“Aaaah!”
“Run away!”
The first and third-year students who had been watching from the sidelines hurriedly distanced themselves. The ancient artifact was beginning to unleash its power in earnest. They had absolutely no desire to stand around gawking, only to pay the price of admission with their lives.
“Hmm…”
Patrick tightened his grip on the swords in his hands. If he wanted to, he could have easily dodged the chaotic storm of ice blades flying his way. But Patrick chose not to evade, opting to face them head-on instead.
Boom! Craash! Boom!
Patrick’s twin swords flew out and clashed against the blades imbued with extreme cold. As the spirit-infused cold energy collided with Patrick's swords, a terrifying series of explosions rang out.
‘Hoh, it can barely be neutralized by my sword energy?’
Patrick was quite surprised. He hadn't drawn out his Sword Aura, but Patrick's sword energy was no ordinary sword energy. It was a refined energy, amplified and drawn up from his two lower dantians, richly imbued with his true aura.
It was so dense that it wouldn't be pushed back even if it clashed with true Sword Aura. And yet, when it met the ice blades, they merely canceled each other out.
‘The power is incredible. Does this mean anyone who holds this sword can become a master on the cusp of the supreme realm? What a cheat.’
In terms of sheer power, he wasn't wrong. But no matter how great the power of a sword…
“Ugh… Uwaaaaaaaaah!”
If the user's skill was lacking, it was nothing more than pearls before swine. Jordic swung Isis around chaotically, unleashing waves of cold, but he failed to gain any advantage. On the contrary, Patrick was advancing on him step by step, striking down the blades of cold.
To Jordic, the sight of Patrick steadily approaching felt like the footsteps of the god of death. How could this be? The sword he held was Isis.
An ancient artifact and a family heirloom. As long as he held it, he was confident he wouldn't be pushed back even by a six-star knight. But… but why…
“Whyyyyyyyyyy!?”
Jordic raised his sword high into the sky. Responding to its master’s emotions, Isis unleashed an extreme cold, and Jordic’s aura was added to it. A blade of piercing, pale blue light soared high into the air.
And then…
“Die!”
A blade carrying everything Jordic had, the strike of his life, fell towards Patrick.
“Noooo!”
Matthew, watching from behind, saw the blade of extreme cold falling toward Patrick more clearly than anyone. He knew his new friend was strong. But to survive such a terrifying attack, it seemed impossible…
“Watch closely.”
At that moment, Matthew heard it. Patrick’s voice, completely out of place in this life-or-death situation. And Patrick’s sword moved.
At the same time, the corners of his lips curled up into a smirk. A blade of destruction imbued with extreme cold? Strong, is it?
Threatening, is it?
So what?
‘The sword is an honest weapon.’
No matter how much internal energy it carries, no matter what profound technique it is based on, a sword wielded by one with a scattered mind is nothing but a hollow shell. Patrick’s knee bent forward slightly. And in the next moment…
“Consider this an honor.”
Twin Dragon Eight Sword Forms Third Form Flash Dragon Strike It was the form Patrick had favored most since his past life. A form he had practiced hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, millions of times… practiced until his very soul wore thin, through both real combat and training.
In his memory, even in the final moment as he met his death, he had charged at his enemy with this very form. It was, quite literally, a strike engraved upon Patrick's very soul. In an instant, his body became a streak of light, rushing towards the blade of ice.
The moment the small, sharp streak of light collided with the ice blade that seemed ready to destroy the world…
CRASSHHH!
The massive, pale blue blade of cold shattered all too easily. It broke apart like a piece of glass struck against the ground, and the streak of light that pierced through the pale blue cold had not lost its momentum. And Jordic saw it.
The blade of light that flew straight toward him.
Craaack!
“Kuaaaack!”
Jordic was sent flying backward. And in his place stood Patrick, who spoke with an indifferent expression.
“I didn't kill you. I already caused trouble not long ago, and I'd rather not do it a second time.”
“Ugh… ughhh…”
Jordic tried to say something, but Patrick had lost interest. He picked up Isis, which had fallen from Jordic’s hand, and looked at it with curiosity.
“Hmm… Hmm… Hmmm…”
My, my, should I call this a divine weapon? Or a cursed object? Its power was certainly exceptional.
It possessed a definitive strength that made the so-called divine weapons of the martial world seem like toys. It was truly a weapon that could allow a novice to defeat a master. So, as a weapon, it could be called truly magnificent.
