Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 121

121

Body, mind, and mana.

A knight who harbors mana in their heart faces a significant hurdle to reach the next level the moment they unify these three.

For a mage who doesn’t utilize their body like a knight, the key isn’t physical prowess but advanced learning ability.

In other words, intelligence.

While some schools of magic consider intelligence a part of the mind, it’s universally accepted that a mage must unify intelligence, mind, and mana to advance.

So, what about a magic swordsman?

Unlike knights and mages, whose three core elements must form a trinity, magic swordsmen have an additional element to unify to overcome their limitations.

This is what makes improving a magic swordsman’s level extremely difficult and, ultimately, the reason why magic swordsmen have become so rare.

Think of it like an equilateral triangle and a square for an easy comparison.

If you have two sides of the same length, the length of the third side is automatically determined, creating an equilateral triangle without fail.

On the other hand, even with four sides of equal length, you can create countless rhombuses instead of just a square. You have to find the *perfect* square among them.

Of course, unifying the four elements of a magic swordsman is far more complex than making a square. The example is merely an analogy.

I was the first 8-star magic swordsman in human history, improving the [Limitless Mana Cultivation Method], which was considered a third-rate technique.

To me.

‘Something like this!’

I instantly severed the invisible chains that were trying to bind me.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

My mind is far too strong to be held by such simple tricks, which are nothing more than a clumsy deception.

Charles’ eyes widened in astonishment.

I wanted to speak, but his spear was already aimed at my heart.

I can’t dodge it.

I can’t block it with my sword, either.

With my physical abilities still incomplete, I’m left with no options.

But.

I am a magic swordsman.

[Compression]

[Shape Transformation]

[Wind’s Protection]

Faster than Charles’ spear could reach my heart, the magic formula was designed, constructed, and manifested.

Whoo-oong-

The wind, infused with mana, shielded me.

Kwaaaang!

The Black Dragon Spear collided with [Wind’s Protection].

Like a bullet glancing off a helmet, [Wind’s Protection] deflected Charles’ spear, causing it to graze my side.

Pssht! The spear scraped past the armor.

Knowing he was aiming for my heart, if I couldn’t even block this much, I’d be ashamed of my past self, who struggled so hard to overcome the limitations of a magic swordsman.

-Is this really the right choice?

I questioned whether revealing my ability as a magic swordsman at this moment, something I’d kept hidden until now, was truly the correct decision.

‘This is right.’

No matter the difficulties I might face by revealing my magic, it couldn’t be worse than Charles seizing control of the Hamel Empire in the ‘future’ without significant opposition.

I’ve already made a mistake, so what does it matter now?

Anyway, I’ve revealed one of my cards, so it’s Charles’ turn to show his. I gripped the hilt of [Varisada] tightly.

Evan-style Lionel Emperor Swordsmanship, 4th Form, Dragon Crush.

I slammed the pommel [the blunt end of the sword hilt] of the sword down towards Charles’ head, which was positioned near my chest.

Charles’ arm bent at an unnatural angle. He was clearly trying to deflect the pommel with the end of his spear shaft to change its trajectory.

Yeah, try to block it like that.

The real attack is coming separately.

[Mana Arrow]

[Frost Infusion]

[Accuracy Correction]

[High-Speed Rotation]

The basic magic formulas combined in my mind to create a single, unified spell.

[Spiral Ice Arrow]

Whoooo- Whir-

The surrounding temperature plummeted as an ice arrow formed behind Charles’ head.

Shwaaaaaa-

The ice arrow, as large as an arrow from a ballista [a giant crossbow] and spinning rapidly, shot forward to pierce Charles’ head.

((Kuaaaa!!))

Dragon Crush in the front, ice arrow in the rear.

Charles had only one way to block the two simultaneous attacks aimed at his head.

Compulsion.

Chwareuk- Chwareureuk- Chwareureuk!

An unpleasant sensation of invisible chains wrapping around my body. They were trying to control my movements against my will.

The direction of the pommel, which was plunging straight down towards Charles’ head, began to gradually deviate.

Swoosh- Kwachang!

Charles’ spear, which was attempting to block the Dragon Crush, changed direction and struck the ice arrow in the rear. The ice arrow shattered into pieces, scattering fragments everywhere.

I could see his eyes beyond Charles’ helmet. Eyes filled with shock, relief, and anger.

