Chapter 193
Chapter 193
After demonstrating his Aura, Logan aggressively charged at Luther Kyle.
He wasn't confident in maintaining his still-clumsy Aura for long.
Fortunately, Luther willingly faced him head-on.
And the result—
Huff... Huff...
"Hah. This is a massive loss for me."
Logan, battered and bruised, collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. He wiped the blood from his lips before sprawling out completely.
The giant who had reduced him to this state stared down at him with bewildered eyes.
"...It would've been far more troublesome if you'd fought your usual way without using Aura."
"I know. I'm still incomplete. That's why I wanted to test it in a spar. I learned a lot, thanks to you."
With a relieved expression, Logan sincerely expressed his gratitude.
Clashing with Luther's intense Aura had significantly deepened his understanding of it.
Of course, Luther's expression remained just as confused.
"A half... Hah. A non-Aura User wielding Aura? If I hadn't experienced it myself, I wouldn't have believed it..."
"...Is my case that rare?"
"Rare? I've never even heard of it before!"
"That much?"
"Tch..."
Luther shook his head in disbelief before sighing and abruptly asking,
"Can you explain how to convert Force into Aura?"
"Yes. Not perfectly, but roughly... Why do you ask? You're already an Aura User."
"Hah... Hahaha. So it really is possible. How absurd..."
"Huh?"
"...Normally, Aura is something a Force User gains instinctively upon surpassing human limits—an enlightenment, not something you theorize or explain."
"Ah... Then...?"
"Almost no Aura Users can explain how Force converts into Aura! No, among those I know, there isn't a single one—not even your master!"
"...Huh?"
The unexpected statement left Logan momentarily stunned.
"Perhaps, someday, you'll be able to objectively explain the process of a Force User becoming an Aura User. And that would be an even greater achievement than becoming a Transcendent at your age."
"R-Really?"
Logan understood what Luther was saying, but in his mind, generating Aura required at least the same level of precision and sensitivity as mastering the Divine Sword Secret Art.
Wait, then what about those who taught me the Secret Art...?
As Logan sank into thought, Luther, still excited, spoke in a cautionary tone.
"Of course, it might not work out. But the mere possibility is enormous. So hide your Aura. At least until you become a true Aura User—especially from the Empire."
From this, Logan realized one thing:
This towering Transcendent genuinely cared for him.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
"For worrying about me. And I'll rely on your guidance until we return."
"Hmph. Well, your master asked me to, so it's only natural."
Luther turned his head away, as if embarrassed by his earlier excitement.
Seeing this, Logan smiled faintly.
In his past life, he hadn't known much about this Transcendent, who had died during the civil war.
So, though he hadn't shown it outwardly, he'd harbored doubts.
Why did Master assign Luther Kyle to me?
Luther could've refused—so why did he follow me?
Could he be planning to defect to the Empire?
But those worries vanished in this moment.
He might smash my skull from the front, but he's not the type to betray from behind.
A single spar had earned him more trust than days of traveling together.
"My lord! Congratulations!"
"The youngest Aura User... Even for you, my lord, this is..."
"A blessing for MacLaine—no, for the entire kingdom!"
As Logan and Luther approached the campsite, the knights who had watched the spar erupted in cheers.
Logan looked at them with a blank expression.
"It's not Aura."
"...Huh?"
"It's just compressed Force Blade. If it were real Aura, would I have lost so miserably?"
The knights, who had been celebrating as if it were their own achievement, froze in unison.
Seeing their reaction, Luther drove the point home.
"It was a clever trick. But it wastes too much energy and can't match real Aura. Focus on serious training to break through properly instead of relying on gimmicks."
"Y-Yes. Understood."
What could the knights say when both the man himself and a Transcendent insisted otherwise?
Though Victor tilted his head curiously, his red and blue eyes gleaming, the knights had no choice but to believe them.
It was a smokescreen to prevent unnecessary attention and rumors.
From that day on, sparring between Logan and Luther became a daily routine whenever they camped.
Luther, with his ironclad physique, was the polar opposite of Logan's master—yet he proved an excellent stimulus. Thanks to him, Logan could temporarily set aside his worries about his family and kingdom and focus entirely on training.
His improvement was palpable even in that short time.
Then, exactly three days later—
As they approached their first planned stop, Luther sat Logan down for a serious talk.
"You've heard about the traits Transcendents possess, right?"
"Ah. About the blooming of traits—the moment one surpasses human limits, it triggers an evolution unique to them. That's the foundation of being called a Transcendent."
Mages gain an additional attribute they couldn't wield before, while Aura Users might gain elemental affinity or physical enhancements.
But Logan had thought that happened naturally...?
"Right. Most Aura Users stop at balanced growth—strength, Force, and senses amplifying evenly. But some, like me or Wycken, undergo extreme changes in one aspect. Some dismiss it as imbalanced awakening, but I believe this kind of evolution is the best."
Even the standard was already incredible, but Logan listened quietly.
