C795
As soon as Raon exited the alley where Rector's mansion was located, he encountered a man walking like a scarecrow.
"What an unusual person."
He was extremely tall, with long white hair completely covering his face. The aura emanating from him wasn't particularly strong, but it felt solid. Having vowed to challenge the first person he encountered, Raon immediately bowed his head.
"Are you a swordsman? Would you accept my challenge?"
"..."
The white-haired man didn't respond immediately but stared intently at Raon's face.
"What is this? Has he discovered my identity?"
-What are you doing?
As Raon sensed something odd was happening in the situation, Wrath touched his head.
-Did you challenge him after assessing his skills?
'Skills?'
Raon lowered his brows and looked again at the white-haired man.
'What skills are you talking about... eh?'
When he activated the Fire Ring, he sensed a pulsating aura within the white-haired man's energy center. An immense energy that could encompass the entire Holy Sword Alliance lay dormant in that slender body.
'What is this....'
It was the aura of a Transcendent Warrior, a realm that even he, at the peak of Grand Master, couldn't reach.
'A Transcendent Warrior from the start, should I consider myself lucky...?'
He had challenged the man without much thought while arguing with Wrath about food, but it turned out to be a Transcendent Warrior. Even Raon found it absurd.
"Are you an outsider?"
The white-haired man spoke for the first time. His tone was blunt but slow, suggesting a naturally relaxed personality.
"I just joined the Holy Sword Alliance."
"How old are you?"
"Mid-twenties."
The bright eyes under the white hair seemed to have finished evaluating him. Feeling that lies wouldn't work, Raon truthfully stated his age.
"...As I thought, it's pointless."
The white-haired man sighed and shook his head.
"Why did you come here?"
"To acquire knowledge."
Raon gave another truthful answer to the second question.
"I see...."
The white-haired man nodded calmly and raised his right hand.
"Anyway, it was about time I accepted a challenge, so this isn't bad."
He moved his fingers as if inviting Raon to approach him.
-Don't you have a sword...?
Raon's voice held a hint of annoyance, thinking it was impolite to fight without a sword even against a Transcendent Warrior.
"This is enough."
The white-haired man nodded calmly, implying his hands were sufficient.
"You'll regret underestimating me."
"I'm not underestimating you."
He extended his fingers with a serene gaze.
"If you say so..."
Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
'I'll end this quickly.'
Planning to subdue him swiftly without a sword before moving on to a second round, Raon stepped forward with his left foot.
With a thunderous sound, Raon closed the distance with the white-haired man and drew his sword. As he aimed for the chest with his sword-drawing technique, a white flash appeared before his eyes. Suddenly, Raon found himself suspended in the air, upside down. The white-haired man had somehow approached and grabbed him by the neck.
'What is this!'
Even though his opponent wasn't holding a sword, Raon hadn't let his guard down against a Transcendent Warrior. The movement was so natural it seemed as if his collar had been in the white-haired man's hands from the beginning.
'Damn it.'
Raon didn't use the Heavenly Drive but extended both hands to grab the white-haired man's wrist. With a burst of energy, he used his core and abdominal strength to lift the white-haired man's body in reverse.
"Mmm?"
The white-haired man frowned, seemingly not expecting his own body to be lifted. Realizing he was at a disadvantage, he released Raon's collar and took a step back.
"Damn...."
Raon exhaled heavily as he landed on the ground.
"What did you just..."
"You're not just a simple prodigy."
The white-haired man slightly bent his knees and curled his fingers.
"What do you mean?"
"Those who rely solely on talent would try to draw their sword even when lifted like that. That's when it's perfect to break their wrist and end it."
He clicked his tongue, seemingly disappointed that the duel had prolonged.
"Wrist...."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he smoothed his wrinkled neck.
'His movements were strange.'
The fluid posture and movements didn't match his tall stature. This man didn't seem like a simple swordsman.
"I should be wary of his footwork..."
Just as Raon thought he should be careful of the man's footwork, the white-haired man disappeared. His presence reappeared not to the sides or behind, but directly in front. The man's hand, which looked like a broom, lunged once more towards Raon's neck.
