I Am The Madman Of This Family

Chapter 13: The Second Customer (1)

“Ugh?”

Volkanus chuckled as Keter held his abdomen.

Although only half, Volkanus was still of dwarf blood, making him sensitive to mana. As such, he was already aware that Keter was subtly using mana.

“So that elf’s words were true. They said the fruit wine of the World Tree is the best elixir for those with mana. It seems to be good for you.”

Keter couldn’t respond. The elixir that had settled in his stomach quickly broke down into mana and began spreading throughout his body. If he didn’t concentrate now, he would lose the high concentration of mana he had just gotten to the atmosphere. Keter began to focus on controlling the wandering mana. Volkanus stood guard at the door with his hammer, preventing anyone from interrupting Keter’s crucial moment.

Voong…

After ten minutes, layers of mana formed around Keter, eventually being absorbed through his nose and mouth.

Whoosh!

When Keter opened his eyes, a blue wave of energy radiated throughout the house.

After composing his breathing, Keter stood up and savored the aftereffects, clenching his fists and feeling the mana.

“Did you enjoy it?” asked Volkanus, using his hammer like a cane.

With a serious face, Keter asked, “I can give you five thousand gold immediately. If you give me some time, I can add another twenty thousand gold.”

“Damn, you really have a filthy amount of money. I never thought I needed money, but seeing you has changed my mind. Just give me that one thousand gold note you had on the table earlier.”

Without hesitation, Keter took out the bill from his pocket and handed it to Volkanus. Volkanus took the bill and cleared his throat.

“Of course, I’m not saying I want to settle for just one thousand gold, nor am I saying I want more money.”

“Then what do you want? Don’t expect to get the full value, as I never asked for it in the first place.”

Keter knew the value of the World Tree elixir Volkanus had given him was immeasurable. If sold, it was a treasure that could easily be worth five hundred thousand gold, given its rarity and value.

I’ve gained mana that would have taken ten years of training to acquire, and I got it instantly, without any risk!

In this world, mana could be increased not only through straightforward methods but also through various tricks, though there was always a price to pay. For instance, if one wished to gain mana at the cost of their life, they could either gain a year’s worth of mana permanently or use ten years’ worth of mana temporarily by sacrificing thirty years of their life. Alternatively, one could obtain mana by sacrificing another human.

Big or small, the basic principle of transactions is an equivalent exchange…

However, the World Tree elixir was different. It provided ten years’ worth of pure mana without any risk or burden. It was worth asking why Volkanus gave him such a treasure, but Keter didn’t press him.

It’s none of my business. And even if I don’t ask, people tend to speak up when they need something.

Although he didn’t intentionally drink it, Keter felt grateful and intended to pay back the value of the gift.

Volkanus looked Keter straight in the eye and said, “You are an incredibly suspicious person, but you helped Taragon. Although your method was rough, you took a risk and made him realize he wasn’t qualified to be Amaranth’s master. You also showed him a future path. Why did you do that?”

“I am always kind to my clients.”

“Then I want to be your client too. Even though I’ve spent my entire life cooped up in this forge, I know that the Sefira family is in a difficult situation. But all I can do, as I have from the past until now, is hammer away.” ṙÁꞐÔᛒĚṢ

Volkanus picked up his hammer and rubbed the head of it with his fingers.

“This hammer used to be the size of my head, but now it’s only as big as my fist. It means I’m too old to step up and do something like I used to.”

“You still look full of life, though,” Keter said.

“Enough with the flattery. Aging seems to have made me ramble more. I think I’ve already paid the price by giving you the elixir of the World Tree. So, please, I have one request.”

“I’m listening.”

Volkanus paused and looked out the window. As he gazed at the clear sky, he seemed to be recalling memories, mixed with a tender emotion. Eventually, he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he stared at Keter.

“Help the Sefira family in their crisis, just as you helped Taragon.”

Though Volkanus’ tone was quite serious, Keter’s response was nothing but light and playful.

“If anyone heard, they might think I came here to ruin the Sefira family.”

“So, will you protect them or not?”

“Hmm, I don’t particularly feel like protecting the Sefira family.”

“... Is that so?”

Volkanus looked disappointed.

Amused by this reaction, Keter laughed, “Haha, I’m saying that just simply protecting the Sefira family is meaningless.”

“What…?’

Keter, clenching his fists, said, “I have to make the family stronger so that no one dares to look down on it.”

* * *

Taragon, who brought two hundred gold to give to Keter, couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Volkanus and Keter were casually talking as if they were old friends.

“Besil acted just like you when he was still an immature kid. He always did things he was told not to, and he had a huge imagination. One time, he asked me for a bow that was made with blades,” Volkanus said.

“So, did you make it?”

“I did! But Besil cut his hand using it, so it ended up being shoved in the storage room! Hahaha!”

