Future Knight [EN]: Chapter 15

퓨쳐나이트 15화

“This… this is?”

“Don’t be too surprised. I had the same reaction when I first saw it.”

Kang Chan couldn’t help but be shocked by the book’s title.

「Thunder · Lightning Dual Sword Style」

The naming sense couldn’t have been worse.

Even after looking at the title multiple times, it still seemed shoddy, and Kang Chan began to fear his worries were justified.

Kang Chan silently raised his head and looked at Elradion.

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried I’m just giving you some third-rate swordsmanship and washing my hands of you because I’m annoyed, aren’t you?”

At his words, Kang Chan answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

“Heh heh, I like your honesty. But you’re mistaken. The book in your hands was left by the strongest man in the history of this Arkanndor continent. And…”

After pausing for a moment, he continued in a resigned tone.

“He was also my friend.”

He looked sadly out the window, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Kang Chan suddenly thought, ‘Could he be dead?’ because Elradion’s words were in the past tense.

“Then, the strongest person on the continent…?”

“He died… in my heart.”

‘In your heart? What, is he dead or alive?’

Kang Chan felt a strong urge to ask for clarification, but he didn’t want to provoke Elradion’s sadness further.

“I have something I want to ask of you.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Elradion pointed to the Thunder-Lightning Dual Sword Style and said.

“In fact, that sword technique is a book that shouldn’t exist in our Elf village. It shouldn’t be learned either. That’s why I’m recommending it to you, a human. Because you’re not an Elf. But no other Elf should know that you’re practicing this. And if you ever get caught, you must never… mention my name. You must keep that in mind.”

“……”

Kang Chan had a strong feeling he was being pawned off with something very dangerous, but he couldn’t back out now.

“Wh-what if I get caught?”

“What! Do I have to teach you everything? Just say you found it in the forest.”

Kang Chan flinched at Elradion’s sudden anger.

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

“Take it and go.”

Kang Chan’s heart grew anxious when he was suddenly dismissed. ‘No, what am I supposed to do if you just give me a book like this?’

“Um, Elder. Are you really just giving me the book?”

“Take it and delve into it. You have the patience to badger me for half a year, but you don’t want to put in the effort to read a book properly? For the time being, focus on memorizing and understanding all the contents of the book. If you don’t understand something, come to me secretly in the evening. Now, really go. I want to read a book.”

A clear dismissal.

Looking at Elradion, who was staring at him with fierce eyes, it was clear he had been very uncomfortable because of him.

As Elradion turned away as if annoyed, Kang Chan bowed deeply and apologized before running out of Elradion’s house.

Then, in front of Elradion’s house, he bowed his head once again to express his gratitude.

‘I’m not an official disciple, but I’m still being taught by Elradion. I will never disappoint you, Master.’

Kang Chan was filled with strong confidence, and his steps were light as he returned home with the Thunder-Lightning Dual Sword Style in his arms.

6. Standing Alone

Three days after Kang Chan was taught the Thunder-Lightning Dual Sword Style by Elradion.

Elradion summoned Kang Chan.

“Master, did you call me?”

Kang Chan was in a position to be taught by Elradion, so he used the title Master when calling Elradion.

However, since the two were in a secret relationship, the title Master was only allowed when they were alone.

“Disciple, I’m sorry to tell you some bad news.”

“What is it?”

No one in the world would be happy to hear bad news. Kang Chan’s face was still expressionless, but he was a little nervous.

“Originally, Arteon should have told you, but he is very busy right now, so I will tell you instead. The bad news is that you can no longer live in this village with us.”

“Yes?”

“Ah, that doesn’t mean we’re banishing you. It just means you have to live outside the village.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“You probably know better than we do, right?”

Kang Chan couldn’t say anything and just rolled his eyes, because he had too many things that pricked his conscience when his master referred to them as “you.”

“I didn’t know you were enjoying meat every day while hunting with Jeina, who hasn’t come of age yet, and that you were secretly brewing alcohol?”

Kang Chan, who had been rolling his eyes, felt like he wanted to disappear as everything he had done with Jeina recently came out of Elradion’s mouth.

“This is a measure that takes into account the identity of the young Elves growing up in our village. In fact, I know very well that our Elf society is very conservative compared to other races, but it is still the power that drives our society and the tradition that must be protected. That’s why we don’t want our children to be influenced by human culture from you. So please understand our position in making this extreme decision.”

They were clearly worried that Jeina’s personality, who was the most friendly with Kang Chan, was becoming more and more humanized.

“I understand. I fully understand what Master is saying.”

“I’m glad you said that.”

“Then, can I decide where to live?”

“You can do whatever you want. We will support you with everything you need.”

Kang Chan was lost in thought for a moment, then raised his head and looked at Elradion.

“I will follow Master’s words.”

Elradion slowly patted him on the shoulder.

