The Omniscient Eye

My eyes aren't special. They're strange.

In the end, Ledare had reached that conclusion about his own eyes. Fortunately, as long as he wished it, the lines of light no longer appeared. Thus, Ledare lived his life forgetting about his eyes, eventually growing from a child into a boy, and from a boy into a young man.

As the eldest son of the Liebringer family, he began his formal education in earnest. He learned how to control his body, how to wield a sword, and how to conduct himself as a man of high standing. Crucially, he learned how to manipulate mana.

One day, as his perception of the world was constantly shifting, a sudden curiosity struck him.

How would those meaningless lines of light I saw as a child look to me now?

Filled with curiosity, Ledare looked at his swordsmanship instructor, Olgin. He wished to see the lines of light once more.

After a very long time, the lines of light revealed themselves again.

"Uh...?"

The lines of light had changed. They now possessed a consistency and order that hadn't been there before. Through these rules and patterns, Ledare could read the meaning within them.

It was red—fierce and raging like a blazing fire. Those lines of light overlapped to form five distinct layers.

That was the light Ledare saw around Olgin.

The Olgin Ledare knew wielded mana imbued with the Liebringer family's signature affinity for fire. His fire-infused mana and swordplay were as fierce as a roaring blaze. And Olgin was currently at the 4-Star realm.

Five layers of light. And Olgin's current state, stuck at 4-Star.

As if possessed, Ledare asked Olgin, "Olgin, did you recently reach the 5-Star realm?"

Olgin gasped in shock and replied, "H-How did you know...? I only achieved it yesterday, so no one else should know yet—"

That day, Ledare realized: these lines of light represented a person's strength. His eyes possessed the ability to perceive the true power of others.

After discovering his ability, Ledare often went outside the castle walls to spend his time observing people.

"Hmm?"

Then, one day, he encountered a type of light he had never seen before.

The 'grade' of the light itself was pathetic. It consisted of a mere two lines, and even their form was highly unstable. This meant the target was only at the 2-Star realm, and their understanding of their techniques was low—or perhaps the techniques themselves lacked any real depth.

It was the kind of light one could easily find in any run-of-the-mill tavern.

However, there was one peculiar detail: the color.

The lines of light glowed with a very faint, dark red hue.

Dark red...?

Ledare searched his memories. Had he ever seen a dark red light before? No.

"How unpleasant."

Ledare felt an indescribable sense of foreboding from that dark red light. It also bothered him that the owner of this light was a plain tavern maid.

It was true that one could easily find 2-Star combatants with mediocre skills in any tavern. However, that usually applied to the tavern's main clientele—adventurers. A 2-Star martial artist was a common sight among mid-tier adventurers in their late twenties.

But a young tavern maid who was a 2-Star martial artist? And possessing a light of an ominous, never-before-seen color?

"Suspicious."

Ledare trusted his eyes. Utilizing his influence as the eldest son of the Liebringer family, he launched an investigation into the maid.

An assassin.

That was the maid's true identity, revealed through the investigation. To be precise, she was barely even a half-baked assassin. She was a collateral descendant of the Harashin who had somehow made indirect contact with the guild and received a counterfeit assassination technique.

She used her assassination arts to alter her appearance into that of a young woman, luring in gullible adventurers to rob them. Through her existence, Ledare realized one clear fact:

Assassins—specifically those of the Harashin—possessed dark red lines of light.

To some, the Harashin were detestable entities that had to be eradicated at all costs. To others, they were troublesome pests best avoided entirely.

For Ledare—or rather, the Liebringer family—they belonged to the latter category. At least, for now.

But there was no telling when things might change. Therefore, Ledare decided to burn that dark red hue of the Harashin deep into his memory.

Omniscient Eye. By the time he graduated from the Academy, that was the name that followed Ledare everywhere.

"Hey, friend. If you sit like that, everyone can see your underwear."

"A-Are you crazy?!"

"Your nose hair is sticking out."

"Lord Ledare!!! That is too much!!!"

"Hmm? Did you already break up with that girl you were walking around with a week ago?"

"L-Lord Ledare...!"

"What on earth are you talking about?"

It was a grand title, but its original meaning was actually a mockery.

"Hey, Ledare. You stare at people all day with those massive eyes of yours, so how can you be so utterly clueless?"

Observing lines of light had become his sole hobby and greatest interest. Because he spent all his time staring at people with his large, blue four-white eyes while being incredibly clumsy at actual social communication, his friends had coined ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the nickname to tease him.

But as time passed, the name "Omniscient Eye" came to inspire awe rather than mockery.

