The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

“...So you won the Expert Tournament?"

Upon hearing Israphil’s report, Nain Darhon sought out Karyl. Although he was the head of the Immortal Council, he was still a sorcerer with a deep interest in the Original Magic.

“Yes, that was a few years ago. I wanted to participate in the Master Tournament, but there were no challengers, so I ended up in the Gray Training Ground. That’s where I met Allen.”

“Huh...”

Nain Darhon glanced at Allen briefly before returning his gaze to Karyl.

“Due to various circumstances, I couldn’t return with the Original Magic, but I still have the right to see it as the winner of the tournament.”

Having witnessed Karyl’s monstrous abilities, Nain Darhon wasn’t surprised he had won the Expert Tournament. This meant Karyl had already been a sorcerer a few years ago.

“And with those sword skills... You were already at the level of a Sword Master back then.”

He couldn’t hide his surprise at how early Karyl had reached this advanced level.

During the tournament... I see.

Mikhail, who had been with them in Azor, nodded in newfound awe at Nain Darhon’s words.

“It wasn’t quite like that. I had enough mana, but my swordsmanship was lacking. I was in an awkward state. Even now, my skills aren’t perfect.”

“Your swordsmanship?”

“Yes.”

Nain Darhon looked at Karyl with an incredulous expression. No one would have imagined that someone possessing the power of the Spirit King, Arcane mana, and dragon mana would consider themselves lacking.

But in reality, Karyl felt that his swordsmanship was weaker than it had been in his previous life. He had created five sword stances, but he still couldn’t fully utilize the last one. Ironically, the pinnacle he had reached after countless years of slashing with his sword was a unique stance achievable only without magic.

Karyl had hit a wall, unable to break through to the 6th Class and master his final sword stance. He had never faced such a hurdle before.

I don’t believe these two things are mutually exclusive.

Sword Master and Great Sorcerer—these two levels seemed like the opposite ends of a spectrum, but ultimately, both had the same prerequisites: mana and physical prowess.

I haven’t mastered the final sword stance because I haven’t integrated mana into my swordsmanship.

Breaking through to the 6th Class and achieving a new understanding of magic could also lead to a solution for his swordsmanship. Karyl hoped to find it in Azor.

“Well... A monster like you is bound to be greedy. That’s why you’re trying to learn the Original Magic now.” Nain Darhon shook his head, unwilling to think about this any further.

“I’ve heard of the Original Magic, but my father mentioned that no one could learn those three spells now.”

“That’s right. It’s because those spells require dragon mana,” Karyl argued.

“That makes sense...”

Karyl shared his hypothesis about the Original Magic he had heard about in Azor and then looked to Allen for confirmation.

“Nain is right. Sorcerers can’t learn them. But Karyl, you’re mistaken. Those spells don’t specifically require dragon mana.”

“Really?”

“Of course, having dragon mana would be ideal, but that particular magic is one of the rare exceptions among our spells where the element of the mana isn’t significantly important,” Allen went on, looking somewhat displeased.

“Our? By our, you mean... It was indeed the Original Magic of the Assembly of Seven Elders, wasn’t it?” asked Nain Darhon after quickly catching on.

“...”

But as Nain Darhon didn’t know the history, Allen paused before clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

“It’s good to be observant, but sometimes it can be a curse. So, guess who among the Assembly of Seven Elders I don’t acknowledge.”

“...What?” asked Nain Darhon, confused.

“Gustav.”

Before Nain could ponder, Karyl spoke up nonchalantly, “There’s nothing to think about. It’s obvious. Who would the traitor Allen hate the most? Gustav Pabilon is the creator of the Original Magic.”

“Hmph... Yes, that damned guy created it,” Allen muttered. “It pisses me off that you want to learn magic from the least talented among us.”

“Are you angry because of his inferior skills?”

Karyl chuckled at Allen’s irritated tone.

“Or because he killed you?”

“...!”

Nain Darhon’s eyes widened in shock at Karyl’s revelation.

“What? Gustav killed Master?”

“Don’t act all surprised. You’ve heard the tale of the Six Heroes of Azor, haven’t you?” Karyl said calmly as he looked at the startled Nain. “It’s well-known why Gustav became a hero.”

“That... well...”

Nain Darhon couldn’t find the words. Every sorcerer knew the story, but it was too awkward to bring it up in front of the resurrected Allen.

“Let’s not waste time on this. That was a thousand years ago. Nain, are you saying you don’t want to learn magic from me because of that?” Allen asked sharply.

“O-Of course not. I would learn a lot from your mana,” Nain Darhon responded promptly. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Magic wasn’t about justice. It didn’t matter who the hero was, as being a sorcerer had nothing to do with right or wrong. The fact that a sorcerer superior to all others on the continent stood before him was all that mattered to Nain Darhon.

