Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Different Standards
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Humans are animals of adaptation.
Rishir was realizing that fact through nothing other than the Seven Apertures Bloodshed.
Surprisingly, even bleeding from every orifice in one's face becomes familiar with repetition, and one develops a knack for it.
'It's here.'
Rishir recognized the sudden anomaly in his body as the harbinger of Seven Apertures Bloodshed and immediately primed the Blue Breath.
To temper the burden with Blue Breath the instant overload hit.
'Huh?'
However, no matter how long he waited, the Seven Apertures Bloodshed never came.
Rishir felt a twisted mix of relief and disappointment.
Like studying hard to avoid punishment, only for the homework check to never happen.
'Oh, is it really coming this time?'
At that moment, Rishir felt excruciating pain surging through his body.
That familiar sensation. Definitely overload.
'Tsk-'
However, compared to usual, something felt lacking.
The overload burdened his body, true, but it didn't escalate to destruction.
It was the fruit of growth.
Rishir's physique had toughened enough to endure mild overloads.
'Klana, are you seeing this? I think I'm at a level where I can proudly call myself a sword beginner now.'
-Talking madness again. Why would you be a beginner?
'No way, still a long road ahead?'
-I'm about to burst with rage. Don't talk to me.
Snapped from his thoughts by Klana's sharp retort, Rishir opened his eyes and looked at Heynya.
"So, where did we leave off?"
"You were at the part where you hope that lady over there is a true genius, and where you're going to determine who the real genius is."
Humans sometimes feel emotional fulfillment through sharing.
Heynya, thrilled at the prospect of sharing her experience of 'Rishir' with others, gazed at Moria with eager anticipation.
It had felt so utterly unjust when she was the victim, but now, watching someone else endure it was exhilarating beyond measure.
And since the victim was a smug woman boasting her superiority, the thrill was doubly intoxicating.
"…"
Indeed, the 'first experiencer' lived up to Heynya's expectations.
Moria stared at Rishir, unable to conceal her bewilderment.
'The aftereffects of overload suddenly healed. Without any warning… What did he do?'
Ways to treat overload aftereffects weren't entirely nonexistent.
This world brimmed with treasures possessing mystical powers—artifacts, spirit elixirs, and more.
Outwardly a young lady, but in essence a high priestess of vast erudition, Moria knew several methods to cure overload aftereffects on the spot.
However.
A means to perfectly heal overload aftereffects instantly, without any prelude or action?
'No such thing could exist…'
If it did, it would be a secret technique or treasure of immeasurable value.
Moria had deemed only Palag, Drei, and Heynya worth watching here.
Yet she found her attention stolen by Rishir, whom she'd previously ignored entirely.
She probed Rishir's realm.
His mana blended seamlessly with his energy, defying easy measurement.
A masterful concealment that could fool the untrained into mistaking him for a talentless fool.
Something achievable only upon entering the sixth circle.
Thus, Moria pegged Rishir's realm at the entry to the sixth circle.
'Sixth circle? At his age?'
Moria was genuinely taken aback upon gauging Rishir's realm.
Yet that surprise paled beside the shock of witnessing his abrupt recovery(?).
Early twenties, sixth circle.
Attainable through realistic talent and circumstances.
Moreover, the sixth circle was too premature a benchmark for true genius.
Countless entered early sixth in their twenties amid prodigy hype, only to stagnate lifelong and fade into obscurity.
If the sixth circle's wall separated the talented from the rest, the depths within tested that talent's profundity.
Whether mere precocity or exceptional gift—still unproven.
For instance, Moria reckoned.
He lacked the qualifications to join this debate on true genius.
Just look at Heynya right there.
She'd lived detached from magic, yet self-taught to the fourth circle in a year, then breached the fifth in mere months more.
The entry sixth Rishir had devoted his life to.
How long for Heynya? Moria wagered under a year.
That was true genius.
Moria had forsaken the eighth circle to claim Heynya's genius for herself.
She saw no necessity or merit in dueling Rishir per Heynya's suggestion.
To Heynya, who smiled at her, she said,
"Lady. If I may overstep, wouldn't sparring him stray from the topic?"
"Topic? What topic? True genius?"
Heynya chuckled repeatedly as she spoke.
'Insolent whelp…'
Childish taunt only a young mage could muster.
The high priestess pressed on, masking her seething.
"You know as well, Lady. He's not like you or me."
"…Yeah, he's different."
Pfft.
By now, it seemed less taunt than genuine mirth.
