Reincarnated as the Elder's son: My Infinite Shop Points System-Chapter 8: Sacred ground.

Lucy spoke, her hand placed respectfully in front of her.

"Some of the villagers have already decided to give up some of their possessions in exchange for Kiara's freedom. We also thought handing over our watering hole would be for the best, considering outsiders use it regardless."

"Nah, we are not doing that," Jared uttered, saying nothing more right after.

Surprised, Lucy uttered, "Sorry? My lord, only Kiara has the hunting skill we need to gather food. And she also helps us earn a little money with her crafting skills. Losing her will be a huge hit on the village. I beg you to reconsider."

"Who said anything about abandoning her? Kiara is quite important—I can tell that much even though we obviously don't get along." Jared turned around, his back now resting on the wall, with his arms folded.

Jared had always known Kiara since she was a kid; they both grew up in the same village, her mother being his father Richard's personal maid.

But for some reason, she was always rude to him and barely tried to be nice. In simple terms, she hated him, and Jared felt the same way.

Since Lucy was close to her, Jared had to deal with seeing Kiara. It was even worse when Richard told Jared he was engaged to Kiara since childhood.

Taking a deep sigh, Jared looked at Lucy.

"We can't afford to give them the satisfaction that we have something to trade. Right now, the only thing they know we have is the watering hole. Any more, and we risk them coming back for more," he uttered.

Lucy looked to the ground, knowing Jared was right.

"For now, we should focus on making the village safe from monsters, then cleaning up the watering hole. After that, we head straight to Ragoon Village and take back what's ours."

"How do we do that? The beasts have been increasing recently—it will be hard to manage. I am grateful for the strength you've given me, but I don't think I stand much chance against a magic beast."

It was at that moment Jared realized something. While Lucy was considered the strongest in the village, it was only when measured against the people around her.

Compared to those outside the village, she never viewed herself as much, having only a bit of fighting skill and two shabby daggers.

"You really should have more faith in yourself. I gave you those powers—is that to say you are doubting my abilities and judgment?" Jared's words were laced with seriousness.

"I apologize."

"It's not something you should be apologizing for. I made the mistake of not seeing it initially. That is why you will be fighting a magic beast today."

"Eh?"

A dumb expression played on Lucy's face.

Smiling, Jared could already imagine the best spot he could take Lucy to.

Later that very day, Jared and Lucy walked through the middle of the village, heading toward the forest.

The other villagers watched with amazement, wondering why Lucy looked so different. She had gotten even prettier and was carrying a blue light blade in her arms while following Jared from behind.

"Lord Jared, the people are looking at you. It seems like they are infatuated," Lucy said.

"They are looking at you, dummy. A beautiful woman like you should have already gotten used to this." Jared didn't look back but still responded.

"At me?"

"It could also be because of the mana leaking from your body. You just got a power-up, so you don't know how to contain all that power yet."

Jared looked to the side, another thought slipping through his mind.

He was only able to get Lucy to five-star, and while it was impressive on its own, Jared wasn't just looking for strength—he was looking for exceptional strength.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

A power strong enough never to be opposed by anyone. And for that, the seven-star rank, which was the highest, had to be obtained.

In order to achieve that, he needed more SP.

Soon, he and Lucy arrived at the sacred ground, close to where the watering hole was.

It was a place known to be swarming with magic beasts due to the number of curses that had been stored there from the war.

Most of the magic beasts that roamed the land were all born from the sacred ground.

And the fact that it was close to the village was another reason why Sikone Village was usually a magic beast's first hunting spot before it could consider going anywhere else.

Seated on a rock, Jared watched as Lucy stood in the center of the forest, the blue light blade he had bought with 150 SP in her hand—a blade the system identified as having high magic conductivity.

"Are you ready?" Jared called out, his hands cupped around his mouth.

"L-Lord Jared...? I'm not too sure about this..." Lucy shook—it was obvious she was scared.

Being in the middle of the forest, both she and Jared could get surrounded by magic beasts in a matter of seconds.

She fully understood why her lord was doing this, but it wasn't worth it if she was going to die in the process.

'She's still afraid despite having all this power? Should I have used it on myself? Nah, Lucy is a warrior at heart—she was definitely the best choice. She just needs motivation.'

When Lucy was at four stars, she was leagues stronger than those of the same rank. And people of one- to four-star ranks were only known to use mana as an extension of themselves, having superhuman sight or physiques—it was basically the ability to boost regular human characteristics with mana.

While at the five-star rank, which was considered the awakening rank, one could expand their mana to do a lot more than just body enhancement.

They could manipulate mana.

From elemental magic to dark magic and other forms of manipulation.

This was the rank Lucy had attained, and since she received her upgrade from the anomaly—Jared—she was automatically different from the rest of the five stars.