"I'll cut it."
As Raon diagonally retreated to the left and tried to draw the Heavenly Drive, the white-haired man, as if predicting his movement, extended his hand even faster and stronger.
'It's the same situation again!'
Faced with the risk of being grabbed by the neck once more, Raon raised his left hand holding the scabbard. With a burst of energy, the white-haired man, as if predicting this movement, extended his hand from below and grabbed Raon's left wrist.
As Raon tried to use his aura to prevent himself from being lifted, his legs suddenly weakened and his body floated in the air.
'What now?!'
But there was no time to be surprised. The white-haired man's fist plunged down like a dagger, aiming for Raon's chest.
'Defend? No, I'll face it head-on!'
Instincts sharpened through countless battles drove him to attack instead of defending. Raon extended his fist imbued with the cold energy of Glacier forward.
"What brutal instincts!"
The white-haired man muttered in admiration as he clashed fists with Raon. A powerful shockwave erupted as their aura-infused fists collided. However, the white-haired man's offensive hadn't ended. He extended his long hand once more to grab Raon's neck.
This time, Raon's head slumped towards the ground before he could react. As he tried to use his aura to protect his neck and nape, his body went limp. It felt like sinking into deep waters, unable to resist. Unable to counterattack, Raon's head thudded against the ground.
However, by forcefully tensing his neck muscles at the last moment, he managed to avoid losing consciousness.
"This ends it..."
"Who says it's over?!"
The moment the white-haired man withdrew his hand, thinking Raon had fainted, Raon lifted his upper body and threw a punch. The white-haired man, though surprised, managed to block Raon's fist with his palm, but couldn't avoid the strong wind that blew his hair back, revealing his face.
A sharp, blade-like nose bridge and brightly shining golden eyes.
Despite his strange behavior, his appearance was so striking that it wouldn't be strange to call him unparalleled.
"You resisted that?"
The white-haired man stared with wide eyes, seemingly unaware that his face had been revealed.
"It hurts, but not enough to knock me unconscious."
Raon frowned as he pushed the white-haired man away with his fist.
"Your resilience is also brutal."
The white-haired man shook his head in disbelief.
"I suddenly feel tired, so should we end it here for today?"
He clicked his tongue briefly as he looked at the sky.
"I haven't even drawn my sword yet."
Raon touched the Heavenly Drive still in its scabbard.
"Then let's do it."
The white-haired man straightened his upper body and raised his right hand.
"No matter what sword technique you use, I'll receive it with one hand from this position. That will be the end. How about that?"
He moved his finger, indicating he would fight to the end if he retreated or used both hands.
"Alright."
Raon nodded. Anyway, he hadn't intended to go all out, so it seemed better to settle for exchanging techniques for today. He drew the Heavenly Drive and lowered his stance. The white-haired man remained motionless in his initial stance, as if inviting Raon to try anything.
However, his golden eyes now held an even deeper light than before.
"No matter what, I have to face this."
Raon stepped forward with his right foot and launched the Heavenly Drive upwards from the ground. The flames burning on the sword's edge connected like a powerful river, forming a massive wave. It was the final move of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, the Unification of Flame and Ice. As the blood-red flames soared like a storm, resembling a serpent's tongue, the white-haired man's right hand fully extended.
Like an orchestra conductor, following the movement of his hand, the red wave subsided and the intense flames dissipated. Even the flow of the Heavenly Drive tracing the path of the Unification of Flame and Ice stopped.
'What the hell...?'
As Raon opened his eyes in disbelief, the white-haired man's hand was already at his throat.
"That should be enough, right?"
The white-haired man nodded slightly and brushed the dust off his hands.
"Alright then."
He left Raon behind and entered the city without any lingering attachment.
'Right now...'
Raon recalled the recent memory.
'He erased the Unification of Flame and Ice?'
The white-haired man had just nullified both the aura and the sword path of the Unification of Flame and Ice. It was incomprehensible, as it would be impossible without knowing his sword technique.
-You saw it correctly.
Wrath smiled as he looked back.
