Chapter 231
Ray watched indifferently as Johanna reached for the Sacred Sword.
The attitudes of others observing Johanna weren’t much different from Ray’s.
The other students of Izhise harbored hopes that they might be heroes of legend while not being particularly generous toward others.
To begin with, one must possess a “minimum level of capability” to even attempt drawing the Sacred Sword.
After all, even past owners of the Sacred Sword weren’t able to draw it when they were infants.
If Johanna were to become a hero in the future, she was still far from possessing the minimum required capability…
Click!
“?”
“?”
“?”
In the rising confusion, everyone’s gaze sharply focused on Johanna.
The Sacred Sword embedded in the rock pedestal-like formation wobbled in Johanna’s grasp.
Knights surrounding them belatedly raised their massive shields, forming a circle around Johanna and the students.
While this blocked the spectators’ view, the knights’ action wasn’t intended to shield them from prying eyes.
When the Sacred Sword is drawn, an immense amount of divine power stored beneath it bursts forth.
Historical records describe it as almost explosive, scattering with enough force to harm civilians.
Thus, to prevent injury, the knights needed to raise their shields against the resulting wind pressure.
Meanwhile, Johanna, holding onto the wobbling sword, tested it hopefully, shaking it.
Click! Click!
Each time the sword moved, so too did the shoulders of those watching.
Johanna could hear her own heart pounding as she attempted to pull the sword upward—but soon revealed her disappointment.
Though the sword shook, it wouldn’t come free.
Initially hesitant, fearing she might damage the sword, Johanna eventually pulled with all her strength. However, the sword remained firmly planted in the ground.
As the clicking sound persisted, Ray turned to Instructor Nelson and asked,
“Does the Sacred Sword normally make that clicking noise?”
“…”
Nelson silently looked back at Ray.
Unless the sword had rusted, why would it just click in place?
Nelson’s expression alone provided the answer, and Ray didn’t bother asking again.
“Hmph…”
Finally, Johanna let go of the sword, unable to hide her disappointment.
The students collectively sighed in relief.
Some harbored immature thoughts like “I have to be the one to pull it; I can’t be upstaged!”
Even Ray internally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he’d dodged a bullet.
As Johanna stepped aside, Student Number 302 hesitantly approached the sword.
Is this supposed to click? Believing it should, 302 gripped the sword with hope that perhaps they could pull it out.
“…”
“…”
“”
The sword stood firm, unyielding.
Despite straining until their face turned red, 302 met only rejection from the sword.
Eventually, defeated without even a single click, 302 slumped down in disappointment.
Seeing this, everyone glanced back at Johanna.
Johanna herself murmured, “Was it supposed to click in the first place?” blinking in confusion.
One by one, the remaining students took turns gripping the sword.
After Johanna, no clicks sounded in the ears of the students.
Realizing Johanna was unique, the students revealed complex emotions, biting their lips, while Johanna sat fidgeting with her fingers, oddly flushed.
By the time it was Ray’s turn after student number 328 failed, interest surged around him.
Most students thought of Ray as an enigmatic lunatic but acknowledged his abilities were extraordinary.
Terribly slowly, Ray stepped forward and extended his hand towards the sword.
As if drawn by a magnet, Ray’s hand clasped the hilt of the Sacred Sword.
*
Ray gripped the Sacred Sword.
A sensation of integration momentarily swept over Ray.
He felt as though incomprehensible information was flooding into—or perhaps imprinting—his mind.
“Hmm…”
Something akin to information surged, pricking at Ray’s consciousness.
Through it, Ray gained partial understanding of the procedures governing the Sacred Sword’s operation.
“So damn dizzy…”
The information Ray encountered was highly abstract in concept and form.
It was difficult for a human to comprehend, forcing Ray to contort his expression as he struggled to simplify and interpret the influx.
Does the Sacred Sword fit into the category of Artefact?
This is a sword forged by humans, yet it contains immense transcendent power.
Ultimately, the essence of the Sacred Sword lies in the mass of power residing within its blade form, making it hard to categorize as an artefact.
Who qualifies to wield the Sacred Sword?
There are various conditions. Each fulfilled condition grants fragmented qualification, progressively unlocking the Sacred Sword’s functions.
Simple capability, purity of purpose and direction, along with miscellaneous criteria.
Entities matching these pre-set values gain greater control over the Sacred Sword.
Even if Ray were to retrieve it, Ernst could likely harness some of its functions.
Johanna’s earlier clicks indicated her relative fulfillment of many ‘conditions.’
Records state that 600 years ago, Harshia could freely use the Sacred Sword.
However, despite this ability, Harshia never wielded it in battle.
This was due to the Sacred Sword’s nature—its functions primarily aiding beings who manipulate divine power.
For an ordinary swordsman, the Sacred Sword remains comparable to a top-tier artefact.
Yet, 600 years ago, the most suitable person to fully utilize the Sacred Sword was the Paladin, hence Harshia relinquished it.
Having concluded this train of thought, Ray pondered further.
Ray could extract the Sacred Sword right now.
Was this because Ray possessed all the ‘qualifications’? No, it differed.
Certain entities exist in the world who can bypass qualifications or conditions when wielding the Sacred Sword, possessing a systemic ‘key’ that allows such privilege.
And Ray… His very existence was akin to a master key.
