Ch 112
Humans are animals of adaptation.
Lisir was realizing that fact through nothing other than Seven Aperture Bloodletting.
Surprisingly, even the act of bleeding from every orifice on one’s face becomes familiar and one develops skill with repetition.
‘It’s come.’
Lisir realized that the sudden change in his body was a sign of Seven Aperture Bloodletting and immediately prepared Blue Breath.
This was to manage the burden with Blue Breath simultaneously with the occurrence of overload.
‘Huh?’
However, no matter how long he waited, the Seven Aperture Bloodletting did not come.
Lisir felt a twisted sense of bittersweetness.
It was like diligently completing homework to avoid a beating, only to find the homework wasn’t being checked.
‘Oh, did it really come this time?’
At that moment, Lisir felt intense pain in his body.
That familiar sensation. It was clearly an overload.
‘Ugh-‘
However, compared to usual, something felt lacking, no, insufficient.
The overload was indeed placing a burden on his body, but it did not reach the stage of destruction.
It was the result of growth.
Lisir’s body had become strong enough to withstand a minor overload.
‘Klana, do you see this? I think I’ve reached the level where I can proudly call myself a beginner swordsman.’
-That insane talk again. Why would you be a beginner?
‘Could it be that I still have a long way to go?’
-Don’t talk to me, I’m about to explode with anger.
Lisir, seemingly shaken off his thoughts by Klana.
He opened his eyes again, looked at Heynya, and said.
“So, where were we?”
“You, that is, the Miss who wished for you to be a true genius, and the place where we would determine who the true genius is.”
Humans sometimes feel emotional fulfillment through sharing.
Heynya, excited at the thought of sharing her experience with ‘Lisir’ with others, looked at Moria.
When you’re the one suffering, it couldn’t be more unfair, but when you’re watching someone else suffer, it couldn’t be more exhilarating.
Especially since the person suffering was a woman who acted arrogant on her own merits, the thrill was even greater.
“…”
Indeed, the ‘First-Timer’ did not disappoint Heynya’s expectations.
Moria was dumbfounded as she watched Lisir.
‘The aftereffects of the overload have suddenly healed. Without any warning… What did he do?’
There aren’t no methods to treat the aftereffects of overload.
Artifacts and elixirs, this world had countless treasures with mysterious powers.
Although she appeared to be a young Miss, her true nature was Moria, a High Priestess with vast insight. Moria knew several ways to immediately treat the aftereffects of overload.
However.
A means to perfectly heal the aftereffects of overload instantly, without any signs or actions?
‘There’s no way such a thing exists…’
Even if it did exist, it would be a secret technique or treasure of immense value.
Moria, who had thought that the only people to watch closely in this situation were Pallag, Dray, and Heynya.
She found herself paying attention to Lisir, whom she had previously ignored.
She tried to gauge Lisir’s realm.
His magical power was integrated with his energy, making it difficult to gauge.
Skillful containment that could be mistaken for incompetence by those lacking sufficient discernment.
It was something that could only be done by someone who had reached at least Rank 6.
Thus, Moria concluded that Lisir’s realm was at the beginning of Rank 6.
‘Rank 6? At that age?’
Moria was quite surprised after gauging Lisir’s realm.
However, that surprise was nothing compared to when she witnessed his surprise recovery（?）.
Rank 6 at around twenty years old.
That level was within the realm of what could be achieved with realistic talent and environment.
Moreover, Rank 6 was a somewhat early stage to judge talent.
Many were those who were lauded as prodigies at the beginning of Rank 6 in their twenties, only to be forgotten for never advancing beyond that stage.
If the wall of Rank 6 is the boundary where the presence or absence of talent is judged, Rank 6 is the realm where the depth of that talent is judged.
Whether it is ‘precociousness’ or ‘special talent’ is still unverified.
For example, Moria thought.
He doesn’t qualify to discuss true genius in this place.
And for good reason, look at Heynya right there.
