Chapter 7
Kayden, Grant, and Mitchell were gathered in the office.
Grant explained everything that had happened step by step. It took ten minutes for the long tale to finally come to an end.
"And that is how we were able to escape safely."
"……."
A silent rage filled the office.
As a massive wave of energy surged in all directions, the furniture in the room began to rattle and fly about.
'This is insane!'
Mitchell instinctively began to refill his Aura Hole.
He had been holding back for fear of being caught tearing souls apart, but he couldn't afford to care about that now.
Aaaaagh!
The Aura Hole filled rapidly alongside the screams of souls. Mitchell immediately opened his Aura Hole and vented energy wildly. Only then was he barely able to remain standing, even though the pressure wasn't even directed at him.
But that was only for Mitchell.
"Urgh! Father!"
An urgent cry burst from Grant’s mouth. He was already pale and hadn't recovered yet. At his son’s voice, Kayden made an effort to suppress his rage and reined in the unstable, shaking energy.
The surroundings grew quiet.
Kayden stared at Mitchell, who was still tensely emitting energy, for a moment before bowing his head.
"I am sorry. My training was insufficient, and I failed to control my pressure."
"……."
"High Chancellor Hail was my long-time friend. We grew up together in this place since we were children. But why……."
To be betrayed by someone like a brother…….
It was something Mitchell hadn't experienced personally, but he could at least guess the sentiment. Hadn't the people he once considered family let go of his hand in an instant? Mitchell watched Kayden, who wore a bitter smile, and slowly withdrew his energy.
"Forgive me for showing such an unsightly side, and thank you for saving my son. As I said before, House Lunei will do everything in its power for you. So, would you mind leaving us for a moment?"
Kayden seemed to want Mitchell to step out so he could have a deep conversation with Grant. However, Grant spoke up in opposition.
"I cannot. Our benefactor must be included in this. We don't know what other spies might be inside or outside the main house, and we might need him to move while avoiding the eyes of House Lapel."
'Hey man, you called me a benefactor…….'
Grant bowed his head deeply to seek permission.
The eyebrows of Mitchell, who was glaring at the back of Grant's head, twitched. Looking at how he spoke, it felt like he was treating him as a mercenary or a subordinate rather than a benefactor.
Just then, Grant spoke to him urgently through Sound Transmission.
[The secret technique! Don't forget! It's the secret technique!]
'Sigh, since I'm the one who wants it, I'll endure.'
Mitchell clicked his tongue inwardly and looked forward again. Kayden was just staring at Mitchell. Grant, who had lifted his head, looked at Kayden and continued.
"There is no doubt our benefactor is from the West. Lord Loren confirmed it after seeing his clothing and belongings."
"I never thought otherwise. It was a chance to capture you, the eldest son; they wouldn't kick away such an opportunity just to send a mere spy."
Grant's face brightened at the answer he wanted. Kayden looked away from his son and turned to Mitchell.
"Giving and receiving must be clear. My son keeps sending me Sound Transmissions—what did he promise you?"
"A-Father, that’s……."
Grant stammered in panic.
He had tried to send the messages as secretly as possible, but he couldn't escape the eyes of Kayden, who was nearing the end of the 6th-class. Mitchell mentally cursed Grant for treating him like a subordinate earlier and straightened his back proudly.
If he couldn't get the secret technique, he planned to get something equivalent. Since he had saved Grant and had a separate promise, he had plenty of justification. Mitchell didn't avoid Kayden's eyes as he spoke.
"He said he would pass down the House Lunei secret technique, the Heaven-Shattering Sword."
"I was going to explain slowly……."
"I understand. If it is a promise made by the Young Lord of Lunei, it must be kept."
Both Grant and Mitchell were surprised by the incredibly fast response. Kayden looked at his son’s face and clicked his tongue.
"Saving your life alone would have been enough to pass down the technique. It is an incomplete secret technique to begin with, isn't it?"
He then turned his head to look at Mitchell.
"As you saw, using that technique leaves one in that state. Is your desire to learn it still the same?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then so be it. That fellow will teach you the details of the Heaven-Shattering Sword. And that fellow is an idiot who thinks he is deep-seated. Don't take his earlier rudeness too much to heart."
Mitchell was puzzled because he didn't understand what those words meant, but for now, a smile spread across his face at the news that the secret technique would be passed down.
"Grant, you're in for some hard work."
"What?"
"Consider it punishment for trying to deceive your father; you'll figure it out as you go. More importantly, since you recommended our benefactor, you must have a plan. Let's have you handle and resolve this matter."
"If I am to handle it, to what level should I go?"
"Capture alive. If that's not possible, eliminate him after obtaining the reason for the betrayal and information."
Kayden’s eyes, directed out the window, were filled with a gaze that could be either rage or regret.