Taragon was confused.

Was Master Volkanus always that talkative?

Volkanus wasn’t a descendant of Sefira, but like them, he was quiet and reserved. However, seeing him talk to Keter, it seemed like he just didn’t have anyone to talk to rather than being a quiet person.

Keter turned around and gestured to Taragon.

“Oh, are you back? Grandpa, let’s talk later. My client appointments always come first.”

When Taragon handed Keter the sack of gold, he flipped it upside down onto the table.

Clang!

Gold coins the size of a pinky finger showered out. Among them were some silver coins mixed in. Keter took a glance and nodded.

“Two hundred one gold and nine silvers received.”

Keter put all the coins—even the small change—back into the sack and hung it on his waist. Then, he put on a professional smile and looked at Taragon.

“Now, as I was saying, just do as I say. I promise your life will change completely,” Keter said.

“...Really?”

“Don’t believe me if you don’t want to. But I don’t do refunds.”

“No, I believe you. I’ll do anything.”

Taragon had no options left anyway. He almost wanted to be deceived just so he could blame everything on Keter.

“Let’s go somewhere else first. We need to give Grandpa time to clean up.”

Hearing that, Volkanus chuckled.

“You’re not considering helping me clean?”

“That’s what the helping hands are for,” Keter replied.

“Haha, you’re right. You can leave; I’ll take care of this place.”

Keter, putting his arm around Taragon’s shoulders, said, “Now, let’s go, sir.”

“Go where?”

“Your room, of course.”

The two walked off from Volkanus’ forge to Taragon’s room.

Taragon’s room was the complete opposite of the atmosphere of the Sefira family. It wasn’t messy, but it was rather cluttered.. Various books, as well as numerous types of bows, weapons, and armor, were all over.

To his maids, Taragon said, “Don’t come in until I tell you to, and don’t let anyone in either.”

While Taragon did that, Keter was rummaging through the clutter.

“His efforts are commendable.”

Whoosh.

Keter tossed the fencing manual he found behind his back.

Catching the book, Taragon said, “You can really help me, right? I can trust you?”

Taragon had come back to his senses as he walked back to his room. Before, he went with the flow because of the overwhelming power Keter displayed, but he still had concerns. After all, it hadn’t even been a day since Keter arrived at the Sefira family.

Keter responded immediately, “If you’re going to doubt me, don’t believe me at all. Trusting me half-heartedly will lead to the worst outcome.”

How could someone be that confident?

Taragon was envious of Keter’s confidence and boldness.

“I’ll trust you. I’m not in a position to question things right now.”

“Alright. It’s shabby here, but let me take a seat.”

Keter swept away all the random things on the table onto the floor and sat down. Taragon sat down on the opposite side with uncertainty. Taragon was even a little fearful at what kind of advice Keter might offer.

“Okay, listen carefully since I won’t say it twice.”

Gulp.

Even though the weather was a little cold, sweat ran down Taragon’s forehead. Keter also looked serious.

“From now on, run around the field from the moment you wake up until the sun goes down.”

“And?”

“That’s it.”

“Huh?”

“What did you expect? Did you think I would know a superior aura cultivation technique better than those of noble families?”

“No, but… Can my life change if I run around the field? Specifically… can I become like you?”

“What is ‘like me?’ Are you talking about being rude?”

“N-No.”

Taragon hesitated momentarily from embarrassment, then said, “Can I become as confident and powerful as you?”

“I don’t know how you feel about other things, but don’t set me as your goal. You’ll just end up getting more hurt.”

“...”

“Also, confidence and power come together. Have you seen a powerful person without confidence? You will become powerful, and confidence will naturally follow.”

“Is that possible just by strength training?”

“The proof is in front of you right now. I guarantee that you will become powerful.”

Taragon was sullen before, but his eyes lit up again. Keter was filled with so much certainty and confidence that it was impossible not to believe him.

“Chit chat costs extra, so enough with that. Let me tell you why you need to run around the field,” Keter said.

“I’ll grab something to take notes with. Just a second.”

“No, you have to hammer it into your head somehow. Anyone with a bad memory won’t survive for long around here.”

Taragon, who was half-standing, quickly sat back down.

The archery skills of the Sefira archers were unparalleled, which even Keter acknowledged. However, their approach was flawed. While archers who held fixed positions might be strong in battle, a lone archer sticking to one spot would become easy prey.

Keter began discussing the weaknesses of Sefira’s archers. Although he was only speaking to Targon right now, well begun was half done. Taragon would achieve significant results, and the knights would learn through him, then the soldiers. the soldiers would too.

Keter was training Taragon with such influence in mind. And if it didn’t work…

I just have to work him until it does.

Taragon, unaware of his fate, waited for Keter’s words eagerly.