Christian headed to the secret training ground.
Melin was humming a tune, leading the way.
Her face was visibly excited, filled with anticipation.
“Are you well-prepared?”
“Yes.”
Christian nodded.
“You can look forward to it.”
Melin glanced at Christian’s hand.
Christian was carrying a wrapped Grunade.
“Is that what you’re holding to face me?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. I don’t know what weapon it is, but weapons don’t close the skill gap.”
A true statement—it was better to be a master with a wooden sword than a novice with a legendary blade.
“But a superior weapon can help bridge the gap in strength.”
It was an intriguing thought.
Melin tilted her head curiously.
They soon arrived at the training ground.
It was an unofficial duel, yet Count Kazar and Theren had arrived early to observe.
But there was another, unfamiliar figure beside them.
‘A woman?’
She appeared to be in her early thirties.
However, the visible age was meaningless; mastering Magic could halt aging.
Her face seemed familiar.
Christian realized that she bore a striking resemblance to Count Kazar.
Characteristic dark hair and fiery eyes of a Dark Magus.
‘Ah.’
Recognizing her identity, Christian bowed in greeting.
“It is an honor to meet the Commander of the Black Shadow Knights.”
The Black Shadow Knights—the direct knight division of the main family!
‘A significant figure.’
Christian was slightly taken aback by the unexpected encounter.
The Black Shadow Knights served the Lord of Dark Magus, performing special missions and overseeing the family’s affairs.
This woman was a powerful among the Dark Magus.
And importantly.
The woman smiled gently.
“Yes, it has been a while, nephew.”
Calling him nephew… meaning she was a direct descendant of the Dark Magus.
She was the daughter of the Lord, currently acting on behalf of the Lord as the de facto head of the Dark Magus, Lady Regent of the House.
‘Why would such a significant figure appear suddenly?’
Count Kazar explained.
“Lady Merian came unofficially because of Butler Cox’s affair.”
For reference, Count Kazar was also the son of the current Lord.
Although he was the youngest son of the Lord, he had established his own branch family.
Commander Merian added.
“The Lord has taken an interest in this incident you’ve caused.”
This was unexpected.
‘I thought the Lord had completely withdrawn from family affairs?’
Sensing his confusion, Merian clarified.
“Wasn’t what you did quite audacious?”
“…”
“So, the Lord specifically ordered me to investigate this matter thoroughly.”
“Are you saying to properly investigate this incident?”
Christian looked troubled.
If the Lord intervened, it could complicate matters with Ashed. Unwelcome variables were not desirable.
But Merian shook her head.
“No, the Lord wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters of you kids. He specifically ordered me to check on you.”
“!!”
“He was curious about you.”
Christian swallowed hard.
This was unexpected.
But not necessarily bad.
‘An opportunity to catch the Lord’s eye.’
The Lord.
Duke Nordian, the sovereign of demons of the south-east.
If the Demon Emperor rules the empire and the Demon King rules the kingdoms, then the sovereigns are the grand dukes.
Duke Nordian was both the head of the Dark Magus and the ruler of the South-East of the Magic Empire.
A monster who has lived for over a hundred years as an 8-star Mage.
Currently, he had handed over all authority to his son, the current de-facto Duke, and was no longer involved in family affairs, but his presence was still felt strongly within the Dark Magus.
“So I decided to attend the duel when I heard it was happening.”
Merian looked curious.
“Is that alright? From what I see, you’re still at 1-star. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“A duel with Melin, yet you’re not even a 2-star.”
Merian continued.
“It’s not a duel for teaching, but I hear it’s a full-strength real fight. It seems like you’re not a match at all. Moreover, I heard that you proposed this duel?”
Merian did not seem pleased with this duel.
Those weaker acting presumptuously against the stronger was a trait many mages despised.
‘Especially since Merian is known to have an authoritative personality.’
Christian looked at Merian’s face.
While outwardly gentle, it was not so.
This woman was by no means an easygoing person.
‘Rather, she is utterly cold and rational. That’s why she oversees the Black Shadow Knights, which monitor the family. Once out of favor, there’s no looking back.’
In that sense, today was not a good day.
If Christian showed a disgraceful performance in today’s duel, Merian would evaluate him very poorly.
And that would reflect badly to the Lord, potentially disrupting his plans to secure control over the Dark Magus.
“How about it, would you like to call off the duel now?”
Merian gave Christian a chance.
Christian grinned slightly.
‘Even if I back down, she’ll think poorly of me.’
If he backed down now, that would also be a mark against him.
The dice were already casted.
“No, I will proceed.”
Christian turned to Melin.
Swoosh, the cloth he was holding fell.
Everyone’s eyes widened at the sight of the item wrapped within.
“I have my reasons for this choice.”
The broken holy sword Grunade was revealed.
* * *
“Could it be?”
“The Grunade?”
