'How far can I go...?'
Raon clenched his fists as he repeated Glenn's words.
'What did he mean by that?'
Karoon Zieghart had shed his inferiority complex and become a completely different person. Now that there was no reason for conflict between them, Raon couldn't understand why Glenn wanted him to consider how far he could go.
However, he couldn't ignore Glenn's words. Even when Glenn seemed to speak casually, there was always an important meaning hidden within.
'I guess I'll just observe for now, as he said.'
Regardless of Glenn's words, just watching the duel between Transcendent Warriors would be of great help to him, so Raon resonated the Ring of Fire to heighten his concentration.
"We have an uninvited guest."
Karoon clicked his tongue briefly as he noticed Raon standing next to Glenn. Despite his words, his expression didn't seem particularly bothered.
"I invited him, so he's not uninvited."
Glenn calmly shook his head.
"If you dislike it, I'll send him away, but since we've met, I called him to at least watch."
He shrugged, leaving the decision to Karoon.
"I don't mind."
Karoon shook his chin with a calm gaze.
"I wasn't planning to reveal my full strength to the Head of House anyway."
He flexed his fingers, implying that he was going to hide his true abilities from Glenn as well.
"Is that so."
Glenn nodded with a faint smile.
"Then let's start without wasting time."
He lightly dusted off his hands and walked to the center of the training ground.
"Understood."
Karoon glanced at Raon for a moment before silently drawing his sword.
"Hmm..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed Karoon's stance.
'He seems to have gotten stronger?'
Although not much time had passed since Karoon had ascended to Transcendence, his caliber seemed completely different from before.
-It's not just that he seems stronger, he has definitely become stronger.
Wrath frowned as he looked at Karoon.
'Really?'
-Indeed. He has stabilized the chaotic state he was in when he first ascended to Transcendence, and it seems he has grown externally as well, though I'm not sure how.
The entity nodded, saying Raon would understand when he saw it.
"I'll make the first move."
Karoon raised his sword with an elegant posture, as if demonstrating noble etiquette. A noble yet sharp aura rose straight up from the blade.
"Very well."
Glenn nodded calmly, as if welcoming any attack, and drew his Heavenly Tremor. His eyes sharpened like the gleam on the blade, showing he wouldn't hold back. Before the sound of their footsteps crushing the earth could fully resonate, Glenn and Karoon clashed at the center of the training ground. The clash of their swords rang out.
As their swords collided, black sparks erupted in the air, and dark fissures appeared. True to their natures, neither Glenn nor Karoon gave an inch as they clashed head-on.
"Hmm!"
Glenn curled his lips as he observed Karoon's aura enveloping his blade like a thin silk.
"Now you've reached a level where you can be called a Transcendent Warrior without shame."
He rubbed his chin, seemingly satisfied with his son's growth.
"You can use a bit more strength."
Karoon exerted pressure on Glenn's entire body while unleashing a sharp energy wave.
"It's just a light sparring, no need to get so worked up."
Despite his words about light sparring, Glenn unleashed a dense Lightning Aura, pushing Karoon back. Unable to withstand the power contained in Glenn's Heavenly Tremor, Karoon was sent flying backward. The sheer force left deep imprints on the ground.
"Surely you're not spent already?"
Glenn tilted his chin provocatively.
"No. This is just the beginning."
Karoon executed a footwork technique, bending his ankle so much that the toe of his shoe crumpled. His movements were swift and direct, exuding sharpness. The noble swordsman's resolve to fight with his honed sword techniques, without resorting to tricks, was palpable. His sword sliced through the air with a sharp sound.
Karoon's determined sword strike pierced through the lightning shield Glenn had created, thrusting its sharp edge inward.
"Very good."
Glenn received Karoon's sword with a thin smile. Despite blocking the Willpower-infused strike of a Transcendent Warrior head-on, the Heavenly Tremor remained steady.
"It's the Bright Manifestation Sword."
Karoon announced the name of his sword technique as he straightened his wrist and forearm. An elegant yet direct sword strike, imbued with extreme sharpness, shot towards Glenn's vital points. The strike was fast, sharp, solid, and grand. Karoon had refined these four qualities to their limits to achieve Transcendence.
The ideal swordsmanship that Burren pursued was manifested in Karoon's hands.
"Now this is exciting!"
Glenn received Karoon's sword with a hearty laugh. As power, speed, and exquisite sword techniques collided in rapid succession, powerful shockwaves exploded in all directions. The ground trembled. Raon swallowed hard as he watched Glenn unleashing destructive lightning and Karoon displaying noble, fluid movements.
