Chapter 22

Chapter 9: What Exactly Is the Eye of the Heart? (5)

Shiron Lunacandel, the world's only Creation Knight, left for the Black Sea shortly after welcoming his youngest son in the Garden of Swords four years ago. It was because the koan given to him by his youngest son had not been resolved.

"Can I be stronger than a god?"

The monsters of the Black Sea do not attack Shiron. They do not even approach the area near the center of the Black Sea where Shiron sits, maintaining their own ecosystem.

Eating and being eaten.

Shiron liked the simplicity of the Black Sea. It was one of the many reasons he always sought it out.

A few days ago, a knight came to the Black Sea. He did not hesitate to cut down monsters day and night, getting covered in blood, and finally managed to meet Shiron.

"It's Kan, Master."

Shiron opened his eyes without turning around. His body, sitting in seiza, was floating a few inches off the ground.

"Speak, Kan."

Kan approached Shiron, wiping the blood off his armor.

Kan, with a stiff face, reported something for a long time. Shiron, with a calm face, waited for Kan's report to end.

A faint smile occasionally spread across Shiron's face as he listened to the story.

"…That's all."

Shiron's body, floating in the air, slowly descended to the ground.

"Youngest… did he do that?"

"Yes, Master."

What Kan reported was about the recent commotion Jin caused in the beginner training class.

Garon had firmly decided to keep the matter secret, but it could not remain a secret from the master of Lunacandel. Therefore, he informed Shiron's confidant, Kan.

Of course, he did not inform anyone else. Garon was not afraid of the current Jin but was fearful of the future Jin.

"Ha ha ha."

Suddenly, Shiron threw back his head and burst into laughter.

"That is the youngest's belief. While walking the path of tyranny, he also wants to embrace the weak humans at times."

Kan did not respond and silently bowed his head.

A large smile spread across Shiron's lips. Since reaching the half-god realm, he had not laughed as much as he did these days.

"Then, we need to verify if that belief has any value. Kan."

"Yes, Master."

"Go back and tell Garon this. Before promoting the youngest to the intermediate class…"

Kan was expected to return after several days of cutting through monsters to deliver the master's message.

* * *

January 1795.

At fifteen, Jin was recognized as a 3-star knight and was enjoying his last rest period in the beginner training class.

Every year at the beginning of the year, students are granted two weeks of free time. It was the only break period amidst the continuous training that lasted without a single day off throughout the year.

It was a kind of winter break.

Most students usually visit their hometowns during this period. Outstanding students conduct personal training and inspections, while the best students tour the forges of the Hufester Union to order their own swords.

The reason for ordering a sword.

It was when the student clearly recognized that they were a 'promotion candidate.' The results are announced after the break period ends, but it was a domain that could be known without needing to check.

From the intermediate class onwards, they no longer use training wooden swords but their own custom-fitted swords.

This was why top students like Mesa Milcano left the Garden of Swords to find weapons. They knew they were promotion candidates before the results were announced.

"Jin, youngest."

"Eldest sister."

Naturally, the top performer in this year's beginner training class was Jin.

If Jin were a student, he would probably be touring the forges of Hufester with the Mesa group right now.

But he is a Lunacandel. The youngest son of a swordsmanship family where famous swords are so abundant they rot. It means he can just pick any sword from the family armory.

Custom-made swords are unnecessary. With thousands of famous swords, one of them is bound to fit perfectly.

"It took me quite a while to find a sword that suits you."

However, Jin could not choose his own sword. Luna had insisted on giving him a gift, and she had been fussing over it for a month.

Since Luna's eye for swords was a million times better than Jin's current one, it was a choice that could not go wrong.

"I look forward to it, sister."

Thud!

Luna placed a massive axe-sword, which she had been carrying on her back, on the ground. It was different from her beloved sword, 'Krantel.'

Jin could only look puzzled. The axe-sword Luna placed was larger than Jin's entire body.

In contrast, Luna's eyes sparkled.

"Once known as the 'Bale's Slaughter.' It was also a sword I enjoyed using in my teens."

What is an axe-sword?

As the name suggests, it is a weapon with an axe blade attached to the tip of a sword. Large, heavy, and extremely rough in appearance, its history is... not very long.

Before Luna Lunacandel devised it at fifteen, no one used this bizarre sword.

Thus, the name and origin of 'Bale's Slaughter' are the result of Luna's tumultuous adolescence.

"How about it? Do you like it?"

Luna, with an innocent face, made Jin shiver and cough.

"This is a bit, not right, I think."

Luna, who instantly became dejected, forced a smile.

"Hehe, just kidding, just kidding."

It didn't seem like a joke, but Jin swallowed his words and chuckled.

Luna, after a few seconds, gave up on the possibility of Jin accepting the axe-sword. She sighed and took out another sword.

