Kuguuuuugu!
The spiral aura that surged from his fist was not swept away by Ogram's Fierce Wave Arts, but became a thick wall blocking the way forward.
Thud!
Raon bit his lip as he felt his entire body pulsing like a heart. Now he understood why Ogram said the Fierce Wave Arts could only be comprehended by feeling it directly with one's body.
'The true meaning of the Fierce Wave Arts was not in others, but within myself.'
The Fierce Wave Arts is a mysterious martial art that ignores the opponent's aura and directly strikes the enemy's body with one's attack.
Naturally, he thought he had to start by understanding the flow of the enemy's aura, but that wasn't it. The Fierce Wave Arts was a martial art that could only be unfolded by observing oneself first.
'It was about making a ship.'
The principle of the Fierce Wave Arts was to create the best ship with one's aura and then pierce through the sea of aura created by the enemy.
Wooooong!
As his mind understood the true meaning of the Fierce Wave Arts, the aura burning from his fist grew stronger. Violent waves erupted in the space between his fist and Ogram's.
Zzzzzzt!
The vibrations grew more intense as if an earthquake had occurred, and a massive explosion burst forth from the gap between their fists.
Kuwaaaaaang!
The earth shook as if the axis had been twisted by the successive shockwaves.
Just as the dark red airflow that emerged from the competition between Fierce Wave Arts was about to engulf the earth like a tsunami, Ogram waved his hand.
Whaaaa!
Though it was a light gesture as if chasing a butterfly, the vibrations and red airflow that had been shaking the earth were wiped away as if washed clean.
Ogram suppressed the shockwave of the Fierce Wave Arts not with any special technique, but with sheer force alone. It was an aura manipulation befitting a Transcendent Warrior.
"Whew..."
Raon exhaled roughly and bent his waist. He must have concentrated too much, as his entire body felt heavy as if weighted down by iron.
"Ha!"
He raised his head at the incredulous chuckle. Ogram was looking down with slightly trembling eyes.
"Just what are you?"
Ogram swallowed dryly and raised his eyebrows.
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking how you managed to achieve the Fierce Wave Arts."
"Was what I used really the Fierce Wave Arts?"
Raon asked back, looking at Ogram's wavering eyes. Though he had gained a small insight, he still couldn't be certain.
"It was weak, crude, and had no finesse whatsoever..."
Ogram closed his eyes, then opened them and nodded.
"What you unleashed was undoubtedly the Fierce Wave Arts."
He smacked his lips as if in acknowledgment.
"You had no grasp of it until just a moment ago, what trick did you use?"
"Well, I observed myself rather than you, Alliance Leader."
Raon raised his right hand and clenched his fist.
"Yourself?"
"Yes. I thought there might be meaning in the mantra you taught me, so I kept pondering its significance."
He recited the mantra that Ogram had taught him.
"'Only by cleansing the soul will the small sea within open a path.' I haven't fully deciphered it yet, but I understood that the small sea within me refers to my mental image. So instead of trying to pierce through your aura, Alliance Leader, I focused on refining the willpower and aura within myself."
He explained how he had unleashed the Fierce Wave Arts.
"..."
Raon bit his lip as he watched the silent Ogram.
'Should I have held back a little?'
He thought Ogram would be pleased if he learned quickly after being directly taught the mantra and usage method, but now it seemed that mastering it faster than Garona, who had learned it long ago, might not sit well with him.
-Of course!
Wrath wrinkled his nose.
-No matter how special the technique he taught, why would he like someone who learned it faster than his disciple! You stupid fool!
He waved his hand, telling Raon to come to his senses.
"Umm..."
"Kuhahahahaha!"
As Raon frowned while listening to Wrath's words, Ogram threw his head back and burst into laughter.
"I see. So that's how it was. That's why you were so fast."
He smiled brightly, as if finally understanding.
"Pardon?"
"The Fierce Wave Arts is originally comprehended only after being beaten, beaten until near death. That's how it was for me, and for those I taught. Probably for that fellow too."
Ogram's gaze turned towards Garona, who was still collapsed.
"Continuously getting beaten like that until mind and body become one - that's the Fierce Wave Arts I know. But..."
He looked back at Raon and nodded deeply.
"You achieved the enlightenment that should only be attainable on the brink of death through mere interpretation of the mantra. I don't believe in geniuses, but that word suits you well."
Ogram patted Raon's shoulder, saying he had done something remarkable.
"As I said before, I think I understand why you're standing in that position now. It surely wasn't mere coincidence."
He extended his hand forward.
"Umm..."
As Raon stared blankly, Ogram waved his hand.
"What are you doing? Take it."
"Ah, yes."
When Raon grasped his hand, Ogram shook it vigorously as if shaking out a blanket.
"Congratulations."
