Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Young Genius (2)
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“Young genius! What do you mean by that!”
Bradley erupted in anger at the Sword Saint’s words.
“You just said Demian Haksen reached Master Class not long ago!”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve been Master Class for years already! Are you saying I’m weaker than Demian Haksen?”
No matter how important talent was in this world, the difference in time couldn’t be ignored.
Bradley had reached Master Class before Demian Haksen.
That meant he’d trained for longer and gained more experience.
“Well, it’s natural you wouldn’t accept it. I feel the same way.”
The Sword Saint scratched his temple as he spoke.
“But what can you do? Everything I said is true. Demian Haksen’s body has already surpassed yours. With a gap this wide, no trick will let you win.”
Bradley stared at Demian in disbelief. Demian shrugged.
‘Must be thanks to the Starlight Pollen Technique.’
The mana cultivation method Demian practiced, the Starlight Pollen Technique, had the effect of strengthening the body.
The more intense the battle, the greater the efficiency of the Starlight Pollen Technique.
In his fight against the Weapon Master, Demian had pushed the Starlight Pollen Technique beyond its limits. On top of that, he’d consumed a legendary elixir.
As a result, Demian had obtained a body on a completely different level from other Master Class knights.
“...If the Sword Saint says so, then it must be true.”
Despite his words, Bradley’s face was full of dissatisfaction.
“But that doesn’t mean I can admit defeat without even crossing blades.”
“You’d still challenge Demian Haksen to a duel after hearing me?”
Bradley nodded.
“You stubborn fool... But you’re right. How could a knight admit defeat without even fighting? It’s absurd.”
The Sword Saint turned to Demian and asked.
“What about you? Will you accept this idiot’s challenge?”
“I’ll accept.”
Demian’s nature was that of a knight, so he often felt his fighting spirit ignite when facing famous knights.
Moreover, the man before him was a future powerhouse called the Sword Emperor.
He was deeply curious about how strong he was right now, what techniques he used, and what realm he had attained.
“Thank you, Demian Haksen, for granting my request.”
A heavy thud echoed as Bradley clapped his fists together.
“Then let’s head outside. We’ll test our skills in the training grounds...”
“Who said you could?”
At that moment, Rachel spoke in a curt tone.
“You know a fight between Master Class knights would demolish everything around. You think I’d allow that in our family’s villa?”
“Hahaha, Lady Rachel, no need to worry. Even if the villa is completely destroyed, my family will cover all the damages.”
“Oh? So you’re planning to destroy it, then?”
Rachel’s lips twitched. Sensing an instinctive chill, Bradley clamped his mouth shut.
“Sir Bradley Hess, please leave for today.”
“L-Lady Rachel. We men are about to stake our honor in a duel...”
“If you don’t go, I’ll tell my father.”
The moment Duke Lichtauer was mentioned, Bradley’s face paled.
“...Demian Haksen, it seems the duel will have to wait.”
Bradley looked disappointed.
“Will you be entering the Helian Tournament by any chance?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect! Then let’s face off there!”
Bradley thumped his chest with a confident grin.
“The Sword Saint says I’m weaker than you, but I won’t accept that easily. I’ll prepare thoroughly from today and meet you at the Helian Tournament. I’ll definitely win...”
“Why haven’t you left yet? Should I really complain to your father through the Marquis of Hess?”
“...Anyway, see you at the Helian Tournament!”
Bradley left practically chased out.
“...Why hasn’t the Sword Saint elder left yet?”
After shooing Bradley away, Rachel glared at the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint cleared his throat.
“That little girl’s gotten so prickly. It feels like just yesterday she was toddling after me calling me uncle.”
“Cut the nonsense. I’ll tell Grandfather.”
“W-Wait, that’s a problem...”
“Then hurry up and leave, elder.”
Rachel pointed at the door. Her attitude was firm.
“Fine, calm down. Let me finish my business with Demian Haksen before I go.”
“Make it quick.”
“Thanks. Now, Demian Haksen.”
The Sword Saint turned to Demian and asked.
“Would you like to become my disciple?”
* * *
“No.”
Demian refused outright. He didn’t hesitate for a second.
“You know who I am, and you still refuse?”
“You’re the strange one, elder. You should know by now that Master Class knights don’t need a master.”
A Master Class was someone who already walked their own path. They weren’t in a position to take advice from others.
“That’s exactly why I want to be your master.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll become a big shot without me lifting a finger. Then when you get famous, my name rides the wave.”
Everyone stared at the Sword Saint in disbelief at the utterly mercenary reason. Their eyes looked at him like he was trash.
‘Ah, right. He’s always been this shameless.’
In his previous life, the Sword Saint was famous as an eccentric. His unpredictability made even the Black Mage Alliance struggle against him.
