***
He wore the black cloak, and as a test, he moved shadows along the hem of the cloak, injecting his own dark magic power that rotates along the circle of his heart.
What should have been shadows underfoot rose toward the ground, clearly taking on substance. With a blue edge like a jet-black blade. It was literally a scene where jet black skewers appeared to be rising from under your feet.
'This is what it felt like.'
As a test, Dale moved the blade of the shadow and recalled the scene of that day.
The being who handled this artifact in the past created a storm of shadows that resembled a tsunami rolling over the area. Furthermore, it was even possible to move the shadow itself like a living creature. That's what Shadow Creature is.
In comparison, the shadow blade that Dale controlled was really just child's play.
It is an iron rule that bringing out the performance of an artifact is proportional to the understanding of the equipment and the amount of magical energy injected.
'It will take a little longer to get used to it.'
So, unlike Dale, who internally swallowed his regrets,
"Is it really nothing?"
The Black Duke and Sepia just swallowed their breath in astonishment. The Black Duke's astonishment was especially special. The greatest warlock and necromancer on the continent, and the one who stands at the top of the Black Magic Tower.
His mastery of the powers of darkness was unrivaled. And in his view, Dale did not appear to be giving in to the 'malice' of the artifact.
No, on the contrary, it overpowered the artifact's malice and brought it to its knees. So clear that there is no room for doubt.
Shadow Cloak.
A cherished relic donned by a high ranking demon serving the Demon Lord who was vanquished by the 'Hero from Another World' in the past.
The shadows filled with malice residing in the cloak were bowing to the feet of a child of only nine years old.
'He is perfectly controlling its power.'
How on earth? Artefacts are items that contain powerful thoughts in themselves. And the will to maintain composure in the face of that malicious intent is not something that can be achieved with ordinary mental strength. At least it wasn't something a nine-year-old child could handle.
What the Black Duke originally thought was to gradually increase the hurdles beyond summoning low-level dark spirits. It wasn't just a day or two, it was happening as Dale grew into adulthood.
'What the heck is this kid…?'
Sepia was also filled with the same astonishment.
However, leaving behind the two people's extremely complicated thoughts, Dale's eyes just shone like a child. Just like kids his age who are happy to receive a gift.
'One is not enough.'
Depending on his desires, he was considering at least two to three pieces. But after thinking about it, he finally realized the gazes of the two people directed at him.
'…!'
He thought, "Oops." Even if it was just for a moment, he was greedy without caring about how he would be seen. To that extent, the Demon King's artifact had magical power that stimulated Dale's desire.
It was not an easy analogy to understand.
"I'll give you strength! You need strength, strength?! Wear me!"
Artifacts are items with powerful thoughts in themselves. That's why he realized the dark emotions hidden in Dale's heart, resonated with him, and tempted him.
The coldly forged hatred and malice toward the empire──.
"Choose me! Quickly pick up the hilt of this sword! Let's slaughter them together!"
"There are people who you want to take revenge on, right? I feel the hate, I can feel it!"
"Let's get rid of them together! Hurry up and choose me!"
"You coward! Come on, put me on! Let's kill them together!"
A magic sword that absorbs life. Armor of the Immortal. Book of the Predator. A necklace with ego.
Trophies from those he defeated as a warrior, or even things he independently collected from the duke's family.
And Dale realized. This is not all.
Another passage hidden by magic on the other side of the room.
The artifacts found here are housed in a chamber of unfathomable depth, where even the mere mention of a name is daringly extended, a room brimming with secrets writhing in the abyss.
"…sorry."
Leaving behind their cries, Dale cautiously opened his mouth.
"I suddenly felt an unknown attraction… It was like this cloak was asking me to wear it."
And he told '50% of the truth.' There's no way the two people wouldn't know about the artifact's will to choose its owner.
"I never thought you would receive the 'Call of the Artifact.'"
As if he had finally realized the situation, the Black Duke muttered.
No matter how talented Dale was, he would never have imagined that a nine-year-old child would be called to the 'cloak of shadows.'
Dale shook off the cries of the artifacts that tempted him, and quietly nodded. 'It must be difficult to control the power of the Shadow Cloak right now.'
In any case, the duchy's wealth also belongs to Dale. The Black Duke's Artifacts here are no exception. That's why Dale wasn't in a hurry.
"The cloak is yours from now on."
The Black Duke said. Sepia is still looking at Dale with concern.
"But controlling the power of that cloak will not be easy."
"Yes."
After hearing those words, Dale finally strengthened his resolve and calmly nodded his head. Lightly submitting to the crowd of shadows swaying at his feet.
The Duke of Jackson officially started preparing to set out to subdue the group of Orcs invading the duchy. He began gathering his knights.
In the meantime, it was the responsibility of the elf wizard Sepia to teach Dale how to control the power of the artifact.
A few days later, early in the morning.
Sepia's teachings were all about how to properly control artifacts. Therefore, there was another teacher who could utilize the power of this shadow cloak itself.
"Uncle Helmut!"
The sparring hall for vassal knights of the Dukedom of Jackson. When Dale appeared before Lord Helmut wearing a cloak of shadows, he was so frightened that his face turned pale
"Young master Dale! No way, is that cloak...‽"
"That's right."
Looking at Helmut's shocked face, Dale smiled mischievously.
"I heard the story from the Duke, but I couldn't believe it till now."
Lord Helmut continued.
"Because I'm not a kid anymore."
Those were truly childish words.
"My father decided to let me accompany him in subduing a group of orcs."
"I have heard that story."
