Chapter 2
On the continent, there are six lights and five darknesses.
The six forces that stood tall on the continent like brilliant suns were called the Six Sovereigns, and those who dwelt in the shadows, spreading wickedness and terror, were called the Five Demons.
One of those Six Sovereigns, the hegemon ruling over the north, was the Sieghart family.
"Awoo."
Raon met eyes with the master of that Sieghart family and opened his mouth round.
'Is this a good thing...?'
The Sieghart family was a place that didn't fall short at all compared to the Robert family, who had used him thoroughly in his previous life before killing him.
If he could grow his strength here, the time for revenge might come much sooner.
"Like father and me, this child also has blonde hair and red eyes."
While he was pondering how to move forward, Sylvia smiled softly and stroked his head.
"……."
Glen maintained his dizzying pressure as he lifted him up.
'Huh?'
Raon trembled. The moment he was held by Glen, a warm and gentle energy flowed in through his wrist.
"Ung..."
A faint groan escaped him unconsciously at the aura he hadn't felt in a long time.
'What kind of aura...'
Glen's aura wasn't just warm. It possessed an immense purity, as if it had brought natural mana as it was.
'It's warming my body.'
After reincarnation, he was extremely sensitive to cold. At first, he thought it was because of the child's body, but there was a major constitutional problem.
But upon receiving Glen's aura, his entire body warmed up as if sunlight had entered his blood vessels.
Uuuung.
Glen used his aura to examine every corner of Raon's body before handing him back to Sylvia.
'What?'
Raon narrowed his eyes. There was no way a martial artist of Glen's caliber wouldn't know there was a problem with his body, yet there was no change in his expression.
To wear such an expression knowing his grandson wasn't normal—it was incomprehensible.
"Sylvia."
"Yes."
"This child's name shall be Raon."
"Raon? F-Father. The meaning of the name Raon..."
Sylvia's eyebrows sank deeply.
"Just as it means. Like a shadow, quietly. It means to live as if you aren't there."
Unlike when he gently wielded his aura, a coldness bloomed from Glen's voice.
'Hah...'
Is this fate or what?
Not only was it the same name as his previous life, but the meaning was also identical. It was so absurd that a hollow laugh escaped him.
He knew Glen was a cold-hearted person, but he didn't expect him to have no interest even in his sick grandson.
"That is all."
Glen brushed off his dark red coat as if he didn't want to be here any longer and turned around.
"Wait! Father! At least give him a different name..."
Sylvia chased after him while holding Raon, but Glen didn't look back. He simply left the mansion.
If they weren't father and daughter, one would believe they were strangers.
"Ugh!"
Raon's lips trembled. He wanted to stay quiet, but a groan escaped him unconsciously at the cool wind coming from outside.
"I-I'm sorry!"
Sylvia pulled Raon close and buried her face in his body. She seemed to be barely holding back tears.
'There's something there. But I'm too sleepy to think.'
Raon slowly closed his eyes, simultaneously feeling the cold wind sweeping through his body and Sylvia's warmth.
'A child's body is truly inconvenient...'
* * *
The time when the moon rose to the center of the sky.
Raon, lying in the baby crib, slowly opened his eyes.
'She's asleep.'
He turned his head to the side. Sylvia was fast asleep in the bed right next to him.
Tap.
Seeing that she didn't wake up even when he tapped the bed, she seemed to be deeply asleep.
'Phew...'
He let out a small sigh.
The past 100 days had been an incredibly frustrating time.
Sleep poured endlessly, and even when he was awake, Sylvia was always with him, so he couldn't wield mana or cultivate.
Since even a light touch during cultivation could cause problems, he couldn't do anything, but finally, an opportunity had come.
'Baby crib.'
Thanks to head maid Helen's advice, from today he was sleeping separately in a warm baby crib.
It was right next to her bed, but there was no way Sylvia would wake up at this hour. It was the perfect time to start cultivating.
'Shall I begin.'
Raon slowly exhaled.
'Cultivation of the Ring of Fire.'
The continent's cultivation methods involve receiving natural mana through breathing and accumulating aura in the dantian.
However, the cultivation method 'Ring of Fire' obtained through a fortuitous encounter in his previous life was different.
Like a magician creating circles, it forms a round ring in the heart through cultivation, growing stamina and the physical body, and enhancing mental strength and mana sensitivity.
In other words, while it couldn't create aura, it was a cultivation method that grew the body and mind, creating the most perfect conditions for becoming a martial artist—that was the Ring of Fire.
'That's not the only advantage.'
The Ring of Fire was a cultivation method that followed the natural flow as it was. No matter how high a martial artist's realm, they couldn't know that he was cultivating the Ring of Fire.
