Chapter 394: The Master (3)
pZmLI immediately said goodbye to Victoria. When I suddenly ran off somewhere, she was left with a dazed expression.sGCH
qi54so“Eh, eh?”4o5
CATIHThen, chiiiik, steam began to escape between her teeth and from her ears.PeCX0L
gI580nShe looked as if she had caught a cold.AWR
0LNB“We’ll talk about it another time.”ejNs03s
TltQ1“A-another time… when?”wgv
rpu“Soon.”zWZv
wzWMwI felt guilty for leaving her like that, but now there was someone else who needed urgent attention.Il2rZqD
RJCt1EPChloe Auditore.lBvqdQ
TzIawVjYandere + assassin + split personality.tPyPBm
DhGBa1My companion, who more than once had left me with chilling memories, was about to fall into the abyss. But, despite everything, Chloe was someone important to me. She always appeared like a ghost to help me whenever I faced impossible obstacles.h7PZo
LjAzRKxEven now.yCQDE
uTE1Dk2While secretly eliminating cells of the Union of Villains, she had ended up on the verge of awakening.ZA55Cz
kMegIIf I didn’t even feel indebted, what kind of human being would I be?Rdh
sAY4‘That would truly be unforgivable.’VaMKV7
ZbDBDsHold on a little longer, Chloe.Uyg86
30Aa8This time too, I will break the lock of your past that keeps you chained.Xft8kE6
FnV***IS7
q6pq8uI need to find a method today. At least I already have a lead, and that’s what matters.R8R
dGEE3bSssrr. Sssrr.7rf4r4
hLyThe spring sun made the grass grow, tickling my ankles.RWiO
lPLrRGMAs I walked, I repeated over and over the thunder of my recent revelation.JVz
teNb4ns“Compatibility…”UMp7Ko
T0xJlEven though there was no way I would forget it along the way, I murmured it as if gathering fragments of a dream.L91Kk
XaFXCompatibility.DrwWZ
moYaWhen different natures successfully intertwine, a kind of synergy arises. That was what I wanted to apply to the link between blessing and magic.3aJ
yG7R‘According to Meian’s explanation, the awakening of a blessing happens when the amount of injected information exceeds a person’s processing capacity.’4VhJKUk
PjcuThe memory of when I manifested the Blessing of the God of the Sword for the first time came to mind. Looking at it now, it wasn’t so different from awakening.9sIGa1f
QvfThe only difference with others who sank into madness after awakening was my “will.”KXcToA
Do7More precisely, the “will of Lycan,” which bore the weight of the Blessing of the God of the Sword and allowed me not to be consumed by it.UAjB
yM49If I had had an ordinary body, I would have died instantly.4kA
1Fm‘It truly sends chills.’HKnzCU
7SKBdPI exhaled a cold sigh and, at the same time, silently evaluated the feasibility of the hypothesis I had just constructed.MFfGsoY
Tbg3w“Yes. It’s possible.”ktc81
ARxMeThe word that emerged from my imagination was—blyiK
0zPobf8Conflict.B6P
JHMXsuZThe awakening of a blessing. Forcing the clash of opposing properties.KxH0Q
Ba9TUym‘Making magic and blessing grind against each other.’
