Chapter 1164
"To be fair, there are plenty of areas where you still lack polish."
Breaking from his typical habit of showering Raon with praise, Glenn offered a critique instead, his brow furrowing slightly as he spoke.
"In a perfect execution, my consciousness should have been the sole target of your Soul Sword."
He had pinpointed the exact flaw in Raon’s performance.
"That is correct."
Raon gave a composed nod of agreement.
"It has been quite a while since I last gripped a blade; perhaps that led to my lapse in precision."
Just as Glenn noted, the intent of his evolved Soul Sword was meant to focus entirely on his grandfather. However, the moment his fingers curled around the hilt, a flood of repressed feelings and old sights rushed back to him. Involuntarily, he had channeled excessive power into the strike, causing the pressure to leak out and wash over the other martial artists gathered at the training site.
While this unintended exposure would undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for their own advancement, a technical failure was still a failure.
"Hmm..."
Glenn hummed, sounding quite pleased as he observed Raon’s humble acceptance of his critique.
"I do not mean to suggest your swordsmanship was flawed. On the contrary, the sheer tenacity woven into that vertical strike left even me in awe."
His lips trembled slightly as he spoke, admitting that such rapid development was beyond what he had anticipated.
"For Father to grant him that level of recognition..."
Karoon listened to Glenn's assessment and momentarily lowered his gaze before looking up again.
"It appears I am still far from the mark."
Despite witnessing a side of Glenn—an emotional vulnerability—that had never been directed toward him, Karoon remained stoic, settling his mind with practiced calm.
"You're saying that overwhelming pressure was just a mistake...?"
Alice let out a dry, incredulous laugh, her hand moving to the back of her neck where the phantom chill still lingered.
"You are absolutely mental. That crosses the line of what a person should be able to do!"
She began to clap for Raon, her voice filled with genuine wonder.
"Exactly! It wouldn't be a stretch to claim you've moved beyond the realm of mere mortals now!"
Balder nodded in a daze, echoing Alice's sentiment.
"But more importantly, when is my secret manual coming? Now that you've transcended humanity, hurry up and hand one over!"
He sniffled loudly, pivoting back to his obsession with the martial arts technique.
"No. I am very much a human."
Raon shifted his focus toward Alice and Balder, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"It is because I am human that I am capable of making a mistake."
Setting aside his typical icy mask, he smiled brightly while acknowledging his own fallibility.
"Everyone trips up sometimes; that is precisely how we discover the way forward."
He had always maintained an aura of flawlessness, but he realized now that such an image was actually unnatural. To fail, to feel the sting of regret, and to extract new wisdom from those moments—that was the essence of a human life.
Attempting to reach perfection as a being above humanity was a journey toward a dead end.
Raon tightened his grip on his hand, which was still vibrating slightly.
As a man, I cannot be flawless at all times. To ascend from a warrior to a superhuman, and then to descend once more to the status of a human...
That was the true trajectory of power. After breaking past the rank of Grandmaster to reach Transcendence, he had assumed his life would be spent entirely within that monstrous, detached sphere. But he was wrong. Because he was a human by birth, embracing that humanity was the legitimate path to ultimate strength.
"I will keep seeking new knowledge. Even if it means I might falter again."
Raon’s smile was uninhibited, reflecting a deep contentment with his current state. It was a radiant, gentle expression, the kind of light that could be felt across the entirety of Zieghart.
"Wait, what...?"
Burren blinked in confusion as he processed Raon’s declaration.
"Is that really Raon? Our Palace Master?"
He took a hard swallow, thinking back to the Raon who had always been the embodiment of perfection and who had recently been lecturing them on the mindset of a superhuman.
"So he actually makes mistakes..."
Martha let out a smirk and gave a knowing nod.
"That prick. He finally smells like a real person!"
Her lips curled into a grin; she clearly preferred this version of Raon over the old one.
"Mmm..."
Runaan took a breath behind Raon, looking almost like a child again.
"It’s different... It’s icy, but there’s a warmth now..."
She kept her eyelids closed for a moment, noting how a soft heat had been integrated into the sharp, cool aura Raon used to project.
"Does this mean he's going to stop beating us up?"
Krein struck his palms together with a loud crack, looking delighted.
"Everyone makes mistakes, right!"
He beamed, under the impression that his days of being disciplined were over.
"I don't think that logic applies to our training..."
Dorian shook his head, having a better read on Raon’s underlying thoughts.