Everyone recognized the Grunade. Only young Theren blinked in confusion, unaware of what it was.
Merian asked, “Child, are you really planning to fight Melin with the Grunade?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Ha.”
Merian let out a scoff.
“I knew you were reckless, but to this extent, Ridan.”
“…Yes, sister.”
Ridan was Count Kazar’s name.
Ridan Van Berron Kazar was his full name.
“How did this happen? Haven’t you been bragging to me non-stop about how Christian has reformed from being a troublemaker?”
Count Kazar’s eyebrows twitched.
Unbeknownst to Christian, Kazar had been excessively boasting about his son to his sister.
“…He has changed. Christian is no longer the troublemaker he once was.”
“And yet he is using a holy sword in a duel? Even young mages who know nothing wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“……”
Count Kazar closed his mouth.
He didn’t know how to rebute.
What kind of mage announces they’ll use a holy sword?
‘Why would Christian make an eccentric action now?’
Count Kazar sighed internally.
He knew his son had changed.
He also knew well the unbelievable talent Christian possessed.
So, he had boasted extensively to his sister, who had long not seen him, but she didn’t seem convinced.
To the main family, Christian was nothing more than a troublemaker.
– I hope at least half of what you’ve said about his change is true.
Despite his sister’s skepticism, Count Kazar didn’t mind.
He thought that once she witnessed today’s duel, she would see how exceptional Christian was.
Of course, Count Kazar didn’t actually believe Christian could beat Melin.
That would be impossible.
However, he believed that even if Christian lost to Melin, his incredible talent would still show through impressively.
But then…
‘Bringing a holy sword to a duel is such an absurd action.’
Count Kazar furrowed his brow deeply.
Then, Christian’s puzzled voice was heard.
“Am I not allowed to use a holy sword in a duel? I was under the impression that it’s not prohibited.”
“Do you really not know?”
Merian shook her head in disapproval.
“Isn’t handling a holy sword not only impossible but also dangerous?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, the sacred power of the holy sword will consume you.”
Merian clicked her tongue.
‘Not only challenging a 4-star mage beyond his level but also bringing a holy sword.’
She thought she had seen enough.
‘I shouldn’t have come here.’
“Even the Lord failed to handle that broken holy sword. Stop this nonsense.”
This was unexpected.
The Duke Nordian, a Mage lord, had attempted to master this holy sword?
But he had failed.
“I see. I understand. But what about this?”
Click.
Christian released the seal that contained the holy sword’s sacred power.
Then he picked up the holy sword, and everyone gasped.
“Dangerous!!”
“Drop it quickly!”
The sacred power was about to be unleashed.
“Christian!! You fool!!!”
Count Kazar rushed forward frantically.
He tried to snatch the sword away before it could harm him.
But he was too far away.
‘No!!’
Count Kazar’s face turned pale as the sacred power was about to manifest.
But then.
Nothing happened.
“……”
“……”
“……”
The room fell silent.
Count Kazar stopped in his tracks.
The sacred power should have exploded by now… but all remained quiet.
Christian swung the holy sword around.
“It seems fine?”
Merian was baffled and after a long pause, asked, “Is that holy sword… broken?”
“Maybe? Would you like to try it?”
Christian tossed the Grunade to Merian.
She caught the holy sword and her eyes widened.
Fwoosh!
The sacred power manifested.
Of course, Merian wasn’t harmed.
Being a high-level 6-star mage, she quickly generated magi to counteract the sacred power.
Sizzle!
It was like fire meeting water, the opposing forces clashed, and Merian hastily threw the holy sword to the ground.
“It doesn’t seem broken, does it?”
“What on earth is this?”
Merian looked at Christian in disbelief.
Not just her.
Count Kazar, Melin, and even Theren stared at Christian with wide eyes.
Christian picked up the rolling holy sword.
The holy sword in Christian’s hand remained calm.
“How did you do it?”
“Well? It just worked?”
“…What? That’s impossible!”
“Of course, it’s a business secret. I can’t tell you. But, let me give you a hint. Aunt, do you know why I became a troublemaker?”
“…Was it not because you were arrogant about your talent?”
“Bingo. So, how do you suppose I can handle the holy sword?”
Merian fell silent upon understanding Christian’s words.
Incredibly, he was now suggesting to her that he could handle the holy sword because he was a genius!
“…Even the Lord, noted as a genius in the history of the Dark Magus, could not subdue the Grunade.”
A statement telling him not to be arrogant.
However, Christian boldly countered.
“Is that so? Strange, it works for me. Could it be that I am a greater genius than even the Lord?”
“…What?”
Christian chuckled.
“In any case, the only thing I can tell you is this: In the entire Magic Empire, I, Christian, am the only one who can handle the Grunade.”
He aimed the holy sword at Melin.
“The introduction has been lengthy. Let’s begin now.”
The duel began.
