Chapter 82: The Trial of the Heart

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The engagement ceremony, which had been full of various events, finally came to an end.

Elisa moved to the Magical Tower Construction Site to oversee the work there, while Darwen would continue pushing forward the family’s business with Clyd for the time being.

“The heir of the family…”

Evan recalled the conversation he had with Delian yesterday and mentally organized his thoughts.

Delian had revealed his determination and was desperate to become the family’s heir.

“He already knows about the golden seal, too.”

Despite already knowing this fact, Delian accepted it and was undergoing heir training to become the family head.

It was clear without saying a word how much he cared for the family.

“But I won’t back down either.”

Not for his own sake, but for the sake of his goal.

Delian had to give his all.

“I wonder how we’ll be competing.”

Evan stood up from his chair and slowly prepared to move.

It was Clyd’s summons.

It was almost certainly about the heirship.

Evan quickly got to his feet.

He left the room and headed to the study where Clyd was waiting.

Knock, knock.

After knocking, he entered and saw there was someone else besides Clyd.

“So Delian is here as well.”

Delian’s expression remained serious.

“Come this way.”

Clyd spotted Evan and beckoned him over with a gesture.

“There’s something I need to tell you both from now on.”

Clyd carefully lifted an ornate sword resting on the desk.

Its scabbard was a brilliant blue, and the hilt bore the family crest.

Though Evan didn’t look at the blade, the aura radiating from the sword was enough to tell it was a famous blade.

“This is the family sword passed down through generations of the Kerthen Family. It belonged to the first family head. It’s a symbol of the family’s master. Only one person can wield it.”

Clyd looked over both Evan and Delian before continuing.

“Whichever one of you is worthy to be the family head will possess this sword.”

Delian swallowed hard, staring intensely at the sword.

Evan’s gaze was fixed on the blade as well.

‘Is this the sword from the memoirs?’

The Illudan Kerthen memoirs Clyd gave him had a record of this.

The legendary sword the first family head, Illudan Kerthen, left behind for future generations.

The sword’s aura began to grow clearer and clearer.

“I intend to entrust you with the tasks that the family head must undertake.”

Then, looking at the sword again, Clyd added, “But the owner of this sword can only be one person. Therefore, I plan to verify your qualifications as the family head.”

Clyd headed toward the door.

“Follow me.”

Silence settled in the room after Clyd left.

Evan felt Delian’s gaze.

A look of awareness of his rival.

The resolve to not lose was palpable.

***

After a moment, Delian stepped out, and Evan slowly followed behind him.

They descended into the hidden basement of the manor.

It looked like an ancient ruin.

Along the long corridor stood statues of knights in full armor on both sides.

The armor bore the family crest.

“Father, what is this place?”

Delian cautiously asked Clyd.

Evan realized this was the first time he had known of such a space existing in the manor.

Clyd had never mentioned it, and no one had ever set foot in the basement.

“This is a special place left behind by the first family head. I too took trials here under the previous head.”

…A trial.

Perhaps because Clyd himself had taken a test here, Delian looked tense as he scanned the surroundings.

Despite his earlier determination, Delian was still not yet perfect.

Meanwhile, Evan was thinking something different.

‘To hide a place like this… and it looks more like a ruin. How did they build this here?’

Having cleared countless dungeons and ruins in his previous world, Evan could immediately tell this place was special.

‘I heard Illudan was a founding hero, but this feels like there’s more to it.’

Before long, they arrived at a dead end.

There was a huge iron door.

The door bore a shield and twin swords symbol representing the family.

Grooves were carved only into the sword parts.

Clyd approached the iron door slowly.

He inserted the family sword into one of the twin sword slots.

Clack!

At that moment, a blue light radiated from the emblem on the door.

Rattle!

Creeeak!

The massive iron door slowly opened, and a message window appeared before Evan’s eyes.

– Hidden Piece: You have discovered the Trial Grounds of Illudan Kerthen.

Evan’s eyes shone brightly.

A hidden piece.

The place itself was a hidden piece.

That meant there was something special here.

“Enter quickly.”

Clyd, who entered the trial grounds first, gestured for Evan and Delian to follow.

Delian stepped in cautiously, his expression tense.

Evan followed closely behind.

The space was a vast hall.

It was surprising such a huge area existed beneath the manor.

‘This could even be used as a sparring ground.’

Along the walls stood enormous statues.

Their faces vaguely resembled Clyd’s.

‘Are these the former family heads?’

‘Could something like this be built underground at this scale?’

