《Subscriber of the Gods》 Chapter 0: Prologue Chapter 0: Prologue Prologue [Subscribe to the god that you want!] Subscribe? -God of the Fiery Hammer [How to make and use anything yourself] [Difficulty: High] -God of Lightning [Easy-to-follow instructions on how to use lightning] [Difficulty: Medium] -Archmage of the Magic Tower [Circle 1 to Circle 10] [Difficulty: Extreme] -Knight of the Lake [Learn the basics of swordsmanship from the first son of the famous Lake family] [Difficulty: Extreme] (+)[1]TLN: I think this is referring to Lancelot -Eastern Sword Master Cheok [How to be Cheok] [Difficulty: Unmeasurable] [The gods need a subscription] You can subscribe to gods with likes. Subscriptions increase the gods score. The gods want to improve their score and win! Subscriptions and likes? Isnt this totally a MeTube? As an extra in the game, Ethan had the opportunity to give likes and subscriptions. Chapter 1: Perks Chapter 1: Perks Ye-dam loved games. He was also the type of person who would see things through to the end when he was immersed in them, so he would always watch all the endings, not just the final one, of any game. Histest obsession was a game called Mazed Pangea. It was an open-world game with near-infinite freedom and was being hailed as a God game. However, he was disappointed with the difficulty level. It was easy to y, but very difficult toplete. But when Ye-dam started ying, he realized something. I guess I have some talent. He was able toplete scenarios that others found difficult with ease and was able toplete the second and third runs quickly. Even if he created a new character or picked a scenario character, he was able to clear it quickly. Still, he never got tired of it. It was a massive game, and it was so detailed that it felt like the real world. After a long day at work, Ye-dam would y until dawn. If this was an online game, he would probably be number one in the rankings. I wish I could just y games all day. It was a dailyint and a wish. Of course, that didnt mean he was going to quit his job. He just wanted to win the lottery so he could y games and enjoy his life in peace. And then one night. Ye-dams wish came true. Ethan, its time for your medicine. Are you all right? Damn it. No, I didnt mean for this to happen. One month had passed. Ye-dam was the sickly extra Ethan Whickers in the game. * * * -Quest notifications- * Survive as Ethan Whiskers [Difficulty: Hell] [You who are the weakest person on the continent can be killed with just a blow; survive as Ethan Whickers, the weakest on the continent]. Ethan Whickers. It was a character that even he, who had yed [Mazed Pangaea] as many characters, didnt really know. I remember the Whickers family. The Whickers family had an outstanding member named Nathan Whickers. This Nathan Whickers was a brilliant mage, one of the Five Stars of Freya Academy, andter became an Archmage. I didnt know he had an older brother. This Nathan Whickers older brother was Ethan. Ethan Whickers, the current version of himself. Sowas Ethan dead before he could really make a name for himself? Ye-dam had been living in Ethans body for a month now. The results of a month of living were quite remarkable. More than thirty times his legs wobbled while walking and he fell, and fifteen times he coughed up blood. Ten times he had to stop in exhaustion while picking up a spoon to eat. Its a body that wont be weird to die any time. Ethan looked in the mirror. His skin was so tight it exposed his ribs, and there was no muscle to be seen. His cheeks were thin and sunken, and his eyes were hollow. I cant believe I was once a swordsmanship genius in this condition. Ethan was quite famous around the area. The eldest of the Whickers family was nicknamed the Swordsman Prodigy at a young age for his talent with the sword, and the younger was called the Magician Prodigy for his talent with magic, so their father was quite proud of them. Young Master, Its time for your medicine. A healer entered the room and offered Ethan a pill. Im taking pills every morning and night, receiving treatment. But theres no improvement at all How are you feeling today? Same as usual, terrible. What kind of disease do I have? For a moment, the healers expression hardened. And now, even the memory The look on his face was more than pity, it was condolence. Its like looking at someone whos already dead. Ethan cursed under his breath. It was good to be in the game. He wished every day that he could y the game. But as soon as he stepped in, it was game over. Besides, there was something more important. What happens if I die? In the game, if the yer died, theyd just start over. But now he was Ethan Whickers. He didnt know what would happen when he died. Enough, tell me what in the world is my disease, isnt it about time you told me? Sigh, I guess its time to tell you. You have a soul in your head. You see, its a disease that gradually rots away that soul. I apologize for not being more specific, but thats whats causing your constant headaches and physical weakness. I do have some good news, though. No way. Did he find a way to cure it right away? Ive decided to name this disease after Young Master Ethan. Is that even good news? It was ridiculous. Toe in here with that as good news. When Ethan gave him a cold look, the healer added quickly. I apologize. I was just trying to lighten the moodbecause in your current condition, you may not live to see next year. I could die before next year. Next year Ethan muttered to himself, lost in thought. A disease that rots the soul, causes headaches, and weakens the body. When did I hear such disease? Ethan thought of two people in the scenario who overcame their diseases to be Swordmasters or Archmages. Ah. Could this be that? He realized what his disease was. Extinction. Extinction, the worst kind of rare disease. He was certain. The healers description matched the symptoms of the disease exactly. And by soul, it referred to the brain. It was certainly a rare and difficult disease to treat, but not without hope. The person who suffered from this disease eventually overcame it and became an archmage. I remember the cure being very difficult, but I know someone who knows how to cure it. The Iron-Blooded Saint. Shes the highest ranking person in the Holy Empire. But that was impossible. A saint was the flower of the Holy Empire, a powerful force, and those who were hostile to her sought to find and kill her at all costs. This made it difficult for even the highest nobles to meet with her, much less for amon count to do so. But Ethan knew a way. It would not be easy, but it would not be impossible. As Ethan pondered, the healer bowed quietly and left the room. I know how to meet a saint. But it will take a long time. I need to improve my condition so I dont die before then. There was no time to wallow in despair. What if I die here? Originally, it should be the end of the game, but what if its not the end of the game, but me actually dying? Ethan focused on the situation; he had always assumed the worst whenever he yed Mazed Pangea. He must act as if death there was death in the real world. Survival. Survival is the number-one priority. Ethan had cleared MePan dozens of times. Hed done speed runs to see if he could clear it in the shortest amount of time, and hed done all-clear achievements, which require clearing a ton of achievements. Hed yed the game to death, so he knew in his head that there was a way out of this situation. But there was a problem. Normally, even at his low level, he would have been able to move around and find a way out, but now he was a cripple with limited mobility. If Im not careful, I could die walking. Therefore, for now, he had to find a way around this Whiskers family. First, lets make some medicine. As long as there were enough herbs to provide first aid, he could make potions. I could learn the healing technique myself, or get an artifact. But there was nothing he could do about that right now. Lets go to the warehouse first. There must be something there since its a count family warehouse. Ethan first located the family warehouse. The House of Whickers had several warehouses. The warehouse where the familys most valuable items were stored was not open, and only four others were open. Ethan walked slowly at first. Young Master! Young Master, did youe out alone? Let me assist you. Young Master! As soon as Ethan stepped out of the room, the nearby servants rushed over to him. They grabbed him by the arm with worried faces and supported him. Thanks. This was nothing. So where do you want to go? Im going to the warehouse. Warehouses are full of dust, Young Master. I can endure a little bit of dust. It could be really dangerous to go there. No, but I still need to go. Then well do some cleaning beforehand, and you cane slowly. One of the servants ran, and Ethan, supported by the others, slowly made his way to the warehouse. He was able to enter the warehouse without any restrictions. First, lets find something that smells clean and fresh. To heal his current condition, he would need to find herbs with a clean scent, which, whenbined with purified water, would create a restorative potion. But I dont have purified water right now, so I have to rely on herbs. In this condition, he could barely walk to the neighboring estate. It was imperative that he be able to move properly. With that in mind, he diligently searched the warehouse and eventually found what he was looking for. Found it. When Ethan found one that smelled good, he popped it into his mouth and chewed hard. After swallowing hard, he could feel a faint glow of mana within his body. This is it. It tastes just right, and it made my headache go away a little bit. Its like Tylenol. His head ached like it was going to crack, but he felt a little better. But it wasnt enough. Ethan gathered every herb he knew. Because of his disease, the counts warehouse was well-stocked with a wide variety of herbs. Perhaps hearing the news, the healer came to the warehouse. Young Master. What are you doing here all of a sudden? Do you have some aconite? And if you also happen to have some prickly pear, please give it to me. I do have them, but why are you suddenly asking for them Not all herbs are medicinal just because you eat them, because basically, all herbs that can be medicinal contain poison The therapist tried to exin, but Ethan didnt listen. He already knew the truth. So please trust me and wait a little longer. If I give them to you, something really bad could happen! Ethan tried again, but the healer was adamant. Even if I were a doctor, I wouldnt give my medicines carelessly. Ethan decided it was best to back away. Hed have to take it secretlyter. Just give me one aconite, then. The pain is too much. Aconite was known for being one of the least toxic herbs. Its effect was analgesic. When eaten, the pain would go away within a few tens of minutes. Its fine if its aconite. The healer rxed a bit, found the aconite, and brought it to Ethan. With the herbs in hand, Ethan carried his heavy body to the Counts magicboratory. Making it into a potion is more effective than eating them raw, but I cant gather the ingredients on my own. Fortunately, however, the Whickers family was a count family. I have no choice but to ask Father for a favor. While his father, Count Whickers, was busy with his duties, he was constantly thinking about his sons health. He assigned him a dedicated healer and stocked the warehouse with all sorts of medicines. Theres no improvement with me even after continuing treatment like this, so he must be looking for another method. If he asked him to gather the ingredients he wanted, he might be able to prolong his life, if not cure it. I just have to find a way. I should eat first. I need to get my stamina up somehow before I can do anything else. At this point, he had