Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Disciple's Request
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After all, the realm Nordian had demonstrated was a milestone, a guide for his future path.
A will that transcends will.
A power akin to authority.
It was the goal Chris, who would soon advance to 5-Star, needed to dedicate himself to.
Chris couldn't hide his gratitude and bowed his head again.
"Thank you sincerely for your teachings, Lord. I will never forget this favor."
[...]
Meanwhile, Nordian, who had no such intention, was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.
[...Enough chatter. Let's finish this bet.]
*Fwoosh.*
Magi flared up from the scabbard Nordian held.
It was the manifestation of Magi at the 2-Star level.
It was a basic technique used by ordinary Majin, inferior even to the Black Sword, but who would dare disregard it?
[I will cut you down with this single strike.]
"!!"
[If you can block it, I will acknowledge your victory.]
A firm declaration.
As Nordian had spoken, so it would be.
The moment Christian gripped his sword with a tense expression.
*Fwoosh!*
Nordian's body vanished.
And immediately, Nordian appeared before Christian.
[Take this. It should be a sword style you're familiar with.]
Nordian's sword slashed downward.
Absurdly, it was the sword style of the Cazar County.
And not even the one for the bloodline, but the basic Mud Sword Style used by ordinary Majin.
It wasn't like before, where he used authority or imbued it with will.
It was the Mud Sword Style in its most basic, original form.
But even so.
*'Dangerous. Far more so than the previous attacks.'*
Chris gritted his teeth.
This casual strike from Nordian was far more lethal than the all-out attack Count Cazar had unleashed with his Black Aura Blade.
*'I have to find a way.'*
He could neither block nor dodge it.
But Christian did not give up.
As always with Nordian's lessons, there had to be an answer this time, too.
*'There must be a hint in the demonstrations he showed me earlier.'*
In that instant.
The images of Nordian's demonstrations flashed through his mind.
The miracle of elevating will into authority, a higher dimension, and interfering with the phenomenal world by imbuing it with one's very existence.
It was a method Chris couldn't dare to imitate.
However.
- Chris, how can one transcend their level of existence?
A past conversation with the Hero, Evan, came to mind.
Chris hadn't learned swordsmanship or magic, but with his unparalleled genius-level insight, he would offer brilliant advice whenever the Hero's party hit a wall.
It was, in fact, an absurd thing to do.
How could Chris advise them when he didn't even know the extent of their achievements?
It was like a blind man leading the way.
*'But I could do it.'*
Chris had the insight to see through the fundamentals of all things, allowing him to intuitively grasp the walls they faced and offer appropriate advice for the situation.
- Transcend my level of existence?
- Yes, I need to overcome this wall to reach the 9-Star Transcendent Realm.
Evan, the last hope of the Light Faction, was suffering under immense pressure at the time, unable to break through the 9-Star wall.
Chris had answered nonchalantly.
- If you want to overcome it, you first have to empty yourself.
- ...What?
- How can you get over it when you're carrying so much on your shoulders? It's too heavy.
He didn't know what kind of realization this advice gave Evan.
But it was certain that it had helped.
After all, Evan soon reached the 9-Star Transcendent Realm.
Anyway, why?
Why did he remember that now?
*'What I need right now isn't any different!'*
Chris manifested the Black Sword on his blade.
The Black Sword imbued with Chris's will possessed power incomparable to an ordinary one.
But it wasn't enough.
The moment it touched Nordian's strike, it would surely shatter into pieces.
*'I need to make this will stronger. Strong enough to endure.'*
He didn't know how Nordian had elevated his will into authority that surpassed its limits.
There was no need to copy him exactly.
The paths to truth are as numerous as the stars.
Chris strengthened the will imbued in the Black Sword in his own way.
First, he emptied the will from the Black Sword.
To fill, one must first empty.
In its place, he imbued another will.
It was a superposition of will.
This was done several times in an instant.
Chris felt the will in his Black Sword changing, becoming different from before.
To be precise, he felt it ascending to a higher level.
*Fwoosh!!*
Chris's Black Sword fluctuated violently.
Unable to withstand the volume of will that surpassed its durability, it was beginning to collapse.
To contain this will completely, he would need a Black Aura Blade.
But it was fine.
*'Just once. I just need it to hold on once.'*
On the verge of collapse, the Black Sword, carrying the superimposed will, clashed with Nordian's sword.
[!!]
*Kra-kooooom!!!!!*
Though only swords had clashed, a deafening roar like an explosion echoed.
The underground training hall shook as if in an earthquake.
The result was disastrous.
"Keuk!"
"Christian!"
Chris coughed up blood and was sent flying backward.
The sword in his hand was shattered to pieces.
"...Lord, that was too much."
Merian chided him.
But Nordian showed an unexpected reaction.
With a stiff expression, he said.
[Too much? Look at this.]
Nordian showed them the scabbard in his hand.
"!!"
The scabbard was deeply cut.
Chris's Black Sword had pierced through Nordian's Magi!
An unbelievable feat.
That wasn't all.
"...I won, didn't I?"
