Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Second Guardian Spirit
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For those who wield swords, the Strange Family's ultimate technique, passed down as legend.
'Aura Blade.'
The day had finally come when I could claim Siegfried's secret technique—one I hadn't learned even in my previous life—as my own.
"I'll show you just once, so watch closely."
"Yes, Master."
Siegfried rose from his seat and gathered red aura in both hands. It soon began to shimmer with a brilliant light, taking on the form of a sword.
Ssssh...
The process of creating something from nothing.
Without any materials, forging a weapon solely with one's own power.
How incredible was that?
'It's still astonishing, even seeing it again.'
The flickering aura, like roaring flames, had solidified into a firm mass of metal, as if tempered in a forge.
How had he even conceived of such a technique? It was unimaginable unless you'd lost your weapon on the battlefield.
Siegfried swung the completed Aura Blade through the air.
Shiiik—
"How about that? Easy, right? That's how you do it."
"I see."
"Alright, now you give it a try."
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"You're telling me to do that right now?"
"Yep."
A sigh escaped me out of sheer disbelief.
This madman hadn't changed a bit from past or present.
He could've at least explained the method before telling me to try it. But no—just demonstrate once and say imitate it?
If anyone could master a technique after seeing it once, who'd bother with practice?
"No, but how did you even make it?"
"What? What have you been watching? I did it right in front of you, and you're asking how?"
"Master."
"Speak."
"How do you learn a technique just by watching?"
"......"
"If others could easily imitate it, it wouldn't be a secret technique."
'You lunatic.'
If it were possible, I'd have used it in my previous life too.
I wouldn't have had to beg the old Siegfried for it, only to get turned down.
"Now that you mention it, you're right. But I figured you could do it."
"Why?"
"Because you're a genius."
"......"
"You've replicated most of my sword techniques without me even teaching them."
That was just because I'd already learned them before.
"Isn't there a line between what's possible and what's not?"
"No, you can tell just by looking. I gathered aura and shaped it into a sword."
"That's why I'm asking how you shaped the sword from aura."
"You couldn't tell by watching?!"
"Yes."
"Hah, seriously! I showed you this much thinking you'd get it right away. What a hassle."
A hassle? Was that why he hadn't taught me in my previous life too?
"But listen. I don't demonstrate the same technique twice—"
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"You clearly promised to pass down Aura Blade today."
"Well, that's true."
"Then teach it properly again. You're not the type of trash who'd break your own promise just because it's a hassle, right?"
"......"
"You're a noble being worthy of the title Sword God from the Emperor himself."
"...Yeah, you're right. I'm not that kind of trash."
Siegfried scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression. His face screamed he didn't want to teach it, but a promise was a promise.
"Sigh... Fine. I'll explain it simply, so pay attention."
"Understood."
"First, concentrate aura in both hands. Then visualize the sword you want to use in your mind. Ah! The key is not to just imagine it vaguely. Shape it slowly and delicately, like a potter molding clay or a painter stroking a canvas."
"So, don't half-ass it—focus carefully?"
"Yeah. Longsword, shortsword, whatever—try shaping it however you like."
I focused aura in both hands as he instructed, closed my eyes, and pictured the sword I wanted.
The optimal weapon for this body was a shortsword, the kind favored by most adventurers.
With my small stature, anything too long or bulky would be awkward to angle or swing. A proper length was key.
Ssssh.
A few seconds later, I cracked my eyes open. The aura was taking on the sword's form.
It wasn't as vividly colored as Siegfried's Aura Blade, but the aura had condensed enough to feel solid in my grip.
"Like this?"
Siegfried clapped his hands.
Clap!
"Ooooh—look at that! See, I told you! Teach it, and you nail it!"
"So this is correct?"
"Yeah, you little genius! I figured you couldn't do it, so I half-assed the explanation, and boom—success?"
'What did you just say?'
I shot him a contemptuous glare. Siegfried glanced at my eyes, then turned his head away and continued.
"Ahem, so that's the first stage of Aura Blade: 'Manifestation,' forming the sword's shape."
"First stage?"
"Yeah, first stage."
"How many stages total?"
"Four. No, up to three? Actually, maybe even two."
Impromptu teaching without any system.
No wonder I'd gotten so pissed in my previous life. It clashed with my love for precision. His flawless swordsmanship was at odds with this chaotic instruction.
'Well...'
At least he was teaching me the secret technique this time around. I'd be grateful and learn it properly.
"Then break it down into stages starting from two."
"Ah, sure. That'll be less hassle for me too. You get it even if I explain sloppily anyway."
"No."
"Huh?"
"Yes. Explain it properly, not sloppily."
"Are you ordering me around?"
I shook my head firmly.
"Of course not. I'm asking."
"That's more like it."
"Anyway, forming the aura frame was simple. I didn't know just imagining it would work."
"Obviously. You didn't know that? Aura naturally shifts to whatever form its owner desires."
