"Ooh! My body doesn’t feel as muscly as before, but it’s alright..." Taula said, examining her arms with interest. "I feel stronger than what I am normally."

Klaus let out a sigh of relief as he looked at her.

The woman was back to her normal self with the attractive figure she usually had. However, her muscles were more defined now... not grotesquely large like before but noticeably more toned. Her arms, her legs, even her core showed improved definition through her clothes.

"What about you, Mirela?" Klaus asked, turning to the goat beastkin. "How do you feel?"

Mirela gave a nod while raising her arms experimentally. Her usually slender arms were now slightly more muscular... not bulky but perfectly toned with visible definition that complemented her frame beautifully.

"I feel much stronger," Mirela replied, flexing her fingers and watching the muscles in her forearm respond. "Thank you, Master."

Even after using ten units each instead of fifteen, the result hadn’t been exactly right.

The dosage had still been too concentrated. It had made Mirela taller and while not as tall or absurdly buff as the gym-rat physique that Taula had developed from the first pill, it had still been a bit too extreme so Klaus had continued experimenting, testing different quantities and combinations of physical herbs.

’And I’ve found something important...’ Klaus thought with a mixture of satisfaction and frustration.

Merge actually combined the items while maintaining the full purity and potency of each ingredient, even trying to artificially blend herbs through traditional alchemy methods resulted in degraded effectiveness... you lost some of the beneficial properties in the process but Merge preserved everything perfectly.

That meant it was a double-edged sword. In certain cases, like the Tri-Essence Spirit Root where he’d used fifteen units, that full purity was exactly what he needed for a massive breakthrough but for pills or herbs affecting the physical body, that much concentrated power was overkill unless you found the perfect balance.

’So far, five herbs is the average for everything...’ Klaus concluded with a sigh.

If he used ten units, it was too much. Fifteen was even worse hence the bodybuilder Taula incident. but using just one herb of each type resulted in barely any noticeable advancement. Five was the sweet spot, the safe limit that produced consistent usable results. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

That was how he’d created these new Physical Enhancement Pills, along with several other variations. Klaus pulled up the system description for the revised version.

「Item: Physical Enhancement Pill」

「Tier: 1」

「Description: A pill created through the merger of three physical enhancement herbs at optimal concentration. Upon consumption, grants a temporary boost of 20% to all physical stats including strength, speed, endurance, and durability. Effects last for twenty minutes with no significant side effects.」

The ridiculous side effects had vanished from this version, and the tier had dropped from 2 to 1 but the duration had increased dramatically from five minutes to twenty, making it far more practical for actual combat situations.

Not only that, but he’d created several different pill types by mixing various combinations from the crates of physical herbs he’d stolen.

"So, what do we have now in total, Mirela?" Klaus asked.

The maid cleared her throat and approached the large wooden tray where they had carefully separated and organized the finished pills.

"First, Master," Mirela began, gesturing to the tray, "we have the pills you called the Physical Enhancement Pills, and there are five of them. There is also the Stamina Enhancement Pill, the Speed Boost Pill, the Vitality Surge Pill, and the Iron Body Pill."

Klaus reached out and gave her a pat on the head.

"Thank you for cataloging all of that..." Klaus said and Mirela’s face flushed red.

"I-it was no issue for me, Master," Mirela stammered, bowing deeply. Taula made a noise of complaint... clearly wanting equal treatment.

Klaus chuckled and patted Taula’s head too making Taula immediately ease into his touch.

"Thank you," Klaus told both of them. "You were both very helpful today."

Then he turned back toward the herb crates.

"Now, why don’t we check out the mana—" Klaus started and then a groan cut through the air, alerting everyone in the room.

They all turned to see Serra sitting up from her meditative position. She was rubbing the back of her neck with one hand with her eyes still slightly unfocused from the deep trance.

"What happened...?" Serra asked groggily, then her vision cleared and she saw a tall, black-haired man in a ponytail standing near Taula and Mirela, his hand still resting on Taula’s head.

Serra’s eyes widened... She didn’t recognize him.

Immediately, she reached for her staff with trained reflex, yanking it from where it leaned against the wall. She pointed it defensively at Klaus with holy energy already beginning to gather at the tip.

"This is an intruder!" Serra declared. "If you take another step or touch those girls again, I will shoot!"

Klaus chuckled, raising his hands in a placating gesture.

"It’s m—"

A beam of concentrated holy light shot forward before he could finish the sentence.

Klaus leaned his head to the side with ease, and the beam passed harmlessly by his face before dissipating against the far wall without leaving a mark.

"So you do have an attacking spell?" Klaus said, genuinely impressed. "That’s really nice. Good reaction time too."

Serra was already charging another shot, holy energy coalescing faster this time but then she paused.

