Proof of Strength
Bagan looked at Montihall, who was grinning with clear interest plastered across his face, and spoke.
“The moment you used Peer, you already knew, didn’t you? That Palamus is dead and I’ve taken his power.”
It was impressive. He had deduced the answer from so little information. What made it even more absurd was how he hadn’t even bothered to confirm it, simply smiling as if it were nothing at all. Still, there was no point in denying it. Every word Montihall had spoken was correct.
At that moment, Vidion asked with an expression of utter disbelief, “Uncle, even so, I still can’t understand how he’s using a dragon’s power. Gaining strength is one thing, but how do you explain obtaining that power?”
His doubt was natural. Understanding how Bagan had won was one matter, but acquiring the power itself belonged to an entirely different realm.
“I’ll explain that part,” Bagan said. Montihall had likely only vaguely inferred it and would struggle to reach a conclusion on his own. Blessings were bizarre forces that defied simple explanation, and unless one possessed them personally, their effects couldn’t be deduced. Bagan knew them because he had used every trait in the game; normally, the name and effect of a blessing were known only to its bearer.
“I have a blessing that absorbs anything. Like this.”
Warm tea and desserts had already been laid out on the table. Bagan dipped his finger into a steaming cup of black tea.
“That’s hot······”
Dragonians possessed some resistance to heat, but to Lilia, Bagan looked no different from a human. Yet Bagan wasn’t human either—he was a homunculus, an ambiguous existence that merely resembled one. While this granted him exceptional physical abilities, it didn’t extend to immunity against extreme temperatures. Still, Bagan smiled faintly at Lilia’s concern.
“It’s fine.”
Just as he said, the tea was completely absorbed through his fingertip. Shuuuuk!
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
“Something like magic······”
It was believable even if it had been magic. But it was a blessing. As if to prove it, Lilia spoke up.
“Oppa, that wasn’t magic. I’ve never learned anything like it.”
Even Lilia, who had received advanced education at the academy, had never encountered this new form of technique. Vidion thought back. He had faced countless formidable enemies over the decades, even waging war against the Sog Kingdom until recently. Yet he had never once seen a technique like Bagan’s.
“It’s not over yet.”
Bagan tilted his finger over the cup again. Hot steam rose from his fingertip as tea poured out, as if from a teapot. Nothing about the phenomenon had changed, yet everyone watching rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
“I also have a blessing that releases what I absorb.”
“Absorption and Release, then.”
Bagan revealed his hand without hesitation. Normally, exposing all one’s abilities was something to avoid at all costs, but he had decided to trust the people at this table. However, their reactions differed.
“Quite confident, aren’t you? Does that mean revealing your abilities isn’t even a weakness?”
Vidion, in particular, felt this strongly. Watching Bagan proudly display his power ignited a long-dormant fire in his chest. It was pure curiosity. From the atmosphere, the aura, and his demeanor, Vidion had believed Bagan was by no means weaker than himself. Now, that assumption seemed premature. Bagan’s true strength was unknown. He might even surpass Vidion, one of the revered Seven Great Heroes. In the end, the words slipped out.
“So you ultimately used that power to slay a dragon and obtain strength equal to ours. I’d like to see it for myself—whether you truly possess such power.”
“Hey! Vidion! No matter who you are, that’s not something you say to the man who fulfilled our family’s long-cherished wish!”
Montihall tried to stop him, but Vidion’s resolve was firm.
“His Peer definitely carries a dragon’s presence. But proof must still be given. Therefore, I will judge him myself.”
In other words, he would determine whether to acknowledge Bagan through a direct confrontation. Vidion was widely regarded as the strongest on the continent. The idea of him facing a newcomer like Bagan was unthinkable. Yet his stubborn pride couldn’t be swayed. His expression alone—burning with curiosity—made that clear.
“If that’s what you want, then I’ll allow it.”
Montihall had no choice but to permit it. After all, stopping Vidion was impossible from the start.
“Oppa, go easy on him. Keep a clear head, and don’t change your form mid-practice like you used to.”
Vidion was a battle maniac. That was precisely why Lilia pleaded with him so earnestly. They said a lion used its full strength even when hunting a rabbit—Vidion was that type. No matter how insignificant the opponent, he would crush them with everything he had. Bagan wasn’t insignificant, but the warning still stood: Vidion would likely go all out.
Thud!
The moment permission was granted, Vidion shot up from the table. As the largest person present, his movement made the ground tremble.
“Then let’s head to the training grounds!”
He spoke with an excited voice.
“Bagan, are you sure about this? That’s Lord Vidion we’re talking about.”
“Gion, have you already forgotten my skills?”
Bagan brimmed with confidence. Gion felt reassured—because it was Bagan. In Gion’s eyes, Bagan was on par with or even above Vidion. Together, they made their way to the training grounds.
Crack, pop!
A chilling sound of bones echoed from Vidion’s body, reverberating throughout the entire training hall.
(Is that sound really coming from a person’s body?)
‘To be precise, it’s the sound of a Dragonian’s bones. Magnificent, isn’t it?’
