solitary Practice
After regaining my composure (barely), I left my study and wandered the quiet halls of the manor. My mind replayed today's lessons—posture, greetings, the delicate art of noble comportment—all of which seemed designed to make me suffer.
Finding an empty corridor, I took my stance and began rehearsing the formal greetings for the upcoming banquet.
> "Good day, Baron Lucien Valmont."
I lowered my head with the exact six-degree angle the Baron had drilled into me. My movements were measured, refined—perfect.
…Or so I thought.
> ["Good effort, Chick. But your bow lacks soul. A shame, truly."]
The Frost Raven chimed in again, its voice laced with amusement.
I sighed. Even when I tried my best, this bird had to find something to criticize.
One day, I will shut you up.
But today was not that day.
---
A Brief Reprieve—Combat Theory
Before I could drown in self-pity, Sir Garret's gruff voice called me to the training hall. My entire body protested at the movement, but I had long accepted that rest was a luxury I couldn't afford.
The moment I arrived, the knight's sharp gaze swept over me.
> "Again."
I adjusted my stance and moved into my drills—parries, feints, a controlled advance—but my body, still aching from etiquette hell, refused to cooperate. I stumbled.
A familiar caw followed.
> ["Even a clumsy sparrow could deliver those moves with more charm, Enduring Chick."]
I gritted my teeth.
Was it possible to revoke a spirit contract?
Despite the mockery, I pushed forward. By the end of the session, I was barely standing, but there was a small victory—a slight improvement in my stance.
Sir Garret gave a brief nod, his version of high praise.
And though I could barely move, a flicker of satisfaction stirred within me.
Progress was progress, no matter how small.
---
The System's Silent Update
As the day faded into night, I finally collapsed into the solitude of my study. Exhaustion threatened to drag me into unconsciousness, but before I succumbed, the familiar glow of the system interface flickered into view.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[ SYSTEM INTERFACE ]
[Name]: Averis Ravenshade
[Age]: 7 Years Old
[Title]: Heir to House Ravenshade
[Attributes]
• Strength: 6
• Agility: 6
• Endurance: 6
• Intelligence: 6
• Perception: 6
• Mana: ? (Unmeasurable)
• Spirit Energy: ???
---
[Spirits Contracted]
• Unnamed Frost Raven (Rank: High)
• Teraval, the Earthen Guardian (Rank: Mid-Low)
• Sylphiel, the Wind Dancer (Rank: Mid-Low)
• Ignis, the Ember Wolf (Rank: Mid-Low)
---
[Mana Core Status]
• Formation: Complete
• Stability: Still Unstable – Refinement Required
• MOS Condition: Under Control (For Now)
---
[Skills & Mastery]
• Basic Noble Etiquette – (Intermediate Proficiency)
• Swordsmanship – (Basic Proficiency)
• Spirit Channeling – (Developing)
• Mana Control – (Still a Mess)
---
[Recent Rewards]
• From Chapter 25: +1 Strength, +1 Endurance
• From Chapter 26: +1 Agility
• From Chapter 27 (Noble Etiquette): +1 Intelligence, +1 Perception
---
[Inventory]
• Capacity: 10 Slots
• System Points: 35
---
[Daily Quest]
> "Refine your noble bearing by reciting etiquette rules and performing a flawless formal greeting—duration: 30 minutes."
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I sighed, staring at the numbers.
Each increase came at the cost of sweat, pain, and humiliation. Every stat was proof of my suffering.
Yet, despite everything, I was improving.
I could feel it in the way my movements became smoother, my instincts sharper. Even if the road ahead was long, I was no longer standing in place.
I clenched my fist.
I am Averis Ravenshade.
I may still be a clumsy chick in the eyes of my spirits, my teachers, and even myself—but every step forward brings me closer to the noble I must become.
A final snarky voice whispered from the Frost Raven.
> ["Keep going, Enduring Chick. The banquet awaits, and so does your destiny."]
I let out a slow exhale.
One day, I would tame my own body, my own power, my own fate.
But for now, I would rest.
Because tomorrow, the struggle continued.
---
End of Chapter 28
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Chapter Summary:
Averis suffers through another brutal etiquette lesson, realizing that noble refinement is just as painful as combat training.
The Frost Raven delivers endless sarcastic commentary.
He practices in solitude, determined to improve, despite exhaustion.
Sir Garret's combat training reveals small progress, but Averis still struggles.
The system interface reveals his current stats, skills, spirit contracts, and ongoing struggle with mana control.
Despite all hardships, Averis strengthens his resolve for the future.
---
END OF CHAPTER 28