Like in a backfire operation.2MZH
m7jXAnd the result—the benefit.uFOViuS
4vjAw6gEveryone who inhabits this vast campus of Joaquin Academy enjoys it today.vp2cm56
VU2Az***mSh
4CqjrCenturies ago.KpevhU
bvjFvThe Seven Valiants, predecessors of today’s Seven Stars, awakened their blessings one after another.lUQkVj
WB8The Master, a being of infinite rarity, had very early recognized the danger of blessings. To save his disciples, he gathered artifacts imbued with mana in Gehenna and brought them to Joaquin Academy.QVf4ygF
t4mEAs you know, thus the Special Building was born.SOdw
wGIqBMAnd it was also the beginning of Joaquin Academy’s distinctive mark—training blessing bearers. Here, the energy of those blessings springs forth like an inexhaustible fountain year after year.e5UW
AobYThat energy clashed and merged with the Special Building.grH
5he0hLike water and oil.iYS
p1gU8And although their nature dictates they should never mix, after years of ceaseless friction, the world itself created a space of compromise.he6U
rku2jPA place that exists but does not interfere.2cobYT
OcxjfjThat is the subspace. And that was my answer.vqV
eNmcA1…6zm1
zbRg………ZhgU
OQy……………UyZ
rZowyAfter my long explanation, silence took over the room.GZq
JIhLJValerion, who had listened without interrupting, bit his lips.2a8F
S0kf0“…Then, what the Lord Heavenly Sword is saying is that if someone on the verge of an awakening receives mana into their body…”GvgRTP
ff1C2Before finishing, he swallowed hard.bVH
VdkzOHe was not the only one. The high command of the dragon lineage, Metatron and the others summoned, shared the same wary expression.cBq
gjBKAs soon as I had come up with the idea, I gathered them in the Special Building. It so happened that that day the graduate students had general culture classes, so they were all able to attend.an8
WHU9NHI observed them in their tension and nodded.nDTDv
LfMNF“Exactly. My idea is to turn the human body into a subspace.”oMFuv7
Hwi1tT“……”cnI
PTcPg“……”nlD3
1riUDiEveryone seemed to have lost their words.J1y0
jIVqI continued with my argument.1zts
zcYMV“In that way, the human body would have a wider container. Even if a blessing awakened, it could contain and control it.”8kyqZf
y8NnIn short—turn the human body into a pocket of subspace.g6EiQ
ezBThe reactions were still lukewarm.7jfc55X
Ndcc633“Humans are mortal beings.”Ko56gzC
TXkTJzMetatron intervened, finally uncrossing the arms he had kept tightly folded.IHX
AbK“Precisely because they fight and evolve in a limited time is why humans are astonishing. That’s why Balor of Joaquin is revered—because, being mortal, he defeated a legion commander.”su1PIW
AlI“I don’t see it that way.”T0sLDz
PmUbss9I shook my head firmly.PvmvSo
TBuJq“That is pigeonholing the limits of humanity.”tpEF5n
zEH5kHumans. We are great because we find answers in any situation.hA3A
oNgGdy“Everyone knows it. The current situation is abnormal.”MDhUEy
rxx10mThey lowered their gaze little by little. It was their way of nodding.tBuH6A
8CE“Right now, mana is overflowing in human bodies. Ancient warriors are rejuvenating. I summoned you here to investigate the cause, but everything is rushing faster than expected.”tRTx
AIKx“Yes. We are aware.”UAWV
VMI0x“These phenomena will continue repeating. And the first to suffer it, by chance, happened to be my friend.”SyQFNA
DbfQShhhhhhh.SyCK
zRo3EWAn oily rain began to fall inside the Special Building.neY0
Nnwco4UThe murmur of fine drops suddenly turned into a roar. We were all drenched, and a solemn air filled the room.PsCG8xQ
YM2G“If anyone has a better idea, say it.”Imrmz1L
6VG1I said.GCtL9e
6cr“……”MWz2Yt
pfTMB“I don’t want to use my friend as if she were a guinea pig either. But time is short and there are no precedents.”Ou66z
ZusWI looked at them, drenched under that strange rain, and added.RyS3h
6urMsPQ“Everyone knows that soon we will enter a new phase. That’s why… I want to do something. Anything.”XGECE
KXgXFpK“The urgency of the Lord Heavenly Sword I understand well, but…”Cg1HfJ