It could, but…
“Give this to some growing brat, and it would be the perfect poison.”
Power that is easily obtained can never truly become one's own. For this young fool to be blinded by its immense power, mistaking that power for his own, was no different from a cat puffing its chest out after sprouting wings. One could never obtain true strength that way.
A swordsman's strength is meaningless unless it is earned through one's own effort, through blood and sweat. The conclusion was…
“A double-edged sword.”
Powerful, but it could hinder one’s growth. It was ambiguous, hard to call it good or bad. Patrick’s evaluation of the artifact was complicated.
And just then…
“Everyone, halt!”
Hearing the destructive sounds of Patrick and Jordic’s clash, people began to gather. Patrick nonchalantly tossed Isis aside and said.
“Looks like I’ll have to owe Professor Leit another favor.”
Patrick Schneider.
Six weeks of confinement. It was a much longer period of confinement than when he had beaten Roist half to death not long ago. But it couldn’t be helped…
“Seriously, how long has it been since the last incident, and he’s already causing another one?”
“This is unacceptable. Only a complete ruffian who has no regard for the academy's rules would act this way.”
“He must be mad. He’s definitely mad.”
Correct!
Well, in this manner… The professors of the academy's knight faculty, and even professors from other faculties, strongly condemned the incident. Normally, he should have received at least a suspension, not just confinement.
However…
“There is clear evidence that Jordic Panola was the first to challenge him to a duel.”
“Well, that’s…”
“An upperclassman challenged a junior to a duel. It is said that in the process, he assaulted other first-year students, and their lives were threatened.”
“Hmm…”
“That may be so, but…”
“Can you still say that Schneider is solely at fault?”
While all the other professors were clamoring for Patrick's expulsion, only one person defended him with sound reasoning. Naturally, it was Professor Justin Leit. In fact, looking only at the circumstances of the incident, the cause clearly lay with Jordic.
Challenging someone to a duel for the purpose of revenge, to avenge an injury sustained in class (the Sunrise Cut)? This was a clear and serious violation of school rules. The academy strictly prohibits duels between students unless there are special circumstances.
The other third-year students involved, besides Jordic himself, were already receiving severe punishment from the school. And Jordic himself? He wasn’t in a state to receive punishment or not.
He was currently holed up in his family home, just like his younger brother, huddled under his blankets, biting his nails to the quick…
“Why… why… why… why…”
He was in this state. The brothers had become wrecks together, side by side. Naturally, the one most enraged by this situation was Marquis Panola himself.
His two precious sons had been beaten up outside. And not just beaten; both were nearly broken. He didn't know what they had gone through, but both had suffered serious mental trauma.
“Patrick… Schneider, was it?”
His trusted butler remained silent. It wasn’t that he had nothing to say. He couldn't open his mouth because he couldn't withstand the killing intent being genuinely emitted by a six-star knight.
And Marquis Panola spoke.
“He seems confident in his skills. I’ll teach him that this world isn't a place you can survive in just by relying on some meager skill.”
An adult intervening in a children's fight was the worst-case scenario, but if Marquis Panola put his mind to it, disregarding decorum, there was much he could do. First, he could apply political pressure on the House of Schneider in the eastern territory, or he could take more direct action to bring about their downfall.
It was even possible to make Patrick watch the fall of his family, wailing in sorrow, and make him bitterly regret his actions. Well, in truth, if he really took action, he would find out why Patrick was called the Mad Dragon in his past life, even among the righteous path and not the unorthodox alliance.
But he didn't know that. And because he didn't, he was about to make an irreversible choice.
“First, I need to make a move in the east. Butler, summon the knight order at once.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The butler immediately responded to Marquis Panola’s decision to dispatch the family’s knight order to the east. Just as Marquis Panola was about to cross a line he should never cross…
“My lord. A guest has arrived.”
“I don’t care who it is, tell them to leave.”
He was in no mood to see anyone right now.
But…
“Professor Justin Leit from the academy has come. He says he has important business. And… he said he has something to return.”
“…Damn it.”
Unfortunately, this was a visitor he couldn't turn away.
Ogre vs. Saber Tiger. Kraken vs. Sea Serpent. Goddess of Harmony Eupinel vs. God of Destruction Kalaron.
In this world, there are countless worthy rivals and sworn enemies. And in the Atronia Kingdom, the most famous rivalry would bring to mind these two men. Unyielding Knight, Justin Leit.
