Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience
Chapter 164 - 003: Niece

Chapter 164: 003: Niece

This was a little girl, probably around seven or eight years old, with a petite nose, round and rosy cheeks, resembling a delicately crafted porcelain doll.

She was dressed in a refined dress made of wool, dark green in color, with golden threads embroidered around the collar and cuffs in the pattern of a drifting maple leaf, the emblem of the Valen family.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting a glow on her cheeks and bringing out two healthy blushes, resembling apples freshly kissed by morning dew, evoking an irresistible urge to gently touch them.

Her large, fluttering eyes sparkled as her small face tightened with caution. She stared warily at Lynch and questioned, "Who are you? Why are you in my family’s graveyard? Do you have any ill intentions?"

As she spoke, one hand quietly moved to her waist, where a small, exquisite dagger hung from a brown leather belt.

Lynch chuckled and asked, "What’s your name?"

Instinctively, he stepped forward, somewhat tempted to pinch the rosy cheek of his petite niece.

"Don’t come any closer!"

The little girl remained extremely alert, swiftly drawing the dagger from her waist and waving it twice in front of Lynch’s eyes. "I’ll have you know, my swordsmanship is a direct inheritance from my father!"

Lynch paused, then replied gently, "I can see that. But I might be just a tiny bit better than you."

As he spoke, a faint milky-white aura appeared around his body.

The little girl’s eyes widened in shock. "A knight!"

"Ah!"

She let out a startled gasp, quickly sheathing her dagger, and took a step back. Curtseying gracefully by lifting her skirt, she said, "My apologies, Sir Knight. Lilith’s recklessness and rudeness must not have offended you, I hope?"

In times of peace, no matter their origins, knights were unquestionably members of the noble circle.

Lynch asked, "Lilith—is that your name?"

The little girl nodded and replied earnestly, "Lilith Valen Bayn. My vassal lord is Baron Acate, and my father is Knight Gerald."

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but stealthily glance at Lynch, her wide eyes filled with curiosity. "And may I ask who you are, Sir?"

The Bayn family was only a mid-level noble house in the Putan Kingdom. The entire Frost Cold Territory had only a handful of knights. Lilith was certain she recognized every one of them, and the one standing before her was definitely not among them.

A young and handsome knight like this—it would be impossible to forget him after seeing him even once.

"Hmm..."

Lynch thought for a moment before answering, "You can call me Shadow."

"Shadow?"

Lilith’s face was full of confusion. "I’ve never heard of this name. In Frost Cold Town... no, in the entire Putan Kingdom, there’s no knight like you who is so young. Even the youngest prodigy talked about by the nobles is already in their twenties."

Lynch said, "I only look young. In fact, I’m already over thirty."

"What!"

Lilith’s expression was full of disbelief. "Liar! You’re clearly only a little older than me. Honestly, does fooling a child really make you that happy?"

She puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

"Haha!"

Lynch chose not to continue the topic and instead asked, "It’s your aunt’s wedding today. Why aren’t you at the venue? What are you doing here by yourself? It’s dangerous for a child your age to wander alone."

Lilith boasted, "Don’t underestimate me! Among the children my age in Frost Cold Town, apart from Bruce from the Baron’s family, no one can beat me."

Lynch chuckled, "The Baron’s family has only one child your age, right?"

Lilith nodded, "That’s right, Bruce—the rascal. He only defeats me because he eats more and grows faster! If I eat more meat, I’ll catch up to him sooner or later!"

Lynch nodded approvingly. "Good luck."

After a brief pause, he asked again, "But you still haven’t told me—why are you here alone?"

Lilith’s expression dimmed slightly. "I’m here to pray."

"My father is about to duel Knight Laval from Grey Stone Ridge. I hope Grandfather and Grandmother can bless him, so he can win. Even if he loses... I just wish for his safe return."

Lynch raised an eyebrow. "A duel?"

"Yes!"

Lilith nodded eagerly and began to explain in detail, "Recently, a silver mine was discovered between Frost Cold Territory and Grey Stone Ridge. Both the Brown family and the Baron immediately claimed ownership of it. Neither side would back down, so they decided to settle the dispute traditionally—through a duel. Each family will send a knight, and the victor will claim the ownership of the silver mine."

"Baron Acate has already decided to send my father. I overheard it this morning."