'So this is what a duel between Transcendent Warriors looks like...'
Glenn and Karoon thrust fierce sword techniques at each other without giving an inch, as if engaged in a life-or-death battle rather than a sparring match. Even though Glenn was likely using less than half of his true strength, it was impressive that Karoon could keep up like this.
"Spear Sword Stance."
Karoon thrust forward the sword he had pulled back behind his waist. The immense energy concentrated in the blade swirled and rotated, creating a single point that generated an extremely powerful wave.
"Lightning Flower Dance."
Glenn raised the Heavenly Tremor, scraping the ground. The lightning burning on the blade bloomed into a magnificent bud, unfurling into a red flower. As the Transcendent Warriors' ultimate techniques collided, the entire training ground shook as if it would collapse. However, neither of them showed any signs of stopping, exchanging increasingly rapid sword strikes.
The air hummed with energy. Raon's red eyes glinted as he moved his fingertips incessantly, as if he had directly inserted himself into Glenn and Karoon's duel. It seemed as though he was determined to master all of their sword techniques.
* * *
Kyaaang!
After about 30 minutes, the duel ended with Glenn and Karoon simultaneously lowering their swords and stepping back.
"..."
"Phew."
Unlike Glenn, who remained unshaken, Karoon was covered in sweat and breathing heavily, as if all his strength had been drained.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Glenn nodded at Karoon as he sheathed the Heavenly Tremor.
"...Yes. I feel somewhat relieved."
Karoon bowed his head gratefully, though his expression remained sharp and serious.
"Raon."
Glenn looked at Raon with a thin smile.
"What did you think?"
"..."
Karoon also turned his gaze towards Raon after wiping the sweat from his forehead, seemingly curious about his answer.
"Thanks to both of you, I think I've learned how Transcendent Warriors should fight."
Raon nodded, looking at Glenn and Karoon in turn.
'Being a Transcendent Warrior doesn't mean you can do everything.'
Ascending to Transcendence doesn't make one omnipotent. A Transcendent Warrior's battle involves honing the weapons they've cultivated so far to an even sharper edge.
'In my case, it would be the Ten Thousand Swords and emotions.'
The Ten Thousand Swords that encompassed the essence of all sword techniques, the ability to melt down the powers of demon kings, and the power of emotions that Rimmer had made him realize - these were the things he needed to pursue from now on.
"It seems you've reached even greater heights while I wasn't looking, Central Martial Palace Master. Did you have a serendipitous encounter?"
Raon sincerely congratulated Karoon.
"..."
Karoon looked at him with calm eyes before lowering his chin.
"I caught an ancient dragon."
"Pardon?"
"When the White Blood Religion bastards invaded Zieghart, it was the dragons' breath that destroyed the castle walls. I went to find a nearby dragon's nest for revenge."
He suddenly started talking about his own experience.
"I almost died. I underestimated it because the Head of House crushes them like lizards, but it was on a completely different level from adult dragons. Its rank alone was on par with a Transcendent Warrior, and when it became an ancient dragon, it gained special abilities."
Karoon nodded, explaining that he had reached his current level thanks to the life-and-death battle with the ancient dragon.
"Be careful if you ever encounter one."
Contrary to expectations, he explained how he had grown and even warned about ancient dragons before sheathing his sword.
"Well, you've already caught a blue dragon with Alice, so this advice might be unnecessary for you."
Karoon said this as he dusted off his shoulders.
"Not at all. Thank you."
Raon stood there, somewhat dazed, before bowing his head. Though Karoon wasn't exactly friendly, he had not only answered the question but also offered advice, leaving Raon unsure how to respond.
"Raon."
Glenn approached Raon with a subtle smile, seemingly pleased with the current situation.
"You said you're having a small party at the annex building tomorrow, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yes!"
Raon nodded, looking at Glenn.
"If possible, hold it the evening after tomorrow."
Glenn lowered his hand, saying he could attend if it was held then.
"Understood."
Raon nodded, thinking it would be better to hold it the day after tomorrow since he was in the middle of explaining about the two grandfathers to Sia.
"Then what do you have planned for tomorrow?"
"Ah, because a guest is coming the day after tomorrow."
Glenn waved his hand, mentioning he was expecting someone.
"A guest..."
Raon blinked, looking at Karoon who had finished adjusting his clothes.