Royal Sword of the Kingdom, Antonio Panola. These two were famously on the worst terms with each other within the royal court. It wasn't just a matter of being on opposing sides due to political factions; they genuinely hated and despised each other.
And now, those two men sat facing each other across a table.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it.”
“Indeed. I believe this is the first time since you were kicked out of the Royal Knight Order?”
“That’s right. It has been quite a while since I left after ramming into that good-for-nothing senior bastard of mine.”
It went without saying who that good-for-nothing senior bastard was. Professor Leit continued with a smile.
“Oh, I have no regrets. That incident was one of the three most satisfying things I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
“And I have always thought it a relief that the Royal Knight Order was rid of a ruffian who tarnished its dignity.”
“Is that so? From what I hear, the biggest problem with the Royal Knight Order is its rotten knight commander, or so the rumors say.”
“What did you say?”
“Why are you asking me? It’s just a rumor. A rumor. Something about taking bribes? Giving special favors to someone… it’s all just rumors. Rumors.”
Then, muttering to himself, ‘Though they say there’s no smoke without fire,’ Professor Leit’s voice trailed off, causing a vein to throb on Marquis Panola’s forehead. This was why he hated this man.
From the moment he joined the Royal Knight Order as a common soldier, he had disliked that barbaric nature of his—charging headfirst into anything he didn't like, regardless of rank or orders. And his words and actions, looking down on and despising others as if he were the only clean person in the world.
Everything about him clashed with Marquis Panola. On top of that, he was skilled, having reached the six-star level, a rank only five held in the entire royal court, same as himself. Deciding that a long conversation would do no good, Marquis Panola spoke.
“If you have business, state it quickly.”
“Let’s do that. Well. To put it bluntly…”
Professor Leit’s expression hardened as he spoke.
“Don’t even dream of touching my student, Marquis Panola.”
“And why should I listen to you?”
“The academy is my domain. As long as they are students, they are my kids.”
“My sons are also academy students.”
“Strictly speaking, they were students. They will soon receive their official expulsion notices.”
“What?”
“Did you expect us to just let it go after they caused such an incident? A third-year challenges a first-year to a duel and even attempts murder?”
This was a point he couldn't argue, even if he had a mouth to speak. As Marquis Panola bit his lower lip hard, Professor Leit spoke with an undisguised sneer.
“You should have raised your children better, don't you think? You could have at least served as a cautionary tale.”
“Justin Leit.”
Grind!
Marquis Panola ground his teeth, his entire body radiating a powerful presence. A master who had reached the six-star level was pressuring his opponent, openly unleashing his presence from his entire being. And Professor Leit…
“…” …spoke with a deep smile on his lips.
“Want to settle this, ranks aside?”
In that instant, Marquis Panola’s blood ran cold.
‘This… this man… could he be…’
Marquis Panola was more shocked than when he had learned that both his sons had become wrecks. Right now, he was putting his full power into his presence, pressuring his opponent. An ordinary opponent would find it difficult to even breathe under this pressure.
Even knights who had reached a certain level would struggle to speak easily. Of course, Justin Leit was a six-star knight, just like him. If he met his presence and resisted, he would be able to act normally.
But the problem now was…
“The tea tastes excellent. Not that I know much about it, but I suppose it’s good because it’s expensive, right?”
He was completely at ease. He wasn't meeting the pressure with his own, nor was he intimidated. His calm demeanor, acting as if nothing was happening, meant only one thing.
That Justin Leit was stronger than Marquis Panola himself. And to be stronger than him, who had reached the mature six-star level, meant…
‘Could it be? Could it be… could it be?’
Marquis Panola absolutely did not want to admit it. He didn't, but no matter how he thought about it, there was only one answer.
“You… you couldn’t possibly be…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Seeing Marquis Panola unable to finish his sentence, Professor Leit grinned. He then picked up a butter knife from the table in front of him. After grabbing the dull knife meant for spreading butter on scones, what he did was…
Clang!
“Oh, dear, did I accidentally create an Aura Blade?”
How could that be an accident? But the moment Marquis Panola saw the clear Aura Blade that bloomed from Professor Leit’s fingertips, he couldn't even breathe. It was real.
A real Aura Blade. The absolute symbol that only those who have stepped into the supreme realm can create. It had just bloomed from Professor Leit’s fingertips.
Right before his eyes was the perfect, undeniable proof that the opponent he least wanted to lose to had, at this very moment, surpassed him.
