Chapter 23: Bran Manor

Chapter 23: Bran Manor

Aisa stood at the entrance of Bran’s manor. Under the morning sun, he saw several crooked golden characters on the plaque above the main gate: “Bran Manor,” with a line of smaller characters beside it that read “Written by Bran.” On both sides of the gate crouched two huge lynx statues, exuding an air of arrogance. The gate was wide open, and a few meters inside, a smooth screen wall blocked all prying eyes.

Aisa thought that in just a few days, the entrance to the manor had changed so much; this kid really knew how to keep busy.

Bypassing the screen wall at the entrance, Aisa found a set of round stone tables placed behind it. Bran was sitting on a stone stool, with a greatsword lying bare on the table. This made Aisa excited, and he asked, “Is it done?”

Bran nodded and said, “Try it.”

Aisa swung it a few times. It felt as if it was connected to his bloodline. There was no discomfort of using a new weapon ; it was as if this weapon had been with him for many years and had long become a part of his body.

He lifted the sword to examine it and noticed that the blade was covered with fine scales, layer upon layer, wrapping around it. Aisa’s gaze followed the scales on the sword, moving from the blade to the tip. Then, the scales seemed to come alive, twisting and coiling with his gaze like a strange serpent wrapping tighter and tighter, until the serpent’s body became the sword and its head became the hilt. When the illusion faded, Aisa, still holding the sword, felt his mouth go dry. By then, Bran had already left without him noticing.

…

In the attic at the top of the mountain villa, Danny and Bran sat by the window, looking down at Aisa, who was in a daze. Danny asked curiously, “What’s wrong with him?”

Bran pursed his lips. “He’s daydreaming, feeling pleased with himself.”

Danny was speechless…

Bran continued, “My ability seems to have changed somehow. I can’t explain it clearly. But it doesn’t make sense. By the way, Danny, last time you caught a snake for me to play with. What happened to that snake in the end?”

“I ate it.”

“You owe me another one.”

“Have you no shame? You ate the most last time. And what do you mean ‘owe’? You were the one who suggested roasting it. Besides, where am I supposed to find one in the middle of winter?”

Bran was actually a bit scared. He just wanted to ease the tension by talking. This morning, on a sudden impulse, he picked up the materials and completed the creation naturally, without any hesitation or extra thoughts. It was as if he was just an observer, a manipulated puppet.

He had actually intended to call Aisa over to finish the work together, making adjustments based on Aisa’s hand shape, habits, and so on.

…

In the afternoon, Bran and Danny went to the warehouse together. Facing the materials in front of them, Bran said to Danny, “These are what’s left after making Aisa’s weapon. What do you feel when you face these materials?”

Danny touched Bran’s head and muttered softly, “You don’t have a fever.”

Bran’s face darkened…

“Have you heard that all things have a spirit?”

“I’ve heard that. The elders of the tribe and the shamans all say so.”

“Do you believe it?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you believe it?”

“Before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I heard a call. After entering the wasteland for the Trial, I could feel that the wasteland was alive, with its own breath.”

Seeing Danny’s serious expression, Bran felt goosebumps. What did she mean by a living wasteland? Bran had always thought the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was like the law of the jungle—keeping the strong and abandoning the weak. But it seemed things weren’t as he imagined.

Danny wouldn’t lie. It seemed he had overlooked many things. He had accepted the reality that this world had mana, but he still stubbornly regarded some legends as just legends. Thinking about this, Bran fell silent.

Seeing Bran slip into his daze mode again, Danny quietly left on her own.

…

Before dinner, on the way to the castle, Bran carried a one-handed sword in his arms—it was his afternoon creation. Bran had a feeling that what he was holding wasn’t a sword but more like a living fish.

This made no sense. What was mana? What was wrong with this world? Thinking about these questions made Bran drift off again.

Entering the castle, Bran went straight to the Duke’s study and found Aisa there too. The greatsword was lying flat on the table. When Bran entered the room, Aisa’s eyes held a trace of reverence. The Duke’s gaze was complex, as if he wanted to show closeness, forcing a stiff smile on his face.

Bran walked around the desk and gestured for the Duke to take the sword from his arms. Then he asked, “What do you feel?”

The Duke took a breath. “It’s alive.”

Hearing the answer, Bran turned and walked out, lost in thought. Behind him, the Duke called out, “The sword?”

“It’s for you.”

Knowing the answer was enough. This wasn’t an illusion. He wasn’t crazy; it was this world that was crazy, Bran thought.

…

During dinner, the Duke ate without enjoyment, glancing at Bran from time to time. Bran also looked troubled, staring at the food in front of him and pondering. This made the little sister sitting between him and Huahua very unhappy, so she tugged hard on Bran’s sleeve, pulling him out of his thoughts. Annoyed, Bran instinctively turned his face toward his sister. Facing the little Loli’s eyes, Bran’s expression instantly softened, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.

The Madam smiled and shook her head. Everyone knew Bran had extraordinary patience with this sister.

Having his thoughts interrupted, Bran simply gave up thinking and started interacting with his sister in a casual way. The Duke, who had been paying attention, seized the opportunity to say, “Bran, you can also visit the family’s collection of weapons anytime.”

“Okay,” Bran nodded.

This was the best help. The more he saw, the more it would enhance his ability.

…

On the way back to the manor, Danny asked, “What’s wrong with you today? You seem strange.”

“Nothing. I’m just a bit scared.”

“You’re still so timid. Come sleep with me tonight.”

“It’s not that kind of scared.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are some things I can’t figure out.”

“Then don’t think about them.”

Bran glanced sideways at Danny beside him and changed the subject. “Actually, the knights in our castle are quite poor and stingy.”

Danny turned to look at Bran seriously, as if seeing him in a new light. Then she heard Bran continue, “I calculated the materials they sent for a long time, and I always felt it wasn’t enough.”

Danny said without thinking, “Impossible.”

“Really. After making theirs, there won’t be enough for ours.”

Then a playful laugh came from Bran, and Danny was infected by the laughter and laughed along.

…

“If you’re scared, you really can sleep with me.”

“I’m not scared at all!”

“Fine. My door won’t be locked. No need to knock at night.” Hehe…