The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 87

73. Breaking the Wall

“Arcane Art…?”

Cahill looked at Alun.

[Even the mages in the Council of Seven Elders, who gained magic through the wisdom of the dragon, didn’t know the truth about my Arcane Art.]

The electricity in his hand flickered.

In one hand, a sphere of light shimmered as if summoning lightning, and in the other, an indefinable, dark magic pulsed.

[As I told you, I can use two types of magic at the same time. Gustav thought my magic was a technique using lightning and fire. That’s actually beneficial, because it utilizes different attributes.]

Crackle…!!

As the two forces combined, a sphere crackling with purple lightning formed.

[Why are those wizards so closed-minded? Dragon Magic is colorless magic. The fact that it has no color means it has no inherent attributes. That means you can transcend the limitations of predetermined attributes.]

“…”

The magic emanating from Alun’s hand was undeniably unique.

[I once spoke about the relationship between magic and spirits, right? The five elements that constitute the world: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning. They’re also like the embodiment of the spirits that ushered in creation.]

I know.

Even Cahill, who possessed no magic power, knew the ancient history.

Laminu, the King of Explosive Flames.

Maktun, the Lord of the Great Rock.

Etheral, the Queen of the Tsunami.

Samiad, the Gale Force.

Kungen, the Lord of Thunder.

The five spirit kings who shaped the world were no longer seen, but the legends remained, and though few in number, spiritists still existed.

[The reason Narak Rock is called the tomb of Kungen, the Lord of Thunder, is because of the power emanating from the Spring of Secrets.]

As he said.

Certainly, the Arcane power that Alun created, while different in color, seemed closest to lightning.

[But remember this. Have you ever seen me use lightning attribute magic?]

Cahill recalled their first meeting at Gray School.

The magic Alun Zavias used when he blew off Well Bahar’s head was a 2nd-class Magic Arrow.

“Could it be…?”

[That’s right. In addition to the five attributes, there are two more forces.]

“Two forces…?”

[Light and darkness.]

Alun spread out both palms.

[Despite the clear existence of these two, wizards have only codified the five attributes. And only a few low-level magics related to light and darkness remain.]

“Are you saying that the attributes of the magic you use are light and darkness, not lightning and fire?”

[That’s right.]

The corners of his lips curled up.

[Lasis of Light, Duat of Darkness. Why has the existence of these two clearly defined spirit kings disappeared from the historical record? It’s because of the god you believe in now: Yula.]

Gulp-

Cahill unknowingly swallowed his saliva at the mention of the name he had never forgotten throughout his countless journeys back in time.

[Light and darkness. That’s Yula’s power.]

Alun lightly floated up and circled Cahill as if embracing him.

[Magic close to the power of God, not the five-attribute system created by insignificant beings. That’s my Arcane power, Arcane.]

Quagaaaang—!!!

Kwagang—!!

When he clenched his hands, the Arcane power in his palms exploded with a roar, as if detonating.

Cahill instinctively turned his head away from the blinding white light.

[And from now on, I will inject the knowledge you need to learn into your head.]

Thud.

Alun’s finger touched Cahill’s forehead.

[Be grateful. Because it’s a magic that won’t exist a thousand years before or a thousand years after.]

Cahill had no time to react to the sudden touch.

[If you make a soul contract, you can do this.]

A flash of light, incomparable to the light a moment ago, erupted in his mind.

But the flashing light wasn’t real; it was happening within his head.

‘……!!!!’

It was a sensation he had never experienced since birth.

It was different from when he ate the Dragon’s Heart and absorbed the memories of the Red Dragon Liselia.

It was like…

Something indescribable was rushing into his head like a tidal wave.

Formulas he had never learned.

Knowledge he was seeing for the first time.

Grief that had accumulated over countless years.

Agony that had kept him up all night for days.

And…

Even the enlightenment he had finally achieved.

“Cough… Cough…!”

The wave of knowledge that rushed in violently struck Cahill’s brain hard. It was hard to breathe, as if his heart would stop, and it felt like the world was turning upside down.

If becoming a body capable of wielding magic power by eating the Dragon’s Heart was called *Hwanggol* [transformation of bones], this was a transformation of the mind.

[Hehehe, this can truly be called awakening (覺醒).]

Alun watched Cahill’s struggle and smiled contentedly.

Suaaang…!!

Cahill instinctively drew his sword.

He, lost in a haze of sensation, began to swing his sword wildly.

Kwang…! Kwagagaang…!!

The trajectory of his sword exploded and burned, light flashed, and sometimes darkness swirled, and occasionally flames rose and the air froze.

“No way…”

Hashir looked at him and unknowingly shuddered, collapsing to the ground.

* * *

“Haa… Haa…”

How long had he been swinging his sword?

Cahill stood atop the ruined Narak Rock, breathing heavily.

The dizzying pain had subsided, and with a haggard face, he threw the sword he was holding onto the ground.

“…”

Cahill closed his eyes.

He seemed to be slowly savoring the knowledge of Alun Zaviass that had flooded his mind until just now.

[How do you feel? Now you can say that you have risen to the ranks of a 4th-class wizard. Of course, the knowledge I imparted is far greater than that, but you won’t be able to utilize it all perfectly yet.]

Cahill slowly opened his eyes.

“You don’t deserve the title of Archmage.”

He knew that the knowledge he had gained was only a fraction of Alun’s vast understanding.

“You deserve to be called a sage.”

[Keuheuheuh… Do you finally recognize the greatness of this being? You’re a truly lucky guy.]

“It’s because my vessel is exceptional.”

Cahill smiled, his lips parched.

