"Ah, that? That's 'cause I often get cursed."

"Is that it... what!?"

Going with the attitude of it's nothing worth mentioning, Kristan nearly missed the huge revelation.

Many monsters possesses cursing abilities. It could require just a bite, just a claw grazing the skin, and a terrible curse would assail the target.

You can easily rid of weak curses with the help of light healers, but such treatment is expensive. Some adventurers afflicted with a curse were too poor to treat it, and either died or were diabled for life.

Ark is average with his talents, and isn't a superhuman like Silvia who could obliterate all enemies without taking even the slightest damage. Having been hunting monsters at the Aracnum Forest for some time, he must have been inflicted by thousands of curses.

Yet he was completely fine.

There was nothing normal about that.

"How could you afford getting treatment? Are you a prince or something!?"

"Nah, getting normal treatment doesn't help to gain resistance. I have a different method."

It's hard to admit, but the trash with no talent does have one redeeming point: his curse resistance.

"It's a perk from being born without any attribute. A curse is dark magic power that assimilates with the attribute of the soul to generate a harmful effect. Having no attribute, I can expell the curse simply by expanding magic power or using sword spirit."

(Hahaha, worship me! I have completely negated curses and didn't spend a coin on useless treatment!)

Really, really hard to admit.

He is, after all, a trash that deserves to get cursed.

Still, this treatment even allows you to redirect a curse to target the caster. If, for example, Ark wasn't in disguise, he would've rebounded the pertification casted by the Devil-Eye Cyclope and kill it easily. But for that magic is needed, so he didn't use it.

Moreover, if dark magic is used in a physical form, it's useless. Just like now with Kristan's shadow coat, Ark could do nothing but get caught.

And it isn't as though there is no danger. If he doesn't waste his mana or spirit, the effect of the curse could still negatively affect him. Worst case, it could take root in his body.

"No attribute is quite formidable..."

"Oh please, it's the worst! It's nothing but an indicator to my glaring lack of talent. Even now, you weren't serious even at the end, but I gave it my all and still lost."

(I technically won since my only goal was to pass the rite.)

"True, you'd not survive a second if I fight for real. And you splendidly displayed your lack of strength." Disappearing in an instant, Kristan reappears behind Ark with a dagger attached to his throat. "Your techniques are good. Mine are 'really' good."

"P-point taken! Your stealth is really something..."

(Stealth or whatever, I don't give a shit. If I was serious at it, you'd die a dog's death, ya hear!)

Ark is a sore loser, so he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge it in his mind, but he was aware Kristan's Stealth is particularly formidable.

Even before, applying stealth to magic is surely no simple task. It was much like Ark's own Phantom; a skill that went beyond the limits of conventional thinking.

Kristan disappeared.

Ark guessed it means he passed the rite. Rejoiced to having been accepted to a knight order, he left the cubic room.

(No way I will clean the mess when I'm this happy! Let servants do the job!)

Yes, he left and went wandering in an unfamiliar place only to avoid cleaning. Every servant in the world deserves the chance to smack this inconsiderate trash.

"Oh, finished the rite?"

Commander Elizabeth was found in a room that looked like a lounge with a cup of tea in her hand.

"Yes. To think that Elizabeth Avalon, the reknown [Sage], is hosting demon blood. I really didn't expect." Ark made sure to voice his thoughts without condemning tone. He didn't care for demons or humans.

"I am also one with these so called 'demonic powers'. The condemnation should not hurt innocent."

Indeed, the commander of the Solitary Wolves is someone possessing the Sage class. She was a companion of the Hero and defeated together the demon king. Elizabeth's skill as sage is [Attribute Assimilation]: she acquires every attribute she encounters.

The opposite of Ark, who had no attribute. The sage that stood at the peak of magic.

And it also meant that she has all dark attribute that only demons and demon blood should have.

"In any case, here," Elizabeth teleports a plastic card to her hands and gives it to Ark. "Your knight certificate. It's my personal measuring system, so don't read too into it."

"My certificate?"

Ark scanned the card.

[Name: Ark Age: 16 Race: Human

Class: Illusionist Skill: Phantom Attribute: none

Order: Solitary Wolves (10th order)

Strength: D Spirit: B Magic: E Trait (cheating): S

Overall: D class/A class (with trait)]

"Hey, this is completely wrong!"

(No way I am only as good as a D rank without cheating! When I was adventurer, I reached B rank, you know!)

Ignoring the fact his cheating powers are A class, Ark clicks his tongue as he is being obviously undervalued.