Evan admired the sight and walked toward Clyd, who was standing in the sparring area.

“This place contains the convictions of the predecessors. Here, your heart’s true form is manifested. There are two main aspects: first, the sword.”

Clyd said as he stretched out his hand.

He focused his mind, and suddenly a blue light appeared in his palm.

At a glance, it looked like mana, but it was not.

The shape of the blue light slowly took form, becoming a blue sword.

It was the size of a typical longsword.

“…!”

Delian was visibly astonished.

Evan stared in wonder as well.

‘Is this similar to the “Heart Sword”?’

The ultimate realm of wielding a sword through the heart.

From this point, one could even handle intangible swords.

What Clyd created now was similar, but slightly different in context.

It was literally about how well you could manage your heart.

That was the key.

“Now, the trial will begin. To become the family head, the integrity of one’s heart is paramount. No, it’s important even to become a proper person.”

Clyd scattered the sword into particles and sat in the chair prepared for the family head in the sparring area.

“The first task: form a sword. Failure to do so means failure.”

Evan looked on with amusement, while Delian looked flustered.

Clyd added, “You must train your heart to overcome your own limits. Without that, there is no future.”

And so, the family head’s trial began.

Evan and Delian spent hours repeating the same motions.

The first trial: creating a sword.

Clyd’s method was simple.

‘You take out the sword you hold in your heart. More precisely, how strong your heart is.’

The stronger the unwavering heart, the clearer and firmer the completed sword’s form would be.

In the end, the result depends on how much the heart has been trained.

‘The heart. Determination and experience weigh heavily, especially under extreme circumstances.’

Those who had endured hardships and trials had the firmest and strongest hearts.

Evan was confident in this because he had endured countless ordeals in his previous world.

The death of his younger sibling, the death of comrades, madness born purely out of survival.

There were countless frustrations and fears.

But he could not stop.

If he gave up, everything would be over.

That strong will had forged who he was now.

Evan concentrated to summon the sword within his heart.

Delian also struggled to form his sword.

***

After some time passed, “Finally, the sword…”

After many attempts, the shape of a sword began to appear over Delian’s hand.

However, it was a shapeless form, far from a proper sword.

‘Just a little more.’

Delian composed himself and focused on the sword’s form.

The shapeless figure became clearer.

Soon, the results of his repeated focus became apparent.

But there was one problem.

“…The blade…”

The blade was not straight; it rippled like the ocean waves.

Delian turned his head sideways and glanced at Evan.

Evan remained motionless, standing still.

He hadn’t even formed a sword yet.

Delian felt victorious and approached Clyd.

“I have completed the sword.”

“That’s faster than I expected. But your heart is still not ready.”

Clyd stood up.

“I’m going to have you extend your sword forward.”

Delian tilted his head in confusion but did as instructed.

Clyd conjured a sword and swung it in an instant.

Snap!

The moment Clyd’s sword struck, Delian’s sword shattered into two and disappeared without resistance.

“This is your current heart. Easily broken. Do you think you can pass the next trial with such a dull heart?”

Delian clenched his fists tightly.

“I will try again.”

He turned around with renewed determination.

Behind him, he saw Evan standing.

‘Was he here for evaluation?’

But Evan still hadn’t formed a sword in his hand.

“…?”

Delian looked at Evan, puzzled.

Evan ignored the gaze and walked forward.

“I am also ready.”

“You must have seen Delian’s sword. A mediocre heart won’t work. Train harder.”

Evan shook his head firmly.

“No. Please judge me once.”

***

After a moment of consideration, Clyd spoke.

“Very well. Extend your sword forward.”

The moment Clyd ordered, a long sword instantly formed in Evan’s palm.

The speed was far quicker than Clyd’s own.

Clyd and Delian watched Evan in astonishment.

“You’re more skilled than expected…”

Clyd offered a brief comment as he examined the sword Evan summoned.

Evan’s sword was ‘perfect.’

Its blue blade was solid and sharp.

Just looking at it felt like it could cut through anything.

It was astonishing.

‘Is this Evan’s heart?’

‘How could someone like Evan produce such a sword?’

He had grown up sheltered.

“Will you not judge?”

Evan asked, and Clyd snapped out of his reverie.

“I see. To have formed such a perfect sword.”

Unable to hide his admiration, Clyd swung his sword with all his strength.

Clang!

A clear, sharp clang rang out.

It was the exact opposite of when Clyd struck Delian’s sword.

No, even more unbelievable happened.

Crack!

The blade of Clyd’s sword began to fracture and soon broke into two.