Chapter 017
Swish—
The sound of a sword cutting through the air echoed.
Thanks to the precise angle and distribution of force, the sound of the wind was almost nonexistent.
Around him, the Spirit took the same actions.
Furthermore...
Wooooong—
He even went as far as using the Sky-Rending Flash while maintaining the Spirit Descent.
He had started doing it just to empty his dantian a little faster, but Kalian, who watched, could not hide his astonishment.
[What on earth is that brat...]
Mitchell likely couldn't feel it himself, but the Sky-Rending Flash he was firing now was combined with the effects of the Spirit, shaking one's very psyche.
If he had unleashed this against the Lapel warriors last time, their knees would have buckled, and they would have lost their lives without even thinking of dodging.
Setting aside that formidable power, maintaining the Spirit Descent and the Sky-Rending Flash simultaneously was like drawing two completely different pictures with both hands at once.
In fact, the combination of these two was the true completion of this training.
[What should I do...]
Originally, Kalian had intended to ask him to try using both at the same time when evaluating the results of the week.
However, before he could even say a word, the boy had already completed it through his own self-study.
Others would take months, or even years, to become proficient in unleashing two different energies simultaneously.
That brat had accomplished it far too easily.
"Phew... I guess it’s no use. I suppose succeeding in just one week was impossible after all."
However, Mitchell was not satisfied with his achievement.
[...What?]
"I don't know why the power of the Spirit keeps getting weaker as I go."
Through his training, he could feel what the "psychic pressure" emitted by his Spirit actually was.
The problem was that the pressure was gradually weakening.
"Is it because the duration is getting longer..."
[No. The duration depends on your control and amount of Dark Aura, but the completion of the Spirit Descent itself is perfectly fine.]
"Then is there another problem?"
[Yes. A Spirit created through Spirit Descent is a spiritual entity. It means it is not simply made of Dark Aura.]
Hearing those words, something occurred to Mitchell.
When he first created the Spirit at the inn, he felt that it was like a spiritual summon.
And the most representative of spiritual summons were none other than Elementals.
"Is it something like an Elemental?"
[Yes. A Spirit is an artificial elemental created by the caster. Thus, what is required differs for each Spirit. For yours, it is likely souls themselves.]
"How do you know that?"
[Can you not feel it just by looking at the appearance of your Spirit?]
"Ah..."
Even without that, Kalian had been watching closely and had deduced roughly why Mitchell’s Spirit looked the way it did.
[It is likely that the remnants of the souls you have decomposed thus far are manifesting through the Spirit Descent. In particular, the massive number of souls used when you first created your aura holes and aura roads must have played a big part.]
"Then does the Spirit's power recover just by using souls?"
[Correct. Right now, your Spirit is in a hungry state. It will recover quickly as long as you use souls. Of course, growing it is a completely different matter.]
Mitchell fell into thought.
Watching him, Kalian cleared his throat and continued.
[At any rate, you failed to succeed despite the promised week passing.]
Kalian spoke to Mitchell in a solemn voice. Finally, the long-awaited opportunity had come.
The chance to show Mitchell who was boss.
But...
"Hey, that’s not right. According to what you said, the Spirit Descent was impossible through training alone from the start. So you should exclude that and look at my other achievements."
[No, that's...]
"Surely the great Grandmaster! The successor of Runei who has led five hundred years of history! Such a person wouldn't commit fraud by giving an impossible task, right?"
[...]
This brat never let a single thing slide easily.
[Sigh... I will teach you a new technique as well. However, since we will also be raising your Spirit through this training, get ready to leave.]
"Oh, great. But leave? Where are we going for training?"
[Yes. If you need souls, shouldn't we go to a place where we can get them?]
The reason he had established the House of Runei in such a cold and barren North.
It was because of the Demon Realm, a place overflowing with magical beasts and monsters.
"You're going where all of a sudden?"
"To the Demon Realm for training."
Grant frowned as he watched Mitchell pack his things one by one.
"I can't even move because of family business, and you're just going to do that alone?"
"You should just quit everything and focus on training too then."
