Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Chapter 3: Adalbert Swordsmanship (2)
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Martin looked up at Arelia, striving to maintain his composure as much as possible.
At the same time, he sensed it instinctively.
There was no way he could deceive her.
Not surprising, considering she was the founder of the Adalbert family.
In other words, the origin of Space Domination.
It was hard to imagine she wouldn't know the difference between Distortion of All Things and Space Domination.
“You're right in your suspicions. My unique ability is not Space Domination.”
-Then what did you manifest?-
“It's called Distortion of All Things.”
-What kind of ability is that?-
“I can twist anything detectable by mana. Combined with the Adalbert bloodline, it allows me to manipulate even things like gravity or space that are hard to sense.”
-So you've been pretending to have comprehended Space Domination?-
“As you said.”
-Hahaha!-
Arelia burst into mad laughter.
In contrast, Martin was stunned.
If there was any silver lining, the mystery was quickly resolved.
It was just that the revelation was so shocking.
-Hahaha! I've lived for a thousand years, yet the world remains unpredictable! To think another wielder of Distortion of All Things would emerge from the Adalbert family besides me!-
“Yes?”
-My unique ability is also Distortion of All Things. Though it pales in comparison to yours, lacking nothing but that edge.-
“What do you...?”
The shock hit Martin's mind like a thunderbolt, no less than when he realized he had regressed.
Arelia von Adalbert.
The founder of Adalbert, known as the source of Space Domination.
For her to have manifested Distortion of All Things like him, instead of Space Domination—what nonsense was this?
“You deserve to know the truth since you manifested Distortion of All Things. It's nothing grand, though. Do you still want to hear it?-
“...I would be grateful if you would.”
-As I said earlier, I manifested Distortion of All Things. My husband was a wielder of 'Space Manipulation.' Their combination birthed Space Domination. My son—the second head of the Adalbert family—was the first to manifest it.-
Two unique abilities of entirely different natures combining to form a new one.
It wasn't commonplace.
But neither was it unheard of.
Unique abilities were inherently variable, prone to all sorts of changes.
The Adalbert branch families were a prime example.
They manifested spatial abilities other than Space Domination, so they weren't recognized as direct descendants and were demoted to branches.
At least that was a better outcome.
There were cases where entirely unrelated abilities emerged, and they weren't even acknowledged as family members.
“I have a question.”
-Speak.-
“What about Adalbert Swordsmanship? Distortion of All Things alone shouldn't allow space manipulation, right?”
-Not necessarily. Distortion of All Things can interfere with space once it reaches the 3rd circle.-
“So that's why you said yours is inferior to mine. Even at the 1st circle, I can already manipulate space.”
-Something like that. And Adalbert Swordsmanship... I was the one who first penned it. My son merely perfected it and named it after me out of respect.-
“Hmm. Do the successive heads not know this?”
-They don't. No reason to tell them. Teaching the basics to my descendants poses no issue in my current state.-
She said this with a playful smile.
But Martin couldn't smile so casually.
The truth was simple in content, but overwhelming nonetheless.
-Well, knowing the truth changes nothing. I'll teach you the basics of Adalbert Swordsmanship, and you'll learn them properly.-
“Even though I manifested Distortion of All Things?”
-As I said at the start, it doesn't matter. You broke through the Barrier of Transcendence, didn't you? That alone proves your qualification. The only issue is your body... You're afflicted with the Dragon's Curse.-
“You see correctly.”
-Good grief. To manifest a unique ability postnatally while suffering the Dragon's Curse—your life hasn't been ordinary.-
Arelia gave him a look of pity.
Martin smiled bitterly but said nothing.
Having regressed, his miserable past was undone.
He would focus only on changing the future ahead.
-Your time left isn't much. Three years at most. Barely enough to live enjoyably. Still, do you intend to learn Adalbert Swordsmanship?-
“I must learn Adalbert Swordsmanship.”
-Why?-
“The Adalbert family faces extinction right now.”
Arelia's expression hardened.
