Chapter 743

"A vessel that can contain anything..."

Raon swallowed hard as he repeated Glenn's words.

"What does that mean?"

Although he had been honing the Ten Thousand Swords, he never thought he was special. He couldn't understand how he was supposed to fill a realm that neither Glenn nor Rector had achieved.

"Polishing the Ten Thousand Swords means training in all the swordsmanship techniques and principles of the sword that exist in this world. But it's impossible to truly master every sword technique."

Glenn slowly lowered his gaze to look at his own feet.

"Inevitably, there will be sword techniques you focus on more and others you let go. Among the Precision Swords, I put a lot of effort into the Thunder Sword, while I only sampled the evil sword techniques. The Sword Demon is probably similar."

He shook his head, saying Rector's swordsmanship was also close to the Precision Sword.

"But you are different."

Glenn looked up to meet Raon's trembling eyes.

"From the swordsmanship you learned as an apprentice to the Azure Sky Sword, you've trained in everything without leaving anything out. Thanks to that, you don't have any biased sword techniques, attributes, or principles. It means your path for development is infinite."

He continued with a proud smile.

"I just invested time in training..."

Raon bit his lip, feeling embarrassed.

"If it was just training, I wouldn't be saying this."

Glenn touched his temple as if to make Raon self-aware.

"In this war, you didn't overwhelm the enemy with strong swordsmanship, but instead used techniques that broke their martial arts. You used all the forms you've learned, from basic swordsmanship to the Azure Sky Sword. And you did it against stronger opponents. Not even I can do that."

He nodded, saying it was a realm beyond talent.

"Raon. Your vessel is so high and deep that even I can't comprehend it. You could achieve the true meaning of the Ten Thousand Swords."

Glenn's eyes shone with anticipation, as if only Raon could do it.

"That's..."

Raon looked away, unable to meet Glenn's eyes.

'I don't know what to say.'

Coming to train with the sword and receiving that gaze, he didn't know how to react. It was especially heavy because it was Glenn.

–The old man is talking nonsense!

Wrath raised his head arrogantly.

–It's natural for your soul vessel to expand when you're with a great being like me!

He waved his round hands, telling Raon to be grateful.

'Of course, your help was significant, but that's not all.'

Raon closed his eyes, feeling the Ring of Fire circulating through his heart.

‘The Ring of Fire played a bigger role than Wrath.’

The Ring of Fire expands the soul realm and develops the body and mind in the most suitable direction for a martial artist. If his vessel had truly expanded enough to contain the complete Ten Thousand Swords as Glenn said, the Ring of Fire would have been the most important reason.

"I'll do my best."

Raon bowed his head after making a judgment about his own talent and ability.

'It's not like anything is going to change from now on.'

If anything, it would be pleasant. What he had learned in his past life were unwanted assassination techniques. He had only learned them to kill martial artists and mages who had reached higher realms than him, so training in swordsmanship for himself was the happiest thing.

"So how should I train from now on..."

"Didn't I tell you? Learn as many sword techniques as possible and gain a lot of experience."

Glenn approached Raon and nodded.

"From today, I will pass on all the sword techniques I know to you."

He raised the Heavenly Tremor as if to start right away.

"The first sword technique I will teach you is called the Bewitching Flower Sword. It contains the principles of bewitching and evil swords that you haven't mastered yet."

Glenn slowly raised the Heavenly Tremor. Unlike when it rose straight up, his sword now fell with a sinister flow, striking the ground.

"It's a different kind of evil sword technique than the Precision Sword you've learned so far, but if you master it, it will surely be useful."

Glenn showed all the forms of the Bewitching Flower Sword, recited the Mantra, and then stepped back.

"Now, show me the Bewitching Flower Sword as you felt it."

"Understood."

Glenn's eyes narrowed as if looking at a blade of grass.

"Have you learned or seen the Bewitching Flower Sword before?"

"No, I haven't."

Raon shook his head immediately.

"Then how did you perform those bewitching and evil sword techniques..."

Glenn sighed, saying it was incredible how Raon had captured the essence of bewitching and evil swords despite the rough form.

"I've faced similar sword techniques many times."

Raon shrugged. Although it was his first time using the Bewitching Flower Sword, he had faced many martial arts imbued with bewitching and evil sword principles, which helped him greatly in executing the form.

"Are you saying you learned from your enemies?"

Contrary to his answer, Raon didn't move immediately. He closed his eyes, harmonizing the Bewitching Flower Sword that Glenn had shown with the image in his mind, then opened his eyelids. With a sharp sound, he swung his sword downwards, imbuing the sinister yet elegant sword trajectory that Glenn had demonstrated with his own will.

Swish!

With a sharp sound that split the air, the blade of the Heavenly Drive swayed like a mirage, pressing down on the earth.

