## Chapter 1324
"Tr—Transcendence?"
Balder’s eyes stretched wide, as if the very concept was a word he was hearing for the first time in his life.
"You are claiming I can reach the realm of a Transcendent if I perfect this? Someone like me...?"
His lips quivered as he stared at the volume Raon held out, appearing unable to process the weight of what he had just been told.
"Did I not promise you this back when you were pestering me for a secret manual?"
Raon gave a firm nod, lightly bouncing the book in his hand to emphasize its reality.
"I told you then that I would forge a path of the sword that could carry you all the way to Transcendence."
He reaffirmed that he had fulfilled his old vow by creating a technique capable of reaching that peak, offering the book—its ink still fresh and damp—to Balder.
"Mm..."
Balder seemed paralyzed, unable to even reach out. He simply hovered his gaze over the manual with flickering eyes.
"I... I honestly assumed you were just talking big back then."
He gulped hard, looking genuinely disoriented.
"I mean, think about it! What kind of person wouldn't be skeptical of a Martial Arts Manual that guarantees someone becomes a Transcendent!"
Balder stomped his foot against the ground with a heavy thud.
"I have thrown myself at the wall of Transcendence more times than I can count, and I have failed every single time. Reaching that height through a single manual? It defies logic!"
He scowled, suggesting that only a fool would accept such a claim at face value.
"Huh? If Raon said he personally built this entire continent, I'd believe him without a second thought."
Evelyn let out a dismissive snort, clearly baffled that anyone could doubt Raon’s word.
-Ugh, she isn't even joking...
Wrath’s shoulders shook with a visible shudder after catching the dead-serious glint in Evelyn’s eyes.
"And here I thought the True Martial Palace Master was supposed to be a fool?"
Raon shifted his gaze toward Balder, his expression turning flat and unimpressed.
"Strictly speaking, based on everything the True Martial Palace Master has said and done up until now, it is perfectly logical to categorize you as a fool."
A small chuckle escaped him as he thought back on Balder’s colorful history.
"Grruugh..."
Stripped of any logical defense, Balder could only manage a strained, pained sound from the back of his throat.
"Regardless..."
Raon gave a casual shrug while maintaining his gaze on the grimacing Balder.
"I truly sensed that the True Martial Palace Master had recognized his past errors and was making a sincere effort to be a better man."
Balder had offered apologies for his previous conduct, consistently looked out for Raon, and never hesitated to help with difficult tasks. Alongside Alice, he was among the few individuals who had come to treat Raon like genuine family.
"Even someone like me understands the weight of shame."
The corners of Balder’s mouth dipped, a silent admission of his regret over the past.
"Which is exactly why I crafted this specific swordsmanship for you."
Raon moved the book closer, nearly pressing it against Balder’s face.
"Our agreement only required me to provide a manual, so I could have easily handed over something mediocre. But I poured my entire soul into this because I knew that your growth would ultimately strengthen the family."
A bright smile broke across Raon’s face as he explained his motivation; he wanted to produce a masterpiece because he had witnessed Balder’s genuine change of heart.
"You..."
Balder found he couldn't maintain eye contact with that radiant smile and bit down on his lip.
"You have become truly formidable."
He let out a dry, self-deprecating laugh, signaling that he was finally acknowledging Raon not just for his martial skill, but for the depth of his character.
"To be clear, you won't reach Transcendence simply by skim-reading this Martial Arts Manual."
Raon shook his head, pulling the book slightly back just as Balder reached for it.
"You will need to devote yourself with the absolute limit of your strength to shatter that massive barrier."
He warned that it would require the kind of desperate, life-or-death focus one has when first picking up a blade as a child. His eyes narrowed until they were as sharp as needles.
"If you possess the resolve to do that, then take it."
Raon placed the choice squarely on him, extending the manual once more.
"......"
Balder remained motionless, his hand hovering as he worried his lip between his teeth.
"What is the title of this technique?"
He asked softly, his brow furrowing as if he needed to know the name before he could commit.
"The title..."
Raon glanced at the blank cover of the book and took up the ink-laden pen once more.
Swoosh!
With total confidence, he set the pen to paper, carving the name onto the cover in bold, striking calligraphy. The characters seemed to writhe with life, looking like a dragon preparing to take flight. The name written there was **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword**. A style depicting a supple dragon rising toward the heavens—a martial art designed exclusively for Balder.
"Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword..."
Balder’s jaw worked silently as he stared at the name Raon had inscribed. Just looking at the title, he seemed to feel a deep, resonant connection to the art.
"Take it."
Raon shoved the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword** against Balder’s chest, questioning why he was still stalling after his mind was clearly made up.
"Kuhahahahahaha!"
A boisterous, wild laugh erupted from Balder as he looked down at the manual pressed against his torso.
"Fine! I am a fool! There was never any reason to overthink this!"
He lunged forward and snatched the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword** with both hands.
"This fool is going to prove that you made the right bet!"
With bold movements, Balder flipped the book open and began devouring the contents on the spot.
"I'm counting on it."
Raon gave a calm nod, signaling his trust.
-That thing...
Wrath squinted his eyes, looking skeptical as he watched Balder clutch the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword**.
-Can he actually reach Transcendence if he masters that?
He smacked his lips, his curiosity getting the better of him.
'For most people, no. To them, it would just be a high-level Ascension technique. But...'
Raon smiled to himself as he watched Balder lose himself in the text.
'That man can. Because this is the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword**, an art built specifically for Balder Zieghart.'
The technique was a culmination of Raon’s understanding of Balder’s specific sword style, his physical build, and his temperament. It would have been an impossible task before, but with his soul’s realm having expanded so significantly, he was now capable of such a feat.
-This is madness...