-That bamboo-shaped guy just completely stifled the flow of your sword technique. An interesting guy.
He laughed as if he was enjoying Raon's defeat.
'Is it possible to understand a sword technique after seeing it only once?'
-Don't you have any awareness? Isn't that exactly what you've been doing all this time!
Wrath waved his hand up and down, telling Raon to think from the opponent's perspective.
'Now that I think about it, you're right. Wait...'
Could that white-haired man see other people's sword techniques like I use the Fire Ring? Raon licked his lips as he looked back.
-That's probably it. The worst enemy for a swordsman...
"That sounds interesting."
Confident that continuing to fight that man would help eliminate his weaknesses and make him stronger, Raon couldn't help but smile.
-As I feel...
Wrath shook his head.
-You're an even crazier person than that crazy person!
* * *
The door to the Holy Sword Alliance leader's mansion opened and the white-haired man entered without hesitation.
"Alliance Leader..."
The white-haired man entered Rector's office and sat down on the sofa.
"What the hell did you bring here?"
He frowned, as if he couldn't comprehend something.
"What are you talking about?"
Rector put down his documents and tilted his chin.
-You felt it too, didn't you?
The white-haired man sighed and looked into Rector's calm eyes.
"Who is that monster I just fought?"
"How was that kid?"
"Kid? I'm not sure if a beast advancing towards its perfection can be called a kid..."
He shook his head and said that was beyond his comprehension.
"He's still far from complete."
Rector waved his hand, indicating it wasn't that serious.
"It's the first time I've seen you like this, Alliance Leader. Are you thinking of taking him as a disciple?"
"Mustan is enough as my disciple. The kid you call a beast is..."
He nodded with a deep smile.
"My grandson."
Contrary to what they said, needing to conceal their identity, Rector immediately revealed Raon's true nature. He seemed to trust the white-haired man.
"Eh...?"
The white-haired man's lips trembled.
"Then it could be Edgar..."
"That's right. He's that guy's son."
"No, what is this suddenly…?"
He clutched his forehead, as if he couldn't process the situation.
"I'll explain everything to you soon."
Rector told him to wait a little longer as he lowered his hand.
"The Alliance leader's grandson and Edgar's son. Now I understand that talent."
The white-haired man nodded heavily, saying he now understood a little.
"My grandson is truly special."
Rector pursed his lips, seemingly pleased with the praise towards Raon.
"Still, I didn't expect you to immediately use the Reverse Wave Arts."
"That was only because I was annoyed... Hey! You pretended not to know, but you knew everything!"
The white-haired man frowned at Rector.
"Ahem! So, what did you think of clashing with my grandson?"
Rector changed the subject and asked about the duel.
"He used a very refined sword technique, but it was absurd how he tried to create new variations within the Reverse Wave Arts."
He bit his lip and said that part was the most surprising.
"Anyway, he was like a beast."
He shook his head and said he wasn't the type of person he wanted to deal with.
"But I won't have to deal with him anymore."
The white-haired man gestured disinterestedly with his hand and went into the mansion's kitchen. He filled a cloth package with ingredients and returned to the living room.
"Since I played with the Alliance leader's grandson, I can endure this, right?"
The white-haired man waved his hand as if he was saying goodbye and turned around.
"Lorenzo."
When Rector called him by name, the white-haired man stopped abruptly.
"My grandson's true talent isn't in martial arts or swordsmanship."
He shook his head with a gentle smile.
"You'd better prepare yourself."
Rector turned his head and resumed examining his documents, as if he had said everything he needed to say.
"Hmm..."
Lawrence stared at Rector for a moment, snorted, and left.
"I didn't expect them to meet so soon, but it seems..."
As soon as the mansion door closed, Rector curved his lips.
"Things are going to get interesting."
* * *
"Wow, you fought well! It's the first time I've seen someone resist that long against Lawrence!"
The black-haired elder clapped and said he had exceeded expectations.
"Don't be fooled by that shady guy's tricks, your battle sense is amazing!"
The red-haired elder nodded and laughed heartily.
"You two..."
