The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 215

166. In Azor (1)

“…You’re the winner of the Expert Competition?”

As soon as Israfil reported, Nine Darhon sought out Khalil.

Although he was the head of the Magic Council, he was still a mage, so he couldn’t help but be interested in the Archmage’s magic.

“That’s right. Well, it’s been a few years. I wanted to participate in the Master Competition back then, but there were no challengers, so I ended up going to Gray Headmaster. That’s how I met Alun.”

“Hmm…”

Nine Darhon glanced at Alun at Khalil’s words.

“Well, I couldn’t bring the Archmage’s magic because of various circumstances, but as the winner of the competition, I still have the right to view it.”

He had already seen Khalil’s monstrous skills, so he wasn’t surprised that he had won the Expert Competition.

That was the same as having already reached the ranks of a mage a few years ago.

“And that swordsmanship… You had already reached the ranks of Sword Master a few years ago.”

However,

He couldn’t hide his surprise at the time aspect.

‘Already at the competition… I knew it.’

Mikhail, who had been with him in Azor, also nodded in surprise at Nine Darhon’s words.

“It wasn’t that much. I had enough magic power, but my swordsmanship was lacking at the time. It was an ambiguous state. Well, it’s not perfect now either.”

“Your swordsmanship?”

“Yeah.”

Nine Darhon made a disgusted expression at Khalil’s words.

No one would think that he, who possessed the power of the Spirit King, esoteric power, and even dragon magic, would lack anything.

However, in reality, Khalil felt even more lacking in swordsmanship than in his previous life.

The five stances of the sword that he created.

He still couldn’t unleash the last one. Ironically, the pinnacle he had reached while wielding the sword for countless years was a special stance possible only without magic.

Khalil, who had not reached the 6th class and the last stance of the sword, was facing a wall he had never felt before.

‘But I believe that the two are not contradictory at all.’

Sword Master and Archmage.

These two were beings who had reached the extremes of sword and magic, but in the end, they were all the same in that they had the prerequisites of magic power and body.

‘The reason I can’t complete the last sword stance is because I haven’t melted magic power into this swordsmanship.’

If the wall of the 6th class is broken and the view of magic changes, perhaps a solution to swordsmanship can be found.

Khalil wanted to find this solution in Azor.

“Well… A monster like you must be greedy. So you’re trying to learn Archmage’s magic now.”

Nine Darhon waved his hand as if he didn’t want to think about it anymore.

“I’ve heard of Archmage’s magic too. But my father said that no one can learn those three magics now.”

“That’s right. Because it’s magic that requires dragon magic.”

“I knew it…”

Khalil voiced the guess he had when he first heard about Archmage’s magic in Azor.

Then he looked at Alun as if asking for confirmation.

[Nine is right. Certainly, mages can’t learn it. But Khalil, you’re wrong. That magic doesn’t necessarily require dragon magic.]

“Really?”

[Of course, it would be nice to have dragon magic, but that magic is exceptionally not very important in terms of magic power attributes among our magic.]

Alun explained with a disgruntled expression.

“Us? If it’s us… Then Archmage’s magic was the magic of the Council of Seven Elders.”

Nine Darhon, who was quick to notice, asked without missing his words.

[…]

However, Alun, who didn’t know about the past, stopped talking for a moment, then clicked his tongue and shook his head.

[It’s good to have a good eye, but sometimes it can be poison. Then guess. Who is the guy I don’t recognize as one of the Council of Seven Elders?]

“…Pardon?”

Nine Darhon asked back, seemingly embarrassed at Alun’s question.

“Gustav.”

Khalil said nonchalantly next to him, who didn’t know what to do.

“What’s there to worry about? Isn’t the answer obvious? The person Alun, the betrayer, hates the most is only one person. The creator of Archmage’s magic is Gustav Pavilion.”

[Humph… That’s right. It’s the magic that damn guy made. To think that I’m trying to learn the thing of the guy who has the worst skills among us is really a mess.]

“Is the reason you’re angry really because of your skills?”

Khalil chuckled at his agitated words.

“Not because he’s the one who killed you?”

“…!!”

Nine Darhon widened his eyes again as if surprised at Khalil’s words.

“What? Gustav… is the one who killed Master?”

“Don’t pretend to be surprised. Nine, you must have heard about it too. About the Six Heroes, the symbol of Azor before the Council of Seven Elders.”

Khalil said calmly, looking at his surprised face.

“The reason why Gustav became a hero is a famous anecdote.”

“Th, that’s…”

Nine Darhon couldn’t answer and stammered.

To be honest, it was an anecdote that no mage could not know.

However, he couldn’t ask about it in front of the resurrected Alun Zaviuz.

[Don’t talk nonsense. He’s already dead a thousand years ago. Nine, is that why you don’t want to learn magic from me?]

“How could that be? Master’s magic power… is a great teaching for me.”

Nine Darhon answered hastily at Alun’s words.

Magic is not justice.

It didn’t matter who the hero of the past was.