She lived a life unrelated to magic, yet reached Rank 4 through self-study in just one year, and less than a few months later, she reached Rank 5.
The realm of the beginning of Rank 6 that Lisir had dedicated his life to reaching.
How long would it take Heynya to reach that point?
Moria could guarantee it would take less than a year.
That was true genius.
Moria gave up the realm of Rank 8 to seize Heynya’s genius.
She felt no need or meaning in fighting Lisir as Heynya suggested.
She spoke to Heynya, who was smiling at her.
“Miss. With all due respect, wouldn’t sparring with him be deviating from the topic at hand?”
“Topic? What topic? The topic of true genius?”
Heynya chuckled repeatedly as she spoke.
‘A young woman…’
A childish provocation only possible for a young mage.
The High Priestess suppressed her rising anger and continued.
“You know, Miss. He’s different from you and me.”
“…Yes, he is different.”
Pfft.
At this point, it seemed she wasn’t provoking, but genuinely laughing with joy.
Moria glared at Heynya, and Heynya looked back at Moria with a consistently scornful expression.
Moria’s patience reached its limit.
“A sparring match with a Rank 6… That sounds interesting. Moria, try your hand against that child.”
“Lord Pallag?”
Moria looked at Pallag in surprise.
“Your appearance facing someone stronger than yourself. I’m curious.”
Moria inwardly groaned.
‘Damn it, again?’
It was a situation she had experienced countless times since being taken in by the Former Tower Master.
Pallag.
He had high expectations for Moria now.
If those expectations were met, he would turn his greater interest towards her.
Conversely, if those expectations were not met?
His interest would decrease compared to before.
Perhaps, he might completely lose interest.
The Former Tower Master of the Blue Tower-
Frozen Breath Pallag was such a difficult and capricious person.
That’s why the title of his formal disciple held immense value.
“Understood. Since Lord Pallag says so, I will gladly live up to your expectations.”
Moria replied with overflowing confidence.
She had strayed from her original goal of defeating Heynya and taking her fame-
But ultimately, all this was a path to make a strong impression on Pallag and become his formal disciple.
Let’s think positively.
It’s an increased opportunity to make a strong impression on Pallag.
“Miss. You promised, right? After I spar with him, you’ll really fight me then?”
“Yes. A sparring match. I’ll do it anytime. If you still wish to discuss true genius after you spar with Lisir.”
Moria glared intensely at Heynya once, then looked at Lisir.
“I have a suggestion.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s fight under equal conditions.”
“Equal conditions?”
“Limiting your magic to Rank 5.”
“Moria. What are you saying?”
Pallag showed disappointment towards Moria.
“Lord Pallag said it then. No matter how talented one is, it’s difficult to ignore the wall of rank.”
“Continue.”
“Lord Pallag won’t think I’ll win against him. How well I fight, how well I endure, and how I lose. You’ll be watching that, right?”
“So?”
“I don’t want to show you a sight of me losing to Lord Pallag.”
Moria said without being intimidated by Pallag’s expression.
“Even if his magic is limited to Rank 5, his magical power still far surpasses mine. Moreover, he’ll still have the developed senses of a Rank 6.”
Moria smiled boldly.
It was the appearance of a genius with absolute pride and confidence in herself.
“Rather than showing you a close defeat against an opponent I can’t win against, I want to show you me winning against an opponent I can hardly win against. Is that too much to ask?”
“…”
Pallag stared intently at Moria.
His thick eyebrows formed a sharp angle.
Soon, those eyebrows curved pleasantly.
“HAHAHAHA!!! Such a bold girl! Did you see that, Dray!? This is why I can’t live without this child!”
Pallag, highly excited, spoke to Lisir.
“Lisir, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Lisir. You must have heard what she said. How about it? Will you accept her challenge?”
Pallag’s eyes, full of excitement, directly looked at Lisir.
“Do I have the right to refuse?”
