As soon as Raon left the alley where Rector's mansion was located, he encountered a man walking like a scarecrow.
'What an unusual person.'
He was extremely tall, with long white hair completely covering his face. The aura emanating from him wasn't particularly strong, but it felt solid. Having vowed to challenge the first person he met, Raon immediately bowed his head.
"Are you a swordsman? Would you accept my challenge?"
"..."
The white-haired man didn't answer immediately, instead staring intently at Raon's face.
'What's this? Has he figured out my identity?'
-What are you doing?
As Raon sensed something odd about the situation, Wrath tapped his head.
-Did you challenge him after assessing his skills?
'Skills?'
Raon lowered his eyebrows and looked at the white-haired man again.
'What skills are you talking about... huh?'
As he activated the Ring of Fire, he sensed a pulsating aura within the white-haired man's energy center. An immense energy that could encompass the entire Holy Sword Alliance lay dormant in that slender body.
'What is this....'
It was the aura of a Transcendent Warrior, a realm even he, at the peak of Grandmaster, couldn't reach.
'A Transcendent Warrior from the start, should I consider myself lucky...?'
He had challenged the man without much thought while arguing with Wrath about food, but it turned out to be a Transcendent Warrior. Even Raon found it absurd.
"An outsider, are you?"
The white-haired man spoke for the first time. His tone was gruff yet slow, suggesting a naturally laid-back personality.
"I just joined the Holy Sword Alliance."
"How old are you?"
"Mid-twenties."
The glinting eyes beneath the white hair seemed to have already finished assessing him. Feeling that lies wouldn't work, Raon truthfully stated his age.
"...As I thought, it doesn't make sense."
The white-haired man sighed and shook his head.
"Why did you come here?"
"To gain knowledge."
Raon gave another sincere answer to the second question.
"I see...."
The white-haired man nodded calmly and raised his right hand.
"It's about time I accepted a challenge anyway, so this isn't bad."
He wiggled his fingers as if inviting Raon to come at him.
"You don't have a sword...?"
Raon's voice carried a hint of annoyance, thinking it impolite to fight without a sword even against a Transcendent Warrior.
"This is sufficient."
The white-haired man calmly nodded, implying his hands were enough.
"You'll regret it if you underestimate me."
"I'm not underestimating you."
He spread his fingers with a serene gaze.
"If you say so...."
Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
'I'll end this in one go.'
Planning to subdue him quickly without a sword before moving to a second round, Raon stepped forward with his left foot.
With a thunderous sound, Raon closed the distance with the white-haired man and drew his sword. As he aimed for the chest with his sword-drawing technique, a white flash appeared before his eyes. Suddenly, Raon found himself suspended in mid-air, upside down. The white-haired man had somehow approached and grabbed him by the collar.
'What is this!'
Even though his opponent wasn't holding a sword, Raon hadn't let his guard down against a Transcendent Warrior. The movement was so natural that it felt as if his collar had been in the white-haired man's grasp from the start.
'Damn it.'
Raon didn't draw the Heavenly Drive but instead reached out with both hands to grasp the white-haired man's wrist. With a burst of energy, he used his core and abdominal strength to lift the white-haired man's body in reverse.
"Hmm?"
The white-haired man frowned, seemingly not expecting his own body to be lifted. Realizing he was at a disadvantage, he released Raon's collar and stepped back.
"Huff...."
Raon exhaled heavily as he landed on the ground.
"What did you just..."
"You're not just a simple prodigy."
The white-haired man bent his knees slightly and curled his fingers.
"What do you mean?"
"Those who rely solely on talent would try to draw their sword even when lifted like that. That's when it's perfect to break their wrist and end it."
He clicked his tongue, seemingly disappointed that the duel was prolonged.
"Wrist...."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he smoothed out his crumpled collar.
'His movements were strange.'
The fluid posture and movements didn't match his tall stature. This man didn't seem like a simple swordsman.
'I should be careful of his footwork....'
Just as Raon thought he should be cautious of the man's footwork, the white-haired man vanished. His presence reappeared not to the sides or behind, but directly in front. The man's broom-like hand once again lunged towards Raon's neck.