trouble even eating meat, because even chewing it was a struggle. If I wasnt from a noble family, I wouldnt dream of tender meat. Anyway, tonight is the night. Im going to mix the herbs I have into a medicinal decoction. Have a meal. Young Master. The maidservant prepared the meat, which was tender. I dont need to be fed, go back It is the lords orders. Im fine. I have to exercise anyway. For him, eating was like working out. If he left it to someone else, he had no reason to move at all. Ethan picked up his fork and chewed on his meat. Suddenly, he felt a lump in his throat and coughed loudly, his body shaking. Eok. Then he realized something was wrong. Rumble. I have to cough ituweeek! His stomach churned and he coughed up blood. -Death ising! -Death ising! -Avoid death! What, how do you avoid this, fuck. Damn it. I cant die like this. Ethan sat up in bed and slowlyy back, taking deep breaths to ease the pain as much as possible. Huuu. He was taking a deep breath, but his breathing got knotted and he coughed. Cough! And that cough was decisive. Ah, fuck. With a swear, Ethans body fell forward. Damn it There was nothing he could do. He wanted to click his tongue, but he didnt have the strength to do so. Then. He saw a light in front of him. Am I going to die? But something was different. A glowing notification popped up in front of Ethans eyes. Huh? Ding! -Perks will be activated. -Clear Rewards! Special rewards will be given to those who have cleared Mazed Pangea 10 times or more. -The subscription system is now open. -[New World] has been opened! -Subscribe to your favorite gods with the open subscription system! -The gods are waiting for your subscription! -Collect likes to subscribe to your favorite gods! A familiar window popped up in front of Ethans eyes. Subscription? Chapter 2: Subscribe to the Gods Chapter 2: Subscribe to the Gods Ethan stared at the windows and buttons in front of him. I dont know what in the world is going on here. This was definitely MeTube. On MeTube, there was a system called a subscription, and you could select the videos you wanted to watch based on your subscription. Its simr, but a little different? The subscription tform was called [New World]. It was a better name than he thought. Ethan swallowed hard, his eyes scanning the gods he could subscribe to. It certainly was, telling me to subscribe and like the god I wanted. Subscribe and like Dont tell me theres a notification setting or something. -Hercules Basic Physical Strength Course [Difficulty: Medium] -How to Easily Split the Mountains of Swords [Difficulty: Extreme] There were names of different gods and difficulty levels. Each had a short list of information about what hed get if he subscribed. There are quite a few. Some of them had thumbnails, but most of them were crudely made. Ethan spotted a video that seemed to be getting a lot of views. High views on an eye-catching thumbnail. -Eastern Physician of All Things: Cure Everything with Acupuncture and Decoction [Difficulty Level: High] Isnt thisHeo Jun[1]TLN: He was a famous Korean physician during the Joseon dynasty ? It was exactly what Ethan needed right now. Ethan didnt hesitate to subscribe to this Eastern Physician of All Things. Dring! -Youve subscribed to the Eastern Physician of All Things! -Youve made an amazing first New World subscription! You can watch two videos of Eastern Physician of All Things for free! Subscribe to [Eastern Physician of All Things] without spending any likes! Countless notifications blurred Ethans vision. Ethan nced at them and clicked Watch Video. -[NEW!] Dongui Bogam Acupuncture -[NEW!] Dongui Bogam Herbs What I need right now isnt a medicine, its acupuncture. A medicine requires ingredients and time. What he could use right now was acupuncture. Ethan immediately pressed the acupuncture video. His surroundings changed and the video began. -I have been working to eliminate infectious diseases my entire life and my acupuncture is based on that foundation Theres no fast-forward button?! Heo Jun was a famous physician. But he was also very proud of his skills, which led to a very long exnation. I-Im going to die waiting for his exnation to end. -Ah, sorry! It looks like youre dying. Hmm. Lets see if I can find your vein. Uh wasnt this a video? -I usually leave it as a video, but its been a while since I did a live lesson. Most gods leave it as a video, though. Thank you so much, by the way, I hadnt gotten any subscriptions in quite a while. Sadly, Im not very famous, and youre my honorable seventh subscriber. Heo Jun stepped forward and grabbed Ethans wrist. He closed his eyes, then opened them wide. -How are you still alive? Im dying right now. I need you to help me. -Hmm, I suppose I should. For now, Ill use my powers to keep you alive. But I cant cure youpletely. Your sickness is not something that can be cured so easily. As Heo Jun said that, he pulled out a long long needle from his waistband. -Endure it. Im already used to enduring pain. Poke me, anywhere. -Oho. Youre brave, but this acupuncture is the kind of power that subdues pain with pain. Therefore, to subdue your pain, I must inflict greater pain than this. Schuk! A long needle was inserted into Ethans shoulder. One by one, Heo Jun pulled out the needles and inserted them into each shoulder, thigh, sr plexus, and the center of his forehead. -Five Elements. With the needles, I will dissipate the heat of your tormented body and then stir it away. Into greater pain. Feel it well. Now that youve decided to subscribe to my acupuncture, Im going to show you the full experience of it. Schuk! Heo Jun inserted thest needle. But Ethan only gritted his teeth and didnt groan. -To endure this much pain? Huh! Youre not exactly a human being, are you? As soon as the needle was in, there was a response. Despite the excruciating pain, Ethan realized that his body was recovering. Does the game system apply? Normally, he would log out as soon as he felt the pain approaching his limit. But now, the pain was palpable. But it was still worth enduring. The pain was something one didnt get used to, but one develop a tolerance for it. -Good job on enduring it. You should be able to move as you please for about ten days. Ten days is plenty of time to learn my acupuncture and use it on yourself. So there you have it, a taste of my acupuncture. Before he could finish his sentence, the long needles began to vanish like smoke. When they were all gone, Ethan slowly rose from his seat. He rolled his shoulders and craned his neck to each side. He jumped in ce three or four times. He felt much lighter. Im alive. I really thought I was going to die just now. I think Im going to survive a little bit now. -What do you mean you think youll survive. Huu. That feels good. I really enjoy helping people. So, what do you think? Will you subscribe and like me, and if you can, leave a review, that would be even better. I want to bring this acupuncture to a lot of people. And if I can help more people, that would make me really happy. Im not sure exactly how this works. Can you exin it to me? -Hmm, you dont know? Normally Id have to go through a pretty lengthy exnation to get you to agree to the terms, and so far everyone whos subscribed to me has. Are you sure you dont know anything? Heo Jun replied, looking quite puzzled. His subscribers hadnt asked him this question before. Yeah, I have no idea. I honestly dont even know why this appeared in front of me. -Hmm. Maybe there was a mistake, but oh well, it doesnt matter, Ill make it easy for you. Heo Juns exnation continued for a long time. It was a grand story. It was so grand that it didnt really register with Ethan. -Gods who have attained the status of transcendence. The story was that the gods of countless myths, legends, and stories were vying for the spot of the one true god. -Ive heard that they use this system of subscriptions and like to select the God of the Gods. To make it quantifiable, to make it easier to see influence. These subscriptions be the privileges of many of the worlds [New World] suitable users. So I can just hit subscribe like I just did and watch a video and learn the powers of the god I subscribed to? -Sort of. Does that mean I can hit subscribe unconditionally? -No. We need likes. This is not in the game setting. Mazed Pangea had no such setting. There were no real-life gods there in the first ce. In the case of Heo Jun, hes just a famous physician from the Joseon Dynasty, not a god. He might have been worshiped like a god back then, but he wasnt a real god. It says its a perk, a clearance perk. Does that mean Im getting this because Ive cleared MePan so many times, or is it like DLC? DLC was like extra content that one could buy for a fee, but it was definitely not like this. So he asked again. Are there other [New World] users like me in this world? -Hmm. You are alone in this world, but there is not one world. There are many worlds and many [New World] users. So Im the only [New World] user on this MePan. So if you get a lot of likes, youll be the god of the gods? -Likes are very important. Its the biggest part of our score. Heo Jun exined briefly. The number of subscribers, views, and likes was reflected in their score. -Likes are the biggest score you can give us. Its the most important thing. You need likes to subscribe to us, and you also need likes to watch additional videos we make. And how do I get those likes? -Hmm. If I knew that, Id tell all my subscribers and ask them to like me, and if I had to guess, Id say you can get them by doing a bunch of things in your world. So if I subscribe with likes, I can then like something again? -Well, our videos arent just what you see right now. If you want to see it all, you should. I do, and so do the other gods. Then there will also be times when I can only watch the videos I can see with a subscription and dont like them more. Heo Jun chuckled. -You hit the nail on the head, there. Yes. So in order to get a lot of likes and views, the video has to be useful. That way, [New World] users like you will watch it. And they say that videos with that many likes are exposed to a lot of users by the power of a mysterious algorithm. Its very interesting. Heo Jun coughed a couple of times. -You should be feeling better now. This is the end of my intervention. Now that youre subscribed, you can watch my videos and make your own judgment. Youre fully entitled to like other videos, and if you want to see future videos, you can like them. And of course, I take tributes. So Keuhum. Heo Juns clear image quickly turned to smoke and disappeared. -You have learned Heos Acupuncture. -Added Skill: Heos Acupuncture (A) There was no inventory or status window. The two elements that were originally there were not. Skill Window. < Possessed Skills: Heos Acupuncture (A) [0.0%], Whiskers Swordsmanship (B) [100%] > Oh But there was a skill window. The acupuncture hed just learned was a ss A skill. The percentage next to it is the skill proficiency. Surprisingly, Ethans skill proficiency in the Whiskers Swordsmansship was a whopping 100%. As long as my body is intact, Ill be pretty strong, but thats forter. For now, he needed to check the condition of the body Heo Jun had healed. Ethan took a deep breath and walked around a bit. My body feels good. Tears welled up in his eyes with emotion. It was hard for him to walk alone, but he felt so light. But like Heo Jun said. He wasntpletely cured. He just slowed down the progression of the disease for a while. Thats like a service Im getting because I subscribed, and Im on my own to take care of myself after that. If so, he needed to increase his proficiency in this learned skill. Enough to use it on himself. Alright, lets do this right. Chapter 3: When you earned an achievement Chapter 3: When you earned an achievement uracy was the foundation of Heos Acupuncture. The slightest miscement could cause more harm than good. Control is important. Ethan concentrated his mind, and then he tried to cast Heos Acupuncture. As the skill activated, a needle formed in his empty hand. A needle made of mana. I have to put the needles all over my body. Ethan kept reying Heo Juns video, checking the location of the acupuncture points. He kept going over in his head where to ce the needles to be effective. He didnt have a bad memory, but it didnt take him long to remember. Both thighs, shoulders, sr plexus, forehead. And there were many other veins. These veins were the pathways of mana. My mana road is too narrow for the skill to be effective. But that didnt stop him. Ethan practiced acupuncture over and over again for the rest of the day. -Understanding Hoes Acupuncture, proficiency increases by 0.3%. Oh, Im getting better at this than I thought. 