"Are you suggesting we spar at this very moment?"
Raon's eyes widened as he fixed his gaze on Glenn.
"That is correct."
Glenn gave a slow nod, stepping down from the elevated platform.
"The breeze is quite pleasant, making it an ideal time for us to share a conversation."
Even though they were within the walls of the audience chamber, he closed and opened his eyes as if he could actually feel the air from outside.
"I would certainly value a spar with the Head of House, but..."
Raon looked down at the medical wraps covering his frame and frowned slightly.
"My physical state isn't exactly optimal right now."
Had it been anyone else, he wouldn't have thought twice about sparring. In a life-or-death struggle, he was certain he could unsheathe his blade and engage instantly.
However, because his opponent was Glenn, he desired to cross swords only when he was at his absolute peak.
"This isn't a formal match."
Glenn offered a faint smile and gestured with his chin.
"As I mentioned, this is a dialogue through blades. There is no requirement for the grand training grounds."
He pulled Heavenly Tremor from his belt, appearing ready to begin immediately.
Chiaaaaang!
As the solemn blade of Heavenly Tremor caught the light of the chamber, dozens of windows swung open all at once, allowing the night air to drift inside.
-Hmph!
Wrath let out a derisive snort while watching Glenn.
-That old man has only improved his sense of drama as he's aged!
The entity scowled, clearly annoyed by Glenn's display.
"Hmm..."
Raon felt the night wind toss his hair and bit his lip.
'I can't sense Grandfather's intent or his path.'
In the past, he could at least grasp a fragment of Glenn's thoughts, but after his period of Seclusion, he felt absolutely nothing. While a gap in Martial Prowess remained, this felt like a fundamentally different level of existence.
'It feels as if he could vanish into thin air, yet he also feels as permanent as the earth itself.'
Glenn’s aura shifted—at times as faint as fading mist, at others more radiant than the sun. It was nearly impossible to pin down his rhythm or presence.
"...Very well."
Raon took a shallow breath and gave a nod.
"I will give everything I can in my current state."
Vowing to participate with all his available strength, he drew Heavenly Drive from its scabbard.
"Good. That is all I ask."
Glenn gave a warm nod, showing that Raon's resolve was sufficient.
"Let us start."
With a gentle expression, he brought Heavenly Tremor downward.
Swooooosh!
The strike from Heavenly Tremor cut through the air in a direct, honest path devoid of any trickery.
'That is...'
Raon's throat went dry as he tracked the movement of the sword.
'A Soul Sword.'
On the surface, Glenn seemed to be swinging Heavenly Tremor with ease, but he was actually imbuing the silver edge with his very spirit. If Raon attempted to block it with only physical force, his soul would be torn asunder.
-What kind of 'conversation' involves a Soul Sword!
Wrath wrinkled his nose, looking completely baffled.
'Grandfather must have a purpose. I have to respond in kind.'
Raon established the foundation of a Soul Sword within Heavenly Drive, intercepting the elegant path of Heavenly Tremor.
Jeoooooooong!
The collision of Heavenly Tremor and Heavenly Drive sent a massive tremor through the audience chamber. Though not a single spark of aura was used, the sheer force was enough to sever the sky and the ground.
"Hmm..."
Raon squinted as he felt Heavenly Tremor overpowering his own blade.
'This is...'
The moment their swords met, a vision of Glenn’s hands filled Raon's mind. It wasn't a view of him now, but a memory—as if Raon were looking through Glenn's eyes in the past.
'From his time in Secluded cultivation.'
Judging by the environment, it was clearly the First Patriarch's training ground. Glenn was sharing the very experiences he had endured during his period of isolation.
"It appears you've seen it. Let us go again."
With a soft smile, Glenn swung Heavenly Tremor in a horizontal arc. This strike wasn't peaceful; it lunged toward Raon’s throat with lethal speed and precision.
Kyaaaaaaang!
Raon flipped his grip on Heavenly Drive, successfully parrying the fierce assault.
'Again, Grandfather's past is flowing into me.'
Upon contact, more of Glenn's history unfolded. It appeared that during his Secluded cultivation, he had actually lost the immense Lightning Aura he had spent a lifetime refining.
"How could..."
Raon’s eyes went wide as he looked at Glenn’s calm face.
"I have shared too much of my own tale. A dialogue requires participation from both sides."
Glenn made a light gesture with his hand.
"Now, tell me your story. I know you are capable of it."
He smirked, indicating that Raon should also be able to transmit his essence through his weapon.
"I will..."
Raon bit his lip, feeling the weight of the confidence Glenn placed in him.
"I will try."
Determined to live up to those expectations, he tightened his hold on Heavenly Drive.
'Grandfather is using the Soul Sword to communicate.'
Short of actual sorcery, only a Soul Sword could transmit one's inner history to another. Glenn had used the technique to reveal the trials of his Seclusion.
'I must weave my own experiences into a Soul Sword, usually meant for combat.'
Typically, a Soul Sword is forged from the most unyielding parts of the spirit. One usually only reveals the strongest, most stable parts of themselves.
However, Glenn was doing the opposite—he was exposing his vulnerabilities and the moments he felt weakest.
'I will follow his lead...'