After all, who else would Taula willingly let pat her head without immediately crushing their skull in retaliation? And Mirela was bowing to him like he was her master.

"Boss...?" Serra asked tentatively, blinking in confusion. "Is that you?"

Her staff lowered slightly.

"What the hell happened?" Serra demanded.

"Ah, yes, it’s me," Klaus confirmed, walking over to her calmly.

She stared up at him... he was taller now with his body much more better than before.

"What happened to you?" Serra asked.

"I had a bloodline awakening give or take..." Klaus said simply, using the same lie he’d told Taula. He stopped in front of her and tilted his head slightly.

"But that’s not important, why are you crying?" Klaus asked.

"Crying?" Serra repeated with a confused expression then she felt the wetness on her cheeks. She quickly wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, turning her face away slightly.

"It’s nothing," Serra said. "Something just got in my eyes during meditation. That’s all."

Klaus took a deep breath, studying her carefully.

"This is going to sound a bit harsh," Klaus said gently, "but you’re with us now. With me, with Taula, with Mirela. You’re part of this group."

Serra’s jaw tightened.

"I know it would be stupid to tell you to abandon the memories of your dead friends," Klaus continued. "You shouldn’t forget them but you also shouldn’t forget that we’re here. Right now and we’re alive."

Serra bowed her head, her blond hair falling forward to hide her expression.

"I won’t forget," Serra said quietly. "Either of them..."

Then she felt Klaus’s hand settle on her head and she went still, surprised by the contact.

"I’m not seeing a smile on your face," Klaus said softly. Serra looked up at him, meeting his eyes then, slowly, a small smile formed on her lips despite the lingering sadness as a small blush colored her cheeks.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something... maybe a thank you but the words died in her throat as a sudden knock echoed through the room.

Knock knock knock!

Everyone turned toward the door. Klaus let go of Serra’s head and walked over to the entrance, pulling the door open.

There was nobody there...

Klaus looked left, then right, scanning the empty outside. There was not a soul in sight but there was something. A piece of paper lay on the ground just outside the door that was sealed in red wax.

Klaus picked it up and stepped back inside, closing the door behind him.

"What is that?" Serra asked as the others gathered around. Klaus broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment, revealing an ornate poster printed in bold lettering.

═══════════════════════════════════

OFFICIAL INVITATION TO THE TOURNAMENT OF SWORDS

By Order of The Masked Man

═══════════════════════════════════

YOU have been personally selected to participate in the most prestigious swordsmanship competition in Rivera City!

LOCATION: Rivera Stadium, Central Arena

DATE: This Evening

TIME: Begins promptly at 6:00 PM

═══════════════════════════════════

WINNER’S PRIZE

◈ 500 Gold Coins

◈ One (1) Resource Dungeon (Confirmed Silver Deposit - Independently Verified)

═══════════════════════════════════

TOURNAMENT DETAILS:

One hundred (100) contestants have been hand-selected by The Masked Man himself to compete in single-elimination combat. This event is hosted under the authority and observation of The Masked Man... a legendary swordsman believed to rival even the Prince of the Empire in skill and technique.

All matches will be observed by thousands of spectators. Glory and wealth await the victor! Rules will be announced at the opening ceremony.

Your participation is expected.

═══════════════════════════════════

Klaus finished reading and looked up at the others.

"How did they even know you were a swordsman?" Taula asked, confused but Klaus shrugged.

"Who cares?" Klaus said with a grin forming on his face. "A resource dungeon with confirmed silver deposits? That’s exactly what I needed."

He looked at the three of them.

"We should fire up the disguises..." Klaus said.

"YES!" Taula pumped her fist in the air with excitement.

"Yes, Boss..." Serra said as a competitive gleam entered her eyes as well but Mirela blinked in confusion.

"What disguises?" Mirela asked innocently.

The other three all turned to look at her.

"Oh," Mirela said as understanding dawned upon her. "We’re going incognito."

...

The massive arena was packed to capacity.

Thousands of spectators filled the stone seats around the central fighting ground as vendors sold roasted nuts and ale, children sat on parents’ shoulders and nobles occupied private boxes.

The fighting ground was a large circular platform of packed dirt, roughly fifty feet across, surrounded by a low stone wall.

At the center stood the announcer in crimson robes with gold trim with his voice magically amplified.

"CITIZENS OF RIVERA!" the announcer boomed and the crowd noise died to an excited murmur.

"Thank you for arriving to witness these glorious battles!" he continued. "One hundred contestants have been hand-selected by The Masked Man himself!"

He gestured toward the top of the stands and a figure sat in the highest box... it was a man wearing an ornate fox mask with black hair falling past his shoulders.

He sat perfectly still, observing everything without movement.

"The winner," the announcer declared, "will be awarded a Resource Dungeon with confirmed silver deposits, as well as FIVE HUNDRED GOLD COINS!"