But there was one emotion mixed in that I didn’t like.

Relief.

He was convinced he had blocked all my attacks.

The primary goal has already been achieved.

Charles used Compulsion to block the Dragon Crush, revealing that he possessed the power of a 7-star knight.

Still, it would be a shame if it ended there.

“Uwaaaaaaa!”

I resisted Charles’ Compulsion, which was trying to suppress my movements. I couldn’t break free completely, as I had when I shattered the Black Dragon Spear’s influence.

But.

Kagagang- Ujiggeun! Chaenggang!

It was enough to break the horns on Charles’ black helmet and shatter the front of it.

Charles’ face was revealed.

He seemed to have injured his left eye when the helmet was destroyed.

A scratch that looked like it had been inflicted by a beast’s claws.

I should be thanked for creating a more intimidating impression, but he didn’t seem very grateful.

***

‘Magic tool?’

That was the only thought that crossed Charles’ mind.

Evan had displayed the talent of a knight to such an extent that Charles felt he had to crush him, even at a cost.

He never imagined that Evan was a half-baked magic swordsman, neither a true knight nor a true mage.

((Did you use a magic tool!!))

Charles, holding his sleeve to his left eye to stop the bleeding, shouted in anger.

A magic tool in a duel between knights!

It was unthinkable.

At the same time, it was incomprehensible.

Just then, the whispers of the delegation’s mages, who were watching the duel, reached his ears on the wind.

-Surely the first thing he activated was Wind’s Protection, right?

-Is it a magic tool?

-No! It wasn’t a standard form! He clearly added shape transformation and a special formula on the spot. That’s impossible with a magic tool.

-The same goes for the ice arrow! It’s not a magic that existed before.

-…… Could it be!

-Magic swordsman! The Crown Prince is a magic swordsman!

-No, even so……

-That’s right, I’m leaning more towards magic tools……

Charles, who was trying to stop the bleeding from his eye, flinched.

‘Magic swordsman?’

Charles looked at Evan with eyes pleading for an explanation.

((Oh dear, it seems impossible to continue the duel without clearing up this misunderstanding. I didn’t use any magic tools.))

Evan spread out his left palm.

The formula he constructed was made visible for everyone to see.

[Ignition]

Whirr, a fire ignited.

[Shape Transformation]

It took the form of a huge, burning lion.

[Ki Manipulation]

Kuaaaaaaaang!!

A tremendous roar that shook the entire royal capital.

((I didn’t intend to use it…… But can’t you allow this much? You hid that you were a 7-star knight, Your Highness.))

At Evan’s words, everyone finally remembered that Charles had used Compulsion during the duel.

-That’s right!

-He definitely used Compulsion!

-Isn’t that too much? Hiding his skills and stepping into the duel arena seems more underhanded than the Crown Prince hiding the fact that he’s a magic swordsman.

-I think so too.

-Anyway, the Hamel Empire people have no shame. …… But how did the Crown Prince resist that?

-Well, I don’t know…… Are magic swordsmen unusually resistant to Compulsion?

-There’s no way to know since there hasn’t been a magic swordsman who has achieved the Crown Prince’s level of accomplishment.

Charles bit his lip tightly at the whispers carried by the wind.

Indeed, hiding his level and entering the duel was more shameful than Evan concealing his magic swordsmanship.

Besides.

-But, wouldn’t the Crown Prince have been in danger if he hadn’t used magic?

-Probably? Look at the 7-star knights of the Lionel Kingdom. They’re both holding their swords with a look of dismay right now. It looks like they missed their chance to intervene.

-That 8-star mage, Fran, also jumped up and then sat back down.

Most people realized that Charles had intended to harm Evan. Charles understood that now was the time to retreat.

-Kill him.

Someone whispered softly in his ear.

It was the voice of instinct that had helped the 19th Prince, born in a remote corner of the imperial palace, survive until now.

-It’s not just about crushing him; you have to end his life for sure. Even if it exposes the fact that he wields eight stars, you must do it.

No matter how many times the voice of instinct had saved his life, this was too much. Charles suppressed the voice of instinct with his powerful reason.

He had been curious about what kind of person Evan was, the one who had seized the kingdom from being a pauper in less than 3 years. He had already lost too much because of that curiosity.

No.

