Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 37: The Slave-Hunting Group

 

Matthew closely examined Liana’s attributes and tasted the stark contrast between an ordinary person and a genius destined to stir up future storms.

 

Liana 

 

Age: 9 

 

Profession: None 

 

Talent: None 

 

Attributes: 

 

Strength: 5 

 

Agility: 6 

 

Constitution: 5 

 

Intelligence: 14 

 

Perception: 10 

 

Charisma: 18 

 

Luck: -5 (Catastrophic Fate)

 

Evaluation: Misfortune clings to her, her fate fraught with adversity.

 

At just 9 years old, Liana’s charisma had already reached an impressive 18, and her bloodline abilities had begun to manifest, no wonder the other children found her presence unsettling.

 

Despite a luck value of -5, she had not yet faced total disaster, a testament to her resilience.

 

Matthew could sense that Liana’s mental state was troubled, as if she was both conflicted and dejected.

 

Clearly, her negative luck was already taking its toll.

 

Watching Liana clasp the crystal, Matthew saw it emit a perfect glow, drawing a look of surprise from the young girl.

 

But just as Matthew was preparing to pull her aside for special training, 

 

"Ding! Would you like to spend 100 Fate Coins to unlock Fate's Choice?"

 

The familiar prompt rang in Matthew's ear, and without hesitation, he chose yes.

 

Though nothing outwardly changed, within Matthew's vision, the familiar mechanics of Fate's Choice emerged once again.

 

"Unlock Fate's Choice: Keep Liana—Luck -3, Release Liana—Luck +3!"

 

Seeing Liana, unaware of the forces at play, Matthew chose to keep her without hesitation.

 

In disbelief, Liana looked up at him, and Matthew gently patted her head, feeling a faint chill seep through his hand. He smiled and said:

 

"Your talent is exceptional. I will take you as my student. Don’t worry about the changes in your body—you will learn to control them over time."

 

"Ralph, inform Liana’s family of the good news and bring them to the manor."

 

That’s how it was—geniuses were treated simply and directly.

 

Matthew had no interest in uncovering the hidden dangers; he preferred to cut through problems swiftly and trigger potential threats early on.

 

His prior experiences had already taught him that the longer he waited, the greater the risks!

 

Liana was stunned and overwhelmed with joy. She had never expected such a sudden twist in her fate.

 

Ralph quickly approached, having noticed the commotion, and after hearing Matthew’s words, he stifled his curiosity and immediately made the necessary arrangements:

 

"John, send a team to Liana’s house. Inform her mother of the good news and escort her here for immediate medical care."

 

Old John gathered a squad of soldiers and swiftly set off for the destination. As Matthew watched them leave, he knew this wouldn’t be the end of the matter.

 

Matthew patiently finished testing the remaining children, finding that their overall potential was quite promising.

 

Many of the children showed signs of malnutrition due to insufficient food, but it was nothing that couldn’t be corrected with proper resources.

 

Ralph noted Liana’s name along with the other children's details, keeping a close eye on her.

 

Just then, distant shouts and commotion drew Matthew's attention. He glanced toward the noise and inwardly acknowledged the accuracy of Fate's Choice.

 

Indeed, the moments that change destinies often pass in the blink of an eye!

 

Instead of rushing to the scene, Matthew calmly addressed the curious children and ordered the surrounding soldiers:

 

"Escort the children to the manor and forbid anyone from approaching until the situation is resolved."

 

Although reluctant to leave, Leon hesitated and refrained from questioning the lord’s command.

 

The reason was simple: one look at Matthew’s calm, dark eyes was enough to make Leon feel uneasy.

 

Matthew then personally escorted Liana into the carriage. As the door opened, Liana saw Rebecca and Yaya fighting over the last piece of dried meat, their mouths stuffed with food and the savory smell filling the air.

 

Caught mid-munch, Rebecca blushed and muttered sheepishly:

 

"Yaya couldn’t finish it, so I’m just helping out..."

 

"Yah? Yah? Liar..."

 

Yaya immediately called her out, but the mischievous Rebecca wasn’t fazed and tried to tickle Yaya to distract her.

 

Matthew chuckled, gesturing for the nervous Liana to sit on the blanket as he explained:

 

"You probably know Rebecca. This is Yaya—she’s very smart. It won’t be long before she can talk fluently."

 

Liana had heard of the lord’s dragon before, but seeing Yaya with her own eyes was a shock.

 

Yaya curiously inspected the thin Liana and decided she was too scrawny to steal food, so she happily jumped into Matthew’s lap and muttered shyly to Liana:

 

"Yaya...hello..."

 

"Whoa? You got selected, Liana? I knew it—you couldn’t stay unlucky forever!"

 

Rebecca, as blunt as ever, laughed and walked over, pulling some jerky from her pocket, stuffing one piece into her mouth, and offering another to Liana.

 

It was clear that Liana and Rebecca had a good relationship, unlike the other children who were afraid of her.

 

Liana looked up to see Matthew smiling at her, which helped her relax as she gently nibbled on the tender jerky.

 

The taste of meat, something she hadn’t had in a long time, was rich and sweet, making her savor every bite. But after a few chews, she stopped and carefully put the rest away.

 

She was saving it for her mother!

 

Soon after, the carriage came to a stop.

 

Matthew opened the window and saw that the children had arrived at the manor. He turned to Ralph, who was equipped with weapons.

 

"Lord, John’s squad was attacked. Two soldiers were injured, but they captured one of the assailants—a member of a slave-hunting group!"

 

"Liana’s mother has been brought in safely and has already been given healing potions."

 

Liana gasped and quickly ran out to see her familiar figure standing next to Old John. Finally relieved, she ran into her mother’s arms, tears flowing freely.

 

The confused Sulan hugged her daughter tightly, gently comforting her:

 

"It’s okay. Lord John appeared in time and drove the bad guys away. We’re safe now."

 

Liana whispered something into her mother’s ear, and the pale-faced Sulan tried to bow toward Matthew’s carriage:

 

"Thank you, Lord—"

 

Matthew raised his hand to stop her and addressed John instead:

 

"Take them to the manor and give these two recovery potions to the injured soldiers."

 

"When you return, tell me everything about the battle."

 

Slave hunters—Matthew didn’t expect an old acquaintance to come knocking!

 

But he was thankful for this early discovery, better to eliminate the threat now…