This was not a matter of right or wrong, but an essential issue for the existence of a mage.

There is a mage in front of you who is superior to all the mages on the continent.

Nine Darhon was satisfied with that one fact.

“Who knows? This trip to Azor may not only give me an opportunity, but also give you an opportunity to clear your name.”

[Humph…]

Alun didn’t seem to dislike Khalil’s words, although he pretended not to care.

“But why couldn’t anyone learn it? It doesn’t require dragon magic. Does it require swordsmanship like Calnare’s magic?”

[That’s not it. But it’s a similar reason. There are more difficult conditions than swordsmanship. Gustav, that ugly guy, must have borrowed someone else’s hand to survive in the midst of our talented people.]

“…Someone else’s hand?”

[But strangely enough, you can learn it. No, it’s the only magic you can learn.]

“What do you mean?”

[You did well not to ask that toad-like pig to show you Archmage’s magic when you first met me. Well, I would have stopped you if you had asked me to show you.]

“Are you saying there’s another reason besides the fact that it’s the magic of the murderer Gustav?”

“That’s right.”

Alun nodded.

[Sometimes you give me goosebumps when I see you.]

“Why?”

Then he slowly continued.

[Gustav’s magic. It’s spirit magic.]

* * *

“You have a pretty good-looking face. Nine’s special training must have helped.”

“…Shut up.”

Serika Loren appeared from the Reverse Room in a more haggard state than she had been at the time.

On the other hand, Mikhail’s face was much better than before.

“That kid said he wanted to learn the Black Severing Seven Forms [a powerful spear technique]. But as you know, you can’t learn it without dark power. But he kept begging me…”

“So you taught him?”

“No way. I’m a mage, not a spearman. The Spear King’s spear technique is based on the magic power of the Immortal Guild. Besides, how can he learn it without dark power?”

“Then why is the kid like that?”

Khalil asked, pointing at the messed up Serika.

“He asked me to give him all the books that the Spear King saw when he created the Black Severing Seven Forms. Well, it seems like he was studying spear techniques on his own after my special training was over…”

Khalil nodded at Nine’s words.

It was because he knew better than anyone else her tenacious personality that she would achieve anything once she made up her mind.

“Anyway, the Spear King is also a human being, so he said he would create a spear technique that is superior to him. He probably hasn’t slept for almost a week. A poisonous guy. Where did you get something like that?”

Nine shook his head as if he was fed up.

“Well. He’s a precious person who took months to bring in. He has to do this much.”

Khalil chuckled and scratched his head, looking at Mikhail.

“The bloodline itself was not enough to break through the wall of the 5th class. After all, he had never learned proper magic. But his physical abilities were so good that he filled in the gaps with his own spear techniques.”

Nine said, looking at the exhausted Serika.

“So I taught him practical magic. It seemed like he could break through the bloodline if he did a little more, but it’s a pity.”

He shrugged.

“Well, even if his personality is terrible, he’s so talented that he’ll break through it on his own over time. Even if it’s a long battle, he won’t lose to most Sword Experts or high-level mages.”

Khalil nodded at his words.

He knew about her talent from the beginning, but he couldn’t help but be surprised that she had the combat ability of a Sword Expert in just one month of training in Anti-Hum [Nine Darhon’s training facility].

‘At this rate, even if the technical aspect is lacking, he may create a spear technique that surpasses Freezing Sphere in this life.’

As soon as he thought that, Khalil thought that he should get her a spear that suits her as soon as possible.

“The funny thing is this guy. He broke through the bloodline. He broke through the wall of the 5th class in just one month.”

Nine pointed at Mikhail.

“What? Already?”

Serika’s growth was surprising, but Khalil widened his eyes at Mikhail’s growth report, which he had not expected.

‘He showed tremendous speed when he first learned magic from Aidan in Azor… Maybe he’s even better than Serika and Serga?’

Khalil looked at Mikhail with expectant eyes.

“But the problem is, he can’t learn magic.”

“…What do you mean?”

Khalil turned his head hastily at Nine’s unexpected words.

“Did you say that before? Even though it’s wind attribute magic, he can’t even use warm air magic properly. It’s the same even if I teach him other magic. He doesn’t use anything properly except for a few magics.”

“Hmm…”

[He was born with a good body, but his head doesn’t follow. There are some guys like that sometimes.]

Alun, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, said in a low voice.

Mikhail blushed as if he was embarrassed at his words.

“I thought so too. Master. But this is also strange… It’s not that he’s particularly dull. If you give him a 5th class intermediate magic book, he memorizes the formulas and equations well. The problem is that he has enough magic power and chants properly, but the magic doesn’t work.”

[He’s a strange guy.]

“I agree.”

Mikhail lowered his head even more as Alun joined in.

“So he hasn’t learned many new magics. Instead, Blade Wind. Did you say it was magic you gave him before?”

“That’s right.”

“He even got magic that the Magic Society doesn’t handle well. Anyway, he practiced only that to death, so unlike other magics, he’s perfect at Blade Wind. So I strengthened it even more.”

