"Nortis is a mage family with ice elements running in their bloodline, Duke Nortis is a 9-cycle mage, they never have talent in sword-wielding, so this so-called legendary sword is actually useless to them" my Grandfather explained.

"What? Do they not know about that?"

"The Duke knows very well. My great-grandfather, the legendary Greydoll, was hired as their swordsmanship instructor. After two years, he gave up, saying their genetics made it impossible for them to properly grip a sword, no matter how hard they trained."

"So why this sword appear in their family history?"

"The first Duke of Nortis used it, but as a magical wand, not a sword. That's why the sword is so light."

"Oh…"

"All you need to do is this…"

After the discussion, I sit at my desk in my room and open my candy box. It's empty. I distinctly remember I still had three candy crystals.

"Someone steals it, but why?"

I walk to my bed and take a box from below the bed, I open it and reveal a bunch of candy crystals, I then take some and wrap it with cloth, and jump from the window.

I use wind magic to get a safe landing and walk to the park, I sit there and a bunch of black clothing man appearing.

"I have been expecting you guys to come, you know right currently I didn't bring the sword to here"

"What did you do to Alex?, how can he lost Nortis Bloodline!?" One of them Asked.

"Do you think I am a god capable of removing a genetic trait? Maybe his resentment to his family is so great he managed to cut ties biologically with them, no?"

"That's impossible!"

"Then why do you think it is possible for me to do it?

"Let's leave," the leader said, turning to leave.

"But leader, isn't it's our task to kill or kidnap her?" one of the men asked.

"Are you out of your mind?, this kid is capable of killing us all instantly, and she is the granddaughter of Reynold the Dragon Conqueror, do you think we and Nortis will survive his aggression?"

"You are a smart one aren't you," I said to him actually surprised by his logical thinking.

"Why do you think I still managed to survive doing this kind of job"

"Have you reported about Alex to Nortis"

"Are you my boss? Why should I answer you"

He and his group disappeared instantly.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Hiaaah!"

I reflexively stand up as I see a kid with a knife trying to stab me. I hadn't noticed this child at all—if he hadn't screamed, I would've been injured or worse, killed.

"Damn!"

The kid vanishes into thin air. I immediately spread my mana all over the place to detect any movement. I feel something small slithering around me, growing larger behind me. I look back and see the kid jumping at me. I instantly blow all the released mana, the explosion tearing part of my dress. The kid is flung into the sky and then falls down motionless.

Mana control, a subclass of mage—no one uses it since it basically throws away your whole mana, but I can absorb it back.

"You damn brat, should I kill you?"

I kick the body. It's not moving. Then I detect something else moving. I turn back and the kid's knife almost reaches my neck. I immediately copy the last offensive spell I used—I don't remember what it is—and cast it. In an instant, the kid stops moving and collapses. A small hole can be seen in the stomach, but it doesn't bleed because it's immediately burned away.

"There are two of them?" their clothes were different from the previous assassin group.

"Return!" said someone panickly

The bodies of the two kids become small mice. An old man can be seen walking towards me.

"I'm sorry. Usually, my familiars never act by themselves."

"Gramps blacksmith?"

"I'm terribly sorry, Ruby."

"Are they dead?"

"No, they're only sleeping after their stamina was depleted."

"How do you get familiars?"

"You need to meet them and form a contract with them," said him as he collected his mice, I then back to home

When I got home, my parents caught me. I managed to get away with the excuse of training magic. Since then, I couldn't continue my night strolls anymore.

Finally, the day arrived when I would use this sword for my own benefit.

"Say whatever you want," Grandfather said to encourage me.

"Okay!"

We arrived at a big villa. The garden alone was longer than our house, with white snow covering the entire field. Even in the carriage, I still felt cold.

"Welcome, Reynold Greydoll. We are honored by your visit," said our host.

"Hello, Harkan. Long time no see."

"Indeed, it has been."

So this was the duke—a slim man with long black hair and black eyes. His resemblance to Alex was uncanny.

The duke eyed the sword I was holding for a moment, then guided us to the guest room.

"May I inquire about the purpose of your visit today?"

"It's my granddaughter's wish," Grandfather replied.

I addressed the duke, "Hello, Duke Nortis. As you can see, you may recognize this sword, right?"

"Yes, I know it very well."

"I wonder if you're curious where I found this sword?"

"Did you happen to encounter a labyrinth?"

"No. While strolling, I saw a kid being attacked by some people. I decided to help him, but alas... Well, I found this sword near him. As I investigated, I discovered it belongs to the Nortis Dukedom. Do you have any missing children from Nortis?"

"No, we don't have any reports yet."

I noticed his mouth twitch into a brief smile before he regained his composure.

"Anyway, thank you for returning it."

"Ah, no. I want a reward."

"Yes, yes. Just tell me what you want."

"I want a copy of each magic book of Nortis, I like learning magic"

"That's..."

"Is that not possible? Are books more valuable than a family heirloom?"

"No, no, it's possible. We'll prepare them right away."

Grandfather and the Duke started chatting while I enjoyed the warm tea they served. After a while, we exchanged a box of books for the sword.

"See? Not all nobles engage in crazy schemes. If things can go smoothly without problems, why would they need to craft elaborate plans?" Grandfather said as we walked to the carriage.

"I was probably just overthinking"

"Right. Not all nobles are like those in novels."

I think it's because of Grandfather's presence...