"However, before that…."
Glenn's red eyes calmed deeply.
"Continue what you were doing."
"Are you referring to training?"
Raon asked, looking at the Heavenly Drive, which reflected the moonlight thinly.
"You said you captured Kaivar, so show me how much you've grown."
"As I mentioned in the Lord's Manor, I didn't do it alone. Aunt… no, Alice took care of the hard parts, and I merely delivered the final blow."
"..."
Glenn pressed his lips tightly and frowned. His expression wasn't good. It seemed it was because Raon had brought up the subject of his aunt again.
'He really dislikes it.'
Raon vowed never to mention his aunt in front of Glenn again and raised his sword.
"Then I'll warm up lightly."
Raon lifted the Heavenly Drive high. He gripped the hilt with both hands and concentrated his mind, cutting the moonlight reflected on the lake.
Whoooosh!
It was a downward slash that even a five-year-old child could manage, but Raon's sword, which had never skipped basic training even for a day, was different.
It was refined as if angled, free as if it could touch anything, and sharp as if it could cut anything.
From the vertical slash to the horizontal and diagonal slashes and even the thrusts. Raon executed the basic swordsmanship, which he could perform with his eyes closed, with full concentration and muscle focus.
He also demonstrated the initial moves of the Fangs of Insanity and Blizzard Sword Art as if it were a real battle, then wiped the sweat off and turned around.
"You haven't neglected basic swordsmanship until now."
Glenn released his crossed arms, frowning slightly.
"Yes. I continued as long as I had time."
"Why? You've polished the basics to the point where you could perform them with your eyes closed."
"Because the sword I aim for is one that encompasses all swords, like yours. I thought if the foundation wavers, my sword itself would collapse."
Raon honestly conveyed what he had thought while training basic swordsmanship.
"Excellent."
Glenn nodded, covering his mouth with his hand. His fingers seemed to tremble subtly.
"I wondered how you honed your mental world to the point of defeating a Grandmaster, and it was thanks to your dedication to the basics."
"Th-thank you."
Raon bowed his head in astonishment.
'I didn't expect such direct praise….'
Glenn was not one to praise lightly. When he said something was excellent, he genuinely meant it. It was rewarding to have focused on basic swordsmanship.
"That foundation is what brought you to the Sword Domain. It's still incomplete, but how did it feel to use the Sword Domain for the first time?"
"It felt like borrowing the power of a more advanced version of myself."
When he unleashed the Divine-Demonic Harmony, he felt as if he was drawing upon his future swordsmanship and Aura.
"Not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either."
Glenn's eyes, etched with wrinkles, narrowed slightly.
"The Sword Domain brings the strength of your imagination into reality, something you can currently handle."
"The strength of imagination…."
"That's why your life and sword are imbued in the Sword Domain."
"Ah…."
So, that's why I used both swords and cold energy.
Thanks to Glenn's advice, I understood a bit more about how my Sword Domain was formed and how I should develop it.
His single piece of advice felt like it broadened my mental world.
"One more thing."
As Raon was about to express his gratitude, Glenn continued.
"When you master many swords, you may focus on the familiar ones and neglect the lacking ones. Even if it's painful, face your weaknesses."
He seemed pleased with Raon's answer about basic swordsmanship and offered a second piece of advice.
"I will keep that in mind."
Raon etched Glenn's words into his heart, deciding to refine his unmastered sword techniques in tomorrow's training.
Snap!
Glenn lightly snapped his fingers. A graceful glow spread like the softly setting moonlight, and an antique box appeared in midair. He grabbed the box and held it out.
"Take it."
"This is…."
"You mentioned it in the audience chamber. You'll receive it later regarding the matter with Kaivar."
Raon nodded slightly as he received the box from Glenn.
'So this is why he came.'
Now he understood why Glenn had come to the annex. He was here to give advice and this box as a reward for capturing Kaivar.
"It's a Red Flow Pill. It's an elixir made by harmonizing the internal elixir with fire-attributed spiritual herbs. It will go well with the Azure Cleansing Pill I gave you earlier. Take them together."
"Thank you."
Raon tightly held the red-tinged box and bowed his head to Glenn.
"Um…."
"What is it?"
"There was actually an incident when we captured Kaivar."
Raon explained how the Dragon Lord had appeared and threatened him.
"Dragons are a species that are natural enemies to humans. Cities collapse and hundreds die from a mere flick of their tail. Especially dragons like Kaivar, who harbor a hatred for humans, are a catastrophe."
Glenn twisted his mouth as if he already knew about Kaivar's atrocities.
"What you did was right and just. Don't mind what the Dragon Lord said. If you meet him again, call me immediately."
He frowned, stating that dragons are arrogant beings who think they alone are righteous.
"Understood."
Hearing Glenn's words relieved Raon's heart. It felt like he wouldn't be afraid even if ancient dragons rushed at him.
"..."
"..."
The two stood silently, staring at each other for a while.
"Hmm…."
