Kratan, the highest peak of the Krates Mountain Range.
At the end of a cliff, situated on a mountain summit so high that clouds seemed within reach, there stood a small, refreshing pavilion and a humble shack, as if inhabited by divine beings.
An elderly man with muscular build, preparing for early morning, suddenly turned his head and looked in a direction.
"It seems we have a guest."
He immediately took two servings of meals and walked out of the house, heading towards the pavilion.
Coincidentally, someone was ascending, their body covered in monster blood.
"You've had a tough time. If you go a little further down, there's a stream. You can wash up and come back."
With a natural attitude as if greeting someone familiar, Adrias nodded his head without a chance to say hello and descended on a side path.
"The lad has some peculiar qualities."
The old man smiled, waiting for him to wash up and come back.
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.
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After washing off the blood and returning, Deschurn gestured to me as I sat in the pavilion.
"Hello. I am..."
"Have you had breakfast?"
As my words trailed off, I approached the pavilion, raising my head.
Even though it was shocking even in the game's visuals, it was more so in reality.
The elderly man with white hair possessed an incredibly sturdy physique and muscles, making it hard to believe.
This person was Deschurn Polon, the Black Star.
"Well, shall we have a meal together?"
"Thank you, Deschurn-nim."
And as expected, his personality was laid-back.
I sat across from Deschurn and before he started eating the prepared meal, I took out a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it to him.
Deschurn received the paper without paying much attention and made a gesture as if to urge me to eat quickly.
Honestly, it was just a meal, but I hoped he would check the paper. However, he seemed to have no intention of doing so and simply began eating.
'After eating only dried rations for so long, even this simple meal feels like a feast.'
While it was possible to hunt animals and cook them, I didn't want to risk attracting other monsters unnecessarily.
So, since entering the mountain range, I had been eating only jerky and dried fruits. However, when I ate the meal Deschurn prepared, it couldn't be more delicious.
After cautiously observing Deschurn's reaction, I finished the meal, and he stood up with a tray in his hand.
When I tried to help him, Deschurn raised his head and spoke.
"If you're a guest, sit and rest. You must have gone through hardships to come this far."
"Yes. Thank you."
It was good to cook and treat guests, but I was in a hurry.
I hoped Deschurn would quickly check the paper Bart had given. It seemed like he could read my mind.
As soon as he placed the tray down, he checked the paper without delay.
"Haha. This little rascal has grown up. Dare to send me such a letter?"
Little rascal? Is he referring to Bart?
Well, considering his age, Bart might seem young to Deschurn.
Even if Bart were 60 years old, Deschurn would still be looking at the age of 100.
Deschurn turned his gaze towards me and gestured, speaking to me.
"It was a curiosity that I had. Let's satisfy our curiosity and draw our swords."
As I followed his words and drew my sword, his hand flickered.
"Let's see your level first. Since I won't retaliate, go ahead and attack."
So, he agreed to Bart's request. That's fortunate.
Facing the oldest monster among the current Aura Masters, I swung my sword without holding back.
"You can use mana."
At Deschurn's sudden words, I unconsciously stopped swinging my sword.
...What did he just say?
"Why do you look so surprised? Continue your attack."
I looked at Deschurn and consciously relaxed my tension.
It's not strange for Deschurn to have noticed, considering Salem also found out I have a Dual Core.
Perhaps monsters of that level have various ways of knowing.
'Or they have mana talents like me.'
There could be geniuses or prodigies with talents not on the same level as mine.
In that case, it's only natural for them to notice my "vessel" characteristic.
"In that case, no holding back, full power."
The black mana coiled around Galakshur.
Along with it, I inflated my physical abilities and stormed towards Deschurn at a different speed than before.
"Not bad!"
Deschurn evaded the sword with a shallow expression of admiration.
However, already anticipating it, I had preemptively occupied the space where he would move and delivered an unavoidable blow.
"Oh?"
When I regained my senses, I could see Deschurn's finger touching the end of my sword.
"What on earth...?"
Suddenly, it was blocked?
Even though it was just one finger, I couldn't push it away.
I retreated backward, trying to escape his finger that clung to me like a magnet.
"You have good eyes."
Seeing Deschurn calmly making comments, I once again felt the power of an Aura Master.
Come to think of it, except for the encounter with Muangong right before the midterm evaluation, this was the first time I had seen an Aura Master.
Moreover, at that time, we only exchanged greetings and didn't assess each other's abilities, so this could be considered a real experience.
I took a deep breath and once again rushed towards Deschurn.
'Left!'
My combat talent, close to foresight, predicted Deschurn's movements.
However, my body jerked uncontrollably.
'Isn't it to the left?'
My senses were confused.
When I actually observed Deschurn's breath and muscle movements before, it was certain that he moved to the left. But the irregular change in his breathing and angle just before messed up my mind.
"Hahaha! Having good eyes is indeed an advantage. But it seems this is the first time you've encountered such a situation."