‘Is this… a nightmare?’
Despite being a distinguished six-star knight, at this moment, Marquis Panola wished that his own energy had weakened and he was having a nightmare. And seeing Marquis Panola's expression, Professor Leit said.
“Senior, what do you think would happen if I quit my job as an academy professor right now and returned to the Royal Knight Order?”
“You… how could you?”
“Somehow.”
“Why? You think I can’t?”
How could that be? If someone who had reached the seven-star level wanted to join the Royal Knight Order, who would stop them? On the contrary, they would likely try to grant whatever conditions he wanted.
For example, even the position of Royal Knight Commander. Looking at the visibly tense Marquis Panola, Professor Leit chuckled and said.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing so.”
“Is that true?”
“It is.”
“For now, that is.”
Grind.
Marquis Panola wasn't foolish enough not to understand what Professor Leit wanted here.
“I will leave that brat named Patrick Schneider alone.”
“Why are you being so childish? You’re not getting it.”
“I said not to touch my students.”
It meant not to touch not only Patrick but also the other first-year students involved in this incident. Matthew and the other first-years had been dragged into this, whether they liked it or not, so they all had to be protected.
“…I understand.”
“And you are not to lay a hand on their families either.”
“Did I not say I understand?”
At Marquis Panola’s angry retort, Professor Leit smirked and said.
“Well, I’ll trust you to keep your word.”
“…”
“And, I’ll return this to you.”
As Professor Leit said this, he held out the Panola family heirloom, the Ice Sword Isis.
“This is…”
“The fact that your son caused trouble while wielding this has not yet been publicly announced. I, too, find unnecessary trouble to be a nuisance.”
1. Jordic Panola caused trouble. 2. Jordic Panola caused trouble while wielding his family’s heirloom. These two things carried completely different weights.
If handled poorly, it could be perceived that Marquis Panola himself was involved in this incident. Well, it was true, but…
‘Tsk, if it were up to me, I’d just… Sigh, what can I do? I have to do as I’m told.’
Professor Leit returned Isis to Marquis Panola and said.
“Let’s just handle this incident as something unfortunate and let it quietly fade away.”
“You’re good at that sort of thing, aren’t you, senior?”
‘Damn you…’
Marquis Panola ground his teeth inwardly and stared blankly at the Isis presented before him. He had been wondering how to get it back, but he never imagined it would fall into his hands so easily. But was it really okay to accept it?
The moment he took this, Justin Leit’s proposal would no longer be a threat but a mutually beneficial transaction. Frankly, this was strange. It might be different for someone else, but for a man like Justin Leit, this was absolutely strange.
‘This is not the way of this rigid man.’
Marquis Panola realized it instinctively. Behind this deal was someone other than Professor Leit. Because the Justin Leit he knew was incapable of making such subtle, politically charged proposals.
If he were a man capable of such things, he wouldn’t be an academy professor but would hold a high position in the Royal Knight Order.
‘Who is it? Who is behind this man? The noble faction? Or a foreign power? Could it be the temple?’
Marquis Panola’s mind raced. What power could be influential enough to tame the rigid Justin Leit and make him run such an errand? Several factions came to mind, but he couldn't be certain of any of them.
What was certain was that someone sitting behind Justin Leit was making him an offer. Either stop here. Or see it through to the end.
The choice is yours. Marquis Panola, sweating coldly, deliberated before carefully opening his mouth.
“I accept all of your proposals.”
“A wise decision, senior.”
In the end, Marquis Panola had no choice but to accept this proposal. Putting aside whether the person across from him was strong or weak, he didn't even have a clue who they were. Stubbornly resisting would only create more enemies.
The best move in politics is not to defeat your enemies. It is to not make them in the first place.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
As Professor Leit rose with a leisurely attitude, Marquis Panola spoke.
“Let me ask just one thing.”
“What is it?”
“The person who led you to the seven-star level and the person who returned Isis to me are…”
“Shh.”
Before Marquis Panola could finish, Professor Leit cut him off with a grave expression. He then looked around and spoke in a very stern tone.
“Watch your mouth, senior.”
“That person is not someone you can carelessly judge.”
Shudder!
At that moment, a chill ran down Marquis Panola’s entire body. This confirmed it. The figure who had completely subdued the rigid Justin Leit, leashing him, guiding him to the seven-star level, and now making a highly political proposal to him, had become real.
He was likely a heavyweight possessing immense personal strength, a vast faction, and profound strategic cunning.
