Chapter 6: “ Senfors market” Part 1
Noir’s fingers trembled slightly.
He clenched them once, then twice — veins tightening under the skin.
A faint pulse traveled from the cube artifact to his wrist like a heartbeat.
<My head feels heavy… stamina and mental force both dropping… Is this because of the synchronization rate?>
Libra and Elric stepped forward at the same time, naturally placing themselves in front of him.
Elric raised his sword. “Don’t move. You look like you’ll fall over if a squirrel bumps into you.”
Libra spoke calmly, “Master condition — drained. Protection mode active.”
Noir exhaled slowly. “I’m not dying. It's just expensive to operate. Sorry, both of you.”
Elric snorted. “You talk like a broken magic lamp. No need to apologize.”
Noir lifted his hand.
The floating swords returned, merging back into the cube — then into his palm.
“Libra — right side,” Noir ordered. “Elric — with me. We sweep and finish. I can use it in a few more minutes, I think.”
They both answered with concern.
“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Master—wait, why do I sound like her?” Elric complained.
“Because you copy strong people. I will count to three,” Libra replied.
“I do not!”
“Three,” Noir counted.
They ran.
Steel flashed.
Trees shook.
Roars turned into choking sounds.
Elric moved fast — clean knightly strikes, efficient and controlled.
Libra moved like a weapon given legs — short bursts, crushing blows, no wasted motion.
Noir supported from mid-range, using short sword manifestations instead of full control mode to save energy.
Each strike cost less.
Each movement felt more natural.
<Too natural…>
He ducked without looking — a blade formed behind him and pierced an orc’s throat before it could ambush.
Blood splashed across the grass. Noir paused half a step.
<Why did that feel familiar? Like I’ve done this many times… adapting too fast is scary — but I don’t have time to think now.>
His breathing slowed instead of worsening. His stance corrected itself automatically.
Elric noticed from a distance while cutting down another orc.
<He’s acting like he’s fine… This is his first artifact use and his first large battle with it. Nobody adapts to a mythical artifact this fast.>elric thought
<If he keeps this up, even the Duchess won’t be able to ignore him…>
“Master!” Elric called. “Left side clear!”
Noir nodded. “Good. I’m taking a break now. Libra can handle the rest.”
After more clashes, the forest finally fell quiet.
Only wind and dripping blood remained.
Hours later, Noir leaned against a tree trunk, catching his breath. Sweat ran down his neck. His hand still faintly glowed.
“Something feels off with my body,” he murmured. “Too smooth… Is it because this isn’t my original body or world?”
Elric walked over, wiping his blade. He hadn’t heard Noir’s words.
“Master? We just survived an orc patrol squad. That’s better than I expected — honestly, that’s lucky.”
Noir looked up. “Did you collect the orc ears?”
Elric froze. “What?”
“The ears,” Noir repeated calmly. “Proof of kills. They sell well.”
Elric stared. “Why are you suddenly acting like a professional bounty hunter?”
Noir answered without shame. “Because money is professional. We share the money when we sell.”
“You sound like you came here for profit, not people.”
“Of course I came for—money.” Noir paused. “—the villagers.”
Elric gave him a long, flat look. “I don’t believe you.”
Libra raised a small sack. “Confirmation. Ears collected. Count — twelve.”
Elric groaned. “You actually did it…”
Noir smiled faintly. “See? Efficient operation. Unlike you, idiot knight.”
Libra added, “Master happiness increased when money was mentioned.”
“Please stop analyzing me,” Noir said.
“Data cannot be stopped,” Libra replied calmly.
Two days passed after that fight. The village was safe now.
Noir focused on recovery — proper sleep, steady meals, controlled breathing practice.
When time allowed, he trained in short bursts, testing how long he could use the cube without draining himself.
Each session lasted a little longer than the last.
Elric watched once and shook his head. “You train like an old soldier, not a new artifact holder.”
Noir replied calmly, “Because tired heroes die early. And this isn’t my first time training myself.”
Libra recorded quietly, “Master prefers survival over style. Data saved.”
Elric groaned. “You two are impossible. Still, don’t overdo it. I don’t understand how you control the artifact so well.”
<Trust me, Elric — I also want to know.>
By the third morning, they reached the outer gate of the Senfors Market District.
Crowds moved in waves — traders, hunters, travelers, carts full of goods.
Noir stepped down and took the horse’s reins. “First — the stable. We settle the horses. Second — find a decent inn.”
Elric scanned the street. “Agreed. We need a base first.”
Libra stood still, eyes moving from stall to stall, sign to sign, measuring everything.
Elric noticed. “She’s observing like a city guard commander.”
“Behavior patterns. Idiots don’t understand,” Libra answered.
“I didn’t ask for a report!”
“You still received one. Consider it training. Try to get along,” Libra replied.
Noir hid a smile and walked forward.
As they moved through the busy road, Elric leaned closer. “So… what exactly are we doing now?”
“Vacation,” Noir answered simply.
Elric blinked. “You came for artifacts and exploration with the excuse of a gift trip.”
“Vacation with objectives. And I need to buy something, anyway” Noir corrected.
<And problems… too many problems in my life. I want pizza and anime, not politics. Still — let’s see this city.>
“That sounds suspicious,” Elric muttered.
Libra suddenly pointed. “Master. Blonde thief-type individual watching you.”
Noir glanced once, then looked away. “That’s my knight. Save his face in memory — you’ll see him daily.”
