Academy Faction (4)

Dragon's Tear.

In other words, Dragon's Tear.

It wasn't some fake knockoff.

My spontaneously opened Transcendental Eye had meticulously captured every detail of the liquid sloshing inside the glass vial, and it matched the properties of Dragon's Tear perfectly.

But accepting it at face value still felt off.

I held the vial in one hand and spoke up.

"What kind of bribe is this supposed to be? It has to be something I can actually handle if I'm going to take it."

"I've already talked it over with your grandfather, so just take it."

"The family head is the family head, and I'm just me, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Professor."

"...You're a picky one."

Yurek's shadow let out a deep sigh and shifted his posture slightly.

Then a serious voice emerged.

"I don't know when, but someday I'm going to graft dragon wings onto my body. I want to see what's beyond that northern Red Mist."

"...!"

"But the north is under your Kirchheis family's jurisdiction. We can't ignore the Empire's influence, but I'll need this family's permission to fly the northern skies. Isn't that right?"

"..."

I was at a loss for words for a moment.

He wanted to fly beyond the Red Mist.

It was an answer I hadn't seen coming at all.

"That Dragon's Tear is my way of asking you to grant me those skies someday, when you hold this family's power. Well? Is it a bribe you can handle?"

"..."

"No answer? You gonna scold me like your grandfather and tell me to quit talking nonsense?"

"No, that's not it."

I barely managed to shake my head.

If Yurek wanted dragon wings to fly beyond the Red Mist, I had no reason to object.

No, it was something I'd welcome.

I was dying to know what lay beyond that fog myself.

"That's an interesting idea. If that's the case, sure. I don't know if I'll ever become family head, but..."

"...?"

"At the very least, I won't stand in your way. No, I'll help however I can. To make sure Professor Yurek's endeavor succeeds."

"Hm, good. You get it, Professor Kirian."

Yurek let out a pleased chuckle and turned away.

His weathered swordsman's face, bathed in moonlight, carried a familiar glint.

The look of someone with a burning ambition.

"Then I'll trust you and get those wings ready. Look forward to the day I take to the skies. See you around, Kirian."

Whoosh!

Yurek flung open the window and vanished like the wind.

Left alone, I felt the night breeze blowing in and sank into thought for a moment.

He wants to fly the northern skies...

'Well, without dragon wings, crossing that fog is impossible anyway.'

They said the Red Mist wasn't ordinary fog.

Inside, vicious storms raged that blinded you mere inches ahead—

And even tunneling through the ground was futile; the seeping poison gas melted pickaxes on contact.

It was an inviolable zone no ordinary mage could even approach.

Not something I could confirm firsthand.

'Could a dragonkin with grafted wings actually cross the Red Mist?'

And if he did, what sights would await?

How would Ulfrik Kirchheis, seated on the Demon King's throne, react?

All unknowns.

Anyway—

'Perfect timing. I was curious about this stuff, but I never thought I'd get my hands on some.'

I examined the liquid in the vial closely.

A reagent distinct from dragon blood.

The dragon blood I'd drunk in Rohbark's secret chamber was a potent mana restorative any mage would kill for.

But Dragon's Tear was considered even more precious.

'Of course not. Dragons don't cry.'

'What? Does it make sense for the world's strongest magical creature to bawl its eyes out?'

'Hatchlings cry instead. Before they mature into adults. That's when you harvest it.'

'Or you could decapitate the dragon, gouge out the eyeballs, extract the degenerated tear glands, and squeeze them by force... or so I've heard.'

I chuckled and stared at the liquid in the vial.

Dragon's Tear.

'Will it work on me?'

This elixir's purpose was to enhance the power of the eyes.

In essence, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it refined one's ocular prowess.

I possessed the Transcendental Eye trait.

If the Dragon's Tear could amplify my Transcendental Eye's might...?

'That would be perfect. It's already ridiculously overpowered, but if it gets even stronger...'

I immediately uncorked the vial.

A bizarre smell wafted up, slimy and foul, like wringing out a soaked rag.

Compared to the dragon blood I'd chugged before, though, it was practically fragrant.

No need to swallow this time—just a drop in each eye.

I carefully lifted the vial.

And the moment I let a single drop fall into my left eye.

"...!"

It felt ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like my eyeball had plunged into a pit of fire.

Then the Transcendental Eye messages flooded in.

"...?"

The Transcendental Eye itself hadn't improved.

But the left eye's capabilities had leaped forward dramatically.

Which meant the Transcendental Eye's scope expanded accordingly.

An indirect enhancement via the Dragon's Tear.

The problem? The pain was excruciating.

'Time for a spell.'

I raised my trembling hand and formed a mudra.

Finally, the pain subsided.

I'd wondered if I'd ever need this spell, but it proved incredibly useful.

It didn't fully block sensation, so my head still throbbed, but it was bearable now.

I applied the Dragon's Tear to my right eye next—

"Haaah..."

A groan escaped me unbidden.

It was so brutal, I'd take chugging dragon blood straight any day.

The Dragon's Tear was fully absorbed into my eyes, but the agony had tears streaming down my cheeks, soaking them.