0.3%. It wasnt a small figure, and at this rate, he could quickly master the skill on his own. And Originally, Ethan had nned to eat a medicinal rice cake ball tonight, made from a mixture of herbs. It was a different recipe than a potion, but then he remembered something else. Im pretty sure there was a video of Heo Jun making decoctions. Earlier, hed been in a hurry and had only learned how to use Heos Acupuncture, but he could definitely learn how to make decoctions. It was time to start mixing the herbs in his stash. Late that night. Ethan made his way to the magicboratory. It was originally meant for Nathan Whickers. But now that he was at the Academy, it was empty. It didnt have a lot of materials or tools, but it did have the tools needed to mix some herbs. The Count of Whickers isnt that great of a family. The most prominent families in the vicinity were the Count of Yurahan, whose wealth was immense despite being of the same title, and the Marquis of Dren, whose family was a member of the Twelve Stars, the twelve great powers of the continent. Although there are three powerful houses above the Twelve Stars. Above the Twelve Stars, there were three absolute powerhouses. The Holy Emperor of the Divine Empire, the Emperor of the Magic Empire, the Demon Emperor, and the Sword Tower Master, the owner of the Sword Tower stood between the two empires. Anyway, there are 12 powers in the vicinity, so the insignificant Count of Whickers is no matchpared to them. If it werent for Nathan Whickers, thisboratory would never have been built in the first ce. Arriving at theboratory, Ethanid out the herbs he had brought by type. Then he opened [New World]. -Would you like to watch Heo Juns video on making decoctions? The acupuncture and making decoctions video were free and open to the public. Ethan immediately started it. Just like when he watched the acupuncture video, the images began toe alive before his eyes. -Theres one thing you need to do to make a decoction. Its about controlling the fire. If you dont control the fire properly, it wont be a medicine, itll just be something bitter. Heo Jun said with a serious face. -Poison can be medicine, and vice versa, medicine can be poison, so dont draw a line between poison and medicine. Ethan focused on the video and tried to remember Heo Juns words as best he could. After a while, the video ended. -You have learned Heos Decoction (A)! (+)[1]TLN: Decoction Making? Creating? Crafting? Im still not sure what to call this skill. If any of you have a better name for it, please help me T_T. Done. Ethan quickly gathered up the herbs he hadid out. Half of it is to be made into medicinal rice cake balls and eaten. The rest is made into a decoction. No matter how good the acupuncture was, it wouldnt get rid of all the rotting mana. If I eat this, I can get rid of the rotting mana thats umting. Then he wouldnt die from a single cough. It wouldnt cure the disease, but it might alleviate some of the symptoms. Ethan took out a good-sized pot, poured the herbs into it, and set it on fire. Hiss It wasnt long before the decoction began to boil. Stir constantly. And never stop. Making the decoction itself was easy. He just stirred it while casting the skill. Fire control. And stir without stopping! The ingredients werent plentiful, so they couldnt be wasted. So Ethan worked hard to make the decoction. -Youve made a beginners decoction! -Rating in progress -Beginners Decoction [Grade D] Hmm. The decoction he made was ranked D. Not bad for a first-time brew. The smell of the medicine is making me nauseous. The better the medicine, the stinkier the smell. Ethan didnt hesitate and took the decoction along with the medicinal rice cake ball. Gulp, gulp. Ethan gulped it down without hesitation. Ah. As soon as he finished eating, his body gave him a signal. A hot sensation settled in his lower stomach, and it moved fiercely to his fingertips. Tuk. Tuk. In a sh, the energy reached his fingertips, and then it was gone, reced by something ck from Ethans fingertips. Crazy. Ethan marveled at Heo Juns technique in making a decoction. He hadnt expected such a dramatic effect. His own potion-making skills could only provide moderate relief. Youd have to be an A-grade alchemist to make a potion with such an immediate effect. After a moment of surprise, something appeared in front of Ethans eyes. -Youve earned an achievement! -You earned likes based on the difficulty of the achievement! -Youve earned 1 likes! Huh? Ethan looked at the notification and was taken aback. He didnt think there would be achievements, after all, that was part of the original MePan, but this ce wasnt a game at all. And what was surprising was, he earned one like. I got likes? Ethans eyes widened. Hed earned a like forpleting an achievement. So I get likes every time I aplish something like clearing an achievement? Ethan smiled to himself. So thats how it works? If so, that would change things. In Ethans mind right now, there were tons of achievements he knew about. This achievement system, was an element of the game that allowed yers to enjoy various content as they yed, making them more immersed in the game. So there were a lot of yers who aimed to get all the achievements, and Ethan had done it before. Achievement window. At that time, he checked that there was no Inventory Window, so he didnt think to call up the other windows. Since they werent needed right now. -Achievement System! Achievements currently aplished: 1 / 999 Somethings different. Ethan nced at the assignment window and touched his chin. The numbers werent what he knew. It was definitely 382. But the achievement increased to 999. And given the nature of these numbers, there was a good chance it would grow. Also, none of the 382 achievements he knew of were the ones he had just done. As an all-clear achievement yer, he was sure of this. Basically, there were many achievements rted to the basics, dungeons, and main scenarios. There were also a lot of achievements that were fun in different ways. Some were location-specific, some were ss-specific, and some werepletely unattainable. There were some that you could only get if you made a name for yourself as an Archmage or Swordmaster. Apparently, different levels of difficulty earned different numbers of likes. It appears that the number of likes earned varies based on the level of difficulty in achieving a certain aplishment. Then. If he started with the achievements he could aplish right now, he could increase the number of likes he had. Ill be able to utilize [New World] better. * * * Huuh. Huuh. The training room at the Counts estate. Originally, this room was used by Ethan when he was healthy. After Ethan became so weak, no one else used it, and it became a ce that the counts servants rarely traveled to. Its so hard just to do basic physical training. He couldnt train properly with normal methods. Since he had no basic physical strength, he had to train for at least two or three months before he could do anything. Haah. Haah. Ethan spent a week working on his basic physical strength. Obviously, there were achievements that could be earned by increasing ones basic physical strength. -You have earned an achievement! -You have earned likes for the achievement [Physical strength is national strength. Beyond the level of a newborn baby!] -You have earned 1 amount of likes! This brought the total number of likes he had to two. Good! Im not sure, but I dont think everything has changed. Its more likely that new things have been added to the information I already knew. Now that he had proven that the achievements that he knew were still there, so now all he had to do was just prove them one by one. Lets clear the easy ones first. * * * -You have earned an achievement! -You have earned an achievement! Ethan continued to work his way through the basic achievements. Originally, these achievements were quests designed to level up or get items early in the game. Because of this, there were a number of low-difficulty ones and many that were easy to aplish. With this, Ive aplished all I can aplish in the beginning. By the time he was done with the basic physical strength training and Heos Acupuncture, he had a total of five likes and his body was in pretty good shape. Its still not enough He wasnt in good enough shape to properly unleash the power of the Whiskers swordsmanship yet. So Ethan decided to subscribe to the new god with the likes he had umted so far. He decided he needed more help than watching more of Heo Juns videos. Lets take a look. They had already helped him survive once. If so, there must be an appropriate god who could help him improve his basic physical strength. If he subscribed to that god, he would surely be able to increase his basic strength quickly. Ethan opened the New World, a tform where he could subscribe to gods once again. -Gods you are currently subscribed to: 1 -Checking your current status. Algorithmizing gods to match you -You are currently subscribed to 1 god: Heo Jun. Checking your interests around Heo Jun. Is it because the gods made it themselves? The algorithm is so thorough. Shrrrkkk. The list of gods rearranged itself and at the top. And a video appeared with a thumbnail of a crudely made lion skin. The uploader of the video was a demigod of Greek mythology. -Hercules Basic Physical Strength Course [Difficulty Level: Medium] I should subscribe right away. Hercules was a powerful demigod known for his physical prowess, and his video workouts could be a great way to build a strong foundation. Wait. What is this? Ethan was about to hit subscribe when he noticed something new. Chapter 4: Wheres that coming from? Chapter 4: Where''s thating from? [Subscription review] Heo Jun said there are [New World] users in many worlds. Do they also have reviews for their subscriptions? And next to it, was the number of subscribers and likes Hercules had. [Hercules] Subscribers: 1.08M Likes: 1.09M Hercules had 1.08 million subscribers. And he had 1.09 million likes. Since one like was basically required to subscribe, that meant that only a hundred additional people had seen the video. The worlds famous Hercules only has less than 10,000 subscriberspared to the likes? He was surprised for a moment, but when he thought about it, it made sense. First of all, he didnt know how many people were using [New World]. If it was in the tens of thousands, then Hercules subscriber count would be huge. What about Heo Jun? Suddenly, his mind went crazy, as he looked him up. Its true. [Heo Jun] Subscribers: 7 Likes: 14 He has more likes than subscribers. I guess that means people who watched the video are happy, right? It was a different number than Hercules. Of course, it was a pretty big difference to quantify. Because it was definitely effective. It was a godsend because he brought Ethan back from the brink of death. It was the kind of skill that wouldnt hurt to subscribe to in this field. He asked me to write a review. Ethan