'I'll cut him.'
As Raon retreated diagonally to the left and tried to draw the Heavenly Drive, the white-haired man, as if predicting his movement, extended his hand even faster and stronger.
'It's the same situation again!'
Facing the risk of being grabbed by the collar once more, Raon raised his left hand that was holding the scabbard. With a burst of energy, the white-haired man, as if predicting this move, reached from below and grasped Raon's left wrist.
As Raon tried to use his aura to prevent being lifted, his legs suddenly weakened, and his body floated into the air.
'What now!'
But there was no time to be surprised. The white-haired man's fist was diving in like a dagger, aiming for Raon's chest.
'Defend? No, I'll clash head-on!'
The instincts honed through countless battles urged him to attack rather than defend. Raon thrust out his fist imbued with Glacier's cold energy towards the front.
"What beastly instincts."
The white-haired man muttered in admiration as he clashed fists with Raon. A powerful shockwave erupted as their aura-infused fists collided. However, the white-haired man's offensive wasn't over. He extended his long hand once again to grab Raon's collar.
This time, Raon's head was plummeting towards the ground before he could react. As he tried to use his aura to protect his neck and the back of his head, his body went limp. It felt like sinking into deep water, unable to resist. Unable to fight back, Raon's head plunged into the ground.
However, by forcibly tensing his neck muscles at the last moment, he managed to avoid losing consciousness.
"This ends it..."
"Who says it's over!"
The moment the white-haired man removed his hand, thinking Raon had fainted, Raon raised his upper body and threw a punch. The white-haired man, though surprised, managed to block Raon's fist with his palm, but couldn't avoid the fierce wind that blew his hair back, revealing his face.
A nose bridge as sharp as a blade and brilliantly shining golden eyes.
Despite his strange behavior, his appearance was so striking it wouldn't be odd to call him peerless.
"You withstood that?"
The white-haired man stared wide-eyed, seemingly unaware that his face had been revealed.
"It hurts, but not enough to knock me out."
Raon furrowed his brow as he pushed the white-haired man away with his fist.
"Your endurance is beastly too."
The white-haired man shook his head in disbelief.
"I'm suddenly feeling tired, so shall we end it here for today?"
He clicked his tongue briefly while looking up at the sky.
"I haven't even drawn my sword yet."
Raon tapped the Heavenly Drive still in its scabbard.
"Then let's do this."
The white-haired man straightened his upper body and raised his right hand.
"No matter what sword technique you use, I'll receive it with one hand from this position. That'll be the end. How about it?"
He wiggled his finger, indicating he would fight to the end if he retreated or used both hands.
"Alright."
Raon nodded. He had no intention of seeing this through to the end anyway, so it seemed best to be satisfied with exchanging techniques for today. He drew the Heavenly Drive and lowered his stance. The white-haired man stood still in his initial posture, as if inviting Raon to try anything.
However, his golden eyes now held an even deeper light than before.
'Whatever happens, I have to clash.'
Raon advanced with his right foot and swung the Heavenly Drive upward from the ground. The flames burning above the sword's edge connected like a mighty river, forming a massive wave. It was the finishing move of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, the Flame and Ice Unification. As the blood-red flames rose like a storm, resembling a snake's tongue, the white-haired man's right hand extended fully.
Like an orchestra conductor, following the sweep of his hand, the red wave subsided, and the intense flames dissipated. Even the flow of the Heavenly Drive tracing the path of the Flame and Ice Unification came to a halt.
'What in the...'
As Raon widened his eyes in disbelief, the white-haired man's hand was already at his throat.
"That should do it, right?"
The white-haired man nodded lightly and dusted off his hands.
"Well then."
He left Raon behind and entered the city without any lingering attachment.
'Just now...'
Raon recalled the recent memory.
'Did he erase the Flame and Ice Unification itself?'
The white-haired man had just nullified both the aura and the sword's path of the Flame and Ice Unification. It was incomprehensible, as it would be impossible without knowing his sword technique.
-You saw it correctly.
Wrath smirked as he looked back.
