Chapter 55

Chapter 20. Beyond the World (1)

Jin was having a nightmare.

A black tentacle monster was stuck to his face, and he couldn't get it off. Ugh, ugh! Amid the suffocating feeling, a low groan barely escaped his lips.

The moment he desperately opened his eyes, Jin realized what the source of the nightmare was.

Meow.

Meow, meow, meow!

A black cat was sprawled across Jin's sleeping face. It was Murakami, who had been pressing down on Jin's face for over 30 minutes.

"Get off, will you."

He slowly sat up and stretched. Sunlight was streaming through the window, and a fragrant tea aroma filled the air. It was the black tea that Gilli often brewed.

'It seems I had a nightmare because of Murakami, but now that I'm awake, I feel refreshed. I must have fainted right after the duel with Bisquel.'

His body felt as light as a feather. The wounds on his chest and other injuries had completely disappeared. The medical team at Runkandel had worked their magic while he was unconscious.

"You're awake, young master."

Gilli, sensing the movement, brought a teacup and a glass of cold water to the bedside.

"Gilli, how long have I been asleep?"

"Two days."

"What? Two days?"

He was slightly surprised but soon nodded in agreement. He had lost a lot of blood, and at the last moment, he had reached a new level, expending a lot of energy. Considering that, he had woken up quite early.

"The banquet must be over by now. I couldn't even greet the guests who came to see me."

"You shouldn't think that way. Your duel with Sir Bisquel has been the talk of the town for the past two days. That was enough of a thank you."

Indeed, it was. Despite the mismatch between an 8-star and a 5-star, their duel was the topic of conversation until the end of the banquet.

It was because of the 'Heart Sword' Jin showed at the end. Although it wasn't a perfect Heart Sword, the mere fact that it almost turned the tide in a duel with an 8-star knight was a significant event.

Many people, including Bisquel, recognized this. Bisquel, in particular, seemed deeply shocked and didn't return to the arena until the end of the banquet.

'The days of training under Luna-nee are starting to pay off. At first, I couldn't understand the training at all... but it's helping in this way.'

He chuckled, remembering Luna's religious-like instruction to "see with the eyes of the heart."

He first recognized the sensation of Heart Sword during the Qingya stone training. Later, he felt a bit anxious about trying to bring that sensation back.

'It seems to manifest only in extreme situations or unconsciously now.'

It was disappointing, but there was nothing he could do. Even a clumsy attempt at Heart Sword was a remarkable feat, as it was a realm only 8-star knights, often called super experts, could reach.

Jin stretched and got out of bed.

'Anyway, it was a fruitful banquet. I confirmed Veradin's status within Jip, and I solidified a friendship with the successor of the Inner Palace... At least they seemed friendly after the duel.'

Moreover, he had beaten Bubbar Gaston and confirmed his connection with Bisquel. That was the biggest gain.

'The mastermind behind the disguise crimes could be Ebliano, or Bisquel himself. Or perhaps Bisquel is part of some organization that controls Bubbar.'

Several hypotheses came to mind, but it was too early to jump to conclusions. He needed to investigate further.

He also had to hold someone accountable. He had to confront the sin of disguising Jip followers to attempt his assassination five years ago.

Just as he thought this, Gilli pointed to a vase on the bedside table. It contained a flower similar to a mist flower, but it glowed faintly, with pure white petals like snowflakes.

"It's a flower left by the successor of the Inner Palace. She waited until this morning for you to wake up."

"Huh? Seris left it?"

"Yes. She must have liked you."

"No. The flower of the Inner Palace symbolizes 'an endless fight.' She probably wants to have another match with me. She has a strange obsession."

Gilli shrugged.

"Anyway, it's the first time you've received a flower from a woman. Congratulations, young master."

"Haha, the first flower I receive is a challenge. It's historic. Isn't it, strawberry pie?"

Murakami exaggeratedly shouted and glanced at Gilli.

He was still on edge because Gilli had caught him sneaking out to the banquet. Gilli had been ignoring Murakami for two days.

Jin shook his head lightly, and Murakami, now transformed back into a cat, drooped his ears.

"Anyway, young master. The head of the family ordered me to find you as soon as you woke up. It seems the time has come to prove your worth, as you mentioned before."

The qualification for the knight's examination. Jin had expected it, but it felt strange to receive the order from his father.

What was once a dream in his previous life was now a reality, right before his eyes.

"Right. I'll be leaving the family for a while. Where is Father?"

"He's at the mausoleum."

"I'll go see him."

Jin's siblings, when summoned by their father, would dress formally, comb their hair, and behave properly.

But Jin roughly tidied his messy hair and chose a high-quality leather travel outfit. He walked down the corridor with Bradamante at his waist.

Mausoleum.

