The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 181

181

“The Manaheart is broadly classified into six systems.”

Celine began by explaining the five systems of the Manaheart.

霹靂 (Byeokryeok – Thunderclap) [A system focused on explosive power].

三才 (Samjae – Three Powers) [A system balancing Heaven, Earth, and Humanity].

五行 (Ohaeng – Five Elements) [A system based on Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water].

太極 (Taegeuk – Tai Chi) [A system emphasizing balance and harmony].

雲龍 (Unryong – Cloud Dragon) [A system focused on fluidity and adaptability].

As Aki’s face, already deemed not very bright, crumpled in distress, Celine grinned as if she had been waiting for just that moment.

“But we of the Cheonhwa Clan don’t need to know such complicated usages. We’re of the Enhancement school, called Extreme Yang (極陽) [A technique focused on maximizing power]. We use the Manaheart in the simplest way possible.”

“Aki, ohhh!”

“Just pour it in. Everything you’ve built up, into this fist.”

* * *

“Aki Punch.”

The power of mana, originating from the 심 (Manaheart) [The core of one’s internal energy] and circulating through her body, concentrated at the tip of her fist.

A strike from zero distance.

The series of movements became a great flow of power, discharged through her fist. Flames swirled in a storm around the point where her fist landed.

“······?!”

“······?!”

“······?!”

Those in the arena simultaneously shut their mouths.

Even Rain couldn’t close his mouth.

The disciple of the Great Heaven Clan, swept away by the storm of flames, flew towards the barrier separating the arena’s interior from the exterior, crashing right before the first-floor stairs of the ship’s side.

“A, a single blow……?”

The faces of those who had witnessed the unbelievable sight turned pale.

“Taking down a Great Heaven Clan disciple with one punch……?”

“The Great Heaven Clan isn’t just any clan, but one right below the Six Great Clans……?”

A victory with a single punch.

That was the absolute principle of power that had resonated with the hearts of wanderers since ancient times.

But, no, but…….

“And with that! Aki advances! Victorious in the first preliminary round, she confidently enters the Palaseiom Lighthouse!”

The Eye of a Thousand Miles’s screen zoomed in on Aki’s face, still shaking off the flames flickering from her fist, and immediately below it, these characters appeared:

[WㆍIㆍNㆍNㆍEㆍR]

The host raised Aki’s hand high, simultaneously holding out a magical tool imbued with the power of sound amplification.

“Aki, what is the name of that amazing technique you just used?!”

Before Celine, her master and now the clan leader, could rush in to answer, Aki replied.

“Aki Punch.”

“Aki Punch?”

“Aki Punch.”

“The technique’s name is…… Pfft, Aki Punch, you say?”

“Aki Punch is.”

“Yes, it’s hard to believe, but…… that technique from the Cheonhwa Clan is called Aki Punch!”

The spectators, as well as the officials from each clan, couldn’t believe this situation. No, they couldn’t accept it.

“That was a fluke.”

“That’s right, it was just luck, successfully pulling it off by fortunately reading the movements.”

“It’s impossible to have mastered the Cheonhwa Clan’s ultimate secret technique after only learning martial arts for four months.”

But…… such denial of reality came to an end when all the first matches were over. The results of the second, third, and fourth matches that followed inside the Palaseiom were…….

“Prepare yourself, I am──!”

“─Aki Punch.”

“The guys I’ve met so far have all been weak, but this body has mastered the White Bone Clan’s secrets──!”

“─Aki Punch.”

“Hmph, as long as I don’t get hit by that punch, this Wheel Demon Clan’s Thirty-Six Stratagems──!”

“─Aki Punch.”

Aki Punch, exploding in every match!

A series of terrifying and brutal displays of power, sending even the later disciples of the Six Great Clans crashing into the lighthouse’s inner wall with a single blow.

The audience initially marveled.

“Wow, that’s awesome! All one-punch knockouts!”

“No matter what the opponent does, she finishes them with one punch?!”

“It’s so exhilarating, it’s amazing to watch!”

From the fifth match onwards, they slowly began to go crazy.

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

“Aki, is she a Dragon?! Aki, is she a Dragon?! Aki, is she a Dragon?! Aki, is she a Dragon?!”

