Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

The breakfast table was very large.

Seven or eight people sat around a table, with bowls and plates piled high.

Vera's cooking was as good as ever; the porridge was thick and creamy, the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the fried egg had a perfectly browned edge—just the right amount of browning for Wayne.

Marco picked up the bowl of porridge with his right hand and took a sip.

"My lord, I've come back for two reasons: first, to see you; second, to..." He paused, his empty left sleeve swaying gently in the morning breeze, "...and second, to entrust Cavendish to you."

Wayne looked at him.

"I will return to Aldrian to avenge my daughter."

The church foyer was quiet for a moment.

Emma hadn't swallowed the bread in her mouth; her cheeks were bulging, and her gaze darted back and forth between Marco and Wayne.

Kavin sat next to Marco, head bowed. His eyes reddened the moment Marco uttered the word "entrust."

"I rescued him from human traffickers." Marco patted Caven's head. "What was his original name again... Dog Caven. Yes, Dog Caven. His parents gave him that name, saying it would make him easier to raise. I thought it sounded awful, so I gave him the name Caven."

Wayne didn't say anything.

Marco, thinking he was hesitating, quickly grabbed a bag from beside him, placed it on the table, and untied the rope. Gold coins rolled out of the bag, piling up in a small heap on the table, gleaming in the morning light.

"Eighty gold coins in total." Marco's voice wasn't loud, but every word was steady. "My lord, rest assured, I won't let you work for nothing. Kaven is a very obedient boy; I'll feel at ease if he's with you."

He pointed to the small pile of gold coins in front of him and said.

"These are the gold coins you gave me before. I didn't spend them all, so I'm returning the rest to you."

Calvin's eyes were completely red.

He looked at his master.

"Master...I don't want you to die..."

Marco looked down at him, his cloudy eyes devoid of tears, holding only a faint, heavy feeling. He reached out his right hand and gently pressed it against Caven's head.

"Who said I'm going to die? I'm going to seek revenge, not to throw my life away."

"But...but your hands..."

"One hand is enough."

Marco's voice was firm.

Wayne leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting from the gold coins to Marco's face.

"And then what?"

Marco withdrew his hand from above Kavin's head and placed it on the table, his fingers slightly curled.

"I haven't thought it through," he said, pausing for a moment. "I might die. If I survive, I might find a place to retire. I'm too old to make a fuss."

Wayne looked at him.

"I've heard you mention your daughter before; she was killed by the count's son riding a horse."

Hearing Wayne's words, Marco clenched his fists.

Wayne was silent for two seconds.

"Although I am a priest, I would never advise you to give up everything in God's name. I believe that Goddess will support everything you do."

"Really? Your Excellency?"

"That's just how it is."

Marco loosened his fist. He was about to say thank you, but before he could speak, Wayne changed the subject.

"But Marco, have you ever thought about this?"

Wayne looked at him.

"What makes you, a fourth-tier warrior, think you can assassinate the Earl's son? Is it because you're old? Because you don't have an arm? Or is it because you have the will?"

Marco's expression froze.

Wayne continued.

"You need to understand that you can't just assassinate a count's son like that. As a count's son, he would definitely have two or three guards at least at the fourth rank protecting him. If you go, not only will you fail to avenge your daughter, but you will also end up losing your life in vain."

Hearing Wayne's words, Marco's shoulders slumped. His gaze fell on the pile of gold coins on the table, and then on his empty left sleeve.

His voice was hoarse.

"But... if I don't seek revenge, what else can I do?"

Marco lowered his head.

"I didn't even get to see my daughter one last time when she died. I buried her myself with my own hands. It was just a small mound of earth, without even a tombstone. During that time, I would squat in front of that mound, squatting and squatting, praying that one day the goddess would bring her into my dreams, but it didn't happen. I even thought about ending it all, but I didn't dare. My daughter's revenge hasn't been achieved yet, I can't die."

His eyes were red as he looked up at Wayne.

"My lord, what else can I do?"

Wayne picked up the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and put it down.

"What if I told you I could help you?"

Marco's breath hitched.

"My lord... what did you say?"

I said, "I can help you."

Marco's pupils are dilating.

He leaned forward slightly, his right hand resting on the table.

"Sir, are you telling the truth?"

"The servants of the goddess will not deceive the poor believers."

Marco's lips began to tremble.

"Sir, how can you help me?"

Wayne leaned back in his chair.

"I can brew you a potion."

Marco's eyes lit up.

"What kind of potion?"

"Top-grade Bloodthirst Potion. Tier 4 version."

Wayne spoke slowly.

"After taking it, your strength will break through to the top level of the fourth tier in a short period of time. Not the middle level of the fourth tier, but the top level of the fourth tier, just one step away from the fifth tier."

Marco's breathing became heavier.

"The top level of the fourth tier..."

"Yes. But this potion comes at a price."

"What price?"

"You might die!"

"My lord, I'm not afraid!"

Wayne continued.

"However, this potion is extremely difficult to make, requiring a great many ingredients. Some of the main ingredients are simply not available on the market and must be collected from dangerous places. The preparation process is also extremely dangerous; the slightest mistake will lead to failure."

Marco quickly replied, "My lord, rest assured, I will definitely collect all the materials for you. Just make a list, and I will travel all over the Southern Continent to gather them all."

Wayne raised his hand and pressed it down.

"No rush. The condition I mentioned isn't about collecting materials."

Marco was taken aback.

"What is that?"

Wayne turned his head and looked at Aya.

"During this time, I want you to teach her swordsmanship, at least to make her a first-tier beginner swordsman."

Aya heard Wayne call her name, and she put down her bowl, looking puzzled.

"Sir, but I don't know how to use a sword!"

"The goddess told me you have a talent for swordsmanship."

Marco was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"No problem, sir."

His tone was firm as he stood up from his chair.

"Don't worry, just give me three months, and I guarantee I'll return you a first-tier swordsman. Don't let her thin appearance fool you; I can tell at a glance that this child has the makings of a swordswoman."

Wayne smiled too.

"Then it's settled."

After breakfast, Marco walked up to Aya.

"Aya, right?"

Aya nodded, a little nervous.

"From today onwards, I will be your swordsmanship teacher. I may not be able to teach you forever, but as long as you are by my side, I will teach you with all my heart."

Aya bowed slightly.

"Um... Hello, teacher."