Moria glared at Heynya, who maintained her derisive expression throughout.
Moria's patience neared its breaking point.
"A duel with the sixth circle… Intriguing. Moria, face the boy."
"Lord Palag?"
Moria turned to Palag in astonishment.
"You against someone stronger. Stirs my curiosity."
Moria inwardly groaned.
'Damn it, again?'
A scenario she'd endured countless times since the former tower lord took her in.
Palag.
He now pinned immense hopes on Moria.
Fulfill them, and greater favor followed.
Fall short?
Interest waned, perhaps severed entirely.
The former Blue Tower Lord—
Frozen Breath Palag was that exacting, capricious figure.
Hence the immense worth of his official disciple title.
"Understood. Since Lord Palag insists, I'll gladly rise to the occasion."
Moria replied brimming with confidence.
Though her initial aim—to best Heynya and usurp her renown—had drifted,
Ultimately, this paved the path to becoming Palag's formal disciple by impressing him.
Think positively.
Another chance to captivate Palag.
"Lady. You did promise, yes? After I duel him, you'll truly face me?"
"Yes. Duel away. Provided you still crave debating true genius afterward."
Moria locked eyes fiercely with Heynya once more, then turned to Rishir.
"One proposal."
"Hm?"
"Let's duel on equal footing."
"Equal footing?"
"Limit your magic to the fifth circle."
"Moria. What nonsense."
Palag betrayed disappointment toward Moria.
"Lord Palag, you said it yourself then. Even the exceptional struggle to breach circle barriers."
"Go on."
"You don't expect me to win against him, Lord Palag. You'll observe how fiercely I fight, how long I endure, how gracefully I fall."
"And?"
"I refuse to show you defeat at your feet, Lord Palag."
Moria spoke unflinchingly before Palag.
"Even capped at fifth-circle spells, his mana vastly outstrips mine. Plus, his sixth-circle senses remain honed."
Moria flashed a daring smile.
The visage of a genius steeped in absolute self-assurance.
"Rather than a narrow loss to an unbeatable foe, let me show victory over a formidable one. Too presumptuous?"
"…"
Palag eyed Moria steadily.
His thick brows angled sharply.
Soon, they curved in amusement.
"Hahahahaha!!! What a brazen rascal! See that, Drei!? No wonder I'm smitten with her!"
Palag, utterly elated, addressed Rishir.
"Rishir, right?"
"Yes."
"Right, Rishir. You heard her. Accept her challenge?"
Palag's eyes gleamed as they fixed on Rishir.
"Do I have veto rights?"
Rishir replied without hesitation.
He'd just grasped from their exchange how to navigate him.
"Veto rights… Yes, you do. Will you invoke them?"
"I see. Then I'll accept Miss Moria's challenge."
"…What?"
Despite his preamble, Rishir assented promptly.
Palag regarded Rishir with an odd look.
-Then why bring up vetoes?
Klana's voice seemed to echo.
In response, Rishir said,
"And—not quite in exchange, but may I humbly request something of Lord Palag?"
Palag's brows arched at Rishir's audacity.
A flicker of displeasure surfaced.
"Cheeky one. Scheming personal gain amid this. Fair enough—you're dragged in unwillingly, compensation's due. Speak. What for dueling Moria?"
"No reward sought for the duel."
"Hm?"
Rishir glanced at Heynya.
"Miss Heynya dragged me in, so I'll settle with her."
"Jeez."
Heynya snorted, shaking her head.
"…"
To Palag silently observing, Rishir said,
"Thus, I seek reward for victory."
"Victory?"
"I'll defeat Miss Moria. Then, grant one request."
"…If victory merits reward, defeat must too. Lose, and then?"
"Simple enough. I'll grant Lord Palag one request in turn."
"…"
Palag stared intently at Rishir.
Gradually, his arched brows relaxed—
"Kuhahahaha!!!"
The room reverberated.
Cold winds swirled in response to Palag's fervor.
For an instant, potent emotion shook his composure.
With the world's most jovial grin, he declared,
"Request!? You, requesting of me!?"
"I'm quite capable despite appearances. I've precedents resolving issues for the mighty."
"Kuhahaha!!! The mighty!!! Indeed! Splendid! Thrilling!!!"
As Palag neared ecstasy, Drei and Moria eyed Rishir with dismay.
Moria enjoyed Palag's favor, but with no leverage, such brazenness toward him?
"Oh, everyone! Already assembled!"
Soon after, a portly middle-aged man entered the room.