Excuse me, no one in my generation knew that.
You never taught it to me during those ten years in my previous life either.
Not even I, at the pinnacle of this era—or my father Roys from the previous generation—knew about it.
There were no records of aura shaping techniques.
"So, what now?"
"What? Oh, stage two. Disperse the scattered aura and reconcentrate it."
"Re concentrate?"
"Yeah. Erase the sword image from your mind completely. Just pull all the aura into your palms."
"Won't that ruin the sword I've made?"
"...Hey."
"Yes."
"Why are you so damn chatty? Just do what I say without questioning. You think I'd tell you to do something impossible?"
Damn boomer. Even trying to think positively, he dragged out my latent rage.
'So kind of you, I'm tearing up.'
Vrrrrm.
As I concentrated aura in my palms, the previously scattered aura gathered like water being absorbed.
Unlike expected, the sword's form didn't collapse—instead, the aura's density deepened.
I didn't understand the principle, but just as Siegfried said, an Aura Blade formed.
"...How'd you do that?"
"What?"
"That. Aura Blade."
"I did exactly what you told me."
"...You're really my descendant, but your talent is insane."
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah! It requires intense focus—way harder than it looks. Most need at least a year of training... How the hell did you pull it off?"
I'd just followed your instructions. I nodded slightly and examined my Aura Blade.
"Anyway, that's it, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Oh, right! Don't use that sword for too long."
"Why?"
"It's dangerous. Maintaining it drains too much aura. Swing it wrong, and you might pass out before you even use it. You know what happens if that occurs on the battlefield?"
You'd show an opening and get killed.
True enough, just holding the Aura Blade had cold sweat beading on my forehead.
And though the blade felt as light as a feather, the tremor in my fingertips mimicked gripping a heavy sword for hours.
"I botched the control and collapsed plenty of times myself, so be careful. I recommend using it only in dire situations."
"Understood."
"Class dismissed for today. No questions?"
"No."
"Smart disciples make classes fly by. That other guy never got it, even after all day."
"That guy? You taught Aura Blade to someone else besides me?"
Siegfried opened his mouth as if to speak, then shook his head with a 'whoops' expression.
"...Didn't I mention? There was this guy called the Sword King once."
The tower's mid-layers teemed with house-sized magical beasts. One knight company dispatched from Strange Castle had arrived.
A unit clad in black armor and helmets that barely revealed their eyes.
They were the Strange Family's special force for secret missions.
'Vendetta.'
Their captain removed his helmet, revealing his face.
"Lord Hysteria headed east."
Roys, head of the Strange Family, frowned with concern.
"Hysteria?"
"Yes. We checked in case of conflict with Lord Gunter, but he wasn't heading to Gunter's castle."
"Then what business does he have east?"
"...We'll investigate."
"Estimated arrival?"
"Soonest tonight, latest tomorrow morning—at the Glazer Family territory, 'Arbitra.'"
"Arbitra—the coastal city?"
"Correct."
"Hmm..."
Not even father Roys could predict Hysteria's movements. The man was unpredictable as always.
Of course, Hysteria never overstepped his limits.
In the past, when he'd caused trouble, he'd claim 'boredom,' but once things cleared up, there was always justification.
"What about Gunter?"
"Heard he went to attack the assassin group 'Red Worm' that ambushed Young Master Berddin recently."
"Where's that Red Worm group's base?"
"The Red Worm group is at the easternmost coast..."
The knight paused with a 'whoops' look, then continued.
"Ah, in Arbitra."
"Head west immediately and find Valentine."
"Yes, sir!"
"Report this incident. We must move quickly."
"Understood!"
Before breakfast had even begun, commotion stirred outside the castle.
"Hand over my mom!"
A child's anguished wail.
"Get lost, or we'll cut your head off!"
The guardian knights barking threats.
'What the hell is going on?'
They'd have beheaded him on sight if he were an enemy. Who was this to cause such a fuss?
I cautiously peered out the window. A familiar face caught my eye.
"Rox?"
The kid with emerald eyes, heir to Brunhilt's blood—from the ogre fortress.
"Hand over my mom!!!"
'Why is he here?'
I leaped out the window in one bound.
Thud.
I sprinted full-tilt toward where the guardian knights faced Rox.
Dadadada—!
"Out of the way."
I reached the castle gate and swung a fist at Rox's jaw.
Pow!
Rox's head snapped back—he'd been off guard.
"Guh!"
I charged, aura-infused foot kicking his solar plexus.
Thwack!
Then from behind, I seized his neck, choking off his breath.
"Krrgh."
"Why are you here?"
"M-My... mom... Give back... Mom..."
He grabbed my arms to resist, but soon his eyes rolled back as he passed out and collapsed.
Thud.
'Give back Mom?'
I scanned the fallen Rox up and down, then ordered one of the guardian knights.
"Take this kid inside the castle. I'll interrogate him personally."