Lisir answered without hesitation.
He had just grasped how to deal with him through his previous conversation with Moria.
“The right to refuse… Yes, you do. So, will you exercise it?”
“I see. Then, I will accept Miss Moria’s challenge.”
“…What?”
Unlike his words, Lisir answered readily.
Pallag looked at Lisir with a strange gaze.
-Then why did you bring up the right to refuse?
It seemed like he could hear such a voice.
To that, Lisir replied.
“And, although it’s not quite in exchange for it━ may I dare make a request of Duke Pallag?”
Pallag’s eyebrows curved at Lisir’s bold action.
A slight displeasure was shown.
“A bold fellow. To seek your own advantage in this situation. Fine. In your position, you’ve been involuntarily involved, so you deserve compensation. Tell me. What do you want in exchange for sparring with Moria?”
“I don’t desire compensation for the sparring match.”
“Hmm?”
Lisir looked at Heynya.
“Since Miss Heynya is the one who dragged me into the sparring match, I intend to claim compensation from her.”
“Goodness.”
Heynya chuckled and shook her head.
“…”
Lisir spoke to Pargan, who was quietly watching.
“Therefore, I desire compensation for victory.”
“Victory?”
“I will win against Miss Moria. At that time, please grant me one request.”
“…If there’s compensation for victory, there should also be compensation for defeat. What will you do if you lose?”
“It’s simple. Conversely, I will grant Lord Pallag one request.”
“…”
Pallag stared intently at Lisir.
Soon, Pallag’s curved eyebrows slowly straightened-
“KHAHAHAHA!!!”
The room resounded.
The cold air swirled, reacting to Pallag’s emotions.
For a moment, he felt such strong emotional turmoil that he almost lost his composure.
He said with a cheerful face.
“A request!? My request, you say!?”
“Despite my appearance, I’m quite capable. I have a number of precedents of solving problems for important people.”
“KHAHAHAHA!!! Important people!!! Yes! That’s amazing! I’m really looking forward to it!!!”
While Pallag was almost dying of joy, Dray and Moria looked at Lisir with a disgusted expression.
Moria was in a position to receive Pallag’s favor, so that’s understandable, but to act so boldly towards Pallag without any reliable backing.
“Oh, everyone! You’re all already gathered!”
Afterwards, a man of robust appearance entered the room.
It was Gus, the master of the Golden Barley Trading Company.
“Gus! I’ve thought of a way to liven up tonight’s banquet, will you hear it?”
Pallag suddenly proposed to Gus.
Before starting tonight’s banquet, he would liven things up with a public sparring match between Moria and Lisir.
“Lisir?”
Gus looked around in surprise.
Lisir cautiously raised his hand.
“Oh, Lisir! Amazing! To think you’re so young! I’ve heard a lot about you!”
“About me? Ah, you mean Eron.”
“No, no! Not Eron!”
“Yes? If not Eron, then-“
“Look, that fellow wouldn’t stop talking about you! A monster-like swordsman who’s too young for it!”
“?”
Some people tilted their heads at Gus’s story.
‘Swordsman?’
It must be a mishearing.
They didn’t care much.
“Yes, a sparring match between you and that━ the genius mage Lord Pallag favors? That sounds interesting! If it were up to me, I’d set up a separate venue and charge admission! Yes! As the host of the banquet, I request it! Please grace the start of this banquet!”
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
Pallag, who returned to his private room with Moria, asked her.
“Tell me your plan for dealing with him in this sparring match.”
“…”
Moria observed Pallag’s expression and thought.
Simply winning the sparring match might not be enough to make a sufficient impression.
‘It’s time to show it.’
A seductive look appeared on Moria’s face as she thought.
Showing ‘that’ would undoubtedly make a strong impression.
The problem is that the impression might be too strong, causing unnecessary thoughts.
-Did you learn that power somewhere else?
-Self-taught?
-Then, what did it feel like when you used that power?
