Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Awakening (4)

[With this much, I should have more than enough, right?]

Oberon’s words echoed as he surveyed the crowd. The faces gathered in the Leaf Clan village square represented a formidable force.

Not only were the chiefs of the various races present, but also representatives from the Won Sim Hoi [A secretive organization focused on gathering information and resources] and Revoluca [A group of mages and nobles seeking to change the world]. Such powerful individuals had united their wills.

And standing at the very front of them all.

“Thank you all for gathering here,” I said, scanning their faces from the platform.

The leaders and key figures of each group were assembled in one place.

‘This is the kind of force I need to make this fight worthwhile.’

A smile naturally formed on my lips.

“First, we need to familiarize ourselves with each other.”

My group and the different races were well-acquainted with each other’s abilities, but Revoluca was an exception.

Even I didn’t know much about their size or capabilities.

As I glanced at Liu, he rose from his seat, sensing my intention.

“Ahem. I suppose we should introduce ourselves first.”

Liu scanned the crowd and continued, “We are Revoluca. Stenos and Alloy are members, and we are a group comprised of prestigious families and mages.”

The chiefs displayed various expressions at those words, none of them particularly positive.

“Hmm.”

Some frowned, while others coughed, expressing their discomfort.

The fact that Revoluca was made up of prestigious families clearly rubbed them the wrong way. Just as humans held prejudices against them, they, too, harbored prejudices against magical noble families.

“You don’t have to worry,” I interjected. “Revoluca is also a place where people who want to change the world gather.”

The different races began to relax their furrowed brows at my words.

“Yes. They are trustworthy people. Lineage isn’t important when carrying out a great undertaking, is it?”

Even Grantel added his support, and the chiefs nodded in agreement.

“I was rude.”

“Indeed, that’s right. Lineage isn’t important.”

“Forgive my discourtesy, human,” the chiefs offered words of apology to Liu. Naturally, questions about Revoluca followed.

“So, what is your scale?”

At the Merchant Chief’s question, Liu responded with a light smile. “We have about 300 members, all of whom possess skills above the 6-star level [A measure of magical power and skill].”

It was truly a remarkable scale. Moreover, if they were all skilled individuals above 6 stars, they would all be worthy of being called elites.

“And I would like to add that you can entrust us with understanding the internal affairs of the prestigious families.”

As he said, before being members of Revoluca, they were members of each prestigious family. Revoluca was actively monitoring the movements of those families.

‘I’m glad I could get Revoluca on our side.’

In the upcoming war with the Five Stars [Powerful families that control much of the world’s resources and influence], their intelligence would be more valuable than anything.

They would be able to predict which side each family would take during the war.

“We’ve gained a great ally.”

“It’s an ability that will be of great help.”

The chiefs also reacted favorably to their abilities.

“Hmph!”

Except for one person.

“What’s so great about those 6-star mages? If our clan steps up, we can annihilate them in an instant!”

The Tiger Chief was making threats.

However, Liu was not intimidated by him.

“We are not only composed of 6-star mages. Especially Stenos and Alloy, who are here, are exceptionally outstanding.”

He responded with a smile.

“What? Outstanding?”

“Yes. We will not hold back as we continue the war.”

“Ha!”

The Tiger Chief was displeased with Liu’s attitude. Soon, he rose to his feet.

“Then can you prove it!”

“…What kind of proof are you talking about?”

The Tiger Chief then extended his fist.

“There’s no more certain way than exchanging blows directly.”

No one could stop him.

Immediately, he swelled his arm and unleashed the Tiger Clan’s unique Ki wave [A burst of energy unique to the Tiger Clan].

Kuaaa!

The compressed air flew towards Liu.

However, it wasn’t Liu who reacted to the attack.

Crack!

The surrounding air instantly began to freeze. It even froze the Ki wave that the Tiger Chief had fired.

“Hmm.”

Stenos was reaching out his hand.

“…Even so, you’re going too far!”

Alloy was also gathering his energy. At the same time, his eyes turned pale.

Kuuu…

The surrounding terrain began to vibrate.

‘Alloy?’

[Was that guy the one who did that back then?]

The wave of earth that appeared when repelling the Magic Tower’s flagship fleet. It was the same premonitory sign as before.

“Alloy!”

Liu’s roar struck towards Alloy. His blurred figure appeared in front of Alloy in an instant. He had already mastered Blink magic [A type of magic that allows the user to teleport short distances].

“What are you doing!”

Liu then grabbed Alloy’s arms.

“But, that guy attacked the Commander first!”

“That’s because we are newcomers here. It’s natural to be wary of us and test us!”

At his persuasion, the vibration that shook the earth gradually subsided.

However, with just the momentary vibration, all the chiefs, including the Tiger Chief, were tense and gathering their energy.

‘It’s not ordinary magic after all.’

There was only one way to explain Alloy’s powerful strength.

[That guy must have a Constellation too.]

‘A magic Constellation [A powerful entity that grants power to mages]……’

There was no way to explain it other than borrowing the power of a Constellation.

Fortunately, Alloy calmed down thanks to Liu, but he received all the attention of the crowd.

“Tiger Chief, stop it.”

The Merchant Chief was dissuading him, who was still agitated.