first checked out Hercules reviews, which were highly subscribed. - Huh? Theres a video review? When Ethan clicked on the review, the video immediately unfolded. It felt like he was right there in the middle of it. Arge man was breathing, and in front of him was a fairlyrge boulder, which he was trying to lift. Thats not an easy rock to lift. It wasnt neatly cut, and it looked like it would be difficult to bnce the weight. As expected. He tried to lift it somehow, but he didnt have enough strength, so he just threw it forward. Then the video switched. The caption showed -10 days after subscription- and he saw a man whose body had changed considerably. He breathed simrly to the first video, and then, with a snap, he lifted the rock. Just as he was thinking, Isnt this fake?, the man cracked the rock with his two hands. -Crazy. Thats Herculean strength in 10 days? -The review is great. I watched it and subscribed too ^^ -Im going to hunt the nine-headed hydra on Death Mountain, and I wasnt sure which god to subscribe to. I watched this and instantly subscribed to Hercules. Isnt this perfect for me right now? Ethan smiled and was about to hit subscribe. But then he saw another review. Should I check it out a little more, just in case? It was a video, too. However, unlike the previous review, this one was a video of a man practicing Hercules breathing with no results. -I think this is a viral review at the top. -I had a hard time collecting likes, but I subscribed to Hercules and then canceled. -The exnation is so unfriendly that its hard to understand. -I heard the trend these days is to cut through the bullshit and get to the point. Hercules just cut through all the bullshit. Im having a hard time with all the abstract exnations. This There was just as much negative feedback as there was positive. Ethan thought about it for a moment but then decided. Strength can be used for anything. It was a basic, foundational strength. One could learn and build upon this basic strength. If one used a sword, one could use it to wield a sword. If one used a spear, one could use it to wield a spear. It was really versatile. Its my weakness, its something I have to ovee on my own. If Hercules wasnt a God that liked exining things. Ethan just had to ovee it. I just need to understand. Ethan immediately subscribed to Hercules. -Youve subscribed to Hercules! -You used one like. Lets see how hard this is going to be. -[NEW!] Hercules Basic Physical Strength Course -[NEW!] How to beat a lion with your bare hands As with Heo Jun, two videos were unlocked. Ethan immediately pressed the first video. -I am eternally grateful to my students for taking the Basic Physical Strength course. I dont need to give you a long exnation of who I am, so lets cut through the chatter. What you need is this stamina, the kind that keeps you going for three days and three nights! Hercules was a longer talker than he expected. Moreover, unlike Heo Jun, it wasnt a real lecture, and he showed a pre-made video, so Ethan couldnt ask him if he had a question. Lets watch it thoroughly. Lets make sure I dont skip anything. Ethan looked at [New World] intently. Lets go. -Paid content. Crazy. This is paid content? -It can be unlocked for 1 million gold. I dont know who made this, but I think this person can be trusted with my money. It was a very smart business move. -A set of twelve physical training. If you can master these twelve training methods, you will be as strong as I am. Now, lets start with the basics, the first method. There are only two videos. Twelve methods of physical training. It seemed that Hercules had quite a few hidden videos as well. Ethan focused on the video of Hercules, never taking his eyes off it. The video itself was normal. But his breathing was different. -This is mine, Hercules breathing. I train with this breath. With Hercules words, Ethan learned a new skill. -You have learned Heros Breathing. -Added Skill: Heros Breathing (A) -Swing while breathing as you just learned! Well, Hercules is certainly exining things abstractly. Still, I kind of understand it. Ethan immediately grabbed a wooden sword. Before he had gotten so sick, Ethan had excelled at swordsmanship. Even the Whiskers swordsmanship he was learning now was 100% mastered. Lets give it a try. He raised the wooden sword and breathed. Immediately, the Heros Breathing was activated, and the blood in his body quickly began to heat up. This is going to be a little dangerous. This breathing technique was basically the breath that made Hercules a hero. So it was not surprising that he felt a rush of excitement as he breathed. Ive got to stay focused! Ethan stomped his foot and tried to keep his cool. Many of the skills he had learned in his previous ythroughs were like that. Berserk and other techniques that utilized the power of madness clouded his reasoning. There are times when you will attack your allies, and there are also times when you will die from exhaustion. So other people basically yed without those skills. But not Ethan. The efficiency of it is huge. They werent hard to learn, but they could have a huge impact, which was why Ethan used them so well. Control. Thats the most important thing. Ethan breathed slowly, shing his wooden sword from top to bottom. Focus. Never let go of reason. Ethan quickly began to focus. He swung his wooden sword effortlessly, and the Whickers swordsmanship began to unfold from his hand. The Whickers swordsmanship was characterized by speed and a pleasing sensation. Itprised eight fundamental movements, with the final one creating an aura that brought intense pleasure. People of the Whiskers family were taught this Whiskers swordsmanship by default, and most of them never made it to the eighth form. This was because having pushed their speed to the limit, they had to increase it once more, a process that was extremely difficult. In the short history of the Count, only three people had ever achieved this, and one of them was Ethan Whickers. So it was no wonder the Count was so obsessive. His young son, the first to reach eight, was sickly and on the verge of death, so he wanted to save him in any way he could. I know now that Ive swung the sword, its clear: this guys got some extraordinary talent. He was feeling it all so clearly. His breathing, the movement of his muscles. He knew instantly how to move and how to swing the sword. Plus, I can see its systematic. From one to eight. This Whiskers swordsmanship waspletely connected. As the pace gets faster and faster, by the time you reach the eighth, you break the limit and finish at an even faster pace. Ethan smiled wryly. He could finally see the potential for growth. In the moment of immersion, the arduous process of training became fun for Ethan. It always did. Once he got into it, he was hooked every time and lost track of time. Ethan continued his training. * * * Ethan had been training at the training ground for about half a month. News of Ethan practicing swordsmanship was spreading throughout the county. The current lord was away for a while. This led to a lot of spection and stories. Young Master Ethan must be trying to regain his health. Hes been in the training ground all day. But he doesnt have the stamina for that. He can barely walk. How can he train? Maybe hes back to normal for a while, just before he dies. Thats what my grandfather did, too. Amidst all the talk, the Counts servant, Riemann, was smirking. He was a devious man. He had been working for the Count for five years now. He had joined the counts household hoping to make a lot of money, but when he realized that there was less for him to do there than he thought, he thought about quitting. But five years was a waste, and he wanted to do something more than just quit, he wanted to do something big and run away. Then he saw the perfect opportunity. He heard that the dying First Young Master was once again training, and he thought this was a great opportunity. He surreptitiously watched Ethan emerge from the training ground, and when he saw him covered in sweat, he knew he was trying to stay alive. So he cautiously approached him. Young Master, its me, Riemann. Whats wrong? Ive found a way. A way to cure this disease of yours! The kind of words anyone would say in this condition. He knew Ethan would fall for it, no matter what. Really? You figured out a way to make my body healthy? Yes, indeed. Young Master. I went to the underworld this time. Reimann smirked as he said that he had found a great medicine. I immediately thought of you, Young Master Ethan, so I tried to get it for you, but the price was too high I apologize. How much did that medicine cost? Its very expensive, and there are already quite a few people who want to buy it, but they said they wont sell it to just anyone. They said theyll only sell it to people who really need it, so if we tell them about Young Masters situation, theyll definitely give it to us! He held up three fingers as he said it. How much? 3. Riemann paused for a moment, wondering how much to call it. 300,000? Three million gold. Young Master. He was going to hit it with a big one. For a moment, Ethans eyes flickered. He was thinking. Good! The words were sloppy, but in his eagerness, they sounded real. Riemann was already as happy as if he had won three million gold. Thene with me for a minute. Yes! Young Master! Thinking he was being taken to the ce where the money was hidden, Riemann was pleased to hear the door m shut. It worked. He could finally hit a jackpot and run. To begin with, Ethan had been a fairly nave and good-natured character, dark about the world outside of swordsmanship. He didnt think anyone would doubt his word, especially since Ethan rarely left the house after his sickness. So, why are you doing this nonsense? But all he got was a stern look and a harsh tone. He hadnt expected the kindly young master to say such a thing. Young Master, what do you mean? Im serious. Its not nonsense. Riemann pretended to be innocent. His opponent couldnt even hold himself together. If Ethan released his mana and pressured him, he had a body that could easily pass out. But Ethanughed. Just when I needed to see the results of ten days of training. Ethan raised his wooden sword and shed at Riemann. What kind of nonsense do you think youre doing? How could my father not have discovered the expensive medicine you discovered? Chapter 5: Making a plan Chapter 5: Making a n In order to be a servant of the manor, one had to have some basic skills. This was so that they could handle different situations. Riemann had to take care of various chores and handle various things within the manor that required strength, so he had a certain amount of strength. Twhak! He crossed his hands without difficulty and blocked Ethans wooden sword. However, his arms ached to the point that his entire body trembled. He couldnt help but let out a groan. Keok. He could only cry out inwardly. He should be dying, where is this strengthing from? The force wasnt that strong; it just hit him in the right ce. I think my bones are broken. But that precise attack hit his bone. Evidently, Ethan had only been practicing for a few days. Although he heard that Ethan was naturally skilled, he should have lost all his muscles since he fell ill. What happened? Not long ago, Young Master Ethan was a man who had difficulty walking. How can he wield a wooden sword so urately? He even seemed to have muscles in his arms that shouldnt be there. Huu. Huu. But Ethan was exhausted. Y-Young Master! Young Master, please listen to me! I will listen. Keep talking. With that, Ethan continued to swing his wooden sword. Tak! Tak! Riemann couldnt even counterattack as Ethan attacked with precision, targeting only the bones. The Heros Breathing was definitely a skill that awakened every cell in his body. Ethans weak body had also gained some