At Sally’s words, Bagan responded while stretching, his gaze fixed on Vidion as he prepared himself fully. After finishing his vigorous stretches, Vidion removed his upper garment, revealing his muscular torso, and untied the spear strapped to his back with leather cords. It was the magic spear Epentes, the weapon that had accompanied him since he earned the title Divine Spear—a straight, radiant spear that seemed to emit its own light.
Epentes was called a magic spear for several reasons. First, no living being other than Vidion could lift it. Second, when thrown, it would return to his side after a certain time. Lastly, it possessed a self-repair function. Hence, it was known as a magic spear.
“Seeing Epentes makes my heart race. To think the person before me is truly one of the Seven Great Heroes.”
Bagan offered Vidion a respectful nod.
“It’s not good to speak as if you know someone else’s weapon so well. Is it because I’m too famous? Either way, you’ll soon feel firsthand why I’m called the Divine Spear.”
Vidion fully armed himself, both outwardly and inwardly, before the battle.
“This is just a demonstration match, yet you’re already taking it this seriously?”
Ziiing!
Bagan gently grasped the air with his left hand, gathering mana and smoothly forming a sword from right to left. A finely honed blade of mana materialized along his hand. It was the mana sword he hadn’t drawn cautiously during his duel with Caliban. Now, facing a worthy opponent, he summoned it with care and took aim.
“Ho, a technique I’ve never seen before. A weapon composed of highly pure mana······ No need to carry it around, and even if it breaks, you can recreate it.”
Vidion saw through the essence of the mana sword.
“You saw it well. That’s why I don’t carry a separate weapon.”
“You say that proudly, but it’s not a particularly good habit. A weapon is a lifelong companion. Without it, there’s no meaning.”
It was Vidion’s belief, one that valued mental discipline beyond mere combat.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Bagan smiled faintly, countering Vidion’s logic. Gion, believing both had finished their preparations, stepped into the center of the training grounds and confirmed their readiness.
“This is merely a sparring match. If either Bagan or Lord Vidion feels things are getting out of hand, I’ll signal to stop.”
Though not a formal referee, a mediator was necessary. When one’s body moved and heart burned, vision could blur.
“Then, begin the match!”
There was no more time to waste. Gion announced the start and retreated to the second floor, where Montihall and Lilia sat watching. At the signal, Vidion charged forward. Despite his massive frame, his speed was tremendous. Bagan nearly lost sight of him.
Bang!
Clang!
“Hup!”
Bagan barely managed to block Vidion’s spear, which struck like a charging bison, with his mana sword. Their auras twisted against each other, releasing a shockwave.
“With one exchange, I can tell. As expected, you’re quite skilled.”
Vidion spoke leisurely, evaluating Bagan as he took a step back. Then he assumed an unusual stance. Switching the spear from both hands to one, he raised it over his shoulder and aimed with his remaining hand.
(A throw.)
It was Vidion’s signature technique—a powerful throw infused with immense force. Even Bagan could see Vidion’s mana flowing into the hand gripping the spear. It was so concentrated that it manifested visibly, rising like smoke.
“Dragon Strike!”
The spear left his hand, hurtling toward Bagan as if daring him to block it. Vidion’s mana enveloped it, forming the shape of a dragon mid-flight. There weren’t many ways to respond, so Bagan had to think quickly. Yet the spear, thrown at near-sonic speed, gave him no time.
(I have no choice but to use that.)
Sally answered for him.
‘Thought Acceleration!’
Using the Acceleration trait obtained from defeating Drake, Bagan could process many thoughts in a short time.
‘Could an 8th-class defensive spell stop it?’
‘It’s possible, but the spear will reach you before the shield forms.’
Even as he pondered, the spear continued its slow approach toward him. Time hadn’t stopped—only his thoughts had accelerated. Sally and Bagan, existing outside the flow of time in their minds, could stretch this moment. Everything else continued at its normal pace.
‘Then I’ll have to use both at once.’
‘If you want to completely neutralize it, that would be best.’
His planning was complete. The moment the strategy formed, time resumed its normal flow. Mana in the air surged rapidly under Bagan’s control. The spear, tearing through the air, slowed as it encountered the altered mana flow. But it wasn’t enough to stop it entirely—the spear kept coming. When it reached just before Bagan’s nose, he felt a sharp sting.
Kwaaaang—!!
A cloud of white smoke engulfed the area, obscuring Bagan from view.
“B-Bagan!”
Gion, watching from the second floor, cried out at the sight of Bagan being struck in what felt like an instant.
“In the end, he couldn’t match Vidion after all.”
Montihall spoke with a hint of disappointment, sensing the match was over. But then—
“Wait a moment, Father. It’s not over yet.”
As the white smoke slowly cleared with the wind, a figure emerged.
“Who said he couldn’t match him?”
There stood Bagan, completely unharmed.
“Here, take this back. It’s shaking so much in someone else’s hand, it’s annoying.”
Epentes, which shuddered the moment it was held by another, was tossed back to Vidion. Everyone was stunned. Vidion stood bewildered, Montihall and Gion couldn’t close their mouths, and Lilia nearly fainted from how cool the moment looked.
“Shall we go again?”