-That bamboo-like fellow just quelled the flow of your sword technique completely. Interesting guy.
He cackled as if enjoying Raon's defeat.
'Is it possible to break down a sword technique after seeing it just once?'
-Do you have no conscience? Isn't that exactly what you've been doing all along!
Wrath waved his hand up and down, telling Raon to think from the opponent's perspective.
'Come to think of it, you're right. Wait, then...'
Could that white-haired man see other people's sword techniques like I use the Ring of Fire? Raon licked his lips as he looked back.
-That's probably it. The worst enemy for a swordsman...
'That sounds interesting.'
Confident that continuing to duel with that man would help eliminate his weaknesses and make him stronger, Raon couldn't help but smile.
-As I sense it...
Wrath shook his head.
-You're an even bigger mad person than that crazy woman!
* * *
The door of the Holy Sword Alliance Leader's mansion opened, and the white-haired man strode in without hesitation.
"Alliance Leader...."
The white-haired man entered Rector's office and sat down on the sofa.
"What on earth did you bring here?"
He frowned, as if unable to comprehend something.
"What are you talking about?"
Rector put down his documents and tilted his chin.
"You felt it too, didn't you?"
The white-haired man sighed and looked into Rector's calm eyes.
"Who is that monster I just fought?"
"How was that child?"
"Child? I'm not sure if a beast progressing towards completion can be called a child..."
He shook his head, saying it was beyond his understanding.
"He's still far from complete."
Rector waved his hand, indicating it wasn't that serious.
"It's my first time seeing you like this, Alliance Leader. Are you thinking of taking him as a disciple?"
"Mustan is enough as my disciple. The child you call a beast is..."
He nodded with a deep smile.
"My grandson."
Contrary to saying they needed to hide his identity, Rector immediately revealed Raon's true nature. He seemed to trust the white-haired man.
"Huh...?"
The white-haired man's lips trembled.
"Then could it be Edgar's..."
"That's right. He's that fellow's son."
"No, what's this all of a sudden..."
He grabbed his forehead, as if unable to process the situation.
"I'll explain everything soon."
Rector told him to wait a little longer as he lowered his hand.
"The Alliance Leader's grandson and Edgar's son. Now I understand that talent."
The white-haired man nodded heavily, saying he somewhat understood now.
"My grandson is indeed special."
Rector curled his lips, seemingly pleased with the praise for Raon.
"Still, I didn't expect you to immediately use the Reverse Wave Arts."
"That was just because I was annoyed... Hey! You pretended not to know, but you knew everything!"
The white-haired man frowned at Rector.
"Ahem! So, what did you think of clashing with my grandson?"
Rector changed the subject, asking about the duel.
"He used a highly refined sword technique. But it was absurd how he tried to create new variations within the Reverse Wave Arts."
He bit his lip, saying that part was the most surprising.
"Anyway, he was like a beast."
He shook his head, saying it wasn't the type he wanted to deal with.
"But I won't have to deal with him anymore."
The white-haired man waved his hand disinterestedly and entered the mansion's kitchen. He filled a cloth bundle with ingredients and returned to the living room.
"Since I played with the Alliance Leader's grandson, I can take this much, right?"
The white-haired man wiggled his hand as if saying goodbye and turned around.
"Lawrence."
When Rector called his name, the white-haired man stopped abruptly.
"My grandson's true talent isn't in martial arts or swordsmanship."
He shook his head with a gentle smile.
"You'd better prepare yourself."
Rector turned his head and resumed examining his documents, as if he had said all he needed to say.
"Hmph..."
Lawrence stared at Rector for a moment, snorted, and went outside.
"I didn't expect them to meet so soon, but it seems..."
As soon as the mansion door closed, Rector curled his lips.
"Things are going to get interesting."
* * *
"Wow, you fought well! It's the first time I've seen someone last that long against Lawrence!"
The black-haired old man clapped, saying it was beyond expectations.
"Not falling for that gloomy guy's tricks, your battle sense is amazing!"
The red-haired old man nodded, chuckling heartily.
"You two..."