muscle from practicing this breathing technique, and wielding a wooden sword in such a state, even if itcked strength, was powerful. As he continued to attack, Riemann finally allowed a decent blow tond. Normally, he would have backed off more calmly, but the pain was too much for him and he quickly backed off. A gap! Ethan didnt miss the gap. Tatak! With a loud crack, the wooden sword struck his head. Kuuaak! I really am not lying! The pain was enough to bring tears to his eyes. A part of him wanted to strike back, but Ethan was too fast. He should not even be able to wield a wooden sword properly, and Riemannhad no idea how he was so fast and powerful. So all Riemann could do now was make excuses and run away. Ethan snorted but didnt stop attacking. Ive dealt with a lot of people like you, the ones who go to someone who wants something badly and think they can give it to them, and then p them in the face. One of the reasons for the extreme difficulty of MePan was the presence of these backstabbing characters. They were constantly trying to send yers down a rabbit hole. Ethan had seen this happen a lot. He had been on the receiving end of it and he had dealt with it. He had learned a lesson along the way. If you handle them badly, they will crawl back. Grace was quickly forgotten, but an enemy was long remembered. More than once, the man who had shown him mercy and spared his life hade out of nowhere to block his path. That was why Ethan had no intention of dealing with him casually. If youre going to deal with it, do it thoroughly, and if youre going to be gracious, do it grandly. If you did it half-assed, youd get half-assed results. Keuk! Ethan stood his ground and punched Riemann in the head once more. Riemann went down, but Ethan didnt stop. -Activates Heros Breathing. -Your body is energized! Ill use you as a living punching bag. Ethanughed and mmed his wooden sword down frantically. * * * Eugh. Are you awake? Ethans room. Riemann opened his eyes and tried to pull himself to his feet, but he couldnt. His limbs were already bound tightly. Y-Young Master! I was wrong. My thoughts were wrong. Please, please forgive me. Riemann quickly assessed the situation. Then he burst into tears. I have a sick mother. I must have gone a little crazy trying to help pay for her care. I am so sorry. There was something genuine about his sobbing, with tears and snot running down his face. So much so that if this was acting, the theaterpany should hire him as an actor right now. But Ethans gaze was cold. Riemann. Yes, Young Master. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me just this once. You have nothing to worry about. You have a sick mother? Thats something that I cant stand. I know because Ive been sick myself. Its a sad thing to be sick, and Ill take charge and tell the head butler to take care of your mother. Sob, sob. Thank you. I appreciate it. I really do. For forgiving me. Forgive you? What are you talking about? Ethan smirked. He flicked his hand lightly. A long needle was summoned from his hand. It was made of mana. You said you had a sick mother. Ill find her and take care of her. But you will pay the price here. You better know who youre messing with. And with that, he plunged the needle into his shoulder. Ethan had beaten him so many times, his body was already a mess. This is a great opportunity to practice Heos Acupuncture. Keuaaaak! He let out a harsh scream. H-helphelp me, someone please! Theres a lot of noise, someone must being, but dont worry. Ethan leaned closer to him and whispered. Itll be over before then. * * * Mirelli, the Counts head butler, was astonished at the condition of the young master before him. He was even more surprised by the condition of the servant next to him, Riemann. Head butler. Wh-what happened here, Young Master? I heard a scream! Are you all right, my apologies. I should havee earlier Ive had some work. Ethan briefly exined the situation to the head butler. When he finished, the head butlers eyes widened. Please make sure you handle this. Ethan had dark circles under his eyes. Essentially, Ethan was quite handsome. Especially those sickly eyes. When he spoke with those eyes it made you want to protect him, so the head butler was indignant. To attack a frail, sickly young master, and to defraud him! This piece of garbage. Doing something like that in the great Count of Whickers! My apologies, Young Master. Its because I didnt manage things properly. Ill take charge and make sure this scumbag is dealt with! The head butlers fearsome gaze bore into Riemanns. But Riemanns eyes were already empty. Like a man who had died. Please take care of it. This is enough. Ethanughed quietly to himself. The head butler would probably take care of it. He wouldnt let him live for daring to attack the Counts eldest son. Ethan left Riemann in the custody of the head butler and headed back to the training grounds. Its definitely a great skill to have. Hercules was definitely a great demigod among demigods. He did exactly what he was taught, and he was getting better fast. And Heos Acupuncture too. Surely its because Im practicing it relentlessly that it improves so quickly? In many ways, it seemed like the practice of Heos Acupuncture needed to be rough and tumble. He had to use it on himself, but it was better to have someone to use it on. * * * Ethan finished dealing with Riemann and returned to his training. Thanks to the Heros Breathing, he began to build muscle in his bare-bones body, and where he hadnt been able to do more than ten swings, he could now do fifty. -Your Heros Breath proficiency has increased by 0.3%! Im working so hard, yet the proficiency doesnt seem to be increasing. His physical condition was improving, but his proficiency in the skill itself wasgging. Skill proficiency is more important than one might think. No matter how high-ranked a skill was, if the proficiency of the skill was low, it would lose out to a lower-ranked, higher-proficiency skill. This was why it was important to keep improving your skills. Its not all about learning it, I have to make it mine. Next up, acupuncture. After training with the Heros Breathing, he immediately began practicing Heos Acupuncture. Acupuncture was the only option at this point that could make a dent in Ethans condition. As I increase my proficiency in the Heos Acupuncture skill, my chances of survival will continue to increase. Ethan immediately turned on the video and watched closely to see how Heo Jun ced the needles and what points he was working on. Then he tried it on his own body. I just have to make sure it doesnt fail. I held my breath and inserted it without missing a beat. Tuk! Fortunately, it seemed to work. It looks like my mana road has expanded a bit. Good, Im a little healthier. He had bought a little more time and built up his basic physical strength. Then he had to prepare for the next step. I need to get a trusted subordinate, and I need to meet the Saintess. To cure himself of this disease, he needed to meet the Saintess who could perform miracles. If he met her, he would be cured for sure. The fastest way to meet the Saintess is already in my head. The Saintess was not an easy person to meet. It was almost impossible to meet the Saintess in a casual way. The Saintess is not one of those people you meet by chance. Meeting the Saintess required a few things, one of which was fame. In MePan, your reputation was very important. The higher your reputation, the better your chances of meeting the Saintess. So the first step was to build this reputation. Ill have to collect the right pieces to build a reputation. There were many ways to be stronger on MePan. One of the easiest and fastest ways was to gain a power called superpower. These superpowers were a kind of hidden piece. These superpowers, once acquired, gave the wielder a great deal of power, and there were many different types. From offensive skills to defensive skills to evasive skills. They were the easiest and fastest way to get stronger, but they were also the most difficult to obtain. Once you get it, youll be stronger, but its very hard to get, and even the best superpowers are hard to get, so people give up. The better the superpowers, the more guarded the ces where you could get them, and the harder it was to get them. But its not hopeless, I dont have to gather all of the superpowers, I just have to get the ones I need now. The superpower Ethan needed most right now was a superpower that could cover his weak body. The acupuncture waspensating for his weakness, but he didnt feelplete. So he needed to get the superpower he needed most. That one. He thought of the superpower he needed most in his current situation. The superpower he needed most in his current situation came to mind. Then I need to make a n. In order to move, he needed to prepare. Chapter 6: Need an escort Chapter 6: Need an escort Did you notice how different he looks? Did you see? He looked like hed gained a little weight! Before that, he was walking around by himself! He was even breathing well on his own! I can hear him shouting daily in the training ground, so he must be recovering his health! The servants of the Whickers family would gossip about Ethan whenever they met. Just listening to them talk about how he was able to walk around on their own, like a child walking on all fours and then eventually on two, or how he seemed to breathe more easily. Some of the servants were happy that he had stopped coughing up blood. The Count will be so happy when he gets back. Ethan, the man they were talking about, was in his room. Because Im going to be out for a while, Ill need to grab some real swords and armor. However, there was something else he needed to do first. I should write a review. Since Heo Jun was the reason he was living, he would definitely write a review for him. Ethan went straight to the training ground to write the review. Hmmm. Its definitely better to leave a video review, but how do I do that? As soon as Ethan mentioned video reviews, New World opened and a notification popped up. -Would you like to leave a subscription review? -You can currently leave a subscription review for [Heo Jun] and [Hercules]. If you want to leave a video review, just say video review and proceed. Apparently, it was simple to leave a video review. He just had to say video review to start the recording and then say end and it would stop. It looks like the Hercules subscription review was also edited. He realized that if he cut off the beginning and end, it would look like it was edited. I havent watched a MeTube video in days. He didnt know how to edit, but he knew what to cut and what to keep. And he wasnt trying to make a great video, he was just trying to make it clean. I dont really need to leave a review on Hercules channel right now. Well, it looks like they give you something for leaving a review. But he didnt think it was going to be anything spectacr. Ethan immediately started practicing Heo Juns Acupuncture and making a decoction and recording himself showing the results. And he left a longment. It was basically about how amazing Heo Juns acupuncture was. Mixing exaggeration with half-truths, a very convincing review was created. In the past, Ive written a review and been selected as an outstanding reviewer. Once he started, he didnt want to half-ass it, so he wrote his review from the heart. He didnt think it would be a good review at first. Since then, he wrote several more reviews and earned a lot of rewards. There. A video and a heartfelt review. It seemed to be enough to convince people who wanted to subscribe to Heo Jun, the eastern physician of all things, to subscribe after seeing his review. -Your first review of your [New World] subscription! -Please set a nickname to use in [New World]. -Your subscription review will be posted under the set