In fact, even Derus Robert, called the continent's strongest swordsman, didn't know that Raon had learned the Ring of Fire.
If he used the Ring of Fire to grow his body and mind, and learned the Sieghart family's swordsmanship, getting revenge on Derus Robert wouldn't be a dream.
However, there was a very big problem with Raon's body.
'Cold energy.'
The mana circuits through which mana flowed, like blood vessels through which blood flowed, were blocked by vicious cold energy.
He had first learned of this not long ago.
He had briefly wielded mana while pretending to sleep, but was so startled by the cold energy blocking the mana circuits that he almost screamed.
"Huuup."
Raon inhaled so slowly that his lungs felt like they would dry out, feeling the mana spread throughout the atmosphere.
'It's scattering.'
Perhaps because his basic mana sensitivity was poor, he couldn't feel mana well unlike in his previous life.
After consuming a considerable amount of time, he barely managed to receive mana and settle it into his mana circuits.
'Hmm.'
Raon was about to start cultivating the Ring of Fire with the absorbed mana, but came to a halt.
'I wasn't feeling it wrong after all.'
About half of the mana circuits near his shoulder were blocked by cool cold energy.
'No wonder I'm sleepy and cold.'
The reason he had been sleeping over 20 hours and feeling vicious cold all this time was precisely because of this cold energy.
'Nine places?'
He flowed mana and scanned his entire body. The mana circuits blocked by cold energy were nine in total.
'This is serious...'
A baby's mana circuits, unlike an adult's, are wide open. With cold energy filling more than half in that state, the entire mana circuits might be blocked by cold energy when he gets older.
At that time, cold and pain incomparable to now would come, or in severe cases, he would die.
Before that, he had to somehow erase this cold energy.
'I'll have to pierce through the cold energy in the mana circuits while wielding the Ring of Fire.'
The cultivation of the Ring of Fire would be significantly delayed, but surviving was the priority right now.
Huuuk.
Raon slowly inhaled and received mana. He shaved the absorbed mana thin and sharp like an awl and pierced the cold energy blocking the mana circuits.
Tik!
Like stabbing a frozen waterfall with a fork, a tiny piece of cold energy broke off.
'Wait. Can't I use this cold energy?'
He could expel the cold energy as it was, but the purity of the cold energy was a waste.
Raon guided the broken-off cold energy along with the natural mana according to the flow of the Ring of Fire.
The natural mana and the cold energy that had been blocking the mana circuits merged into one and began to circulate through the mana circuits of his entire body.
'It worked!'
Raon clenched his fist. It was a much slower speed than in his previous life, but he could wield mana according to the flow of the Ring of Fire without major problems.
Uuuung.
He could feel the cold energy guided along with the mana settling into his body.
'Thanks to the child's body.'
If it weren't for the wide-open mana circuits of a child, he wouldn't have been able to circulate at all because of the cold energy, so that was fortunate.
'Next... Huh? Already?'
Having used a bit of brain and strength, he started getting sleepy. Regardless of his will, his eyelids fell like curtains.
'Damn it...'
Raon let out a frustrated groan and closed his eyes.
After he fell asleep, when the moon hanging in the sky had moved by about three finger joints, a figure appeared in front of the door.
The person who entered without even opening the door was the head of the Sieghart family, Glen.
"……."
Glen stared at the sleeping Raon for a long time before reaching out his hand. A soft light like a sunset bloomed from his palm.
Hwaaah.
Raon's forehead, which had been furrowed due to the cold energy in his mana circuits, smoothed out like velvet.
* * *
"Abubu."
Raon let out a low sigh.
'It's not easy after all.'
His waking hours were short, and even then he was mostly with other people, so he had no time to create the Ring of Fire.
However, considering the cultivation time of only an hour or two and the delay caused by the cold energy, the results were surprisingly not bad. As if someone was helping him.
"Raon. Shall we move a little more today?"
Sylvia bent down and shook a rattle. Since he kept responding, she seemed to think he liked the rattle.
'It's hard to play along.'
To be honest, playing with Sylvia and the maids was harder than enduring the cold energy.
It couldn't be helped since an adult's mind was in a child's body.
"Awoong."
Raon was tilting his head and about to crawl toward Sylvia.
Click.
The door opened softly, and an unknown white-haired old man entered. He wore ragged, worn-out clothes, but his eyes were as clear as a lake.
"Oh? Uncle!"
Sylvia seemed to know the old man and ran to the door with a bright smile.
"It's been a while."
"Ah, no. Your Holiness..."
"Awung."
Raon was so surprised that he babbled unconsciously. Seeing the title of Saint and the clothes that even a beggar would wear, he could tell who this old man was.
'The Saint of Rags!'
The Saint of Rags, Pedric, was one of the most famous healers on the continent.
