Chapter 372


    Raon.


    As Raon made a frightening smile, Runaan suddenly popped out and showed him a rectangr box.


    It was the bead ice cream box that Raon had seen a lot in the past.


    Eat.


    She opened the lid and leaned it forward. Raon could see two chunks of cookie and cream and mint chocte ice cream.


    She mustve really hated the idea of training if she was giving away the bead ice creams, which even had the mint chocte vor.


    <em>Lets see</em>


    Raon examined Runaans face from where it was hiding behind the box. Considering her nk eyes and unruffled expression, she didnt look like she hated the training.


    <em>It looks like she really is just giving them to me as a present.</em>


    Raon had the same impression many times before, but she was such a peculiar girl because she was casually giving away ice cream when everyone else was frowning over the uing training.


    <em>Shes gotten a lot better.</em>


    Runaan had reached an even higher realm than when they were in the Owen Kingdom.


    Considering that the realm didnt increase easily at the highest level of Expert, that implied that shed been making strenuous efforts every single day.


    <strong>What are you waiting for?!</strong>


    Wrath stuck his tongue out while looking at the ice cream.


    <strong>Cant you even eat whats presented to you?! Eat it already!</strong>


    He started drumming on Raons back, urging him to eat before the ice cream melted.


    <em>I need to make them train.</em>


    <strong>Training can be saved for tomorrow! You might be nning to kill them, but save it for tomorrow!</strong>


    <em>I have no intention of killing them.</em>


    Raon couldnt understand why everyone was making such a fuss about it since it was just training.


    Thank you.


    Raon smiled while epting Runaans box.


    Mhm.


    Runaan nodded, urging him to eat.


    Once the mood became nicer, Burren and Martha carefully walked up to him.


    R-Raon, its been a while. How did your business go?


    Why are you sote?! You sounded like youd be right back!


    Lots of things happened.


    Raon narrowed his eyes while examining those two.


    <em>They have been training properly, too.</em>


    Martha and Burren had grown just as much as Runaan. It was clear that theyd been training to the best of their abilities.


    <em>And the same goes for the others.</em>


    It wasnt as much as Runaan, Martha, and Burren, but the other squad members had also improved drastically.


    They mustve been working in harmony to endure the boring and difficult training. Their achievement was worthy of recognition.


    <strong>Slurp! Theyve gotten a lot stronger. You should forgive themslurp!for today.</strong>


    <em>Wipe your drool at least.</em>


    Wrath was solely focused on the ice cream, and he wasnt even looking at the squad members as drool dribbling from his mouth.


    Weve been training really hard while you are gone. He just said that because he became overconfident, so lets just ignore him and rest for today.


    Yeah, he says that shit all the time.


    Burren and Martha leered at Krein with frowns on their faces.


    Thats true, vice squad leader!


    Please suppress your anger since you are the handsome one!


    W-weve just finished our training schedule for the day!


    Its alreadyte at night. Lets start with it tomorrow!


    The other Light Wind members came rushing together with forced smiles on their faces, trying to grasp that opportunity.


    Runaan kept staring at the ice cream box regardless of their actions.


    Youve definitely changed.


    Raon nodded while meeting everyones eyes.


    You are right. You deserve the credit for your achievement.


    <strong>Ooh!</strong>


    Wrath eagerly licked his lips. He seemed to believe that it was time for the ice cream.


    I knew our vice squad leader was a broad-minded person!


    Weve been training without cking a single day, after all.


    Burren and Martha also smiled in excitement. They seemed to believe that there wasnt going to be any additional training for the day.


    Therefore, Ill give you an opportunity.


    Opportunity?


    What opportunity?


    Raon pointed at Dorian, who was eating some snacks behind him.


    Since youve been doing your best, you should be able to win against Dorian, who wasted lots of time traveling with me, right?


    He moved his finger to point at Krein, who was standing there like an idiot.


    If Krein wins against Dorian, Ill let you go for today without further fussing and even give you some free time tomorrow.


    <strong>Seriously, you are the worst!</strong>


    Wrath gasped since he knew the entire story behind it.


    <em>Whats wrong? Krein might end up winning.</em>


    Raon snickered and looked at Dorian. Hed reached the highest level Expert during the journey and even gained lots of confidence.


    The team leaders were still too much for him, but he could definitely win against Krein.


    But if he loses


    Raon looked down on everyone, with his eyes turned even colder than in the beginning.


    You will have to keep training right away until sunrise.


    We did it!


    Its an easy win for us with those conditions!


    The bright smiles on Burren and Martha showed that they believed in Kreins victory without any doubt.


    Krein!


    I believe in you!


    Make sure to win and show us you arent all talk!


    Krein! Show him the result of our sweat and blood!


    The other Light Wind members also expected Kreins victory and cheered for him while waving at him.