"I will, once I finish sorting out the Lapel businesses..."
"Yeah, well, I'm going first."
I want to go too.
Grant expressed his regret internally.
The Demon Realm was a dangerous place, but since the entrance had many weak specimens, it had traditionally been used as an external training ground for the Runei family.
However, because of the conflict with Lapel, Grant had never been there, so he wanted to follow Mitchell and experience the Demon Realm this time.
Thus, he spoke to his father, but he was not given permission, being told that his help was needed in organizing the businesses.
'It feels like an excuse, though.'
It was likely because of the remnants of Lapel.
He didn't understand why his father was so scared of those guys that he even stationed guards around him.
Since Grant didn't know that Barque was still alive, it was a natural thought.
"Should I try to persuade Father again?"
"Just stay quiet. Don't make me get scolded too."
"..."
Grant remained silent, perhaps unhappy with Mitchell's words.
Regardless, Mitchell continued to pack his bags and finally tucked a bottle he had brought from the warehouse into his backpack.
"Hmm, the luggage is done... Grant, did you bring the map I asked for?"
Grant nodded and pulled a map from his chest.
"Here. But didn't you say you haven't fixed the mana car yet?"
"That's why I'm just going to walk."
"Walk? It's quite far to the Demon Realm."
"Is it that far? Give me the map."
Kalian had spoken as if they were just going to the hill behind the neighborhood when he told him to walk.
So he thought it was close, but when he actually opened the map he received, it was far—too far.
"It'll probably take fifteen days if you walk."
"Gah... You said it was close!"
As Mitchell shouted while his hands trembled, Kalian’s laughter could be heard.
[Heh heh, this is all training as well. Didn't you ask me to teach you new martial arts? This time, I will teach you footwork and body-lightening techniques. Your journey won't be boring.]
At those words, Mitchell’s heart softened slightly, and he tucked the map into his chest.
What could he say when he was being taught new martial arts?
It felt strongly like a form of revenge, but he decided to let it go.
"I don't know who you heard that from, but I'll see you later."
The nuance of Grant's words sounded like they would meet again soon.
Thinking it was just a misunderstanding, Mitchell nodded, grabbed his luggage, and left the room.
The House of Runei was full of energy, unlike before.
They were in the process of salvaging the normal parts of Lapel’s businesses and shutting down the underground ones that couldn't be left alone, so many people were moving around busily.
Bow.
As Mitchell headed outside with his luggage, those who recognized him bowed their heads in greeting.
Although they didn't know the exact details about Mitchell, they had heard that he played a major role in this incident, so their faces were full of goodwill.
The moment he stepped out of the main gate of the House of Runei, Kalian spoke.
[I will teach you the footwork and body-lightening techniques once we are out of Ranga.]
"Yes. But first, I need to deposit some money."
He planned to deposit the money left over from selling the jewelry in the village and also look into his inheritance.
Thus, he headed straight for the Imperial Bank in Ranga.
"What is the name of the account holder?"
"Lia Wilson."
When Mitchell said the name, the bank teller took out a book and wrote the name there.
Then, the ink soaked into the book, and new writing began to appear.
Mitchell's eyes widened at the mysterious sight he was seeing for the first time, and the teller, seeing him, gave a small laugh.
"It seems you are using a bank for the first time?"
"Yes..."
"That’s often the case if it isn't an account you made yourself. Let’s see... the ownership of the account has been transferred. Ah... it’s an inheritance."
Realizing it was an inheritance, the teller wore a look of pity instead of a smile.
"Could you place your hand here now?"
The teller said, turning the page.
Mitchell placed his hand as instructed, and with a stinging sensation, blood flowed from his finger.
The book absorbed the blood, and the original text began to disappear.
"Since we've confirmed you are the heir, the inheritance will take place. What is your name?"
"Please just keep it under my mother's name. Is that possible?"
"Yes, since the identity verification will proceed exactly as it did just now, it doesn't matter."
The teller looked at Mitchell with pity.
A gaze as if looking at a son who couldn't forget his mother.
Mitchell felt burdened by that gaze and fixed his eyes on the book again.
