C1025
'Wrath.'
Raon called to Wrath, who was yawning as if he were bored.
'Can you see that?'
He slightly raised his finger, pointing at the faint light emanating from the area around Martha and Runaan's hearts.
-I can see the fleshy girl and the ice girl drooling from exhaustion.
Wrath tilted his head as if asking what he was supposed to see.
'Is it just me who can see it?'
It seemed that he was the only one able to see the light that was rising from the chests of Martha and Runaan.
'If that’s the case, that light is probably related to Spirit Transformation.'
In the past, even when Martha and Runaan were on the brink of death, such a light had never appeared. It was clearly an effect of the newly acquired Spirit Transformation.
-That must be right.
Wrath nodded, still unable to see it but agreeing that the assumption was likely correct.
'Then...'
Raon licked his lips and struck the energy emanating from Martha and Runaan's hearts with the sheath of the Heavenly Drive.
"Ugh!"
"Ugh..."
Martha and Runaan were already exhausted, so they could not react and rolled on the training ground floor after being struck in the chest with the sheath.
"Argh!"
"It hurts..."
The two curled up like piglets and let out deep groans.
"He doesn’t even give them a breather when they’re so exhausted."
"He's really a demon..."
"I'm glad I'm not involved. I really can't take anymore."
The Swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace exhaled heavily, not expecting Raon to hit Martha and Runaan when they looked like they were about to collapse if touched.
Not even demons would do such a thing!
Wrath shook his head vigorously.
-Hey, crazy! If you see a strange phenomenon, you should observe it first! Who stabs with a sword immediately?
He wrinkled his nose, saying that even a wild boar would first sniff an unknown fruit.
'No...'
Raon scratched the back of his head and rolled his eyes.
'Emperor Thespian and the Queen of Swords entered a state of enlightenment while sparring with me, so I just tried to hit them once...'
The Queen of Swords and Emperor Thespian had entered a state of enlightenment while immersed in their sparring with him, so he thought these two might do the same and lightly attacked them.
-Then you should have done it at a level they could block! You were too strong!
Wrath gritted his teeth, asking why Raon was showing his strength when he was weak. He still seemed particularly concerned about Runaan and Martha.
'I went easy on them, relatively speaking.'
He had tried to adjust his strength, thinking that if he was too strong or too weak, the trait wouldn’t activate, but it seemed to be too much for Martha and Runaan in their current state.
'Sufficient for today...'
Just when he was about to lower his sheath, saying they should stop...
"Not yet...?"
Martha stood up without even shaking off the sand covering her body.
"I can still continue."
She lifted her sword, asking him to keep going.
"If Miss Rakshasa can do it..."
Runaan raised her head, exhaling a white breath filled with cold energy.
"I will too..."
She straightened her back, biting her lips through the pain.
"Hmm..."
Raon squinted as he watched Runaan and Martha assume their battle stances.
'The light emanating from the two has intensified.'
As Martha and Runaan decided to fight again, the light shining from their hearts became brighter than before.
'That light must be their souls showing themselves to me through the Spirit Transformation trait.'
Otherwise, there would be no reason for only him to see that light now.
'What should I do?'
It was clear he needed to fight those two, but simply hitting them as before seemed pointless.
'Let’s think about the difference between Runaan, Martha, and the Queen of Swords, Emperor Thespian.'
The difference in martial prowess was significant, but the gap in their souls was even more extreme. Considering the description of Spirit Transformation, it seemed that the awakening was occurring due to the difference in souls rather than martial prowess.
'Does that light need to connect with the realm of my soul?'
Emperor Thespian and the Queen of Swords were superior Transcendents, so their soul realms were correspondingly high. In contrast, while Runaan and Martha were Grandmasters in martial arts, they were still young, so their soul realms were not as large. It seemed their souls were too small to connect with his.
'I think I roughly know what to do now.'
If Martha and Runaan couldn’t move their souls, he just needed to approach them first.
"If you have the strength to stand..."
Raon gestured to Runaan and Martha.
"Come to me."
