Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Return (3)
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The three elders stared at Martin with stern expressions.
Regardless of his failure to manifest a unique ability, they acknowledged his swordsmanship talent.
But that was it.
All three elders were powerhouses who had reached the 7th Circle.
Against them, Martin at the 3rd Circle couldn't even scratch their skin.
The gap was that vast.
‘He knows that, yet he still provokes us. What’s his game?’
Elder Aren had no choice but to ponder.
At that moment, Elder Oriana spoke up.
“Heh heh. You must be confident you can beat us, Young Master?”
“Come on, Elder Oriana. Do you really think that’s the case?”
“Then why did you mention us?”
“The key thing is whether I’ve manifested my unique ability anyway. Since I’m proving it, I wanted to spar with one of you elders to earn proper recognition.”
“Ahh. We misunderstood your intent, then. But we don’t see the need for us to step in personally. Don’t you agree?”
Elder Oriana’s gaze turned toward Elders Aren and Marius.
The two nodded lightly.
“We agree with the approach itself, but we don’t think we need to be the ones to do it, Young Master.”
“I share the same view. How about showing off your splendid skills against a suitable opponent?”
“I understand your positions, Elders. Then I’ll have to pick someone else.”
With that reply, Martin turned his head.
At the end of his gaze was Kallain Gustin.
“How about it, Kallain? Wanna have a go after all this time?”
But he had already anticipated the response.
‘He’ll never accept.’
Kallain was the type to pull strings from the shadows.
Even after claiming the Sword King’s legacy, that nature hadn’t changed.
There was no way such a guy would agree to a duel in front of everyone, especially one where defeat was assured.
As Martin predicted, Kallain shook his head and replied.
Using formal speech, as it was an official occasion.
“I’m sorry, Young Master. I sustained internal injuries a few days ago and am currently resting. Let’s cross swords another time.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame, but nothing to be done. Focus on recovering for now.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“What’s there to thank? Looking out for a friend is only natural, right?”
Instead of replying, Kallain smiled and gave a light bow.
It was obvious he was seething inside from the blow to his pride.
At that moment.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to be your opponent, Young Master.”
A young man with black hair shimmering with blue light and brown eyes stepped forward—Stefan Rustal.
He was the only son of Valdemar von Rustal and had a mother from the Marquisate of Lois, ranked just below the three great noble houses.
In terms of bloodline alone, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say he was second only to Martin.
Unlike his slender father, he boasted a towering height of 190 cm and a muscular build.
Judging by appearance alone, he didn’t pale in comparison to Elder Marius.
“Stefan Rustal.”
The smile on Martin’s lips deepened.
Valdemar von Rustal was cunning and did his best to stay hidden.
In contrast, Stefan Rustal took great pride in his skills. With his vanity, Martin had figured he’d step up if challenged.
‘A perfect sacrifice.’
Of course, on the scale of the entire empire, Stefan was no slouch among his peers.
In fact, he had reached the 2nd Circle in both swordsmanship and unique ability, granting him strength approaching the 4th Circle.
To lightly crush a guy like that?
It would leave a deep impression on everyone gathered here.
‘And it holds meaning as revenge, too.’
Before his regression, Stefan had cornered him multiple times.
Though not to the extent of Kallain, Martin had ultimately defeated him with his own hands.
Still, the lingering grudge from back then made him want to settle it once and for all.
By thoroughly crushing him.
“Please grant me the chance to avenge my past defeat.”
“Of course. You’ll make a fine opponent, Stefan.”
After agreeing readily, Martin looked around and issued a command.
“Everyone, step back. Make space for the duel to proceed smoothly.”
As soon as he spoke, the family members retreated to the roadside.
In contrast, Sien approached Martin and whispered quietly in his ear.
“Win for sure.”
“Don’t worry.”
Sien nodded and joined the others.
And so, only Martin and Stefan remained on the road.
Srrrr.
Stefan gripped the hilt at his waist while staring at Martin, but he didn’t draw the blade.
Since it was a duel, they had to avoid using live steel.
Martin, on the other hand, didn’t even touch his hilt. He simply stood with arms crossed, watching Stefan.
“……What are you doing, Young Master? Draw your sword.”
“The purpose of this duel is just to demonstrate my unique ability, right? No need to draw. Unless I’m truly in danger.”
Murmur murmur.
Martin’s words left the onlookers greatly flustered.
Everyone acknowledged Martin’s exceptional swordsmanship.
At the same time, his physical abilities were notoriously inferior to those of average knights.
His body was in no condition for hand-to-hand combat.
And yet, he planned to fight barehanded?
Not just Stefan—even the others found it hard to comprehend.
‘Even if Space Domination is the strongest among spatial abilities, his proficiency can’t compare.’
‘Is he getting arrogant just because he manifested his unique ability?’
As the crowd’s doubts peaked,
Grind.
Stefan, openly insulted, gritted his teeth.
“……Don’t regret humiliating yourself.”
“That won’t happen. Elder Aren, please act as referee.”
“Understood.”
Aren Cruise stepped forward with a nod.
He raised his right arm and looked at Martin.
“This is just a duel, so no auras, Young Master.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Also, neither of you may target vital points. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Martin and Stefan answered in unison.
“Then let the duel…… begin!”
