There was a reason I arrived early.
“It’s been a long time.”
“It really has been, Older Brother. Why didn’t you visit even during the break?”
“The situation made it difficult to leave my post easily.”
It was to see my older brother, who had entered the Royal Academy. My older brother, who had entered the Royal Academy in my stead…
“I heard you’ve adapted well?”
“They’re just keeping me tied down. Other than that, there have been no problems.”
“I suppose that’s true for now.”
He had adapted well. The problem was that he had *only* adapted well.
‘Seeing how his Soulforce has grown stronger, he must have trained properly.’
His Soulforce was considerable within his body, which had grown more mature with age. His control was firm, and the calluses on his hands had thickened, showing he hadn’t let go of his sword.
However, outside of training, his score was zero. He hadn’t rallied the nobles to form a faction or engaged in any political maneuvering.
‘Older Brother resembles Father.’
Rather than political games like slander or driving wedges between people, Older Brother was a martial artist to the core. He had the charisma to unite a Spiritual Land, but he was a bit weak in the Royal Academy, which ran purely on politics. Furthermore, being stuck here, his information was still slow.
‘I should assign him more people.’
It seemed I would have to attach some of the talented individuals I had brought with me to Older Brother.
“If you say ‘for now,’ does that mean it won’t be that way in the future?”
“That’s right. Pressure is starting to come from the Royal Palace.”
I calmly explained the current pressure from the Royal Palace, the situation of the Spiritual Land and the Marquis’s House, and their level of development. After hearing everything, Older Brother was filled with admiration.
“……That’s incredible. Rayrn, if it hadn’t been for you, no one could have done it! You’re truly amazing!”
Then, as if feeling the weight of his own lack of results here, his expression darkened.
‘Oh dear. This won’t do.’
Older Brother was doing fine here. Everyone finds the beginning difficult. Moreover, Older Brother had far too little of a foundation here.
“Compared to that, I haven’t achieved much here. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. This is your first time stepping into the Royal Academy; you’ve done well enough.”
The Royal Palace might say they were just watching, but in other words, they were being bystanders. Even if he didn’t say it, other noble families must have pressured Older Brother quite a bit. Since our family didn’t belong to any faction and stayed confined to the Count’s House, we must have looked like tasty prey.
Enduring this much was a feat in itself. However, a member of our family…
‘Should be the one eating, not the one being eaten.’
Becoming the prey instead of the predator was unacceptable. Our side always had to be the one doing the consuming. To ensure that, I pulled out something I had prepared in advance from my robe.
“Hmm? The scent is extraordinary.”
“The family prepared this for you, Older Brother.”
“Ho……”
What I pulled out was an Elixir. Though it was wrapped in gold leaf, the spreading scent was enough to quickly fill the room.
‘There’s no way it could be bad, considering I ground up several high-grade Healing Potions to make it.’
Older Brother would be shocked if he knew its true value; I had poured an immense amount into it. The price of a single high-grade Healing Potion started at 1,000 gold coins. Some even went up to 2,000 gold coins if a great priest added a blessing or if the refinement rate of troll blood was higher.
I had obtained ten such potions and ground them in. To further enhance the power of the refined potions, I had poured in special ingredients like Griffin’s Heart and Mandragora.
‘This one pill is 20,000 gold coins.’
If converted to the Earth where Kim Seonggeon lived, it was an Elixir worth 20 billion. Even on Earth, such a precious medicine was rare.
“Do I just chew this?”
“Of course not.”
One should not simply swallow something this precious. An Elixir must be consumed properly to maximize the absorption of its effects.
‘If Older Brother becomes stronger with the absorbed effects, those who try to touch him will surely decrease. If I step in…… they’ll vanish completely.’
I helped Older Brother sit properly. It was the posture for performing True Qi Guidance.
“I see, I’m to take this while rotating the Auran Yeongongbeop.”
“That’s right. I will help you this time. No matter what happens, you must not make a sound.”
“……I understand.”
*Woooooom—*
A massive Soulforce, enough to surprise the Master guarding the outside, filled the room in the Royal Academy.
‘It can easily fill one cycle.’
If absorbed correctly, Older Brother, who had about twenty years’ worth of Internal Energy, could leap forward to one cycle. The remaining Soulforce would either dissipate or remain in his body, but that didn’t matter.
*Thump. Thump.*
‘I must ensure the meridians aren’t damaged.’
I tuned the True Qi, ensuring as much Soulforce as possible settled into Older Brother’s body. When the entire process of True Qi Guidance was finished…
“Phew…… This is incredible. Such a sense of exhilaration!”
Older Brother’s eyes were full of confidence. It was only natural. The Internal Energy within Older Brother’s body was now slightly over one cycle. He had absorbed the Elixir better than expected. He likely felt as though he could crush a boulder just by reaching out his hand.
One cycle was no small thing. It was a powerful Soulforce that someone practicing third-rate martial arts would struggle to obtain even if they devoted their entire life to it.
“This is very good. I feel as if my eyes have been opened! Thank you, Rayrn!”
It was good that Older Brother’s confidence had surged, but I felt a slight sense of regret.
‘It’s a shame. If we had gone just a bit further, Transcendence might have been possible.’
Just one step. If he could take just that one step, Older Brother would be able to join the ranks of superhumans. But unfortunately, he couldn’t take that final step.
However…
“Can I go and test my sword?”
