Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: 제3장 아달베르트 검술(3)
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Whumm.
As space split open, a single sword popped out beside Arellia.
Though it was his first time seeing the real thing, Martin knew exactly what the sword was.
*The Holy Sword Crasion.*
The symbol of the founding patriarch, now a thing of legend.
Arellia gently gripped the hilt.
*-Space Slash or Space Jump can be performed with just spatial innate abilities. But that alone isn't enough to unleash the Spatial Sword. There's one more thing required. Do you know what it is?-*
"Aura."
*-Correct.*
Arellia's question had come out of nowhere, but Martin answered immediately.
He didn't know the underlying principles of the technique.
But he did know this one thing.
To wield the Spatial Sword, one needed to combine innate abilities—specifically Spatial Domination—with aura.
*'Not just Spatial Domination, though.'*
Thanks to Arellia, he now knew that Distortion of All Things could substitute for it.
Of course, Distortion of All Things had its limitations, but he wasn't worried about that.
What mattered was the fact that he could wield the Spatial Sword.
*-Why is aura necessary? Simple. The Spatial Sword is a technique that synchronizes your aura with the surrounding space.-*
No sooner had she finished speaking than Arellia circulated her mana.
Flash!
Platinum aura bloomed, wrapping around her sword.
But that wasn't the end of it.
The radiant aura quickly grew dim, as if melting into the surroundings.
Then the light of the aura shifted this way and that, soon forming a perfect cube.
*'So that's how it works!'*
Martin shuddered in genuine awe.
Thanks to the Dragon's Curse, he could easily read the flow of mana, allowing him to quickly discern others' techniques.
But even he hadn't grasped the essence of the Spatial Sword that his father had demonstrated just once.
This time was different.
Even if his regression had erased those events from history, he had once been called the Sword Saint.
With the insights and experience from that time, he understood how Arellia wielded her innate ability and aura.
*'You can fuse innate abilities and aura like this.'*
It was nothing short of miraculous.
Feeling his heart pound, Martin continued to watch Arellia.
Slash!
Space and aura fully merged.
Arellia swung her sword, and in tandem, the platinum aura shot out in a crescent shape.
The aura traced a long arc through the air, truly beautiful.
*'The real key comes next.'*
Martin infused mana into his eyes to enhance his vision.
To capture everything that was about to happen.
Swoosh.
Arellia lightly twisted her right hand, which gripped the sword.
Then something astonishing occurred.
The aura crossing the room suddenly vanished, reappearing near the ceiling. It plummeted downward like lightning.
And that wasn't all.
It had started as a single aura, but their number rapidly multiplied. They flickered in and out of existence everywhere, shifting into various forms.
*'At a glance, it looks like Space Jump... but...'*
Martin saw it wasn't that simple.
*-What do you think now that you've seen it in person?-*
*"...I can feel it's a completely different technique from Space Jump."*
*-Why do you think so?-*
*"Space Jump can redirect slashes or aura in other directions too. But only once. And the number of auras doesn't increase midway."*
*-Well seen. Did you understand the principle behind it?*
*"Yes. I realized it's not just embedding aura into space."*
*-Then?*
*"The key is using aura to perfectly dominate the mana in that space. Like establishing your own domain? By seizing control of the space's mana that way, you can freely manipulate the aura. But I don't quite get how the number increases or the forms change."*
*-Figuring that much out is impressive. Truly. Your talent is almost too much for even me to handle.*
Arellia shook her head.
A smile played at her lips all the while.
*-First, to answer your question. Increasing the number of auras or changing their forms relates to proficiency in the Spatial Sword.*
*"The higher the proficiency, the freer the control over aura within the domain."*
*-Correct. You're a descendant who makes teaching a joy.*
*"You're too kind."*
*-Too kind? I don't even know how to praise you anymore. Anyway, as you said, the Spatial Sword is a technique for freely manipulating aura in your domain. That's why some call it the Mind Sword.*
*"A fitting name. Since you can shape aura to your will."*
*-I think so too. Now, what other advantages do you think the Spatial Sword has?*
*"It conserves your own mana. Since you're perfectly dominating the space's mana, there's little reason to expend your own."*
*-I'm starting to wonder what kind of life you've lived. To have such insight at just 18...*
*"It's thanks to the Dragon's Curse."*
*-That only lets you see mana flows. Understanding the principles is purely your talent.*
Martin bowed his head at Arellia's sincere praise.
His heart still raced fiercely.
*"Patriarch. May I try unleashing the Spatial Sword once?"*
*-Hm? Right now? Isn't that too soon?*
*"I think the odds of failure are higher for me too. Even if my Distortion of All Things surpasses yours, it's still only 1st Circle. There are limits."*
*-You know that and still want to try?*
*"Yes. Failure doesn't matter."*
Arellia let out a hollow laugh.