That’s right. They were insane.

For wanderers, the word ‘Dragon’ was the highest praise.

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

“A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch!”

Amidst the ceaseless roar of ‘Aki Punch’ that seemed to sink the arena into the sea, Rain blinked blankly.

No…….

Isn’t this too strong?

Valensidice, after confirming that even the Ruling Witches couldn’t recognize Aki’s true identity, said.

“Aki is a Dragon, I’ve been thinking about this.”

“Thinking, thinking, thinking.”

“Don’t think.”

“Brainpower, brainpower, brainpower.”

“I guess it’s not right to enter a True Dragon in a human martial arts tournament, is it?”

“It’s not.”

“That’s right. But I’m a little worried. Won’t people recognize Aki wherever she goes now? That’ll be a huge pain.”

“If the prestige of the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament was the same as before, that would be the case.”

“It’s not anymore?”

“The Red City, [A city known for its brutal martial arts tournaments], is holding its own World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament in the Southern Republic. They call it a bloodbath…… In reality, except for a few, you can’t even see the clans that have dojos on the Adrion Continent.”

“ is…….”

is a city located in the central Adrion Continent, the holy land of the crimson sun, Shurigan.

They always liked to compete, claiming they were above , but to think things would come to this…….

Interpreting the worry on Rain’s face differently, Valensidice shrugged.

“Still, it’s not a bad decision. With this, the name of the Cheonhwa Clan’s disciple, Aki, will be known to some extent on the Adrion Continent.”

“Ah.”

“Don’t you get it? Just having the Cheonhwa Clan’s symbol, the uniform and that wooden necklace, will be enough to prove her identity to some extent.”

Oh, that would be really convenient.

Until now, there was no way to prove Aki’s identity, so I even had to dye my hair red.

managed to get through the gates thanks to Celine’s mediation, but Celine and I are about to part ways in this city.

“If she wins, having the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament seal engraved on that necklace would be even more perfect, right?”

“Yeah. Now that your baby dragon is big enough, you can’t just pass her off as your identity anymore.”

Even as I was chatting with Valensidice, Aki’s Aki Punch exploded every time her turn came around.

One by one.

By the time the number of juvenile wanderers eliminated by Aki’s one-punch reached ten, only two names remained on the bracket.

“Yes, finally, the long-awaited World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament’s juvenile division final!”

And finally, Aki ascended to the roof of this year’s Sky, the Palaseiom Lighthouse.

As soon as her face was shown on the screen, cheers erupted from the audience.

The host once again held out the magical tool with the power of ‘sound amplification’ to Aki.

“Aki, can you tell us your aspirations for the final match?”

Then Aki, patting her stomach, replied weakly.

“Aki is hungwy…….”

Rain realized, ‘Ah, that’s right, it was about time for that kid’s stomach clock to go off.’

But strangely enough, the heat from the audience that erupted at that answer seemed to melt the world.

“Aki Puuuuuuunchiiiiiiii!”

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

That statement made even the renowned wanderers, who had been looking at Aki with prejudiced eyes, slap their foreheads!

“Unbelievable! To still be hungry for victory even after ascending through the ranks?!”

No…….

That’s not it.

“A serious pursuit and contemplation of victory…… that is the attitude a martial artist dreaming of transcendence should have. Watch and learn.”

That’s not it.

She’s just really hungry.

The host delivered the final blow to that wave of misunderstanding.

“Yes, Aki’s aspirations, hungry for victory, are truly terrifying!”

Whoaaaaaaa!

Amidst the tremendous cheers, the host held out the magical tool to the opponent, the disciple of the Suun Clan wearing a blue uniform, and asked for his aspirations.

“Hmph, I’ll prove that she’s only been lucky in meeting her opponents so far.”

How dare that bastard……?

That attitude of looking down on Aki irritated Rain.

“Show them, Aki, the power of a True Dragon to that lowly human…….”

Valensidice and Pipi looked at Rain with narrowed eyes.

“You’re giving off that abyss-dwelling black magician look again, Rain Ludwig.”

“Shut up.”

“Understood.”

The cheers that seemed to collapse the world subsided, and the final match began.

The flow of the match was the same.