Gus, proprietor of the Golden Barley caravan.
"Gus! I've devised a way to invigorate tonight's banquet—care to hear?"
Palag abruptly proposed to Gus.
Prior to the banquet's kickoff, a public duel between Moria and Rishir to rouse spirits.
"Rishir?"
Gus scanned about in surprise.
Rishir tentatively raised a hand.
"Oh, Rishir! Astonishing—so youthful! Well-acquainted with your tales!"
"My tales? Ah, from Eron."
"No, no! Beyond Eron!"
"Pardon? Not Eron—"
"Rock raved endlessly! Monstrous swordsman defying his years!"
"?"
Some cocked heads at Gus's account.
'Swordsman?'
Must be a slip.
They paid it no mind.
"Yes, you versus that—genius mage Lord Palag dotes on? Riveting! I'd kill for a private arena, entry fees! Yes! As host, I implore—open the banquet in style!"
Later.
Back in their private chamber with Moria, Palag questioned her.
"How do you plan to handle him in this duel? Speak."
"…"
Moria gauged Palag's mood, pondering.
Merely winning might fall short of a lasting impression.
'Time to unveil it at last.'
A bewitching glint lit Moria's face.
Displaying 'it' would assuredly stun.
The issue: such potency might spawn unwelcome scrutiny.
-That power—learned elsewhere?
-Self-taught?
-Sensations upon wielding it?
-First use's feel?
The former tower lord, curiosity and skepticism ingrained.
Unveiling 'it' before him would ignite endless queries, doubts.
Yet—
'No helping it.'
Priority: etch indelibly upon Palag.
Aftermath later.
Resolved, Moria raised her left hand.
Frost coalesced above it.
Cold magic imparted by Palag.
Then, her opposite hand.
A petite wind vortex swirled aloft.
"…!"
Shock etched Palag's features.
"Multiple attributes… How—"
"Since you taught me before, Lord Palag, I've practiced diligently."
"Practice… Your current realm can't master that through mere—"
"Eh? Didn't you say then? Theoretically viable at fifth circle."
"…True, multiple attributes are theoretically wieldable at fifth. But theory alone—reality demands myriad conditions."
"Meaning…"
Moria.
She'd achieved the near-impossible in practice.
"Moria, lately—"
"Or an item in your possession—"
"Else, during prolonged practice, what sensations—"
"Now deploying multiple attributes, describe the feel—"
Palag's onslaught began, rationalizing the improbable.
Curiosity edging suspicion.
Less questions, more inquisition.
Still, Moria remained unfazed.
The youth and talent from forsaking eighth circle.
She best grasped the injustice of 'Moria's' being.
Unwarranted genius invites commensurate doubt.
Genius's duty: dispel it.
"…Incredible."
Thus, painstakingly convincing Palag of her genius, Moria smiled contentedly.
'Now, in the duel, wield multiple attributes adeptly to pierce his guard—'
Preparations complete.
"Who's Moria?"
"That genius mage Frozen Breath has his eye on, apparently?"
"Frozen Breath—the former Blue Tower Lord? He's here tonight!?"
"Genius endorsed by the ex-Blue Tower Lord… Pity that Rishir chap, dueling a monster before this crowd."
"What talk? Haven't heard his stories?"
The banquet hall buzzed.
A spacious arena lay cleared aside.
Guests encircled it, electric with anticipation.
Moments later.
The stars emerged.
Moria and Rishir.
They took positions at opposite ends, facing off.
The audience fell silent, riveted.
Referee Palag centered himself and declared,
"Duelists Moria and Rishir. Prepared?"
"Moria, ready."
"Rishir, ready."
"Then commence."
Palag snapped his fingers; a mana barrier enveloped them.
Seize initiative.
Draw eyes for multiple attributes.
Moria unleashed mana at full throttle.
Frost enshrouded her.
Then, she beamed at Rishir.
Rishir met the provocation, surging his mana full force.
Moria judged Rishir fixated on her frost magic.
Thus, seeking the opening for multiple attributes—
"…"
Her expression crumpled.
"What are you doing?"
"Hm?"
"Didn't we agree—magic limited to fifth circle!?"
Moria pressed Rishir.
Not for nothing, but his emanation brimmed with energy, birthing a sandstorm.
Unique magic.
Elsewise, secret art.
The 'assimilation' fusing mana and personal energy—a realm exclusive to the sixth circle.
"Pardon? Ah! Can't use this?"
Her legitimate protest met a response utterly astray.