There wasn't the slightest hint of self-interest in Ogram's eyes. He was truly congratulating Raon just for mastering the Fierce Wave Arts.
'Does this make sense?'
It was hard to believe that such a person existed, who taught his secret technique and was only happy without any restrictions when Raon mastered it faster than Garona.
'Could I ever be like him?'
Teach others my secret techniques and genuinely rejoice when they master them?
Even though I've become softer compared to my past life, I could never do that. I sensed the difference in capacity between Ogram and myself.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Ogram, filled with sincerity and respect.
"What's there to thank for?"
Ogram waved his hand and turned his gaze away.
"Just don't lose when using the Fierce Wave Arts. That's enough."
"Umm..."
"As a final piece of advice, don't use the Fierce Wave Arts as is. It would be better to adapt it to your own style."
With those words, as if without any lingering attachment, he walked towards the unconscious Garona. It felt almost disappointing how refreshingly straightforward he was.
"Whew..."
Raon watched Ogram's back before slumping down on the crumbled ground. He was so drained he could barely stand.
'I managed to do it after all.'
He hadn't fully grasped it yet. The Fierce Wave Arts wasn't something that could be practiced alone; it was a martial art that aimed for the instant of collision with an opponent's power.
It would probably require countless practice sessions and real combat experiences.
'But if I can perfect it...'
I'll be able to reach even greater heights.
Since I walk my own path as a swordsman, if I make the Fierce Wave Arts my own, it will become a completely different martial art from Ogram's or the union's warriors.
'Which swordsmanship should I combine it with?'
Right now, I'm learning more swordsmanship techniques and principles than I can count on both hands.
Since the combination could result in either the strongest or the worst outcome, I needed to decide carefully.
"Umm..."
As Raon pondered, smacking his lips, Wrath popped out.
-Hey!
'Huh?'
-If you're done training, let's eat! You're in your growth period, so you need to pack in every meal!
Wrath smacked his lips, saying it was time to eat well after having eaten carelessly for a while.
'Growth period...'
I've already passed my growth period, and it would be problematic if I grew any taller, but what a convenient excuse.
'This glutton, really.'
-You haven't even talked to those kids yet! It would be good to have a chat over a meal!
Wrath pointed at Jubel and Judiel, who were cautiously looking this way.
'Come to think of it...'
Amusingly, since saving the Siran Tribe, I've been constantly caught up with Ogram and haven't had a proper conversation with those two.
As Wrath said, I needed to have a talk with them before returning to the family.
'You do have your moments of being helpful.'
-What nonsense!
Wrath jerked his head up.
-I am always of great help to you!
'That's not true. You...'
It was when Raon was shaking his head.
[You have acquired a Transcendent Warrior's martial art faster than anyone else.]
[You have achieved an impossible feat.]
[All abilities increase by 20 points.]
[The rank of the trait
Perhaps because he had mastered the Fierce Wave Arts and gained Ogram's recognition, a message appeared indicating an immediate increase in his abilities.
-Urgh...
Wrath widened his eyes, seemingly caught off guard by this message.
'Oh.'
Raon slowly read the message while stroking Wrath's soft back.
'I misspoke. You really are a great help. Giving without reserve...'
-Shut up!
* * *
In an underground cavern lit by gentle lights like lines connecting constellations.
"Hmm."
Derus Robert nodded slightly while leaning back in his chair.
"Raon Zieghart is with the Beast Union?"
"That's correct."
Kubara bowed her head with her hand on her chest.
"It's said he prevented the Siran Tribe from being attacked by the Hwansaldae. He also quelled the flames that had engulfed the entire forest."
"Tsk."
Derus clicked his tongue as he looked down at the cavern.
"Not long ago he was causing a commotion in Sepia, and now it's the Beast Union. He's certainly keeping busy."
"There are also rumors that the Beast Union Leader personally came to thank him."
"That's not a rumor, it's probably true. Ogram is the type who doesn't care about appearances."
"..."
"I wondered why the back of my hand has been aching these past few days."
Derus smirked as he looked at the back of his hand, sticky with the black leather glove.
"He's roaming the entire continent like it's his own backyard."
He showed a strange smile that seemed both pleased and displeased at the same time.
"How arrogant."
"Ugh..."
Kubara's shoulders trembled as she heard Derus's lowered voice. Her whole body shook involuntarily at the killing intent and madness carried in his voice.
"As much as I'd like to get involved with Raon Zieghart's affairs, we have other matters to attend to right now..."
Derus turned his gaze towards the cavern. In his eyes, he saw children wielding daggers.
"How is that progressing?"
"Only the finishing touches remain. It should be wrapped up within a month."
Kubara bowed her head, saying everything was proceeding as planned.
"I'll check it at the end, but this is the beginning of our grand plan. Make sure everything is thoroughly prepared."