‘Not domestic. Then it must be a foreign power or someone from the temple… Who? Could it be…?’
Marquis Panola’s mind spun with complicated thoughts, one leading to another. Professor Leit smiled at the thoughtful Marquis Panola and said.
“If you want to live a long life, you’d do well to watch your mouth. Well then, I will be on my way.”
“Hmm…”
And so, Professor Leit left the Marquis Panola’s estate. After pulling his robe down low to avoid being seen and walking for some time after leaving the mansion. He slumped to the ground, one hand on a wall, his shoulders shaking.
“Kekeke. Kuhahahaha… I knew he’d fall for it, but to think he’d actually fall for it. Puhahahaha.”
Professor Leit was dying of laughter. By now, Marquis Panola was probably tearing his hair out, desperately trying to deduce the identity of the person who had pressured him. And among the candidates he considered, an academy student would certainly not be included.
“Kekeke… Go ahead and search for who ‘that person’ is. Search for a hundred days, you sly bastard. Kuhahahahahahaha!”
Professor Leit’s roaring laughter was filled with a decade's worth of satisfaction.
“Mommy, that man is weird.”
“Shh, you shouldn't point at pitiful people.”
He really should have been more mindful of his surroundings.
So, at that same moment. What was ‘that person’ who Marquis Panola was so desperately trying to identify doing?
“My friend, Matthew. So, how are things at home these days?”
“Just… normal, I guess.”
“Is your father well? What’s the main product of the Elbador Merchant Guild these days? By any chance, is he interested in apparel?”
“I don’t really know much about my father’s business…”
“Tut, tut, that won’t do. As a son, you should take an interest in what your parents do. That’s what filial piety is all about.”
“Should we go out together sometime? I can go and greet your father, too. Oh! Do you know what he likes as a gift?”
Patrick had called Matthew to his room and was nurturing their friendship like this.
And Matthew…
‘What is with this guy?’
The naive boy didn't know how to respond. Of course, he was the son of a rich family. Strictly speaking, the richest in the Atronia Kingdom.
The Elbador Merchant Guild had amassed great wealth over three generations, and its influence extended beyond the Atronia Kingdom to neighboring countries. As such, there were those who approached him with flattery, but they were mostly fellow merchants. Nobles, even those from minor families, never bowed their heads to Matthew.
Considering a noble’s honor and dignity, bowing their heads and fawning over a commoner like Matthew was unthinkable. Perhaps they clung to it all the more because it was the only thing in which they could feel superior to Matthew. Some, like Roist Panola, even tried to treat him like a wallet.
[Just stick quietly under me. Then there won’t be any problems.]
That was the order, disguised as a proposal, that Roist had given Matthew when they first met. The price for refusing this was becoming the target of Roist’s bullying. In any case, to Matthew, that was what nobles were.
They either looked down on him, were wary of him, and tried to ignore him, or they tried to forcibly subjugate him and treat him like a money source to be exploited… That was all.
But…
“Oh, my friend. You have something on you here. Let me brush it off for you.”
This was truly a first. Does this guy have no pride? This was the first time he had met a young master from a noble family who was so openly fawning over him.
The House of Schneider might not be a great family, but weren’t they feudal nobles who had ruled a fief for generations? Shouldn’t they have something like family pride?
Or honor?
Something they regarded as dearly as life itself, a spirit that would rather starve than submit…
“When should we go out? Today? I have a whole bunch of outing permits I got from the professor.” …at least, they should.
No, more importantly, could one get a whole bunch of outing permits? The more he talked to him, the more new sides of Patrick were revealed. Matthew cautiously spoke to this strange new friend (?).
“Hey, Patrick.”
“Yeah? What is it, my friend?”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Hm? About what? Did someone say something to you again? Who was it? Does that bastard have a death wish?”
Seeing Patrick's eyes flash, Matthew felt that if he even jokingly said, ‘It’s him,’ there would be a corpse to deal with.
“Ahem, no, that’s not it. Once our confinement is over, the House of Panola might try to do something, right? Are you okay?”
“Hmm? Ohhh… that?”
Patrick chuckled and said.
“It’s fine. I’ve set up some appropriate threats and a bit of acting.”
“Huh?”
My friend, what does that mean? Patrick grinned at the uncomprehending Matthew and said.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing. Whether it’s Marquis Panola or Marquis Onion-nola, that fellow won’t be able to do anything for a while.”