As I wiped them roughly with my sleeve—

"Ow! I'm beat!"

"Let's try again tomorrow."

"How about the loser of rock-paper-scissors does the training clothes laundry?"

The door burst open, and the kids came tumbling in.

Terrible timing.

Not wanting any misunderstandings, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I quickly wiped my eyes, but...

"Huh? Kirian? You crying? Why? What happened? Who made you cry?"

"A man's tears are limited to three in a lifetime!"

"Hmm, is it because of our shared achievements? Didn't know you had a sentimental side, Kirian."

"..."

Another weird misunderstanding.

Damn it.

"Dean Panayul."

"Yes, family head."

Rohbark stared intently at Dean Panayul.

He held her submitted report in one hand.

His eyes were as impassive as ever, betraying no emotion.

"First, I can't overlook the blunder. I didn't hire that slacker Yurek to boost your Eternalism faction's swordsmanship. You knew that full well, didn't you?"

"...Yes, family head."

Biat bowed deeply at the warlock's rebuke.

Of course she knew.

The lazy Yurek making time to visit the Eternal Mansion was Rohbark's gift—and test—for Kirian.

A plan to have the continent's top sword instructor evaluate and elevate Kirian's skills.

It must have cost a hefty fee.

But it had veered into improving the Infinite Tool Sword instead—

"I'm sorry..."

As dean in charge of the trainees' curriculum, she had no defense against the criticism.

But she felt a bit wronged too.

It was Kirian's idea that had set it all in motion.

Even if she'd overseen it personally, she couldn't have stopped it.

"Fine, no need to dwell. It's in the past anyway."

Fortunately, Rohbark's reprimand ended there.

Uncharacteristic for the iron-blooded warlock, but the tense dean didn't notice.

She just sighed in relief.

"So, what's your plan now?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you spreading this swordsmanship to the trainees right away? Or do you have another idea?"

"Well..."

Honestly, no real plan.

It had all happened so suddenly, and she wasn't exactly a swordsmanship expert.

"I'll consult with our swordsmanship professors first."

"Meaning you have no ideas."

"...I'm sorry."

It didn't even feel like something to apologize for, yet she kept bowing.

But Rohbark didn't drag it out this time either.

Instead, he tossed out abruptly.

"Hold off on it for now."

"Pardon...? You mean don't teach the improved swordsmanship to the other trainees?"

"Yes. We don't know how it interacts with linked techniques, so review it thoroughly first. Understand?"

"...Yes, family head."

Biat bowed deeply at Rohbark's order.

The faction's operations were hers, but the family head's involvement often overrode that.

His authority in the Kirchheis family was absolute.

The hold order seemed like reluctance to share his grandson's achievement.

But the family head dangled a carrot right after.

"I'll have Leonir and Bastion review the swordsmanship."

"...!"

"Why the wide eyes? Dissatisfied?"

"No, of course not! Thank you, family head."

Anyone else, maybe, but Leonir and Bastion were Kirian's solid backers—and friendly to Eternalism.

Handing them the review was a win for her as dean.

Barring surprises, the other trainees could learn it soon.

"I'm done. You're dismissed."

"Yes, family head."

Biat turned obediently at his gesture.

But a sudden curiosity struck.

The second reason for assigning lazy Yurek to guide Kirian's swordsmanship.

Without thinking, Dean Panayul spoke.

"Family head, how did Professor Yurek evaluate Kirian's swordsmanship talent?"

"...?"

A twisted, incredulous look came back.

Rohbark replied in disbelief.

"Are you asking me to report results to you? You dare?"

A mere dean questioning the Kirchheis patriarch.

Overstepping massively.

But the water was spilled, so Biat pressed on stubbornly.

"As the one responsible for Kirian's education, I need to know. Please tell me."

"Hah..."

Did the Eternalism dean have this boldness?

After a tsk, Rohbark spoke.

"He said his ability to analyze and adapt swordsmanship is on a level he's never seen anywhere. That's how he could rework your faction's amateur techniques. Satisfied?"

"...!"

"Now get out! You're annoying."

"Keep it just among us? Why?"

Libiel tilted her head.

News from Professor Rapens moments ago.

Hold off on the improved Infinite Tool Sword—practice it secretly for now.

They'd even named it New Infinite Tool Sword, but now it felt hollow.

"Needs review. Can't be helped."

"No, it's already perfectly improved. What's left to review?"

"Monopolizing enlightenment... isn't ideal..."

The kids looked disappointed.

I wasn't thrilled either.

Felt like our efforts over the past days were being dismissed.

But no point objecting.

"We'll prove it anyway. When the chance comes."

Right on cue, a new notice was posted in the hall.

The mission Leonir had mentioned while teaching Extreme Ring.

Head to reported problem areas and carry out individual missions.

No clue what missions, but per Leonir's warning—

'We'll clash with the Red Ghosts.'

A chance to test Thousand Illusion Martial Sword and New Infinite Tool Sword.

The kids peering over my shoulder at the notice chimed in.

"Ooh! Real action!"

"Real combat stage, Lorang."

"We just follow Professor Kirian. Please take care of us, Professor!"

"..."

I'd just let it slide now.

Whatever happens, happens.