Chapter 500: The Exchange (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 500: The Exchange (9)
“Have you ever considered becoming my disciple?”
Everyone’s shocked gazes turned toward us.
Francis’s offer was just that stunning.
He had no disciples.
There were plenty who had learned a thing or two from him, but he had never passed on his true art to any of them.
When asked why he didn't take any disciples, he always answered the same way.
-“I’ve yet to find anyone who meets my standards.”
To him, a disciple wasn't simply someone to inherit his techniques.
He wanted a disciple who could surpass him.
He dreamed of a student who would learn from him, grow stronger, and ultimately surpass him—a student who would, quite literally, surpass their master.
That was why even the geniuses all around him failed to satisfy him.
After all, Francis Meyer himself was a once-in-a-century genius.
“I see potential in you.”
And now, that very man was offering me the position of his disciple.
Which meant…
“I can feel you have the potential to easily surpass me.”
“……!”
As I said before, Francis Meyer was not a man who made empty boasts.
No, in fact, he was so honest that his inability to lie often earned him the disapproval of those around him.
That's why his words now struck me with such immense force.
The man I had admired so much had acknowledged me.
Could there be any greater joy in the world?
“So, what do you say? Will you learn from me?”
His gentle question came once more.
The answer was already decided.
“I must refuse.”
“Oh?”
Francis seemed bewildered, as if he’d never expected to be rejected.
Then, the reactions from the crowd started trickling in.
“What did he just say?”
“He… refused?”
“Refused what? Francis?”
“…Did that guy get hit with some kind of mental attack?”
Their reactions made me realize just how much influence Francis Meyer held here.
Roughly just below the Saintess, or perhaps on the same level.
If the Saintess was their spiritual pillar, then was Francis Meyer the comrade they could entrust their very lives to without hesitation?
“Hmm… this is a problem. This is an unexpected scenario.”
Francis Meyer scratched his brilliant blond hair, a troubled look on his face.
He asked again.
“May I ask why?”
The reason.
It wasn't anything grand.
“Our paths are different.”
Because the path he and I walk are different.
The Son Si-woo who staked his life on the sword was no more.
Besides, wouldn't it be a waste of the talent this body possesses?
Hearing my answer, a peculiar light entered his eyes.
“Come to think of it, your aura doesn't just hold the sharpness of a swordsman.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, a faint smile played on his lips.
“It also carries the unique mystique of a mage.”
“Heheh, Do-jin is just as good at magic as he is with a sword, you know.”
Angela spoke up before I could, her tone boastful.
“…Why are you the one bragging?”
“I'm not bragging, I'm just informing you.”
“No, you sounded just like a wife bragging about her husband.”
“No, I didn't.”
“Yes, you did.”
What's with these childish people?
Just as they were in the middle of their squabble…
“Is everyone having a good time?”
A voice that felt like a warm breeze filling one's heart echoed through the banquet hall.
“Saintess!”
The Saintess, who had been surrounded by the crowd at the Star Cluster Assembly and unable to move, finally appeared.
“You're finally here.”
“We've been waiting for you so long our necks were about to fall off!”
“Hehe, if it's gotten that bad, perhaps I should take a look at it for you?”
Hahahaha!
The people laughed brightly at such a simple joke.
It must have meant her presence alone was a great joy to them.
Just like at the Star Cluster Assembly, the Saintess spoke with each person one by one.
Her final destination was right here.
“It's been a while, Sir Francis.”
“It's good to see you, Saintess. How long has it been?”
“It's been since the last Exchange Meeting, so… about ten months, I suppose.”
“Hah… Getting older really makes you feel the sting of time's passage.”
“Hehe, I'm sure someone like you still has plenty of time, Sir Francis.”
“That may be true, but… living a long life isn't always a good thing.”
His gaze, tinged with a bitter smile, turned to me.
“My confidence in my own skills took a huge hit after seeing this young man.”
“It seems you've already spoken with Hunter Kim Do-jin.”
“Spoken? I asked him to be my disciple and got shot down spectacularly, ha-ha!”
“Oh, my.”
I could feel her surprised gaze from behind her veil.
“Is that true?”
“Hehe… He turned me down flat, saying our paths were different.”
“Ah… I see.”
The Saintess nodded slightly as she looked at me, as if in understanding.
As she did, Francis continued speaking.
“But I think that was just an excuse.”
The atmosphere froze at his sudden remark.
Startled, the Saintess flinched and asked.
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“At first, I accepted it, thinking, ‘Ah, our paths are different, so there's nothing to be done.’”
His gaze turned to me.