"Raon intends to drag every single one of us into the Transcendent realm too..."
He let out a heavy, weary sigh, realizing that their regimen was likely about to become even more grueling.
"Your insight is spot on. Growth is built upon the foundation of our errors."
Glenn offered a subtle smile, appearing gratified by Raon’s words.
"My congratulations on returning to humanity from the heights of a superhuman. Though, it will likely take some time for your state to fully settle."
He gave a firm nod, his eyes gleaming with even greater expectation for Raon’s path ahead.
"Yes. I will hold those words close."
Raon grasped the weight of Glenn's advice and bowed his head with sincerity.
"I will climb the right way, even if my pace is slow."
He spoke of his epiphany with a soft, steady smile.
"Ahem! Well then, let us get back to the evaluation."
Glenn, clearly buoyed by Raon’s attitude, resumed the proceedings in the training area, though he couldn't quite hide the slight twitch of his lips from his good mood.
—The old man who eats that Nadine bread was actually right for once.
Wrath turned his gaze toward Raon, tilting his chin up.
—You have a massive distance left to cover! You haven't even reached the height of this King's knees yet!
He let out a snort, claiming Raon had barely reached his toes.
I am well aware.
Raon gave a small smile and made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
But one day, I'll catch up to you.
He spoke with a confidence he couldn't have mustered before, speaking as a man rather than a machine.
—This brat!
Wrath acted irritated by the calm retort, but a row of teeth showed in a grin, suggesting he was actually pleased.
Should I try to enjoy the rest of this?
Raon brushed off his hands and took a relaxed stance to observe the next swordsman. Just as he was settling in to appreciate the techniques of the others, a quiet voice drifted from his side.
"Coming back down to being human..."
It was Karoon.
"So that really was the answer."
A faint smile touched his face, as if he had finally decoded a cryptic message from his earlier talk with Glenn.
"Superhuman and human..."
Balder also seemed struck by a realization, letting out a long, heavy breath.
"When are you going to finish my manual..."
"..."
Raon acted as though he hadn't heard a word and focused his eyes back on the center.
—Thinking about it, why aren't you delivering on your promise to that fat idiot?
Wrath tilted his head, wondering if it wasn't time to pay up.
Well...
Raon gave a quiet chuckle and relaxed his shoulders.
Since I am only human, I've decided it’s just too much of a bother.
—What...?
Wrath blinked, looking completely stunned.
—How can you use that as an excuse already! You absolute fraud!
Once the two months under Glenn's tutelage concluded, the formal demonstration of the swordsmen's progress began.
"Hah!"
Raon let out a short breath of surprise as he watched Sif Leon of the Central Martial Palace. He was the first to step out and show his forms.
Has he actually broken through to the next stage?
Being away for a month meant Raon hadn't seen the progress, but it was clear the man had scaled another wall in the interim.
"My thanks to you all."
Sif Leon offered a bow to the assembly and stepped off the raised floor. He headed toward his seat but came to a sudden halt in front of Raon.
"I offer my gratitude, Light Wind Palace Master."
Instead of moving on, Sif Leon gave Raon a deep, respectful bow.
"Pardon? Why are you thanking me..."
Raon’s eyes went wide as he stared at the man.
"If this is about me picking you for the training, there is no need. It was your own skill and hard work—"
"No," Sif Leon interrupted with a steady shake of his head.
"You gave me pointers right here, did you not? That advice was every bit as vital as the Lord's instruction."
He bowed a second time, crediting Raon’s insights for his massive leap in ability.
"I see..."
Raon scratched his chin, feeling a bit flustered by the sincere gratitude.
"Should you ever require my assistance, you need only ask."
Sif Leon promised he would come to Raon’s aid without hesitation—provided it didn't involve the affairs of the Central Martial Palace—and then returned to his spot.
He’s a strange one.
Raon smiled to himself.
I didn't really do much for him. Grandfather’s lessons must have played a much bigger role.
He turned his attention to a warrior from the Loyal Sword Squad who was up next, assuming Sif Leon was just being overly kind. However, that warrior also marched straight to Raon the moment his demonstration ended.
"Thank you, sir. My blade has changed for the better because of you."
The man from the Loyal Sword Squad bowed just like Sif Leon, citing Raon as the reason for his growth. And it didn't stop there. One by one, every person who finished their performance sought Raon out to voice their thanks before sitting down.
What is happening?
