'It's not here.'
Raon swallowed dryly and clenched his fingertips.
'But something is definitely watching me.'
It wasn't a powerful aura or killing intent. Just the eerie sensation that someone was watching him sent chills down his spine.
'Let me try to sense it again.'
The gaze had suddenly touched him while he was off-guard inside the family compound, so he hadn't detected it properly. He decided to focus his mind and determine exactly who was responsible.
"Huu..."
Raon slowly exhaled as he turned his gaze toward the annex building in front.
'Could it be coming from the front, not the back?'
He had naturally assumed it was coming from behind since that's where he felt the gaze, but thinking again, it seemed to be detected from all directions.
'Ah!'
Raon let out a thin exclamation and nodded.
'Now I understand.'
What he felt wasn't an actual gaze, but a sensation of the soul. It was a new perceptive ability gained thanks to his achievement of reaching an even higher level than before.
-Hmm!
The fact that Wrath remained silent and still was enough to tell him there was no danger.
-Judging by how you sensed that, you're not just a mere youngster after all.
He nodded calmly, as if reluctantly giving a small amount of acknowledgment.
'Is this really that impressive?'
Raon tilted his head and asked.
-Rather than impressive...
Wrath briefly smacked his lips.
-You've finally stepped onto the stage. To what you humans would call the position of a 'true transcendent'.
He nodded, stating that Raon had reached a level where it wouldn't be strange to call him a true Transcendent from now on.
"Transcendent..."
Raon murmured the word "Transcendent" with a trembling voice.
-Transcendence means surpassing limits and standards. If you were a half-baked Transcendent before, now you've at least reached the edge of true Transcendence. Of course...
Wrath waved his hand as if to say there was still a long way to go.
-But there's still another mountain you must climb to fully achieve it.
Nevertheless, he nodded, indicating that Raon had nearly arrived.
'True Transcendence...'
Raon calmly closed his eyes.
'It is definitely different.'
Master, Grandmaster, Transcendence. While there were significant level differences among people within all three realms, the biggest gap obviously existed within Transcendence.
From the time of the Five Kings and Three Demons, no, the Six Kings and the Five Demons, there had been such a vast difference between their leaders and the lower Transcendents that they hardly seemed to be in the same realm.
Even the powerful leaders of the Five Divine Orders were mere fireflies under moonlight compared to the masters of the Six Kings and Five Demons. Honestly, even after reaching Transcendence, he had thought they were too far away to reach, but according to Wrath, he could attain that position if he just overcame the final stage.
-In truth, your martial prowess itself is already far beyond your current realm.
Wrath pressed his lips down firmly with his teeth.
-Well, of course! You ground up my spine to create and devour all those traits and abilities!
He shook his head, saying it would be infuriating if Raon were weak after all that.
-But if you elevate your realm to the stage of true Transcendence, you'll become even more liberated.
'Liberated?'
Raon frowned as he turned to look at Wrath.
'What do you mean by becoming liberated?'
He didn't understand what Wrath meant by "liberated" rather than "stronger."
-You'll naturally understand when you reach that position.
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, as if telling him to stop asking bothersome questions.
-By the way...
He narrowed his eyes as thin as threads.
-Do you know where that soul's gaze came from?
'I think I know now. I should go find it.'
Raon nodded to Wrath and turned right from the path leading to the annex, heading toward Federick's mansion.
"Raon! You've returned sooner than expected!"
Federick opened his eyes wide as if wondering why he had returned so quickly.
"Yes. The matter concluded successfully."
After bowing his head to Federick, Raon headed to Rector's sickroom on the left.
"How is my grandfather's condition?"
He asked about Rector's status.
"His wounds were severe, and he lost quite a bit of vitality, but thanks to your prompt treatment, he's recovered significantly."
Federick smiled, saying the emergency treatment had been excellently done.
"Though not immediately, with time, he'll recover enough to fight again."
He waved his hand as if to say there was no need to worry.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Federick.
"No need for thanks. I'm just doing what a healer should."
Federick crossed his legs and snorted.
"Your grandfather is probably sleeping now, so come back later."
He waved his hand, telling Raon to return later.
"No. He's awake."
Raon smiled gently and opened the door to the room where Rector was lying.
"..."
Just as Federick had said, Rector had his eyes closed and was slowly breathing as if asleep.