Intentionally creating irregular muscle movements.
When it came to controlling the body, I simply couldn't keep up.
'What's more impressive is that the opponent didn't overpower me with sheer strength and speed.'
As an Aura Master, he should have an overwhelming advantage in physical abilities compared to me.
However, Deschurn was playing with me lightly, without relying on those physical advantages.
"Hey there. The opponent won't wait for you. The moment you hesitate, your neck will already be gone."
Closing my eyes at Deschurn's advice, I opened them again.
I shouldn't be mesmerized by the opponent's movements.
Just rely on instinct!
Swish.
Has it already become a habit?
I tried to attack without relying on my combat talent, but I noticed that I automatically read Deschurn's breath.
Thanks to that, falling for Deschurn's trick once again, I sliced through empty air.
"Perhaps it won't be easy to change it as you wish. But there is one good way to fix it."
"May I request your teachings? Please."
I was desperate.
Until now, I had only learned swordsmanship from Nickel, so this kind of guidance was very much needed.
"Well then, of course. That was the intention from the beginning, to test your skills. Even if it wasn't Bart's request, I was already interested in you."
He spoke with a smile, but there was something off about his demeanor.
It felt like he had found an amusing toy...
Right! It reminded me of the expression Salem had when he saw the page of Sloth.
"Hehe. Ah, you will eventually think that you want to escape from me. You need to firmly resolve yourself and join in my play."
Something... It felt like something was wrong.
.
.
.
.
Bam!
"Click."
I felt the sensation of floating in the air and then suddenly fell to the ground.
What kind of technique is he using? Even I, who prides myself on having a considerable tolerance for pain, was trembling from the excruciating pain that distorted my every muscle.
"Get up quickly. It hasn't been that long since we started, and you're already lying down."
Trying to control my breathing, I struggled to get up from the ground at Deschurn's words mixed with laughter.
I couldn't understand why Louis disliked Deschurn, who could be considered his benefactor, when playing the game, but now I seemed to understand.
'It's an ignorant method, but it seems to be effective, which makes it even more frustrating.'
The so-called "good method" that Deschurn mentioned was the theory that if you receive blows repeatedly, your habits will naturally change.
And he used a peculiar method where the pain is maximized, even though there were almost no external or internal injuries from the blows.
"Huff."
This time, I tried not to be deceived and thought carefully, waiting.
But Deschurn didn't wait for me.
"The moment you hesitate like that, you're already dead."
Bang!
"Kerplunk."
It felt like my lungs were shrinking.
Tremendous pain spread through my side, and cold sweat flowed down.
"Hey there. With your talent, you can display overwhelming power against the weak. But if you meet opponents of slightly higher caliber, you'll be seen through within five exchanges and end up like this."
What do you mean by slightly higher caliber, according to your standards?
From what I could see, Deschurn was clearly talking as if he were considering an Aura Master.
"Of course, compared to those weaklings who grumble because they don't have such talents, you have definitely been blessed. So, you need to learn how to use it properly."
"Ugh!"
It hurts so much, I could swear.
I rushed towards Deschurn, shouting with all my spirit.
However, despite charging recklessly, I faked it and calmly calculated the situation in my mind.
'Left! But this time, it must be a trick.'
In that case, I'll cover all directions except for the left...!
I infused the wave of realization that Salem had awakened through mana acceleration and Sloth into my sword.
'This should do it!'
Bam!
"You! Aren't you supposed to respond when I'm talking?"
Once again, I felt the sensation of floating in the air.
And just as I heard Deschurn's words, I lost consciousness and fainted.
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.
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Deschurn looked at Adrias, who had been knocked out after receiving blows all day long, and let out a smirk.
'This little guy. Quite something.'
Judging from his physique, it seemed he could use magic, and with his physical talent and combat sense...
He thought he had encountered a proper talent after a long time.
As he was about to move him to his house, he suddenly felt a chilling sensation and looked at his right arm.
There, he noticed that the sleeve had been thinly sliced, fluttering in the wind.
"Hehehe. Huhehehe!"
Was this the final move?
Even though it appeared as if Adrias had charged recklessly, Deschurn knew that he had wielded the sword calmly.
That statement implied that he knew but still fell for it.
No matter how much he claimed that he didn't use his true skill or mana, it was still a remarkable feat.
The fact that the sword had touched him alone was proof of Adrias' talent.
"He said he's an Academy student. What a shame."
If he had enough time, he would have been a fascinating kid with whom Deschurn would have been intrigued for years.
Of course, Deschurn had his own things to do, so it ended with just a passing encounter.
As Deschurn carried the fallen Adrias and headed home, he looked at the stars in the seemingly close sky and remembered the boy he had met a few months ago.
'Was it Louis? He's also entering the Academy this year. If he meet that kid, it should be interesting.'
The times are changing.
With the thought of becoming the catalyst of a new era, Deschurn's heart swelled, and he clenched his fist.