The opponent rushes at Aki with footwork first, and Aki’s fist accurately lands in that opening.

“……?!”

But this time, the result was different.

Clearly, the fist amplified by the 심 (Manaheart) landed, and even an explosive current arose…….

“Hmph.”

……The Suun Clan disciple’s body suddenly turned into mist and scattered?

Aki’s eyes widened.

And the opening that inevitably arises when attacking, that is, he planted his foot in Aki’s abdomen!

“Iyah!”

“Keuk!”

Immediately, exclamations of admiration poured out from martial artists everywhere.

“Oh, that’s……!”

“The Suun Clan’s secret technique, Cloud Dragon Movement (雲龍身行) [A technique that allows the user to turn their body into mist]……?!”

Cloud Dragon Movement.

A secret art passed down in the Suun Clan, said to allow one to turn their body into mist and escape even under the flames of a dragon if they reach the pinnacle of mastery.

“Hahaha! I told you! She’s just been lucky in meeting her opponents!”

Following that, the Suun Clan’s fist technique exploded on Aki.

Rain, unable to bear to see Aki getting hit, had to close his eyes tightly.

Aki’s Aki Punch exploded again, but the situation was the same.

“Ah, Aki…… she’s gradually being pushed back. She’s being cornered……!”

Amidst the Suun Clan’s offensive, Aki pursed her lips and showed displeasure.

“Ugh…….”

She wanted to finish quickly and see her dad, she wanted to eat, but the situation wasn’t ending.

She thought.

And realized. Another secret technique that Celine had taught her, its name was─

“─Aki Marking.”

Rain doesn’t have a deep understanding of the Cheonhwa Clan’s martial arts. But he could tell. He knew what martial art Aki was using now.

“That mark Celine used……?”

Instead of her right hand, which she had been using for Aki Punch, she stretched out her left hand, and flames surged in front of it, taking on a round shape.

“Th, that’s……?!”

“The Cheonhwa Clan’s secret, Fire Shadow Emblem (火影章表) [A technique that amplifies the power of a strike]……?!”

“No way, how can such a young child……!”

As the wanderers doubted their eyes, Aki planted her fifth Aki Punch into that mark.

“A Ki Punch.”

Explosion.

Flames that could only be described as explosively covered the lighthouse, turning even the Eye of a Thousand Miles that illuminated it crimson red.

The true usage of the Cheonhwa Fist Technique, used by masters of Cheonhwa who have reached the pinnacle of mastery.

The Cheonhwa Fist Technique, specialized for close-quarters combat, is a passive counter-attack fist technique that can only exert its true power when the distance is close.

So, in order to use that power in a different dimension, the previous clan leaders created a new way to use power.

Create a mark of mana amplification at the distance where the fist reaches, and amplify and explode the power of the Cheonhwa Fist Technique that touches that mark into a power that blows away everything in front.

To avoid this, one must quickly move to the side, not to the rear.

“Kk, kkeuaak……?!”

But this power, the Suun disciple, momentarily overwhelmed by this absolute power, instinctively used the Cloud Dragon Steps backward…….

He was swallowed by the dragon’s breath that swallowed everything in front of him, even evaporating the mist.

The next moment after that transcendent flame subsided, the boy was crashed into the barrier that surrounded the lighthouse in a semicircle.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Aki withdrew her fist, where flames flickered, and composed herself. And she showed courtesy to the Suun disciple, bound by ill fate, with a fist salute.

A moment of silence flowed.

The moment the host approached Aki and raised her hand high.

“Yes, the one who has achieved an undefeated victory in this World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament’s juvenile division is…… Cheonhwa Clan’s Aki!”

A tremendous roar erupted as if to break the silence until now.

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

“Aki! She’s a Dragon! Aki! She’s a Dragon! Aki! She’s a Dragon! Aki! She’s a Dragon! Aki! She’s a Dragon!”

“A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch! A! Ki! Punch!”

“Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch! Aki Punch!”

Rain was staring blankly at the scene with a nearly expressionless face. His face was flushed and about to explode.

“Hey, Valensidice.”

“What.”

“I can’t be happy because of you. What am I supposed to do with this feeling of having my conscience pricked with a needle?”