Elric choked. “Don’t label people like that!”
“Then don’t act like that — with that face,” Libra replied.
“Why are you both attacking me today? And Master — why does she talk like you more every day?”
Noir ignored him and kept walking.
After securing rooms at a modest inn, Noir turned at the entrance.
“Libra — stay with Elric. I’m going out alone.”
Elric stared. “What? No. You need rest. Also, why am I alone with her?”
“I need silence,” Noir said calmly. “I’ll return soon.”
“At least tell us where you’re going.”
“Thinking. Breathing oxygen. That’s enough.”
“That’s not a location.”
“It works. And don’t fight with her — you’ll lose anyway.”
Libra nodded. “Command accepted. I will guard Elric.”
“I don’t need guarding!” Elric protested.
“You need supervision and training. You are lacking in many areas,” Libra corrected.
Noir walked off before the argument could grow.
He moved through the market alone, hood lowered, steps careful.
<Two problems.>
<First — since I obtained the cube, fighting feels familiar. Too familiar. My adaptation speed is abnormal.>
<That’s not luck. But what is it? It feels like I’ve always fought with this cube… impossible My memory still isn’t fully restored but I'm not from this world>
He flexed his fingers slowly.
<Second — the Duchess. The report I prepared is only fake support. If things go bad, the cave location message will distract them… but controlling the aftermath will be difficult.>
“If it were only the cube, I could hide it for a while. But Libra changes everything.”
He exhaled. Crowds passed around him.
He didn’t notice how far he’d walked until the stalls shifted into gift shops and artisan rows.
Noir looked around.
“Now a different problem,” he murmured.
“What do Ilyana… and that unknown girl… like as gifts?”
He studied the displays — jewelry, books, charms, fabrics, music boxes.
His expression turned serious, like he was choosing battle equipment.
“This is harder than fighting golems,” he concluded quietly.
Senfors Market was known as a merchant and noble district.
Most shops belonged to noble houses or licensed guild traders. Guards stood at every crossing. The roads were clean.
No shouting vendors. No street fights — only polite bargaining and quiet luxury.
Noir walked slowly between the stalls.
“After what happened to us,” Noir muttered, “this is a good place to rest. I’ll come back with Libra and Elric again.”
He exhaled and adjusted his cloak.
“Forget problem one. Focus on problem two… and four… maybe three.”
A shop bell rang as someone entered behind him. Noir ignored it and kept scanning the items.
<Ilyana is a mage. Always buried in research, and she barely leaves her room or office. Should I buy something useful for her work?>
He stopped at a crystal display.
Small elemental stones rotated inside a glass case.
“Something that helps her work…” Noir murmured. “Stability crystal? Mana condenser? Quill? Scroll? Mana ink pot?”
He tapped the glass lightly.
“Wait. I still have an elemental crystal core. I can refine and mount it instead. That’s better.”
He nodded once, satisfied.
“Good. One gift solved. I just need to find a craftsman.”
He turned to another shelf — hair ornaments, bracelets, ribbons, rings.
“The unknown girl…” he muttered.
“It’s not like I’m going to marry her easily. Not after I obtained the cube.”
He studied the items with the seriousness of a battlefield map.
“But this is harder than choosing weapons.”
He reached for a small silver charm shaped like a star-shell.
Another hand reached at the same time.
Their fingers touched. Both paused.
Noir looked up.
Two cloaked figures stood there — one small, one taller like a maid or guard. Their faces were hidden.
The air turned awkward for a full second.
Noir withdrew his hand first. “You can take it. I was only looking.”
“Aren’t you going to buy it?” the smaller figure asked.
He stepped aside — but the smaller figure moved closer instead of leaving.
The cloak lifted.
Red hair. Red eyes. Calm face. Expressionless.
A young lady — around his age range. Sharp gaze, but shorter than Noir.
“If you are looking for something,” the girl said quietly, “state your purpose. I can assist.”
Noir blinked once.
<Direct. Too direct. No hesitation. Tone cold but not rude. Do people misunderstand her and get angry?>
“I’ll pass, but thank you for asking,” Noir answered.
“We just met. Didn’t your parents teach you not to talk to strangers?”
“They did,” the red-haired girl replied flatly. “They also taught me to judge people and gain experience when I meet them.”
She looked him up and down once.
“You are noble.”
“Simple clothing to avoid attention. Dust marks on your cheek — recent combat. Forest scent — travel route. Weapon stance — trained.”
“You are likely a knight or combat student. You are browsing female accessories without embarrassment — buying for someone important.”
Noir stared.
“Stop,” Noir said.
“I don’t care about your guesses. That’s none of your business.”
He turned and walked
Footsteps followed He glanced back.
She was still behind him.
<Why is she following me like a baby chick?>
Noir stopped again. “Lady. This is called stalking.”
“This is called continued evaluation,” she answered calmly. “And you still haven’t answered my questions.”
“That makes it worse. And I said I will pass.”
The maid behind her bowed slightly. “Young master, please forgive her behavior.”
“No forgiveness needed,” Noir said. “Just distance. Why is she following me in the first place? Because what she said is half true?”
Red eyes studied him again.
“You are cautious,” she said. “That increases your score.”
“I am not applying for a job. What kind of score is this?”
“You are still being graded.”
Noir rubbed his temple.
<Trouble magnet — confirmed. She doesn’t listen. I need to talk and convince her to leave me.>
