Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Enlightenment
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Chapter 74: Enlightenment
A sudden, unexpected enlightenment.
I drifted leisurely through the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Light and darkness coexisted, and countless stars repeated the cycle of birth and death.
*Hmm, is this right?*
It felt a bit too abstract for an enlightenment.
In any case, it was a mystical experience.
Since an opportunity like this was rare, I ought to enjoy it as much as I could.
The mysteries of the universe seemed endless.
An immense amount of information flooded into my mind.
I could only handle a tiny fraction of it.
Take what I can, discard the rest.
If I got greedy, my brain would surely burn out.
It felt as if the unseen principles of the world were being revealed.
I had surpassed the limits of a human and was now gazing upon something greater.
“…”
The moment I opened my eyes, only a faint afterimage, like a dream, remained.
As if that wasn't enough, a sense of emptiness filled my chest.
As expected, I couldn't see it all in one go.
Still, I'd gained everything I could, so it was a good outcome.
An unknown power stirred within my entire body.
Compared to before my enlightenment, I felt about twice as strong.
“───!!”
Perhaps because she noticed the difference at a glance.
Aruru’s fox ears shot up as she yelped in surprise.
A pleased smile formed on my lips.
Her cuteness was more mysterious than the secrets of the cosmos.
“How much time has passed?”
“Um, about ten minutes?”
*Huh?*
I thought at least half a day would have gone by.
The fleeting passage of time.
I came to understand the meaning of an instant.
In any case, I had now become a perfect S-rank.
As if to confirm it, a series of system messages appeared.
[Blessing of the Spirits]
[S-Rank - Mana recovery rate increased by 300% & efficiency of all spirit skills increased by 300%]
[Exclusive Weapon Resonance Stage 2 Unlocked]
[Stage 1 – Attack power greatly increased & ignores 15% of the opponent's defense.]
[Stage 2 – Efficiency of Sword Ki and Sword Aura greatly increased & mana consumption reduced.]
[Stage 3 - Not yet unlocked]
I had finally entered the realm of Sword Aura.
I was no different from what they commonly called a Sword Master.
Although I still couldn't match Jace in his prime.
I had reached a level where I could imitate him to some extent.
Feeling excited, I drew my sword.
Immediately, Sword Aura manifested according to my will.
The pure crystallization of mana.
Its brilliance was dazzlingly magnificent.
“Ahh, that’s so cool!”
The beastkin girl wagged her tail back and forth.
As always, her lively reactions were a delight.
Her eyes sparkling, she added another comment.
“It’s big and beautiful!”
“…”
The phrasing was a bit suggestive, but it was true.
The final stage of swordsmanship. The might of Sword Aura was nearly supreme.
It was the power to defeat an A-rank in ten seconds.
Even if dozens of them came at me, I could handle them with ease.
Largo, being a pugilist, must have mastered Fist Aura.
Under the same conditions, I wouldn't be the least bit afraid.
I would have managed to win even at a slight disadvantage, and now it was a given.
Well, I was still far from a satisfactory level.
Since I had just acquired the skill, I needed practice.
There was one drawback: it consumed an enormous amount of mana.
Until I got the hang of it, I probably couldn't maintain it for even five minutes.
I quietly recalled Jace’s memories.
Through them, I grasped most of the application techniques for Sword Aura.
Repetition, and more repetition…
My mana was depleted quickly, but its recovery speed was just as fast.
Before long, I was able to create a crude version of a Protective Aura.
The ultimate defensive technique.
It could likely block even Largo's ultimate move.
Confidence overflowed within me, but I had to be sure.
My little cutie.
How about you throw a punch at me, just like when you sent that guy flying last time?
“Umm, that’s dangerous…”
As if it were a forbidden technique.
She hesitated with a troubled expression.
I grew anxious as well, but I forced myself to stay calm.
“You know. I can take anything you give me.”
“───!!”
*Ahh, I can feel his sincerity!*
*If he’s going to say it like that, what choice do I have?*
With that look on her face, she clenched her adorable fists and threw a powerful punch.
The so-called Aruru Punch.
Indeed, its destructive power was exceptional.
*CRACK!*
My Protective Aura almost shattered.
“Are you okay?”
“…”
I nodded silently.
The moment I opened my mouth, I felt like I would cough up blood.
I had barely managed to mitigate the full impact.
But the shock had caused my mana to flow in reverse.
*Hmm, if I'd been careless, I might have suffered from internal deviation.*
My little cutie.
You pack quite a punch, don't you?
You do know that if I go down, your meal ticket goes with me, right?
“Doesn't seem like my fault. You brought this on yourself.”
She puffed out her cheeks as if she were sulking.
Despite her appearance, I could feel her concern for me.
I gently stroked the girl's head to soothe her.
“It won’t be long now.”
The fact that I withstood Aruru’s attack.
It proved that I had truly become strong.
At this point, I could confidently visit my family's estate and face the family head.
But it would be better to show him that I was even stronger than before.
“Yep. It’ll definitely happen!”
She beamed, as if her previous mood had vanished.
Her smile always gave me strength.
That alone was enough, but I suddenly grew curious about Ceria’s reaction.
She would be happy, right?
Unable to contain her overwhelming emotions, she would probably embrace me with tears in her eyes.
I should take a short break and go boast to her.
It was about time for a meal, so we headed out.
Just as I finished ordering at a cafe, Ceria joined us.
Right away, Aruru began to chatter excitedly as if she had been waiting.
“You’ve already manifested Sword Aura? Congratulations.”
“───??”
*Huh? Her reaction is a bit weak.*
She was smiling, but it was no different from her usual self.
Just a matter-of-fact attitude…
As I stared at her, she looked abashed and scratched her cheek.