“Who knows? Maybe this trip to Azor will provide not only my catalyst but also clear your name.”

“Hmph...”

Allen’s reaction suggested that he wasn’t entirely displeased with Karyl’s suggestion.

“But why hasn’t anyone been able to learn it? If it doesn’t require dragon mana, could it be like the magic of Calnere, requiring swordsmanship?”

“That's not it, but it’s for a similar reason,” said Allen. “There’s a more stringent condition than swordsmanship. That imbecile Gustav needed to rely on others to survive amidst talents like ours.”

“...Others?”

“Ironically, you might be able to learn it. In fact, you might be the only one who can.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was wise of you not to ask that toad-like pig to show you the Original Magic when you first met me. If you had, I would have stopped you.”

“So there’s another reason besides the fact that it’s the magic of your killer?”

“Exactly.”

Allen nodded.

“Sometimes you give me chills.”

“Why?” asked Karyl.

“Gustav’s magic... It’s spirit magic.”

***

“You look much better now. I guess Nain’s special training helped, huh?”

“...Shut up.”

Serica Lauren showed up looking even more haggard than when she trained in the Reversal Chamber. Meanwhile, Mikhail looked relatively unscathed compared to before.

“That kid wanted to learn the Black Slash Seven Forms, but as you know, it’s impossible without dark energy. And yet she kept pestering me about it...” Nain Darhon complained.

“So, did you teach her?”

“No way. I’m a sorcerer, not a spearman. The Spear King’s techniques are merely based on the power of the Immortal Council. Besides, without dark energy, how could she learn it?"

“Then why does she look like that?”

Karyl pointed at the disheveled Serica.

“She asked for every book that the Spear King used when creating the Black Slash Seven Forms. She seemed to have been researching spear techniques on her own after my training sessions...”

Karyl nodded at Nain’s words. He knew better than anyone how relentlessly determined Serica could be once she set her mind to something.

“Well, she claimed that if the Spear King could do it, she could create something even better. She probably hasn’t slept much over the past week. Tough kid. Where does she get such fierce determination?” Nain shook his head, overwhelmed.

“Of course. It took months to bring over such an important person, so this much is only fitting.”

Karyl chuckled as he glanced at Mikhail, who awkwardly scratched his head.

“Her meridians weren’t developed enough to break through to the 5th Class. After all, she had never properly learned magic before. But her physical abilities compensated for what she lacked in technique.”

Nain Darhon looked at Serica, who seemed utterly drained.

“So I focused on teaching her practical magic. She was close to unleashing her meridians, but unfortunately, she didn’t make it.”

Nain shrugged before he continued, “She has a fiery temperament, but her talent is exceptional. Given time, she’ll break through on her own. Though she might struggle in prolonged battles, she won’t lose to most Sword Experts or high-level sorcerers.”

Karyl nodded in agreement. He had always known about Serica’s talent, but he was still amazed that a month of training in Antihum had elevated her to the level of a Sword Expert.

If she can achieve this much in such a short amount of time, she might develop a spear technique that surpasses the Freezing Spear in this lifetime.

With that thought, Karyl realized he needed to find her a suitable spear soon.

“The funny thing is this guy. He’s unlocked his meridians and managed to reach the 5th Class in just one month.” Nain Darhon pointed at Mikhail.

“What? Already?”

Serica’s growth was indeed impressive, but Karyl was genuinely astonished by Mikhail’s progress.

Even when he first learned magic from Aidan in Azor, he showed incredible speed. This might mean he’s more talented than Serica and Serga.

Karyl looked at Mikhail with expectant eyes.

“But there’s a problem. He can’t learn spells.”

“...What do you mean?”

Karyl turned his head abruptly, surprised by Nain’s statement.

“Remember what I told you? Despite possessing wind element magic, he couldn’t even properly cast a simple wind spell. The same goes for other spells. Apart from a few, he can’t cast spells properly.”

“Huh...”

“He's got the physical aptitude but not the brains to match. Sometimes you get guys like that,” Allen chimed in, speaking in a low voice.

At his words, Mikhail blushed with embarrassment.

“I thought the same, Master, but it’s stranger than that,” said Nain. “He’s not exactly obtuse. Give him a 5th Class intermediate magic book, and he can memorize the formulas and spells well. The problem is, even with sufficient mana and proper chanting, the spells just don’t activate.”

“Huh. What an intriguing fellow,” Allen replied.

“I agree.”

With Allen joining the conversation, Mikhail hung his head even lower.

“So, he hasn't learned many new spells. But the Blades of Wind. You said that was a spell you gave him?” asked Karyl.

“Yes.”

“He must have practiced it to death. It’s the only spell he can cast perfectly, so I enhanced it.”