"It's not me!"
Karoon frowned and turned his back, stating he had no intention of participating in such a party.
"Hmm..."
Raon sighed as he watched Karoon leave the training ground with elegant steps.
'He's such an unpredictable person.'
He pointed at Karoon while wiggling his finger at Wrath.
'Do you know why that guy is acting like that?'
-Maybe he's gone crazy from hunger?
'...'
Not everyone in the world is like you.
* * *
Two days later. Raon was experiencing the greatest pain of his life while playing house with Sia when a loud knocking sound, as if it would break down the door of the annex building, was heard.
"Raon! Edgar!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Raon left the room to find Rector standing in the entrance, his hair disheveled as if he had rushed over.
"I heard Sia has woken up! Where is she?"
Rector's wrinkled fingertips trembled as he expressed his desire to see the awakened Sia.
"Grandfather...?"
Raon's eyes widened as he looked at Rector. He hadn't even written a letter yet, as contacting Rector at the Holy Sword Alliance's sacred ground required several measures, so he couldn't understand how he had come here.
"Ah, Father?"
"How did Father get here..."
Sylvia and Edgar also gaped, their eyes showing complete bewilderment.
"I contacted him."
Glenn walked out from behind Rector.
"Since I've been looking into ways to wake Sia up, I sent a letter right away."
Glenn smiled faintly, mentioning that he had a separate communication network with Rector.
"Ah, that's right. Thank you for calling Father, Father."
Sylvia bowed to Rector, welcoming him.
"Hmm, it seems you've come a bit early... Ouch!"
Edgar was frowning when Rector kicked him in the backside.
"So where is our Sia?"
Rector looked around excitedly, taking a deep breath.
"Yes. Bring Sia here."
Glenn also nodded, seemingly curious about Sia's appearance.
"Understood."
Raon nodded lightly, looking at Glenn and Rector.
'That's a relief.'
It was fortunate that he had explained not only about Glenn but also about Rector to Sia. With her sociability, she might even be able to make the two grandfathers her willing slaves.
"Sia, sister."
Raon turned around and called out to Sia, who was hiding in the doorway.
"Come out here."
"Okay!"
Sia, who had insisted on wearing her hair in pigtails, nodded slightly and came out into the hallway.
"Ah..."
Rector's eyes reddened as if all his wishes had been fulfilled just by seeing Sia awake.
"Mmm!"
Glenn also bit his trembling lips as if he couldn't handle how cute Sia was.
"I explained this yesterday, remember? The person with Mom is Grandfather Glenn, and the one with Dad is Grandfather Rector."
Raon gently pushed Sia's back, sending her towards Glenn and Rector.
"Grandfathers?"
Sia looked at Glenn and Rector in turn with her large eyes. She bowed her head with a sweet eye smile.
"Hello!"
"Sia!"
"Sia..."
Rector finally let his tears fall as he spread his arms wide, while Glenn seemed more composed but couldn't hide his trembling hands.
"Come here!"
Both of them simultaneously opened their arms, inviting Sia for a hug. It seemed they were calling their granddaughter without hesitation, now that the explanation had been given. However, seeing them compete even in this situation was a bit ridiculous.
-How many children are there here...?
Wrath also let out a bemused chuckle, seemingly unable to understand the situation.
"Hmm..."
Sia looked at Glenn and Rector in turn with her large eyes. She seemed to be contemplating who to go to.
"You can go to whomever you like more, sister."
Raon said with a playful smile, waving his finger. Having explained everything about Glenn and Rector, he was curious to see who she would choose.
"The person I like?"
"Yes."
As he nodded, Sia suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Then I like Raon the most."
Sia hugged Raon tightly, saying she needed to take care of her younger brother.
"Ugh..."
Raon hastily looked up while being embraced by Sia. The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Just a second ago, Glenn and Rector's eyes were shining with anticipation and affection for Sia, but now they had turned fierce like wild beasts.
Even more absurdly, even Sylvia and Edgar were looking at him with anger-filled eyes.
"This isn't, uh... um..."
Raon took a deep breath, feeling the chilling atmosphere that had settled over the annex building.
-Hehehehehehe! You've dug your own grave!
Wrath burst into laughter, seemingly overjoyed at the situation.
-From today on, I'll make your sister my subordinate! This is so entertaining to watch!
The entity burst into laughter, saying it had been a while since he'd seen such an amusing situation.
'Just know that you'll only be eating Nadine bread at the party...'