He told them to come directly and move their swords as he opened the realm of his soul. Whoosh! As the realm of a soul comparable to or even superior to that of a first-level Transcendent rose, Martha and Runaan stepped back, breaking into a cold sweat.
"If you can’t reach it, give up here."
If Martha and Runaan didn’t move of their own accord, they would never achieve awakening. He had to wait for the two to be here, with the realm of his soul opened.
"Give up? Not a chance."
Martha advanced, biting her lips. She took one step at a time, even as her mind was being crushed by the realm of soul he had released.
"I won’t give up either..."
Runaan came closer with her shoulders hunched and back bent under the physical pressure. Although her posture wasn’t that of a swordswoman, her eyes shone more like a true swordswoman than anyone else’s.
"The aura is so strong that it's hard to breathe even from here...!"
"I-Is this really right?"
"It’s especially harsh today. Seems like he ate something bad..."
The Swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace could barely breathe, swallowing dry saliva as Raon’s pressure intensified. Thud. Finally, Martha and Runaan stood before Raon, sweating profusely from exhaustion under the immense pressure.
"Damn it, that was too far!"
Martha exhaled a murky breath, saying that every step felt like a year.
"Ugh..."
Runaan seemed to have lost the strength to speak, only biting her lips as she groaned.
"They can’t stop here."
Raon gestured with his finger, saying that merely walking up to him wasn’t enough.
"I know!"
"I'm about to do it..."
Martha and Runaan raised their swords with trembling hands and brought them down over their heads. Clang! Raon sharply deflected their swords with the sheath of the Heavenly Drive.
"Urgh!"
"Ah..."
Martha and Runaan stumbled back as if they were about to fall.
"That’s not fencing; they’re just swinging."
Raon shook his head firmly, saying that it wasn’t the sword he wanted to see.
"Swing your sword with the emotions and soul you’ve built up until now in your fencing."
He raised his chin, telling them to try again.
"Huff!"
"Alright..."
Martha and Runaan seemed to accept his advice, increasing their focus and swinging their swords once more.
"Again!"
Raon said that the second attempt was still insufficient and pushed Martha and Runaan back with more force. Clang! Martha and Runaan kept rising like toys bouncing back to their position and unleashing the fencing they had refined their entire lives. Clash! Raon licked his lips as he saw the swords of Martha and Runaan regaining their natural flow.
'They’re almost there.'
Martha and Runaan were now drawing their fencing with their own flow, eliminating the excessive force they had put in before. He could feel that their awakening was just around the corner.
"Follow me!"
Martha charged with bloodshot eyes. Even then, she seemed to be considering Runaan at her side, moving closer first and unleashing a heavy sword strike.
"I won’t follow. I’ll go first..."
Runaan took a deep breath and exploded with silver cold energy. She too, thinking of Martha, pushed her sword forward wrapped in icy energy.
'Now is the time.'
Raon felt the light emanating from the hearts of Martha and Runaan intensifying so much that it obscured his vision, and he unsheathed the Heavenly Drive. Woong! He swung the Heavenly Drive, imbued with his will, toward the swords of the two while operating the Ring of Fire at its tip. Bang!
A thunderous sound erupted as if the souls were colliding instead of the swords, and the light emanating from Martha and Runaan shot up into the dark sky.
Woong. Raon looked down after confirming that the tower of light that had risen to the sky had calmed.
'Did it work?'
Martha and Runaan were frozen in the posture of swinging their swords, but their aura flow was violently agitated as if struck by waves.
-What is this?
Wrath swallowed hard, looking at the immobile Runaan and Martha.
-Did he really succeed?
He exhaled heavily, as if thinking that he would surely fail.
'It seems so.'
Raon nodded, exhaling a deep sigh.
-How is this possible?
'To be honest, I didn’t expect to succeed either.'
He only intended to try several experiments today, but thanks to the strong will of Martha and Runaan, he was able to awaken both.
'It seems that for Spirit Transformation to activate, one must have the will to fight even when physically and mentally exhausted.'
Judging by how the light emanating from the hearts of Martha and Runaan intensified as they exhausted themselves, it seemed safe to say.
"No, it can’t be..."
"Did they really enter a state of enlightenment? Both of them?"
"Impossible..."
