Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Omniscient (2)
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A terrifying aura spread out.
What was astonishing was that this immense pressure was confined solely to the two of them.
Jamie marveled inwardly.
'...I've heard the rumors about the Sword Sage, but it's this much?'
Just from him radiating his killing intent, Jamie's skin tingled to the point where chills ran down his neck.
The pressure was on par with when he had faced the Demonic Earl Bailos.
'He's even stronger than that bastard.'
Creon—the one called Zenith's First Sword, who had deceived the Bell Marquis under the name Sable.
He too had been one of the top Sword Masters of his era, but judging purely by the energy he emanated, the Sword Sage held the clear advantage.
The Sword Sage glared fiercely at Jamie and Albert as he strode toward them.
The surrounding space rippled visibly.
Without a doubt, even in his previous life, experts of this caliber had been rare.
'Grand Master... not quite yet?'
If he hadn't reached the realm of Grand Sorcerer, gauging the Sword Sage's level would be impossible.
Jamie glanced at Albert.
His slightly furrowed expression resembled that of a child caught misbehaving by his parents.
And it wasn't an illusion.
"Albert. What is the meaning of this?"
"......"
"I've taught you countless times that spars require formal requests. At this point, it's like talking to a beast."
"Why are you so sure I started it?"
"I could smash your mouth right now, so hold your tongue."
The Sword Sage wrapped his fist in aura, as if he meant every word.
Reading the sincerity in that gesture, Albert clicked his tongue and grumbled.
"A man who couldn't care less about others."
"I don't care about others, but our princess isn't 'others' to me."
"......So Her Highness saw the whole thing."
At Albert's question, Isabel smiled radiantly and replied.
"Yes, Sir Albert. Please be more careful from now on. And remember this is Scadium in the royal palace. You know what that means, right?"
"Yes, yes~ I shall engrave Your Highness's words in my heart~"
"Don't mock me, Albert. Unless you want to die."
"Hmph."
Albert snorted and turned to Jamie.
Jamie looked at him and spoke in a mocking tone.
"Farewell, Sir Albert. Thank you for the entertaining show."
"See you next time, Welton Junior. Looking forward to it."
The two glared at each other with fake smiles until Albert turned and left first.
Once his presence had completely vanished, Isabel approached Jamie.
"Are you alright?"
"......I'm fine, Your Highness."
Yesterday they had met without knowing each other's identities, but now that he knew she was the princess, he couldn't speak casually here—at least not in this place.
Seeing Jamie respond with honorifics, Isabel looked slightly surprised and quickly apologized.
"Sorry. No excuses. I was testing you."
"Thank you for being honest, Your Highness."
She could have played the princess card, but Isabel had the grace to look genuinely apologetic.
Then, glancing around cautiously, she carefully broached the subject.
"Um...... Now that you're a Master, I probably shouldn't speak to you so informally, right?"
Isabel glanced at the Sword Sage, who shrugged indifferently.
The position of Master was one even a princess of a nation couldn't treat lightly.
"It doesn't matter."
Jamie replied indifferently.
In truth, he didn't care how the princess treated him.
'I don't know how she knew I was here, though.'
As the princess of Seldam, finding his quarters wouldn't have been difficult.
It wasn't as if she had sought him out deliberately; if she had, he would have noticed first.
And even he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't have done the same in her position.
After all, an eight-year-old had become a Grand Sorcerer and been appointed Seldam's Master.
Not being curious would be the strange thing.
"By the way, what gave you the guts to pick a fight with that Albert guy?"
As an awkward air flowed between Jamie and Isabel, the Sword Sage asked.
"With your current skill, even tangling with Albert would be tough. You must have felt it—just guts alone wouldn't cut it against a madman like him."
"True. He didn't seem all there."
"He would have fought for real. Age wouldn't matter. If you're Master material, he wouldn't hold back on injuries."
"And I'd probably get hurt pretty badly."
"You know it."
As the Sword Sage said, with Jamie's current ability, beating Albert was unlikely.
Of course, unleashing his full power as a Black Sorcerer would change that—but using black magic here would get his head lopped off by the Sword Sage in front of him.
Jamie answered honestly.
"I knew someone would come."
"You knew?"
"A clash like that? Anyone would show up. And sure enough, you did."
The Sword Sage's eyes widened at that.
"You assumed I'd come and bluffed Albert anyway?"
"Not necessarily you—could've been my father or another Master. Point is, someone would."
"Hahaha!"
At that moment, Isabel, who had been listening quietly, burst into laughter.
Jamie and the Sword Sage turned to her.