He knew how dangerous Evan was faster than anyone else in the empire. Perhaps that alone was enough of a price to pay for visiting Lionel.

‘Evan Lionel. I will repay this debt a thousand times over.’

Charles was working hard to figure out how to explain away the fact that he had hidden his skills. He thought it would be best to say that he had gained enlightenment during the duel and broken through his limitations.

Just as he was about to speak.

((If the misunderstanding has been resolved, let’s resume the duel.))

((……))

Charles was speechless.

Continue the duel?

Even knowing that he was a 7-star knight?

((Ah! It seems like you broke through the 7-star barrier during the duel, congratulations. Please be gentle.))

He said that, but Charles couldn’t refuse. He glared at Evan as if he wanted to kill him and tightened his grip on the spear.

((Really, I won’t take responsibility if you get hurt.))

((Don’t worry.))

Kwaang! The sound of Charles launching himself off the ground echoed through the duel arena. His suppressed instinct laughed fiercely.

Swoosh- Kkaang!

Chaeng! Chaaeng-! Chaenggang!

Charles’ spear, now revealed to be wielded by a 7-star knight, was relentless. He didn’t aim for the core in the solar plexus but seemed to be blatantly targeting the heart.

If it weren’t for [Varisada]’s mana amplification, the magic used in various elements, and the mental strength to resist Compulsion, one of Evan’s arms would have been blown away long ago.

Shwaaaaaa- Pssht!

Charles’ spear grazed past Evan’s helmet.

Taenggeurang. The seam of the mask broke, revealing Evan’s face.

A face soaked in sweat.

The look in his eyes was not defeated at all. He still wore an enigmatic smile.

Charles’ murderous intent flared up again.

Since the duel resumed, he had been constantly agonizing.

Whether to reveal his 8-star power in this place today, making Evan unable to use magic again, or not.

Evan read Charles’ mind.

‘If you can’t make up your mind, I’ll have to help you.’

Exorcism.

Gooooooo-

[Varisada] trembled subtly.

Vast amounts of mana surged towards his core along Evan’s grip on the sword.

The small universe that Evan possessed, the core.

The mana that gathered there created a pitiful star destined to shine and perish in an instant.

6 stars.

Insufficient.

More, more, more.

Finally, another new star was born.

A very small size that was embarrassing to even call a star. But it was still a star.

7 stars.

The realm of a transcendent who can distort the laws of the world that act on others.

A thick vortex of mana arose around Evan. Charles, who was dueling with Evan, was the first to notice the unusual phenomenon.

((What did you do!))

Evan just smiled.

His insides were already shaken up, and blood was flowing from his eyes, nose, and ears. There was no strength left to speak.

‘Try to stop it.’

Evan-style Lionel Emperor Swordsmanship, 13th Form.

A secret technique not found in the Lionel Emperor Swordsmanship, which originally consisted of 12 forms.

The 1st form of Evan-style Lionel Emperor Swordsmanship is Shattered Heaven. The word Hamel means ‘sky’. Evan named the form that way with the meaning of breaking it.

Evan-style Lionel Emperor Swordsmanship begins with breaking the sky.

That last secret technique, the 13th form.

‘Open Heaven.’

Evan swung his sword.

The secret technique, Open Heaven, is not solely composed of swordsmanship. ‘Space’ magic, considered the most difficult among magic types, is fused into it.

Crack, crack- Kwagagagaga-

The space was torn apart.

A magic swordsmanship that no one in the present world has ever experienced.

Evan, who had wished for a dream that could not be achieved.

And the dream that he could not achieve in the end.

He was given another chance.

Evan opened a new sky.

Meanwhile.

Charles sensed it.

He must exert his full power.

Otherwise, he will die.

‘Black Flame Spear Demon Prison.’

Centered on Charles, a black inferno began to engulf the present world. His mental realm, where even simple slashes and thrusts exert the same power as the secret techniques of the esoteric arts.

Charles swung his spear towards Evan’s slash that was tearing apart space.

Kwaaaaaaaaang-!

Charles’ face contorted.

‘Why?’

Crack- Chaenggeurang!

The spear, covered in fine cracks, finally broke, and the black flames that had been covering the world subsided.

Taenggeurang.

The spear blade fell on the duel arena, ringing with a clear sound.

“……”

Barona Square, filled with people.

No one spoke.