CHAPTER 58: TRAIT

A bright golden arc of light, a giant gust of wind and the sea slicing apart in two.

Giant pillars of water towered on the horizon.

Blue blood flew across the place as the carcass of the dark monster fell into the sea in two equal parts, cleanly slicing their cylindrical bodies.

Noctis also noticed the internal organs charred from the impact as they fell.

Just the wind generated from the slash was enough to off balance the two spectators standing close to the forest.

As he looked towards Regina in amazement, she stood unfazed with her sword resting on her hand as she fell down towards the sea, acting as if it was any other day for her.

Before she reached the surface, inevitably entering the sea once again, Noctis extended his arms towards her as a root raced to reach her first.

She was injured and had already spent too much time in the cold water.

This Regina didn’t resist as the root bound her, holding her in mid-air and slowly getting her where the two kids stood.

Just as she landed, Cora hugged her tight, planting her face in her bosom, sobbing very softly, ignoring all the blood and water running her clothes.

Noctis was once again pleasantly surprised at their reactions. He just felt good knowing such a great warrior at least had someone who cared for them. He could tell from her manners, she had much more to her than just being a body guard.

After they had comforted each other for a moment, Regina checked Cora for any harm, meanwhile Cora suddenly manifested a potion in her hand.

Noctis was bewildered for a second before he thought of the storage artifact. If he wanted he could also do this trick, it could just be that.

’Perhaps it isn’t too rare then? But they are nobilities so perhaps.. can’t be too sure just yet.’

As Regina drank the red potion, her wounds started healing rapidly, although the water on her body started evaporating quickly for some reason.

’That’s a useful thing to have.’

"Thank you so much for defending the young lady, brave sire. I’m forever indebted to you."

Regina immediately looked towards Noctis after healing herself as she said with a deep bow.

"Please don’t lower your head, miss. You’re my senior, in age as well as in the way of martial arts. If it weren’t for you, I would have been in trouble if the monster had come towards me. It was the least I could do."

"Your courage and skill far, far surpasses me when I was your age. It is truly an honour to have made acquaintance with such a warrior. There is nothing wrong with expressing gratitude to such an individual. You have a great future ahead young one.

Let me introduce myself properly.

I’m Regina allaíne Cheteljer de Montosmorri, Chevalier second-in-command of the knight legion at House Bourdain. If you ever need my help in the future, do not hesitate to call me."

Regina said to him with genuine admiration in her voice. Cora also looked at him with a determined expression, as if looking at an already great warrior.

"I’m Noctis, a travelling adventurer. It’s an honour Miss Regina."

Noctis felt very awkward at their praises, unable to think properly as he tried to just smile humbly, avoiding showing a stunned expression.

In a total of two lifetimes, it was his first time getting complimented on his skill and expressed gratitude for success, he wasn’t used to it, to say the least, wanting to bury himself in a hole rather than face them.

After the atmosphere persisted for a little bit, making him more and more jittery, Noctis changed the topic.

"What were those things in the sea?"

"Makara. A supernatural beast that lives in the shallow sea, close to lands, but rarely ever entering it. The logs were newborns and the giant mobster with serrated maw and a trunk was a grown-up.

Perhaps it was the mother and she had just given birth to them, unknowingly entering with the tide. With its strangely fast mixing ropes underwater and strong hide protecting them, they get quite troublesome to deal with."

Regina explained. As she did she also side-eyed Cora for some reason. Cora looked confused for a moment before she widened her eyes and she bit her tongue between her teeth as her mouth opened a little.

As Noctis was puzzled with their actions, he saw another red potion appearing in Cora’s hands as she came closer to him.

"I’m really sorry I didn’t notice, please drink this."

"Didn’t notice what? I’m not that injured actually, see?"

Noctis took the potion from slightly panicked Cora, but explained, thinking they were worried about his wounds which had already almost healed by his cloak.

"The bullets contain poison, so while it may have healed on the surface, it’s best to be careful. A few are not fatal but it’s best to drink a healing potion, just in case."

Regina clarified as she looked at his arms.

"Yeah, also it was because of me that you were injured. On your own you would have been fine."

"Well.. Alright."

He didn’t know if his cloak also worked on poisons and drank anyway. As the liquid entered his stomach he instantly felt his body energizing and all pain going away, like he had experienced a few times before.

What was different however was that his body started heating up along with it.

"Healing potions do heat you up depending on how grave the injuries are, if you aren’t very familiar, so don’t worry."

Noctis got a helpful explanation for his confusion.

It was only a brief moment and barely much, so he was fine.

"Thank you for this potion."

"Oh don’t be, it’s the least I can do. By the by, if you don’t mind me asking, where did you get that fabulous trait?"

Cora had regained her jubilant expression, lighting up her cute youthful face. It suited her much better than the gloom she had worn since Regina entered the sea.

"Gained what?"

Noctis tilted his head at her eager beady little eyes.

"Oh uh... those vines and roots things, how did you get it? It’s such a beautiful yet useful trait to have."