The Name That Follows Heavenly Demon Divine Art and Heavenly Demon Slash...!
It was a fulfilling day—so satisfying that I could proudly declare it a complete success. By sheer luck, I’d overheard a conversation between Mir and the alchemist who ran the flower shop. That led to me intervening in the Blue Rose’s Memory episode over the weekend. On top of that, I’d achieved my goal of getting acquainted with Alchemist through trade and more. A truly packed, productive day.
“Hmm… What should I do about this?”
It would have been nice to just call it a day. But one problem still remained.
-This one won’t be very helpful. This… hmm, it’s ambiguous.
Cheonma stood beside me, diligently sorting through the items. I had no idea what criteria she was using, but I could tell her actions weren’t random and that whatever standards she’d set were for my benefit. So I left her alone without interfering.
-Yes. This much should be appropriate.
She finally finished sorting, made a show of wiping sweat from her brow, and stepped back so I could get a good look. The three items set apart on the left must have been her selections.
-The ones at the very end contain visual activation, sharpened senses, and a magic barrier usable up to three times. These will definitely help in tomorrow’s spar.
“How did you figure that out, Master…?”
-I’m always with you. Isn’t it only natural that I would know?
Wait—hadn’t she always disappeared during lectures or pretended to meditate with her eyes closed in the back? I was momentarily thrown by Cheonma’s unexpected remark, but then realized those behaviors only happened during theory classes, not practicals. I quietly nodded.
-The rest weren’t particularly useful.
Just as she said, none of the other items looked useful for a spar. A few had decent lethality, but since this was only practice and not a fight to the death, she must have excluded them.
…Huh? Wait a second.
But how had Cheonma identified the effects of these items? Unlike the game, you couldn’t instantly check an item’s properties here. You needed identification magic or an item that contained it to learn its value.
How did she do it?
Item effects cannot be instantly appraised without identification magic or equivalent tools.
-Judging by your expression, you’re wondering how I discerned the value of these items.
I flinched at the sharp question. Seeing my reaction, Cheonma crossed her arms and let out a small chuckle.
-It’s so easy to read you. You still have much to learn. It seems I must also teach you how to control your emotions and keep them from showing on your face. What a handful of a disciple you are.
“C-cough!”
My expression must have collapsed for a moment. I’d thought my poker face was pretty solid, yet I’d slipped up like this.
-First, the answer to what you’re curious about is simple: I saw it with my own eyes.
“You saw it? Did you focus the power of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art into your eyes?”
As expected of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art! It proved useful even in tiny details like this!
-Why would the Heavenly Demon Divine Art come into this? If you used its energy as you suggest, your eyeballs would burst instantly. Even if curiosity strikes, do not attempt it. Even with luck on your side, your optic nerves would suffer severe damage and your vision would deteriorate dramatically.
“………”
Even with luck, vision loss. Without it, total blindness—or worse, destroyed eyeballs? The unimaginable answer left my body frozen. Then… what method was she using?
-Look closely at my eyes.
Cheonma’s eyes? Slightly puzzled, I obediently followed her instruction. They were still the same jewel-like, beautiful crimson pupils I’d seen when we first met.
…Wait. What is that?
As I stared, I spotted a tiny, faint purple singularity lurking within her pupils. It was such a minuscule change that I would never have noticed without intense focus.
-You’ve finally seen it.
Cheonma nodded in approval, having noticed that I’d detected the anomaly. Realizing this was the decisive clue, I pondered briefly before asking carefully.
“…Did you use a naturally innate elemental power instead of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?”
And Cheonma’s answer was…
-Correct.
With a satisfied smile, she began a light explanation of why such power was necessary.
-Those born with strong talent in natural attributes possess innate adaptability to that element. Yes, even their eyes—which are more delicate than other parts of the body. Because their adaptability is stronger than ordinary magic power, they can endure magic imbued with natural elemental energy.
“So natural-attribute magic doesn’t damage the eyes?”
-Of course it does. No matter how high the adaptability, reckless use will overwhelm it. This technique is an advanced skill possible only for those with exceptional control.
“Then I won’t be able to use it?”
To my concern, Cheonma answered with simple confidence.
-Just follow my instructions. We’ll attempt it.
“Yes!”
Cheonma kept speaking to me without pause, saying the technique could only be used if I remained completely undisturbed no matter the situation. Answering her, controlling the multiple attributes I possessed—my mind was in complete chaos.
