Departure
Tiny had unwittingly stumbled into the true demon realm while dodging a beast(?) that had closed in right up to his nose, but the more he thought about it, the better the choice seemed.
‘The more dangerous it is, the faster I’ll grow.’
Some said the best training for getting stronger was real combat, but that was only true for greenhorns who lost even their basic reason on the battlefield and couldn’t perform at their full potential. What real combat actually brought was experience and injuries—not true growth in one’s innate power.
But.
‘I’m different.’
The absurd tale of advancing one’s realm through battle had become reality for Tiny. With the Mana Body secret art that built resistance against powerful stimuli while enhancing mana density and efficiency, plus the soul that retained his past life’s realm intact, pushing himself to the brink in real combat was the fastest path to progress for him.
“Of course, assuming I don’t die or suffer a grievous wound—and keep getting enough nutrition.”
The Sword Emperor let out a hollow chuckle at Tiny’s confidence.
“Well, I can’t deny what I’ve seen with my own eyes. Is there anything I can help with?”
“No, nothing.”
“Hm? Food or water?”
“I’ll procure it inside the Great Labyrinth.”
“Hm? Didn’t I just say the Great Labyrinth is forbidden precisely because you can’t do that?”
The Sword Emperor’s gaze seemed to ask if Tiny was truly thick-headed, but Tiny just flashed a confident smile.
“I can.”
“……Ho, how?”
“That’s……”
The group all turned to him, eyes gleaming with anticipation, but.
“……a secret.”
Tiny just smirked, refusing to satisfy their curiosity.
“I’m, going too, won’t tell me?”
Luna started wrapping mana around her nails again from beside him, but.
“Hmph, you won’t catch me twice.”
Tiny snorted, cloaking his side in sunset-hued mana shaped like armor. It was partial full-body armor, unleashed with the freer mana manipulation he’d gained upon reaching Superior rank.
But the onlookers ruthlessly downgraded his proud advanced technique.
“What a horrific waste of talent……”
Jenas shook his head in disbelief, while.
“Their ancestors must’ve been treated like outcasts not because they were assassins, but because they were idiots.”
The Sword Emperor mocked the Morse family outright, prompting the two fools to withdraw their mana with sullen expressions.
Pfft. With a chuckle, the Sword Emperor concluded.
“I’ll go meet Sir God Hand. I’ll stall him with whatever excuse I can, so get going as soon as possible. If you need anything, tell the butler.”
At those words, Tiny’s eyes lit up as if he’d been waiting.
“I need a proper warhammer, not just a training one. Ideally a low-grade artifact……”
“What?!”
But he immediately backed down under the Sword Emperor’s sharp glare.
“……Yeah, that’s too much. Yes, yes, I get it. It was nonsense. Sorry.”
Bowing his head, Tiny still pouted.
‘I’m not asking for a Transcendent Weapon or anything……’
He wasn’t demanding something like the Stamp or Drexler’s warhammer—a top-grade artifact. Did the Valentia family lack money right now?
‘Maybe I should sweep the capital’s underworld clean while I’m at it?’
As Tiny mulled those grim thoughts, the Sword Emperor cut him off firmly, as if reading his mind.
“It’s not about money.”
“W-who said it was?”
Tiny feigned innocence, startled, but the Sword Emperor just chuckled and flicked his forehead.
Thwack!
“Eek!?”
His hand bounced off the sunset mana armor, and he winced, clutching it.
“You little maniac!”
He’d nearly shattered his wrist trying to give a knuckle rap.
“Ah, haha. After getting hit so much, it’s reflex now……”
Tiny played it off with an awkward laugh. That sight pierced the Sword Emperor’s already frayed patience from recent stresses.
Grind.
“Oh ho, is that so? How unfortunate. Guess I’ll make you properly sorry with a good beating.”
“C’mon, no need to go that far……”
As the Sword Emperor emanated killing intent and moved to restrain the insolent brat, Tiny casually waved it off, effortlessly dispelling the spatial pressure—without even using mana, just raw strength.
That only infuriated the Sword Emperor more.
“Hah, perfect excuse. I can say you ran off sulking after I beat you.”
At that moment, thick red aura billowed up, making all the furnishings rattle, and Tiny’s lips twitched.
Shit, he’s really pissed……
“L-let’s talk it out, like civilized people!”
Backing away while summoning sunset mana, Tiny added.
“Hmph! You civilized?”
No, seriously……
“C’mon, over something like that?!”
Wooong.
The sunset mana pitifully asserted itself amid the red aura, and the onlookers could no longer just watch the farce spiral into chaos.
“Y-your Excellency! Please hold back!”
Jenas grabbed the Sword Emperor’s arm, sweating bullets, while.
“O. Aura User. Real combat. Nice.”
Luna’s blank face cracked into a faint smile as she drew a dagger from her bosom.
Seeing those opposing reactions, the Sword Emperor’s boiling rage subsided slightly. Then self-deprecation washed over him, drawing a wry laugh.
“Ha……”
Perhaps sensing his end approaching, the old serpent Rohiter was lashing out desperately with reckless moves. The emperor wouldn’t actively help purge him for balance in the realm, amplifying the stress.
But there was no need to burden these young future heroes with it, nor would venting to them help.
His thoughts reached that point, and a sigh escaped naturally.
“I still lack discipline.”
“You’re just now realizing……”
“What’d you say, punk?”
“Ah, haha. Joke. Just a joke.”
He nearly flared up again, but the Sword Emperor clicked his tongue and shook it off.
“Sorry for snapping suddenly, kid. That wasn’t what I meant to say……”
“I messed up too, so we’re even.”
Tiny’s grin somehow irked him more. Beating the brat now would take real time……
‘……What?’