Raon rubbed his ear, which was practically ringing from hearing 'thank you' over twenty times.
I truly didn't do anything for them.
He hadn't intended to be helpful. His advice had been geared toward his own understanding, yet the constant stream of appreciation made his face burn with embarrassment.
—Human relationships are never that straightforward.
Wrath gave a little chuckle.
—Even if your motives weren't selfless, they still gained immense value from you. If they want to be grateful, just shut up and accept it.
His lips twisted into a smirk, his earlier grumbling forgotten.
—This is the nature of humans who rely on one another—the very path you're trying to walk, isn't it?
Wrath tilted his head, mocking him to embrace his humanity even more.
—Though, seeing how red your face is, I suppose I don't need to tell you that.
He laughed, finding the wide range of Raon’s new expressions quite entertaining.
I appreciate the insight, but...
Raon narrowed his eyes, touching his warm cheeks.
Are you sure you're a demon king? You seem more like a human.
He was baffled by how well Wrath seemed to understand the human heart.
—This King has told you a thousand times!
Wrath blew a long breath through his nose.
—I am far more human than you! Not long ago, you were colder than any demon I've met...
Pipe down.
Raon swiped at Wrath’s cheek with his hand and looked back at the stage.
Our group is starting now.
As the Light Wind division stepped up, he needed to observe exactly how they had evolved.
"Euriyaaaaaa!"
Krein led the charge as usual, unleashing a savage display of swordsmanship that radiated confidence. The blade whistled as it sliced the air! Yet, it wasn't just raw power anymore; his strikes carried a level of control and intent that had been missing before. If he stayed this course, he would eventually forge a style entirely his own.
"P-please watch me."
By contrast, Dorian gripped his sword with a trembling voice. His style mirrored his habit of being overly prepared for everything; his blade meticulously shut down every possible escape route for an opponent. It looked like a vast net descending from the heavens to trap everything beneath it.
"I am Burren Zieghart."
Burren had always been known for his refined and aristocratic swordplay. But after observing Karoon, his movements now contained a raw, aggressive edge that was brand new.
Wait, there's more.
Raon’s lips curved upward as he watched Burren’s blade come crashing down.
He’s manifesting a Sword Domain.
Strange ripples of energy were pulsing from Burren’s steel. It seemed his aura was beginning to translate his sheer will into the environment, signaling the birth of a Domain.
"Look at this!"
Martha’s core philosophy hadn't shifted. She still poured everything into momentum and sheer destruction. However, by doubling down on that singular path, her strikes had reached a level of velocity and impact that defied her previous limits.
She hasn't touched a Sword Domain yet, but she’s carved out a new realm for herself.
No matter how composed or defensive an enemy might be, they wouldn't be able to withstand the relentless pressure of Martha’s assault for long.
"Mm..."
Runaan’s swordplay had moved past being merely impressive; it was now hauntingly beautiful. With every swing, shards of blue frost drifted through the training grounds, resembling the aurora of the Northern Sea. But those delicate flakes were actually Astral Rings. Any Grandmaster unlucky enough to touch one would be instantly flash-frozen.
Runaan has made the most significant leap.
Raon exhaled as he watched her ethereal display.
She isn't just nearing Transcendence; I can see the foundations of a Sword Domain forming.
Whether it was her bond with Sloth or her own hidden potential, Runaan had reached the threshold of the wall and was already exuding the essence of a Domain, much like Burren. She was becoming a much more formidable ally than he had ever expected.
This is excellent.
Raon nodded, deeply satisfied with the progress of the Light Wind Palace members. He could already see that they were ready for even more intense training.
"Next."
Glenn’s eyes shifted to the man standing beside Raon.
"Karoon Zieghart."
"I am ready."
Karoon gave a heavy nod at the command.
I've been waiting to see this.
Raon moistened his lips as he watched Karoon move.
Strangely, I can't quite get a read on him.
He knew Karoon was still below his own level of power, and that gap should have only grown larger. Yet, Karoon’s true depth remained obscured, as if hidden behind a thick shroud of mist. It felt as though Karoon was holding a trump card close to his chest.
"I shall begin."
Karoon didn't walk out to the center platform like the others had. In a move that mirrored Raon’s earlier actions, he took a single step forward from where he stood and grasped his hilt. The steel sang as it left the scabbard! The instant Karoon lifted his sword, wreathed in flickering embers, the weapon seemed to vanish from sight like a ghost, disappearing from the eyes of everyone in the training hall.