Wrath’s mouth hung open in disbelief.
-Does this mean you can basically manufacture Transcendents whenever you feel like it?
He looked genuinely rattled, wondering if Raon was turning into some kind of "Transcendence Factory."
'It's not that simple.'
Raon shook his head firmly.
'It is only possible because Balder has spent years relentlessly pounding on the door of Transcendence.'
He clarified that such a manual only works for someone who has already put in the grueling groundwork that Balder had. He watched the man who so proudly called himself a fool.
"I’ve got it! I’ve realized the truth!"
Balder exhaled a long, heavy breath, acting as if he had achieved total enlightenment.
"Wait, you finished the whole thing already?"
Raon’s eyes widened in genuine shock.
"That should have been a very dense read..."
"No! I realized that I have no idea what I'm looking at! The Mantra is way too complicated! I need you to translate this for me!"
Balder roared with laughter, perfectly comfortable admitting that the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword** was completely over his head.
"......"
Raon squeezed his eyes shut as he stared at the man who was so shamelessly demanding a full interpretation of the secret manual.
"You really are a complete idiot..."
---
"Sigh!"
A heavy sigh escaped Raon as he strolled down the path.
'A Grandmaster. I had to write out notes for a man trying to reach Transcendence, and I even had to physically demonstrate the moves for him...'
Balder’s ability to parse martial theory was so abysmal that it was a miracle he had ever reached the rank of Grandmaster. He was clearly a purely instinctual, beast-like fighter.
-Even this King didn't think such a moron could exist in reality.
Wrath let out a hollow, exhausted laugh.
-It is terrifying to realize that his daily behavior isn't even an act!
The demon scowled, comparing it to the soul of a wild animal being shoved into a human frame.
'At least he seemed to grasp the core of it by the end.'
Thanks to the detailed annotations and the live demonstrations, Balder had finally started to click with the material. There shouldn't be any more hurdles for him in learning the **Flexible Dragon Ascending Sword**.
-You actually have a knack for being an instructor.
Wrath shook his head, looking drained just from having witnessed the teaching process.
'Perhaps I do.'
Raon let out a soft chuckle.
-But where are we headed now?
Wrath narrowed his eyes, curious about their current path.
-After two days of watching that dunce, this King is exhausted. Shouldn't we just go home and sleep?
He sighed deeply, clearly feeling the mental toll of the training sessions.
'Is that so?'
Raon looked at Wrath with an exaggeratedly surprised expression.
'Is it really alright if we just go back now?'
-I said yes! This King’s head is throbbing because of that man... Wait!
Wrath’s eyes suddenly popped wide as he looked at the direction Raon was pointing.
-That... that place couldn't be...
His jaw began to tremble with anticipation.
-Is that a bead ice cream shop?
He gulped audibly, staring at the store standing right in front of them.
'Yes. I made a promise.'
Raon nodded, reminding him that he intended to honor his word to treat Wrath to something delicious.
'But if you're really that tired, we can turn back whenever...'
He made a show of turning around to leave.
-No! Stop! Absolutely not!
Wrath lunged forward and grabbed Raon’s shoulder in a panic.
-This King misspoke! I am not tired at all! Let us go inside this instant!
He nodded vigorously, claiming he could stay awake for a week if necessary.
'A whole week? You're sure?'
-I said I am fine!
'And you'll help me analyze my swordsmanship too?'
-That is a bit of a chore, but... Fine! I will do it!
'You mean it?'
Raon smirked slightly, watching the demon’s desperation.
-I said yes! Now move!
Wrath was practically rubbing his hands together in glee.
'Understood. I'll hold you to that.'
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Raon stepped into the shop.
-Uhm...
Wrath’s mouth began to water as he scanned the colorful display of bead ice cream.
-They’ve added new flavors since my last visit! This King shall require a sophisticated blend of the new arrivals and the classics. We shall begin with mint chocolate...
"I'll take one of every flavor, please."
Raon placed the order, completely ignoring Wrath’s internal debate.
-Wait... are you for real?
Wrath gasped, stunned by the sheer scale of the order.
'You worked hard, didn't you? You deserve a feast.'
Raon confirmed he was serious, purchased every single variety available, and stepped back out into the air.
-Kehehehe!
Wrath beamed at the large box of ice cream, cold mist swirling around it.
-Bead ice cream at long last! And every single flavor! You’ve finally started showing some respect!
He licked his lips incessantly, unable to hide his pure joy.
'I can get you even more if you'd like.'
Raon promised he could keep the treats coming, and promptly popped a spoonful of mint chocolate into his mouth.
-Kyaaaaa!
An exclamation of pure bliss erupted from Wrath the moment the flavor hit.
-Mint chocolate is supreme! That perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing chill! Nothing else compares!
He couldn't stop grinning, lost in the flavor.
'Now, for the next one...'
Raon worked his way through the entire haul as they made their way back to the annex.
-Kheup!
By the time they arrived, Wrath let out a satisfied burp, patting his round belly with a look of total contentment.
'Are you happy now?'
-Indeed! I could eat bead ice cream for eternity and never grow weary of it!
He nodded, his chubby face wobbling with every movement. It was a moment of pure happiness.
'Then it's time for our all-nighter.'
Raon’s grin turned sharp as he disposed of the empty ice cream container.
-Eh...?
Wrath blinked, looking confused.
'You said you were fine staying awake for several nights. You gave me your word.'
Raon reached out and gripped Wrath’s plump hand, his smile widening into something more intense.
-Wa—Wait! Don't tell me you...
'I am requesting a sparring session...'
He summoned the sword of his heart, tapping into the vast, chilling power of Wrath’s soul.
'...With you, the Great Demon King of Wrath.'
