Chapter 23: The Continent’s Heroes (3)

‘Finally, a worthy sapling has appeared.’

That was Ebel’s impression after watching Aiden’s duel.

The previous grand duke, Dible Stroke, was a leader with a belligerent disposition much like Ebel. His martial prowess was extraordinary; had he not become grand duke and lived as a knight, he might have stood alongside his younger brother Ebel among the Twelve Heroes.

His successor, Foden, was also brilliant.

Though lacking in martial arts compared to Dible, he led the duchy’s prosperity with an intellectual side his predecessor lacked.

The problem was the next generation.

Five years ago, upon meeting the eldest son designated as the duchy’s heir, Ebel felt an odd sense of dissonance. Litton was the archetype of a political noble who preferred pens and banquets over swords and training grounds.

Ebel fell into skepticism.

‘Is this truly the legitimate heir of the Stroke family? There’s not a trace of the valor in our bloodline that has faced the barbarians for generations.’

Disappointed in Litton deep down, Ebel turned his attention to the other siblings.

Originally, the direct descendant he had been watching most closely was Riddle Stroke. However, as the third son, he was in a position where claiming succession rights was nearly impossible. Even as a Twelve Hero, Ebel could not recklessly offer guardianship.

Feeling regret over neither option, the problem child Aiden suddenly emerged without warning.

Ebel was happier than anyone—more than even Aiden’s father, Foden.

But that joy soon turned to concern.

The strange move Aiden showed when shattering Julio’s Energy Armor. Through personal investigation, Ebel learned it was a remnant trick called ‘disruption-type.’

It was absurd.

Relying on shortcuts yields great effects at first. But once you hit a wall, progress becomes difficult, and many fall into heart demons.

Feeling ominous, Ebel observed Aiden for a while.

His worries became reality.

susususu—

Short inhale, short exhale.

A bizarre rhythm of energy breathing.

Seeing this, Ebel was horrified.

What in the world was this bizarre breathing completely outside orthodox standards?

“You! Stop that breathing at once!”

Before he knew it, he was shouting. Yet despite Ebel’s fervent dissuasion, Aiden wore a bored expression.

“This technique, the Alsigima school’s Resonance Shatter Art, is an realm incomparably greater than something like Stroke Swordsmanship. So stop meddling in my training and return to the Liperta front, great-uncle.”

Not only that, but he even retorted clearly to the family’s great elder.

“…Huh, what did you say?”

“I don’t need advice from someone looking down arrogantly—that’s what I mean.”

It was a ridiculous statement.

How dare a greenhorn who had only recently picked up a sword call him arrogant?

A vein bulged on Ebel’s forehead.

“You say a disruption-type realm surpasses the Stroke family’s secret swordsmanship? Laughable! Your eyes have gone blind after dipping your hands in rootless vile arts. It is lamentable!”

Wuuuuung!

As if filled with resentment, the surrounding space resounded when he shouted. Yet Aiden continued unfazed by the pressure.

“…I understand what you’re saying. You intend to pass on the mysteries of blunt swordsmanship you’ve awakened over a lifetime. But the strength I pursue is markedly different from what great-uncle has achieved.”

“Different? I researched and advanced the Stroke family’s secrets for a long time. In the end, I saw the pinnacle of blunt swordsmanship and rose to a Twelve Hero seat. What greater honor is there for a martial artist born in the duchy than to privately learn such a technique?”

“Family secrets or not, the swordsmanship great-uncle uses is overly rigid. With Stroke Swordsmanship, wouldn’t it be hard to properly counter ever-changing sword arts?”

Unexpectedly hearing logical words, Ebel narrowed his eyes and glared at Aiden.

“…You’re weighing the swordsmanship used by the ‘Thousand-Man Slayer’ against the Stroke family’s secrets and debating superiority.”

Thousand-Man Slayer, Regenshauer Krantz.

A swordsman who wielded ever-changing sword arts and was once called the continent’s best. Nearly 20 years have passed since his whereabouts became unknown, yet he is still talked about among enthusiasts.

“…I understand your thoughts well.”

Ebel quietly nodded.

“But Stroke Swordsmanship is a sword art as profound as the ‘Flash Swordsmanship’ used by the Thousand-Man Slayer. From now on, I’ll make you see that clearly.”

Regenshauer Krantz was certainly a great powerhouse. But Ebel was also an unparalleled knight who dominated the continent. His pride and conviction in his own swordsmanship remained unshaken.

“It’s instructional sparring. Pick up your sword.”

He intended to engrave that conviction into Aiden as well.

I answered immediately.

“No thanks.”

“…What?”

“What instructional sparring? With great-uncle’s power, the match would be decided by strength long before swordsmanship skill.”

As I spoke, Ebel’s murderous character sheet reflected in my eyes.