Ledare hid his ability from others. He didn't even tell his parents. There was nothing to be gained by carelessly revealing such a bizarre, alien power.

Even so, Ledare's ability, combined with his natural talent as a brilliant swordsman, allowed him to stand out spectacularly.

"I told you, your left flank is weak."

"I keep telling you, your field of vision is too narrow."

"I think you'd suit a bow much better than a sword."

Martial artists spend their entire lives facing themselves. Yet, he was a man of transcendent insight who could spot weaknesses at a single glance—weaknesses these martial artists hadn't realized in a lifetime.

Omniscient Eye Ledare.

He had never once lost the top spot in the swordsmanship department from his admission to his graduation. Now, his name was known not just in the Academy and Arien, but across the entire continent.

The 7-Star realm.

A genius of unprecedented talent who had reached the realm of heroes—a level ordinary people could never hope to attain—before even turning thirty. He was a hero who stood at the forefront of purifying the demonic realms.

After graduating from the Academy, Ledare immediately headed for the Great Demonic Realm. There, he devoted himself to purifying the demonic threats. People praised his choice, claiming it was a manifestation of his profound sense of duty as the eldest son, heir of a great family, and a true hero.

"This place is much more fun."

But Ledare wasn't nearly as heroic as the world believed. If anything, he was closer to an eccentric than a hero.

Interest. And fun. That was the real reason Ledare had headed to the Great Demonic Realm, and why he remained there.

It was, in a way, an extension of his sole hobby and greatest interest: observing lines of light.

Demons, black magicians, monsters, demonic humans, Harashin, criminals. The Great Demonic Realm teemed with all kinds of dangers rarely encountered in the civilized world. Ledare had gone there specifically to encounter them.

To witness and observe all kinds of rare, exotic lines of light.

It was an eccentric whim. However, since purifying the Great Demonic Realm was a highly praiseworthy feat in itself, no one questioned his choice.

How long had Ledare been holed up in the demonic realm? Suddenly, he left. He had received word.

It was news that his precious younger sister, Drin Liebringer, was entering the Academy.

With his sister's talent, she would undoubtedly claim the top spot in the entrance exam with ease. How could he call himself an older brother if he didn't offer a single word of congratulations on such a joyous occasion?

Leaving the demonic realm for the first time in ages, Ledare headed straight for Arien. He arrived at the Liebringer mansion located in the 1st District of Arien.

"Let's see how much my little sister has grown~"

Wanting to surprise Drin, he suppressed his presence and entered the mansion. Following the scent of food, he stepped into the dining hall, and the first thing that caught his eye was a seven-layered light—a sight rare even in the Great Demonic Realm.

Oh...! Ah, what.

Ledare's excitement instantly deflated into disappointment the moment he recognized the face. It was Yena, the maid of the Liebringer family. Losing interest in Yena's familiar light, Ledare shifted his gaze elsewhere.

First was a woman with an elegant aura and striking blonde hair curled at the ends.

Let's see—a 3-Star at her age? Impressive.

Three layers of light. A transparent color. A turbulent, unstable flow and shape, like a sudden gale.

A spear—no, does she wield a rapier? She must be a lady of the Aspien family. Next is...

A woman with a fox-like impression and voluminous orange hair.

Two vivid layers of light, and one faint layer.

Slightly short of a 3-Star. Well, still not bad for her age. Seeing how wind and fire are slightly mixed... she's likely a lady of the Telrn family. Next...

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A petite woman with an expressionless face, a black mask, and rare light-blue short hair.

This lady is also slightly short of a 3-Star. And this faded gray color... Bowler? Surprising. I can understand Drin, but for Yena to let a Bowler into the Liebringer mansion.

Ledare scanned the women sitting at the table, his face turning intrigued. On their own, their lines of light were trivial to someone like Ledare, who had seen all kinds of lights in the Great Demonic Realm. But considering their age?

Is this Drin's eye for talent? She's gathered only those with highly promising futures.

They were lights with highly anticipated futures. Ledare thought he should drop by Arien more often, if only to watch the growth of these lights.

"Huh?"

Just then, something completely seized Ledare's attention.

Yes, a presence.

Ledare couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman. He couldn't tell if it was a child or an old man. He couldn't tell if it was human or another race. He couldn't see anything at all.

It was as if someone had painted over a picture with thick black ink. A black shroud completely veiled the entity.

What on earth is that?

Ledare stared blankly at the mysterious figure standing next to Yena. Realizing this black shroud was an illusion created by his own eyes, he focused his mind entirely on his vision.

