I don't know how long I was unconscious.
When Adam regained consciousness, intense physical pain flooded his senses.
Opening my eyes, I found myself lying in bed. The dim sky suggested it was evening.
"Ah, you're finally awake, Adam."
A crisp voice carried a hint of concern.
He turned to look and saw Felix.
"Sigh, if only I could have opened my eyes to see a real cat girl instead of a fake cat boy." Adam quipped. Unable to move anything but his mouth, he teased the healer attending to him.
The cat boy pouted unhappily, "Am I not pretty? Not cute?"
"Oh my, really cute… I'm 'dying' from your cuteness. But once I remember you're a boy, all attraction vanishes."
Felix teased impishly, "Oh my, Adam actually had that kind of interest in me? How amusing."
"... You don't know what sarcasm is, do you? It was just a joke, don't take it seriously. I like mature women."
"What a shame." Felix twitched his cute cat ears and asked curiously, "But Adam, you seem to be in a good mood? Even though you lost so miserably, defeated by Reinhard in one move?"
"Yes, well, I got what I wanted, so I'm happy." Adam had been cheerful since regaining consciousness. He even spoke more freely with Felix, no longer afraid of his teasing and impish tricks.
It was all because he had analyzed and replicated Reinhard's〘Divine Protection of the Sword Saint〙!
However, it wasn't the complete Divine Protection!
To put it simply: Only the one who can wield the Dragon Sword is the true 『Sword Saint』.
Through his cheat ability, he could forcefully imitate the〘Divine Protection of the Sword Saint〙and maximize his sword skills to their fullest potential. However, he couldn't gain recognition to use the Dragon Sword Reid through this simulated Divine Protection, nor could he activate other swords' powerful abilities through it!
Perhaps this had to do with how the〘Divine Protection of the Sword Saint〙could be inherited and remained unique.
But that wasn't a problem! After all, Divine Protections couldn't be taken to other worlds anyway.
The Dragon Sword Reid? He didn't care for it.
There were plenty of swords better and more advanced than the Dragon Sword across the multiverse — he could find one suitable for himself anywhere. Besides, knight-style longswords didn't suit him anyway.
{T/N: He has a longsword, but not in the european knight style.}
"Alright Felix, I can handle the rest myself."
Enhanced by the〘Divine Protection of Magic〙, his mana recovery rate was extraordinary. Once his mana had recovered significantly, Adam declined the cat boy's treatment and used his own healing skills instead.
Fortunately, Reinhard had held back, leaving only superficial injuries similar to Subaru's. Otherwise, Adam might have been bedridden, unable to move, with healing magic having no effect.
Green light enveloped his body as his injuries faded, healing completely within moments.
Adam sat up straight, rolling his still-sore shoulders. He was mostly recovered.
"Meow?" Felix's bright eyes sparkled with interest.
"You probably can't learn this, but perhaps we could try!" Adam said, struck by a sudden thought.
Since both worlds had Magic, Skills should be transferable, right?
It was worth attempting, at least.
"Let me study it first. I'll teach you when Subaru-kun comes for treatment in a few days."
"Really?! That's wonderful!" Felix's tail wagged excitedly, his ears twitching with joy.
"Don't get too excited — teaching you comes with conditions." Adam cautioned.
"What conditions—meow?"
"Don't give me that look! If you're serious about learning, I'll have Emilia discuss it with Crusch. Given how much Crusch dotes on you, paying some price shouldn't be an issue. Just be patient."
"Okay—meow." The cat boy's expression turned troubled at the thought of bothering Crusch.
Really now. What's with that face! We're the ones at a disadvantage here!
If I weren't testing whether people from this world could learn skills from the Parallel World, I wouldn't even offer to teach you!
This is an otherworld skill — show some gratitude!
However, Adam kept these thoughts to himself and asked, "By the way, where did everyone else go?"
"Ah, Reinhard and Lady Felt returned to the Sword Saint family's residence in the capital, Julius went back to the merchant guild with Lady Anastasia, and Al probably did the same." Felix held up his index finger, "Oh right! Did you know? Subaru and Lady Emilia had quite an intense argument!"
"Hmm?" Adam's brow furrowed.
A misunderstanding? This couldn't be good.
"But they made up right after."
"Hey, couldn't you have mentioned that part first?"
"Ehehe." Felix giggled coyly, trying to charm his way out of trouble.
"So what caused their argument?"
"Subaru's bragging irritated Julius, leading to a duel where the poor boy got beaten black and blue."
"Is that so? What about my case?"
"I dueled Reinhard too — didn't Emilia say anything?"
"Oh yes, she was furious — her face turned bright red! But Reinhard defended you, and since the other knights acknowledged you, Lady Emilia calmed down." Felix puffed up his cute cheeks in an attempt to look intimidating, but seeing Adam unmoved, he explained further.
"Hmm, so she understood the intention behind it."
"Yes—meow, choosing to duel Reinhard to show everyone how strong Lady Emilia's faction is — Adam, you're quite cunning!"
"Shouldn't it be reckless?"
"Hmph, I don't believe Reinhard would hurt you! Besides, I suspect this was all planned between you and Reinhard—meow!"
"You're overthinking it. I used my full power and still lost decisively." Adam shook his head at the suggestion of trickery, "By the way, where are Subaru-kun and Emilia? Why are you the only one here?"
Given Emilia's personality, she would typically stay by someone's bedside until they woke up. Not because of any particular closeness, but because she was naturally such a caring person.
Just as Felix was about to explain, Subaru and Emilia walked in hand in hand.
Subaru was carrying a set of clothes. When he saw Adam was awake, he called out cheerfully, "Oh! You're awake, Adam! Sleep well?"
"Well enough, though waking up from unconsciousness isn't exactly pleasant." Adam raised his hand in greeting.
Emilia asked with concern, "Adam, how are you feeling? Is anything still uncomfortable? Should we have Ferris check you again? He's very skilled at healing."
Her motherly concern was touching — you could feel her genuine worry.
"It's fine, Emilia, I'm mostly recovered." With that, he hopped off the bed.
"Here, your clothes were torn, so Emilia and I asked the Knight Commander for a new set." Subaru handed over the clothes he was carrying.
It was a brand new Knight uniform.
"Thanks." After thanking them, he changed into the outfit.
"Wow, looking sharp!"
"Very handsome—meow."
All three praised him.
"Well, now that Adam is awake, I should get going. Lady Crusch needs me for something, so I'll take my leave." Felix announced.
"Yes, thank you so much for everything, Ferris." Emilia, as the ruler, expressed her gratitude.
After that, he bid farewell to everyone.
The three then returned to the hotel.
T/N: If you want more chapters , check out my Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.com/mrblackwing