    Since Krein was a vice team leader who was way stronger than Dorian, they all believed that the match was already decided.


    V-vice squad leader!


    Dorian came towards him in a panic.


    Can I even w-win against a vice team leader?


    Of course you can, because hespletely underestimating you right now. If you cant finish him off in a single strike, you will have to climb the mountain all night longall alone.


    Hup


    Dorian closed his eyes for a moment and thought about what happened in Rokan.


    <em>Those hellish days.</em>


    Raon dropped boulders and trees from the summit while he tried to climb the rock.


    He was saved before he died, but he was never going to forget that experience since he really thought he was going to die.


    <em>Im the only one who had to do that among the Light Wind squad!</em>


    Dorian and Mark Goetten were the only people in that ce who had experienced that hell. He didnt want to be the only one who went through that madness.


    Argh! Im bringing you down with me.


    Blue mes of motivation were burning from his eyes when he opened them again. He ran up to Krein and bobbed his fingers with the training sword clenched in his grasp.


    Come at me!


    How cocky of you!


    Krein bit his lip while ring at Dorian.


    Raon stood between them and lowered his hand.


    Calm down. You can catch up with your swords.


    He raised his hand as he spoke.


    Start!


    Yaaaah!


    As soon as the spar started, Dorian made the first move. He mmed down his sword while gritting his teeth as if he were facing a desperate situation.


    Hmph.


    Krein snorted and raised his sword to block the trajectory.


    You are still too impatient. You will never win against me at this ratHuh?


    He widened his eyes in panic upon feeling the power from Dorians sword.


    <em>Wh-what?! Why is he so strong?!</em>


    He tried to block Dorians attack to the best of his ability, but it was already toote. Dorians sword was already right in front of him.


    W-wait!


    Yaaaah!


    Dorian didnt listen to Kiren at all and smashed him with the sword.


    <strong>Smaack!</strong>


    The training sword bashed the center of Kreins forehead, and he copsed with his eyes rolled back.


    Huff!


    Dorian exhaled a heated breath while clenching his sword.


    Im not going down, Im definitely not going down alone! Well be together


    The way he kept murmuring he wouldnt go down sounded like he was possessed by some evil spirit.


    Ah


    Wh-whats going on?!


    D-did Krein really lose just now? Todays training was difficult, but even so


    How is this even possible?


    The Light Wind members dropped their jaws while watching the excited Dorian and the unconscious Krein in front of him.


    What did I just witness?


    I dont even know. Fuck this


    Burren and Marthas chins were also trembling because of the unexpected situation.


    <strong>p!</strong>


    The sound of Raon pping woke them up from their panic.


    The match is over.


    Raon rolled his lips into a smile as the gazes of bewilderment were directed at him.


    You have noints now, right? Lets go now, for my training that makes perfect sense.


    Raon carried Krein on his back while saying that. He had no intention of leaving him unconscious, since the opportunity to get stronger should be given fairly to everyone.


    <strong>Wow</strong>


    Wraths lips trembled as he looked at Raons back as he began walking towards the North Grave Mountain.


    <strong>Even the demons nowadays dont do this kind of thing.</strong>


    The result was already decided when Raon made that bet, and even the demons in Devildom didnt do such a thing. Wrath couldnt understand what was inside that evil devils head.


    <strong>He really belongs to Devildom Wait, no! Eat the mint chocte before you go!</strong>


    * * *


    Glenn Zieghart was walking all around the audience chamber with a frown. His slightly trembling eyes were expressing his anxiety.


    He walked around in circles on the tform for a while before he sat on the throne and leaned forward.


    Why?


    He lowered his eyebrows while looking at Roenn, who was standing below the tform.


    Its already been a long time since they said he went through the main gate, so why is he still not here yet?


    He must be being considerate, my lord.


    Roenn lowered his head with a gentle smile.


    Considerate?


    Yes. It iste at night, after all.


    He looked above and pointed at the moon in the sky.


    He mustve thought that it would be rude to visit sote. He should be here tomorrow.


    Sheryl also smiled, saying that Raon did it for Glenns sake.


    Ahem.


    Glenn cleared his throat and lowered his gaze.


    I dont need such consideration. He still does those useless things, just like before.


    He licked his lips in regret.


    Roenn and Sheryl watched Glenn with gentle smiles.


    Ah. In that case, should I bring him here?


    Rimmer raised his hand while leaning his back against a round pir.


    I also want to see my student since its been a while. Ill bring him then.


    Hey, he should be resting right now. Why would you do that?


    No. Considering his personality, Im pretty sure hes at the training ground.


    Rimmer clicked his tongue, saying that they still knew nothing about Raon.


    What should I do? Should I bring him here?


    He wagged his finger while looking at Glenn.


    Glenn stared at Rimmer without responding.