“Thank you. Don’t be too sad about the relocation. It’s a very important thing that we can’t help.”

“I’m not sad at all, Master.”

That’s what he said, but Kang Chan couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Looking at Jeina, who was holding onto his sleeve and refusing to let go, Kang Chan suddenly felt like she was family, and his heart ached.

Family was an impossible existence for him, who had been abandoned by his parents as a baby.

The scientists who had always been by his side when he was young were just test subjects, and the comrades who had crossed the line of death with him were all emotionless killing machines.

For him, Jeina was the only person who had made him think of the word family in his life.

“I’ll come every day. Don’t worry.”

“Really? Are you really going to come see me every day?”

“Yes, I promise in the name of the spirits.”

Kang Chan, who had heard something from somewhere, managed to get Jeina off him by invoking the spirits, packed his few belongings, and walked out of the village entrance.

As Kang Chan walked down the road, he thought about the night he told Elradion about his chosen residence yesterday.

* * *

“So, have you decided where to stay?”

Elradion, who was sitting leisurely and drinking sour pomegranate juice, asked.

“Yes, Master.”

“Yes, where is it? As a master who has lived for a long time, I know all the livable and dangerous places around here.”

“I’m thinking of going to the spaceship I came on.”

“Pfft!”

“……”

The red pomegranate juice splattered like blood, drenching Kang Chan’s face. Covered in red pomegranate juice, Kang Chan looked gruesome, as if he had been covered in blood.

“Why that place of all places?”

“That place is like a hometown to me. Please allow me.”

“Huh, hmm! But that place is quite far from here. You’re going to be short on time to cultivate the Thunder-Lightning Dual Sword Style, so why go so far?”

“I will run hard, thinking that everything is part of the training.”

“Ahem, is that so.”

When Elradion looked into Kang Chan’s eyes, he could feel a firm will.

‘This child’s determination is too strong.’

“I will discuss it with Arteon for a moment, so go back to your lodgings first.”

“Yes, I understand. Master.”

Elradion, who had sent Kang Chan back because this was not a matter he could decide on his own, hurriedly notified Arteon of this fact through the crystal ball.

“What should we do?”

-Well, I expected it, but I didn’t think he would actually go there. Please grant his wish for now. How long can we keep suspecting his identity? If he really has bad intentions, he will reveal them soon.

“I understand, Arteon.”

-The place is surrounded by several layers of barriers that I have created with great care, so he will not be able to act rashly. And I have prepared several ways to monitor him. But there is something more urgent than that right now, Elradion.

“What’s wrong?”

The expression on Arteon’s face reflected in the crystal ball grew darker and darker.

-The demands for participation from humans are getting stronger and stronger. It must mean they can no longer stop the witch’s children on their own.

“……”

Elradion’s expression darkened as well, just like Arteon’s.

-Now, in a few years, our children will have to leave this forest and fight with them in a war for the survival of the race. Many Elves will probably be injured or killed… The only way for our children to leave the peaceful forest and survive in that harsh war is to become stronger. Elradion, please raise the children to be stronger.

Elradion’s heart echoed Arteon’s words.

He tried to relieve her worries and spoke confidently.

“I will keep that in mind, Arteon. And when that day comes, I will definitely be at the forefront!”

-That’s very reassuring. Of course, I won’t be standing still then either.

Arteon smiled playfully, not befitting her age, and raised her slender arm to give strength.

Elradion, with a solemn expression, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

“When that time comes, we will all gather in one place again, just like before.”

-Yes, because the opponent is that strong.

“May the blessing of the spirits be with you.”

-May the peace of the forest be with you.

* * *

Kang Chan, who had been exhausted from cleaning the dusty Red Mars all day, overslept.

“Huh!”

When he jumped up and looked at the clock, it was almost an hour past his appointment with Master.

A curse escaped his lips.

“Damn it!”

Kang Chan, who had no choice but to begin his training with tardiness, felt his blood run cold and hurriedly ran to the hangar.

Kang Chan’s only hobby, the air bike, was stored there, and the only way to overcome the current situation was to ride it.

‘It’s a good thing I fixed it yesterday.’

Vroom!

With the powerful engine sound of the air bike, the ion thruster spewed fire.

Kang Chan, who had escaped through the small hangar door, rushed towards the Elf village.

Kang Chan, who had traveled the 3-hour distance on foot in just a few minutes, landed at the place where he had secretly agreed to meet with Master.

“I’m sorry!”

“……”

When Kang Chan landed next to Master on his air bike, Elradion, with a blank expression, stared intently at it.

“Wh-what is that?”

Elradion looked at the sleek, streamlined black air bike that Kang Chan was riding with a slightly embarrassed yet very curious look.

Of course, they also had flying vehicles such as magic-enchanted brooms and carpets in their world, but these were all relics of the magic era that had been destroyed in the past, and they were so expensive that they were worth more than their weight in gold.