“If that’s what you want, Older Brother.”
“Thank you.”
Since Older Brother was the type to be deeply immersed in training wherever he went, he would likely take that step soon.
“Let’s go right now!”
His eyes shone brightest when he held a sword; he was someone who would grow stronger wherever he was placed. He was also someone who would sacrifice himself for his family.
‘I should properly observe his swordsmanship.’
I tightened my resolve as I aimed my sword toward Older Brother.
***
After the sparring session with my brother, I had to see my Master, who had been waiting. Since visiting hours at the Royal Academy weren’t long, my Master, looking regretful, carefully handed me another Magic Book from his robe.
“I’ve put my own insights into it. I don’t know if it will be of help to you, but this was the best I could do for now.”
“Ooh……”
They say a teacher’s love is unconditional. The unexpected gift was quite thick. Lately, I hadn’t had much time to research Mana. With my Master’s help, it seemed I could shorten the time required.
I also had something prepared for my Master.
“Master, please accept this as well, if you can.”
“This is a magic circle blueprint. Hmm…… But……”
A magic circle. It was a magic circle created by combining other elements with a Suryeon-jin. It was inferior to the one I used, but it was the best magic circle I could give to my Master, whose understanding of formations was low.
“Hmm. I never thought of this method. It’s not just twisting nature, but utilizing it. Ho. This is amazing, Rayrn.”
Master realized its value as soon as he received it.
“……This will be a good study.”
“Will you be even stronger the next time I see you?”
“Kuku. That’s a funny joke. Well…… if it’s possible, I should make it happen.”
He waved it off, but my Master’s eyes were full of motivation.
‘His level might truly rise.’
Master was currently reaching the level of a Class 5 master. Through his previous enlightenment, he had reached the stage of maturity. With one more leap, Class 6 was possible.
Since I had given him good study material, he might really become Class 6. At the very least, a determination to succeed was sparkling in his eyes.
‘The day is already over.’
Between meeting Older Brother and Master, the day had flown by. I was also able to hear some quite interesting stories.
‘They were full of ridiculous tales.’
Apparently, the Orcs in the North had started wielding swords like humans. One had supposedly appeared in one of the few arenas in the Kingdom of the Story, but it was quickly killed by another gladiator. From what Older Brother saw when he was dragged along by other noble children…
“There was definitely depth to it.”
“An Orc?”
“Yes. An Orc. It sounds absurd. It was almost like the swordsmanship you taught me.”
“Nah. You must have been mistaken.”
He said it was quite powerful. It was only because the sword usage hadn’t reached full maturity. Even until it died, the Orc reportedly never let go of its sword.
‘A sword-wielding Orc. That’s not even funny.’
Still, seeing how rumors were spreading throughout the capital that Orcs were gathering in the North and moving toward the Empire further north…
‘Something is definitely going on.’
There was certainly a change happening with the Orcs.
“Being here, there were many stories.”
There were many interesting stories and many ridiculous ones. Stories like a legendary thief appearing and sweeping through Spiritual Lands, or undead that were difficult to pierce even with a sword appearing in a kingdom far to the West.
“It is interesting.”
“It might not be entirely baseless. Even you obtained a Dragon’s Relic, didn’t you?”
“……Haha. That’s true, isn’t it?”
“Perhaps a change is beginning in the world.”
Older Brother was surprisingly serious at that moment.
‘Is there something? I should look into it.’
A martial artist’s intuition is as sharp as a Mage’s. Since Older Brother was reacting that strongly, it was worth investigating. Although it seemed far-fetched, I tucked Older Brother’s words into my memory.
“By the way, what do you plan to do now? If you choose a path other than loyalty to the Royal Palace, you’ll have to be certain……”
“You can watch starting tomorrow. It’s going to get quite interesting. Just as much as the rumors you’ve heard, Older Brother.”
“Oh. I’ll look forward to it.”
***
The next day. I left the inn with as much anticipation as my brother.
“You’re out early?”
“When else would I get to see such a place? I must follow you!”
Arne must have had high expectations too, as she had been preparing since early morning.
‘No one would ever imagine she’s an informant.’
Unlike her usual self, she was wearing a dress. It was a dress that fit tightly on top and flared out wide at the bottom. Perhaps because of the dress’s characteristics, she exuded two opposite atmospheres simultaneously. Elegant yet sexy.
‘It’s mysterious.’
She was glamorous enough that anyone would be forced to take a look.
“Will this be enough to stand beside the young lord?”
“Pfft. Of course.”
“Well then, shall we go?”
She was the one who provided the escort, not me. She walked half a step ahead toward our destination.
“It’s here.”
“It’s flashy.”
Though it was early, this place, which opened only once a week, was even more lavish than the high-end inn I was staying at. I hadn’t been to the Royal Palace yet because the royalty hadn’t opened it, but this place felt comparable.
‘It’s not surprising. This is one of the places operated by the Royal Palace, after all.’
I put on a dignified air and stepped inside with Arne. The sight of more than ten attendants bowing the moment we entered was an unexpected spectacle.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
I was certainly ready. Ready for what? To make a flashy debut in the capital of this Kingdom of the Story.
And also…
‘Ready to give the Royal Palace a blow.’
I intended to give the Royal Palace, which was pressuring us with ridiculous tricks, a proper blow. Quite flashily! While pouring in all my preparations!
“Let’s go.”
I stepped inside with confidence.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.