Matthews was delighted too, and immediately tried some other tactical combinations with Asolun.
The feeling of growing stronger through cultivation was wonderful. Before he knew it, Matthews had spent two months here with Asolun. During those brief two months, Matthews had also practiced some Water Element magic.
But he had only just begun absorbing and refining magical elements, so he had only accumulated enough magical power to cast one or two Water Element spells.
Still, Matthews wasn't in a hurry. His main goal was to cultivate Battle Qi. Magic was just something he was pursuing along the way; he certainly wasn't going to neglect Battle Qi just to study magic. Though cultivating both magic and martial arts would leave no weak points, and that was how the protagonist in the original story had trained,
Matthews had started cultivating late, so naturally he didn't have enough time to pursue both. Learning a little about magic would be enough.
That day, Matthews remembered that he hadn't seen Kelly in two months, so he began preparing to return.
When he arrived at the gate of Kelly's family's marquis estate to ask after her, the guard told him she wasn't home. Matthews went to the secret spot where they used to meet and found that the letter he had left was gone. He left another one, then headed home.
During this trip, Matthews had also acquired some unusual ores. He wanted to combine them with the ironworking techniques he had learned earlier to make some new ammunition for his Electromagnetic Cannon. That would increase its power!
"Bro, when did you get back?"
Matthews kept working at the forge without looking up. "I just got back this morning!"
"Big bro, are you making a weapon?"
Hearing a male voice, Matthews looked up and saw his little brother, Winter.
"Oh, it's you. Go ahead and sit down. I've still got some work to do!"
"It's fine. I'll help you!"
Winter naturally walked over to the bellows and began pumping them for Matthews. Before long, Matthews had finished making the weapon he needed.
After changing and washing up, Matthews came out and saw his adorable little sister wiping Winter's face. Well, I always wondered why Winter came over so often—usually, he was the one who asked to visit. Who knew he'd be so eager to work the bellows for me today? So that was what he'd been waiting for.
"Ahem—"
Mia heard Matthews's voice and hurriedly lowered the towel in her hands. Matthews sat down in the main seat with a stern expression and asked, "All right. Let's hear it."
Winter fidgeted like a child who'd done something wrong. After gathering his courage for a while, he said, "Big bro, this is my fault!"
"Mm."
Seeing Matthews's expression darken, Mia stepped in front of Winter.
"Bro, I like Winter too!"
"Hahaha, sis. I'm not some stubborn old fossil. Look how nervous you are—you're even protecting your sweetheart now!"
Mia was so embarrassed by Matthews's teasing that she stamped her feet. Winter spoke up. "Big bro, you don't mind us being together?"
"I never saw this coming from you. You quietly went and pulled a stunt like this. The Utteridge Clan may be one of the top ten clans in the Furio Empire, but I'm no pushover either. She's my only sister. I hope you won't let her down. Otherwise, I won't forgive you!"
"Bro!"
Hearing Matthews say that, Mia spoke up again.
"Enough. You're not even married yet, and you're already taking his side!"
Winter promised, "Don't worry, big bro. I'll treat Mia well!"
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
Then Matthews continued, "We didn't prepare anything at home, so let's go eat in the city!"
On the second floor of the biggest restaurant in Imperial City, Matthews and Winter sat by the window, drinking. It was a rare day to celebrate, so Matthews had a couple of drinks. He was already a little tipsy!
"Bro, isn't that your sister-in-law's family's carriage?"
Matthews followed the direction Mia pointed and saw Kelly stepping down from the carriage hand in hand with a man. He immediately leapt out of the second-floor window and stared at Wood, who was holding Kelly's hand.
Matthews asked, "Why?"
Wood stepped in front of Matthews, shielding Kelly, and said, "We're engaged!"
Matthews glared at him viciously, then ignored him and asked Kelly directly, "Why?"
Kelly lowered her voice. "I'm sorry, big brother Matthews!"
Just then, Kelly's close friend Nina hurried over from another carriage. Seeing Matthews, she put herself in front of her already-sobbing friend to protect her. She spoke coldly. "You should leave. You're not good enough for her."
"Get out of the way. I wasn't talking to you."
Nina gave a cold snort. "You uncivilized country bumpkin."
"Smack—"
Matthews answered with a sharp slap. Nina reacted like a furious shrew, clutching her face as she glared at him. "You uncouth brute! You'll never be good enough for Kelly. How could a level-seven warrior in his twenties compare to Wood, already a level-six mage? What's more, his brother is already a level-nine mage. Soon, their family will have two people in the Saint Realm."
"You uncouth country bumpkin. Do yourself a favor and get lost!"
Matthews was about to teach the foul-mouthed shrew a lesson when Kelly stepped forward and stood in front of her friend.
"I'm sorry. Please leave."
"Hahahaha. Is what she said true?"
"Yes!"
Asolun sensed his leader's mood and immediately moved to kill the woman before him and her friend.
"Stop, Asolun!"
After stopping Asolun, who was about to attack, Matthews shook his head at Kelly and turned to leave. Mia came over and took her brother's hand, glaring viciously at Kelly and Nina.
"Big bro, are you all right?"
"I'm fine!"
Winter added, "There are plenty of women in the world. She's the one with no taste!"
Matthews fell silent. He hadn't expected what he thought was a beautiful romance to end with him becoming a joke. He could have said, "Don't look down on a poor youth; in thirty years, the east bank of the river will be the west bank." But suddenly, he felt there was no point. They were destined never to cross paths again, so there was no meaning in making threats to these people.
"But why does my heart still hurt so much?"
Hearing Matthews mutter in a low voice, Winter didn't know how to comfort him. In the carriage, Mia held her brother's hand and remained silent too.
At the blacksmith's shop, Matthews sat alone in the courtyard. He quietly watched the serene night sky, lost in thought.
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