’Cause the Elf Queen... to fall into the Abyss?’

Su Xuan gazed at the Elf Queen before him, his mind filled with confusion and contemplation.

First, he could tell that this Elf Queen wasn’t the same one he’d met beneath the Elf Mother Tree. However, there had to be some kind of unfathomable connection between them.

’Could she be a manifestation of the Elf Queen’s malevolent thoughts, just as the prompt suggested?’

He didn’t dwell on it and decided to accept the quest.

"Accept!"

[You have received a Special Quest: The Elf Queen’s Commission (1/2)]

[Quest Description: Not yet unlocked (Speak with both Elf Queens to obtain quest details)]

[Quest Reward: ?]

He had no reason to hesitate. This quest would not only allow him to uncover the truth, but it would also help him determine which Elf Queen deserved his support.

’After all, the prompt just said to cast an Elf Queen into the Abyss. It never specified which one. Isn’t this one an Elf Queen, too?’

Hearing Su Xuan’s answer, the corners of the Elf Queen’s mouth lifted into a satisfied smile. She said softly, "Very good. I’ll come for you again, little one."

With that, her figure grew indistinct, eventually vanishing into thin air.

At the same time, Su Xuan slowly opened his eyes. He found himself back in the Guild; everything from the dream had vanished without a trace.

The Elf Queen’s stunning figure was gone, replaced by Alice’s adorable face...

"Eh?"

"Alice?"

"Master~ Good morning~"

"Would you like Alice’s morning service?"

"..."

Su Xuan logged out, quickly washed up and had breakfast, then logged back into the game.

It was only seven in the morning in game time, and the Guild was silent.

The only sound was Alice making him coffee. Even Rosaline was still deep in dreamland.

’Then again, Undead don’t need to sleep, do they? Is she meditating?’

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Su Xuan sent a letter to Princess Alina, asking if she had time for tea. His goal was to learn from her where the Elf Queen had gone to clear her head.

After doing all this, he got up and went to Rosaline’s room.

’I’ve got time today. I need to help her complete her character quest and boost the Guild’s combat strength!’

"Rosaline! Get up! You’re Undead, you don’t even need to sleep!"

Su Xuan pushed open Rosaline’s door, shouting for her to wake up.

However, he found Rosaline was already dressed in her armor. She shot him a cold glance for his sudden intrusion and reminded him coolly, "Next time, remember to knock."

With that, she walked out of the room.

"Oh," Su Xuan replied simply, then followed her out.

They went to the training room together. Today was the last session of his Knight training. ’I wonder what Rosaline will teach me?’

"You’ve now grasped Basic Swordsmanship and gained some combat experience. You’re still a bit rough, but compared to those who have never picked up a sword, you’re already way ahead," Rosaline said, drawing her Oath Sword from her waist.

"Mm," Su Xuan nodded. "But I feel like I’m still missing something."

He could easily defeat opponents who lacked combat experience. Against seasoned Warriors, however, he always felt out of his depth. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"That’s right."

Rosaline continued, "You are indeed missing something: absolute confidence, born from within. You must trust your body, trust the sword in your hand, and believe they will lead you to victory!"

’Could this be the legendary Sword and Man Unity?’

"Now! Pick up your sword and attack me!"

"Oh."

Su Xuan acknowledged her command and immediately attacked with his sword.

Thanks to the experience from their first two sessions, his Swordsmanship had improved significantly, and his footwork was much steadier.

However, he was still leagues behind Rosaline.

In a single move, Rosaline easily sent his sword flying.

"Again!"

"Okay!"

Su Xuan picked up his sword and charged at Rosaline again.

But soon, his sword was knocked away again, and the impact sent him staggering backward.

"Keep going!"

"Faster!"

"Don’t stop!"

"Yes, that’s the feeling!"

"..."

(An arduous Swordsmanship practice session follows, one thousand words omitted...)

"Hah... Hah..."

Su Xuan panted heavily, his entire body drenched in sweat from Rosaline’s Swordsmanship training, looking as if he’d just been fished out of water.

But his efforts were not without reward.

[Congratulations! You have gained a temporary Status: Swordsmanship Mastery! (3 Years)]

[Swordsmanship Mastery: Allows you to instantly master any Middle Tier or lower Swordsmanship Skill upon using its Skill Book!]

"Not bad~"

Su Xuan smiled, satisfied. While Basic Swordsmanship allowed him to learn Swordsmanship of any tier, it took time. Swordsmanship Mastery, however, would let him instantly master any Middle Tier or lower Swordsmanship technique the moment he used a Skill Book!

In contrast to Su Xuan’s exhaustion, Rosaline seemed like she could have kept going. But she knew his stamina had reached its limit, so she didn’t push him any further.

"Mastering Swordsmanship requires practice over time. I hope you will practice more whenever you have a free moment, President," Rosaline advised as she sheathed her sword.

"Alright! When I have time, I’ll come find you to practice."

Su Xuan nodded. ’If I have time, that is.’ His schedule was packed, and Ivsha was always hoping he’d find time to train with the Holy Sword...

"Mm."

Rosaline nodded lightly at his response. Was that a hint of a master’s approval for her student in her eyes?

Just then, a notification popped up.

[A Knight’s Daily Training (Completed!)]

[You have received one free chance to refresh Skill traits!]

[You have received the item: Honor Badge!]

?

A white light flashed, and a silver-white medal suddenly appeared in Su Xuan’s hand.

[Honor Badge: A material required for Rosaline’s tier advancement!]

"At least this is more normal than Ivsha’s advancement material," Su Xuan couldn’t help but mutter. Ivsha’s Succubus Candy didn’t look like an advancement material at all; it was more like a sex toy.

"This is..."

Rosaline’s gaze suddenly fell upon the Honor Badge in Su Xuan’s hand, her eyes filled with longing for it.

"Excuse me, may I have that?"

Her expression was filled with longing, just like Ivsha’s had been.

Her reaction made Su Xuan’s eyes light up. He knew full well how desperately Adventurers coveted materials for tier advancement.

"Here you go."

Su Xuan handed the Honor Badge to Rosaline.

"Thank you!"

Rosaline took the Honor Badge, laid it flat in her palm, and admired it carefully.

She looked like a child who had finally received a long-dreamed-of toy, her eyes sparkling with excitement and satisfaction.

Su Xuan even noticed that Rosaline’s fluorescent blue, spiritual form seemed to shimmer with brilliant starlight at that moment. Her excitement was surging!

[You have given Adventurer Rosaline a tier advancement material.]

[Rosaline’s Level has increased to 25!]

[All Attributes +20.]

[Bonds Skill Unlocked: Knight’s Loyalty!]

[Knight’s Loyalty: You have earned the absolute Loyalty of a Knight! Experience required to level up is halved!]

"Huh? Experience required to level up is halved?"

When Su Xuan saw Rosaline’s Bonds Skill, he was stunned speechless!

’Halving the experience needed to level up... that effect is insane!’

This meant he could use fewer resources to raise Rosaline’s Level much faster. Or, he could invest all of his resources into her and create a High Level Adventurer.

And as her Basic Attributes increased, all sorts of Attribute Amplifications and combat power buffs would become even more effective.

[Rosaline has obtained a new trait!]

[Please choose one of the following three traits.]

[Blacksmith][Loves Peanuts][Alcoholic]

"Hmm..."

After careful consideration, Su Xuan decided to refresh Rosaline’s traits. As his strongest fighter, her traits had to be perfect, with no room for error.

[Refresh Successful!]

[Bitch][Top-Grade Sword Spirit][Female Group Lead Singer]