"To think it was true that one could awaken others..."
The Swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace trembled, seemingly unable to imagine that Martha and Runaan would really be awakened.
'This trait. It’s good, but...'
Raon frowned, looking at his slightly trembling hand.
'It’s quite exhausting.'
It wasn’t just about hitting them; he had to fully open the realm of his soul and match the rhythm of the other person, which wasn’t easy even for him.
'I can’t do this for many people in a day. And it’s not guaranteed that it will succeed every time.'
-Of course not!
Wrath bared his teeth as if Raon were talking nonsense.
-If you could awaken everyone at will, you could even create a Transcendent army!
He shook his head, saying that Raon probably wouldn’t be able to use Spirit Transformation on the same person for a while after awakening them once.
'Well, still...'
Raon smiled softly as he looked at Martha and Runaan in their state of enlightenment.
'I feel proud.'
Seeing Martha and Runaan enter a state of enlightenment together, relying on each other, filled his chest with a sense of pride.
'Now, should we wait?'
Raon stood in front of Martha and Runaan as if to protect them, with a slight smile.
'To see how strong these two will become.'
***
"Haa..."
Martha slowly opened her eyes, exhaling a low sigh.
"What was I doing?"
She swallowed hard, looking at the sword in her hand.
"Are you awake already?"
Raon waved his hand at Martha as she lifted her head.
"Raon...?"
Martha blinked blankly, looking at Raon.
"Ah! I remember when I was dueling with you..."
"You entered a state of enlightenment."
"That's right. While swinging my sword and listening to your words, I unconsciously entered that world..."
She nodded as if now remembering everything.
"What did you see in your state of enlightenment?"
Raon asked, looking into Martha's calm eyes.
"...I saw my mother. I relived the moments I lived with her."
Martha bit her lip deeply, saying she felt truly happy for the first time in a long time.
"I see..."
Raon exhaled a short sigh.
'So it was because of your mother after all.'
Martha had tried to take her sword and continue fighting even when other swordsmen were too exhausted to stand. He had wondered where such strength came from, but as expected, it was her will to save her mother.
"Thank you..."
Martha bowed to him, lowering her sword.
"Thanks to you, I remembered a good memory after a long time. I was able to overcome a barrier."
She trembled slightly, seeming genuinely grateful.
"Even with my help, it’s you who achieved it."
Raon shook his head with a smile.
"Congratulations on reaching the intermediate level of Grandmaster."
Through this awakening, Martha had overcome the barrier of the lower level and ascended directly to the intermediate level of Grandmaster. Although she was still far from sufficient, she felt she had gotten quite close to her personal goal.
"Mmm..."
Runaan raised her head, rubbing her eyes like a child who had just woken up.
"I’m back..."
She nodded slightly, seeming aware that she had entered and returned from a state of enlightenment.
"How was it for you?"
Raon asked, turning his gaze toward Runaan.
"I fought..."
Runaan raised her eyes, which were intelligent instead of her usual blank stare.
"You fought? Don’t tell me, against him?"
"Yes. Against Syria."
She clenched her fists, saying she had fought and defeated Syria, who had traumatized her in childhood.
"I defeated her with the fencing I’ve learned so far..."
Runaan even let out a small burp, looking truly rejuvenated.
"Well done."
Raon nodded with a slight smile.
"And congratulations on advancing in the Grandmaster level."
He clapped his hands to congratulate Runaan, who had also ascended to the intermediate level of Grandmaster, just like Martha.
"Did I level up...?"
Runaan blinked, as if she didn’t realize that she had reached the intermediate level of Grandmaster.
"You’ll feel it naturally after sleeping and waking up. Everything will be different than before."
Raon nodded, telling her to try it tomorrow.
"Alright..."
"I understand."
Runaan and Martha nodded, turning their eyes. However, judging by their cat-like gazes, they seemed to want to try it immediately instead of waiting until tomorrow.
"Do whatever you want."
Raon waved his hand, telling them to do as they wished.
"Hey. Let’s fight right now."
"Okay..."
Martha and Runaan nodded to each other and walked toward the edges of the training ground.
'This Spirit Transformation...'