The thousands of swords densely planted in the Garden of Swords are almost like graves themselves, but the mausoleum is a special place reserved for the family's heroes who achieved extraordinary feats.

In the inner courtyard, deep underground. The interior was pitch black, and a strong smell of iron filled the air.

"Did you come?"

Siron's back, visible like a silhouette. Jin bowed respectfully.

"It's been a while since a child responded to my call in such casual attire. You must have sensed that you'll be living outside the family for a while."

"Yes, I plan to leave soon."

Siron liked this side of Jin. He boldly expressed his intentions without being intimidated by his father's call.

It was something unimaginable from his other children. They would hide their difficulties and fears when called... Luna was different, but she was as good as gone.

Jin had deliberately chosen this outfit, considering his father's personality.

'After the regression, for some reason, Father is the easiest to read.'

It was a mystery. In his previous life, his father was the most difficult to understand and had little interaction with him.

For a while, they were silent. But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence.

"Is this your first time visiting the mausoleum?"

Siron broke the silence first.

"Yes, Father."

"If the Garden of Swords is a place for those who have brought glory to the family, the mausoleum is a land for those who have protected the family."

It was true.

How many countless crises must have occurred in the thousand-year history of Runkandel? From internal divisions to near extinction, countless battles and enemies have threatened Runkandel.

Only those who managed to protect the family in such times are granted the honor of being buried in this mausoleum.

"Do you know that the first head of the family, Temar Runkandel, is not buried here?"

The moment Temar's name was mentioned, Jin instinctively knew that his father would bring up the story of Solderet.

And that he was involved.

"Yes, and I also know that there is no tomb for him in the Garden of Swords."

Only Temar's beloved sword, 'Varisada,' remains as a family treasure, and there is not even a single ceremony to honor him in Runkandel.

"The dark power you possess. That is the reason we cannot honor the first head of the family. Show me your spirit energy."

Jin calmly gathered spirit energy in his palm.

After the death of the first head of the family, Temar, Runkandel signed a humiliating pact with Jip.

Never to use magic again.

And not to worship ancestors who used magic.

This was the real background of Runkandel's transformation from the 'only magiknight family' to a knight family. Without Solderet to protect Runkandel from Jip's gods, it was an inevitable choice.

As a result of the pact, the gods of Jip combined their powers to curse the blood of Runkandel.

After Temar, all Runkandels were born unable to use magic.

"When you used spirit energy to knock down Tona and his brother, I didn't ask how you obtained that power. Do you remember?"

"Yes, and I remember lying about using it for the family."

"Haha, yes. I'm glad you were young then; if you had lied like that now, I wouldn't have let it go."

He laughed, but Jin knew he was serious. That's why he didn't laugh along.

"...Solderet. Did you hear his voice?"

"Yes, I did. He called me his contractor."

Of course, he hadn't heard the voice since the regression, but now it was fine to reveal that he was a contractor.

"For your siblings, this must be quite unfair."

Not only did he inherit potential surpassing Luna, but he also made a contract with a god who had long left the family. Perhaps that's why he could become a contractor.

"Can you use that power to defeat your siblings and take over the family?"

He had already decided on his answer.

"I'll go out into the world and see. If I find something more appealing than Runkandel, I'll do it."

He knew this answer would greatly satisfy his father. As expected, Siron was showing his neat teeth.

"Other kids left the Garden of Swords to gain recognition from the family, but you're leaving to find a reason to recognize the family. I don't know if I should call you commendable or arrogant. Haha."

Siron extended his right palm in front of Jin.

"I'll give you five years. Within that time, either gain recognition from the family or find a reason to recognize the family. Come back with your answer. I'll be waiting."

No more words were needed.

Swish!

Jin drew Bradamante and performed a sword salute.

"Thank you for everything. I'll see you in five years, Father."

After leaving the mausoleum and returning to his room, Gilli was already waiting, having finished packing.

The only luggage was a small basket containing Murakami, some dried food, and copied notes.

Gilli's wrists and ankles were pierced with metal pins. When Jin's gaze fell on them, Gilli adjusted her clothes to cover them.

It was a procedure to prevent the use of aura until Jin's knight qualification was proven.

"I knew about it from the senior nannies, but it feels a bit awkward to suddenly lose my strength. Haha..."

Gilli laughed awkwardly, and Jin felt a lump in his chest.

It was a tradition. To prevent potential knights from building their reputation using the nannies' strength, their powers were sealed.

Breaking the seal without Runkandel's permission was a matter that required the readiness to become a cripple.

"For the next five years and beyond, I'll protect the nanny. I'm sorry."

"Don't say sorry. Never say that again. I'm just thrilled that you've become a potential knight. And anyway, I'll regain my strength after the exam."

They left the Garden of Swords that way.