-Is that true?!-
“Yes. I'm the only direct descendant left in the main house. And until now, afflicted with the Dragon's Curse, I couldn't manifest my unique ability. I got lucky and succeeded this time, but the family's crisis remains unchanged.”
-Hmm. Indeed, no one has come here since that boy Daniel about forty years ago.-
“He's my father, the previous head. He passed away about three months ago.”
-The family must be in dire straits. A successor in such a position can only be looked down upon.-
“That's the situation now. But everything will change from here.”
-Do you think manifesting your unique ability alone will salvage it?-
“No. A family head needs absolute power. Without it, the position is nothing but an illusion—I know that well.”
-To have such confidence despite knowing that. With the Dragon's Curse, your time is limited. Do you know a cure?-
“No. But I know a way to alleviate it.”
Arelia stared at Martin intently.
Then she nodded lightly.
-You've mastered an intriguing breathing technique. To improve physical abilities just by breathing.-
“This too is a legacy of the Adalbert family. Left by a branch member, so you wouldn't know of it, Founder.”
-Even from a branch, an Adalbert child. Leaving such a fine legacy deserves praise. Regardless, I understand your resolve now. I'll teach you properly.-
“Thank you.”
Martin bowed politely.
A smile returned to Arelia's lips.
‘Promising. I wonder what heights this child will reach.’
One thing was certain.
He would surely open new horizons for Adalbert Swordsmanship.
Shing.
Imagining a joyful future, Arelia drew her sword.
At that moment, Martin's eyes gleamed intensely.
His opponent was the strongest swordsman in imperial history.
Even learning the basics would be invaluable beyond measure.
But Martin's expression soon crumbled.
-I'll teach you the basics of Adalbert Swordsmanship, but that's it. I'll teach you a different swordsmanship.-
Because Arelia dropped another bombshell.
* * *
‘What is she thinking?’
Martin quickly calmed his startled heart.
She wouldn't speak idly.
He couldn't guess her intent, but it was surely for his benefit.
-You've had many experiences despite your young age. To compose yourself so quickly.-
“Not to that extent. Regardless, I'm curious why you refuse to teach me Adalbert Swordsmanship.”
“You can never master Adalbert Swordsmanship perfectly. You seem to have guessed that already.-
“Since I didn't manifest Space Domination, I judged there would be limits to learning Adalbert Swordsmanship.”
-Correct judgment. So I'll teach you a different swordsmanship. If it needs a name, it would be Arelia Swordsmanship.-
“No way...?”
-You're quick on the uptake. Yes, this is swordsmanship for wielders of Distortion of All Things. Will you learn it?-
“I will, absolutely!”
Martin answered vigorously.
Seeing this, Arelia felt a strange sentiment.
Arelia Swordsmanship had been made solely for herself.
Yet after a thousand years, she had found a new successor.
-Good. I'll teach you Arelia Swordsmanship. But remember, you must still master the basics of Adalbert Swordsmanship.-
“I will keep that in mind.”
-Then let the training begin. How much do you know about Adalbert Swordsmanship?-
“I've heard it ends after learning three techniques.”
-Which ones?-
“Space Slash, Space Flash, Space Sword. The rest of Adalbert Swordsmanship are all variations of these three.”
-You know it well. Then I'll demonstrate each technique in order. I'll show each only once, so keep your eyes wide open and watch closely.-
With that, Arelia von Adalbert aimed her sword at the empty air.
That was when it happened.
“Please wait a moment, Lady Arelia.”
-What is it?-
Arelia frowned.
But Martin replied without hesitation.
“You don't need to show Space Slash or Space Flash. I can perform them too.”
-Huh?-
Arelia made a dumbfounded expression.
Yet Martin maintained his calm demeanor.
-Your swordsmanship talent is overwhelming. That's how you reached the 4th circle at your age. But Adalbert Swordsmanship isn't something you can wield just because your sword talent is superior. It requires the perfect fusion of swordsmanship and unique ability...-
Shing.
Before Arelia could finish, Martin drew his sword.
At the same time, he activated Distortion of All Things, mana from his head mana core enveloping the blade.
“Hah!”
With preparations complete, Martin swung down with all his might.