Both his divine power and medical skills had reached the heavens, but he had a wandering spirit, making him someone you couldn't see even if you wanted to.
"Saint, my foot. Call me Uncle like before."
Pedric chuckled and approached the bed where Raon was lying.
"I heard you had a child, so I dropped by on my way. Is this the child?"
"Ah, yes."
"Oho! Blonde hair and red eyes? Isn't this the first after you?"
"That's right. Pretty, isn't he?"
Sylvia stroked Raon's head and smiled radiantly.
"Exactly as you say. A fellow not even one year old is quite pretty. Completely different from a fierce one like Glen."
Pedric giggled and waved his finger in front of Raon.
"What's the name?"
"It's Raon..."
"Raon?"
He frowned upon hearing the name Raon.
"Don't tell me it means shadow?"
"That's right..."
"Naming a child shadow, what on earth is that guy Glen thinking."
Pedric called the head of the Sieghart family, Glen, by name as affectionately as a friend.
'The rumor that Glen Sieghart and the Saint of Rags were friends was true.'
Raon smacked his lips while looking at Pedric's broom-like hair.
Since he had lived as an assassin, he had quite a bit of information about the world's affairs.
It seemed the information that Glen Sieghart and the Saint of Rags had considerable friendship was true.
"Raon. Let this grandfather take a look at you for a moment."
Pedric gently massaged his shoulders and forearms, legs and chest area.
"Hmm..."
He bit his lip with a serious expression before finally radiating a white light. Upon being bathed in that light, a warm energy like entering a hot spring filled his entire body.
"Phew."
Pedric let out a low sigh and turned around.
"How is he? Compared to other children, his growth is slow, and he's very sensitive to cold..."
Sylvia approached Pedric with both hands clasped tightly together.
"It's the Curse of Extreme Cold."
Pedric furrowed his eyebrows.
"C-Curse? What do you mean suddenly!"
"The Curse of Extreme Cold isn't an actual curse. It's a constitution where vicious cold energy blocks the mana circuits."
"Ah..."
"It's a constitution that rarely appears in girls. This is the first time I've seen a boy born with the Curse of Extreme Cold."
He scanned Raon's body with a strange look in his eyes.
"Right now, since the mana circuits are open, there won't be major problems, but after the age of four when the mana circuits start closing, he'll feel severe cold and pain."
"T-That..."
Sylvia bit her lip in anxiety.
'I can fix it myself, so don't worry.'
Raon gently shook his head.
It would take a bit longer, but he could erase the cold energy while wielding the Ring of Fire. There was no particular need for treatment.
"The lumps of cold energy blocking this child's mana circuits total nine. It's a number I haven't even seen in the girls I've treated. Furthermore, each cold energy is strong, so if forced through, there's a possibility he could become an idiot."
"I-Is there a way to treat it!"
Sylvia grabbed Pedric's sleeve with a face that looked like she might collapse at any moment.
"Dilute a fire-attribute elixir and have him drink it like water once a day, and let him bask in the sunlight for two hours from noon when the sun is highest."
"Can he get better if we do that?"
"As I said, this isn't a disease but a constitution. If you do as I say, at the very least he won't return to the heavens' embrace at a young age. However..."
As Pedric cut off his words and paused, everyone swallowed dry saliva.
"The cold energy eats away at this child's constitution and stamina, so even after treatment is finished, it will be difficult for him to become a swordsman."
"That doesn't matter."
Sylvia shook her head vigorously as if to say as long as he doesn't die, it's fine.
"It's a relief you think that way. Anyway, from now on, this child..."
Knock knock.
Just as Pedric was about to give additional advice, the door opened with a knock.
"Excuse me."
A middle-aged man wearing a luxurious black formal suit entered the room and bowed his head.
"The head of the family is looking for Your Holiness."
"Tell him I'll come later."
"He said to come right now."
"Tsk, I tell you, he never gets the timing right."
Pedric clicked his tongue briefly and turned his head.
"Sylvia. I'll drop by again later."
"Ah, yes."
Pedric looked at Raon for a moment before leaving the room with the middle-aged man.
'The Curse of Extreme Cold...'
Raon rubbed his fingers together.
'I finally know.'
The identity of the cold energy that had been tormenting him was revealed. However, nothing would particularly change.
If he erased the cold energy while cultivating the Ring of Fire as he had been doing, he could cure the Curse of Extreme Cold before reaching adulthood and create a body and mana sensitivity superior to anyone else's.
"Raon."
As soon as the door closed, Sylvia hugged him, who was lying on the bed, and rubbed her face against him. It was an action she did when she was anxious.
"Mom will definitely save you. No matter what."
Tears welled up in the eyes of the woman who had always only smiled.