Martin's eyes burned with resolve.
*-You're radiating 'don't try to stop me' energy.*
*"Sorry."*
*-I wasn't blaming you. If you understand the principle but don't even attempt it, you'd only regret it.*
*"Thank you for understanding."*
*-Just don't rush. I know you can't afford to waste time with the Dragon's Curse. Still, as you said yourself, you've mitigated it somewhat. Raise your realm steadily, and you'll master the Spatial Sword for sure.*
*"I'll keep that in mind."*
Martin replied calmly.
But inwardly, he apologized to Arellia.
Because he couldn't follow that final piece of advice.
It was true that the Dragon's Blood and Lotaer Body Technique breathing method had eased the Dragon's Curse to some degree. His lifespan had extended, buying him some time.
But he would soon ascend as head of the Adalbert family.
He had to reign at the pinnacle as the greatest of all.
And fail to wield the Spatial Sword, a core technique of the direct line?
Unacceptable.
Grip.
Steel ing his resolve, Martin tightened his hold on the hilt.
* * *
"Huu."
Martin steadied his breathing, sword in hand.
Mana surged from his abdominal mana core, flowing straight to the sword. Golden aura bloomed, enveloping the blade.
All that remained was to embed the aura into space.
"Hah!"
With a shout, Martin activated his innate ability 'Distortion of All Things' to twist space, seeping aura into the void.
But things didn't go as planned.
Crackle!
"Kuhk!"
Regardless of his will, Martin screamed.
The moment aura touched space, a powerful backlash formed and rebounded at him.
His body was already in shambles.
The added shock only worsened it.
In fact, the Dragon's Curse flared, aggravating his internal injuries.
His sword arm felt like it would snap any moment.
*'You think I'll give up like this?!'*
Eyes blazing with venom, Martin tried melting space into the aura once more.
But despite his fierce will, it failed.
Relentless repulsion battered him.
Mana racing through his circuits constantly backlashed.
Finally.
"Uwek!"
Martin dropped to one knee, vomiting blood.
The blackened blood vividly showed the severity of his injuries.
Yet he tried to stand and try again.
Arellia wouldn't allow it.
She declared in a cold voice.
*-Stop.*
*"Pa...triarch."*
*-No, it's over. With your innate ability's realm, you can't wield the Spatial Sword yet. The constant backlash proves it.*
*"Haa. So it ends like this."*
*-That's why I told you not to rush. Focus on tempering your innate ability from now on. That alone will let you master it faster than anyone.*
Arellia's tone was firm.
The boy had already endured so much suffering.
She didn't want to see him push further.
*-Now, as promised, I'll teach you the Arellia Swordsmanship. Of course, with your talent, you could create your own. But it's better to learn the existing one first, then evolve it into something unique.*
*"I understand your intent, Patriarch, but please wait a moment. If this method fails too, I'll cleanly give up on the Spatial Sword."*
Martin said, staring straight at Arellia.
His eyes held unyielding determination.
Arellia sighed and nodded.
*-What are you planning?*
*"Sorry, it's hard to explain. Could you just watch?"*
*-You wouldn't listen even if I tried to stop you. Fine, I'll watch as you say.*
*"Thank you."*
Martin bowed lightly and struggled to his feet.
It wasn't baseless stubbornness.
He had a real way to master the Spatial Sword quickly, which was why he'd asked Arellia.
Step by step.
Martin trudged forward with great effort.
He arrived at the elixir room from before.
Stopping where the vial of dragon's blood was, he paused.
*'Drink this, and I can aim for awakening.'*
The insights from his Sword Saint days remained intact.
But his current body was too weak to handle that power.
He'd applied drake's blood and learned the Lotaer Body Technique breathing method, improving beyond his original 18-year-old state.
But even before regression, he'd only skipped the Lotaer Body Technique; he'd steadily applied and ingested dragon's blood. His swordsmanship realm and innate ability had enhanced his physical prowess on their own.
That's what made him the Sword Saint.
Attempting awakening at his current level risked his body exploding.
*'But drinking the blood changes everything.'*
Dragon's blood had the highest purity.
That's why it wasn't just applied externally but ingested to absorb the power.
Its body reinforcement effects were supreme, naturally.
*'I won't recover all the Sword Saint's power.'*
That was fine.
Enough to wield the Spatial Sword would suffice.
His body was the only issue now.
The insights for adding mana core rings and his mana capacity had been ready long ago.
"Hup!"
Ignoring the pain of his injuries, Martin activated Distortion of All Things once more. To breach the barrier.
Then, he extended his mangled left hand again.