-Tell me about the sensation when you first used that power.
He, the former Tower Master, was someone who was used to being curious and suspicious.
Showing ‘that’ in front of such a person would undoubtedly arouse countless curiosities and suspicions.
But-
‘It can’t be helped.’
The important thing right now was to leave a strong impression on Pallag.
I can think about the aftermath later.
Having made up her mind, Moria raised her left hand.
Cold air gathered on it.
It was the Ice Magic she learned from Pallag.
Then, Moria raised her other hand.
A small whirlwind of wind rose on it.
“…!”
Shock appeared on Pallag’s face.
“Multiple Attributes… How did you━”
“I’ve been practicing diligently since Lord Pallag taught me.”
“Practice… That’s not something you can do at your current level━”
“Oh? Didn’t you say that wasn’t the case? Theoretically, it’s a power that can be handled sufficiently at Rank 5.”
“…Yes, as you say, Multiple Attributes is a power that can be handled sufficiently at Rank 5. However, that’s purely theoretical. Various conditions are required to bring it into the realm of reality.”
“So that means…”
Moria.
She had accomplished something that was practically impossible.
“Moria, recently━”
“Or among the items you possess━”
“If not that, what did you feel when you practiced Multiple Attributes for a long time━”
“Describe in detail the sensation you felt while using Multiple Attributes━”
Pallag’s barrage of questions began, aimed at understanding something that was practically impossible.
The underlying sentiment was closer to suspicion than curiosity.
It felt more like an interrogation than a question.
Nevertheless, Moria didn’t mind much.
The youth and talent she gained by giving up Rank 8.
The injustice of ‘Moria’s’ existence was best understood by herself.
Unjust talent is followed by corresponding suspicion.
It is the duty of a genius to dispel that suspicion.
“…Amazing.”
Thus, Moria, who had successfully convinced Pallag of her genius, smiled contentedly.
‘Now, if I skillfully use Multiple Attributes in the sparring match to pierce his weakness-‘
The preparations are complete.
✦✦✦
“Who is Moria?”
“I heard she’s a genius mage that Frozen Breath is keeping an eye on?”
“Frozen Breath, could it be the former Blue Tower Master━ Could it be that he’s coming here today!?”
“A genius mage recognized by the former Blue Tower Master… In front of all these people, the one named Lisir who will be sparring with such a monster is pitiful.”
“What are you saying? Haven’t you heard about him?”
The banquet hall.
A large space was prepared in one corner.
The banquet attendees surrounded it with excited expressions.
A moment later.
The main characters appeared.
Moria and Lisir.
They stood at opposite ends of the space, facing each other.
The audience simultaneously stopped talking and focused on the two.
Pallag, who was acting as the judge, stood in the center and said.
“Sparring participants Moria and Lisir. Are you ready for the sparring match?”
“Moria, ready.”
“Lisir, ready.”
“Then, let’s begin.”
Pallag snapped his fingers, and a magical barrier spread, enveloping them.
Preemptive Strike.
Attention-grabbing to simultaneously unleash Multiple Attributes.
Moria unleashed her mana with all her might.
Cold air enveloped her.
Then, she smiled at Lisir.
Lisir responded to the provocation by unleashing his mana with all his might.
Moria judged that all of Lisir’s attention was focused on the Ice Magic she had unleashed.
Just as she was trying to find a flaw in his Multiple Attributes-
“…”
Her expression contorted.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you say you’d limit your magic to Rank 5!?”
Moria questioned Lisir.
It wasn’t anything else, but because the mana Lisir unleashed was filled with his energy, creating a sandstorm.
Unique Magic.
Otherwise known as Secret Magic.
That power, unleashed through the nuance of ‘Unique Integration’ which merges mana and one’s own energy, was clearly a realm only permitted to Rank 6.
“Yes? Ah! Oh dear, am I not supposed to use this?”
To a justifiable objection, a completely off-the-mark answer was given.
✦✦✦
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