And with that alone, a pitch-black cross-section appeared in the air. Space had been cleaved, proof that Space Slash had been executed perfectly.
-No, what is this...!-
Arelia's composure shattered at the unexpected sight.
A thousand years.
A span unimaginable to ordinary people.
Even as a soul clone, Arelia had lived through the ages, instructing every direct descendant including successive heads.
All of them were geniuses without question.
But the descendant before her was different.
A monster surpassing even geniuses—that was the only way to describe Martin.
However, Martin ignored Arelia's reaction.
He prepared to unleash the second technique, Space Flash.
“Tah!”
With a shout, he swung his sword, mana surging around the blade.
A slashing attack made of wind followed, but the wondrous event came next.
The slash, which should have flown straight, vanished into thin air.
Boom!
The vanished slash reemerged behind Martin, crashing into the floor.
Arelia's mouth fell open.
“Space Flash is a technique that teleports the slash created by swinging the sword to another location. I heard it can be applied with aura as well.”
Drip.
Martin's brow furrowed as blood trickled from his mouth.
Breaking through the Barrier of Transcendence had damaged his body.
Using his unique ability and swordsmanship simultaneously for Adalbert Swordsmanship in that state was bound to cause internal injuries.
The pain of his organs tearing apart never grew familiar, no matter how many times.
-...You're overdoing it.-
“You had to see it to believe.”
-You stubborn fool. But what sorcery is this? You said you manifested your unique ability recently.-
“I saw my father perform it once.”
-You memorized it from a single viewing and reproduced it now? Even using Distortion of All Things instead of Space Domination?-
“Must be thanks to the Adalbert direct bloodline.”
-Enough nonsense. No direct descendant who properly manifested Space Domination was like you. Even accounting for your age...-
Martin chuckled inwardly at Arelia's sigh.
‘I used it endlessly when I was called the Sword Saint.’
Even regressed, the essence of the techniques remained etched in his memory.
It would be stranger if he couldn't perform them.
-Anyway, Space Slash and Space Flash are cleared. Let's move to Space Sword. What do you know about this technique?-
“My father said it's the most important in Adalbert Swordsmanship. That the Adalbert family could reign as the empire's greatest martial house because of Space Sword.”
-Correct. Without mastering Space Sword, you can't claim to have learned Adalbert Swordsmanship.-
“So I wanted to ask: Can Distortion of All Things wield Space Sword?”
-It can.-
“R-Really?”
-Would I lie to you? But it requires a high circle level.-
Tremble.
At Arelia's answer, Martin's body shook violently.
Those with spatial unique abilities could generally perform Space Slash or Space Flash without issue.
That's why they were considered basics.
Space Sword was different.
Basic in name only—it couldn't be treated so simply.
The beginning and end of Adalbert Swordsmanship.
Mastering it was what made one a true direct descendant of Adalbert.
‘I couldn't grasp the principle, not even imitate it.’
Thanks to the Dragon's Curse, he could analyze most techniques after a few viewings.
But even after seeing his father, Daniel von Adalbert, perform Space Sword many times, he couldn't comprehend it.
He said it was because he hadn't manifested Space Domination. That Space Sword was for Space Domination wielders only.
If true, then with Distortion of All Things, he couldn't learn it.
If he truly couldn't, giving up would be right.
But he wanted to confirm at least once.
Whether he really couldn't learn Space Sword.
That's why he entered the Tyrant's Chamber.
To read the Adalbert Swordsmanship manual directly.
And now the founder herself confirmed it.
Space Sword could be wielded with Distortion of All Things.
“Th... Founder, at what circle level could you perform Space Sword with Distortion of All Things?”
-It was the 4th circle. In your case, even I don't know. Your Distortion of All Things surpasses mine.-
“I see.”
-Any more questions?-
“No.”
-Then watch closely.-
“Yes!”
Martin answered vigorously.
His chest swelled with emotion.
A technique he couldn't master no matter what in his previous life. Now he would finally witness its essence.
He would observe it clearly and make it his own.
Thus, Martin steeled his resolve.