Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Murphy gazed at the sword tip pointed directly at him. Far from being alarmed, he let out a soft laugh.

He extended two fingers, elegantly brushed the blade aside, and stepped forward slowly.

"Aurora," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "is this how you plan to usurp my throne? With a training sword that hasn’t even been sharpened?"

Aurora’s sword hand faltered for a moment, but she quickly steadied the blade and pointed it at Murphy again. "I’m serious, brother," she said, feigning solemnity. "For the future of the Duval Territory, I believe I should be the one in charge."

Murphy took another step forward until the tip of the sword was nearly touching his chest.

He reached out and gently grasped the blade, his gaze soft as he looked at Aurora. "So, can you tell me what you plan to do? A usurper who doesn’t even dare to truly point her sword at me?"

"I..." Before Aurora could finish, Murphy deftly sidestepped the blade. He reached out and took hold of her delicate chin, forcing her to look up and meet his eyes.

"Look at me, Aurora," Murphy’s voice was deep and warm. "Tell me, was this your own idea, or did someone put you up to this?"

Aurora blushed slightly under his gaze but kept her lips pressed together stubbornly. "I am serious. You’re always busy studying those ancient books, you won’t even levy the war tax. If this continues, the territory will be in danger."

Murphy gently caressed her chin, a flash of understanding in his eyes. "Lawrence came to see you, didn’t he?"

Aurora’s eyes darted away, and she didn’t answer.

"Aurora," Murphy released her chin and stroked her golden hair instead. "Do you think I don’t know what those old ministers are planning? But..."

He suddenly leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Are you sure you want to be a Lord controlled by her own vassals?"

Aurora’s sword hand finally lowered, the tip of the blade making a crisp sound as it touched the floor.

She looked up, her eyes filled with worry. "I just... I don’t want to see you in danger."

Murphy knew exactly what she was thinking.

She had always trusted her brother unconditionally, willing to support him no matter how he governed.

But this time was different. This was an internal crisis, and the slightest misstep could endanger Murphy’s life.

Aurora was unwilling to take that risk, even if the chance was remote. That was why she had chosen such a direct way to warn him. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Murphy took the sword from her hand and skillfully returned it to its sheath.

"Don’t worry," he said softly. "I have my own plans. However..."

A smile suddenly played on his lips. "Since you want to be the Lord so badly, why don’t we play a game?"

"What kind of game?" Aurora asked, curious.

Murphy gave her a knowing smile. "You wanted to be on top, didn’t you? I’ll let you get on top."

Aurora blinked her azure eyes in confusion. She watched as Murphy leisurely walked to the study door. With a soft CLICK, the lock slid into place, and understanding finally dawned on her.

A blush crept onto her cheeks, but she quickly straightened her back. She drew a silver arc in the air with the sword in her right hand and placed her left hand on her chest, striking a standard Knight’s ceremonial pose.

"You debauched and tyrannical Lord!" she said, trying to suppress a laugh and make her voice sound imposing. "As a righteous Knight, I must slay you!"

Before the words were even out, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing with a PFFT.

Murphy laughed heartily and spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Then come on! Let’s see how you’re going to slay me."

Aurora lunged forward, thrusting the training sword straight out.

Murphy deftly sidestepped, the flutter of his clothes stirring a faint breeze.

The two of them chased each other playfully between the bookshelves, the currents of air they created causing the candlelight to flicker and cast shifting shadows on the walls.

As she ran, Aurora’s golden hair fanned out like molten gold. Her silver circlet fell to the carpet with a soft CLINK, but she didn’t even notice.

"Have at you!" Aurora cried out playfully, feinting a downward slash that made the blade SWISH through the air.

Murphy casually grabbed a heavy, ancient tome from nearby to block the strike. Its gilt-edged pages made a RUSTLING sound with the movement.

"You hope to usurp the throne with this level of skill?" he chuckled mockingly. "You can’t even touch the hem of my clothes."

After a few rounds, Aurora was glistening with sweat. A few strands of golden hair clung to her flushed cheeks, and her chest heaved gently as she panted.

During another dodge, one of her knee-high black leather boots slipped off, revealing a fair, bare foot.

But seizing an opening, she executed a beautiful takedown, pushing Murphy to the ground.

"The evil Lord is finally defeated!" Aurora declared victoriously. Her chin was lifted with a hint of smug satisfaction, and loose strands of hair fell beside her flushed cheeks.

As she spoke, Aurora even pressed her toes, their nails painted a pale purple, against Murphy’s chest, as if to reemphasize her victory.

Lying on the floor, Murphy writhed, feigning defeat. But every time he tried to get up, Aurora pushed him back down with her bare foot. He mimicked the voice of a villain from a play, shouting, "I’m not dead! I’m still alive! I’ll be back!"

Hearing this, a delighted glint flashed in Aurora’s eyes, like a kitten that had just found a new toy. "Then I’ll make you surrender completely right now!"

She giggled and pounced, and the two of them tangled together in a heap on the soft carpet.

In the midst of their wrestling, Aurora deftly flipped over and sat on top of Murphy. Her long golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, the ends lightly brushing against his cheeks.

Giggling, she began to tickle his waist with her slender fingers. "Do you give up? Do you give up?"

"Never!" Murphy laughed, arching his back to try and roll over. But Aurora quickly put more weight down, pinning him firmly by sitting on his waist.

Murphy tried again, attempting to roll to his side, but Aurora leaned forward with his movement, using her full body weight to press him back into the carpet.

Every act of resistance was met with a more determined suppression. Aurora’s golden hair rose and fell like waves with her movements. Glistening beads of sweat slid down her flushed cheeks and dripped onto Murphy’s skin, leaving a trace of coolness.

"It seems our dear Lord isn’t ready to give up yet~" Aurora said playfully, settling her weight down again just as Murphy tried to lift his shoulders, pinning him firmly in place.

Their laughter echoed through the study, but it was gently absorbed by the thick stone walls and tapestries, unable to reach the world outside.

...

Late in the night, Murphy sat alone in his study.

’Of course, I could never actually hand over the position of Lord to Aurora, not even in a temporary game.’

’The transfer of power is never a childish game. Even though Aurora would never betray me, a move like that would inevitably cause unnecessary turmoil in the territory and lead to real losses.’

He gently stroked the ancient book open before him. The parchment pages had yellowed with age.

"The essence of power is control..." Murphy murmured to himself, his fingertip tracing a line of ancient text.

Suddenly, his finger stopped on a page detailing a Magic Model written in the Ancient Xien Language.

[Control Human]