Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: END: The Bearer
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Klana and Dangleon were utterly dumbfounded.
The freshly minted 7th Circle Rishir(?).
If there was anyone who deserved the privilege of being embedded in him for the first time, it would undoubtedly be them—his companions, or rather, more like permanent residents.
They believed they had priority rights, and within those rights, they were engaged in a heated debate over who had the superior claim.
Klana's argument:
The cornerstone of Rishir's recent growth has been my sword.
Therefore, the qualification belongs to me.
Dangleon's argument:
Shut your trap, you hunk of metal bitch.
Have you forgotten that his foundation lies in magic?
The murder ghost and the demon.
Swordsmanship and magic.
The fierce back-and-forth between the two sides showed no signs of yielding an inch, and it seemed like it could drag on for nights without resolution.
In normal circumstances, this could have escalated into a violent conflict without issue.
But who were they?
They were beings who possessed an inhuman cold rationality, knowing exactly when to commit murder.
It didn't take long for them to realize that fighting each other tooth and nail would achieve nothing meaningful.
In the end, the decision rested with the person involved!
Thus, the one they needed to persuade was also that person!
The two promptly ignored each other and focused entirely on Rishir.
As they tried to convince Rishir—
What was this?
In that brief interval.
Rishir's condition had changed.
It was obvious at a glance that someone else's touch was all over him.
The murder ghost and the demon had every reason to wail.
The haughty expression of the girl murder ghost spirit crumbled.
Thanks to that mental shock, Klana's eyes, now fitting her appearance with their bright sparkle, spoke up.
"What the hell... What did you do this time?"
In that short time.
A significant change had occurred in Rishir's mana and presence.
She was used to the intermittent surges in his mana by now.
It wasn't something she should have gotten used to, but anyway, she had.
However, the change happening to him now was different in nature from the usual.
It was as if he had just finished a battle.
His heightened senses and presence bore traces of enlightenment and consolidation everywhere.
The subtle shift in his mana operation.
It was akin to—
A convulsive breakthrough.
Was he now achieving enlightenment just by breathing?
The murder ghost's eyes shook mercilessly as she gazed at him.
"Huh?"
Rishir's mind, which had been elsewhere, finally turned toward Klana.
"What did you say?"
"I asked what you did this time. What made you achieve a breakthrough like some kind of seizure?"
"...Ah."
The mismatched wavelengths between them finally aligned.
Rishir spoke as if understanding.
"It's thanks to my master."
"Really!?"
-Is that so!?
"?"
"?"
-?
The two spirits jumped in surprise and lit up with joy at Rishir's words.
They had substituted themselves for the 'master' Rishir mentioned.
But Rishir's subtle reaction.
In an instant, the murder ghost and the demon's faces turned as pitiful as abandoned puppies.
Wasn't it me you meant?
Rishir let out a small chuckle before beginning his explanation.
About the experiences he had in that brief time for them.
The memory world he had been invited to by the magic arranged by his master.
There, before stepping out, Rishir had last requested teachings from his master (organic rehearsal practice).
He had learned much through spars possible only in the memory world.
"..."
-...
Klana and Dangleon listened with utterly deflated expressions.
They had been by Rishir's side helping his growth, yet he went and got slobbered on by someone else!
How could he commit such a horrific act?
Did he lack a human heart!?
The innocent(?) victims, the demon and murder ghost, trembled with rage.
Moreover, Rishir spoke of his master with a face they didn't recognize, doubling their sense of emptiness.
Damn it.
Don't look so happy about it.
You've never made that face for us.
The sorrowful souls who couldn't become Rishir's master deepened their resentment toward his unnamed master.
"...Jane?"
The next day. Very early in the morning, before the twilight had fully faded.
In the backyard of the hero's mansion, the two heroes encountered each other.
Felix burst into laughter at the sight of Jane, who had been there first.
He thought he had come out early, but she was already drenched in sweat from head to toe.
"Felix? You're diligent from the morning."
"That's my line."
"Ah, no other meaning."
"I know without you saying. Mocking others is something guys like me do."
-Elysia. Good morning.
-Porchena, you too.
After exchanging greetings, Felix naturally took position opposite Jane and spoke to her.
"How's it going? Making progress?"
"Well, same as always."
"As always—meaning perfect?"
"Yeah."
"Well, well."
"If you're up for it, want to join?"
The two heroes exchanged playful smiles as they looked at each other.
Soon, rivalry mixed into their expressions.
Shing.
Felix drew his holy sword and continued.
Their distance closed gradually.
"You sure? You look like you've already burned a ton of energy."
"You sure, Felix? Even without warming up like me."
"I'll take that as you won't whine after losing later?"
As their conversation wrapped up.
Their swords clashed.
The duel between the two heroes began.
And.
How much time passed—
"Huff...!"
"Huff—"
The two heroes lay sprawled on the ground, staring at the same sky.
They no longer had the strength to hold their swords, and even lying down, their legs trembled.
Despite having no more strength to squeeze out, their expressions were tinged with a sense of triumph.
It was directed toward Rishir.
In truth.
The reason they had started their training earlier than usual this morning was all because of Rishir—
Due to the indescribable emotions they felt toward him.
They were heroes.
Possessors of innate talent chosen by holy swords.
They had always been the ones leading ahead.
However, everything changed after meeting Rishir.
Not only did they no longer feel like they were ahead, but at some point, they even started feeling left behind.
They knew.
The problem wasn't with them, but with that man.
Comparing themselves to him would never leave them unscathed.
However.
Accepting that fact wasn't easy for them.
Because they were heroes.
They wanted to surpass him.
At the very least, to stand equal.
That was the reason the two heroes had started their day with pathological speed.