"I'll check the account details for you. This is the amount in the account... Huh?"
"Is something wrong?"
"O-oh, no."
The teller turned the pages with trembling hands, and it was only after Mitchell received the book that he understood why she was so flustered.
'Just how much is all of this...'
His vision was filled with a number so long he couldn't count it at a glance.
[You brat, you were incredibly rich.]
"I guess so."
He didn't know his mother, who was merely a fallen noble, would have this much money.
'No wonder they told me to hand over Mother's inheritance.'
Even for the wealthy Kellion family, his mother's inheritance was something worth being greedy for.
Mitchell decided to think carefully about how to use the money and stepped out of Ranga.
The direction was North, where the Demon Realm was located.
Even though Ranga was a large city, not many people traveled north.
He had only briefly seen a carriage at the entrance. Even that carriage moved in a different direction than Mitchell, and soon, only Mitchell remained on the road.
Thanks to that, it was the perfect condition for training.
[From now on, I will teach you footwork and body-lightening techniques. They are the Ghost Soul Step (鬼魂步) and the Forgotten Soul Body Technique (忘魂身法). These are martial arts that can further elevate your abilities.]
"Oh!"
[The Ghost Soul Step instills fear in the opponent just by stepping forward. It can also strengthen the power of your Spirit.]
According to Kalian, the Ghost Soul Step was a footwork technique that could assist the Sky-Rending Sword along with the Spirit Descent.
[The Forgotten Soul Body Technique allows you to move like a ghost. It is fast and stealthy. When you reach the peak, people won't even know you are moving.]
Having said that, Kalian patiently taught him everything from the footwork to the operation of energy.
Thanks to that, he understood it easily, but the moment he took his first step, Mitchell tripped over his own feet and fell.
Thump!
He tried several more times after that, but five steps were his limit. Even then, he only succeeded occasionally.
Mitchell frowned while massaging his throbbing ankle.
"Ugh... didn't you teach me wrong? My feet are cramping just from moving my steps."
[Did you think it would be easy? There’s a reason I told you to walk all the way to the Demon Realm. You will barely get the hang of it after doing at least that much. So, travel using only the Ghost Soul Step and the Forgotten Soul Body Technique until we arrive.]
He was being told to travel a distance that would take fifteen days on foot in a state where he could barely take a single proper step.
Furthermore, he was told he would barely get the hang of it even if he traveled that way.
Mitchell felt a sense of defiance.
"Just you wait. I'll be performing it perfectly by the time we arrive!"
[Heh heh, go ahead and try. If you succeed, I will give you a gift.]
For some reason, Kalian felt a sense of déjà vu, but he believed that this time, it wouldn't be easy.
In a forest slightly away from Ranga, the northern metropolis.
Barque and his subordinates had settled there.
Since they couldn't enter Ranga, they were in the forest where it was easy to hide.
There was only one reason they stayed here without fleeing elsewhere.
It was to catch Mitchell.
'I don't know why they want me to bring that guy back.'
When he sent a letter explaining the situation to the central noble who was backing him, an answer came back saying that his mistake would be covered up if he brought Mitchell back.
'Well, it doesn't matter.'
He had intended to take revenge on the brat anyway.
The brat who appeared out of nowhere had overturned everything.
The same went for the battle with Grant. Although Grant was a 5th-class aura user like himself, Barque had the upper hand due to Grant’s meager experience.
However, his concentration was disrupted by an unknown energy fired by that brat Mitchell, and as a result, he suffered a serious injury and collapsed.
He would have died right then and there if his subordinate hadn't had a potion.
'It's a chance to take revenge and get back into the central noble's good graces.'
If he could just lure that brat Mitchell out of Ranga, everything would be resolved.
The problem was that there was no suitable way to make him come out...
While Barque's deliberation grew long, one of his subordinates ran over in a flurry.
"The brat has come out!"
"On his own?"
"Yes, he is said to have gone to the Demon Realm for training."
"The Demon Realm..."
A good opportunity to catch the brat had come.
A sinister smile appeared on Barque's lips.