The black shroud peeled away.

The entity behind the shroud was revealed, and Ledare almost let out a dry laugh. The figure that appeared was just so... utterly pathetic.

It was a squinty-eyed man with an incredibly light, breezy aura, looking as if he might blow away with a gust of wind.

But the moment Ledare saw the lines of light around the man, his expression turned dead serious.

It was a dark red light.

A dark red so vivid and intense that he had never seen anything like it, not even from the direct descendants of the Harashin in the Great Demonic Realm, nor from the direct masters. Just looking at that blindingly vivid dark red color made it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt: this man was a Harashin.

Fascinating.

Yet, the shape of the light was bizarre. Every Harashin shared a common form in their light—the form of their assassination arts. But in this man's light, not a single trace of that form could be seen.

There was only one possible explanation for this.

Is it innate?

This man was born with a natural genius for assassination. If he were to be taken in by the Harashin, he would easily rise to the rank of a direct master—no, he possessed the talent to covet the seat of the Eight Arms.

That talent was a transcendent, absolute genius that couldn't even be compared to Ledare's own innate talent for swordsmanship. He could state this with absolute certainty. After all, even his own light, which he saw in the mirror, was nowhere near this vivid.

Thank goodness.

Ledare felt a wave of relief. Relief that this man had not yet fallen into the hands of the Harashin. And that his light currently consisted of only two layers.

Ledare had just discovered a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seed of calamity—one with the potential to grow into a great evil that could threaten the very existence of the world.

Ledare stared intensely at that ominous dark red light with his large, four-white eyes.

"Brother! What brings you here...!"

Our dear Drin showed a face full of delight upon finally noticing Ledare.

I'm a bit jealous, actually. But since they're family and it's been a while, I'll let it slide.

By the way, why is he even here right now?

From what I knew, Ledare was a total homebody when it came to the demonic realm—once he went in, he rarely ever came out. And he was the owner of the Omniscient Eye, capable of seeing through the very essence of others.

...Don't tell me he can see something?

My talents for assassination arts and black magic flashed through my mind. I felt a cold sweat run down my spine.

"Brother...?"

"No way...!"

"The Omniscient Eye...!"

Hearing Drin's words, the three ladies bolted upright from their seats. At that, Ledare waved his hand—the one holding a chicken leg—back and forth.

"Ah~ everyone, don't mind me and just keep doing what you were doing."

He stood up and spoke to Drin.

"I rushed over here thinking my little sister would be celebrating her Academy entrance exam all lonely and by herself again, but what do you know? You brought friends home and are having a grand old time."

"B-Brother, what are you talking about! 'Lonely and by herself again'!"

Drin protested, her face turning bright red. Honestly, even I was a bit miffed. Teasing our dear Drin like that? And her reaction is so adorable, too.

Now I'm actually mad. Seriously, I was only letting this slide because they're family.

"Haha, what do you mean? I'm saying it's a good thing, sister."

Standing up, Ledare pushed his chair back in.

"Huh? Brother?"

"If I keep hanging around here like a clueless third wheel, people ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are going to start complaining about the 'Omniscient Eye' again. I don't want to ruin the mood, so I'll take my leave for today, sister."

"You're leaving already?"

At Drin's gaze, which was filled with disappointment, Ledare smiled warmly. His large, blue, four-white eyes filled with warm familial affection, making the usual sense of alien strangeness vanish for the first time.

"Like I said, if I keep loitering around, I'll only ruin the vibe."

"But..."

Ledare looked at the three ladies and grinned.

"Thank you, friends. For hanging out with my little sister."

"Brother, really...!"

"Please take good care of her. And—"

Ledare looked over at me.

"Are you perhaps my sister's friend as well?"

To that, I answered with absolute confidence.

"Yes."

"Is that so?"

Suddenly, Ledare's face contorted. Why? Are you jealous too? But it's too early to be jealous, buddy.

"In fact, Lady Drin herself officially recognized me as the very first friend she made here in Arien."

"..."

At my reply, Ledare's face contorted even further.

"My word..."

He muttered with a very deep sigh, and then suddenly began walking toward me.

"This is quite troublesome..."

Pat.

Ledare placed his hand on my shoulder. Keeping it there, he looked at Drin and spoke.

"Drin."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

In that instant, the world around me warped. When the world snapped back to normal...

The only people left in the room were Ledare and me.

"..."

With his hand still resting on my shoulder, Ledare spoke once more.

"Who the hell are you?"

Those massive, blue, four-white eyes stared straight into mine.