Chris coughed up more blood and grinned.
An arrogant smile.
But Nordian couldn't answer.
Just now.
Nordian, contrary to his promise, had drawn out Magi exceeding the 2-Star level.
To prevent the scabbard from being cut, he had used Magi equivalent to 4-Star.
He had broken the condition he set himself, which was as good as a loss.
But then, Christian said something unexpected.
"Look at your sleeve."
[!!]
Nordian's eyes widened.
The edge of his sleeve was faintly torn!
*'When?'*
This was impossible.
To accomplish this without Nordian sensing it?
Chris wiped the blood and said.
"It is thanks to your teachings, Lord."
[...Because of my teachings?]
"Yes, did you not teach me today to aim for a will that transcends will?"
[...]
Nordian, who had given no such lesson, listened in silence to Christian's incomprehensible nonsense(?).
"I superimposed the will 'to hide' onto the Black Sword Transformation."
[...Imbued the will to hide? You mean you used a different kind of will?]
Not only Nordian, but Merian, Count Cazar, and Simon also looked astonished.
Handling a different kind of will—in other words, 'transforming' will—was a prerequisite for reaching the 6-Star 'Will-Thought'.
A level attainable only by those aiming for 6-Star.
And yet Chris, a mere 4-Star, had done it?
"Yes, while trying to strengthen my will, it felt possible for some reason, so I tried it, and thankfully, it succeeded. It was something I did unconsciously and by chance, so I don't think I can do it again."
Those who heard Christian's words fell silent.
He just tried it, and it worked.
*'...Crazy.'*
That was the word that popped into everyone's head.
Unaware of their astonishment, Chris nonchalantly bowed his head.
"It is all thanks to your teachings, Lord. I will not forget today's lesson and will continue to strive toward that goal."
Nordian let out a dry laugh.
*'I knew he was a genius, but...'*
Nordian recalled a thought he'd had before.
His grandson wasn't just a genius.
He was an incomprehensible monster.
*'...Perhaps, with this child, I might truly be able to achieve my long-held wish.'*
Nordian's long-held wish.
It was the reason he was extending his life, even by using a forbidden art that defied heaven.
An unbearable sense of anticipation welled up for a moment, but he forcibly suppressed it.
*'...I can't be sure yet. More than anything, there's too little time.'*
Nordian didn't have much time left.
In truth, his lifespan should have ended long ago; he was just forcibly holding on.
In such a short time, could this child grow enough to fulfill his wish?
He didn't know.
But one thing was certain: this child was the only one who could possibly do it.
[You won the bet. I will lift the prohibition. However, there is a condition.]
"What is it?"
[You must return alive. Do you understand?]
Merian and Count Cazar looked slightly surprised.
It was the first time they had ever heard Nordian express such concern for someone.
That wasn't all.
*'Father's gaze.'*
The look in Nordian's eyes as he watched Christian was somehow different from before.
Before, it had been filled only with cold indifference.
Even while acknowledging Christian's greatness, he had endlessly evaluated and observed him.
But now, it was different.
It was a gaze of complete acknowledgement.
"Yes, I will return in one piece, so please do not worry."
[Worry? Don't be arrogant.]
Nordian retorted.
[What is your other request? Didn't you say you would ask for one more thing if you won the bet?]
"......."
[I'll say this in advance: if it's a request that requires me to act as the Head in family matters, it is impossible.]
Things like acknowledging Chris as the Grand Prince were out of the question.
*'A request for something like a family treasure might be possible, though.'*
Chris said something no one had expected.
"Please continue to teach me in the future."
[Hmm?]
Nordian looked puzzled.
[Didn't you refuse first?]
"I'm talking about after this month is over. Even if not this time, there will be plenty of time in the future."
Chris said.
"I believe your teachings are more magnificent than anyone else's."
...Merian and Count Cazar, who knew how terrible Nordian's teaching methods were, wore baffled expressions, but Christian's words were sincere.
Both last time and this time, Chris had been greatly impressed by Nordian's lessons.
[Keke, if you desire it that much. Very well. From now on, come to this training hall once a week, avoiding the eyes of others.]
"Instead of this secret training hall, may I not visit you at your annex?"
[...What did you say?]
For a moment, everyone froze.
They realized Christian's intention.
"What I desire is not to receive informal lessons like this, but to become your official disciple, Lord."
[!!]
Nordian spoke in a heavy tone.
[Do you know the meaning of what you're asking?]
"Yes, I do."
Chris nodded.
"It means becoming the only member of the bloodline to receive the Lord's acknowledgement."
If he became Nordian's disciple, the family would be in an uproar.
After all, Nordian had never taken any member of the bloodline as his disciple.
Having received the Head's acknowledgement, he would be one large step closer to the position of Grand Prince.
It was a way to ride on Nordian's influence without him having to act as the Head.
[You are cunning.]
"I'll take that as a compliment."
[And if I refuse your request?]
"If you refuse, then so be it. But I believe there is no one else more fitting to be your disciple."
Chris grinned.
"As you know, Lord, compared to me, the rest of the bloodline are all practically morons."