"Of course, base abilities matter most. But strength, senses, and Force—these three can be overcome with training to some extent. Take Jordan Waltermein, for example. You've fought him, haven't you?"
"...You haven't, Lord Luther?"
"W-Well, of course not! It's not that easy, you know! Hmph!"
"......"
Logan's eyes narrowed briefly, but Luther pressed on.
"A-Anyway, the point is this: The basics can be compensated for with effort, no matter how hard. But gaining an elemental affinity or supernatural ability—or, like me, completely breaking past normal physical limits—is only possible at that moment of transcendence. And that new trait creates an absolute gap between those who have it and those who don't."
"What about my master?"
"T-That's... That man's just a monster, so he doesn't count!"
Though his argument lost some credibility, Luther's advice was still intriguing.
But—
"I heard it isn't something you can control?"
"Right. Some say it reflects your life. I think there's truth to that."
Luther sighed bitterly.
"I always wanted overwhelming strength—power like the giants of myth, enough to overturn the world. Fortunately, I was born with considerable talent, so I trained accordingly. And when I awakened, I grew over 50 cm taller. My muscles and bones became far sturdier too."
Meaning he was already over 2.5 meters before awakening...
Honestly, that was more shocking, but Logan kept listening.
"Back then, I was thrilled. But over a decade later, I felt more regret than joy."
Huh? That contradicted what he'd been saying.
Before Logan could dwell on it—
"I should've specialized in compressing this strength, this physique, while maintaining my original frame. I'd have been far stronger. That damn Wycken wouldn't dare smirk in my face either."
"Haha. That might've been possible."
"Tch. Don't laugh. It's true—awakening isn't something you can steer. No one can. But I think you're different."
"Me?"
"You're visibly growing more accustomed to Aura. I suspect you might be able to predict your awakening to some extent. Don't you think?"
After a moment's thought, Logan nodded.
"I can't say for certain, but... it does feel possible."
"Right. That's why I'm telling you—you might be able to artificially guide your trait's direction."
"Hmm..."
Logan fell into thought.
He had to admit Luther's words made sense.
If becoming familiar with Aura is like a slow-motion awakening, then laying the groundwork now might be possible.
Something no one else could do.
If he, already confident in being the strongest among his peers, could grow wings sturdier than anyone else's upon becoming a Transcendent—
His heart raced.
"I don't know what form your ideal power takes. But from now on, keep a blueprint in your mind. Visualize the path you want to grow along—strongly, concretely."
Trait blooming.
The pinnacle of the power I seek.
His master had never mentioned this—making Luther's advice all the more intriguing.
Which raised a question.
"But why are you telling me this?"
To someone who had once been an enemy. To someone who had ruined his standing.
"...Because I want to see it."
"Huh?"
"Even as you are now, you fight me evenly. I want to see what happens when you properly bloom your traits and become a Transcendent. Maybe... our kingdom's legendary Ore Master will be born."
Logan didn't dwell on that last part.
It was too grand a goal for now.
But sensing Luther's sincerity, he thanked him earnestly.
"If that day comes, you'll be the first to see it."
"Pfft—Hahaha! Good. But doesn't that mean you'll beat me up first?"
"......"
"...Why are you avoiding eye contact? Hey! You!!"
Their ability to joke like this was just an added bonus.
"That's..."
"Ruspelheim. The largest city in the Empire's east. The closest major imperial city to our kingdom."
And the staging ground for the invasion.
Logan suppressed the unpleasant memories surfacing and frowned.
But Victor was simply awed by the sight of a foreign metropolis.
"It's huge! Almost comparable to Gran."
"Yeah. The population's about half, but it's special in other ways."
"Other ways?"
"Yeah."
Since Victor would see for himself soon, Logan didn't elaborate, turning his gaze to the distant walls.
Massive fortifications rivaling the capital Gran, with countless people streaming through the gates.
The sight of such a bustling crowd drew a bitter smile from him.
"...Still the same."
If Kyle was the kingdom's greatest trade hub, Ruspelheim deserved to be called the eastern continent's.
Its permanent population alone reached 500,000, and with merchants and travelers from across the eastern territories, its transient population easily exceeded a million.
And it was a city filled with love and hate—second only to the imperial capital, Acerian, as a hotspot for the Grandia Liberation Front's insurgents.
It was also a mandatory stop for anyone traveling from Grandia to Acerian.
In his past life, he'd known this city better than its residents...
"I need to confirm how things are now."
"Huh?"
"...Never mind. Let's go. We'll be staying here for at least three days."
"My lord, I thought we were in a hurry?"
"I accounted for that in our schedule. Don't worry."
Under the puzzled gazes of his companions, Logan slowly approached the city gates.
After joining the long queue, they finally reached the entrance—
"T-The Emperor's invitation! P-Please wait a moment!!"
The bored-looking knight on guard duty paled before darting inside.
Less than an hour later—
"Ahahaha! It's an honor to receive you. I am Dmitri, mayor of Ruspelheim. Please, come in. I'll guide you personally."
The sudden appearance of an unexpected figure and his excessively deferential attitude left the group utterly bewildered.