"Not quite. The standard I use is based on all the knights of the kingdom. With that, you aren't much without cheating."

Indeed, there is substantional difference in power between adventurers and knight. The requirements to become a knight aren't light, and they also pour more effort to training than the freelance adeventurers.

Ark should take pride that he could cheat his strength to A class, a step below commander level. Even when others cheat, none could reach this sort of power. It was enough to consider a unique trait.

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"You have the worst job, the worst skill, no attribute, and no talent. Also, you have placed yourself in a precarious position."

"Urg... what position?" Every insult struck like a hammer on the head, forcing Ark to clench his teeth.

"Duke Gabriel Clarent. He researched about the man that defeated his daughter, only to discover you were a scam."

"I don't like where this is going..."

Elizabeth chuckled. "You shouldn't. The Sylphid is now pouring more effort than ever to become stronger. That is only because she views you as a rival who is stronger."

Without any equal to have such relationship, Silvia did put effort, but it was nothing compared to someone like Ark, who desperately trains every day. Now, her growth would become so rapid, it is terrifying to even think of this.

"The Duke's words were: if he ever fails to stay as a rival, I will skin that #%#^#& #$$&@ shithead alive! Funny, isn't it?"

"Not at all!"

Fun fact, the duke is an extremely doting parent. He won't hesitate to destroy all those hurting his daughter, and men approaching in general. Having satisfied the two condition in his eyes, Ark is in a serious danger like never before.

(I will die! I seriously can't survive! How can I hope to match the growth of a prodigy!?)

"You better start training."

"Ahhhh!!!"

Running to outside with the desperation to survive, Ark trained as though his life depended on it, because it very much did.

◇◇◇◇

"That's really cruel, commander." Kristan appeared from the shadows, as usual. He heard the details of Ark not so long after he won against Silvia. Elizabeth was someone to use Teleport very often, after all, going back and forth even multiple times to resolve even slight inconvenience. He had only acted as though he didn't know.

In fact, knowing the details of the battle was the cause for his tactic to apply stealth to the magic in order to avoid Ark's anti magic.

"He should fear the duke, not me. Still, though he has no talent, he does have 'potential'." Elizabeth saw the tenacity of Ark.

Even as he trained at the moment, you could see he hasn't given up on his life yet. It wasn't visibly glaring, but he had great mental strength.

Having no power or strength of character, you'd think he is someone worthless. In fact, many has. Deep inside, Ark is simply rotten due to the inferior complex he has.

Well, not all of it. Elizabeth failed to see how rotten he truly is, and the inferiority complex is just a small part.

Still, it was desperation that moved him.

Desperation to prove his worth.

Desperation to be the last one to laugh.

The fact that Ark could put so much effort, no matter how unsightly he was just, showes he had a true desperation to become strong, even much more than his trash weak personality would pull him to stop.

Again, trash personality. It is crucial to emphasize this point as many times as possible.

"It reminds me of... nevermind."

"? By the way, why did you bring Ark here if he isn't demon blood."

It didn't seem the commander was about to complete her sentence, so Kristan changed the subject to a different question he had in mind.

"The reason isn't anything deep. Seeing him as he stood in front of the commanders and slandered the knight's code made him seem persecuted. 'Are the weak ones following our moral codes in danger because of us?' He made me have such thought."

The only death Elizabeth could accept is when many lives are saved, such did she usually think whenever a knight sacrificed himself.

But what if instead of fightining like a knight, they would be as shameless as Ark? She felt as though they would win without dying. It made all the 'noble sacrifice' concept seem pointless.

"I emphasize with Ark, too. Assassins are playing unfair from the start. That's our thing."

"That is true. I hope he can live long to prove his point." Ark's future is bleak if he cannot stay as powerful as Silvia.

Well, he was never that strong, only when he cheats.

"Cheat well, Ark. Because that's all you have."

◇◇◇◇

In advanturers' scale, Ark has average magic power. In knights' scale, it is below average.

Although increasing the magic power is possible, it was a long steepy road that takes years, decades, to go.

Because of that, it is often that he runs out of mana whenever practicing his magic. It was a hurdle that hindered Ark who had no time to waste and needed to pour his every second to training.

This all leads to the best version of the true Ark the world could ever see.

"....."

Sitting cross-legged, Ark shut his eyes and relaxed his mind to sharpen the mana sense.

Meditation! By concentrating on meditation to recover mana from the surroundings, it was the only time of the day when he was both awake and finally shut his mouth. Even his mind was quiet, focusing completely on the meditation.