Derus licked his lips with a piercing gaze, as sharp as when he was listening to the news about Raon.
"I will do my utmost."
Despite her enthusiastic words, Kubara looked at Derus with calm eyes.
"You may go."
"Yes."
She bowed respectfully before disappearing into the shadows.
Derus Robert stroked his chin as he watched the children swinging daggers, blood vessels visible in his forehead and eyes.
"Raon Zieghart..."
Eden, the White Blood Religion, the South-North Union, the Black Tower, the Holy Sword Alliance, and even the Roberts. Many organizations had targeted Raon, but none had managed to kill him.
He couldn't have survived by strength alone. He was followed by incredible luck.
Derus picked up the wine glass on the table and moistened his lips.
"I wonder if your luck will hold even in the flames of war."
* * *
After having a light dinner, Raon went to find Judiel and Jubel.
"Young Master?"
Judiel stood up with her eyes wide open.
"Ah, hello."
Jubel nodded his head while fidgeting with his eyes.
"Both of you, sit down."
Raon smiled faintly and waved his finger.
"Yes."
"Umm..."
Judiel calmly nodded and sat down, but Jubel remained standing, unsure of what to do.
"Don't worry, sit down."
"Ah, okay."
She sat Jubel down beside her and then looked at Raon.
"Isn't it time for your training?"
"It's finished."
Raon shook his head and sat down opposite Judiel.
"It seemed like Sir Garona was still continuing."
"He's not finished yet."
"Ah..."
Judiel swallowed dryly as she looked at Raon, seeming to finally understand.
Her expression suggested she couldn't believe he had mastered the martial art before Garona, despite starting much later.
"Well, enough about training."
Raon leaned his upper body towards the table.
"Have you two talked enough?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, Young Master, we were able to say everything we needed to say, even things we couldn't before."
Judiel showed a gentle smile. It wasn't the forced smile she had before coming to the annex, nor the fake smile she had shown since arriving. It was a smile that bloomed from sincerity.
"I-I'm late in expressing my gratitude!"
Jubel stood up again and bowed his head.
"Thank you for saving us!"
Unlike Judiel, he conveyed his sincerity with a trembling voice.
"I did have a hard time because your sister suddenly ran out."
Raon chuckled and nodded.
"Hic!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
Jubel's shoulders trembled, and Judiel bowed deeply.
"I thought I could endure it, but my body moved on its own before I knew it..."
"I'm joking."
Raon waved his hand towards Judiel, whose lips were trembling.
"I'm not so narrow-minded that I can't understand that much. And..."
He smiled faintly as he looked at the forest slowly regaining its greenery.
"Thanks to that, we were able to save your brother. It was dangerous, but in the end, it worked out well."
Thanks to Judiel and Jubel fleeing here, he was able to take down the leaders and executives of the Hwansaldae, and also confirm that Karoon was behind them.
Since there were no casualties, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a blessing in disguise.
"Jubel."
"Yes!"
"You'll also be entering the Zieghart annex with Judiel. Your role will be as a butler and a secret guard. Can you do that?"
"Um, well..."
Contrary to expectations, Jubel hesitated and couldn't answer immediately.
"What are you doing! Quickly tell him you'll do it!"
Judiel hit Jubel's shoulder as if telling him to answer quickly.
"If I go there, won't I be causing trouble for my sister or you, Young Master?"
Jubel raised his trembling gaze.
"Trouble?"
"I heard that my sister and I were sold to the Zieghart Central Martial Palace, and that its master is Karoon Zieghart. If I were to cause any harm to my sister because of me, it would be better if I stayed alone..."
He shook his head, saying he couldn't possibly cause harm to his sister.
Raon smiled faintly as he saw Jubel's resolute gaze.
'So this is what siblings are like.'
Separated long ago, living for each other, and still worrying about each other even after reuniting. Despite being an outsider, he felt a warmth rising in his chest.
Though I don't have siblings, I have my mother and maids, so I think I understand why Jubel said such things.
'If...'
If my sister were alive, would I have been like that too?
Sylvia told me I had an older sister, and that she was killed by Eden without even her body being recovered.
I thought that if that sister were alive, we might have had a relationship like theirs.
'It's a meaningless thought.'
The life I have now is happier than I could have ever dreamed in my past life. There's no need to think about things that don't exist.
"No."
Raon shook his head as he looked at Jubel.
"If they have any sense, they won't be able to touch us."
"But if they attack from behind..."
"It's alright. I'll catch them by the ankle before they can make a move."
"Ankle?"
"Yes. You just think about living happily with your sister now. That was the promise between me and your sister."
"Young Master..."
Judiel's lips trembled with an expression Raon had never seen before.
"Leave the rest to me."
Raon shook his head as he looked at Jubel and Judiel in turn. A red lightning flashed in his eyes.
"I'll make sure no one can touch you."