They knew Rishir began every day with early morning training.
We'll wake up earlier than that guy.
And train even harder.
The two heroes resolved and actually did it.
And thought.
If we keep this up, someday we'll catch up to him.
Even surpass him.
"How long has it been... since we trained like this... just staring ahead..."
Jane panted as she spoke.
Her face was filled with deep satisfaction.
Felix, wearing the same expression, responded.
"Beginner's mind... probably something like that..."
"Beginner's mind... Nice... really nice..."
They recalled their beginner's mind.
The mindset from back then, when it felt like they could keep striving endlessly.
The mindset when it felt like they could keep advancing forever.
Yeah.
We'll achieve it step by step, starting from these small things.
Rishir.
This morning, we win.
As the two heroes savored their small victory.
Rishir finally appeared in the backyard.
"Huh?"
Rishir was surprised to see the two already there—
And the two felt an even greater sense of triumph at Rishir's reaction.
"You're late, Rishir~ We waited so long we turned to mush."
Felix said with a grin.
"My goodness. Did you wait for me until you ended up like this? What, a week?"
The two burst into silly laughter at Rishir's joke.
"Rishir. Sudden, but thanks. Thanks to you, I feel like we've regained our beginner's mind."
"Beginner's mind... That's some impressive beginner's mind. Training until you're wrecked this early. As expected of heroes."
Praise.
For heroes, nothing was more commonplace.
Praise followed every swing of their arm or step of their foot.
Thus, for heroes, nothing was more meaningless than praise.
However.
The corners of the mouths of the two heroes who heard the praise now kept rising endlessly.
It's just ordinary words, but why do they feel so special coming from that guy?
"No, you're a hero too."
"Rishir's so humble."
Jane and Felix unwittingly burst into innocent, childlike laughter.
Soon.
They pushed off the ground and staggered to their feet.
"Rishir. Sorry. I wanted to help with your training too, but with our condition—"
"Don't feel left out, okay?"
"Of course. It's a shame not to train with you two, but it's fine. I'm used to training alone anyway."
Oh right!
At that moment.
Rishir snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
"Jane. Felix. Do you have that with you right now by any chance?"
"That?"
"Yeah, you know."
The two racked their brains for things one might look for in the morning.
Bread. Coffee. Or a wet cloth for cleaning.
As they vaguely thought of those— Rishir spoke.
"The Core of Pain."
"..."
"..."
Of all things, the first thing they search for in the morning is that nightmare object.
The two forgot their good mood from moments ago and felt dizzy.
Meanwhile, Rishir continued.
"You know, my constitution gets along great with the Core of Pain, right?"
"..."
Does it?
Is that how you describe compatibility?
The two heroes' mouths twitched repeatedly but didn't open.
"So, I thought, why not fill it up while training? It might seem suspicious, but in the end, it's used for good, right?"
Fill it up on the side while training?
The otherworldly talk that followed reminded the two heroes of yesterday.
That shocking experience.
Drip.
Rishir, who received the Cores of Pain from the two, began his training.
At the same time, blood flowed from every orifice on his face.
A moment later.
After spilling a bout of blood through training, Rishir regulated his breathing with a refreshed face.
One of the Cores of Pain was 30% filled.
"Ah."
Yeah.
You win.
The two heroes felt unnecessarily offended.
"Huh? Speaking of which, where's Dwenn—"
Rishir and the two heroes finished training and gathered for breakfast.
The hero party's companions were there too, but their master, Dwenn, was notably absent.
'I'm curious about his left hand.'
Rishir cautiously asked the two about his master's well-being.
"Is he not feeling well by any chance?"
The two exchanged glances.
Jane spoke.
"Not that he's not well..."
"Huh? Is there another problem?"
"We checked on him before breakfast and asked after him. In short, he's fine. His left hand seems to be improving steadily too."
"Ah. That's a relief."
"Yeah. So we told him, how about joining us for breakfast if he's okay."
"...He refused?"
"Refused, I guess..."
"?"
Jane and Felix's subtle gazes focused on Rishir.
As Rishir pondered how to react, Jane continued.
"Not sure why, but he expressed discomfort... no, awkwardness about sitting with you."
"Wound...!"
"Don't take it personally! Please! Master must have his reasons. So, Rishir. If you're okay with it, how about visiting him after breakfast to talk it out?"
"Won't my visit make him uncomfortable?"
"Not sure if a disciple should say this, but you deserve respect from our master. No need to worry so much about his feelings."
The hero party members, excluding Jane, stared at him intently.
For him to say such a thing about the master he respected. Unimaginable.
'Does he respect Rishir as much as that man?'
As they inwardly felt surprise, Rishir nodded firmly.
"Understood. After breakfast, I'll visit separately to clear up the misunderstanding."
Knock knock.
"Dwenn. Are you there?"
After breakfast.
Rishir stood before the door of the room where Dwenn was staying.
After knocking, he sensed presence beyond the door.
The reply came immediately.
"Rishir. What is it?"
Rishir nearly felt intimidated by that stern voice, if only for a moment.
It felt like standing before a strict professor's office.
Moreover, the reason for the visit was personal.
Rishir composed himself and spoke.
"Nothing major. I came to ask about your left hand's condition."
And.
If it's okay, how about a spar?
That was Rishir's true purpose.
He had reached the 7th Circle, and the Swordmaster had regained his left hand.
He wanted to test his skills once more under the changed conditions.
"..."
A brief silence.
Soon, movement came from beyond the door—
Creeak.
Dwenn appeared.
"Huh?"
Facing the stern woman, Rishir unwittingly let out a sound of doubt.
Dwenn's appearance was somehow off.