"That was quite a rough welcome greeting."
Raon sat in the chair next to the bed and smiled brightly.
"Hmm..."
Rector slightly furrowed his brow and opened his eyes.
"Did you really sense that?"
He let out a hollow laugh as if in disbelief.
"I knew you had grown stronger, but to think you could feel that willpower."
Rector exclaimed in amazement.
"What happened?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Rector.
"Didn't you tell me to keep fighting?"
Rector chuckled and shook his head.
"Though my physical condition is still abnormal, my mind is unusually clear and lucid. Thinking it might be a new opportunity, I've been focusing on aura perception and willpower lately."
He touched his empty right shoulder and curled his lips.
"I was sensing the area around the annex by releasing my transcendent willpower as usual when I saw you returning."
Rector looked at him with mischievous eyes.
"I was simply checking how much you'd changed, naturally assuming you wouldn't notice, but for you to perceive it..."
He shook his head, saying it was incredible that Raon had detected it.
"It seems you've surpassed the limits of human perception. It's astounding."
Rector gave a deep smile, wondering just how far Raon would grow.
"I'm not sure myself."
Raon clenched his fist and lowered his eyebrows.
"I felt someone watching me, and I knew it was you, grandfather, because the gaze felt familiar."
At first, he'd gotten goosebumps not knowing who it was, but upon properly sensing it, he recognized it as Rector because the gaze contained a familiar warmth.
"I must have watched you too much."
Rector smiled faintly and nodded.
"Haaaah."
He raised his gaze while letting out a long sigh.
"I've been struggling, thinking about fighting at an age when I should be resting, all because I was given such a troublesome grandson..."
Rector looked at Raon with calm eyes and drew a faint smile.
"Now I must follow you to the end, if only to see how far you'll rise."
He raised his left arm, saying he would not give up but stand again.
"Yes. Please follow this unworthy grandson, even if that's your reason."
Raon firmly grasped Rector's one remaining hand. He nodded as if making a promise not only to Rector but also to himself.
"I will kill Derus Robert and show you what lies on the path of the sword."
***
"Starting today, we will begin focus enhancement training."
Raon stood on the platform and informed the Light Wind Palace swordsmen of today's training content.
"The duration is three days without rest. We begin this evening, so prepare yourselves thoroughly."
Focus enhancement training was the training most hated and dreaded by the Light Wind Palace swordsmen. While it was the best for developing skills and practical battle sense by simultaneously conducting actual combat and training in the field, everyone avoided it because it depleted physical and mental strength even more severely.
'This should be fun after so long.'
From his perspective and that of the instructors, however, it was rather enjoyable training since they could tease the swordsmen and beat them up thoroughly.
'Now then...'
Raon lowered his gaze to the platform below, anticipating the screams and despair of the swordsmen.
'Hmm?'
But today was different. The Light Wind Palace swordsmen were looking at him with confident eyes, as if they could handle any training.
Focus enhancement training. Despite announcing they would undergo this difficult training for a long period of four days, they were smiling as if delighted.
"Great! That's exactly what we need!"
"If we can receive guidance from the Head of House, focus enhancement training is nothing!"
"I think the same. If we can't overcome that training, we don't deserve to enter the Lord's Manor training ground!"
"I won't sleep a wink for three days and will keep moving!"
The swordsmen raised their clenched fists, determined to overcome the focus enhancement training and receive Glenn's guidance.
"Focus enhancement training, huh..."
Burren shook his head from side to side as if deeply contemplating how to conduct the training.
"This will be fun! It's the first time everyone's so passionate."
Martha smacked her lips as if looking forward to it.
"Hmhm..."
Runaan suddenly pulled out a soft pillow and tucked it at her waist, as if preparing well for the training.
"Is this the focus enhancement training I've only heard about?"
The Blade Queen curled her lips, seeming pleased.
"It's a shame, but I must be faithful to my duties as an instructor."
The Warlord nodded, saying they should set aside their own training for now and focus on the growth of the swordsmen.
"Tsk. I'll just participate!"
The Gambling Monster raised his fist like the swordsmen, saying he would participate directly in the training rather than instruct. (E/N: Has this guy even gotten stronger in the last 1000 chapters?)
"Let's do this together! You all!"