    Ah, I guess not. Then Ill go see him on my own. Im gonna have a drink with my student since hes over twenty years old now. See you tomorro


    Rimmer!


    Rimmer waved his hand. When he was about to leave, Glenn mmed the armrest of his throne.


    Bring him.


    Whaat? I cant hear anything because its so quieeeeet.


    B-bring him.


    What did you say? I dont understand what you are saying because this grandpa doesnt even care about his grandson.


    How dare you


    Glenns wrath created thunderclouds to fill the space above them.


    Huh?! I wont be able to go if you drop this! No, I refuse to go!


    Ugh!


    The lightning energy filling the audience chamber disappeared in an instant.


    I knew Raon was the best solution!


    Rimmer giggled and opened the audience chambers door.


    Ill bring him back real quick!


    He waved his hand in a cheeky manner and left.


    Catch him after Raon returns.


    Yes.


    Understood.


    Roenn and Sheryl nodded at the same time.


    Sheryls smile was icy cold as she looked at the door Rimmer had left through.


    Well have to clean up an elven corpse today.


    Huhuhu.


    * * *


    * * *


    Burren bit his lip while climbing the cliff of North Grave Mountain.


    <em>How did Dorian be so strong?</em>


    Hed only witnessed a single strike, but he could immediately notice that Dorians might was on apletely different level from before.


    He thought hed been going through hell in the training ground, but traveling with Raon mustve been true hell.


    <em>But Im relieved that this training isnt too bad.</em>


    Climbing the cliff while aura was banned honestly wasnt too difficult.


    <em>And it makes perfect sense as well.</em>


    The training method where you climbed a cliff with bare hands was one of the physical training methods passed down from antiquity. Back when they were trainees, Rimmer had sometimes asked them to climb the mountain since he couldnt be bothered toe up with a regime.


    I was wondering what he prepared for us, but this much is easy.


    Martha was also smiling, since climbing a cliff was a piece of cake.


    Hnng


    Runaan was taking it even easier since she was dozing off while climbing.


    The vice squad leader isnt aplete demon.


    I know, right? My heart skipped a beat because I thought we were doing the focus enhancement training again.


    I wouldve dug a cave to hide myself if we were doing that again.


    Even the vice squad leader has a conscience, after all.


    The other squad members didnt have much difficulty either, since they were leisurely chatting with each other while climbing.


    Hes not that kind of person, though


    Krein frowned, a huge bump on his forehead.


    What do you mean?


    I mean the vice squad leader. I dont think its simply going to end with this when he even got me beaten up to force us into this training.


    Hes going easy on us because hes human after all.


    Burren shook his head, saying that Raon was originally a nice guy.


    No, hes nice, but he doesntpromise when ites to training.


    Krein licked his lips. Suddenly, they heard a huge noise from the summitit sounded like something was being destroyed.


    What is that soundAck!


    Krein hadnt even finished speaking before he was hit by a rock that fell from the summit and fell from the cliff.


    Aaaaaaaah!


    He couldnt even grab anything on the wayhe just kept falling until he disappeared from sight.


    K-Krein!


    Wh-whats happening?!


    Why did a rock suddenly fall on him?


    Whats happening?!


    Burren, Martha, and the Light Wind members raised their heads at the same time.


    <strong>Wham! Rumble!</strong>


    With a destructive sound, logs began falling from above.


    L-logs?


    Why the hell are those logs falling right now?


    What the hell?!


    The Light Wind members screamed and scattered on the cliff to avoid the logs.


    This ce is safeack!


    Yukan!


    However, they started falling one by one because the rocks fell towards the ces they were hiding.


    Dodge!


    R-rocks are falling on us!


    We are going to die if we fall!


    The Light Wind members crawled on the cliff as fast as insects to escape, but the rocks looked like they predicted their movement because they smacked their vital spots.


    Argh!


    Sniff!


    S-save meeeee!


    Each time they screamed, the number of swordsmen decreased one by one.


    Argh!


    Martha barely managed to escape the rock falling upon her and raised her head straight towards the top.


    You crazy son of a bitch!


    She ground her teeth while cursing at Raon, who mustve been at the summit.


    Did you really go insane?! Are you nning to kill everyonKyah!


    Martha got hit by a rock on her side before she could finish her curse and fell to the ground.


    Ah


    Burrens jaw dropped. The only ones left were himself and Runaan, who was still dozing off.


    R-Runaan! Wake up! We are really going to diah!


    He was trying to wake Runaan up when a fist-sized rock fell towards him.


    Huff!


    Burren brought himself as close as possible to the cliff to dodge the rock flying towards his temple. However, it wasnt over yet. Arge amount of rocks poured down on him from all over.


    Im not going to die here!


    He climbed with all the strength he could muster and managed to dodge the rocks falling like meteorites.


