Chapter 90: The Arena of Cosmos (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90: The Arena of Cosmos (1)
The world knew little about "otherworlds."
Until now, the existence of other dimensions had only been vaguely proven by regions that spawned monsters—like the lawless "unprotected zones" of the Black Sea—or by the appearance of mythical beasts like the phoenix.
Even Jin, who in his past life knew as much about magic as most academy professors, was hearing the term "Fire Realm" for the first time.
"The Fire Realm. That's some advanced knowledge; lesser beings aren't supposed to know about it. Even among dragons, few know exactly what kind of place the Fire Realm is, and you can count the ones who've actually been there on one hand."
"It’s common knowledge that phoenixes are mythical beasts from another world, but this is the first time I’ve heard of that world having a specific name like the Fire Realm," Jin said, propping his chin on his hand.
Murakan shook his head.
"The name 'Fire Realm' is just a convenient label we use in our dimension. It’s a world of nothing but fire and phoenixes. Not even the highest-ranking gods know that world's true name."
Everyone listened to Murakan’s explanation with rapt attention. Enya, a student of magic, seemed even more excited than Jin.
"Even the gods don't know? Does that mean the Fire Realm is outside their domain?"
"Bingo. You're correct. Even Shinu, the God of Fire, can't control the flames of the Fire Realm. Conversely, Tess, the ruler of the Fire Realm, can't control Shinu’s flames either."
"Heavens… then does that mean such a great being is now the Young Master's summon? Lord Murakan, isn't this cause for celebration?"
"Strawberry Pie is also correct. But as for it being a cause for celebration… it's the opposite. It's a bad thing."
Murakan’s expression darkened as he clicked his tongue. Quicantel, standing beside him, still looked stiff, as if she hadn't recovered from the shock of seeing Tess.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
As Murakan’s silence stretched on, the others swallowed nervously. His companions began to worry that some terrible curse had been placed on Tess’s summoner.
"Ugh, stop stalling and just say it. Why is it a bad thing?" Jin finally snapped, unable to bear the suspense.
Murakan hung his head low.
"It's only a celebration for you. Dammit, I can't stand that guy! Why did it have to be Tess? There are plenty of other good phoenixes! Like Manier, or Sankish!"
As Murakan threw a frustrated punch into the air, sighs of relief rippled through the room. This Black Dragon, Jin thought, would probably never grow up.
"Well, it's annoying for me, but I'll offer my lukewarm congratulations, kid. Your mana is still lacking, so you won't be able to use that guy's power properly yet. But regardless, he’s better than any other pathetic phoenix."
"How strong will I be once I can fully unleash Tess’s power?"
"You can never unleash his full power. Never. At full strength, the being you've summoned could obliterate a mid-tier god with a single breath."
Quicantel flinched, a slight tremor running through her body.
She was remembering the nightmare she’d experienced when she went to the Fire Realm with Olta long ago. That day, Quicantel had personally witnessed five gods being annihilated in an instant.
Of course, Murakan had been there too. So had Solderet and Olta, the gods of the two dragons.
"What…? He’s that powerful?" Jin asked, noticing Quicantel’s strange reaction.
"They say he can't exert all that power outside the Fire Realm. It’s a stroke of luck for me, really. That’s why I can afford to act tough around him. Similarly, if the gods of our world cross over to the Fire Realm, they can't use their authority properly either. It’s a sort of penalty."
"Hmm, I see."
Even without such a broken level of power, Tess’s combat abilities as recorded in history were more than enough. What Jin liked most was that Tess’s flames were completely unaffected by Shinu.
It was inevitable that Runcandel and Zipple would one day face each other in a total war.
When Jin eventually confronted Kelliark, Tess’s power would be an enormous asset. No matter how high-grade, ordinary fire magic would never work against Kelliark, the contractor of Shinu.
"Oh, by the way, what was the message Tess wanted you to give me? And how do you even talk to him? Can't I do it?"
"You can't. It’s a spiritual conversation. As for his message… it was nothing much. He said he likes you a lot. Apparently, you’re the first human to summon him so nonchalantly. He’s a peculiar one, that's for sure. He told you to come visit the Fire Realm once you're strong enough."
"Huh, I can go there?"
"If you reach a level where you can breathe naturally amidst flames that hold the power of a 10-star spell. That neighborhood is a bit like that."
After Murakan’s explanation ended, the companions spent the rest of the night talking about Jin’s victory and Tess until the party wound down.
And as soon as it was over, Casimir took a purifying bath, sat upright in his office, and began to write a letter.
*
January 1, 1796.
The new year had dawned.
Ideally, the first day of the year should be spent with family, praying for each other's well-being and reaffirming bonds, or with lovers and friends, dreaming of a beautiful future.
But Guardian Knight Khan was unfortunately covered in the dark blood and entrails of monsters in the middle of the Black Sea.
Once again, he carried a neatly sealed letter in his breast pocket. His first mission of the new year was to be a mailman.
It’s been three months. Did the Young Master actually defeat Alisa Badger? I feel like even I’m starting to look forward to these letters…
Khan was curious about the contents. Perhaps that was why he reached the center of the Black Sea, where Cyron was, faster than usual.