Reborn upon selection by a transcendent being, Ray could ignore all prerequisites and wield the Sacred Sword.
Even as an infant, Ray would have been able to draw it.
‘Is this… interesting?’
The Sacred Sword operated within a perfectly constructed system. While methods like utilizing a master key to bypass conditions existed, directly altering the system’s settings was impossible.
Even if the transcendent creator of the Sacred Sword attempted interference, the artifact would continue operating independently.
‘The entity that sent me here is clearly far from omnipotent.’
Constraints clung to the granting of even such a divine artifact.
Were these restrictions self-imposed by supposedly omnipotent beings for amusement?
Or do they stem from the fundamental limitations inherent in beings claiming divinity?
Ray couldn’t tell.
Since contemplating yielded no answers, Ray shook his head.
‘What’s important to me now is whether I should draw this immediately or not…’
Would there be any immediate benefit to pulling it now?
Even the Empire’s Guardian Medal alone was sufficient for gaining renown.
Certainly, pulling the Sacred Sword would skyrocket his fame, but it would also complicate matters for the Empire.
Parading a hero with only three years left to live before the citizens would only invite controversy once Ray passed.
From Ray’s perspective, gaining mere fame while risking falling out of favor with the royal family lacked substance.
Becoming too famous during his lifetime while having secrets to conceal posed its own risks.
“…”
Ray swallowed his sigh. At the end of every contemplation stood the figure of ‘Lea’.
Perhaps waiting to use this as a bargaining chip when gauging the royal family’s willingness to part with the Dragon Heart would be more prudent.
Regardless, Ray was certain of one thing.
‘This will definitely come if summoned.’
Given Ray’s existence was akin to a master key, once contact was made, his commands would always take precedence.
‘However, as someone lacking divine power, even if I were to unlock all the Sacred Sword’s functions, its utility would likely remain limited to healing wounds or purging negative energies…’
This clarified why Harshia had surrendered the sword to the Paladin.
While wielding the Sacred Sword would grant Ray assistance equivalent to traveling with a high-ranking cleric, that was about it.
Other advantages included complete immunity to holy laws.
With Ray’s existence combined with the Sacred Sword, constraining or harming him through holy laws would be deemed impossible.
After organizing these thoughts, Ray decided to leave the Sacred Sword as it was for now.
Since calling it would bring it flying, reconsidering later would merely require extending a hand into the air.
Meanwhile, Student Number 330, Aaron, frowned behind Ray.
Unaware due to concentration, quite some time had passed since Ray initially grasped the sword.
As Ray held the non-clicking sword for what seemed like ages, Aaron grew impatient and irritable.
Finally, unable to bear it, Aaron approached Ray and spoke.
“Hey, move already?”
“…”
“Hey, you not hearing me?”
Aaron frowned and shoved Ray’s shoulder forcefully.
Losing balance, Ray’s body tilted slightly to the side.
Swoosh!
“?”
“?”
“?”
*
Just as Ray was about to step back after concluding his thoughts,
Aaron suddenly pushed him, disrupting Ray’s focus and causing him to take a step back.
And with surprising ease, the Sacred Sword began to emerge.
Wooom!!
A mass of divine power, pooled like liquid within the crevice where the sword was embedded, began to stir.
The moment the sword was partially drawn—about a third of the way out—Ray moved his arm with superhuman reflexes to re-embed it.
However, the stimulated mass of divine power immediately pushed back, attempting to propel the sword skyward.
Ray cursed under his breath as he planted his feet firmly on the ground and pressed the sword back down.
Crack! Crack! Crack!!!
Huge forces clashed, causing the sword to shake violently.
Clenching his teeth, Ray activated his Core and Circle, tightening his grip.
The surrounding temperature dropped dramatically as Ray’s back muscles bulged near to bursting.
“Grrrgh…!”
Ray exerted every ounce of strength to press the sword back down.
Ultimately, the surging mass of divine power was suppressed by sheer force and sank back down.
Clang!!
The clear sound of the Sacred Sword embedding itself back into the ground rang out.
Until the trembling resonance of the sword ceased completely, Ray continued to hold it tightly.
Finally, the resonance faded entirely.
Drenched in cold sweat, Ray wiped his hair back and looked around.
Everyone stared at Ray with strange expressions.
After a brief pause, Ray chuckled awkwardly.
“Hah, shit… It won’t come out.”
“…”
The atmosphere was deathly silent.
Shrugging his shoulders, Ray glanced at Aaron.
Startled, Aaron took a step back as Ray beckoned him closer with a finger.
“Hey.”
“…”
Exhaling deeply, Ray furrowed his brow.
“Wanna get your head smashed by the edge of the Sacred Sword? Why the hell did you shove me?”
Aaron’s eyes darted around before responding humbly.
“Eh, er… Sorry.”
*
Traditionally, the principal of Izhise Academy was selected from retired members of the Royal Guard, specifically those of gentry birth.
Upon receiving news of an awaited guest’s arrival, Principal Carmine rose from his seat.
Not long after, a knock sounded. Responding, a clerk opened the door, ushering the visitor into the office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Carmine seated himself and once again thanked his guest.
“I appreciate you taking the time to visit, Knight Saria Alstein.”
Factually, Saria had a history of animosity with the Royal Guard.
However, as it had been a long time and the fault was entirely on the royal side, Carmine greeted her with a relaxed smile.
Izhise (6)