Raon narrowed his eyes, looking at Glenn, who was pursing his lips.
'What's he doing?'
Having given advice and an elixir, Glenn unusually stayed without leaving.
'Is he communicating with someone?'
Raon wondered if Glenn was sending an Aura message to someone, but suddenly, Glenn gestured to him.
"Show me your advanced swordsmanship as well. It seems what I've given isn't enough, so I'll evaluate your martial arts."
"Yes? Ah, yes!"
Though he felt it was enough, Raon saw it as a good opportunity and demonstrated the sword techniques he had developed himself, along with the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Azure Sky Sword.
"The techniques from the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation are strong, but they don't quite fit you as you are now. Adjust them to match your sense. The sword forms you created yourself…."
Glenn watched all the techniques and provided calm yet difficult advice.
Though it was hard to understand immediately, Raon was always grateful for such guidance.
Despite finishing all the swordsmanship training, Glenn didn't leave, looking up at the night sky while rubbing his fingers.
Seeing the annex behind Glenn, Raon clenched his fists.
'I don't know why he's staying, but now is my chance.'
He decided to bring up the resolve he made after seeing Sylvia in the dining hall and approached Glenn.
"Head of house."
"Say what…"
Raon stopped calling Glenn and raised his hand.
"Please go ahead."
"No, you speak first."
Glenn shook his hand, saying it was fine.
"Well, my mother's energy center and mana circuit will recover soon."
Raon nodded and began to speak what he had organized in his mind.
"Are you going to use the Dragon Heart?"
Glenn looked at Ensia's room, which exuded a strong mana scent, as if he already knew the method.
"Yes. I plan to create my mother's energy center with the Dragon Heart given by Alice to restore her former martial prowess."
Raon approached Glenn and knelt.
"The reason you don't want me to call Alice my aunt is probably because I'm still a collateral branch."
"..."
"I know I can't become a direct descendant with just the seven Golden Tablets I currently have."
If he combined the official and unofficial tablets he had received, there were seven in total.
It wasn't a small number, but it was far from enough to overcome the obstacles posed by the direct descendants and restore Sylvia's status.
'That's why I have to take a gamble….'
Raon looked into Glenn's eyes, which were filled with emptiness, with determination blazing in his own eyes.
"Please restore Sylvia Zieghart to direct lineage with the Golden Tablets I've collected and by winning a duel with the King next year."
"..."
Glenn didn't answer. He covered his mouth with his large hand and trembled slightly. His sharp gaze dropped as he fell into thought.
"The King is strong. Even though he's a Grandmaster like the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's disciple you defeated, his level and experience are different."
"I understand."
Raon nodded. He still couldn't forget the King's overwhelming aura. He knew better than anyone how strong he was.
"You still intend to try?"
"The me of that day will be different from the me of now."
"Do you have confidence in your growth?"
"Yes."
Raon spoke calmly and confidently.
"You're right. Even with seven Golden Tablets, it's not easy to make Sylvia a direct descendant. But…."
Glenn's red eyes reflected Raon's eyes, which were just like his own.
"If you achieve the feat of defeating the King at the age of 22, it's a condition I can accept."
He nodded sharply.
"In the name of the head of house, I will accept your terms."
"Thank you!"
Raon bowed deeply to Glenn.
"No need to thank me. It's not yet accomplished."
Glenn waved his hand, saying to thank him after everything was over.
"Then what you were going to say…."
Raon stood up and brought up Glenn's interrupted words.
"..."
Glenn didn't speak for a while, then turned his head.
"It's nothing."
"What? But you said you had…."
"I said if you have nothing to do, then train."
"Ah…."
"I'll be going now."
Glenn suddenly frowned as if upset and disappeared.
Raon tilted his head, looking at where Glenn had been.
'Why is the ground so torn up?'
Glenn left the annex's lake and headed towards the middle of North Grave Mountain.
"Sigh…."
Rimmer, who had been leaning against the Tiger Rock, let out a deep sigh.
"Why did you go to hear 'grandfather' and come back just like that!"
He shook his head, unable to understand Glenn.
"Hahaha."
Roenn, who had been holding a booklet, laughed lightly.
"Grr…."
Glenn lowered the hand that had been covering his mouth in front of the two. The corners of his mouth, which had been raised to the sky, trembled.
"Isn't he too adorable?"
"Huh? What are you…."
Rimmer blinked, looking at Glenn.
"Sticking to basic swordsmanship and achieving the Sword Domain at such a young age is impressive, but giving the Dragon Heart to his mother right away is too admirable. Without hesitation, he used the Dragon Heart, an elixir that could be called a miraculous item, to create Sylvia's energy center! Where did such a kind and good child come from!"
Glenn clenched his fists, unable to contain his pride for his grandson. His immense Willpower spread like a spider web, shaking the entire North Grave Mountain.
"Then hug your grandson!"
Rimmer covered his forehead, saying to show it in front of Raon instead of here.
"Hahaha, head of house, please calm down."
Roenn shook his head, trying to prevent the mountain from collapsing at midnight.