[It seems like you’re doing a little better now that I see you joking around. I’m telling you this now, but to be honest, you were in quite a dangerous state.]

“What do you mean?”

[Look at your body.]

At Alun’s cryptic words, Cahill raised both hands and examined them.

“Hmm?”

Somehow, they felt a little bigger.

It wasn’t just his hands.

The shoes he was wearing were worn out, the toes torn, and the clothes he was wearing felt tight.

‘My body… got bigger?’

Could it be that Arcane power affected not only the mind but also the body?

He already possessed solid muscles from sword training, but even those muscles felt like they had grown even more.

[What Nar Di Maugh said to you isn’t wrong: eating the Dragon’s Heart can give you a chance to change your bones. But think carefully. You would have already died if you didn’t have the relics left by Kaie Essir.]

“…”

[Even that is only a temporary measure. It’s fortunate that you had the experience of cultivating a body that transcended human limits in your previous life; otherwise, even the Bracelet of Greed would have been useless.]

“What the hell are you talking about?”

[What happens if you keep pouring water into a small bowl? It’s bound to overflow. Your body was in a situation where the Bracelet of Greed was absorbing the overflowing magic power instead.]

“I know.”

[Will your body stabilize just because two bloodlines become four? Logically, that’s not the case. But everything is reversed in your body. It’s like the cracks in the dam have increased from two to four.]

“…”

[What would happen if a strong magic power that you can’t handle enters your body in an instant, like now that your blood vessels are open?]

Cahill said in a low voice.

[Your limbs will be shattered by the force of the magic power.]

It was a chilling realization.

Because he had never worried about his body until now.

“Are you saying that Nar Di Maugh lied to me?”

[No. That White Gold Dragon didn’t lie. But he didn’t tell the whole truth either.]

Alun Zaviass laughed softly.

[You’re lucky. No, I hate the word ‘fate,’ but this must be a trick of fate. Maybe even that guy in your previous life couldn’t have imagined that you would meet me.]

Unlike his smiling appearance, Cahill’s mind was racing.

[I’ve told you many times: it’s your freedom to believe in him, but don’t believe everything. Because you have acquired Arcane power instead of other magic power, you will be able to control Dragon Magic to some extent.]

Then Alun pointed to the Bracelet of Greed.

[If necessary, you can release that and use magic, and you won’t die now. However, the aftermath will be enormous.]

He emphasized his words as if to drive the point home.

[Get stronger. Not just physically, but in every way. If you’re going to be the guy who overturns God’s fate, you have to be able to chew up a dragon or two. Isn’t that right?]

Cahill laughed quietly at Alun’s words.

Surprisingly, his mind was calm, as if he had forgotten the turmoil of moments ago.

He would look at it calmly and think rationally.

Not just because of magic power, but he himself had overcome a wall.

[So, that’s what I’m saying.]

Alun Zaviass said, looking at Cahill.

[Those knights from earlier. Are you really going to let them go?]

“What do you mean?”

[I know what you’re thinking. As you said, it’s not a bad thing for the two brothers to fight each other until you develop the power of the South…]

Alun drew out the end of his words.

[Don’t make excuses like that.]

At that moment.

Cahill’s eyebrows twitched.

[Isn’t that too shallow? When you took your first step out of Einherjar, what was your determination?]

His voice echoed on Narak Rock.

[Nirile is no longer a divine messenger or a colleague to fight alongside you. He is an enemy blocking your path. Or do you have compassion for Olivon, who tried to kill you?]

Cahill slowly raised his head.

It felt like his mind was clearing, as if the last vestiges of coldness just before twilight were about to disappear as dawn approached and the sun was about to rise.

[If you’re going to be a hero, live like you did in your previous life. But if you want to be a tyrant, you have to break the mold of your thinking.]

At that moment.

Alun Zaviass’s words resonated in his heart.

[Whether it’s the First Prince or the Second Prince, whichever one becomes Emperor, the female knight order you sent will become the Emperor’s sword, used to kill more of your soldiers in the future.]

Alun smiled bitterly.

[There are countless reasons and countless excuses, but the truth is one: those who block your path, whoever they are, are simply enemies in the end. Nothing more and nothing less.]

Squeeze-

Cahill tightened his grip on the sword.

In fact, he knew this better than anyone.

[You said those words to convince me with plausible excuses for your weak heart, but what you need to convince is not me, a dead person (死者), but those who follow you.]

Alun sensed that it was time to ask the final question.

[Why do you fight?]

“To change the future.”

He slowly nodded his head.

[That’s enough.]

At that moment.

Alun Zaviass’s appearance began to fade.

[Hehehe… Brat, it seems like I have to say goodbye for a while, because I’ve finished what I had to do. I’ll leave teaching Michael to you now. My knowledge is also with you.]

“Goodbye? What do you mean?”

[Thanks to transferring Arcane power, I no longer have the power to maintain my spirit body, apart from your power.]

Cahill hurriedly reached out his hand towards the fading figure.

“What…? You said a moment ago that you could manifest if I used my power!”]

[Hehehe… Look at that. You’re still naive. You believe those words as they are. I’m the same as the White Gold Dragon: it’s not a wrong word, but it’s not a perfect truth either. It will only be possible when you can use this power properly.]

Even Alun Zaviass’s last words became faint.

At the sudden farewell, Cahill could only stare at him, speechless.

[It was fun. And I’ll wait.]

“Alun…!”

His last words as he disappeared brushed past Cahill’s ears and lingered.

[Get stronger and tougher. Even if that path is a path of blood, move forward. My only disciple, Cahill McGovern.]