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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 221: The Realm of the 6th tier
"As you know, the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique is a divine technique that elevates a practitioner's very rank by an entire tier."
"It strengthens the body and enhances destructive power through the use of Aura Blade a martial art of that nature. Given Yours exceptional talent, mastery of diverse martial techniques, and dedication to refining your own combat philosophy, this art is a perfect match for you. An excellent choice."
"What appealed to me most was its ability to elevate Aura into Aura Blade."
"Once you master the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique, that is."
"Your battles will be akin to wielding a mithril sword with the brute strength of an ogre. Even before considering differences in skill, the sheer disparity in rank will become overwhelming."
If that were the case, how much easier would my fights become?
Back in my days as Karzan, even when facing opponents of similar skill, I often had to turn the tide from a disadvantageous position.
But now, I could fight against equals while holding an overwhelmingly superior advantage.
"Your fists will strike like warhammers, and your grasping fingers will tear through flesh like steel claws."
Venion recited almost poetically.
"Encase your blade, and it will never break. Swing it, and nothing will withstand its edge an unstoppable slash that cuts through anything, anywhere. Even the force of your unleashed strikes will shatter walls."
This was the kind of divine technique that could amplify my own strength by several tiers.
'And if I combine this with the three abilities of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique..'
It was terrifying terrifying how powerful I could become.
"Before I recite the mnemonic, I shall first pass on the annotated manual left by the previous clan head."
I straightened my posture and nodded. This was the teaching of my grandfather the former Duke Grunewald. It was only right to listen attentively.
"To forge Aura Blade, you must first be able to highly condense your internal mana."
Venion said, forming a spherical manifestation of aura above his palm.
"Mana, in its essence, is a vast and pure force. Thus, if forcibly compressed, it naturally resists and seeks to return to its original state."
I offered an analogy based on my understanding.
"Like drawing a bowstring taut, aiming at prey, and then enduring tremendous tension before release if you fail to withstand that rebound, you'd only injure yourself instead."
"Precisely. If you cannot endure the recoil, you'll suffer internal injuries."
"I understand. Compress mana as if drawing a bowstring."
"Or like forging a sword repeatedly hammering, heating, and cooling iron until it becomes an unbreakable blade."
"Indeed."
The knowledge of prestigious mana-manipulating clans was accumulated over generations, and even I found new insights to learn.
"However, to condense mana within your body and maintain that state, you must first prepare your physique accordingly. Strengthen your meridians and enhance the efficiency of mana circulation."
Venion drew a diagram on the ground with his sword.
"Since all direct descendants of Grunewald train in the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique, they must normally compress and store mana in five organs. However, you have mastered the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique, expanding your storage to seven."
"What should I do, then?"
"Well, some adjustments will be necessary. But don't worry I'll assist you with that."
This was where having a mentor proved invaluable. Attempting this alone would have led to countless trials and errors, with unpredictable side effects along the way.
"In short, this process optimizes your body itself into a vessel for the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique. Once completed, your physical rank will rise, sharpening your senses, reflexes, muscle strength, and overall athleticism."
"I see."
"Only then will you obtain compressed mana true Aura Blade."
Venion raised a finger.
"This is the first level."
"So there's a second level?"
"Of course. In truth, that's where this martial art's true nature reveals itself."
"Ah."
I nodded, enthralled.
"It's a shame our Intelligence Director isn't in sales; you would have made an absolute killing as a merchant. Your salesmanship is truly exceptional."
"And who else could match your silver tongue?"
Venion chuckled before continuing.
"Once you forge your vessel in the first level and condense your mana into Aura Blade, you reach the second level"
Venion manifested another orb of aura in his left hand.
"where you learn to wield forces born from the collision of opposing attributes."
"......!"
This was an idea I hadn't anticipated.
"What do you mean?"
"The Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique is, in truth, a dual-path technique. You wield Dark Soul Mana in one hand and Brilliant Spirit Mana in the other."
Venion lifted his left hand.
"Let's call this Dark Soul Mana. Its attribute is darkness solid, sometimes destructive, an eroding force that devours enemies."
"And Brilliant Spirit Mana?"
"Its attribute is light sharp, precise, a piercing force that impales foes outright."
"A shield and a sword."
"You could use them that way. But their true power emerges when the two are combined."
And that wasn't all.
'What if I blend Dark Mana into Dark Soul Mana?'
What if I further enhanced it with the Dark Star's ability and unleashed the Whispering Snow in the Night?
'Without a doubt, it would surpass the original Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique in power.'
My heart raced as I asked Venion.
"One more question."
"By all means."
"Is the mana of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique ultimately converted from the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique's accumulated power?"
"In essence, yes. The brilliance of Grunewald's martial philosophy lies in its unparalleled compatibility."
"Excellent. Magnificent."
"Now, to continue while Dark Soul Mana and Brilliant Spirit Mana are formidable on their own..."
Venion clashed his hands together.
"...by colliding these two forces, harnessing the recoil, and detonating the resulting clash, you unleash overwhelming destructive power."