<Ebel Stroke>

[Level: 53/54]

[Stamina: 17] [Strength: 20] [Agility: 13]

[Mana: 14] [Spirit: 11] [Sense: 08]

[Divinity: 03]

[Traits: Sword Sovereign (S+), Will of Bitter Cold (A), and 3 others]

[Skills: Stroke Blunt Swordsmanship · Extreme (S), Croa Guardian Swordsmanship · Extreme (A), Stroke Heart Method (B+), Duchy Brawling (B), and 5 others]

[Description: 67 years old, human. One of the current Continent’s Twelve Heroes and renowned as one of the north’s strongest knights.]

In Reca Chronicles character sheets, a difference of 1 in stats is never small. Take the most intuitive physical stats—stamina, strength, agility—for example.

1 is a child.

3 is a robust adult male.

5 is professional athlete level.

I can’t be certain without testing, but agility around 6 would probably outrun U**in Bolt.

With strength 20, Ebel is a monster who could kill an African elephant with a single kick even without energy breathing. Sparring with such an opponent would only get me gleefully beaten.

Ebel snorted.

“Hah, so you’re scared?”

“Before that, let me ask one thing. What do I gain from instructional sparring with great-uncle?”

“Gain? Are you suggesting another wager like last time?”

“………”

Silence is tacit agreement.

“Fine. I swear on my honor. If you win the instructional sparring against me, I’ll grant whatever you want, just like last time. But if I win, you become my direct disciple and come with me to Liperta. Then I’ll grind you so hard you won’t even dream of disruption-type vile arts.”

Also, he added.

Ebel twisted his expression fiercely.

“…Also, I will face the spar using only my right arm. I will fix my left foot in place and not move from the spot, nor will I attack you first. If I break any of the above rules or allow even one effective hit from you, I will admit defeat without regret. Does that spark your interest now?”

What hefty penalties.

At this level, it might be worth trying… like hell. No matter the method, a level gap over 40 can’t be bridged. I’d probably be toyed with by a single pinky.

But if I add one rule.

The story changes a bit.

“Let me ask one thing. May I borrow the power of magic equipment in the spar?”

“Magic equipment?”

Ebel’s gaze turned to the Eternal Snow Ring (A) and Glacier Ring (A) on my left hand. Soon, he smiled faintly.

“Hah, where did you get such odd trinkets? Fine. Whether disruption-type realm or magic equipment, use them freely. Such petty tricks will be useless before the defensive forms of Stroke Blunt Swordsmanship anyway.”

Absolute confidence radiated from Ebel. In truth, he possessed considerable magic resistance, so ordinary magic wouldn’t even land.

“If you’re conceding that much, sparring once wouldn’t be bad.”

“…Time limit is 10 minutes. Land an effective hit on me within that. Let’s begin immediately.”

hiuuuuuuu—

Ebel began high-level breathing without hesitation. Immediately, an energy storm began whirling around him.

Terrifying pressure!

Approaching like this won’t be easy.

I sat quietly and crossed my legs.

“…?”

Though I couldn’t see with my eyes closed, I felt Ebel’s puzzlement. Regardless, bound by the rules, he couldn’t attack me. My meditating mind slowly sank into the abyss.

In truth, the 『Brandish Harmony Heart Method (C+)』 I learned has one technique resembling a killing move.

It forcibly fuses all energies lingering in the body, temporarily maximizing physical ability.

Using it once brings aftereffects lasting a week, so I honestly hesitate to use it, but without it, even approaching is impossible—nothing I can do.

puuuuuuuuuu

Harmony energy breathing.

But what I circulate isn’t just harmony energy. The high-level energy and vibrating energy residing in my heart mix with harmony energy and rampage through my blood vessels.

[Anomaly detected in the body.]

[Continuing circulation risks blood vessels bursting and internal organs rupturing.]

Rarely, the system sent a warning.

But I ignore it.

Brandish school ultimate technique.

‘Fluid Harmony’.

Pat!

In an instant.

The energy in my body seemed to explode beyond endurance, then the next moment, my body felt as if it were floating. Feeling this, I stomped the ground roughly.

Pabat!

In the blink of an eye.

Before I knew it, I had arrived right in front of Ebel.

“…!”

Ebel’s eyes widened in disbelief. But he reacted to my movement. At this rate, I’d be repelled far away after clashing with his defensive form.

At that moment, the Glacier Ring on my left index finger glowed.

<Pure Freeze>

Crack!

Ebel’s right half froze.

Magic embedded in equipment is unaffected by the user’s stats unless special circumstances apply. The Pure Freeze in the Glacier Ring has power similar to a level 30 mage’s freezing spell.

But this alone can’t restrain Ebel’s movement. 1 second… at most 2 seconds, and Pure Freeze will shatter.

But that’s more than enough.

I raised the vibrating energy.

sususususu—

Vileshaker.

Paaaaaaat!!