“…”
Jane gazed seriously back and forth between Rishe’s defensive barrier and her own.
More precisely, she looked between where Rishe’s barrier had been and her remaining one.
Rishe’s single attack had shattered his barrier.
All that remained was hers.
Which meant it was her turn.
But—
Jane’s gaze shifted seriously between Rishe and the Sword of Advancement.
Hmm? The Sword of Advancement isn’t here yet?
Hmm? Didn’t I approach it first to seize the initiative?
An endless string of question marks.
Jane managed to shake loose thoughts that grew increasingly messy and anything but clear.
And—
“…”
She extended her hand and gripped the Sword of Advancement.
Then she swung it experimentally.
She simply held it and swung it around.
Hwick hwick.
Would a moving corpse swing it with more vitality than this?
Such was the impression given by her swings.
Afterward, Jane set the sword back in its place without hesitation.
She then engaged in actions like straightening her already tidy clothes or brushing off non-existent dust.
Rustle rustle.
The small noises from her actions only made the silence more awkward.
—What?
Elysia’s voice broke the silence. It was one of bewilderment.
—What just happened?
It quickly escalated to a nerve-wracking pitch.
From afar, Belotta nodded her head slowly.
Ah, I get it. That feeling.
Once panic reaches a certain level, it can turn into frustration, can’t it? It seems you’re there too.
Belotta felt a warm sense of camaraderie with her companions who had just caught up to her.
Feeling the emotional distance shrink, she finally approached them with light steps.
—Jalk!!!
Elysia’s frustration, which had been aimlessly wandering, now focused on him.
After much deliberation, she had arrived at a very convincing conclusion.
—Are you even in your right mind!?
—Huh?
—Even if that man over there is to your liking, isn’t this going too far? You’re taking his side?!
—Taking his side?
—Exactly!
—Who?
—You!
—Me?
—YOU!!
—Whose side?
—HIS!!
—How?
—Hey!!!
—Huh?
Interacting with him felt like lowering her own intelligence, and Elysia exploded again at Jalk’s choice of words.
But Jalk was genuinely wronged.
If anyone was most baffled in this place, it was undoubtedly him.
—Am, am I the one taking Rishe’s side…? Ah! Is that it?! Without knowing, did I just share the power of advancement with that guy?!
The Sword of Advancement.
As its name implies, the power of advancement was symbolic to Jalk.
Whenever the Hero of Advancement faced a decisive moment, Jalk was there, along with the power of advancement.
Jalk consistently aided the Hero with that force of advancement.
Back then too, it was the same.
The original Hero.
And the Demon King.
That legendary battle.
That defining moment.
When the Hero delivered the final blow to the Demon King, he had mobilized all means at his disposal, and within that, the power of advancement was undoubtedly crucial.
In other words, it was a power even the Hero needed.
A power even the Hero couldn’t mimic.
Jalk carried immense pride in this fact.
And immense confidence.
The power of advancement.
Who could refuse such power?
Who could reject such an exhilaration?
Jalk intended to completely enrapture him with the power of advancement.
Rishe.
The potential Hero of Advancement (?).
The Holy Sword chose its master.
Jalk had already marked Rishe as the owner within his mind.
The trial process for those not yet fully selected was unnecessary for him.
Still, Jalk proceeded with the Holy Sword trial to prove the new Hero of Advancement’s potential in front of others.
Of course, Jalk also knew.
Awakening the power of advancement in a single day was nearly impossible.
No matter how gifted the individual was, it took a long time of communing with the Sword of Advancement to skillfully wield its power.
But.
Rishe might be different.
Maybe within the limited short time, he could gain something from the Sword of Advancement and use some portion of that power.
And in that process, Jalk believed he would become thoroughly enraptured by the power of advancement.
It was Jalk’s flawless plan.
So what happened?
Rishe, who hadn’t even picked up the Sword of Advancement, ended the trial.
Two facts were proven in the process:
1. Rishe can handle a power similar in nature to the power of advancement.
2. Because of this, he might not even be fixated on the Sword of Advancement.
Having his existing pride and expectations completely invalidated was a situation unfamiliar to the Holy Sword.
Naturally, Jalk embraced his escape from reality.
—Rishe, you must be very surprised!!! That’s right! That’s the power of advancement! It’s the unique ability possessed by me, the Sword of Advancement! If you want to make that ability entirely yours—…
“Unique ability?”
Rishe didn’t cooperate.
“—Ah, wasn’t the enhancement ability of this nature collectively referred to as the power of advancement?”
—…
“I see, perhaps I misunderstood the trial. Then, how exactly does one use this power of advancement?”
—…
What actions should absolutely not be done during a trial?