Raon blinked at the two old men blocking his path. While he had been reviewing his duel with the white-haired man, these two had suddenly appeared before him.
"Ah, I'm a Sword Lord. The Demon Sword Lord. And this guy is..."
"I'll introduce myself. I'm the String Sword Lord."
The black-haired old man and the red-haired old man introduced themselves as the Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord respectively.
'Weren't they part of the Council of Elders?'
Judging by their intense aura and age, Raon had thought they were part of the Council of Elders, but they were active Sword Lords.
"You came with the Alliance Leader, right?"
"That's correct."
Raon nodded as he sheathed the Heavenly Drive.
"Are you joining the Holy Sword Alliance? Who are the kids that came with you? How far have you mastered the sword?"
The red-haired old man fired questions without waiting for answers.
"Why are you hiding your face and hair color? Are you famous? Can't you tell us your name?"
The black-haired old man, not wanting to lose out, bombarded Raon with questions as well.
"Ah, I haven't joined..."
As Raon tried to answer the first question, he heard light footsteps from behind. It was the white-haired man he had just dueled with. He was approaching with his face hidden by his hair again, carrying a bundle on his back.
"Hmm..."
"Ahem..."
The Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord closed their chattering mouths, whistling and coughing while looking elsewhere.
"...Don't talk nonsense."
The white-haired man frowned at the two old men as if warning them, then glanced at Raon before heading up the mountain.
"Who is that person?"
"Him? That son of a bitch!"
The red-haired old man furrowed his brow as he watched the white-haired man's back.
"That ungrateful Lawrence! We raised him openly, but once he got a bit stronger, he became a tyrant and only causes trouble!"
The black-haired old man gritted his teeth in agreement.
"So his name is Lawrence."
Raon licked his lips. It was a name that both didn't suit and suited his appearance, which made him smile.
"He's more vicious than his name suggests!"
"That's right. When we're just having fun, he goes berserk saying it's noisy and throws things at us! Even if it's not a duel, he loses it even over verbal arguments!"
The red-haired old man shook his head, calling Lawrence crazy.
-Even the Demon King doesn't bother people when they're eating! What trash!
'The Demon King would die if he bothered you...'
Raon shook his head and then suddenly stopped.
'He throws things when it gets noisy...'
A good idea came to mind, and he raised his head.
"Where do you two usually duel?"
"The middle of the mountain behind us. It's close to that damn guy's cave, but there's no better place."
The black-haired old man licked his lips, saying it was the perfect place for a duel.
"Now, how about a duel with me?"
The red-haired old man rubbed his hands together, suggesting a match.
"No! I'm first!"
The black-haired old man gritted his teeth, accusing the other of cutting in line.
"..."
Raon raised his hand, looking at the two growling old men.
"I'll duel both of you. But..."
He curled his lips while looking at the mountain behind them.
"Will you grant me a favor?"
* * *
Lawrence put down the bundle containing food supplies at the back of the cave that served as his dwelling and straightened his back.
'Edgar's son...'
He frowned, looking at the hand that had clashed with Raon's sword earlier.
'He's certainly different.'
In that brief moment, to try to counter his Reverse Wave Arts - that was an ability beyond the realm of mere talent.
'But he said martial arts isn't his true talent?'
Rector had said his grandson's true talent wasn't martial arts. Lawrence suddenly became curious about what it could be.
'No.'
It has nothing to do with me. Since he wouldn't move from this place, it didn't matter what talents that child possessed. He lay down on the bed made of tree branches, intending to take a nap after moving his body for the first time in a while.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, the ground began to shake violently, and bursts of aura exploded from all directions.
"Ugh..."
Lawrence raised his body with a furrowed brow.
"These old men. I told them not to fight here..."
Whether they had gone deaf with age or simply didn't listen, they never heeded his words no matter how many times he told them. Irritated, he jumped out of the cave, only to find not just the two old men, but one more person added to the mix.
"Why are you..."
Rector's grandson, who had surprised him earlier, was clashing swords with the String Sword Lord.
"What a coincidence."
Rector's grandson grinned and tilted his head.
"How about exchanging a few more moves while we're at it?"