C962
"Hmm..."
Glenn lowered his trembling hand and looked at Raon again.
"I thought he wouldn’t have changed much."
But he has far exceeded my expectations. The Hall of Self has been a place where countless swordswomen have entered since the beginning of Zieghart’s history. However, not everyone who enters the Hall of Self comes out significantly stronger.
As Karoon explained to the children, many swordswomen who hadn’t crashed against a wall for a long time entered the Hall of Self and came out without any change.
That’s why a temporary regulation was created that only allowed Grandmasters or those facing the wall of Transcendence to enter the Hall of Self.
"Of course, that kid was different."
Even for Raon, it seemed almost impossible to reach the wall beyond Transcendence, so I allowed him to enter the Hall of Self according to his will, but I didn’t expect this outcome.
"I can tell just by looking at him."
Glenn let out a sigh as he felt Raon’s calm gaze and his deeply settled aura.
"The amount and density of his aura have increased drastically, and the quality of his muscles has also changed. Moreover..."
It seems he has reached a new level in swordsmanship. I can tell just by the way he stands and speaks. That kid has not only grown in aura and physique but has also made significant progress in martial arts.
"What happened in the Hall of Self?"
Swordswomen who enter the Hall of Self break through their walls and advance to the next level, achieving overall growth. But Raon returned with an improved physique, aura, and swordsmanship without breaking a level. This was almost a unique case in Zieghart’s history.
"He didn’t break the wall, but he became as strong as someone who did... You never cease to amaze me."
Before entering the Hall of Self, Raon was on par with Karoon and had martial prowess similar to the leaders of the Five Divine Kings, excluding Thespian Emperor. But now, Raon seemed to be on a completely different level.
"He may not have reached the level of the Five Kings and Five Demons, but he’s right below that."
The Five Divine Orders are considered second to the Five Kings and Five Demons, but in reality, there’s a significant power gap between the leaders of the two groups. The reason why the Five Divine Orders joined in the first place was to survive among the Five Kings and Five Demons.
"He’s my grandson, but I can’t help but call him a monster."
Raon has crossed more than half of that vast sea just by entering the Hall of Self.
"It’s not enough yet, but with a little more experience and power, he could reach it."
Raon’s martial prowess isn’t enough to face the leaders of the Five Kings and Five Demons yet. However, it seemed he would reach that position in no time.
"Hmm..."
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he watched Raon talking to Burren, Martha, and Runaan.
"The more I look at that kid, the stranger I feel. It’s like my heart is being pricked..."
He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but it seemed that not only Raon’s martial prowess but also something in his soul had changed. A sense of detachment from life and death, like a monk. A strange flow that even he hadn’t yet reached seemed to swirl around Raon.
It was an unsettling feeling that humans shouldn’t possess, but it didn’t seem particularly malicious. It was clearly an ability that would benefit Raon.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat loudly after confirming the state of his grandson whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
"Let’s talk later."
As soon as Raon heard Glenn’s cough, he stepped away from his conversation with Burren, Martha, and Runaan and walked towards the platform.
"Greetings, Head of House."
Raon knelt and bowed, saying he had completed his journey safely and returned.
"It seems you’ve reaped a lot."
Glenn nodded, not concealing the surprise and pride in his eyes.
"It’s more than just a harvest..."
Karoon shook his head in disbelief.
"It’s hard to believe, even if you said you’ve been training for over ten years."
He let out a hollow laugh, saying it was incomprehensible. It wasn’t envy or jealousy, but rather difficulty in accepting such a massive change.
"By going through various trials prepared by the Hall of Self, I found that I was growing without realizing it."
Raon smiled lightly, recalling the trials he had passed in the Mountain of Sand.
"Various trials?"
"Wasn’t it just one?"
Glenn and Karoon opened their eyes wide in surprise.
"Yes. First, I took a test to improve my physical strength, mental fortitude, and body by climbing a hot sand mountain without aura. Then, I had tests for swordsmanship and practical combat, and finally, a test to improve my aura."
Raon explained the trials he had passed in the Hall of Self one by one. Of course, he omitted the parts about Wrath.
"...What kind of test did you take for swordsmanship?"
Karoon approached, seemingly curious about the details of the test.
"I fought a swordswoman with golden hair and red eyes who had mastered the Ten Thousand Swords. The method was..."
Raon explained the method of the test prepared by the First Patriarch without mentioning him specifically.
"So he was connected after all..."
Glenn nodded heavily, as if his doubts had been cleared. His lips trembled, and a blush crept onto his cheeks.
"Head of House?"
Karoon blinked blankly, sensing the emotional change in Glenn.
"Well, it seems I’ve asked too many questions. Right. You must be tired after training for so long, so you can go back for today."
Glenn gestured with his hand, saying they would talk again later.
"I understand."
Raon licked his thin lips as he bowed his head to Glenn.
‘As expected, the Head of House seems to know about the First Patriarch.’
Glenn, as the current head of Zieghart, seemed to have information about the First Patriarch as well.
"If you’re done with the greetings, let’s go quickly! I’m starving!"
Wrath hit Raon’s head, saying they should return to the annex building and eat homemade food.
‘Is there anything you want to eat?’
"Why ask?! First, I want spicy pasta to forget the dryness of Nadine’s bread! Then, I want to moisten my tongue with the sweet and savory flavor of pineapple pizza, followed by the concentrated umami of well-roasted meat…!"
Wrath continued talking endlessly as if Edgar’s soul had possessed him.
‘Alright, alright.’
Raon entered the annex building, letting Wrath’s words flow around him. As soon as Raon entered the annex building, laughter and bustle filled the quiet afternoon of the annex. Soon after, the smoke rising from the chimney warmly reflected how happy this place was, like a mirror.
* * *
"I’m back!"
Martha, as usual, greeted upon entering the mansion of the Wise Martial Palace.
"Welcome back."
Denier, who was at the entrance, nodded with a gentle smile.
"Oh, are you back?"
"The mission ended pretty quickly."
Denier said he had just returned, shaking the dust off his collar.
"Were you training at the grand training ground before returning?"
"No, I went to the Lord’s mansion."
"The Lord’s mansion?"
"Yes. I went to ask when Raon would return, since he hadn’t come out, and it just so happened that he came out."
"I see. How was the Master of the Palace?"
"To me, he seemed the same, but both the Head of House and the Master of the Central Martial Palace were surprised."
She let out a hollow laugh, recounting the conversation between Karoon and Glenn.
"Normally, one can only gain something significant from the Hall of Self when facing a wall, but it seems he achieved notable results even without breaking a level."
Martha moved her hand, saying he was an enviable guy.
"..."
Denier silently observed as Martha chatted with a smile.
"If the Head of House said so, it seems he’s really progressed a lot."
He said it was impressive, letting out a smile as if he was proud.
"Yes! Ah! I also got permission to enter the Hall of Self."
Martha raised her hand, smiling.
"Of course, not now, but they said they would let me in when I face the wall of Transcendence..."
She slightly bit her lip, saying it seemed it would take too long.
"You’re feeling bad about your mother, aren’t you?"
Denier nodded as if he could read Martha’s mind completely.
"I’m sorry. I keep thinking about her..."
Martha nodded, saying she felt sorry. Her eyes reddened slightly. It was an expression she only showed Denier.
"Why should you feel sorry?"
Denier slowly shook his head.
"Transcendence. It will certainly take a long time. However, there might be a way to shorten it a bit..."
He extended his hand with a warm smile.
"Would you like to try?"
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