"Patriarch, this is Guardian Knight Khan—"
"Hand it over."
"Yes, sir!"
Cyron took the letter with a solemn face and broke the seal with practiced speed. He looked no different from any other father who had sent his child to study abroad.
[To the respected and revered great knight, Sir Cyron Runcandel.
Ah, it is the second letter. I write to you now with a mind more purified than ever, with the rising sun at my back—]
"Keep it short."
"Pardon?"
"Tell Casimir to write as briefly as possible from now on."
"...Understood, Patriarch."
This time, too, more than seventy percent of the thick stationery was filled with useless, flowery language.
However, as he reached the fourth page, the corners of Cyron’s mouth slowly began to curl upward.
"It seems Young Master Jin has defeated Alisa Badger," Khan said, having gauged the shift in mood.
Cyron gave a thin smile and looked down at Khan.
"Heh, he says he won the rematch. Moreover, it seems he obtained a phoenix named Tess. You know of it?"
"My apologies, Patriarch. I am not aware of that matter."
"It’s a phoenix that emits blue flames. They say whoever summons it is destined to become the greatest mage of their era."
"Congratulations, sir!"
"But I have no interest in things like phoenixes. Today’s letter is nothing but talk of the phoenix. There’s only a single line about how much his swordsmanship has improved."
[His swordsmanship has become very good. He is growing at a magnificent rate.]
Cyron was dissatisfied.
He had allowed Jin to practice the sword, magic, and spiritual energy simultaneously. But as a Runcandel, it was only natural for Cyron to want his son to prioritize the sword above all else.
Khan nodded quietly.
"That is indeed a problem. I am concerned that the Young Master might be too immersed in magic."
"Yes, just so. I expect he’ll handle himself well, but it does weigh on my mind… Hmm."
A long silence fell.
While Khan kept his head bowed, Cyron eventually spoke as if an idea had just occurred to him.
"Ron Hairan’s grandson. Find out what he’s been up to lately."
Ron Hairan.
The Patriarch of the Hairan Clan, a prestigious swordsmanship family in Viment, and a man who was once Cyron’s rival.
However, after Cyron reached the Realm of Creation, the gap between them became undeniable. The prevailing opinion was that even the second generation of Hairan couldn't measure up to the children of Runcandel.
But now, a child with the greatest talent in the Hairan family’s history had been born. That was Ron’s grandson.
Despite his youth, he was a supernova who had already been designated as the next Patriarch of Hairan, skipping a generation.
"Are you referring to Dante Hairan? As it happens, I already have some information regarding his recent activities."
"Oh?"
"Yes, a request related to the Arena of Cosmos came in. While looking at the target list for a pirate assassination request, we found that Dante Hairan had registered for the arena under a pseudonym."
A strange light flickered in Cyron’s eyes.
"The Arena of Cosmos… That martial arts tournament hosted by some pirate, wasn't it? I recall Mary being furious after taking second place there about ten years ago."
"That is correct, Patriarch. To my knowledge, that was Lady Mary’s first defeat. She did take her revenge separately two months later, though."
It was one of the secrets known only to a few in the family.
"Send Jin there as well, so he can have a bout with Dante Hairan. This should be interesting. He won't be able to use magic or spiritual energy, will he? It means he’ll have to settle it with the sword alone."
The only times Jin could use spiritual energy, magic, and swordsmanship simultaneously were when there were "no witnesses" or when he could "kill all witnesses."
Naturally, he couldn't use all three powers in a public martial arts tournament. He would have to participate as either a mage using only magic or a warrior using only swordsmanship.
And Dante was still a difficult opponent for Jin to face with pure swordsmanship.
Cyron wanted Jin to be stimulated by someone like Dante. Phoenixes and magic were all well and good, but the sword must always come first.
"Yes, I shall convey your wishes to Casimir."
*
However, as if to make Cyron’s concerns moot, sixteen-year-old Jin was devoting most of his time to swordsmanship.
Swing ten thousand times, so that the beginning and the end are the same…!
Ever since the spar with Alisa ended, he had been immersing himself solely in Heart Sword training from dawn till dusk, every single day.
He did not, however, show the same impatience as before. It was thanks to the enlightenment he had gained from defeating Alisa.
"Are you not bored, Young Master Jin?"
"No, it’s quite fun—"
"You’re bored!? Well, I’ve prepared something just for a bored Young Master Jin such as yourself! Ta-da!"
Casimir pulled a piece of paper from his breast pocket and waved it in front of Jin’s eyes.
"What is this?"
"It’s an application for the Arena of Cosmos! According to what the Seven-Colored Bird informants found out, a very interesting fellow is participating. He’s an opponent you’d be interested in, Young Master. Dante Hairan! The next Patriarch of the Hairan family!"
"Dante Hairan? Why would someone of his stature go there…?"
In Jin’s mind, the Arena of Cosmos was merely a playground for pirates. It was a pathetic tournament where most participants were stuck at the 2 or 3-star level.
"You clearly don't know much about it," Casimir said, his eyes wide. "This is a much more dangerous martial arts tournament than you think."