“Well, it would be strange to be surprised every single time. If I had my way, I’d want to spend some time alone with you in a quiet place…”
“───!!”
A quiet place. Time for just the two of us.
The secret affections of lovers…
In short, she wanted to take our relationship to the next level.
No, how could I possibly resist this?
*I’m always ready. I’ll leave it to you!*
I wanted to shout it out, but the dignity of this body wouldn't allow it.
I hoped she would understand my true feelings.
But the girl just smiled softly and changed the subject.
“We have something important coming up right now. We’ll have to postpone it for later, I suppose.”
“…”
Strict, solemn, serious.
More than anything, she wanted me to succeed.
She was right, but I still felt a little down!
As I was feeling secretly disappointed, she stealthily took my hand.
“Once everything is over, let’s take our time and enjoy ourselves. Just the two of us…”
“───!!”
The girl’s whisper lingered in my ear.
There was no way to describe its sweetness.
We gazed at each other warmly.
The distance between us closed until our faces were almost touching.
Just as I was about to be intoxicated by my lovely partner's breath, the fox girl spoke demurely.
“You’re going to touch at this rate.”
“…”
“I know how you feel, but I recommend you consider the time and place.”
Her tone was nonchalant, yet tinged with coyness.
It seemed the couple's affectionate display was making her feel a bit sour.
As if apologizing, Ceria gave Aruru a tight hug.
An utterly cozy atmosphere.
I was completely immersed in that peaceful feeling.
In that moment, I could comfortably forget everything.
* * *
At last, the day of the decisive battle arrived.
While the format was a duel to determine a winner, it was closer to a true life-or-death battle.
I wouldn't have minded ending it at an appropriate point.
But Largo would surely come at me intending to see it through to the end.
*Fine, I’ll crush you completely.*
I would make him feel the difference in our levels and force him to submit.
It wasn't that I held any ill will toward him.
But winning half-heartedly would only lead to more trouble.
Still, I supposed I should show some mercy.
He had stepped up when the B-rank students ganged up on me.
He had been my practice partner before the tournament, and I had received his help in various ways.
So I had intended to go easy on him.
But Largo was burning with more passion than ever before.
“I am overwhelmed with emotion. I have waited for this moment and this moment alone.”
“…”
*You know how I feel, right?*
*You better give it your all. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you.*
His eyes were filled with that kind of intensity.
*Sigh, when will this kid ever grow up?*
“Now, show me. Your true power!”
His voice boomed.
He had no qualms about shouting it out in front of the entire student body.
If he wanted me to show him, I had no choice.
Without hesitation, I manifested my Sword Aura.
A brilliant light filled the entire arena.
*Flinch.*
He flinched for a moment at my show of force.
Then, as if he couldn't lose, he unleashed Fist Aura from both hands.
I had a feeling this would happen.
It was a good thing I had mastered Sword Aura, or I would have been in deep trouble.
This proved that we were on equal footing.
A duel between two who had just entered the S-rank.
The students’ fervent cheers echoed from all around.
“Wow! So those two are finally facing off?”
“I heard the winner becomes a Hero candidate, right?”
“It wouldn’t be strange for either of them to win.”
“Jace was already a Hero candidate, and Largo has been at the top of A-rank for a long time…”
“Hmm, isn’t Jace the more likely one?”
“I don’t know, Largo’s momentum is incredible too. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“I don’t care about the result. I just hope they fight like crazy.”
They say that watching a fire and watching a fight are the greatest spectacles.
As if nothing could be more exciting, they were even showing a sort of madness.
Indeed, where else could you find a big event like this?
With the ceremony to decide the master of the Holy Sword just around the corner.
The addition of another Hero candidate was significant in many ways.
Even faculty members, who were rarely seen, were in attendance.
Thousands of people were watching, but I didn't feel the slightest bit nervous.
All I had to do was what I came here to do.
It suddenly struck me how I had managed to come this far.
When I was first transmigrated, my future had been utterly bleak.
My dantian was destroyed. I was branded a delinquent.
On top of that, I was fated to become one of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings.
“…”
*Ugh, how dreadful.*
I could talk about it casually now, but back then, I truly felt a sense of crisis.
It was thanks to Ceria and Aruru’s unwavering faith in me.
That I could stand proudly before everyone like this.
Besides them, quite a few others had supported me with high expectations.
I had to repay their support.
I took a calm breath and got into my stance.
I couldn't let myself be held back by someone like Largo.
As I steeled my resolve for victory.
Largo spoke with a firm, serious face.
“That statement about me not even being in your sights, is that still valid?”
“It's not that extreme, but the space you occupy is rather small.”
“…”
A beast growling silently.
He glared at me as if he were going to devour me.
*Ah, wait a minute…*
*I’m not looking down on you! What am I supposed to do when it’s the truth?*
He was quite strong, but from my perspective, he was just so-so.
In the future, even stronger opponents would continue to appear.
S-rank was just the beginning; there were higher realms awaiting.
At this point, even the Four Heavenly Kings were incredibly threatening.
And the Demon King’s strength was beyond what words like "brutal" could describe.
I had only set my goals high, considering that power balance…
“Right, you were always the best. It’s only natural that someone like me wouldn’t be worth your notice.”
“…”
“That only makes me yearn to surpass you. I will show you everything I have in this fight!”
His fighting spirit soared.
*It doesn't matter if I lose. Today, it’s you or me.*
With that kind of feeling, he foolishly displayed the resolve of a true man.
He then charged forward recklessly.
This is why simpletons who only know strength are so troublesome!
I calmly prepared a counterattack.
Ever since my enlightenment, I could feel the flow of the world.
It was close to a form of precognition, and I saw no future where I would be defeated.
*BOOM!*
As the immense powers collided, the duel began in earnest.