The crowd roared. Up in the VIP box, a small wisp of blue light flickered to life next to the Masked Man.

"All due respect, Prince Zephyr..." the spirit Eli said in a polite but questioning tone, "but why did you even bother holding this entire tournament?"

Zephyr... who also had this identity known as the Masked Man remained motionless for a moment before responding quietly.

"I saw his new skill when he was sparring with Taula..." Zephyr said. "So I wanted to test it out properly."

Eli’s wisp form pulsed with what might have been exasperation.

"With all due respect, you’re even gayer than before for stalking him this extensively." Eli said then the spirit disappeared into wisps once again fading from view.

Zephyr sighed but focused his attention back on the field below. The announcer was already moving on, pointing toward one side of the arena.

"Our first match of the evening features a VERY special contestant!" the announcer said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "On the east side, we have the heir to the prestigious Valakris Family!"

A young man stepped onto the fighting platform.

He had elegant blond hair that caught the evening light with sharp blue eyes and a noble bearing that spoke of years of privilege and training.

His sword hung at his hip in an expensive leather sheath decorated with silver filigree. He wore fine clothing... not armor but expensive tailored garments that allowed freedom of movement while displaying his wealth.

"Young Lord Valakris has trained since the age of five under the finest sword masters in the region!" the announcer gushed. "His footwork is legendary! His bladework is unmatched among his peers! Every gesture, every stance... is perfection incarnate!"

The Valakris heir performed a formal salute toward the crowd and the nobles in the expensive seats applauded politely while some of the common folk cheered as well, impressed by the display then the announcer turned toward the opposite side of the arena, where a second figure had emerged.

His enthusiasm visibly deflated.

"And on the west side," the announcer said, his tone becoming considerably less excited, "we have..."

He squinted at the list in his hand, struggling to read the name.

"...a man wearing a black cloak and a cat mask?"

Indeed, the second fighter wore a simple black cloak that obscured most of his form and a plain white cat mask that covered his face entirely. The sword at his side was unremarkable... it was functional but not elegant.

The announcer looked back at his list and stuttered slightly before reading the registered name.

"Welcoming... Heavenly Commoner!" the announcer declared with far less fanfare.

The crowd’s reaction was mixed... Some were laughing, some were giving curious murmurs and others dismissed the man outright.

The two fighters stood apart from each other on opposite sides of the arena. The Valakris heir looked at the masked figure with barely concealed contempt, as if he were looking at an insect that had wandered into his path.

"I don’t know how a commoner like you managed to get chosen by The Masked Man..." the heir said with his voice dripping with condescension. "But I’ll make sure you regret wasting everyone’s time here."

The referee... another man on a floating platform that hovered just above the fighting ground floated closer and raised his hand for attention.

"The rules are simple!" the referee announced. "Victory is achieved through knockout, surrender, or your opponent being unable to continue fighting! Mortal damage may be inflicted.. healers are standing by and will intervene before any killing blows! As long as it isn’t an instant-death strike, all techniques are permitted!"

The two fighters stared at each other and the Valakris heir’s hand moved to his sword hilt while the masked figure, Klaus remained perfectly still.

The referee’s hand came down in a sharp cutting motion.

"BEGIN!"

Immediately, the Valakris heir exploded into motion.

He closed the distance between them in an instant with his footwork precisely executed... It was the kind of technique that took years of dedicated practice to perfect. His hand drew his blade in one smooth motion and the steel caught the light as it emerged from the sheath.

Aura gathered along the length of the blade looking visible as a faint shimmer in the air. The heir thrust forward with perfect form, aiming for Klaus’s center mass with a strike designed to end the fight in one blow without killing except his blade didn’t touch Klaus.

... The Heavenly commoner had disappeared.

The heir’s eyes widened in shock as his thrust met only empty air. Klaus reappeared behind him with his movement so fast it seemed like teleportation to most of the crowd. His own blade had been drawn at some point but no one had even seen when.

There was a flash of steel and a thin line of red appeared across the Valakris heir’s side then the cut opened fully and blood sprayed outward in a crimson arc.

The heir’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious before he even hit the dirt and the entire arena went silent even the announcer stood frozen, his mouth hanging open as he was unable to process what had just happened.

The fight had lasted less than three seconds then the referee snapped out of his shock and raised his hand with his voice magically amplified.

"The winner of this match is..." he checked his list quickly, "Heavenly Commoner!"

For a moment, nothing happened then the crowd erupted.

Cheers, gasps, shouts of disbelief, excited chatter... it all burst forth at once, filling the stadium with deafening noise. Klaus stood over the unconscious heir with his cat mask hiding his expression completely.

Klaus then sheathed his sword and walked off the platform without looking back, leaving the healers to rush forward and attend to the bleeding noble.

His first match was complete.