Lynch’s brow furrowed slightly.

These nobles, he thought, so calculative. No wonder they were so eager to invite me to the wedding—they were waiting for this moment!

Lilith tugged at her hair and grumbled, "It’s all that awful Uncle Lynch’s fault!"

Lynch was taken aback. "Why?"

Lilith pouted angrily. "I have an uncle who’s gone missing. Over the years, my father has been so busy looking for him that he’s neglected his knight training. Otherwise, he would definitely be a High-level Knight by now and wouldn’t have to fear the Brown family’s knight!"

Lynch: "...."

He offered reassurance, "Don’t worry. Your father won’t participate in the duel."

Lilith retorted, "How’s that possible? Loyalty is the foremost virtue of a knight. Since the Baron has summoned him, my father would never be a deserter!"

Lynch explained, "I’m not referring to your father. I mean the duel itself—it will soon be canceled."

A puzzled expression appeared on Lilith’s face. "Why?"

Lynch clarified, "Let me put it this way: I’m not just a knight; I’m also a wizard. I just performed a divination, and this duel will be canceled soon."

Lilith’s lips twitched.

"Nonsense!"

She rolled her eyes. "I’m no longer a little kid. I’m already eight years old! Using fairy tales to deceive me—don’t you find it shameful?"

Lynch laughed. "If you don’t believe me, just wait and see. At the latest, you’ll know by dinner tonight."

Still unconvinced, Lilith prepared to argue further. Just then, a shout echoed from afar.

"Lilith!"

Lilith quickly responded, "Father, I’m here!"

The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder, and soon, a middle-aged man with a noble yet stern demeanor appeared. It was none other than Lilith’s father, Knight Gerald.

Gerald frowned and scolded, "What are you doing here alone? Didn’t I tell you? You’re still too young to wander around on your own."

Lilith stuck out her tongue and clung to Gerald’s trouser leg, saying, "Lilith knows she was wrong."

She added pitifully, "I just wanted to pray to Grandfather and Grandmother, asking them to bless you so you can safely get through this upcoming duel."

Gerald froze for a moment, his stern expression softening. He knelt down and gently patted Lilith’s head, comforting her. "This is an adult matter. You’re still a child, so there’s no need for you to worry about it, understand?"

Lilith’s eyes misted slightly. "Okay..."

Gerald then asked, "I just heard you talking to someone. Who was it?"

Lilith pointed beside her. "It was him... huh? Where did he go? He was just here!"

She looked around frantically. Lynch, who had been talking with her just a moment ago, was nowhere to be found.

Lilith quickly turned to Gerald. "Father, I just met a really strange person. He’s a knight, but he’s so young..."

...

The wedding continued.

After the ceremony, the festivities commenced. Villagers gathered around long tables to enjoy a lavish feast. Laughter, songs, and clinking glasses wove together, painting a picture of warmth and harmony.

As night fell, bonfires were lit, and people began spirited dances. The bride and groom, surrounded by the crowd, performed the first dance together. Their figures swayed in the glow of the firelight, as if narrating a legendary tale of love and courage.

At the same time, Knight Gerald quietly began to prepare his armor and Cross Sword, readying himself for the sacred knightly duel to fight for his family’s interests.

But just as he was about to leave, an unexpected message changed everything.

"Canceled?"

Gerald looked at Baron Acate in confusion. "My lord, are you saying the duel has been canceled?"

Although he didn’t know what had happened, Gerald clearly sensed that the Baron was in an exceptionally good mood.

Nodding, Baron Acate confirmed, "Indeed. Our letters informing the other families of the cancellation have already been sent. The nobles across the River Valley will soon be aware, and there is no need to fret any longer."

Gerald asked in bewilderment, "But why?"

The wealth from a silver mine was enough to spark a small-scale war between the two families. To give up so easily was puzzling.

Baron Acate replied vaguely, "Silver mines are important, of course. But there are things more valuable than silver mines in this world."

"The Brown family got what they wanted, and so did we."

"As for the silver mine?"

"It’s no longer the most important thing."

Gerald’s face was full of skepticism.

Meanwhile, Lilith, who had been quietly listening to the conversation while clinging to her father’s side, absorbed every word.

Her wide, beautiful eyes grew even larger in astonishment.