Chapter 433


    Raon swallowed nervously as he watched Glenn and Rector, who crossed the walls from right and left respectively.


    <em>Whats happening right now?</em>


    Their surprised, round eyes suggested that they probably either didnt notice each others presence or didnt expect them to appear at the exact same time to say something simr.


    What are you doing right now?


    Raon called out to Glenn and Rector, who was standing there awkwardly, but they didnt even look at him.


    Glenn was ring at Rector with a displeased expression on his face while Rector was meeting Glenns eyes with a furrowed brow.


    My lord, Sir Rector!


    Raon shouted their names, and they looked at him at the same time.


    Hmm, I came to see you because you told me that you would do a daybreak training today. I was curious as to what kind of training you were going to do, and we made a promise, after all.


    Rector was the first one to approach him. He said that he came to help with his training with serious eyes.


    I see.


    Raon nodded after listening to Rectors exnation.


    <em>He did indeed say that.</em>


    Rector had told him that he wanted to help his sword practice on the way to the annex building, and he also asked about the daybreak training when Raon was guiding him to his room. It was totally understandable that he was there.


    My lord.


    Raon murmured that it was understandable and looked to his right.


    Why did youe here, my lord?


    He was slightly anxious because he couldnt guess why Glenn was there at all, unlike Rector.


    Ahem.


    Glenn cleared his throat and swept his disheveled hair up. His eyes used to reveal his panic but had frozen like the northern wind.


    I told you before that I had another reward for you.


    Ah


    Im going to personally teach you instead of giving you a book of martial arts.


    He dered that he was going to personally teach him since a vivid disy of the sword was the befitting reward for a golden tablet rather than a book of martial arts.


    Err


    Raon swallowed nervously while looking back and forth between Glenn and Rector.


    <em>Whats happening right now? Am I dreaming?</em>


    His sense of reality was fading away because the two swordsmen who were unmatched within the continent came to see him at the same time to teach him the way of the sword.


    So, you both came to the fifth training ground so early in the morning in order to teach me swordsmanship, right?


    Yes.


    Indeed.


    Rector and Glenn nodded at the same time.


    However, they were ring at each other instead of looking at the person they came to teach.


    <em>Its so cold.</em>


    He shouldve felt hot because hed been swinging a sword until a moment ago, but coldness was welling up all around his body as if he were inside the northern sea because of the cold atmosphere created by Glenn and Rector.


    Raon bit his lip while looking at the space that felt like sparks were appearing from the sh.


    <em>What am I supposed to do?</em>


    If Glenn and Rector came to teach him one after the other, it wouldve been a great opportunity for him. However, it was difficult to deal with because they came at the same time.


    He couldnt think straight anymore and was unsure of what to do.


    * * *


    After a short moment of silence, Glenn was the first one to act.


    Sir Rector.


    Glenn raised his chin with his hands sped behind his back.


    He is a swordsman of Zieghart. Receiving my teaching seems to be the correct course of action.


    He lowered the corners of his lips heavily while emphasizing the fact that he was the head of house and Raon was a member, which was the most important rtionship.


    That is true.


    Rector slowly nodded. Raon thought he would yield, but he smiled faintly without even taking a single step back.


    However, I made the promise with Raon first. It was yesterday. I told him that I would help him with his sword practice for a while. The same goes for this training.


    He had indeed said that he would help with the training, but hed never said anything about the daybreak training. He even added something hed never said to im that he had priority.


    Since even his teacher, the Sword of Light, gave his permission, the one who promised first would have the priority, dont you think?


    Hmm


    Rector calmly voiced out the reason why he had the priority even though he was panicking.


    Raon could see that Glenn was clenching his fist when Rimmers name was mentioned.


    Even if you were the first to promise, Raon is a member of Zieghart. The matter of the house should always take priority.


    Glenn bit his lip slightly. He seemed to think that he couldnt surrender.


    That depends on the case. Raon is on vacation right now.


    Rector didnt lose either and kept arguing until the end.


    They were shooting their frightening res at each other, iming that they would be the one to teach Raon without yielding in the slightest.


    This is endless.


    Indeed. Since it hase to this


    Glenn and Rector continued their frightening argument behind the guise ofposure before they looked at Raon instead.


    We should ask Raon himself.