nickname. Nickname. Nicknames were very important. Ethan used to be so serious about nicknames that he would spend half a day trying toe up with the right one, but now it was just a luxury. Theres only so much I can do in half a day. For now, every day was precious to Ethan. He was barely maintaining and improving his practically dead body with Heos Acupuncture and Heros Breathing, and he had to waste his time thinking about a nickname? Time is a luxury, luxury. Ethan immediately set his nickname. -Youve set your nickname to [Only subscribed to the right gods]! After setting his nickname, Ethan immediately posted a review of his subscription. * * * While he practiced for a few more days, Count Whiskers returned. Count Whickers was quite an imposing figure. He was a noble with a sturdy build, a long mustache, a sword strapped to his waist, and a robe that gave him the appearance of a typical Magic Swordsman. Where is Ethan! Tell Ethan toe at once! The count looked quite urgent. The head butler immediately brought Ethan, who was still training. Ethan, how are you? I brought you something really good this time. This time youll be better for sure! Thank you for your hard work. Ethan bowed politely, then looked at Count Whiskers. Though Count Whickers was his father, Ethan had never met him before. Looks like he cared for me a lot. The Count looked at Ethan with concern. He was also holding the item he had brought with him with both hands as if it were precious. Ethan didnt know what he was holding, but he seemed to believe that if he fed it to Ethan, Ethans health would improve. Haha, listen to how great this is. Im sure youre wondering why Ive been out and about this time. Ive been searching for medicine through various sources, and I heard about a panacea made by an alchemist from the Magic Tower, so I went straight to him. I told him about your condition, and he said it would do the trick. Of course, it was expensive, but for you, its worth every penny! Quite excited, the Count handed Ethan the item he was holding. It was a long story, but one that was filled with love for Ethan. He probably bought it and rode back to the manor at full speed. Ethan received the item from the Count and immediately unwrapped it. Eugh. Inside was a foul odor and a thick liquid that made his stomach churn. Is this really a medicine? Yes, its a panacea, although it doesnt smell good and it doesnt look good. There was a saying that bitter things taste better on the body, so the effect must be good. But he couldnt help not wanting to eat it, so he stared at it with a frown, and the Count spoke up. By the way, you look very different. In fact, he hadnt really changed much; he was still the same skinny guy with a little bit of muscle under his clothes. The very picture of a sickly beautiful boy. Still, it was different in his fathers eyes, and he stepped closer and touched Ethans cheek. I see youve put on some weight! The new cook weve brought in must be quite good! The Count studied Ethan closely. His son, who had always been nothing but bones and struggled to walk and breathe, was strangely upright. He didnt seem to be struggling to breathe, and there was a hint of muscle in his arms and a hollowed-out cheek that was only slightly filled. He even had a wooden sword at his waist. Of course, the eyes were the same, wistful and sickly. The head butler exined to the count in detail what had happened while he was away. The count looked at Ethan in astonishment. This is unbelievable. You mean youve regained your strength? I think Ive regained some of my strength. I think its because of the cook Father hired. Hes quite the cook. Wh-what is this It was lip service, but it was also true that the food was delicious. Moved by this, the Count began to shed tears. Festival. We should have a festival. Father, Im not all well yet, only a little better. Ethan coughed, stopping Count Whiskers in his tracks. Theres something I really need. Father. Yes, yes. Do you want me to get you some more elixirs or something? What do you need? Ethan said proudly. I need some money. * * * It was an embarrassing request, but the Count didnt ask why. Half a million gold was a lot of money. Nevertheless, he readily agreed. Dont worry about it. You can make all the money you want. But you cant get your life back. Even though the healer had told him it was an incurable disease, he refused to give up. By this point, he should have given up, but he didnt. He was the epitome of a good father. This is good. With the Counts wholehearted support, I can do this. * * * Ethan first checked the essence the count had brought with him. He hadnt been able to get a good look at it earlier, but the aura emanating from the foul smell was distinctly reminiscent of the scent of herbs he knew. Ive yed as an alchemist before. The most important part of ying as an alchemist was identifying herbs. Not only could they be identified by smell or taste, but they could also be recognized by their unique aura. It was clear that this sticky liquid contained precious herbs. After thinking for a while, he realized the identity of this fragrance. Rivellia. Its the scent of a flower that blooms once every hundred years. Ethan poured the essence into a wide bowl. There are several more herbs in there. It certainly doesnt look like a scam. Calling it a panacea was an exaggeration, but there was no doubt that it could make the body considerably stronger or cure just about anything. Its just that my disease is too strong. Ethan smiled wryly. I got something better than I thought. But he couldnt use it right away. He needed the skills to iste the herbs and reformte them. Theres a way. I didnt take the money for no reason. Ethan prepared to head out. If he had been healthy enough to walk like this, he would have started the day he entered this body. In his current state, Ethan was slightly healthier, thanks to Heos Acupuncture. Combined with Hercules Breathing, he was getting stronger. Im in much better shape than I was before. It was definitely better than when he first came into this body. However, neither Heos Acupuncture nor the subscription to the [New World] could cure him. They were only temporary fixes. Eventually, he needed to meet someone who could cure himpletely. In order to meet the Saintess, he would have to go outside of Count Whiskers family. In fact, its not normal to be in the family at all. Ethan Whickers was now twenty-two years old. You are recognized as an adult at seventeen, after which you must find your own way. If you were a member of a prestigious noble family, there were many paths you could take, even if you werent the heir, but a son of an ordinary family like the Count of Whickers would have to find his own way if he wasnt the heir. Join a knighthood, be a mage, merchant, or administrator. But now was not the time to think about such a long-term future. I need to make a name for myself quickly and meet the Saintess. Given his talent with the sword, joining the knights was the obvious choice, but it wasnt easy to build a reputation quickly. Moreover, he doubted that he could be a knight in his current state. Then. Ethan tucked the pouch containing the 500,000 gold his father had given him deep into his arms. I dont know when Ill die, so I might as well get someone to be my shield. He decided to utilize his strongest advantage: knowledge. Chapter 7: Good deeds achievements Chapter 7: Good deeds achievements If I could get anyone right now to be my escort, it would be. Ethan began to sort through his options in his head. The more people he could get, the better, but the first thing he needed was a subordinate to act as an escort. Even if there was such a thing as a mercenary king back in those days, he would have already been a renowned mercenary and wouldnt have epted a job as a mere escort for the eldest son of a mere count. If he was going to be searching for an escort, the person had to be someone who would be able to stay with him afterward, which meant that they had to be a man of character and, once they had pledged their loyalty, they had to keep it. No matter how strong they are, if they dont have a good heart, theyll stab me in the back. One by one, Ethan crossed off the list, each one timed to the present, until only one name remained. Yerica. The granddaughter of the Archmage Hecate. The Archmage Hecate, who ruled over a continent, was a mage of the Eighth Circle, one of the best on the continent, and died as a hero of the continent. Its said that it was due to her obsession with magic. That was the rumor, but the reality was different. If one entered the magic tower and studied Hecates magic, one would hear stories about this stigma of Hecate and get clues about it. And if you followed the clues and followed Hecates trail, you would find out. That Hecate died unjustly. She was deliberately assassinated by three noble families belonging to the Twelve Stars. There was one who bore the stigma and the aftermath. She was the granddaughter of Hecates only daughter. Hecates granddaughter, Yerica, was gifted with the genius of Hecates talents, able to understand any magic and make it her own after just three glimpses. But after Hecates death, she was shunned. Dered the child of a sinner, she was imprisoned with her mother with a binding spell written on her body. Her mother died in the process, and Yerica was lucky enough to escape with some of the bindings removed. Of course, shes dreaming of revenge. Right now, she was hiding in the Dark Forest. She still hadnt managed to break all of her bindings and deal with the poisons and curses that limited her power, so she was still weak. But there was one problem. The Dark Forest is some distance from the Counts estate. He doubted he could get there in his current state. But Ethan quickly made up his mind. Still, its better than any escort I can get around here, both for now and for the future. She was a good enough mage to be able to use magic right away, and as the granddaughter of an archmage, shed be as good as Hecate if she ever awakened properly. She was far more suitable as an escort than any of the sword-wielding ones. The problem is that she doesnt trust anyone, but there is a way around that. He already had a n for her in his head. He didnt clear MePan ten times for nothing. * * * Ethan was about to leave for Pirenne, a city some distance from the county. But he couldnt leave quietly. Are you sure its all right? The Count has asked me toe with you. We will alle with you, Young Master. No, not the whole knights, captain. Calm your nerves, its all right, I can walk now. He needed an escort, but he didnt need the whole knights. After some debate, Ethan chose a knight. Because I cant go alone. The Count would never let him go alone anyway, and he needed an escort he could use right away, just in case. Then this person is the best. Nice to meet you, Young Master! My name is Schudlen Mark! Schudlen Mark. The man who would one day be Count Whiskers strongest knight, and Nathan Whiskers bodyguard. Though he was only a rookie knight now, in a few years he would be a force to be reckoned with. When I took Nathan Whiskers as an ally, he came along. Ethan also remembered having this Schudlen as a subordinate. But hes just a rookie right now. In short, he hasnt decided where this loyalty is going to go yet. Then it was perfectly possible to redirect that loyalty to himself. He wasnt a big deal, but he was a big enough deal that he could be a one-man show. He was still new, so he asked with enthusiasm. May I ask what reason youre going out, so I can prepare ordingly! You dont need to be so borate, just protect me as best you can. Ethan was equipped with good armor, but his body was still frail. If they encountered a stronger foe, Schudlen would have to protect him. I will do my best. Ill have to wait until were closer to the Dark Forest to tell him. If Ethan told him now, hed freak out. * * * Ethan took Schudlen with him to the magic shop. To buy the materials they needed. Wee! Do you have any subspace pouches? Ah! Youvee at just the right time, there are only two left, and as you know, subspace pouches are worth their weight in gold. Theye in frequently and disappear quickly! Subspace Pouches were originally an item that added about ten more spaces to your inventory. But in the absence of inventory, it was a valuable artifact that could serve as a small inventory. Its 100,000 gold. 100,000 gold? I know the market price. You know the price, thats right. 