“Surprisingly, you had a conscience. Even you, who slaughtered your 1388th class comrades with such skill and strutted around with your shoulders puffed out.”

“Like you didn’t do it?”

“That’s true.”

“Yeah.”

At that moment, the awards ceremony began, and the leader of the Northern Republic’s Martial Arts Alliance stepped forward.

It seems that even the Martial Arts Alliance has been divided by continent. Of course, it seems that the Six Great Clans are still a concept shared across continents.

The leader personally placed the laurel wreath of victory on Aki’s head and offered words of blessing.

“To have such a great talent in your hands, the future of the Cheonhwa Clan is truly promising.”

And that laurel wreath became light and landed in the hands of Master Celine.

Later, Celine would present it to Aki in a different way.

Aki, bewildered amidst the cheers of 30,000 people, gave a bright smile, turning her gaze in the direction of Rain.

It was then that even the old masters, who had been maintaining a solemn demeanor and stroking their beards, began to go crazy and rampage.

“Aki! I’ll allow my grandson! Give birth to healthy children and revive our clan!”

“No, I’ll allow my son!”

“What are you talking about! Aki, I’ll allow myself! Let me embrace this old man!”

“What the hell? Is that monk crazy!”

A magic circle of cosmetic bloodletting was constructed on Rain’s palm as he 벌떡 (boltteok – jumped up), but Pipi immediately pecked his temple to calm him down.

“…….”

Valensidice, who was shaking his head while eating the last piece of melon, had murder in his eyes the next moment.

“Rain Ludwig.”

“I know.”

Immediately, Valensidice threw down the plate and grabbed his fan, Kashasur, from his waist.

The smell of blood…….

Someone whose whole body was stained with the stench of sewage and blood was coming up the 현문 (hyeonmun – gangway) [The boarding ramp] leading to the deck.

“Hmm……?”

A lightly armed female knight, reminiscent of Miria for a moment.

Breathing raggedly as if she was about to break, she let out a sigh of relief when she saw them.

And the words she said weren’t “Help me” or “Save me.”

“I’ll tell you a secret──”

Just trying to say something, whatever that secret was, both of the female knight’s knees buckled with a suppressed scream.

And that body, convulsing as it fell, began to turn blue from the neck down.

What startled Rain was not this sudden situation, but the sudden detection of ‘that guy’s’ mana reaction.

“Rain Ludwig!”

“I know, Bell Curias!”

01010010101.

No sooner had his vision turned red than he was able to discover the mana of death spreading from the female knight’s neck to her entire body.

And the grotesque shape and texture wriggling like maggots…… it was the mana of Zernyx, which he could never forget after seeing it in Harbardonia.

Momentary reverse calculation.

Reverse calculation verification.

Formula substitution.

Spell invalidation.

He had to finish the ability interference in such a short time that his mind turned white. Otherwise, that woman would have died.

‘I’ve definitely seen this before.’

It’s not that the shape or texture of the mana is similar, but I’ve seen something completely identical.

Where was that?

That’s right, it was in .

At that time, Miria had a 100% identical formula, and I got rid of it. Even the location is the same.

“Zernyx, it’s Zernyx. He’s nearby. He must be close, since he cast this.”

Did that bastard come all the way here? He urgently scanned the area with quickening breaths.

The witches and soldiers guarding the surroundings in preparation for emergencies seemed to be unaware of the female knight’s strange behavior, as their attention was focused on the award ceremony.

Valensidice lightly dismissed Rain’s guess, shaking his head.

“No.”

Supporting the fallen female knight and laying her down comfortably, he cast a healing spell on her discolored skin.

“I told you. The real Slayers have a mark. Maybe what you just erased is the real Slayer’s mark.”

A strange feeling like scraping a skull with a chisel, the words don’t make sense.

The real Slayers are descendants of Link, right? But how, no, why is Zernyx’s magic cast on them?

At that time, tears welled up in the eyes of the female knight, whose focus was not even aligned.

“Help, help me…… you guys are the ones…… who solved…… the recent Red Mountain Range incident…….”

Rain and Valensidice had to exchange blank glances.

How does this girl know that?

The answer came right away.

“There’s, there’s only you guys…… Miria, Miria might…… die…….”