    Yes, we should.


    The ferocious eyes that used to re at each other were directed at Raon at the same time.


    What do you want to do?


    Hmm


    Raon grasped his wrist upon facing the sparks shing from Glenn and Rectors eyes.


    <em>What a tremendous pressure.</em>


    Even though they werent releasing any aura or pressure at all, Raon was still feeling a tremendous amount of pressure. He felt like his heart was going to shatter into pieces just from their gazes.


    <em>What should I do?</em>


    Since they were both priceless martial arts, he didnt want to miss either Glenn or Rectors teachings.


    He felt like his brain was trembling, but he had to figure something out no matter what.


    However, he had the feeling that he was bound to miss one of them no matter what he tried.


    No, that wasnt even the issue. They could end up fighting, and the training ground could be blown up.


    Ugh


    Raon contemted while biting his lip, and the two peoples presence gradually intensified.


    <strong>Umm, the King of Essence is hungry. He is going to save some forter.</strong>


    Wrath suddenly started talking in his sleep with his mouth protruding from the ice flower bracelet. He looked like he was eating something in his dream.


    <em>He is seriously so useless</em>


    Raon was about to flick Wraths mouth with his finger but stopped himself.


    <em>Save some forter? Yes, theres no reason to eat everything right now.</em>


    He changed his perspective and realized that theirpetition to teach him was actually a golden opportunity.


    Its true that I promised to train with Sir Rector, and its also true that my lord was going to give me another reward.


    Raon nodded and faced their gazes. His eyes werent wavering anymore.


    So lets do this.


    Hmm?


    Do what?


    They leaned forward slightly at the unexpected response.


    Im currently confident in the powerful sword, heavy sword, and swift sword, while Im still inexperienced in the variable sword, illusion sword, soft sword, severing sword, flexible sword, and explosive sword.


    Raon listed the sword principles that he was still inexperienced in while looking at the questioning eyes of the two people.


    You could pick three of them each and train me, then check who was the better teacher afterward.


    Erm


    Hmm?


    They dropped their jaws at the same time because theyd never expected that Raon would tantly suggest a teachingpetition.


    Hah.


    Glenn gasped while looking at Raon.


    <em>Look at him.</em>


    Regardless of his displeasure against Rector, he was curious how Raon would deal with that situationbut hed never expected them to prepare a scenario for them topete.


    He couldnt tell whether he should call him bold or insolent.


    <em>However</em>


    He had no choice but to y in his hand because there was no escape even though he knew what was happening.


    Hmm


    Rector also licked his lips while looking at Raonsposed eyes.


    <em>Edgar, this is unexpecteding from your son.</em>


    Unlike his son, who was purely an upright man, his grandson knew how to take advantage of the situation.


    He startedughing in his mind upon seeing that even Glenn was contemting it because he had no other choice despite being called the Destructive King of the North.


    <em>This makes me like your son even more.</em>


    He realized there was no escape from his grandsons plot and decided to thoroughly fall into the trap.


    Raon clenched his fist while looking at Glenn and Rectors eyes, which were embarrassed at first but became as passionate as a fire afterward.


    <em>This should be the correct answer.</em>


    He wasn''t too sure why they were doing it, but since they werepeting against each other, preparing a scenario where they could go all out was the correct course of action.


    They mustve thought that he was being insolent, but they shouldve had no other choice than to y along with it.


    <em>I can control my progress during the training.</em>


    He figured that he could keep having them teach him in the future by controlling his progress to prevent them from sulking. It was pretty much a never-ending supply.


    Do you not want to? If you dont want it, then Ill go with the other


    Not at all!


    Ill do it!


    Raon murmured that they should leave if they didn''t want to, and Glenn and Rector shook their heads at the same time.


    Ill teach you the variable sword, soft sword, and flexible sword!


    In that case, Ill be in charge of the illusion sword, severing sword, and explosive sword.


    Glenn and Rector immediately decided on what sword principles they were going to teach.


    Alright.


    Raons mouth curved into a faint smile as he looked at the two, who were eager topete.


    Since Im currently on vacation and I promised with the Sword Demon beforehand, Ill have him teach me until lunch and receive my lords teachings in the afternoon.