-The format that appears differs according to one’s talent in the attribute. In my case, the item’s effects and a short description appear clearly. For some, however, it looks so broken it’s nearly impossible to read. You may rest easy. You possess the greatest talent I have ever acknowledged.
According to Cheonma, when natural attribute talent was measured on a scale of 100 percent, those with 10–39 percent saw grotesque, indecipherable characters or images. At 40–79 percent, the text could be read but still lacked much for proper understanding. From 80–90 percent, some thought was required but the effects could be viewed satisfactorily. And from 91 percent onward, the item’s effects appeared clearly.
-My talent in the lightning natural attribute can be said to be 99.9 percent. That is why I can perceive it—the next realm. A realm visible only to those who possess 100 percent talent.
“I-I see…”
-That is why I hold such high expectations for you, who will reach the legendary realm of 100 percent talent in every attribute.
“…Pardon?”
-Ahem! Your energy is wavering.
At Cheonma’s light rebuke I hurriedly stabilized my magic power. Every one of my attributes was subtly infused into the magic I currently held. Using only a single attribute would have been too difficult, but utilizing all of them together brought the difficulty to a manageable level.
-This should suffice. Split the magic power you are currently holding in half and channel a small amount into each eye.
After some time passed, she watched me continuously control the energy that had now weakened to a satisfactory degree and gave the next instruction.
Sssssss.
Throb. Throb.
With a strange tingling that oddly stimulated my nerves, I stared hard at the item from Alchemist that Cheonma held out. Something flickered before my eyes. When I focused a little more, it became clear—the same familiar explanatory text I’d seen countless times in the game.
◈ Agility +5
◈ Magic Power +5
◈ Increased adaptation to lightning attribute
◈ Allows temporary use of the skill Thunder Wings
◈ While flying, 5% chance to imbue attacks with lightning attribute
It shows perfectly.
As expected of something Alchemist created, the effects were quite satisfying. Not only did it raise stats, it even provided attribute resistance and a usable skill. It definitely delivered value equal to its high price.
With this, I’ll be able to move comfortably.
I no longer had to dig through game knowledge to check each effect one by one. Just spend a little magic power and glance at it. How convenient and wonderful.
As I stood there moved by acquiring a technique that didn’t require an identification skill, Cheonma—who had been quietly watching me—spoke with eyes full of expectation.
-Yes. Tell me how this item appears from your perspective.
***
“…And those are all the effects I saw for the Blue Thunder Wings.”
-Hohoho…! Yes, you have truly completed it.
Cheonma’s shoulders shook as she listened to her disciple Zeon’s explanation. He had gone beyond what she herself could see and even read the small descriptive text. How remarkable. A technique no one from her era until now had ever fully reached had been completed by her disciple’s hand right here.
It was a unique achievement that would remain so forever. Cheonma struggled to suppress the smile that kept tugging at her lips.
That was why she hadn’t realized it—her normally sharp reason had grown dull, and that she would utter the very remark she had sworn never to say in front of her disciple…
-Hehe… Ahem! Yes, truly excellent. Then it is time to name it.
“A name?”
-Until now, people have given techniques names according to their respective realms. But today, I wish to hear the true name of the technique you have completed with your own hands.
At Cheonma’s words, a contemplative look settled over Zeon’s face. As she watched with pride, her gradually cooling reason finally caught up, and she broke into a cold sweat as she realized the verbal slip she had just made.
Surely not?
Yes, it couldn’t be. She wanted to believe it wasn’t. But she already knew. No matter how much she denied it, reality would not change. Her disciple was far more obsessed with the word “Cheonma” than she had imagined.
“I’ve decided!”
Zeon answered with a bright smile. Small beads of sweat began to form on Cheonma’s forehead. Her gaze locked onto the corner of his mouth. The word forming on his lips clearly began with “Cheon.”
-Ah… It’s over.
Yes, this was her own mistake. So she would simply accept it. Once she thought of it that way, a soft smile settled on her lips. The person himself wouldn’t know, but if anyone else saw her face right now, they might think she had reached the realm of enlightenment.
-All right. I am ready to accept it. Go ahead and speak.
What words would come from Zeon’s mouth now? Since it was related to the eyes, perhaps Cheonma Eye?
The name that reached the ears of the enlightened Cheonma was immediately…
“Heavenly Demon Eye.”
-Yes… It is truly a wonderful name…
“Right?!”
Surprisingly, it was a name that did not deviate even a single step from her expectations.