Maybe something like misunderstanding the content of the trial…
It might be something worthy of full marks.
Anyway, his answer confirmed it.
He didn’t use the power contained within the Blade of Advancement for some unknown reason.
Rather, entirely on his own, he summoned power beyond his inherent limits.
– …How?
Jalk raised a valid question.
Saber Strike, Demon Sword, Black Magic, Blood Magic—there was indeed a category among such extraordinary forces that allowed one to draw power beyond the norm.
However, all such powers had one commonality—they exacted a heavy price.
Representatively, Black Magic required offering oneself to a demon, while wielding a Saber Strike cost one’s self-awareness.
– …?
Wait a moment.
Come to think of it, that guy—Saber Strike, too?
– Ehhh?
“Y-yes?”
– Ehhh?
“Uh…?”
While observing this real-time devolution of intelligence between the three, Elysia reached a revelation.
The power Rishe had demonstrated earlier was completely unrelated to Jalk.
The fact that he hadn’t shown favoritism in this test became clear.
– Ehh?
Then what is it?
“Ne…?”
– Ehh?
– Ehh?
At that moment, as Rishe and the two Holy Swords were trapped in the curse that lowered their intelligence, an unexpected hero took action.
– Hmm?
Jalk was forcibly freed from the curse.
Jane, floating in the air, had re-grasped the Holy Sword.
Confusion.
Doubt.
Suspicion.
For a brief moment, a shadow had crossed his features, but it was gone now, revealing his unwavering gaze once more as he resumed his forward march.
Thus, he stood before the golden barrier.
Gripping the Blade of Advancement, he straightened his posture.
– Jane, wait a sec…!
Elysia, who was also freed from the curse, cried out in shock.
She still absolutely trusted Jane. He was a fitting figure of the title “Hero of the Unusual,” and she firmly believed that his innate talent was unparalleled.
That was why Elysia tried to stop him.
This test was absolutely advantageous for Rishe. In fact, the conclusion had already been drawn.
The man who wielded the power of advancement without the blade—was there anyone more suited to wield the Blade of Advancement?
Though the Holy Sword typically chooses its master, this was an exceptional case. If Rishe wished, he could freely declare himself the rightful owner of the Blade of Advancement, and no one could dispute it.
And yet, why insist on undertaking the trial and showing a failure and a defeat?
It would only mar the name of the Hero of the Unusual.
– The test has already lost its meaning! You don’t need to do this!
“No, I have to.”
-Why…
“If I let it end this way, they won’t fully understand.”
The Hero of the Unusual focused all his attention on the Blade of Advancement in his hand.
“Rishe. The greatness of what he has achieved.”
-What do you mean…
“And we don’t know everything, do we?”
His expression carried an idealistic smile.
“Who knows? Maybe I can achieve something more extraordinary than I expect.”
There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in his voice.
At that moment, the Blade of Advancement began to vibrate. Golden flashes of light adorned its blade, glowing brilliantly.
The Hero of the Unusual’s clear blue eyes gradually melded with the golden glow of the sword.
Moments later, when his eyes reflected the same light as the Blade of Advancement, he swung it toward the golden barrier.
A flawless stance.
A flawless strike.
“…Hah!”
And a flawless breath as he lowered his sword to observe the barrier.
“…Hmph!”
The so-called Hero of the Unusual laughed wryly. There wasn’t even the smallest scratch on the barrier.
He stared at the wall with a bitter laugh.
“How on earth did you do it?”
That was the moment the rightful owner of the Blade of Advancement was decided.
***
“Well, no major surprises.”
As things settled down, Pamon approached Rishe to speak.
“Congratulations? Or should I call you… Hero now?”
“Hero, Hero…” Pamon repeated the title and chuckled.
“The sound of it isn’t great. Somehow, it doesn’t seem to suit you.”
“If that’s the case, what should I be called?”
“Hmm… something suitable for you…”
Pamon chuckled again, recalling the earlier trial.
“I wonder if such a thing exists?”
“What?”
“Let’s just call you Rishe. There’s nothing more ‘Rishe’ than that.”
“Calling someone’s name like it’s a noun…”
“Anyway, good job. Thanks to you, we got to witness something truly rare.”
With that, Pamon turned around.
“Looks like everything is done, so I’ll take my leave.”
“So soon? Do you have something to do?”
“Yep, loads. All thanks to you!”
“But you still stayed with me. Really, how would I get by without Pamon?”
“Do I know? Anyways, I’ll send someone over early tomorrow, so try to get some rest.”
“What, are you my mother?”
Pamon waved her hand while facing away.
And before Rishe could say anything else, she left, her pristine white hem fluttering in the wind.