Mitchell woke up after sleeping in the room the servant had guided him to.
Looking out the window, it was still broad daylight. Since he had arrived in the morning, he had slept for about three or four hours.
"I feel a bit more alive now."
Mitchell stretched his stiff body and locked the door. Even though it was a safe place, it was better to be careful when converting souls into energy.
Sitting back down, Mitchell looked at his remaining souls. There were four and a half souls left—those remaining after he used some to block Kayden's rage.
Screeeech—
Mitchell began to tear the souls and fill his Aura Hole.
As he continued doing this, he grew accustomed to it, and his absorption speed gradually increased. Thanks to that, the conversion was a bit faster than usual.
'Hmm…….'
Energy continued to enter the already full Aura Hole. Only after using the half-soul was there no more space left.
'I guess it grows if I use it until the Aura Hole is completely empty. I should try it again when I have a chance.'
Knock, knock, knock.
As he reined in the energy of his full Aura Hole, he heard a knock from outside. He stood up and opened the door to see Grant standing there.
"You must be finished. I was waiting because the energy felt from the room made it seem like you were meditating."
Grant, who had done Mitchell wrong a few hours ago, spoke very politely. However, Mitchell, whose mood hadn't fully recovered, spoke bluntly.
"Why are you here? Oh, are you planning to put me to work right away?"
"……I came to keep my promise."
"We haven't even caught that High Chancellor person yet."
"Benefactor, you don't need to worry about that. Finding and capturing the Chancellor is something I will handle on my own."
"That's a different story than what you said in front of the Family Head."
Mitchell narrowed his eyes and looked at the suspicious Grant, wondering what he meant. Grant scratched the back of his head awkwardly and spoke.
"About thirty years ago, during the war with the Holy Empire, most of the family's secret techniques were lost during the evacuation. The Family Head and the experts of that time, who had perfectly mastered the techniques, all lost their lives in the war."
After that event, House Lunei, which used to produce two or three Aura Masters every generation, began to decline. Currently, the strongest member, Kayden, was only a 6th-class Aura User. Of course, even that made him one of the top experts anywhere, but it was still far lacking compared to the past. Compared to when they exerted influence over the entire North, they weren't even able to completely control their base, Langa, anymore.
"However, the family did not give up and worked hard to restore the secret techniques. Father seems to have completely given up, but regardless, it is certainly a secret technique that embodies the joys and sorrows of a family that has lasted over two hundred years. That's why I thought Father wouldn't permit it easily."
Come to think of it, what did the Family Head say?
— That fellow is an idiot who thinks he is deep-seated. Don't take his earlier rudeness too much to heart.
Mitchell finally understood those words.
"So, you said that to create a bigger reason?"
"Exactly! Although I didn't expect Father to agree so easily."
'What a thoughtful guy.'
Mitchell relaxed his stiff posture and smiled. Seeing that, Grant finally laughed along.
"So, Benefactor, you just need to learn the Heaven-Shattering Sword from me."
"I understand. But as the Family Head said, a deal is a deal. I want to help if I can be of service."
"If you insist, I will ask for your help when we capture the Chancellor later."
Only after hearing that did Mitchell extend a hand, and Grant grabbed it.
"Then I look forward to your guidance."
"Haha, guidance? With someone of your skill level, it's more like we're exchanging knowledge."
Mitchell tilted his head at the laughing Grant's words.
Exchanging knowledge with someone who was still only a 2nd-class Aura User?
As expected.
At the family training ground, Grant's eyes trembled when he saw Mitchell grip his sword.
"That…… I mean……."
Grant, unable to continue his sentence properly, seemed to be agonizing over how to explain.
'It must be pretty bad.'
He thought he had been working hard according to the books, but it seemed lacking to Grant, who had undergone professional and proper training. Grant fell into thought for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"Are your injuries severe, perhaps?"
"No. I'm all healed now. I've filled my Aura Hole, too."
"Hmm…… surely back then, you were at a level comparable to a seasoned 4th or 5th-class……."
Hearing Grant's mutterings, Mitchell realized why he had mentioned exchanging knowledge earlier. He was grateful for the high evaluation, but Mitchell wanted to learn as properly as possible, so he didn't lie and spoke as straight as he could.
"I am a 2nd-class Aura User. What you saw last time was…… a family secret technique. You're a 5th-class Aura User, Grant-ssi, didn't you use something like Sword-Light?"
Grant nodded at Mitchell's words.
The empire was vast, with countless martial families, sects, and knight houses. There would be even more if you included the Holy Empire and other nations. Thinking that way made it understandable—until Mitchell spoke his next words.
"The cultivation method I learned is unique, so I was able to emit Aura despite being 2nd-class, but it's only been two months since I picked up a sword. So, I want to learn the basics as well."
"Two months……?"
"Yes, two months."
Grant's jaw dropped.