Seeing that sword, one of Glenn's eyebrows shot up as if he had missed something. Raon, ignoring Glenn's reaction, lowered the Heavenly Drive after showing his own version of the Bewitching Flower Sword.

"Raon."

Glenn chuckled as he looked at the lowered Heavenly Drive.

"I think there's more to learn from enemies than from training."

"That's a good mindset."

He curved his lips, seeming pleased with the answer.

"I guess my library won't last long at this rate."

* * *

Raon rested a bit in the annex building and left the room before dawn. Although he had slept less than three hours, he didn't feel any fatigue.

–Hmm...

Wrath let out a low groan, rubbing his eyes as if sleepy. It seemed that just as Envy had turned into admiration, Laziness had also started to evolve.

–How dare you change the authorities of the Monarchs at your whim! If the Demon God knew, he would be very angry!

'But he doesn't know.'

Raon waved his hand, pointing at the ground.

–T-The Demon God sees everything...

'Then he must have seen you drooling over the mint chocolate too, right?'

Raon continued, poking at Wrath's reddened bridge of the nose.

'Seeing how he lets that pass, your Demon God must be quite benevolent.'

Wrath, seemingly speechless, only bit his lip.

–Y-You'll get into big trouble someday... sniff... You must be the only one who uses Laziness that way!

He gritted his teeth, pushing his round face forward.

–Why an authority that's supposed to make you stronger just by being lazy only improves your ability to not feel tired even when you sleep less!

Wrath wrinkled his nose as he looked at Raon's clear eyes.

'That's what I'm saying.'

Raon chuckled and nodded.

'I didn't expect it to turn out that way either.'

Maybe because he had reduced his sleep time and continued training... The Authority of Laziness had strengthened even more.

His ability to recover physical and mental energy as if he had slept 8 hours after only 3 hours of sleep had improved. Despite the lack of sleep, his entire body was full of vitality as if he had slept soundly.

The little one suddenly started sniffing the air, interrupting his own warning about getting into trouble.

–I smell freshly baked bread! And it's covered in egg!

Wrath jumped and flew towards the entrance.

–Hurry! There's toast!

'Oh boy...'

Hearing the sound of Wrath's drool, Raon went to the entrance and saw Judiel holding a piece of toast with egg.

"I prepared this thinking you might leave early."

Judiel handed him the toast and milk, telling him to have a light meal before leaving.

"At this hour?"

"It's my job as your dedicated maid."

She tilted her head, saying it was her natural duty.

"Thanks."

Raon smiled slightly as he stuffed the toast into his mouth. The crispy yet warm texture of the bread, the salty ham, and the soft egg blended perfectly.

–Ahoho!

Wrath grinned, rubbing his cheeks.

–This is good too! It's a world apart from Nadine's bread!

He simply laughed, seemingly having forgotten that he had mentioned the Demon God earlier.

"The information about Derus Robert and other Five Demons will probably be passed on to me through Denning Rose."

Judiel nodded, saying that unlike the information from the main building, the information about the Five Demons would also be provided to the annex building.

"Okay. I'll leave it to you."

Raon nodded as he returned the empty plate. He could trust Judiel because her information processing ability was on par with, or even better than, the Shadow Agents.

"It's nothing compared to what you've done for us, Young Master."

Unlike before, Judiel bowed with a genuine smile.

"That's not..."

He waved his hand slightly.

"We've helped each other."

"Ah..."

Raon left the annex building, leaving behind Judiel who couldn't respond.

"...Thank you."

Judiel bowed deeply, feeling the sincerity in Raon's words.

* * *

When Raon was about to enter the Fifth Training Ground, he heard the sound of swords being swung from inside.

When he opened the door and entered, all the members of the Light Wind division were practicing swordsmanship in their respective positions.

"Why are you all out so early?"

Raon blinked as he looked at the pre-dawn sky. It was still more than an hour before training was supposed to begin, and seeing them all gathered made him laugh uncontrollably.

"The Division Leader gave us the goal of becoming Masters. When I imagined using Astral Energy, my eyes opened on their own."

Dorian clenched his fists, saying he couldn't just wait silently.

"I got here first! This Krein here! Please believe me!"

Krein raised his hand high, claiming he was the first to arrive.

"I'm the opposite of them. I came to face you."

Martha leaned forward with a frown.

"C-Face you?"

Raon took a step back under Martha's intense pressure.

"Why should we aim for the pinnacle of the Master level! That's not enough anyway!"

Martha shook her head fiercely.

"I'm setting my goal as Grand Master."

She showed her white teeth, declaring that she would definitely surpass the barrier of Grand Master.

"Me too."

Runaan nodded calmly.

"If Miss Rakshasa does it, I will too."

She swung her sword as she blinked sleepily.