“It’s a low-class spell, but its lethality is so high that he might be more useful in battle than Serica.” Nain smiled ambiguously.

“Really?”

“You’ll see.”

Karyl nodded at Nain’s assurance.

“Alright. Now that everyone’s here... Nain, are you coming with us?"

“Absolutely not. As the head of the Immortal Council, I can’t leave Antihum unattended. Just make sure to contact Tatur and send some elemental stones. And take good care of Israphil.”

Nain waved dismissively.

“I’ve already contacted them. Don't worry,” said Karyl. He then glanced at Israphil, who stood at the back of the group, looking tense.

“And if you need help, let me know,” Nain added. “As a courtesy to our master, Tatur will be the only nation on the continent under the protection of the Immortal Council.”

“A courtesy to our master? Don’t forget I saved your life. If I hadn’t dealt with the Dust of the Void, you’d be a forgotten name in history...”

“Hmph, I would’ve handled it myself.”

Karyl scoffed quietly. Though Nain might take it as a joke, there was no need to inform him of his failed future.

Did Nain Darhon and Allen Javius have some special connection? They had lived in different times, each walking his own distinct path. Unlike others, the two of them hadn’t shared a bond in their previous life, and yet, somehow, it felt as if they were true comrades.

“Stop daydreaming and follow the training I taught you. Lock yourself in for about thirty years, and you might break through the 8th Class barrier,” Allen instructed.

“Thirty years...?”

“If you push hard enough, it could be sooner. Now, get back to your training.”

Despite his stern demeanor, Allen seemed genuinely fond of Nain. It was only natural—Nain had already reached the 7th Class, marking him as a Great Sorcerer and proving his talent beyond question. Allen, who hadn’t expected to find a disciple like Nain, was inwardly hopeful about his progress.

“How are we getting to Azor? Are we going to ride the Water King again?” Mikhail asked with a somewhat uneasy expression, recalling their previous experience on the river.

“Hah, no one ever leaves from the Immortal Council on foot,” Nain Darhon scoffed. “Have you learned nothing? The thing beneath your feet is a teleportation Magic Circle. It will send you to Azor in the blink of an eye, so don’t worry.”

“Oh...!” Mikhail finally realized the continuous accumulation of mana at their gathering place and scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.

“You heard me, right? The Water King living in the Fonein is my tamed beast, so from now on, make sure not to do anything foolish like attacking it. Tell your subordinates as well.”

“Y-Your beast? Well, nothing surprises me anymore.” Nain shook his head at the thought of the master of the Fonein being under Karyl’s command. He then activated the Magic Circle

“Don’t forget what I told you. Get stronger,” said Karyl.

“You better do the same. I won’t forgive you if you keep struggling at the 6th Class.”

Nain Darhon, Serica Lauren, Israphil, and even Mikhail—everyone present, except Karyl, had already reached the 7th Class before, and were certain to surpass it, or at least had the potential to do so.

Am I the only one who needs to catch up? Karyl thought, smiling bitterly at the realization.

“Until we meet again,” they said, exchanging a light smile as the glow of the Magic Circle slowly enveloped them.

***

Vooom...

As the light faded away, Karyl slowly opened his eyes, slightly dizzy.

“Is this... Azor?” Israphil asked.

“It’s more barren than I expected,” Serica remarked as she looked around.

They found themselves in a decrepit building. Azor, being the city of sorcerers, was known for its grandiose architecture, comparable to the capital of the empire and the principality. However, the place they had arrived at looked like a bunch of ruins.

“This rundown place can’t be Azor. Look over there, that’s Azor,” Karyl said, pointing out the window.

There it was, the magnificent city in the distance.

“Wow...”

“It’s amazing...”

Israphil and Serica, seeing the grand city for the first time, couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

“Why are we here?” Karyl muttered with a displeased expression.

“Welcome. We received a message from the Immortal Council,” a sorcerer managing the teleportation Magic Circle greeted them as though he had been waiting for their arrival.

“It seems the coordinates have been changed. Well, moving around the city is inconvenient anyway, so I’ll stay in my spirit form for now.” Allen, sensing their presence, hid himself.

“Is there something happening in the city?” Karyl asked.

“Well... Due to the continuous use of the teleportation circle in the lord’s mansion, we had to adjust the coordinates. A very important guest is visiting...” the guard cautiously replied.

Karyl frowned slightly.

“Is it Emperor Shutean? It seems the lord of Azor doesn’t think much of the Immortal Council if he’s sending its guests to a teleportation circle here on the outskirts.”

“I apologize... It was the lord’s order...” The guard bowed his head.

Karyl sighed softly. This man was just following orders, so there was no point in blaming him.

“So where is this important guest from?” Karyl asked.

“Uh, well...”

The guard hesitated before finally revealing, “The Eastern Land.”