Raon squinted deeply, observing the backs of Martha and Runaan.
'It seems that it’s not just about awakening, but it also has a positive effect on the person’s trauma.'
It appeared to be a trait much more useful than he had thought. Raon smiled as he reread the contents of Spirit Transformation when...
"Palace Master!"
"Palace Master!"
"Please!"
Burren, Trevin, and Mark Goetun ran toward him, saying that they also wanted to be awakened.
"I want to too!"
"I want to get stronger as well!"
"I don’t care how hard it is!"
Other swordsmen also bowed their heads and inclined, saying they wanted to enter a state of enlightenment.
"Ahem..."
"..."
Of course, there were some who stepped back slightly, like Dorian and Krein.
-Your path of suffering is clearly laid out before you!
Wrath laughed, saying it would be difficult for a while.
"Wait a moment..."
Just when Raon was moving his hand, saying he was tired now and that they should do it later...
[Your soul realm has increased.]
[The level of the trait <Soul Sword (Spirit)> has increased.]
[The level of the trait <Spirit Transformation> has increased.]
The reward came immediately, probably because he had awakened Martha and Runaan.
-Urk...
Even Wrath opened his eyes, as if he hadn’t expected the reward to come so quickly.
'Spirit Transformation is one thing, but it also increases the level of Soul Sword?'
Both Spirit Transformation and Soul Sword had leveled up, likely because he had used his soul.
'If that’s the case...'
Not only the Swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace, but he could also become stronger alongside them.
"Ahem!"
Raon felt vitality flowing through his tired body and mind as he gestured to Burren.
"Alright. Let’s start immediately."
-You should just make the kids stronger! How can this guy get stronger too?
Wrath waved his hand, saying it was ridiculous.
-This is cheating!
***
"Haa..."
Raon returned to the annex building after helping the Swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace with their training until morning.
'I'm tired...'
His entire body felt heavy, as if soaked in water, from pushing the swordsmen while keeping the realm of his soul open. As he had thought, this training was exhausting not only for the swordsmen but also for him.
'However...'
The feeling of satisfaction was on a different level compared to other training. Seeing the swordsmen enter awakening through their own power made him feel full even without eating. Of course, so far, only Martha, Runaan, and Burren had succeeded.
'It seems that the will to fight is not the only thing needed.'
Just like Martha and Runaan, it seemed that the will to overcome the past was necessary for the light to bloom in the heart.
-Stop mumbling and go in!
Wrath waved his hand toward the door of the annex building.
-The dining hall is filled with delicious smells; how long are you going to be there smelling?
He opened his mouth wide, saying he was hungry.
'Okay, okay.'
Raon smiled and opened the door to the annex building. He was about to turn toward his room to wash up when he heard what sounded like someone fighting upstairs.
"Dad! I told you not to enter my room without permission!"
Sia was frowning at Edgar, who had opened the door without knocking.
"Sia. I just wanted to tell you to come to breakfast..."
Edgar's hands trembled in response to his daughter's cold voice.
"Even so, you should have knocked first!"
"P-I'm sorry. From now on..."
"No, just don’t come in from now on! I won’t have breakfast!"
Sia shouted that he should never open the door again and returned to her room, slamming the door.
"Sniff! Sia! I'm sorry!"
Edgar called softly, saying he was sorry, but Sia's room did not open again.
-What is this? Why is that docile girl...?
Wrath blinked, as if surprised by the unexpected scene.
"I don’t know either..."
Raon exhaled sharply, his eyes wavering like Wrath's.
"No one treated Dad with so much affection like my sister..."
He couldn’t understand why the two, who had been inseparable before he left, had become like this.
"Finally, it has come..."
Helen approached him and let out a heavy sigh.
-W-What has come?
"What do you mean? Has my sister contracted some serious illness?"
Raon and Wrath turned to Helen simultaneously, swallowing dry saliva.
"If it's an illness, it’s a very serious one..."
Helen clenched her fist tightly, a drop of sweat rolling down her forehead.
"It’s puberty."
"..."
-
More Ch4pters on KoreanPlayer
↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓
Thanks for the support