QUDAoMetatron, the former Archangel, spoke with a severe gaze, as if scolding a reckless son.0JxqE
m5nMmZ“That instant of recklessness could unleash an enormous convulsion in this world. There is a high probability it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”wLKtL
5X7JThe dilemma—an attempt to avoid the foretold future ends up, in fact, fulfilling it.U5bcZ
pnAuu“Injecting mana alone is not enough.”JDpHf
ZvRdvValerion added.pnOhU
Czg1ZOl“If the awakening of the blessing is imminent, magic of equal magnitude will be needed. It is not just a matter of formulas. The awakening of magic must also be induced. Only if both awakenings align will the effect of collision arise.”7rc
TpzluhThey pointed out, then, that critical point.7fW
RJ4“And even so…”sfNwyTp
Vv5NThe Dragon Lord and the Archangel spoke almost in unison.m7lXLE
lQmPspw“Will you carry it out?”IrJ
Gp17veWI answered without hesitation.Ag1I0CY
ewJmymD“Yes. I will.”Btjn95
UGOctLv“It could cause a cataclysm.”PXr5Qi
qUAAqV“Then I’ll twist it to my favor.”PtH
bk8xw“The awakening of magic is a new concept. It’s only just beginning to be defined.”Cq4
YP6n“It will be possible.”HllbE
BmKURFy“How…?”QJ07r
Ti6zFTac. I snapped my fingers. From my pupils burst a yellowish glow that slid like a thread.Fyf
inBs770Rumble…IbJ4D5
yEuThe stones around me began to shake violently. I gathered the electricity swirling in the air and unsheathed Murasame. Lightning compressed to such a voltage that it turned the blade blue. The current alone was enough to solidify the space around the sword.U2gTGh
Ak1ngThunder Slash.UqN8C9I
fC9I struck the blade down with all my strength. The yellow energy condensed and seeped into the ground, surging upward like lightning. The entire chamber shook. The crash roared, flashes split the earth, and light exploded.20Bi4hw
dKUOAThe entire place became steeped in a grim aura. The onlookers shrank back, trembling, their cheeks burning from the heat and their hair singed at the tips.NGN7mDb
jreDThey needed to see this.4gNkJw
PucSIt was the only way they would trust and follow.z9k
MMJIn Gehenna, when there is no agreement, only the demonstration of power subdues the discrepancy.TQRt5x
fWF0I…8wnEg
bXxHad to release even more of my restraints.jqy2
iypmIf I wanted to save Chloe.sZdY
a6KFdIf I wanted to be ready for what was coming.0wLZ
1xozuBlessing awakening and magic awakening. I needed to decipher that conjunction.y7EHeR
gix‘I must become stronger.’7TH
Z6tAztIt was my duty.YptHS
p3RI am the Heavenly Sword.dyP2
YKJtTqLI said in a firm voice.6NmnC2
iJZCah“Blade of the Furious Lightning.”7CUv3r
xwy7kElectricity ran like burning veins across my skin. The full energy of the storm rushed toward me. The lightning that wrung the earth and the air enveloped me, and the others recoiled in terror.glWoH
UwIoZIBehind me, the bolts of lightning swirled and took form.hBq0
hSyazRumble.EbZvdp
VWsA long neck rose.4kZIIxi
scKoXXU“Th-that’s…”Dem
cTBULike a dragon.zSy
2LIScreeech—¡krrrr!THu
OMTRHFSparking, wings unfolded.nXXI4iF
jGCiLike an angel.LDXtz
tLmI turned my head slightly. Behind me, a golden dragon exhaled violet flames. Its roar shook everything.0Bga
vj5¡Boooom!9VFt
6NiK2L—rrrrrr…kRQ
TDoz——rrrrrr…yiiz
ohStOr0———rrrRrrruuuum!NAko
27mpRfA satisfied smile crossed my lips.keOjY5o
LluNkgIt was the first time I had done it, and I was pleased. So I gave it a grandiose name.tgb
cVYBl“Thunder Dragon Fang.”IQm
KQFExxWith the electric dragon at my side, I looked down from above at the demon and the angel.t7B9s
FrJN5bP“Wouldn’t you say this already borders on the awakening of magic?”4ikq1R
g8gUXy“……”boazvHf
D9VIjc“……”LVA
nt1They couldn’t form words. They were paralyzed, rigid from the discharge.PBPd
M1jaAth“…Heavenly Sword.”xdD
qrOoMetatron wetted his parched lips.f1JrK
dnVdU1C“…You are not human. Then why do you insist on proclaiming yourself as one…?”kHKfk
m28WsozI smiled sideways.mI68uW
M4fWJq“Because the human being is stronger than the gods.”qMRf