He startled himself with the thought, chuckling inwardly. Just two years ago, he could’ve subdued the child effortlessly with a flick of aura.
‘And in that short time, he’s grown this much.’
His future rival, they’d called him. He’d thought he’d accepted it rationally, but now it hit home.
It was good—humanity needed it. Yet.
‘If he grows even more and pulls this again, then I……’
Even with time, could he still dominate one-sidedly? The childish thought anyone else would scoff at made the Sword Emperor’s heart race—and smile.
‘Right, I’m a knight too. Forgot that.’
Focused on imperial affairs lately, he’d lost sight of his essence. Recalling it sent hot blood surging through his veins—not a bad feeling. No, it was good.
‘I thought I’d been trying.’
Not enough. He might get overtaken. And above all……
“I need to be able to smack you like a rat anytime, or I’ll get stress sickness.”
“……What bullshit is that? And with those scary eyes.”
The insolent kid’s retort solidified his resolve.
Hmph.
“You said you’d smash the Demon King’s skull, right, kid?”
“Obviously. But why bring it up?”
“Before that, I’ll take his head.”
“What? So childish?”
He barely held back another surge at the brat’s attitude. And.
“Forget what I said earlier. I’ll get you a low-grade artifact warhammer, even if it’s a stretch. Wait a few days.”
“Sorry, but is that really such a burden for House Valentia?”
Tiny tilted his head curiously, but before the Sword Emperor’s face shifted again, Jenas interjected.
“The situation’s delicate right now, Tiny. It’s complicated to explain, but……”
He started to describe the obvious rumor—spread by someone predictable—that the empire’s sole Aura User, now the emperor’s father-in-law, was bolstering his house’s forces.
But before Jenas could continue, Tiny shook his head.
“If it’s complicated, no need to explain.”
“……Yes, sir.”
Jenas sighed wearily, and the now-composed Sword Emperor spoke calmly.
“Head to the Great Labyrinth as soon as you get the artifact. Achieve Aura as fast as possible and return. That’s the only way you’ll have the power to defy the temple’s pressure. Don’t even think of coming back before then.”
“But if something happens before……”
“I’ll handle it somehow. The World Tree guardian and the orc great warriors are closely allied with us. You can step back from hunting demon worshippers. Focus solely on growing your power.”
“Still……”
“On my name, I swear: in a few years, I’ll uproot those scum.”
The Sword Emperor’s utter sincerity left Tiny speechless.
And.
“When did I say I reached Aura Exceeder in my past life?”
“Around 65, from what you told me.”
“Twelve years from now…… I’ll cut it in half.”
A vow to break through in six years. Even with past-life techniques accelerating his growth, realm breakthroughs were another matter. Hadn’t he just marveled at Tiny and Luna’s progress for that reason?
‘Why so suddenly……’
Tiny blinked at the Sword Emperor’s sudden shift, but the resolve rang true, compelling a nod.
However.
“You awaken Aura before then too. Or I’ll spank you.”
“……What?”
The abrupt wager felt off.
“I’m already Superior. And the Aura wall is on another level!”
He protested incredulously, but the follow-up widened Tiny’s eyes.
“I’ll teach you Valentia’s secret: Aura trait awakening.”
“What!?”
“A way to gain your unique trait upon awakening—not the standard one. You know its value, right?”
“Of course……”
“Note: it manifests based on your constitution and affinity, so I don’t know what you’ll get. But even at worst, it’ll be far better than standard for you.”
The 7th stage, the superhuman wall, was humanity’s evolutionary leap beyond species limits. Even standard awakening boosted all physical abilities evenly and mana efficiency—decent for Tiny’s current body. In his past life, the brute-strength knight had been called strongest on that alone.
But.
‘My body’s already evolved; it won’t get disproportionately stronger.’
The Sword Emperor knew that, making this a gift of everything. How could he refuse?
“Valentia’s secret? Gotta take it, even if it’s tight.”
“I’ll link with other races, uproot demon worshippers, clean the empire—and break through. Oh, and……”
“Ho……?”
“Your Excellency!?”
Jenas startled at his mention, but the Sword Emperor ignored him, locking eyes with the now-equally tall youth.
“No confidence even here?”
At his past-life rival’s words, flames ignited in Tiny’s pupils.
“Fine. I’ll throw in awakening Luna too.”
“Sister?”
Tiny ignored Luna’s shock.
“Loser who fails or lags gets a slap. Deal?”
As he spoke, identical flames kindled in the old and young fools’ eyes.
“Deal!”
“Call!”
—What the hell’s wrong with these lunatics?
The same thought crossed Jenas and Luna’s minds for the first time, but oblivious, time flowed swiftly onward.
Three days later, at night.
A hefty 1.5-meter warhammer was placed in Tiny’s hand. The well-forged hammer faintly exuded blue mana, its texture filling him with satisfaction. He smiled faintly.
The butler bowed cautiously.
“I heard you use nearly 2-meter warhammers, but this was the best. No special functions, but it has self-repair and minor strength boost.”
“No, this is plenty.”
The Great Labyrinth held what he truly sought anyway—his past life’s beloved signature weapon.
‘Nocturne, wait for me.’
A bit earlier than planned, but not bad. Tiny thanked the butler and flung open the window.
“Just like this? No goodbyes? You learned the secret art.”
“No need. We’ll meet again. Pay back favors then.”
……With a slap?
Recalling days ago, Luna nearly tackled him but changed tack.
“God Hand, might chase.”
“The old man’ll stall at least a few days. Enough time. That tin-can geezer can’t catch Wolrang with mana sprint. Right?”
“Awooooooo!”
The massive wolf, already summoned in the room, howled confidently in response. Luna smirked and melted into Wolrang’s shadow.
And instantly.
A silver behemoth cleaved the capital’s night, bounding westward through the air.