Raon manifested his Soul Sword, reflecting on his journey since taking the role of Temporary head of house. He poured in the memories of his public bravado contrasted with his private anxieties and the moments of pure pressure.
Jeoooooooong!
Glenn caught Raon's strike with Heavenly Tremor, his smile widening.
"Meeting Uriel was indeed a twist of fate."
He absorbed the scenes Raon projected through the blade.
"Without Darkan, the danger would have been extreme."
Glenn nodded, acknowledging that while he knew the story, he hadn't realized how narrow the escape had been.
"Excellent work. I had no doubt you could manage this."
Encouraging him to continue, Glenn lashed out with Heavenly Tremor, moving like a bolt of lightning.
Kyaaaaaaang!
Raon struggled to block the strike, his brow furrowing.
'Wait, this memory...'
Did he truly lose his power only to find a new source?
The vision continued. Glenn had indeed been stripped of his Lightning Aura during his isolation. It was likely a mental fracture caused by his own internal pressure.
Most people would have been destroyed by such a loss, falling into despair or permanent disability. But Glenn remained composed. He chose to purge every remaining scrap of Lightning Aura, leaving himself completely hollow.
As the power left him, the physical toll became apparent. Wrinkles etched into his skin, and the golden vibrance of his hair faded away like melting snow, reflecting his true age.
With a final battle against the Heavenly Demon looming, he was in a dire state—possessing the skill of a master but lacking the energy to fuel it.
Yet, Glenn did not give up. He turned his focus inward, observing the void. In that silence, a single spark of electricity flickered in his consciousness.
The moment a red bolt ignited within his Mental Image, a new life force flooded his soul and body.
Pazizizizizik!
It was a form of lightning entirely different from his previous power.
It wasn't just raw, destructive energy; it was a flame that carried the warmth of humanity. This new thunder was more profound and resonant than anything he had possessed before.
"Hah!"
Witnessing this through the memory, Raon gasped, feeling the phantom weight of that struggle.
"To think you went through such a trial..."
He stared at Glenn in disbelief.
"It was a perilous path, certainly. But as they say, hardship can lead to a breakthrough. Because I followed your example of persistence..."
Glenn smiled and thrust Heavenly Tremor forward.
"A different doorway opened. Even at my age, I found a new lesson."
He credited Raon’s influence for his current level of mastery.
"No. I didn't do anything..."
Raon shook his head, unable to accept such credit.
"I am being entirely sincere."
Glenn’s tone was firm.
"My internal struggle arose because of my fixation on the Heavenly Demon. I wanted a future where I could be happy with my family after the war, but the fear that I might not survive to see it poisoned my Mental Image. The desire to stay with all of you became a source of torment."
He admitted that his Lightning Aura shattered because he couldn't quiet those fears.
"It was a dark hour. My power failed me, and my spirit was crumbling. I had two paths: try to survive with my broken strength, or discard everything and start from nothing."
Glenn admitted it was an agonizing crossroads.
"In my younger years, I would have clung to the fragments of my power out of fear. I needed to be strong enough to face the Heavenly Demon. But things have changed. Seeing your path allowed me to choose differently."
He pointed toward Raon.
"You have never faltered, from your time as a trainee until today. Watching you gave me the courage to throw away my remaining power and seek something new."
Glenn smiled, insisting his rebirth was sparked by Raon’s own tenacity.
"Hmm..."
Raon felt a tremor in his hands as he looked at the smiling Glenn.
"Now, it is my turn to give back."
Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor once more.
"The final clash with the Heavenly Demon."
He swung his sword toward the night sky with enough intent to crush his rival.
"I will emerge victorious, no matter the cost."
"And I..."
Raon pressed a hand to his heart, moved by the depth of Glenn's conviction.
"I will place my faith in you."
Seeing the indomitable spirit Glenn now possessed, Raon offered his answer with total certainty.
"Shall we proceed then? This exchange will serve you well."
Glenn leveled his sword at Raon, inviting him to continue their mental and physical dialogue.
"Of course. But..."
Raon tilted his head as he held Heavenly Drive ready.
"Where is Karoon?"
Since the Seclusion had ended, he expected Karoon to be present, but he was missing. He had assumed he might be at the Central Martial Palace, but his continued absence was unusual.
"He is still at the training ground. He also discovered something during our time there."
"A new discovery?"
Raon was taken aback.
"Yes."
Glenn’s lips curved into a smirk as he glanced toward the lower levels of the building.
"When you encounter him again, he will provide quite a shock."
Whoooooosh!
The First Patriarch's training ground sat in total darkness.
The only sound in the void was the sharp whistle of a blade cutting through the air.
There were no footsteps, no rustle of fabric—only the rhythm of the sword.
Eventually, even that sound died away. Just as the silence became absolute, a pale blue glow ignited in the shadows.
A lone sword. The soft light radiating from the straight blade transformed into blue fire, pushing back the dark as it surged upward.
Chiaaaaang!
Karoon Zieghart. The man whose only true passion was his family had crossed into a new territory of power, having incinerated his dark history.
Thuk!
Karoon drove the flaming blue sword into the floor of the training ground and took a steady breath.
"I likely still cannot reach your level. Even so..."
He smiled, his eyes glowing red as he envisioned someone within the heart of the blue flames.
"I will be the one to bring you down."
