The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 267

The Vinoche family’s underground training room.

A secret training ground that only Sein Vinoche and Stella Vinoche could use.

There, I was facing Sein-nim alone.

“If your goal was to make me impatient, you’ve more than achieved it. So, start already. If you delay any longer, I might go crazy.”

Sein-nim handed me her sword.

Her cherished sword that she always carried with her.

I’d heard that a sword was like a part of a swordsman’s body.

To give it to me so easily like this.

Does that mean she trusts me that much?

“Why are you so surprised?”

“No. It’s just… I thought it was a sword you treasured.”

“I have no attachment to weapons. A sword is just a sword. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I see.”

Her view on swords seems a bit different from other knights.

It was quite a fresh perspective.

A sword is just a sword.

Other knights might get furious if they heard that?

No, considering the speaker is Sein-nim, that’s unlikely.

They might even be happy, thinking they’ve gained a new enlightenment.

“Enough, just take the sword already. And show me. What is this honor you speak of? What is a true swordsman?”

“Yes.”

I took the sword from Sein-nim.

Then, I stepped back about three paces and drew the sword from its scabbard.

The clear metallic friction sound unique to a master sword rang out.

I could tell without even swinging it. This sword is a masterpiece.

One of the best swords that might exist in this era.

“This sword. How many years have you used it?”

“Hmm. About 30 years, perhaps? I don’t remember exactly.”

30 years.

It was a sword that had been with her for longer than I had imagined.

With a sword like this, one would develop an attachment. It’s amazing how she can give it away so coolly.

“Why? As you said, I brought the oldest sword I have. Is 30 years too short?”

“No. It’s enough.”

30 years.

Compared to the history of swords, it’s as short as a mayfly’s lifespan.

But the density of time contained in this sword is not something to be dismissed as just 30 years.

This sword contains Sein Vinoche’s 30 years of life.

“Then, let’s begin.”

I lightly gripped the sword as if embracing it.

And with the Infinity Circle completely frozen, I moved mana using only the mana core.

At this moment, my body became a complete knight.

“Earlier. Sein-nim said. You have no attachment to swords.”

“I did.”

“Perhaps that value will change after today.”

Sein-nim’s eyebrows twitched slightly. An expression of great interest.

It was as if she was looking forward to what I would say next.

“Interesting. I didn’t think I’d gain two insights in one day at this age.”

A denial of her values.

It was something that would hurt her pride, but she didn’t seem to show any such signs.

It was surprising.

Originally, a strong person is someone who has pride in their abilities.

And those who have pride in their power consider their values or common sense to be the truth.

For such a strong person to have such flexible thinking.

‘Earlier, she believed my words quite easily too.’

Flexible and free thinking.

Could this be the secret to Sein Vinoche’s strength?

At least, it’s definitely one of the strengths she possesses.

I admired the strength of Sein Vinoche once again and gripped the sword a little tighter.

“There is a passage in the book I read.”

Then, I slowly moved mana, focusing it on the sword.

“Ray Bell Bytenner. The magic he created is power for the future.”

Magic means accepting new things and growing infinitely.

Therefore, magic represents the future.

“Veil Stoll. The black magic he created is power for the present.”

Black magic is power that sacrifices the future for the present.

Therefore, black magic represents the present.

“And….”

The mana dwelling in my sword gradually began to increase in density.

“That is….”

At that moment, Sein-nim’s eyes widened like saucers.

“Is that… my mana?”

I continued speaking without answering Sein-nim’s question.

“A sword is power for the past.”

Flash-!

The mana dwelling in Sein-nim’s sword expanded.

Strong yet flexible, sharp yet soft mana.

Not my mana, but Sein Vinoche’s mana dwelled in my sword and my body.

“A sword is the power to open new horizons by accepting and following the past.”

Sein Vinoche’s life dwelled in my sword.

30 years.

No, to be exact, 32 years and 48 days.

The life of Sein Vinoche, from the moment she began to be respected as Sein Vinoche, dwelled in me.

“There is no glory for those who abandon the past. Brilliance does not come to those who forsake honor.”

I held up the sword as it was.

What I recalled was Sein-nim’s sword when she fought the Doctor.

What did Sein-nim’s sword contain?

What did it contain that made it so beautiful?

Why did it look so lonely?

“Those who abandon the past have neither a present nor a future.”

Loneliness.

Sein Vinoche’s sword is a sword that contains profound loneliness.

It is beautiful because it is a single beautiful flower, and it is lonely because it blooms alone.

“Ah….”

Sein-nim opened her eyes wide and exclaimed.

Did she realize what was dwelling in my sword now?

“Remember. A sword is something that continues. It connects the past to the present and the future.”

I swung the sword down as it was.

I swung it softly towards the empty air.

My sword did not cut anything.

It didn’t create a massive sword aura that split the training ground in two.

It was just swung from top to bottom.

That was all.

“……Ha, haha.”

I heard Sein-nim’s laughter.

It was a laugh as if she had lost her mind, as if she was in a daze.

“Hahahaha!!”

Sein-nim’s laughter grew louder and louder. As if she couldn’t be happier, as if she couldn’t be more joyful.

“Indeed. Is that what you call honor? Glory? An oath…!”

“Yes.”

The seemingly insignificant vertical cut.

That sword would have looked different to Sein Vinoche.

What was contained in that sword.

What it means to contain the past.

What it means to not forget honor.

She would have understood everything.

“I see. Yes. That’s how it was.”

The corners of Sein-nim’s mouth lifted as high as they could go.

“Accept the past. Remember the past. Accumulate the past. That’s a sword. A true sword.”