"If two Squadron Leaders are aiming for Grand Master, I have no choice but to do the same."

Burren raised his right hand with a deep smile.

"I'm also changing my goal. To Grand Master."

He nodded, saying that becoming a Grand Master might be necessary to gain Karoon's recognition.

"Grand Master... I feel like I might be able to surpass that barrier now."

Mark Goetun also gripped his sword, saying he would join them.

"You damn fools! Why are you copying me!"

Martha shrugged in frustration. However, contrary to her intention, the new goal seemed to have had a big impact on the others too. Not just the Squadron Leaders, but all the Swordsmen set their determination to aim for higher goals.

–What an admirable sight!

Wrath nodded as he looked at all the members of the Light Wind division.

–My subordinates will surely become stronger! Ah, except for the cross-eyed one!

He pouted, still disgusted with Burren's gaze. Raon smiled slightly as he watched the Swordsmen intensify their training as if they were competing.

'It feels like we've gone back to the old days.'

The Light Wind division Swordsmen burned with intense enthusiasm as if they had returned to their apprentice days. It was like watching them compete with each other again.

"That's a good idea. The higher the goal, the better."

Raon nodded as he stood on the platform. The feeling of reaching Master and Grand Master himself was still vivid, giving him confidence that he could lead the Swordsmen to even greater heights.

"I've prepared a new training method for those of you who want to reach higher levels."

Raon pulled out his Heavenly Drive and pointed it at the dark pre-dawn sky.

"From today, one person from dawn to noon, and another from after lunch to night. Two people a day will go out to fight."

He lowered the Heavenly Drive as he spoke of continuing with one-on-one battles.

"That's exactly what we've been doing every day!"

Krein frowned.

"It'll be a little different."

Raon smiled slightly, telling them to look forward to it.

"Volunteers, raise your hand."

"I!"

"I'll go first!"

"Start with me!"

Unlike the times when they ran away at the mention of battles, all the members of the Light Wind division raised their hands. It seemed that being a spectator was more painful than the difficulty of battles and training.

"M-Me too..."

Seeing even Dorian, who normally only looked at his toes, raise his hand was heartwarming.

"I'd like to say 'Dorian, it's you', but I can't break the basic rules. Krein, come forward."

Raon smiled slightly and pointed at Krein with his Heavenly Drive.

"Ugh..."

Krein stepped forward, taking a deep breath.

"T-This time, I won't be defeated so easily..."

"Doesn't matter. What's your most reliable sword technique?"

"Eh? Me? Um, it's the Formless Sword..."

"Show me all the forms."

Raon took a step back as he instructed Krein to demonstrate his swordsmanship before they fought.

"Ah, understood."

Krein blinked, but he demonstrated all the forms of the Formless Sword. Raon observed all of Krein's swordsmanship through the Ring of Fire and licked his lips.

'The Phantom Sword, the Variable Sword, and the Quick Sword are harmonized properly. It's not a bad sword technique.'

After understanding all the forms and principles of the Formless Sword, he stepped forward.

"From now on, I will face you using only the Formless Sword."

"Eh? W-What do you mean..."

"Let's start right away."

Thinking that the conversation might drag on, he immediately demonstrated the second form of the Formless Sword.

Shing! The blade of the Heavenly Drive curved and split into three, causing Krein's eyes to widen.

"T-This is the real Formless Sword!"

"Think about how your sword differs from mine."

Raon pressed Krein with a tone as cold as his sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Krein broke out in a cold sweat, seemingly unable to believe he was being pushed back in his most reliable sword technique.

'What is this...'

Raon wasn't using Astral Energy or spilling a large amount of aura. He was using less aura than Krein, but it was difficult to block despite the forms being familiar. It was incredible that he had achieved such perfection after seeing it only once.

"Don't give up, observe until the end."

Raon advised the nervous Krein as he demonstrated the fifth form of the Formless Sword.

'This is the best way.'

Thanks to Glenn, he had an idea of how to train himself and how to nurture the Light Wind division. It was a training method beneficial to both, where he would learn the swordsmanship of the Light Wind division to broaden his knowledge of martial arts, while showing them how their swordsmanship could evolve and what level of perfection they could achieve, thus helping both sides grow.

"Uaaaaah!"

Krein shouted as he unleashed the fourth form of the Formless Sword. With a sharp sound, Raon deflected Krein's sword with the sixth form of the Formless Sword and struck his abdomen.

"Ugh..."

Krein, about to fall, forced himself to stand up and smiled.

"In the past, I would have despaired at the Division Leader's talent, but now it's different."

He bit his lip until it bled, but he didn't take his eyes off Raon's sword.

"I am Krein of the Light Wind division. I will not be the first to fall, but the first to advance."

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – MurimTang]

[Proofreader – Mayank]