    He decided to train with the Sword Demon first because he didntpletely understand his personality yet, making Glenn wait because he was definitely going to reward him considering his personality. After all, he always rewarded people ordingly.


    That was the only way he came up with to learn swordsmanship from both of them.


    Huhu!


    Hmm


    The Sword Demon victoriously raised his chin while Glenn clenched his fist while frowning.


    They looked like the victor and the loser were decided. However, Glenn couldnt argue against him because he could somewhat understand why Raon had said that.


    Pleasee back after lunch, head of house. Its my turn now.


    The Sword Demon was also frowning, probably because he couldnt stay with Raon all day long, but simply smiled for the moment.


    Ill be back at noon.


    Glenn violently uttered as if he was grinding his teeth.


    At noon? Isnt that too early?


    Its only natural that lunch takes ce at noon.


    Weve always trained until 2 P.M.


    As for us, we always eat lunch at noon.


    Then you need to give him some time to eat


    Glenn and Rector proceeded onto round two. Raons sense of reality faded away once again as he watched the Destructive King of the North and the Sword Demon fighting over lunchtime.


    Raon pped his own cheek while watching their serious argument to gain one hour.


    <em>Im not dreaming. </em>Seriously, whats happening right now?


    * * *


    * * *


    In the end, since Glenn wanted it to be at noon while Rector wanted 2 P.M., they reached the consensus that it would be 1 P.M., and Raon could finally start his training.


    Weve lost a lot of time.


    Rector sighed and walked up to him.


    Lets get started right away. We are already toote.


    Yes.


    Raon nodded. He felt like hed been hallucinating because of howposed Rector was once again.


    Variable sword, soft sword, flexible sword, illusion sword, severing sword. and even the explosive sword. You must be trying to achieve a versatile sword higher than the others.


    Rector slowly nodded and continued.


    What is the path that you truly desire?


    I want to be a swordsman who wont yield to anyone.


    He said the exact same thing that hed told Rimmer and Sylvia at some point. Hed never changed his mind.


    I see. Thats why you want the versatile sword


    Rector smiled faintly and stopped sping his hands behind his back.


    For now, try using the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> with nothing but the principles of the illusion sword.


    Understood.


    Raon bowed politely and drew Heavenly Drive. He removed the ferocity, speed, and power of the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> and incorporated it with nothing but illusion.


    Heavenly Drive spread around like sunlight brushing past the window and created a dozen des that swiftly fell.


    Speed, power, and ferocity were gone, but the illusion looked like a flower was blooming from the sword.


    Raon disyed the illusory <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> from the beginning to the end before he lowered Heavenly Drive.


    Was this your first time trying to incorporate nothing but the illusion sword in the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em>?


    The Sword Demon raised his eyes while stroking his beard.


    Yes.


    Amazing. You mustve put a lot of thought into it.


    He praised him, saying that it was a nice change and that he felt like he saw a different illusion technique instead of the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em>.


    Let alone those weaker than you, even the warriors at the same level as you will have a hard time dealing with it. However, your goal is even higher, isnt it?


    Indeed.


    Raon nodded, saying that it was naturally true.


    It needs a lot of improvement in that perspective. Lets start with the first technique. Your skill was shy, but it wasnt exactly difficult to find the real sword. The most important part about an illusion sword isnt the number of illusions but how realistic they are, even if you only end up with one.


    Rector kindly exined in detail which parts needed improvement and when his sword wavered.


    <em>He really is amazing.</em>


    He was the Sword Demon for a good reason since he managed to notice which part needed to be fixed and which part needed to be improved after only seeing it once.


    Since we found the wrong answer, its time to find the correct answer. Try using the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> again while keeping what I just told you in mind.


    Yes.


    Raon rolled his lips into a smile while thinking about Rectors sincere advice.


    <em>Its going to be fun for a while.</em>


    * * *


    Glenn looked down upon the fifth training ground while standing on a hill in North Grave Mountain.


    Damn it.


    He clenched his fist tightly while speaking insults out loud. It was rareing from him.


    <em>How could this happen?</em>


    He was trying to act quickly before Raon and Rector got even closer to each other, but his actions came far faster than anticipated.


    <em>Was he aware of what Ive been thinking?</em>


    Ever since the first time hed seen Rector, Glenn had noticed his affection and obsession towards Raon. Rector mustve noticed that the change of reward the day before was an unusual urrence and immediately tried to be his teacher.


