Chapter 109. < 42. Not Human (2) >
It was absurd.
Of course, he had spoken the most important words first.
But to show signs of enlightenment immediately after...
'Well, it's not entirely impossible...'
Lumian's vessel was likely already full.
Thus, even the slightest advice, a mere drop of guidance, had caused the water to overflow.
What was merely baffling was that he had reached such a level in less than a year since his reincarnation.
'Envious, so envious.'
The Knight King sincerely envied Lumian Callad.
Yet he did not begrudge him.
He already possessed so much. Money, honor, power, and even talent in swordsmanship that was counted among the best on the continent.
If someone like him felt jealous of his subject's achievement, there could be nothing uglier.
Instead, he smiled with joy.
And he continued with the advice he had originally intended.
He thought it might provide additional help to Lumian.
"If my talent had been greater, if I could have perfectly controlled an even larger boulder... I would have focused on continuously increasing its size. But after years of attempts, I learned my limits. Handling power beyond this was impossible. No, I couldn't even properly control the current size."
As Philip III's words continued, Lumian's expression grew increasingly dazed. His eyes, gazing at the sky, lost focus. It was because he was deeply immersed in the Knight King's advice and his own insights.
Cincia and Bucal had already spread out to either side to guard him. No interference could be allowed during a moment of enlightenment.
"From then on, I discarded useless attachment and began gradually reducing the boulder's size. It wasn't about carving away or removing anything. It was a process of compression—maintaining mass and power while making it easier to handle. From a massive mountain to a hill, from a hill to a mound, from a mound to a boulder of a size one could see anywhere along the road."
"......."
"I do not know if this is the right path. But I had no choice but to admit that, at the very least, it was the path suited for me."
The Knight King's explanation gradually became more concrete and detailed.
Accordingly, Lumian trembled even more intensely. The storm of aura whirling around him grew fiercer as well.
Seeing this, Cincia and Bucal also showed stunned reactions.
'Monster...'
'Not human.'
In truth, the concept Philip III spoke of was not particularly difficult. Anyone with a head on their shoulders could mostly understand the meaning.
But immediately applying it to oneself to raise one's realm was an entirely different matter.
Training to become proficient.
Reconciling the difference between ideal and reality.
Fully sublimating it into one's own, then finding the path forward. This was work that required an enormous amount of time.
'Most people can only wander and fail in this process.'
Yet Lumian, the moment he heard the Knight King's advice, made it his own.
They couldn't even exclaim in wonder.
Cincia could only watch with amazed eyes as the fifteen-year-old boy advanced into a new world.
'Perhaps, he may truly become the first person to transcend the Swordmaster's realm...'
Just as everyone was having such thoughts.
Focus returned to Lumian's eyes, which had been unfocused until now.
Having gathered his wits for a moment, he reached his hand into the spatial backpack he carried.
And he took out a communication magic crystal sphere and a box shining with silver light.
Everyone looked on with curious faces.
What was he trying to do suddenly?
Whiiing-!
But Lumian did not explain to the three people.
He didn't have time for that. Before losing the thread of enlightenment he had barely obtained, he had to create a perfect environment.
Beep, beep... Beep!
- Ah! It's Lumian! Why didn't you come to the room? I'm bored!
Finally, the crystal sphere activated.
The figure of Semu lying face down on the bed covered with blankets was visible. Lumian rapidly poured out words.
"Semu, can you tell where I am right now?"
- Yes! The mana flowing from the crystal sphere is unique, so I can tell wherever you are!
"Good. Come as fast as you can. And help me with my aura cultivation."
- Huh? Now?
Semu asked.
Lumian nodded.
"Yes. I need the power of purification and stability. Come as quickly as possible."
- Got it!
"There will be three other people besides me, but they're all trustworthy people, so don't be surprised."
- Yep! Yahaaap!
Seeing Semu crawl out from the blankets and fly out the window, Lumian turned off the crystal sphere.
The Knight King, with a surprised face, asked a question.
"Just now, the creature reflected in the crystal sphere... could it be..."
"Yes, it's a dragon."
"What?"
"Lumian?"
Bucal and Cincia spoke with flustered voices.
They couldn't help it.
A being that should only appear in legends was flying here!
No, before that, how did Lumian even know a dragon?
Just as such questions rose in everyone's minds, he performed yet another amazing feat.
Puhwaaaaak-!
"Ugh! This is..."
"Massive magi!"
"Demon stones? Good heavens..."
Lumian opened the silver box.
Then, the demon stones sealed inside radiated their presence.
There were thirty of them, so the concentration of magi was enormous. The three people could no longer think clearly amid Lumian's continuous extraordinary feats.
Before them.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
Lumian shoved all thirty demon stones into his belly.
The Knight King Philip III approached in great shock.
"Lumian! What are you...!"
"It's fine! I haven't gone mad!"
Lumian quickly raised his hand to stop him.
And he swiftly assumed an aura cultivation posture and closed his eyes.
He said.
"Before long, a young dragon will fly here to help with my cultivation. It has the ability to purify magi, so there is absolutely no need to worry about my safety."
"......."
"I apologize, but I would be grateful if you could stand guard while I cultivate."
Those were his last words. Lumian soon fell into his own world.
"......."
"......."
"......."