She was rejoicing in enlightenment, genuinely happy.

“……I.”

I can say with certainty.

The happiest person in this world right now is Sein-nim.

Looking at Sein-nim’s expression now, no one could deny it.

“Does that mean I can become stronger?”

Sein-nim smiled.

Like a child. Like a girl.

“Thank you.”

She looked at me, smiling like that.

The faint emptiness and futility that had been in Sein-nim’s eyes could no longer be found.

“I express my respect with all my sincerity.”

Perhaps after today, the lazy absolute being will disappear.

The modifier ‘lazy’ will completely disappear, and she will become an ordinary absolute being.

The word ‘lazy’ doesn’t suit her life, now that she has found a new lighthouse.

“The sword, here.”

Sein-nim took the sword from me.

Then, she drew the sword and held it in her hand.

“Shall I leave you to it?”

“No. It’s fine.”

Then, she smiled like a child the day before a picnic.

“It’s the first sword my disciple is wielding. Would I use it after my teacher has left?”

“……Teacher? How could I possibly be Sein-nim’s teacher?”

“Everyone who teaches me is a teacher. Even if they are a student who isn’t even an adult yet.”

Sein-nim raised the sword upwards as it was.

“So, watch. Watch the sight of me taking my first step.”

Then, she closed her eyes slightly and took a deep breath.

It felt as if Sein Vinoche’s life was being conveyed to me through the sword and her breath.

And after a moment.

“Hup!”

With a short shout, Sein-nim’s sword cut through the air.

A vertical cut similar to the one I had performed earlier, but with a much higher level.

Just by watching, goosebumps rose all over my body.

That sword was already at a level that could be called complete.

To be at this level after seeing it just once.

I couldn’t even admire her talent.

“How is it? Teacher. Is this enough to pass?”

Sein-nim asked me with a strangely playful expression.

“……It seems like you can graduate right away.”

I chuckled, making eye contact with Sein-nim.

“Don’t say that. Teacher. I’m still far from it.”

Sein-nim gripped the sword tightly with determined eyes.

As if she wasn’t satisfied with just this much.

As if it was just the beginning.

She smiled as if she was having the time of her life.

“First of all, please don’t call me teacher, even as a joke. I’m genuinely burdened by it.”

“Burdened, you say? Then I’ll have to keep doing it.”

“You’re so mischievous.”

“Think of it as a token of affection.”

“……Yes.”

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future.

The people who can ignore the existence of knights will disappear.

I am certain of that.

* * *

After that.

I returned straight to my hotel room.

Originally, I would have talked a bit more, but Sein-nim had no intention of leaving the training room, so we decided to talk about the rest later.

“Mimir. I’m back.”

As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I headed to Mimir’s study.

“You’re back early?”

Mimir, who was engrossed in some research as usual, looked up from her book and greeted me.

“Yeah. The talk ended a bit early….”

I was about to respond to Mimir’s welcome as usual, but I lost my words for a moment after witnessing something.

I was so stunned by the shocking sight that I was left speechless.

“Ah, this one? I don’t know. I don’t know what came over her. She suddenly started doing this?”

Miho was curled up on Mimir’s lap.

Miho, who had been reluctant to be touched by anyone except me and Adela.

That Miho, who had only wagged her tail, ignoring all of Mimir’s approaches, was curled up and asleep on Mimir’s lap.

“She’s really fickle.”

Mimir stroked Miho and smiled bitterly.

“As expected of a fox… but that’s what makes her even cuter.”

It was a smile that seemed somewhat sad.

“Mimir? Is something wrong?”

She should be overjoyed, but she has that expression.

Is there some kind of problem?

“Huh? Ah. It’s nothing. Just. I feel a bit sentimental.”

Mimir waved her hand.

Her smile changed to a bright one as if she had never smiled bitterly.

But that smile also looked strangely sad.

“More importantly, did things go well?”

“……Huh? Ah, yeah. It went well. Now, all I have to do is hand over the copies I prepared tomorrow.”

“Really? That’s good.”

Mimir gave a strangely awkward answer and then fell silent.

She definitely seems a bit strange. It seems like something really happened.

“Mimir. If you have any worries….”

“Successor.”

Mimir interrupted me and called out to me.

“The page for the sixth trial has opened.”

“……Huh?”

“It means the Successor has reached a level where they can take the trial.”

“Ah.”

The page for the sixth trial is like that again.

“Congratulations. You’ll be a 7-circle soon.”

“Hey. It’s too early to congratulate me. I can already see how difficult the trial will be.”

Considering the difficulty of the previous trials, the page for the sixth trial will also be incredibly difficult.

It’s too early to congratulate me.

“Even if I pass the trial, it will take a lot of time to weave the 7th Infinity Circle… I’ll receive the congratulations after I pass. After I safely reach the 7th circle.”

“…….”

Mimir didn’t answer.

She was just smiling with a somewhat complicated expression.

“Yeah. I understand.”

About 5 seconds of silence passed like that.

Mimir slowly opened her mouth.

“After you pass. After you reach the 7th circle, I’ll properly congratulate you.”

Mimir’s expression as she said that was somewhat sad, yet strangely relieved.

“Look forward to it. In preparation for that time, like this….”

Mimir showed the cover of the research journal on the table and smiled brightly.

“I’ve even prepared a gift.”

“Oh. Are you finally showing it?”

“Yeah. It’s almost finished. I have to show it now. Something truly amazing has been born. You’ll be surprised when you see it?”

“If you say that, it must be something really amazing. Okay. I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll even write a cute letter to give you. Don’t cry from being moved when you see it.”

1) It was a smile as if she had shaken something off.