N5pt9“I see… You are right.”32mNI0S
6fI7CMetatron nodded gravely.B9e
yC4“I will cooperate.”Jv2
EwMAfterward, the dragons also bowed their heads.j8Hk
Csm980C“We will follow the path of the Heavenly Sword.”GfC
sXcBzt6“I thank you.”ZWfL
cp5UoI stood up.2ge4gc
z2Dkm7Even when I turned to leave, the dragons did not raise their heads. Not until I disappeared from the room.CHNzu
JhwDzThen I remembered.n2QFkUE
eCFYT6SAt the succession ceremony, when I received the name of Heavenly Sword, the Sword Master asked me.eXc
ayv— How do you feel now?AnbGS5
bzf0ZAt the time I answered lightly.vM9Ir
mynt0And, paradoxically, I still think the same today.YfUhiU
Bt0Ec‘Not bad.’ABY5Du
XN9d***a0r9
g22PDyCAbel crossed her legs.UoJXYJn
FFun“Ryozo, do you know what Geom-Ma has been up to lately?”oNf
zQwPSUG“I couldn’t say.”vpIQtus
EFcZRyozo, with an indifferent expression, only kept moving her pen. Abel frowned, though she quickly hid it.LjFEapg
MaQ0TIU“I’ve heard he’s been in the Special Building with the graduate professors… but he never says anything.”DGwGlpd
1YP“I see.”ysEW
9B8CNo matter what Abel said, Ryozo’s pen continued to dance, unperturbed.gB9oJ
8wU“……”RgC5
GEc“……”ByZQVc
H6oFip6The silence was heavy. Abel was upset, though she didn’t say it. Lately, more and more women had been hovering around Geom-Ma.Oirk
QTkeRi‘Well, there were always many…’M3SS
J396iBut now they approached more brazenly. Before, the presence of Abel and Ryozo had been enough to keep them at bay. That had changed.Sd9
wWLO‘Rachel…’Idu
EovPEAnd Meian Poison was also a reason for distrust.mKNhE
f3Z1QJAThat was why she had come to consult Ryozo.QMQ
jICH6MXSssrr, sssrr.cXpPHl
y0LABut she was always buried in paperwork.xxE3m9
GtpYD66Abel laced her hands over her knee, playing with her thumb, while glancing at her from the corner of her eye.1N64Q1
o9GypThey had lived under the same roof for ten years. They were close, yes, but circumstances and temperaments had prevented them from becoming intimate friends. When Geom-Ma wasn’t around and they were left alone.j0h42Do
9FFH‘Sometimes the air feels like fine dust.’hfcPAz
0NRUkkAbel sighed.u6L
oXqf1Tap.1ZK
9w7Ryozo tapped the desk with her pen.bmwzpof
tF3r“What is it that unsettles you so much?”8Tct6r
5D1kCx“Eh?”lV12Do
pLi“Why are you so anxious?”21BH
ZHlC1C“Well…”U0E8lx
r55gSBAbel opened her eyes wide like a sparrow.p1zplL
D9q“Isn’t it obvious? If my husband gets entangled in rumors, of course I’ll be worried. You’re the one who’s too cold!”vn4cv
2TPkl0“It’s not coldness. It’s setting priorities. If he’s in the Special Building with the professors, there’s a reason for it. And those who flirt with him—that’s always happened. I don’t understand why it bothers you so much now.”jAy
omO1u5“Ugh… Forget it.”byxF
kkAY“Then leave.”etv1
bfZaemAbel’s eyes sparked. Containing her emotion, she answered firmly.EScW
MgHS“Ryozo, I know you work day and night for Geom-Ma. For our family. But lately you’ve been neglecting feelings.”QDG
GVA“Feelings, now? After what we saw in the Tragedy of Parsy? Geom-Ma is preparing so it doesn’t happen again. And you? Do you intend to lock him up with the excuse of your insecurity?”hAmlUL
0Ryh“Enough…”HaYuep0
nBsi8I“Don’t demand emotions from Geom-Ma. He’s your husband, not your grandfather.”wkm8hq
LQ6AClang!ycky
Ap0Abel’s knee hit the desk. She stood up abruptly, the teacup rolled, and she turned sharply toward the door.ZTSo
wSr“I didn’t want to say this, but…”ILukVpR
1Ffwm5aWith her hand on the doorknob, she barely turned her face.VhQJ
7Aq8KShe glanced at her sideways, and spat the words.LgVvX
urYq“Ryozo… you’re becoming more and more like that person.”UCqqH8
EZthTRVBang!WTv
dnknubThe door slammed so hard that the documents shook.c8Km
GR0HRyozo looked at it for a moment, then returned to her pen.85NN
UKwWnqCrack.uNA
eUnBut it broke between her fingers.Wphbi1d
D1Gudz“Damn it.”ndHbJWW
xor9CX8She covered her eyes with both hands.LzL5
K5varX6“…Damn it…”9RN
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