The Knight King, Cincia, and Bucal. None of the three could say anything.
It felt as if a storm had passed in a brief moment. In fact, this moment felt more absurd and unreal than the grand duel that had actually shaken heaven and earth.
And a short while later.
A being that further deepened that atmosphere revealed itself on the plain.
Shuuuuuung-!
Kiiiek!
"Ah! It's really true. Lumian, why in a place like this... ugh!"
Semu, who had been muttering to himself, wore a startled expression.
Magi far stronger than anything before was being felt. And from inside Lumian's body, no less.
The little one, with a worried expression, transformed into a small form with a pop sound.
Then it climbed onto Lumian's crown and began to exert its purification ability.
Wuuuuuuung......
Silence descended again.
The only sounds audible were the wind brushing past and the slight noise coming from the dragon's body.
No voices were heard at all. Several minutes passed like that.
"...For now, it seems we must wait like this until Lumian's cultivation ends."
The Knight King said with a blank expression.
Cincia and Bucal wore similar expressions.
***
"Match concluded! Third-year Class A, Tania Eloise, victory!"
"Wooooah!"
"Ended it in one blow again!"
"Tania Eloise! Tania Eloise!"
"The only one you can trust is Tania!"
Tarajan Sword Festival, Day 2.
Tania Eloise ended the match once again with amazing skill.
The spectators sent passionate cheers, and after bowing in all four directions with a smiling face, she descended from the stage and headed to the waiting area.
A faint smile on her face. She looked quite pleased.
But this was merely a forced expression to be conscious of others' gaze.
Currently, Tania was in a very bad mood.
'Lumian! Where did you go!'
That Lumian Callad had disappeared without a word. That was the reason for Tania's discomfort.
He had boldly declared he would cheer enthusiastically from his designated seat throughout the Sword Festival.
She remembered him jokingly saying that as her master, he would thoroughly watch his disciple win the championship, and that if she didn't win, she should consider herself expelled.
But now that her match was over, some bald uncle was sitting in that seat instead of Lumian.
'What, did he not come at all?'
Wondering if perhaps he sat in a different seat, she looked around various parts of the spectator area during times other than the matches.
However, Lumian was nowhere to be seen. Not until all the second round schedule of the Sword Festival ended.
Thinking he might come even after the schedule ended, she lingered near the arena, but he still did not appear.
Discontent gradually surfaced on Tania's face as she continued looking around.
"Geez, he could have at least said something."
She was upset.
Extremely upset. Especially because he had made her heart flutter yesterday.
When he had walked her to the lodging holding hands like they were lovers, where had that gone? And now he was standing her up like this.
Her insides boiled.
Of course, if he appeared now and said "Sorry, I'm late!" all her anger would melt away, but otherwise, there seemed to be no way to improve her mood.
Just then, a man's voice calling Tania was heard.
"Tania!"
"Lumi... what, it's just big brother."
Tania made a sour expression.
The voice had a similar quality to Lumian's, so she thought it was him, but it wasn't.
She wrinkled her face, which had been about to brighten, and asked curtly.
"What, why did you come here?"
"...No, even if your brother came, why react like that?"
Tania's older brother, Raymond Eloise, wore a bewildered expression.
He had come all this way secretly to cheer for his younger sister behind their father's back, only to receive such cold treatment.
He continued in a hurt voice.
"Did something happen? You won the match magnificently, so why do you look so angry? Did something bad happen?"
"...No, sorry. I'm just on edge because of the next match."
Tania said, belatedly collecting her expression.
Unlike their father who still did not welcome her dream, her big brother had respected her decision since enrollment.
He often visited the academy secretly to encourage her, like now.
It was something to be grateful for.
'But still!'
Still!
Right now, the person she wanted to see most was Lumian. Not her big brother whose voice merely sounded similar.
It was regrettable but unavoidable. Naturally, traces of disappointment showed in her words.
"Are you really okay? It really seems like something happened..."
"It's fine. Really. Wow, woaah! I was so surprised! How did you think to come cheer without even contacting me?"
"...There's no soul in your words."
Raymond Eloise wore a dumbfounded expression.
He had come all this way secretly to cheer for his beloved youngest sister, but her reaction was lukewarm, so he couldn't help but feel deflated.
Of course, he didn't come to resent his sister. Tania was a existence he loved as much as his parents.
Just as he was about to smile and pat his sister's head.
Another man's voice was heard.
"Miss Tania Eloise."
"Who... huh!"
Tania was shocked.
The person who called her was none other than Bucal Garcia, a high-ranking knight renowned even in Zenas.
He had observed during the first semester's Sword Festival, so she couldn't not know him. She paid her respects.
"Tania Eloise, cadet of Tarajan Academy, greets Bucal Garcia, high-ranking knight of Zenas."
"R-Raymond Eloise. It is an honor to meet you, Sir Bucal Garcia."
Tania's older brother also greeted in bewilderment.
A high-ranking knight of Zenas suddenly appearing? His expression was colored with consternation.
"Excessive formality isn't necessary. Fortunately, our paths didn't cross."
"...Is there something you need from me?"
Tania also wore a flustered face.
Why would this famously renowned person come looking for a mere cadet like herself?
Just as various questions rose in her head, words she never expected at all popped from Bucal's mouth.