    <strong>Whoosh!</strong>


    When he barely managed to avoid a rock falling towards his shoulder, a fist-sized rock was falling towards his forehead.


    <em>This is easy.</em>


    He fended off the rock with a faint smile on his face, but there was another one right behind it.


    You damn bastarack!


    He got a clean hit on his forehead from the second rock, and the strength left his limbs.


    <em>You freaking psychopath. You even used your aura</em>


    Raon mustve really gone insane, as hed incorporated the rock with an aura to cause mental damage. Burren couldnt hold on anymore in his weakened state.


    Burren almost lost consciousness and ended up falling from the cliff.


    Ah


    He wanted to grab something during the fall, but he had no strength left.


    <em>Is this how I end up dying? Because of that crazy bastard? I wanted to win against my father</em>


    Raon had helped him when he had locked himself in the vi. He had resolved to defeat his father one day, but he couldnt achieve it in the end. In fact, he was dying because of the guy who helped him.


    <em>Bye, everyonHuh?</em>


    While he thought he was dying, something supported him from below.


    Ah


    He raised his eyes and saw the middle-aged man who gave off a neat impression whode with Raon earlier. Burren could guess that he was the one who had caught him without the slightest impact.


    Are you okay?


    I-Im fine. Thank you.


    Burren nodded and stood on the ground.


    Team leader, you arete.


    Yousted the longest in the end.


    Aww, that was so scary


    The other swordsmen were also sitting on the ground without any injuries.


    Fuck


    Martha was grinding her teeth while punching the cliff in frustration.


    Aww.


    Burren was dumbfounded, and Runaan was falling with a small groan.


    The middle-aged man easily caught Runaan and left her on the ground.


    Thank you.


    Runaan bowed without panicking, as if shed experienced it many times before.


    What are we supposed to do now?


    Hey!


    While they were looking at each other, since they didnt know what to do anymore, Raons voice could be heard from above.


    You must remember that you are supposed to train until sunrise! Climb back up right now!


    The area under the Light Wind members eyes turned ck upon hearing Raons bright and cheerful voice.


    Argh! What are the demons and devils doing right now?! They should take him to be one of theirs!


    Wrath heard Marthas voice from above the cliff and shook his head.


    <strong>The King of Essence apologizes, Beef Girl.</strong>


    <strong><em>Even the King of Essence cant handle him</em></strong>


    * * *


    Raon smiled while watching the Light Wind members as they started to climb the cliff once again.


    <em>They are definitely talented.</em>


    Even though theyd only experienced it once, they were already moving in a way to dodge the rocks more easily. They were really smart.


    Dorian, you got more logs and boulders, dont you?


    Raon extended his hand towards Dorian, who was trembling next to him.


    I do have them because they are necessities


    Ill resupply for youter. Take them out.


    Yes


    Dorian nodded and put his hand in his belly pocket to take out logs and boulders.


    Perfect.


    Raon left the logs as they were and shattered the boulders to the size of a fist.


    Lets gooo!


    I wont lose this time!


    Im only going to be satisfied after going up there to punch that guy!


    Im never going to fall!


    Raon could see the Light Wind members climbing from below while shouting. They were extremely enthusiastic, probably from anger.


    Yes, this makes it more interesting.


    Raon smiled coldly and rolled a log down the area where thergest number of members were climbing.


    <strong>Rumble!</strong>


    The thunderous noise sounded like the cliff was caving in as the log fell upon the Light Wind members.


    Aaaaah!


    Krein fell again!


    Yukaaaaan!


    Two people fell from a single log. Since five people fell in totalst time, it was amazing progress.


    Raon dropped the logs one after the other to eliminate more than ten people before he picked up the rocks.


    The real part is only getting started.


    He was about to throw the rocks with a grin on his face when he felt a gentle and refreshing breeze.


    Why are you already harassing our guys when youve just returned?


    Raon turned around upon hearing the loafers voice. Rimmer was waving at him with the same smile as when he gambled.


    Squad leader.


    Raon put down the rock before he stood up and examined Rimmer.


    <em>Whats going on?</em>


    There was already a drastic change every day ever since he had received the artificial energy center, but he was looking like apletely different person. It felt like sharp lightning was filling the gaps between the cheerful wind.


    I can see that you havent been ying around.


    Wrong, I was just ying around.


    Hmm


    He was unexpectedly rebuked even though he was just praising Rimmer. He felt like he had finally returned to the Light Wind squad.


    Stop ying with them ande with me.


    Where are we going?


    Greeting the elders takes priority once you return to the house. The head of house wants to see you.


    At thiste hour?


    Raon was surprised that Glenn wanted to see him. He had been nning to visit the lords manor the next day since it was already sote.


    Yes.


    Rimmer nodded with a refreshing smile on his face.


    Hes probably giving you a gift.