“It’s a joke. You’re right—Master Class knights don’t need to learn from others. But at my level, I still have plenty to teach.”
“I doubt it.”
“Who knows? One of my tips might give you the key to becoming a Grandmaster.”
The word Grandmaster sparked curiosity on everyone else’s faces.
It was inevitable. Very few people even knew the term Grandmaster.
“You’re really confident. Mentioning Grandmaster like that.”
“What? You know about Grandmaster? The more I see, the more mysterious you are.”
Grandmaster referred to the realm after Master Class.
But it wasn’t that simple. It required leaping over multiple high walls as a Master Class.
Very few knights ever reached Grandmaster.
Even heroes and legends often remained at Master Class.
That’s why so few knew of Grandmaster. Almost no one attained it, so it stayed obscure.
‘But for some reason, several Grandmasters were born in this era.’
The Empire’s Greatest Swordsman, the distant future’s Sword Empress, and the man before him—the Sword Saint—were all Grandmasters.
The Holy Order and Pandemonium had them too.
“I don’t need it.”
But Demian had no need for the Sword Saint’s advice.
He had already reached Grandmaster in his previous life.
No, he had gone beyond that and was aiming for the next realm.
“And elder, you don’t need to test me like this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You want to keep me close as a ‘disciple’ to check if I’m trustworthy.”
In that instant, the Sword Saint’s expression changed.
His sly demeanor sharpened in a heartbeat.
Demian stepped closer to the Sword Saint. He whispered softly.
“You don’t need to test the waters like that. Pandemonium makes my teeth grind too. When the Demon Extermination Squad moves, call on me anytime.”
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened. He looked like he wanted to ask how Demian knew that name.
‘I could never forget it.’
The Demon Extermination Squad was an imperial black ops force.
Its goal: the extermination of Pandemonium.
The Sword Saint had long been its leader.
“...I heard you were an honorary Holy Knight of the Order. I didn’t expect you to know about the Demon Extermination Squad.”
“I heard it directly at the main temple.”
It was a lie. But he needed this lie to forge a connection with the Demon Extermination Squad.
Demian could handle Pandemonium alone.
The problem was information.
Where they were now. What plots they were hatching.
Too much was unknown, even from his past life memories. He needed the Demon Extermination Squad’s help.
“It’s intriguing, but I can’t trust you that easily. Black mages always require suspicion.”
The Sword Saint crossed his arms.
“But your talent is too good to discard outright. Give me time to think?”
“Do as you like.”
The Sword Saint turned and left the mansion.
“Oh.”
Before fully exiting, he looked back at Demian.
“Thanks for the drink. I’ll never forget what happened today.”
* * *
“...The mood’s completely ruined.”
Rachel sighed and muttered.
“Demian Haksen, why did you come here?”
“I came to enter the Helian Tournament, but there’s no decent lodging. Mind if we stay here for a while?”
“Sure. That’s no problem.”
Rachel agreed readily.
Compared to a ring stamped with the family seal, it was nothing.
“But in exchange, you have to spar with me whenever I want.”
“That’s easy enough.”
Her expression brightened the moment he answered.
“Really? It’s a promise?”
“Of course.”
“Wait a sec. I’ll call servants to show you around.”
Rachel hummed cheerfully as she headed inside the mansion.
“Haaah.”
Once Rachel was gone, Michael exhaled the breath he’d been holding.
“Brother, is the Empire always this amazing?”
“What are you saying?”
“I thought aside from you, no one my age was stronger than me.”
Michael looked wistfully in the direction Rachel had gone.
“But that girl... and that Bradley Hess guy earlier—he’s not much older and already Master Class.”
Many knights lost confidence upon arriving in the Empire.
Even geniuses like Michael.
The Empire was vast, teeming with untouchable powerhouses.
It wasn’t just the population producing geniuses—the number of Master Class was too high for that.
Demian didn’t know the exact reason.
But he’d heard from Dorgo: it was due to a vow binding the Empire.
“You’re overthinking it. You’re a genius who doesn’t fall short of them.”
“Really?”
“Trust me. I’m good at judging people.”
Demian patted Michael’s back.
“In a few years, you and Veronica will be massive powerhouses. You won’t envy the Empire’s knights then.”
Michael’s face lit up at the confident words.
“Veronica, hear that? You and I...”
Michael turned. There stood Veronica, dozing on her feet.
Standing in place, head thrown back, even snoring.
“...She’s supposed to be on my level?”
Dissatisfaction flooded Michael’s face.
* * *
After that, Demian’s group stayed at the Lichtauer Duke’s villa, preparing for the Helian Tournament.
Demian spent his time sparring in turns with the Sword Empress, Michael, and Veronica.
Time passed, and the tournament day arrived.