"How can I calm down! I've never seen such a child in my life. It's not just because he's my grandson; he's someone who would be praised anywhere!"
Glenn rapidly spoke the words he had been holding back in front of Raon.
"I know best that Raon is a good child! But right now, the important thing is hearing 'grandfather'!"
"Didn't Raon tell you?"
"What?"
Rimmer tilted his head, wondering what Glenn meant.
"He said he would defeat the King next year and call me grandfather."
"When did he…."
"Didn't he say he would restore Sylvia to direct lineage with the achievements and Golden Tablets? If Sylvia becomes a direct descendant, Raon will naturally become one too, and call me grandfather! He asked me to wait for that!"
Glenn scolded Rimmer for not understanding Raon's grand plan.
"You can't see Raon's great ambition."
"Ugh…."
Rimmer clutched his stomach. It seemed that Glenn was so blinded by his love for Raon that no words would get through.
"I wish Sheryl were here."
Rimmer sighed deeply, missing the rational voice that could speak properly but was absent due to missions.
"It's not far now."
Glenn cautiously rubbed his hands together, saying he would be called grandfather next year.
"Roenn."
"Yes, head of house."
"Have you added today's events to the Raon Chronicle?"
"Of course."
Roenn smiled, opening the booklet on his waist.
"I recorded his philosophy on basic swordsmanship, using the Dragon Heart for Sylvia, and his declaration to defeat the King and restore Sylvia to direct lineage."
He recited Raon's words, showing the booklet. The white paper depicted Raon making his bold declaration with determined eyes.
"Your drawing skills have improved."
"Haha, I practiced daily for this day."
Roenn laughed, saying he had been taking art lessons daily to draw Raon.
"You're all insane…."
Rimmer shook his head, looking at the laughing Glenn and Roenn.
"Get a grip."
Glenn frowned at Rimmer.
"It's a long way for Raon to defeat the King. Train him properly so he can grow."
"That's my duty. But I need your help as well."
"What do you want me to help with?"
"The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance is beyond me, but I can't leave the Dragon Sword Master alone. Help me kill my enemy…."
A wind filled with murderous intent blew over Rimmer's green eyes.
"Please help with my training too."
"Hmm…."
Rokan Sullion bit his lips lightly.
Though he should be happiest because his youngest daughter returned safely, his mood kept sinking.
The reason for his low mood was simple.
"Raon moved us all to the Owen Kingdom and stayed in the forest alone. He used some kind of barrier…."
For four hours after his lovely youngest daughter returned, all she talked about was Raon. It made him feel twisted inside.
'That guy is amazing. I know. I'm grateful to him.'
Raon saved Runaan, made her stronger, and even brightened her up. Naturally, he was grateful.
But hearing Raon's name nonstop from Runaan's mouth as a father was irritating.
"Then Raon went to the sea…."
"Ahem, let's stop talking about that boy and talk about you instead."
Rokan waved his hand gently, telling Runaan to talk about herself.
"Dad was too busy to see you much when I visited Owen. What were you doing there?"
"You be quiet for a bit. So? What happened next?"
On the other hand, Rokan's wife and Runaan's mother, Clara, waved her hand, telling Runaan to continue, as she found it cute that Runaan, who usually wasn't talkative, was eagerly talking about Raon.
"Um, after that…."
Runaan explained everything that had happened up until now, then placed the Golden Tablet and the elixir on the table.
"Thanks to Raon, we all got the Golden Tablet."
She caressed the tablet, emphasizing that it was thanks to Raon, not her own achievement.
"No! That's not because of that Raon guy, but because you did well…."
"What?"
When Rokan referred to Raon as 'that guy,' Runaan glared at him with her blank eyes.
"Ahem, um, Handsome Raon…."
When he called him Handsome Raon, Runaan's frown disappeared.
"That guy, no, Handsome Raon saved you, but you also saved him! That's what comrades do. Don't be just grateful!"
Rokan shook his head, saying that comrades support each other.
"Your dad is right. You should be proud of risking your life for your comrades."
Clara stroked Runaan's head, smiling.
"Ah, I don't know!"
Rokan was about to down an entire bottle of alcohol when the dining room door opened softly, and Syria Sullion entered with a cold smile.
"Oh? Syria!"
"Syria? What brings you here at this hour?"
Clara and Rokan smiled brightly at Syria, who had suddenly returned.
"Ah…."
Meanwhile, Runaan dropped the ice cream she was holding and her hands trembled as she saw Syria's smiling face.
"I heard Runaan had returned, so I stopped by."
Syria smiled, taking off his snow-dusted coat.
"You were having dinner."
"Have you eaten?"
"No, not yet."
"Prepare some food!"
"Are you hungry? Just a moment."
Rokan ordered the kitchen to warm up some food, and Clara smiled, brushing snow off Syria's hair.
"Yes, I'm very hungry."
Syria licked his lips, looking at Runaan's trembling hands.
"I've been waiting a long time."