    <em>What a sly old man.</em>


    He was a fast thinker and was quick to put it into action, befitting his name as the Sword Demon.


    <em>Whats even worse isthat he is actually good at teaching.</em>


    If he was teaching wrong or did anything strange, Glenn was going to immediately barge in and blow him up. That was what he actually wanted to do, but the Sword Demon was teaching Raon with all his heart. It was to the point where there was nothing to criticize.


    Haa


    Glenn bit his lip tightly and red at him fiercely.


    <em>You want to be his grandfather? Ill never let that happen.</em>


    He kept thinking about how Rimmer mentioned that Rector looked like Raons real grandfather. To be honest, he even had a nightmare the day before where Raon called Rector his grandfather instead of himself.


    <em>This is no good.</em>


    He figured he would need to beat Rimmer up a bit more after he returned. It was unbearable how ufortable he felt.


    Glenn anxiously counted the seconds on the clock and bit his lip.


    <em>I cant lose this. Im the one who will raise my grandson.</em>


    * * *


    Haa


    Raon sighed while lowering Heavenly Drive.


    <em>This is a bit taxing.</em>


    Rectors lesson was as detailed as always, but the training that was driving him to exhaustion was a lot tougher than before because of thepetition with Glenn.


    Raon didnt even have time to breathe as he kept practicing the parts that needed improvement, and he had to work his body and mind to the full extent.


    He was d and exhausted at the same time because he hadnt done such hard training for a long time.


    <em>Im worried I might notst for the head of houses lesson.</em>


    He was looking forward to Glenns lesson after lunch, but he was also worried at the same time.


    <strong>You will recover with lunch.</strong>


    Wrath learned about the situation when he woke up after everything was decided. He shook his head at Raon, telling him that he should stop thinking like a weakling.


    <strong>Pineapple Girl mustve thoroughly prepared for lunch. Hes already looking forward to it!</strong>


    He loudly licked his lips. He seemed to be thinking about a full meal on the table.


    <em>I wonderI dont think so.</em>


    A chill ran down his spine from the premonition that Wraths wish was not going toe true, but he remained silent for the moment because he would get noisy otherwise.


    Its still not enough. You can move even faster in your current state!


    Understood.


    When Raon was about to swing the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> while following Rectors advice, an extremely powerful gaze could be felt from behind him.


    Ah


    He turned around to check, and Glenn was leaning his back towards the wall, his eyes sparking with a crimson light. He seemed to have arrived in advance to wait for his turn even though there was still some time left.


    Argh, we still have some more time. Keep going.


    Rector ordered him to keep swinging his sword since it wasnt lunchtime yet.


    Yes.


    Raon broke out in cold sweat and used the <em>Fangs of Insanity</em> ording to the advice hed been given. The number of illusions was decreased, but the swords dancing in the air looked as realistic as a real de.


    Stop right there.


    Raon finished the first technique, and just as he was about to move on to the second, Glenn raised his hand.


    Its 1 P.M.


    Hmm


    Rector frowned after checking the time. However, he couldnt argue against him because of their promise and licked his lips in regret.


    Head of house, its indeed 1 P.M, but Raon is going to eat lunch with m


    Thats unnecessary.


    Glenn shook his head, taking something wrapped in paper from his clothes and throwing it at Raon.


    Err


    Raon caught the thing that Glenn threw at him. The touch was familiar.


    <strong>Th-this scent</strong>


    Wraths lips trembled in anxiety as he looked at the object wrapped in paper.


    Dont tell me


    Raon unwrapped it while wrinkling his nose. His guess was right. The Nadine bread that hed been eating from time to time was inside.


    Theres no time for food. Ill teach you what true swordsmanship is.


    He waved his hand to urge Raon to wield his sword while saying that wasting time for food was a luxury for warriors.


    <strong>This damn geezer!</strong>


    Wrath barked and charged at Glenn.


    <strong>How dare you feed him the rubber bread. You must have a death wish! Lets fight right now!</strong>


    He violently swung his fist, challenging him for a one-on-one duel.


    Raon sighed. while looking at the Nadine bread. It was still warm, at least.


    <em>I like the idea of getting stronger, butcan I really survive?</em>