"Ah, I didn't mean to laugh, but you're so brazen."
"No reason not to be."
"True. But Masters all have this... pride, I guess. They're so strong they rarely need help."
As Isabel said, those who reached Master class often became intoxicated with their own power.
Knowing their nature, she couldn't help but be surprised by Jamie basing his actions on the assumption someone would intervene.
It didn't seem like childish impulsiveness.
Someone with Grand Sorcerer-level knowledge knew age was irrelevant, and Isabel understood that too.
"Pride doesn't put food on the table, after all."
"And?"
As the Sword Sage tilted his head and prompted, Jamie smirked and continued.
"A guy like Sir Albert? Won't take much time to surpass him."
"Ho?"
The Sword Sage narrowed one eye at the arrogant statement.
He knew the boy had overwhelming talent, but he hadn't expected such bold words.
Still, he didn't find it presumptuous.
The Sword Sage paid little attention to others, but once he saw someone, he could roughly gauge their growth potential.
Jamie's growth potential was...
"Invisible."
Literally.
Jamie's growth ceiling was undetectable.
For others, it was like a water bottle—he could sense how full it was.
But Jamie's was pitch-black darkness.
Impossible to peer inside.
That intrigued the Sword Sage.
"Fitting for that man's grandson."
"Pardon?"
Jamie blinked at the sudden remark, but no answer came.
"Let's head back."
"Ah, yes."
He offered his hand to Isabel and slowly departed.
Suddenly alone, Jamie watched their retreating figures with a dazed expression.
"What the hell?"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and lay back down.
He planned to stay here until the party ended.
"The King's Spear's antics are getting worse by the day. We need to rein him in, Father."
"Indeed. Even with a collar around his neck in the name of the King's Spear, he shows no improvement."
King Friedmoor and his son, Seldam's Crown Prince Cain, watched the events below from the highest point in Scadium.
"By the way, what do you think?"
"He's six years younger than me, I heard."
"Correct."
Cain stared intently at Jamie, who was lying in the garden asleep, then spoke.
"He's someone I must keep by my side. No—now that he's a Master, 'talent' doesn't do him justice."
"Then?"
"My right hand. I want to make him my right hand, no matter what."
From the moment Jamie Welton entered Scadium for the appointment ceremony up to his conversation with the Sword Sage just now—everything had been impressive.
A heroic bearing unbelievable for an eight-year-old, unflinching confidence before the strong, the decisiveness to read and exploit situations, the judgment to objectively assess himself.
And finally, his potential for the supreme 9th class realm.
"But he'll be hard to control."
"As you say."
Even from what he'd shown just now, Jamie had a rather feral temperament compared to others.
The type to act on his bad mood, even against royalty.
Moreover, as a Master, he was beyond royal whim. The king and nobles ruled the nation, but Masters were hard to command.
They stood at the pinnacle of power.
They weren't disloyal to the king—just not bound to obey unconditionally.
It was an equal exchange: the king granted them freedom, and they lent their strength to the king.
"So, what will you do?"
King Friedmoor questioned, but Cain couldn't answer immediately.
The existing Masters all supported Friedmoor.
Meaning they followed the current king. No guarantee they'd pledge to a successor.
They'd show a new king respect, perhaps, but earning their true faith was another matter.
Jamie, however, was newly appointed.
The only Master Cain could win over without his father's halo.
"I need to approach him sincerely."
"Wise words. Winning a Master comes down to sincerity. Like how my predecessor treated the Sword Sage. Without true heart, he never would have served the Friedmoor royal family."
Then the throne wouldn't be this strong.
"Approach him with genuine intent. You two will shape the same era. It's no exaggeration to say Seldam Kingdom's future rests with you both."
"I'll keep that in mind, Father."
"I'm tired. Go and gather your thoughts."
"Rest well."
Cain bowed to King Friedmoor and exited.
Alone, the king gazed at the soundly sleeping Jamie.
The distance was great, but Friedmoor royals were born with special eyes.
This range was as clear as if he were right in front.
"The Crown of Omniscience will see use after so long."
Five hundred years ago, when Seldam Kingdom was founded on this land, the first king had worn it.
The Crown of Omniscience, said to aggregate all information—no Friedmoor king had worn it.
Not even 7th class mages were permitted, let alone kings.
An unqualified wearer would be overwhelmed by the information flood, their consciousness erased.
But he knew of it.
The royal library held vast records.
"What will you see through the Crown of Omniscience?"
He murmured, stepping from the window.
"I wonder if you truly are the one we've awaited."