It had been three days since coming to the Solitary Wolves Knight Order. He practiced without end not to lose to Silvia the next time they bouted. Or else, he would die.

Collecting the magic power patiently and encourging himself to strive harder...

"That's impossible!"

Getting up on his feet, the silence died as Ark continued to talk shit.

The situation he was in rattled him too much, making it hard to focus and relax. He couldn't remain mediating for too long. Bottling the anxiety also didn't help.

"You're the new guy? Can you be quiet? I am trying to read a book here."

Coming with an annoyed expression, a red-haired girl with pointed ears was there. Ark instantly realized she was half-elf half-fire demon breed.

"Yes, I am Ark. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"...Liliana."

"I apologize. Feeling a little stressed, I raised my voice tactlessly. Rest easy, I won't do it again."

Putting on a noble facade that could deceive even those who know him well enough, Ark acted more nicely than ever before.

(Ah, as expected, I am a red hair type...)

All because Liliana was his type! Disgusting! Ten out of ten decent humans would tell the disgusting Ark to go die, as should!

And Liliana, who was easily deceived by his acts...

"Disgusting."

Genuinely did not like his behavior from the bottom of her heart. His noble behavior was much too noble-like. Liliana now thinks he is a noble boy who is naive and spoiled, which are characteristics she despise.

Now, what Ark should do is apologize, stand down and wait for an opportunity to show his strength of heart (fake), and proving he can change the world with his naive thoughts (never existed), using resolve and pure heart.

"The heck is with you?!"

But that couldn't be any further from the truth. Not even able to maintain the facade for a second, Ark lashes out.

His patience was drained as his stress peaked. No wonder he lashed out in his real mouth and not just the mind.

"With me? You are the disgusting idiot!"

And his opponent is someone no less fiery than himself.

"Disgusting idiot?! You say this to a person you just met? You rude stupid girl without manners!"

"I am without manners? You are just a human who can't keep his mouth shut!"

"Go read your stupid book in your room! This is outside, for heaven's sake!"

"You started it by acting like a disgusting idiot!"

"I was being polite! Your looks deceived me into thinking you're a woman!"

"Y-you damn...! You act nice only to girls!"

"That's what my mother taught me!"

Techniquely, Ark's mother did teach him to act politely toward girls. He is the trash that took the well intentioned lesson and implemented it only on girls he found pretty.

The two continued to bicker like that for a quarter of an hour, throwing insult after insult at each other like a dog and a cat.

"And your red hair..."

"...What about it!?"

It seems Ark finally touched her weak point. Liliana readied herself for any insult and was already preparing an insult of her own.

"It's so freaking wasted you! I wish all the elves in the world had that beautiful red hair except you!"

"Well, yeah!? You... eehhh!?!?"

All her life, Liliana was insulted for her red hair. The elves her age called her ugly, the adults called her unnatural.

An elf should only have shades of green or blond hair in general. Liliana's hair went against the common order which frightened her surroundings. Being a child of a demon, especially of the fire element which is hated by the elves, caused her to be an outcast.

'That beautiful red hair!'

There is no mistake. Ark called her hair beautiful, even when it was used in bad content. It made Liliana uncontrollably happy.

"Haa that felt good. Hey, Liliana, did you run out of insults?"

(Behahahha! I am the king of insults!)

Completely unaware of the delicate mindset of Liliana, Ark felt victorious as he won the argument and released his rising stress.

"...."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

He saw that Liliana wasn't responding, but her cheek tinted red and she started crying quietly.

"It was... my... first time..."

"Huh!?"

Hearing a pretty girl mumbling with tear 'it was my first time' caused Ark to dismay. If anyone were to see the situation, only one obvious conclusion would be drawn.

Ark was sweating bullets. He needed to fix this situation before a different kind of death finds him.

"Hey, I am sorry, okay!? The red hair isn't wasted on you, it suits Liliana the best. So don't cry!"

(How's that? I'mma sweet talker when I want. Feeling better?)

However, rather than calming down, the tears flowed even more and you could hear the sound of sobs coming from the elf girl. His sweet talk had the adverse effect.

Ark seriously considered to run away as fast as possible.

On the one hand, there was a crying beauty clearly agitated and as a guy he should not leave her alone.

On the other hand, she cries and mumble things that would paint him unjustly as a rapist.

As a man with clear conscience, the choice was obvious.

(I'm outta here!)

But Ark has no conscience. He unflinchingly abandons the weeping beauty without a shred of remorse, escaping as far as his legs could take him.