100,000 gold. Im giving you a bargain. No, its not. No. Wasnt it around 110,000 gold? Ethan smirked and tacked on another 10,000 gold. Uhh. Theres more Id like to get, and Id like to know about some information. The shopkeeper wasnt the only one puzzled. His bodyguard, Schudlen, looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression. He had a feeling this wasnt the Ethan he knew. The way he acted, as if he had a lot of experience dealing with people, didnt seem like the Ethan he knew. But the shopkeeper quickly understood what Ethan was saying. He quickly collected the gold and smiled a kinder smile than before. Cough, cough. What are you looking for? Silver lilies. Well, theres actually a limited amount of silver lilies avable, and Im in short supply right now. In short supply? Ethan tilted his head. At some point, the silver lily would be a hard-to-find medicinal nt. But not now. It shouldnt be that hard to find right now. He needed a silver lily to make a magic-nullifying potion. Hecates granddaughter, Yerica, was under a binding spell and couldnt use her mana properly, so she needed to be fed that potion. The shopkeepers expression darkened slightly. Its actually. What happened? Ethans tone of voice also changed naturally. Well, theres a guy who has a monopoly on silver lilies. I dont know if youve noticed, but this underworld is controlled by a guy named Granoll, and he just started buying them up and wiping them out. I tried to refuse, but I couldnt resist his threats. Ahh. Ethans eyes lit up. Looks like some underworld thugs are up to no good with the silver lilies. Among the achievements were those that involved doing good deeds. They could be cleared by dealing with those with evil tendencies. Ive never gotten all the good deeds achievements. There was an end to all achievements, but strangely enough, there was no end to the good deeds achievements. Even when he cleared the game, earning the title of Saint of the Lowliest by performing good deeds from start to finish, the good deeds achievement didnt end. In many ways, its a good thing. What do you think theyre going to do with those silver lilies? Well, from what Ive heard. The shopkeeper said they were making poison from the flowers. Then he added a word. They obviously dont have the skill to make poison. Its strange. Could it be? Ethan immediately remembered a quest. It was the beginning of a quest that would set the continent aze, a big event called the Silver Lily Gate. There was a famous poison magician who deliberately released his poison skills to conduct various experiments. Poison Magician. The Poison King. He used the Poison Skill to perfect the poison he had created, and with the experience he gained from it, he created an incredible poison. He even poisoned the princess of the Holy Kingdom and held her hostage. His objective was the Divine de, the treasure of the kingdom. This is going to boost my good deed achievement score quite a bit. Ethan grinned at the workshop owner. Forget the silver lilies, then, Ill get them myself. * * * Young Master. Are you going to those underworld thugs? I intend to, but just in case, be sure to guard me. Theres nothing worse than being stabbed to death. Guard youIll make sure of that! But why go to a dangerous ce? The underworld thugs have nothing to lose. Theyre only afraid of nobles from the outside, but if someonees into their territory, theyll do something without thinking! Probably. Ethan agreed neatly. Then why, why are we going there? He was a new knight, but he was either full of heroism or didnt try to show off his chivalrous side as a knight. That was why he couldnt understand Ethans behavior. This wasnt Count Whiskers territory, and it wasnt like he had a grudge against the underworld of Pirenne. Is there a reason to do something good? To get likes for an achievement. Ethan was just thinking aboutpleting an achievement. But when he said that, Schudlen looked shocked. Ah Schudlen made a brief sound of realization. He hadnt realized that his Young Master had such thoughts. He had forgotten until now. The knight he once wanted to be was one who did good and helped the weak. That was what a knight was. One who did not hesitate to do good. Schudlen bowed deeply at the sight of Ethan, so much more knightly than he was. At your service, Young Master. Unintentionally, Ethan had earned Schudlens loyalty. * * * When Ethan, a noble, and Schudlen, a knight, entered the underworld, the thugs fell silent and backed away. Schudlen looked at Ethan. From the way he talked, Ethan seemed to have quite a bit of heroism in him. If so, hed want to deal with these underworld thugs. Schudlen tensed, knowing that he would have to lead the way. The moment Ethan stepped into the underworld, the thugs were wary and raised their weapons. Ethan then spoke calmly to them. Im just walking down the street. If you wont touch me, I wont touch you. Schudlen was surprised. Ethan responded calmly, he wondered where the heroism he had shown earlier had gone. Then Ethan whispered to him. Just hit them in the head. Theres no need to see blood. A sense of experience. He could almost feel a ten-year mercenary veteran in front of him. Yes. Young Master. Something was different. Different from the men of Count Whickers he knew. There was something far greater in Ethan than he had once felt in Nathan. Of course, Ethan had no intention of capturing any of them. I have to catch the big one to achieve the achievement faster. Chapter 8: Try and see Chapter 8: Try and see Keokk. Keeeoook. The man who copsed with a foamy mouth grabbed his chest. He iled his hands around as if in great pain. He-helphelp me, please! Like I said you should have listened to me. If only you had paid the protection tax long ago. In front of them were five people whose bodies were tied up. One had already been poisoned and was on the verge of death. I-I paid! Really, we are at our limits too! They say you can squeeze a dry rag and get water out of it. So, cant you do a little more? Do you think were in the business of digging? Were practicing to protect you from the bad guys outside. At that, the other underworld thugs began tough. The men tied together here had once been merchants. So youre saying you cant afford it? One of the biggest guys among them said. He seemed to be the leader of this gang of thugs. One of the tied-up merchants begged desperately. Just give me a little more time. Please. What do you think we have time for? I cant take it anymore, I have to make an example of you. What are you doing, feed him. Yes! Big brother! You scumbags! What the hell did we do wrong? Didnt you intimidate us with your little power without doing anything? Im sure we gave you money not long ago. At this rate, well have nothing to eat, let alone pay you. Your courage is imaginary. The big manughed. You need to get a grip on the situation. This is what Im going to say. If you want to make money, you need to make us want to pay, not threaten us! Hmm. The big man called over one of his henchmen. That guy. Does he have a family? Go kill them all. Yes. The merchants face hardened at the words. Then he shouted, his face red with anger. Y-youdog-like bastard! Dont you dare touch them! Dont let your emotions get the better of you, youre in no position to do that right now, you were earlier, but you need to get a grip on the situation, yeah? The man stepped forward and punched the merchant in the face. Baam!Blood spurted with each blow. S-stop! Still, he didnt stop punching, eventually stopping only after the merchant was stunned. He brushed his hand clean and looked around at the merchants. Was I too nice to him? Hes too unaware of the situation. The merchants, who had been grumbling earlier, fell silent. Now youve got some nice faces. Youre going to live and die by my word, you scumbags. I told you to bring the money, yet you didnt bring the money, and this is why theres all this mess. His demeanor was as if he had left the money with them. Many people wanted to say something, but they were afraid of looking like that one merchant. Then there was amotion outside. Bang! The door burst open and a very sickly-looking man walked in. Huuu. He was breathing hard and his face was flushed. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked utterly exhausted. Behind him, a robust knight entered the room. The knight nced at the sickly man in disbelief, then at the group inside. There were more of them than they expected. Young Master. Its alright. The sickly man stepped forward. The knight hesitated for a moment, then followed him. What, you. Huuuuuu. Taking a deep breath in and out, he slowly looked around. Its nothing. I havee to do some good deeds. After entering the underworld, a few thugs heeded Ethans warning and didnt touch him. But there were always stupid ones. And in the end, theyd gotten into a fight just before entering this building. To survive in this ce, one must eventually kill someone. It cant be helped. Once this ce became a reality, he had no choice but to kill someone in order to survive. Hed already made up his mind. It was just the first time hed actually done it. He was expecting his stomach to churn and his mind to be shaken, but thankfully it wasnt. Its because of my breathing. The Heros Breathing keeps me steady. Hercules was a hero. His breath, the source of all his power, gave him the strength to face whatever came his way. Of course, it also brought excitement and exhration. Schudlen saw Ethan like that and judged that his young master had many talents that his infirmity prevented him from revealing them. This made him even more curious. How strong was Ethan now? Youvee to do good deeds? The thugs startedughing. Upon closer inspection, he resembled a scion of a noble family, both in dress and face. That, and the sickly look he had just seen. Ohh, are you that sickly young master? I think so, big brother. But they said he could barely walk, so I guess it was just a rumor. He must have taken a lot of good medicine. Well, we still have some. Do you want some of that? Kikiki. That guy in the back must be his bodyguard! Maybe hes scared because hes an escort for that sickly Young Master!? Schudlen ran his hand over the scabbard at his waist. He wanted to draw it, but hed made a promise to Ethan before he came in. He was not to move unless the situation was truly dangerous, and then Ethan would take care of it. But he wasnt about to listen to Ethans orders. His first priority was to keep Ethan alive, and if he got hurt, he would have failed in his mission. The man began to chuckle as Schudlen remained still with his hand on the scabbard. I guess the way hes running around like this without any fear makes him want to y the hero! Then no one will suspect you of dying like a hero. Isnt that right, boys? Thats right! Let me take care of him, big brother! One of them, the one without two front teeth, grinned broadly and approached Ethan. A noble man of a noble family. I heard nobles have blue blood. Did you think wed bow down to you? He reached out to shove Ethans shoulder. Schudlen, watching, realized that was out of line. He drew his sword and was about to swing. Ethan lightly sidestepped his hand, then drew his sword and