'What is this...'
As Sylvia's trembling was transmitted to him, his chest felt stifled like he had indigestion. It felt like rough iron wire scratching his heart.
He didn't know well what this emotion was, but he didn't want to keep feeling this stinging sensation. So.
"Abubu."
Raon wiped away the tears welling up in Sylvia's eyes with his small hand.
"Ah..."
"Young Master!"
"M-My goodness..."
Sylvia's eyes widened, and the maids let out short screams.
"Raon..."
She kept her head down and caressed her wet hand for a long time before jumping up.
"I need to go see Father."
The hesitation disappeared from Sylvia's expression.
* * *
Sylvia headed to the Sieghart family head's residence for the first time since Raon was born.
Since the Saint had just passed by, the way was wide open.
"L-Lady Sylvia!"
"Right now, the head of the family and His Holiness are..."
"Move!"
She forced her way through the servants and maids blocking her way and knocked on the audience chamber door.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
When she had punched five times like knocking, the massive door began to open.
"What's the matter."
Glen, who was sitting face to face with Pedric drinking tea, frowned.
"I'm begging you."
Sylvia gritted her teeth and knelt down.
"Please save Raon!"
Even though there were servants behind her, she pressed her head to the ground like a slave submitting to a master.
"……."
Glen watched Sylvia bow her head without blinking an eye.
"You must have heard too? Even if that child's constitution is cured, it will be hard for him to live as a martial artist."
Apparently having already heard, Glen knew of Raon's condition.
"Then don't raise him as a martial artist!"
"One who receives the Sieghart name doesn't become a martial artist? Why should I help such a child without worth?"
"Because he's your grandson."
"He's a grandson you brought after leaving the family, cutting off your ties."
"That's..."
Sylvia cast her trembling gaze to the floor.
"The only thing I can do for that child is grant him the Sieghart name. One foolish act is enough."
Glen's face was as cold as if covered with a sheet of ice.
"Sieghart is a land where only the strong can survive. It's better not to have a weak grandson. Besides, you should be able to obtain elixirs on your own."
"The elixirs in the family's treasury are much more effective than those obtained outside..."
"Those are things meant for those who elevate the family's name. Even if he's a grandson, there's nothing to give to a child who has done nothing. Leave now."
"Father! Please!"
Sylvia clenched her fists until blood flowed and pressed her head to the ground again.
'I can't back down!'
If she were alone, she would have turned back here. She wouldn't have looked back out of pride.
But right now, she had a child to protect. For Raon's sake, she had to cling on until the end.
"Drag her out."
At Glen's resolute command, martial artists in black uniforms burst out from behind the pillars. They grabbed Sylvia's arms and dragged her toward the door.
"P-Please, for Raon!"
Sylvia cried out Raon's name until the end, but Glen turned his head as if he had no interest.
"Phew..."
Pedric, who had watched the entire scene, let out a sigh.
"You called me to look at your youngest grandson's condition, and you put on quite an act. Is it that hard to be honest?"
"Shut up, and just tell me the detailed condition."
"As I said, nine mana circuits are blocked by cold energy. Right now it's fine, but it'll become more dangerous as he gets older."
Pedric continued speaking while sipping tea.
"Still, thanks to you pushing back the cold energy with your aura, there shouldn't be any major problems for a while."
Even though Glen and Pedric had directly examined Raon's body, they didn't know he was cultivating the Ring of Fire.
The Ring of Fire was a cultivation method from a thousand years ago and didn't use the dantian. Even if the two had absolute abilities, grasping the Ring of Fire was a difficult task.
"Girls with symptoms of the Curse of Extreme Cold can use the high-purity cold energy to become outstanding magicians or swordsmen, but boys who have a lot of hot energy are different. As I said, it's close to impossible for your youngest grandson to become a martial artist."
"It doesn't matter if he doesn't become a martial artist. As long as he lives."
"You yell at Sylvia but say it doesn't matter? The King of Northern Annihilation must be fond of his youngest grandson too."
Pedric chuckled.
"……."
Glen ignored Pedric's words and traced his finger through the air.
Uuuung.
Space split in a cross shape, opening a golden dimension. Three small wooden boxes popped out from within the space filled with flames.
"You know what to do, right?"
He said so and handed the boxes to Pedric.
"Sigh, this is why I don't create things like families."
Pedric sighed and received the wooden boxes.
"I'm asking you."
Glen's cold voice rang out strangely low.
"Everything's fine, but why did you name that child Raon? There are plenty of good names, but of all things, shadow..."
"The name Raon doesn't only have the meaning of shadow."
He shook his head and looked up at the golden sun hanging high in the sky.
"A thousand years ago, it also had the exact opposite meaning."