“How can you incite such discord when we should be uniting our will?”

“Hmph!”

The Tiger Chief sat down, unable to resist those words.

‘He must have been a little surprised.’

If it were his usual temperament, he would never have backed down. He must have been surprised by the power of Stenos and Alloy.

Not only did he block his power in an instant, but Alloy raised a power that surprised all the chiefs. Far from being a hindrance, it was clear that he was an indispensable force.

“The Merchant Chief is right. This is a place to strengthen our resolve, so let’s stop here.”

Alloy bowed his head at my continued mediation.

“I am sorry.”

Of course, the Tiger Chief only turned his head away.

‘But I won’t be able to ignore him in the future.’

It was something that he would have had to experience someday given his temperament. It might have been fortunate that he imprinted his power in a place where many people gathered.

“As you all have seen, Revoluca is definitely an organization that will be of great help to us.”

The chiefs slowly nodded.

“My Won Sim Hoi is also spread all over the continent, so if we combine the information and power of the two organizations, the synergy will be enormous.”

The Won Sim Hoi, which Angel had cultivated over the past five years, was by no means inferior to Revoluca.

Even Liu, who heard about the Won Sim Hoi for the first time, was surprised, saying, ‘How did you create such a large organization so secretly?’

Moreover, the residents of Ego were also providing strong support.

“Finally, we’re going to go out into the world.”

“Thanks to you, I’m trying to do this in my generation.”

“It’s an honor!”

They too were yearning for the vast world. They too had cherished the history of a thousand years ago.

[Now we can really stand up against the Five Stars and the Magic Tower.]

‘If we refine it a little more here, it will be possible.’

I couldn’t help but raise the corners of my lips as I looked at those gathered here.

“Then, let’s finish the final preparations here. Let’s go out and change the world.”

Everyone’s eyes were filled with determination.

* * *

After solidifying their resolve in the Leaf Clan village, they revisited the hall.

“Hoo, today was good too.”

Drew’s lips were drawing a satisfied curve.

Drew and Admun, who had been building up their Aura [A form of life energy] together in the hall during the day. And behind them were a series of figures.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

They were knights belonging to the Won Sim Hoi.

The Won Sim Hoi had been continuing knight training according to the teachings left by Angelos. Their efforts were now beginning to shine.

“You’ve worked hard. Come and build up your Aura here every day from now on.”

I had brought them here and taught them about Aura.

“I understand. Herald.”

Drew and Admun waved their hands with them and moved their feet. It was already sunset, so it was time for everyone to leave the hall.

[It’s really starting now.]

Grantel and I were left alone in the hall. Had the increasingly intense flow of Ki [Another form of life energy, often associated with martial arts] ever been so beautiful?

‘Yes. I’ll absorb it all.’

However, Grantel’s expression was still full of worry.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m really okay now.”

It was then that I showed him a faint smile.

Kwaaa!

The surge of Ki swept through my body in an instant.

‘Gasp!’

Mana [Magical energy] and Aura momentarily began to escape control.

If this continued, not only would Mana backfire, but Aura would also become twisted.

However, ‘Woo-oong!’ A black aura was emitted at the same time.

‘Hoo.’

My body began to be dyed black. Thanks to the black aura that quickly consumed my body, I was able to take a breather.

“You’re turning black again. Are you really okay?”

Of course, Grantel looked at me with concern.

“Yes.”

This time, I was able to nod my head with my own will.

My whole body, including my face, was dyed black. However, my eyes were still red, as Bael had said.

[Kua! It’s out again!]

And the voice that echoed in my head. It was Bael’s voice.

‘How is it, can you handle it?’

[Handle it? Did you think I would have trouble with this kind of thing?]

‘If not, then never mind.’

Like the monster’s boast, Mana and Aura were quickly regaining stability, so there was no need to worry about it anymore.

‘I’m going to gather Aura, so please take care of it.’

[Do as you please.]

In the end, Grantel had to nod at my appearance, which had regained stability.

“Hmm. I don’t know how you did it, but you definitely seem okay.”

“Then I will gather Aura again.”

In the storm of rushing energy, I simply sat down and closed my eyes.

Kuuu…

A gentle yet fierce feast of Aura.

‘Ha, it’s amazing.’

It was a situation where admiration naturally came out.

‘Such a thick and blatant Aura.’

Aura that seeped into my body just by breathing. I began to operate the Aura that was raging like a typhoon.

However, not long after, Bael’s voice echoed in my head again.

[Ha! This is fun!]

‘What is?’

[Your Aura is increasing in real time. It’s accumulating here and there in your body.]

I was feeling it too, Aura was accumulating at an incredible rate.

[At this rate, you’ll be a 9-star in no time.]

‘No, 10-star is also possible.’

The feast of Aura accumulating with my entire body’s muscles as a vessel. The Aura that permeated here and there as if coveting my body was giving me confidence.

[Hoo. Isn’t this a realm you couldn’t achieve in your past life?]

A realm that he had so desired but could not achieve. He would be able to achieve the realm where he could slaughter even the old men of the Five Stars with one sword.

‘That’s right. I’m going to make it this time.’

Throughout the waning moon.

We did not leave the cliff of the hall.