Unlike his usual self, he stepped forward without the smell of alcohol and roared.
"Woooooah!"
"Let's die together!"
"Death before we fail the Head of House's guidance!"
"Focus enhancement training is nothing!"
The swordsmen seemed further encouraged by the Gambling Monster's words, shouting and stomping their feet.
"Everyone pack your things and return here within 10 minutes!"
At Burren's command, all the swordsmen and instructors left the training ground without hesitation.
-Hooh!
Wrath exclaimed as he looked at the footprints of the swordsmen imprinted on the training ground.
-In the past, I was irritated watching them whining about overnight training, but it seems they've finally come to their senses!
He nodded his head significantly, as if satisfied.
-Your shoulders must feel lighter now too.
Wrath patted Raon's shoulder in congratulation.
"Hmm..."
Unlike Wrath, Raon was deeply furrowing his brow.
-Hmm? What's wrong? Isn't this what you wanted?
Wrath tilted his head, wondering why Raon looked so grim on such a good day.
'If it's like this...'
Raon shook his head vigorously as if this wasn't right.
'It's no fun?'
He had enjoyed seeing the swordsmen's faces crumple as soon as he announced the focus enhancement training, but seeing them so willingly commit to the training without such reactions made him feel a bit frustrated.
'Should I just cancel the training?'
Raon lowered his eyebrows and stroked his chin, genuinely considering canceling the training.
-Huh...?
Wrath's lips trembled as he watched Raon seriously contemplating.
-You're just a pervert who enjoys tormenting people!
***
Kukugugugugugu! The doors of the Lord's Manor training ground, standing like divine shields, opened with earth-shaking vibrations, and people entered the grounds bathed in solemn light. From high-ranking officials bearing important responsibilities to residents who weren't even the lowest members of the family. Everyone who wanted to witness today's event had come to the training ground.
The martial forces advanced into the training ground and lined up before the platform like a single sword, while spectators climbed the stairs and packed themselves tightly like bean sprouts.
"Hmm."
Raon stood at the entrance of the training ground, surveying the interior. Despite the countless people, a library-like silence had settled over the training ground. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath in tension because today's event was so important.
"Are you ready?"
He separated his lips and looked back. The Light Wind Palace swordsmen who had completed three weeks of hell training were looking at him with razor-sharp gazes.
"Yes!"
The swordsmen let out roaring shouts, indicating they had completed their preparations perfectly.
"Good. Then..."
Just as Raon was about to enter after nodding his head.
"This isn't even the fifth training ground, yet it's too noisy."
Karoon stood beside Raon, leading the Central Martial Palace swordsmen.
"You've arrived."
Raon gave a slight bow as he looked Karoon over. A quiet yet stable aura like a sword honed by a master. He too had arrived after achieving many changes in a short time. Not just Karoon, but the Central Martial Palace swordsmen as well seemed to have trained with all their might, emitting a solemn aura with eyes different from before.
"You've changed a lot."
Karoon curled his lips as if finding it interesting.
"The Central Martial Palace Master has changed as well."
Raon nodded, as if he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
"..."
"..."
The two looked at each other steadily without further words.
"Um, excuse me..."
The gatekeeper of the training ground swallowed dryly as he looked at Raon and Karoon.
"Which of you should I announce first?"
The Light Wind Palace had arrived first, but the Central Martial Palace held higher rank. His eyes trembled as if troubled.
"Light Wind Palace."
Karoon lowered his hand without hesitation.
"Those who came first should enter first."
Strangely, his voice was deeply submerged as if referring to something beyond the current situation.
"Ah, understood!"
The gatekeeper nodded gratefully and went back inside.
"Light Wind Palace Master Raon Zieghart and Light Wind Palace entering!"
He called out Raon's name so loudly that the head of house's training ground seemed to shake.
"I'll go in first. However..."
After giving Karoon a slight bow, Raon raised his chin in the exact same posture.
"I've found that coming first doesn't necessarily mean going first."
He turned his back after finishing his words, as if making a declaration to everyone present.
"That's true enough."
Karoon let out a thin laugh, as if that made things more interesting.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
Raon curled his lips as he led the Light Wind Palace into the training ground.
'This too...'
He tightly clenched his fist as he felt Karoon's gaze boring into his back.
'Should be interesting.'