"Since there's no choice, then this sword…"

The sword Luna presented was a plain, unadorned black scabbard.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but Jin's eyes began to waver sharply as he took the sword.

"…Since you chose Barisada in the selection ceremony, this one suits you best. It will also match your swordsmanship well."

Swoosh.

As he slowly drew the sword, a pure white blade, like snow, was revealed.

'Blademanthe!'

Jin inwardly called out the name of the sword and marveled. Even without the sunlight, the blade, like a diamond, shimmered in multiple facets, almost captivating him.

Blademanthe.

The brother sword of Barisada, used by the first head, Temar Lunacandel, and a prototype. Apart from Barisada, there were not many swords in the Lunacandel armory that were superior to Blademanthe.

Even though it was a prototype made by the legendary blacksmith 'Picon Minche' before forging Barisada, it was on par with famous swords.

"It seems you like it."

"Of course, sister. It's an outstanding piece among the family's famous swords. Thank you."

Though he spoke calmly, Jin was so excited he wanted to jump around like a child.

'If it weren't for Sister Luna, I wouldn't have been able to get this even if I chose it myself. Blademanthe… the sword Murakan said I must obtain later!'

Blademanthe, being an outstanding sword, was coveted by many of his siblings.

However, the reason this sword was even more special to Jin was none other than its ability to channel spirit energy.

Spirit energy.

Barisada and Blademanthe only reveal their true worth when imbued with spirit energy.

It was a secret only those who could manipulate shadows were allowed to know.

"Blademanthe is a sword coveted by other siblings… I don't know how I can repay you, sister."

"Repay. You still think I'm uncomfortable. I feel disappointed."

"Sister, that's not it."

"Anyway, to soothe this disappointment, I need to torment you. Close your eyes, brother. I'm about to start training."

"Yes…"

Luna chuckled and tousled Jin's hair.

"I will tell you to see with the eye of the heart today."

"I know."

"But unlike usual, today I will tell you one more thing you need to see with the eye of the heart."

"What is it, sister?"

Luna, bending down, held Jin's hands.

"Among our siblings who are always competing and stepping on each other, there is one love that never expects anything in return. So, don't make this sister feel disappointed anymore."

"I'm sorry, sister."

"I was already lonely enough among blood relatives before you were born. You don't need to be."

Jin decided not to doubt Luna's kindness any longer.

Even though this warm eldest sister had thoroughly ignored him in his previous life, he felt it was time to overlook that.

'I don't know all the circumstances of my eldest sister in my previous life.'

* * *

"Still immature."

"What?"

"Your spirit energy control is still immature to awaken Blademanthe, brat. You need to reach at least 3-star spirit energy liberation to mimic the awakening of the sword."

"3-star, I think I'll reach it soon. Then I can use it soon."

Thud!

Murakan, who slammed the book of erotic stories, glared at Jin.

"Listen well, brat. Barisada and Blademanthe. These two spirit swords are dangerous items that should not be awakened carelessly. 3-star is the minimum standard, but use them as ordinary swords until you reach 5-star. Understand?"

"I'm not very patient. I'll have to reach 5-star within a year."

"Yeah, even if you're a 1st place winner in the children's spirit energy competition and only eat spirit energy instead of food, that's a ridiculous statement. A passing dog would laugh at it."

Immature, immature. It was hard to believe that a dragon that had existed for three thousand years would say such things.

Thinking this, Jin narrowed his brows and snatched the book of erotic stories from Murakan.

"What did you say? What? What about the children's spirit energy competition? I didn't hear it well, say it again."

"Put the book down, just put it down. Hey? Did you really have a hard time getting that…"

"Master!"

The two, who were bickering, turned their heads towards Gilli, who was running towards them. The atmosphere was very urgent.

"What's the matter? Gilli."

"Master Garon is looking for you."

"During the break period, there's no reason for Garon to look for me. And if he has something to say, tell him to come here."

"That's…"

Gilli, with a worried look, approached Jin.

"He said he needs to explain the outline of the operation using a map, so you need to come in person."

"Operation?"

"Yes, Master Garon has assigned you your first 'mission.' Moreover, he said you will depart immediately after the break period ends."

Jin put down the book of erotic stories.

'Mission… since I've reached 3-star, it's about time I go on a mission. But right after the break period ends?'

It was strange.

'Missions' start from the intermediate class. Since they involve assassination, combat, and monster extermination, beginners are excluded.

And the promotion of Lunacandel students takes place a month after the break period ends.

'Well, I'm practically in the intermediate class. Maybe he judged it doesn't matter.'

The moment Jin nodded, Gilli provided more information.

"And this mission… including Master Jin, ten students from the beginner class will participate. Something seems off, so you should go quickly."