Aren’s resounding shout echoed as his right arm swung down.
Flash!
The Rustal family’s unique ability was ‘Space Compression,’ which allowed compressing or expanding space—enabling rapid movement or even flight.
‘The main thing to watch is his speed.’
The sprint via space compression was said to rival spatial movement in quickness.
Proving it, Stefan vanished from his spot the instant he activated his unique ability.
‘It’s over!’
Stefan instantly closed in on Martin.
He slammed down his sheathed sword with full force.
Even if Martin blocked, it didn’t matter. Without auras, he couldn’t withstand the blow.
Hummm.
But then.
Martin’s body vanished right before his eyes.
‘What the……?’
Grab.
Something seized the stunned Stefan’s nape.
Boom!
Stefan was smashed into the ground, landing in an utterly pathetic heap.
“Guess you’re not worth the sword after all.”
A smile curled Martin’s lips—a clear sneer.
Unlike Stefan, who had missed Martin’s movement, the others saw it clearly.
The moment Martin disappeared, the space behind Stefan warped, and Martin emerged from it.
No one failed to grasp the meaning.
“Woooah! Spatial movement!”
“The Young Master really mastered his unique ability!”
Spatial movement was the hallmark technique of spatial unique abilities.
However, it was notoriously difficult to perform.
Even members of the Adalbert branch families needed at least the 2nd Circle to use it.
Only one unique ability allowed spatial movement from the 1st Circle: Space Domination.
That was why the crowd went wild.
The Adalbert family’s sole direct descendant had finally prepared to truly become the heir.
“It’s not just spatial movement! The Young Master used body techniques too!”
“His physical abilities have improved as well. He must’ve had a great experience in the dungeon!”
One of Martin’s two weaknesses had been completely eliminated.
The other had been greatly alleviated.
Everyone watched the scene clearly.
‘I should thank my ancestors.’
Confirming the crowd’s reaction, Martin grinned.
He knew it well from using it countless times in his previous life.
The fact that the Adalbert bloodline allowed spatial movement even with 1st Circle Distortion of All Things.
Crucially, no one could distinguish between Space Domination and Distortion of All Things.
‘Now no one can deny I’ve manifested my unique ability.’
The first step toward becoming family head was complete.
As Martin relaxed, the crowd was still reeling in shock.
Only Sien maintained her composure.
But not everything was going smoothly.
“Ugh!”
The recoil from spatial movement made his head throb, and the mana circuits in his body ached fiercely.
Intense pain caused cold sweat to pour down his back.
This was the limit of Distortion of All Things.
Thanks to his direct bloodline, he could manipulate space with it, but its efficiency paled compared to Space Domination.
The backlash was worse too, inflicting far greater agony than manipulating other things.
‘At least it ended at this level thanks to the Lotaer body technique breathing method and Dragon Blood.’
His past self would have vomited blood and lost consciousness.
He had experienced it multiple times, after all.
Pushing aside the painful memories, Martin straightened his posture.
Many eyes were on him.
He couldn’t show any weakness.
“Spatial movement should be enough, right, Stefan? I’ve properly proven my unique ability, so let’s call it here.”
“Congratulations on manifesting your unique ability, Young Master. But the match isn’t over yet.”
Stefan sprang up from the ground.
Inferior to Sien, but he too boasted impressive physical prowess.
Thus, his clothes were just dirtied—no major damage.
His mental blow was huge, though, leaving him glaring at Martin with fury.
“I knew you were tough. But you sure it’s okay, Stefan? The skill gap seems pretty clear.”
“……I was just caught off guard. I never expected spatial movement from you, Young Master.”
“This is just a duel, so it’s fine, but I hope you wouldn’t make excuses like that on the battlefield. If this were real combat, you’d already be dead. Right?”
Grind.
Stefan gritted his teeth, unable to contain his rage.
But he couldn’t retort.
He knew full well that real battles offered no second chances, just as Martin said.
“Whew.”
Stefan regulated his breathing.
His mind cleared, and he regained his cool.
He also realized his position wasn’t bad.
Mindful of the onlookers, he spoke politely to Martin.
“I apologize for my unsightly behavior, Young Master.”
“It’s fine. Everyone gets heated sometimes.”
“Thank you for understanding. And congratulations on manifesting Space Domination.”
“Thanks, Stefan.”
“I’ve got a better sense of you now, Young Master. I won’t show any sloppy moves.”
Stefan aimed his sheathed sword at Martin again.
‘If it goes long, I win.’
No matter if he had manifested Space Domination, the Dragon’s Curse meant Martin couldn’t fight prolonged.
His stamina wouldn’t hold, and the more he used mana, the worse the pain.
If he endured a few more attacks, victory would be his.
‘Such a simpleton.’
Martin chuckled inwardly.
Stefan’s intent for a war of attrition was obvious.
And that judgment wasn’t wrong. Time had never been on his side.
But that was as far as it went.
“I once told Sien something like this. Everyone focused on a fight has their own plan. Know what Sien said back then?”
“How should I know?”
“Come on, that’s too half-hearted. I didn’t expect you to not even reply.”
“Not my business.”
“You’ll never forget it now. After getting beat, plans mean nothing.”
This was advice etched in bone and flesh.
‘Hope he’s grateful.’
Martin could already picture Stefan’s delighted face.