Raon blinked as he saw the two elders blocking his path. As he was reviewing his duel with the white-haired man, these two suddenly appeared before him.
"Ah, I'm a Sword Lord. The Demon Sword Lord. And this guy is..."
"I'll introduce myself. I'm the String Sword Lord."
The black-haired elder and the red-haired elder introduced themselves as the Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord respectively.
'Weren't they part of the Elders' Council?'
Judging by their intense aura and age, Raon had thought they were part of the Elders' Council, but they were active Sword Lords.
"You came with the Alliance leader, right?"
"That's correct."
Raon nodded as he sheathed the Heavenly Drive.
"Will you join the Holy Sword Alliance? Who are the kids who came with you? How far have you mastered the sword?"
The red-haired elder fired questions without waiting for answers.
"Why are you hiding your face and hair color? Are you famous? Can't you tell us your name?"
The black-haired elder, not wanting to lose, also bombarded Raon with questions.
"Ah, I haven't joined..."
As Raon tried to answer the first question, he heard light footsteps behind him. It was the white-haired man he had just dueled with. He was approaching with his face hidden by his hair and carrying a bundle on his back.
"Mmm..."
"Ahem..."
The Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord closed their talkative mouths, whistling and coughing as they looked away.
"...Don't talk nonsense."
The white-haired man frowned at the two elders as if warning them, then looked at Raon before heading towards the mountain.
"Who is that person?"
"Him? That son of a bitch!"
The red-haired elder frowned as he watched the white-haired man's back.
"That ungrateful Lawrence! We raised him openly, but when he got a little stronger, he became a tyrant and only causes trouble!"
The black-haired elder gritted his teeth in agreement.
"So his name is Lawrence."
Raon licked his lips. It was a name that didn't suit him and yet suited his appearance, making him smile.
"He's crueler than his name suggests!"
"That's right. When we're having fun, he gets furious saying there's noise and throws things at us! Even if it's not a duel, he loses even verbal arguments!"
The red-haired elder shook his head and called Lawrence crazy.
-Not even the Demon King bothers people when they're eating! What trash!
'The Demon King would die if you bothered him...'
Raon shook his head and suddenly stopped.
'He throws things when there's noise...'
A good idea came to him, and he raised his head.
"Where do you two usually duel?"
"In the middle of the mountain behind us. It's near that damn guy's cave, but there's no better place."
The black-haired elder licked his lips and said it was the perfect place for a duel.
"And now, how about a duel with me?"
The red-haired elder rubbed his hands, suggesting a match.
-No! I'm first!
The black-haired elder gritted his teeth, accusing the other of cutting in line.
"..."
Raon raised his hand and looked at the two grumbling elders.
"I'll duel both of you. But..."
He curved his lips as he looked at the mountain behind them.
"Would you grant me a favor?"
* * *
Lawrence left the food package at the bottom of the cave that served as his dwelling and straightened his back.
'Edgar's son...'
He frowned and looked at the hand that had clashed with Raon's sword before.
"He's certainly different."
In that brief moment, attempting to counter his Reverse Wave Arts, that was a skill beyond the realm of mere talent.
—But he said martial arts aren't his true talent?
Rector had said that his grandson's true talent wasn't martial arts. Suddenly, Lawrence became curious about what it could be.
'No.'
It has nothing to do with me. Since he wouldn't move from this place, it didn't matter what talents that kid possessed. He lay down on the bed made of tree branches, intending to take a nap after moving his body for the first time in a long time.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, the ground began to shake violently, and bursts of aura exploded from all directions.
"Ugh..."
Lawrence lifted his body with a frown.
"I told those elders not to fight here..."
Whether they had become deaf with age or simply weren't listening, they never heeded him, no matter how many times he repeated it. Annoyed, he leaped out of the cave, only to find not only the two elders but one more person who had joined the mix.
"Why are you…?"
Rector's grandson, who had surprised him earlier, was clashing swords with the String Sword Lord.
"What a coincidence!"
Rector's grandson smiled and bowed his head.
"How about we exchange a few more moves while we're at it?"
-
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