His aura spheres tangled then exploded in a blinding flash.
KWA-BOOOOOM!
"Roughly like this. If executed properly, even a handful of mana can unleash a technique of devastating force."
"...Wouldn't a mistake just kill you?"
In other words, this was an efficient but equally perilous martial art.
'Yet, if mastered, it would become an unrivaled divine technique.'
"But that's not all. There's a third level beyond this."
"Absurd. What kind of technique is that?"
"Care to take a guess?"
"Hmm."
I furrowed my brow, deep in thought.
"...So you're saying it's about controlling and compressing the collision of the two energies?"
Venion clapped his hands.
"Close enough. As expected, your intuition is sharp."
"Ah, by the gods, my genius truly knows no equal."
Venion ignored my self-praise and continued.
"The third level of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique involves triggering the collision of the two energies within your body then using the resulting force as material to forge an even more potent Aura Blade."
"Absurd. Just crafting a vessel capable of enduring that collision would be no small feat."
"But the rewards are equally unmatched. According to the late clan head's notes, the sword energy forged at this level can shatter and cleave through even the sword energy of those in higher tiers."
"...If even a single exchange becomes impossible, the enemy might as well lie down and die."
"That would be the case if one masters the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique."
But this was no simple martial art. Just from the explanation alone, it was clear that it demanded immense training and study.
"Truly a technique worthy of Grunewald's pride."
It was a martial philosophy distinct from Ulbhild's Snow Blossom Sword Technique or Karl's Solar Flare Sword Style.
'And to think there are multiple arts of this caliber…'
It was a moment that drove home the sheer grandeur of a great clan's legacy a golden tower built over centuries, impossible for a single lifetime to replicate.
"Today, I'll memorize the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique's mnemonics and aim to reach the first level."
"Before that, let's first consume the spirit medicine bestowed by His Grace the Duke and break through to the Sixth Tier."
"Agreed."
I retrieved the lacquered case containing the spirit medicine from my robe.
"During the process, I'll regulate the balance of your vital essence, mana, and spirit and guide your meridian cycle according to the cultivation technique."
"Good."
I promptly plopped down onto the floor.
"Let's begin."
***
Verdzig poured tea for his mother, Emengarde, and spoke.
"Thanks to recent events, Allenvert has gained significant influence in the underworld."
The Bisakino Brotherhood, having lost their godfather, owed their victory in the civil war largely to Karzan's interference. As a result, that name now carried considerable weight in the shadows.
"He's already reached a level not far behind my own."
Verdzig himself indirectly controlled one of the five major organizations.
"...Is it true that Venion personally intervened to assist Allenvert?"
"It is. Skella confirmed it herself."
"...I see."
Emengarde noted her son's strange fixation on Skella but dismissed it as unimportant for now.
"Mother, this incident has convinced me. Father doesn't intend for me to inherit the title of Duke Grunewald he wants Allenvert."
"......"
"In that case, I must obstruct his plans."
Though Emengarde felt profound disappointment in her husband's intentions, she understood them given his ties to her own clan.
That only made it more bitter.
'You only ever showed your true self to Lusatia.'
Their marriage was political. There was little affection between them only calculations of interest and the bare minimum loyalty expected of spouses.
'Now that Lusatia has regained her will…'
Her husband's eyes would never turn to her again.
"...Mother."
Mother and son shared one thing in common:
The sting of betrayal from the same man.
"I'll devour Agrippa."
Agrippa, forced to rely on the failed chess piece that was Somerset. And Agrippa, who committed the most sins.
In the end, they would have no choice but to submit to Verdzig.
***
"The sun sets again."
"Indeed it does."
Beyond the training grounds, the sea burned with twilight.
"Let's end today's training here. You've worked hard."
"Whew."
I exhaled deeply.
"I feel reborn."
"Your aura has deepened."
Naturally. I'd reached the first level of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique.
And that wasn't all.
"Thanks to this, I've also attained the tenth stage in the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique."
In other words, I could now wield the abilities of the Light Star, Dark Star, and Insight Star.
"As expected of an spirit medicine His Grace treasured. Its efficacy is remarkable."
"No argument there."
I nodded, my chest swelling with surging power and confidence.
"So this is the realm of the Sixth Tier."
If Karzan who'd never surpassed the peak of the Sixth Tier saw me now, he'd probably spit in disgust and mutter, 'Fuking Cheater.'
"To reach the Sixth Tier even before your coming-of-age ceremony… Such speed is unprecedented."
"Peerless. Unrivaled."
I smirked.
"Those words might as well have been coined just to describe me."
"As you say."
I gave a haughty nod.
"I feel like I could crush anyone right now."
"......"
"That genius girl from Valkenhain what was her name? Viena? Siesna?"
"Young Lady Siena."
"Ah, right, Siena. Bring her before me at once."
Gathering the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique's aura like a torch in my palm, I declared.
"I, Young Master Allenvert, shall teach this ignorant pup who's never seen the world beyond her well the meaning of true power."
"......"
Unable to endure my theatrics, Venion clicked his tongue and muttered.
"Here we go again."
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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