He didn't look upset.
On the contrary, he had a boyish expression, as if he couldn't be more delighted by the situation.
“You would have refused my offer even if the sword was all you had. Right, my friend?”
Look at this guy.
…His intuition is scary good.
Since everyone was watching, I answered in a careful tone.
“Probably.”
He was right.
Even if he had made the same offer back when I was Son Si-woo, I probably would have refused.
Was it because I was too proud to become someone's student?
No.
If I needed to learn, if I was desperate, I could learn even from a three-year-old.
After all, my swordsmanship was a tower built from bits and pieces I'd picked up here and there.
That's why.
“If you are a mountain I must overcome, I want to climb it with what I already have.”
When it came to pride in my own abilities, I wouldn't lose even to the best in the world.
“That's quite a challenging statement.”
Instead of being offended by what could be seen as a declaration of war, Francis let a smile grace his lips.
Now I was starting to understand. I was beginning to see what kind of person Francis Meyer was.
He was a lonely man.
One who had climbed to such great heights that he stood alone and aloof.
Made all the more desolate because everyone only looked up to him, never thinking to stand on his level.
His desire for a disciple with the potential to surpass him probably stemmed from the same feeling.
And to someone like that, my words must have sounded completely different.
“I felt it the first time I saw you, but I really like you.”
“Me too.”
“Hm?”
“I'm saying I had a good feeling about you too, Francis, from the moment I first saw you.”
He laughed.
“Bwahahaha! Did you hear that, Saintess? He says he likes me!”
“I look forward to it. To the bud of friendship that will blossom between you two.”
“Friendship, huh…”
His gaze turned to me once again.
“Are you the type to care about age differences in a friendship?”
Understanding his meaning, I smiled in response and shook my head.
“Not at all.”
“Excellent!”
Francis cried out in delight and I clasped the hand he offered.
“From now on, we're friends, okay? Young friend.”
Young friend, huh.
Then what should I call him?
“Yes, old friend.”
I was going to say ‘elderly friend,’ but I held back.
Getting old is sad enough; calling someone elderly would be rude.
As we shook hands firmly, another hand covered ours.
I looked up to see who it was.
“…Saintess?”
It was the Saintess.
“I was getting jealous just watching. Weren't you two supposed to have met me first?”
“Uh, well.”
“That is true, but…”
“So let me join in too. Friends, regardless of age. After some time passes, being friends who have transcended everything wouldn't be so bad, either.”
“Ooh… there's something romantic about that, isn't there? What do you think, young friend?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Friends who have transcended everything.
Could we really do that?
Would they still be able to hold my hand like this if they knew I was an Apostle of the Seven Deadly Sins?
Just as I was burying that flicker of doubt deep in my heart, trying to cherish this moment…
“Ah, wait! If that's the case, count me in!”
Angela jumped in belatedly.
But her hand was blocked.
By none other than Francis.
“Not you.”
“Hey, why not me?!”
“You're just a kid to me, you brat.”
“That's what we're supposed to be transcending!”
“I'd rather die.”
“Then die!”
“Hmph, with your skills? Not in a million years.”
And with that, the two of them actually drew their swords.
Angela shouted.
“Old man Merlin! Make us a dueling ring here!”
“Aigoo, all these youngsters do is boss an old man around.”
“Ah, hurry up!”
“Alright, alright, I'm on it!”
The stage was set.
The two glared intently at each other.
And their comrades, watching them, began to place bets.
“Who are you betting on?”
“What kind of question is that? Sir Francis, of course.”
“Me too!”
…Can you even call that a bet?
Amidst the boisterous chatter, the two clashed.
Kaang!
Chaeng!
Kuuung!
At first, Angela, charging forward with her shield raised, seemed to be holding her own, but as expected…
Francis's sword pierced through her defense as if it were a joke.
Not with a simple difference in stats, but purely with the technique of a master swordsman.
Incredible.
Even if they weren't serious, to toy with Angela so easily…
Then, a question popped into my head, and I asked the Saintess, who was happily watching the fight beside me.
“Saintess.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Is Mr. Francis also an Apostle of the Seven Heavenly Virtues?”
She nodded.
“That's right. Besides me, he was the first Apostle to join the Guardians.”
“May I ask which one…?”
After a brief pause, she gave me the answer.
“He is the Apostle of Humility. He's stronger than anyone, yet he is endlessly humble and a warm person who is kind to everyone, regardless of their station.”
Humility, huh.
“Bwahahaha! I told you! You'll never beat me in a million years, you brat!”
“……”
“……”
So humble, indeed.