Next, Towah and Magnus approached, tapping him on the shoulder.
“There were no major changes.”
Another familiar scenario repeated itself.
A calm congratulation as if they’d known everything all along.
And then a clean exit without lingering.
Through the entire series of events, Rishe felt an odd sensation.
‘It feels like I’ve become some sort of curious spectacle.’
“Hmph.”
Rishe realized belatedly.
Pamon, Towah, and Magnus.
He now understood the true purpose of their presence at the testing site wasn’t to cheer him on, but merely to observe.
Lastly, Jane’s group approached Rishe.
“Rishe.”
Jane looked at him with a gaze filled with goodwill and respect, contrasting sharply with the other party members who appeared drained but satisfied.
She extended the Sword of Advancement to him and said, “Congratulations. Only the final process remains.”
“The final process?”
Rishe openly revealed his irritation.
At that, Jane burst into laughter.
“Really, what can I say? You’re incredible. You’re about to become the Master of the Holy Sword, yet your reaction is one of a kind—throughout history, you’re the only chosen hero who could behave like this.”
“Hero…”
Rishe mulled over that title. It certainly didn’t roll off the tongue as easily as Pamon’s words had implied.
“So, what exactly is this final process?”
“Don’t worry. It’s merely a formal matter. From now on, our party will be the witnesses to your ascension.”
“Ascension witnesses?”
“You’ve been recognized as the rightful master of the Holy Sword, and I, as the master of another Holy Sword, will vouch for you as a witness.”
“Oh, thank you for your kindness.”
Jane smiled lightly as she called her companions.
“Belotta? Camilla? And Elysia.”
They gathered beside Jane.
Unlike Jane, who showed sincere respect and fondness toward Rishe, Camilla and Elysia harbored hidden resentment.
It was only natural.
It would feel strange to feel pure joy for someone else while missing out on the ultimate treasure, the Holy Sword, right before one’s eyes.
‘That this man could surpass Jane and become the Master of the Holy Sword…’
Moreover, they still believed Jane was a far more suitable contender than anyone for the new Holy Sword.
After all, the Master of the Holy Sword wasn’t chosen solely by ability; even more, they required absolute virtue.
The question remains:
Could Rishe be considered truly virtuous?
True.
An undeniable fact.
He had been acknowledged by the Sword of Advancement, and he was respected enough to hold the trust of the Special Brigade.
There was no doubt about his integrity.
But…
Could he really be more virtuous than Jane?
Was he indeed the right person for the weighty responsibility of being a hero?
After observing Jane’s journey up until now, they were certain.
No.
Jane was the true hero.
This was why they felt so disheartened.
“Alright, Rishe. Jalk. We’re ready.”
“Then…”
As Rishe looked at the Sword of Advancement in his hand, Jalk exclaimed.
“Rishe! Let me ask you this! Are you prepared to become the master of the Sword of Advancement?”
The final trial.
The trial of virtue.
This final trial, known today as the succession ceremony, once took place before countless spectators in the past. The trial of virtue involved the Holy Sword emitting a radiant glow according to the worthiness of its chosen new master. Folklore suggested that the intensity of the light was proportional to the degree of the person’s virtue.
As Rishe waited to respond,
Elysia and Camilla secretly nurtured a mischievous thought.
The glow he would emit was bound to be much weaker compared to Jane’s.
“Well… To be honest, I still feel bewildered.”
Rishe awkwardly answered the Holy Sword’s question.
…
Elysia silently suppressed her discontent.
He displayed none of the dignity befitting the Master of the Holy Sword.
“…What?”
Was Jalk thinking along the same lines? The sword seemed perplexed, reiterating his question.
“Maybe there’s someone more suitable than me to be the master of this sword? Someone who needs this sword more than I do. After all—”
Rishe lifted his sword, the Blue Lotus, with a playful smile.
“As you can see, I already have my own sword!”
The Holy Sword confers immense power to its master, so much so that even the noblest heroes possessing a Holy Sword are often dazzled by its allure.
Thus, Rishe’s response was something no one could have anticipated.
Uuuung.
The Sword of Advancement vibrated, emitting an intense glow.
Jane, witnessing the brilliant light, thought to herself.
“Of course…!”
Meanwhile, the rest of the group, seeing the glow, thought.
“Surprisingly…?”
Such was Rishe’s glow—exceeding everyone’s expectations.
Even compared to renowned heroes like Jane, there was no difference.
It was at this moment, when their judgment of Rishe was about to change—
HOOOOW!
The glow erupted, enveloping everything around them.
“…”
“…”
No.
Wasn’t this…
A bit excessive?
The dazzling light threatened to blind them.
Blinking furiously, they plunged into deep contemplation.