Nine Darhon smiled strangely.

“It’s a low-class magic, but it’s so lethal that it may be more useful in practice than Serika.”

“Really?”

“You can look forward to it.”

Khalil nodded at his words.

“Okay. Then everyone’s here now… Nine, are you going with us too?”

“No way. Does it make sense for me, the head of the Immortal Guild, to leave Anti-Hum behind? Don’t forget to contact Tatur and tell him to send attribute stones. Take good care of Israfil.”

Nine Darhon waved his hand as if he was annoyed.

“I’ve already contacted him. Don’t worry.”

Khalil looked at Israfil, who was standing at the very back of the group with a very nervous expression.

“And if you need help, contact me. As a courtesy to Master, your country will be the only place on the continent to be protected by the Immortal Guild from now on.”

“Master’s courtesy? Have you forgotten that I saved your life before that? If I had left the Dust of Emptiness as it was, you would have been in history…”

“Humph, I would have taken care of it before that.”

Khalil laughed lowly at his words.

He would listen to it like a joke, but there was no need to tell him about his failed future.

Was it because of the connection called Alun?

The time they had lived was different, and the paths they were taking were clearly different.

Even though they didn’t have any past life connections like other people, they were feeling comfortable with each other like classmates before they knew it.

[Don’t think nonsense and train as I told you. If you stay locked up for 30 years and train in seclusion, you might break through the wall of the 8th class.]

“30 years… is it?”

[If you work hard, it may be faster than that, so go back quickly.]

Alun seemed to like Nine Darhon, even though he said that.

That’s because he was already a great mage in the 7th class.

It meant that he was definitely not someone without talent.

To be honest, Alun was looking forward to Nine Darhon’s growth, which he had unexpectedly learned about.

“But how do we get to Azor? Or… are we riding the Water King again?”

Mikhail asked with a sullen expression as he remembered what happened on the river.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard such a foolish thing as coming to the Magic Society and riding a carriage.”

Nine snorted at his question.

“What did you learn from me? What’s under your feet is a teleportation magic circle. Don’t worry, I’ll send you to Azor in the blink of an eye.”

“Ah…!!”

Mikhail scratched his head as if he was embarrassed when he realized that magic power was constantly being condensed in the place where they were gathered.

“Did you hear that? The Water King living in Ponine is the guy I tamed, so don’t do foolish things like attacking him in the future. Tell your subordinates too.”

“…The Water King is yours? Yeah, I’m not surprised anymore.”

Nine shook his head at the words that even the owner of Ponine was under him and activated the magic circle.

“Don’t forget what I said. Get stronger.”

“You too. I won’t forgive you for wandering around in a mere 6th class.”

Nine Darhon, Serika Loren, Israfil, and even Mikhail.

It was funny, but at this place, except for Khalil, there were only people who had already crossed the wall of the 7th class or would definitely cross it, and people who had enough talent to cross it.

‘Is it just me who needs to do well?’

Khalil chuckled at the thought.

“See you again.”

The two looked at each other and smiled faintly.

The light of the magic circle slowly began to surround the surroundings.

* * *

Woo Woong…

With a slight dizziness, the light of the teleportation magic circle disappeared, and Khalil slowly opened his eyes.

“Is this… Azor?”

“It’s more desolate than I thought.”

Israfil and Serika said, looking around after the light of the magic circle disappeared.

“…”

Azor was a city of mages, so it was a place where splendid architecture flourished as much as the capitals of the empire and the duchy.

However, the place where they arrived through the magic circle was inside an old building like a ruin.

“There’s no way a place like this is Azor. That place over there is Azor.”

Khalil said, pointing out the window.

At the end of his finger, a city full of splendid buildings could be seen.

“Wow…!!”

“Wow…!!”

Israfil and Serika, who were seeing a big city for the first time, exclaimed without realizing it at the splendid sight.

“Why here?”

However, Khalil’s expression was not good.

“Have you come? I received a message from the Immortal Guild.”

Mages who managed the teleportation magic circle inside the building greeted Khalil as if they had been waiting.

[It seems that the coordinates have been changed. Hmm, well. Anyway, it’s inconvenient to move around in the city, so I’ll stay in spirit form for the time being.]

Alun hid his body as soon as he sensed their presence.

“Is something wrong with the city?”

“That’s… We have to keep using the teleportation magic circle in the lord’s mansion, so we had no choice but to change the coordinates. An important guest is coming…”

Khalil frowned slightly at the guard’s words.

“Is the emperor of the empire coming? Does the lord of Azor look down on the Immortal Guild, one of the two major magic societies? To send the guests of the Immortal Guild to a magic circle on the outskirts like this.”

“I’m sorry… It’s the lord’s order…”

Khalil sighed lowly at the guard’s answer.

Well, what fault does he have for just following the instructions from above?

“Where did they come from that they’re doing this?”

“That’s…”

At Khalil’s question, the guard spoke carefully in a slightly hesitant voice.

“It’s from the Eastern Country.”