Helmut silently bowed his head.
"That is why, I Helmut, will be in charge of your safety for the duration of this expedition, even if it means endangering my life!"
"Thank you, uncle."
Dale smiled and continued his words.
"But you're sure you haven't forgotten, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"We decided to fight."
That day, a confrontation between two people that failed due to the appearance of his father.
"Even if it's just to go to battle, we can't neglect physical training."
Sreung.
Dale raised the shadow swaying beneath his feet as if to show off.
"How about a real sword battle?"
With the shadow blades spinning around his feet, he boldly challenged Helmut.
Without even holding a sword hilt in his hand.
Looking at that scene, Helmut was instantly shocked, as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.
'With this, young master will be able to properly utilize his swordsmanship skills!'
Even if he learned how to use a sword, he believed that it was only a form of training and that Dale would never hold a sword on the battlefield. But it wasn't.
A sword of shadow spread out in front of you. Right now, even if he can't use his Aura, Dale has acquired his beloved sword that will stay with him for the rest of his life. When he realized that fact, his 'greed as a teacher' for Dale's talent reared its head.
"Haha! You better be prepared, young master!"
Helmut grinned and placed his hand on the sword belt at his waist.
Sreung.
The real sword with its blue blade was illuminated by the early morning sunlight, scattering pale razor blades.
The wind doesn't blow. The frozen air without even the slightest breeze.
However, the shadow cloak that Dale was wearing was fluttering as if fluttering in a strong wind. As if it were a living creature in itself.
And along the shadows of the fluttering cloak, countless shadows began to wriggle.
'Handling the blade of shadow is the same as handling a real sword.'
The shadows waving around his feet began to take on substance and rise out like blades.
The only difference is that the hand holding the sword hilt is an 'invisible hand' made of one's own magical power. In that respect, it can be said to be several times more difficult than handling an actual sword.
However, it is not just a disadvantage.
There is no limit to the number of blades that can be formed. It transcends the limitations of the body and can be used freely, similar to sword fighting. The circle in Dale's heart began to spin rapidly. Similar to how the RPM of a car suddenly increases.
RPM (revolutions per minute).
It was never a metaphor.
Typically, the rotational speed of a circle that magicians possess is around 300rpm. In other words, it means they can rotate it 300 times in a minute to generate magical power.
But now in Dale's case.
──1,500rpm.
This means that through the rotation rate of the circle, a typical magician can achieve 'five times' the efficiency of a single circle.
High-speed rotation of the circle.
A wizard's ability is more than just the number of circles; the rotation rate of the circles themselves is also an important measure.
In Dale's case, the amount of magical power generated purely from one circle would be comparable to that of a 3rd circle wizard.
A large amount of magical power generated through the rotation of the circle began to seep into Dale's shadow cloak.
"Here I come!."
With those words, Dale stomped the ground and charged forward. Simultaneously, shadow blades rising from under his feet began to shoot towards Helmut rapidly. Similar to an assassin scattering countless darts in a fan shape.
An attack that even a seasoned knight would find challenging to face..
However, the opponent is the greatest knight in the North.
A person so strong that even if he clashed swords with Dale's former self with all his might, he would not fall unilaterally.
Huh!
Lord Helmut's sword swung towards the shadow blade rushing towards him.
It was fast.
And the sword split into countless blade fragments, like a fishing net. Just like catching Dale's blows.
Kaang!
The cheerful sound of iron clashing against iron rang out. And after the blow, Sir Helmut, who had adjusted the hilt of his sword, began to counterattack.
Taaat!
Just when the distance between the two narrowed. The hem of Dale's cloak fluttered again.
It fluttered, and jet black skewers emerged sharply from under Dale's feet. Helmut's movement to close the distance and strike a blow came to a standstill.
'Hoo!'
Although it is said to be a contest between teacher and disciple, it is clearly a fight involving real swords. Therefore, the knights of the Duke's family who were watching the scene could not help but be astonished.
There is no need to mention the inaction of Sir Helmut Blackbear, who leads the Raven Knights. However, the young master who is confronting him is only a nine-year-old child.
Of course, the entire empire is well aware that the duke's eldest son is a prodigy with monstrous talent.
In fact, Dale held a sword and faced the duke family's official knights, showing no signs of being discouraged at all. Although it was a mock match without the use of Aura, the knights did not perform to their 100% ability.
The current Lord Helmut was no exception. Even so, they couldn't help but be at a loss for words at the sight of Dale and Lord Helmut fighting at this moment.
Even if it was borrowed from the power of an artifact forged by a high-ranking demon. No, isn't it even more bizarre that a nine-year-old child can freely use such dark powers?
It was a scene that went beyond the realm of talent and even gave off an unpleasant ominous feeling.
However, Dale had a sense of wonder that made him forget even the ominousness. It had nothing to do with Dale's family history.
'He is also the son of the Black Duke.'
Kaang!
Countless shadow blades rose and swirled beneath Dale's feet, and each time, Lord Helmut spurred his sword as if he were satisfied.
The most frightening thing about Dale's talent is that there is no need to explain in words what needs to be taught. What do you lack and how can you fill it? Just by crossing swords and experiencing things, he can understand and analyze it himself cool-headedly.
As if he had a 'perfect theory' and all that was left was to apply it to reality.
Therefore, there was only one role that Sir Helmut had to play as a teacher.
Clashing blades together and accumulating Dale's experience.
Looking forward to the time when this child would spread the wings of his talent and soar, Sir Helmut did not hesitate to become a part of those wings.