shed at him. It was so fast it was almost invisible. ! Schudlen was surprised by the speed of the de, so much faster than his own. It was a perfect Whiskers swordsmanship strike. Thwack! The thug was split in two and copsed. The room, which had been filled withughter, fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it, and the big man, the leader of the group, had lost his smile. I heard something funny outside earlier. Ethan said with a sickly grin. Now its your lives that depend on my sword, so stay still, because its up to me whether you die in peace or in agony. * * * Swuuck! My sword is getting faster. The big man, the leader of the group, and the rest of them lunged at Ethan at the same time. Schudlen tried to get between them, but Ethan red at him. So Schudlen naturally took on the rest of them, except for the big guy. Originally, it should have been the other way around. Will Young Master be okay? Even though I know the young master is stronger than I thought, theres a big difference in experience. The boss had lived in the underworld for a long time, and he was the leader of the gang. He might not be strong, but such a guy also might have the ability to survive somehow. That was why they had to be careful. What!? Ethan, who he thought would be outmatched, was pressuring the boss perfectly. The Whiskers characteristic swordsmanship was being fully utilized, limiting the boss movements and inflicting wounds at every opportunity. Hes not strong enough, so hes trying to take the boss down by umting damage. But that was effective only once or twice. His opponent was also a fighter. He could have turned the tables in an instant. Then, as if he was waiting for it, the big man pulled something out of his arm and threw it at Ethan. It looked like a powder, probably poison. I wonder if you, who grew up in a greenhouse, know what a fight is! A fight is simply taking the life of your opponent, one way or another! With that, the man scattered the poison at Ethan. It was too much for the inexperienced to handle. Young Master! In a rush, Schudlen leaned forward. He stomped on the ground and burst forth. But something was wrong. Huh? Ethan swung his sword to create a sword wind, which sent the poison back at the big man. Cough, cough. Uhh, how I dont know why you dont always think of this situation. Poison is such a tricky thing to use, it can be countered in an instant like this. Ethan smirked, still swinging his sword. I know because Ive tried it. * * * Krone, a merchant in Pyrene, thought he was going to die. In the old days, the underworld had a rtionship with the merchants. For a small fee, they would take care of any outsiders who tried to force their hands on the merchants or go on rampages. Merchants often preferred to deal with the underworld thugs because even if they reported them to the lord, he would not immediately protect them, but rather would protect the outsiders. But something had changed in recent years. Their demands for protection had be outrageous, and they threatened and even attacked merchants who refused to pay. As if they had something on them. Thats the German line. What they had in their hands was poison. It urred to him that they were probably scrambling to raise money to go somewhere else, beyond this underworld. And that thought was spot on. Why did bad hunches always seem to be right? One of the rebellious merchants died, and the rest were at a loss and afraid. It was the same for Krone. With so many opponents and poison, there was nothing he could do. Then a frail-looking young master appeared. Even though he was the son of a noble family, these people were acting like they had no backing here in Pirenne. Because Krone thought he would die. There was a knight with him, but he didnt look very strong. But it was the underworld thugs who died. No way. He couldnt see the swords, but he could tell the gap between them was wide. One by one, the thugs fell, unable to put up much of a fight. But somehow, the noblesposure seemed much more difficult. Is he pretending to be weak to catch them off guard? Hes so smart, Krone thought. From what Krone heard, he was the eldest son of the Whickers family, yet he was so skillful at such a young age. Thank you so much. I will never forget this favor. Thank you so, so much. Thank you! Everyone, including Krone, expressed their gratitude with tears in their eyes. It was no big deal. Cough, cough. Even the cough at the end was perfect. He faked being sick until the very end, which made Krone think he was a very thorough person. Chapter 9: Into the Dark Forest Chapter 9: Into the Dark Forest -You have done a good deed! -The people of Pirenne are eternally grateful to you! -You have earned the achievement [First Step to a Good Deed]. -You have earned 1 likes! The underworld thugs were definitely the bad guys. Thanks to them, Ethan earned his first good deed achievement and earned one like. The reward of 1 like might seem small at first nce, but it was important to keep collecting them as one became five, then ten. There were a lot of achievements to clear, and the number of likes he could earn was almost limitless. Plus, Ive gotten quite a few things out of this fight. He realized that Heros Breathing didnt just make his body stronger, it also trained his mind, and that his current body could only take advantage of the speed of his Whiskers swordsmanship. Although I used poison to take out the big guy. He hadnt yet unleashed the full power of this swordsmanship. He had one like, but he was going to save it up and spend it all at once with subscriptions and video purchases. Suddenly, a bitter smile emerged. I dont usually do good deeds like this. Originally, good deeds achievement in MePan had no penalties forpleting them or not. Of course, doing good deeds improves ones reputation in many ways. You could even earn a reputation based on the good deeds you did. However, the standard for good deeds was vague, so even if you did something that seems obviously good now, such as saving a life, it was impossible to know whether it would end up as a good deed or a bad deedter. Thats why no one did it. Others would rather spend that time doing other more obvious things: hunting, clearing dungeons, searching for superpowers, orpleting the main scenario. I did it in the first round, but I didnt do it in the second and third rounds, and it wasnt until thest round that I really started doing it. There wasnt much of a reason forpleting the good deeds achievements. He didnt do it out of the goodness of his heart, but because he was trying to get an all-clear. But in my case right now, theres no reason not to do good deeds. My goal is to get an all-clear on all achievements. Ethan breathed slowly. Is everyone okay? Were fine, were alive. May I ask who you are, the man who saved us? Ethan Whickers. I see. So the rumors werent all true! Thank you very much. Thank you, Young Master! The merchants had already recognized Ethans identity. It wasnt surprising, since this town was so close to Count Whickers estate. Many people would not recognize Ethans name if they were farther away from the county, but since this Pirenne was located near Count Whickers territory, his name was known to some extent. Ethan had once been known as a swordsmanship genius, so there were few people who didnt know him. I will never forget this favor. The merchants thanked him profusely. He had saved them from certain death, and they were ready to give Ethan their livers and galldders. (+)[1]TLN: To give their livers and galldders means, Acting without regard to profit. Please correct me if Im wrong. Do you happen to know of any warehouses where these guys keep their stuff? Ah! You mean the poisons, of course. Theyve been doing things out of their league. Damned bastards! One of the merchants grunted and spat. Then he pointed inward. I saw it! Theyre bringing poison from over there! There was a small warehouse in the back. Ethan headed straight for it with Schudlen. Young Master. Well done, Schudlen. I didnt do anything. You did more than I could have imagined. I honestly didnt realize you were so strong. It was no big deal, and I was only doing it for the Silver Lilies anyway. Schudlens eyes lit up as he looked at Ethan. How could he have such a good heart? Ethan scratched the back of his neck at that look. I think theres a lot of misunderstanding, but I dont think I need to point it out. First, we have to get the silver lily. We need it. Are you going to make it into a medicine? Yes. But its not for me to eat. Yes? Then what are you going to use it for? Im feeding it to someone I just happened to know, and shes not feeling well either. Of course, shes been forced to be unwell. As they approached the warehouse, he smelled the distinctive odor of silver lilies. Not all of them had been poisoned. Ethan moved further inside. This is such a mess. The Poison Kings recipe must be pretty good if it still produces poison even though its made in such a mess of a ce. When making poison, everything around you must be clean. Only then could you create the desired poison. A poisoner also had to control the toxicity of the poison. Ethan gathered up all the silver lilies in a pile to one side. He then ced the poison in a ss jar nearby. This is why I bought the Subspace Pouch. It was very expensive, but it was the best way to store a lot of stuff. It was almost like having an inventory window. This is great. He got the silver lilies he wanted and the poison. When he stepped outside the warehouse, the merchants were still waiting for him. Ethan dismissed them. Everyone, you can go back. Ill go clean up the rest of the mess. Thank you! Thank you! Now they would never forget Ethans favor. Of course, he didnt expect anything great in return, but that was what good deeds were. I also get one likes. Grin. What a good business. * * * If they were any stronger, I would have had to run. Ethan remembered the battle with the thugs. Hed won, but hed only had just enough strength left after the battle. Just breathing was one thing, but breathing while fighting was quite another. And Heros Breathing was a skill that shined inbat situations. My proficiency is now up to 5%, so I can breathe much deeper than before. Breathing deeper allowed you to utilize more power. In the end, I need to make up for myck of offense with a deeper understanding of what Ive learned. That was when Schudlen came in. Young Master, are you all right? Schudlen. I want to ask you to run an errand for me. Im out of energy, and I was wondering if you could get me some food? Ah, yes! Ill be right back! After sending Schudlen on his errand, Ethan immediately began practicing his Heos Acupuncture. The more skillful his breathing became, the more mana he could umte. Save the mana that can be saved, and drain the mana that has rotted away. Even as the mana rotted away, it was steadily building up, little by little. This little bit of mana was building stamina in Ethans body. The synergy between Heros Breathing and Heos Acupuncture is great. Ethan inserted his acupuncture needles into the five elements and breathed slowly. The rotten mana flowed out with the Heros Breathing. Huu. Feeling his body filling up, Ethan thought it wouldnt be a bad idea to bring Schudlen around with him Normally, I cant keep him around. He was basically Count Whickers knight, not his own. Hes good enough to carry out a number of orders without question. Hes not overwhelmingly skilled, but he has a certain loyalty to me. That was enough. What he needed now was a loyal subordinate who would follow his words. Ethan immediately prepared to make the decoction. He took out a pot from his subspace pouch and immediately began boiling the decoction, muttering to himself. The effects of the decoction are great, but there wille a time when youre too weak to handle it, and when youre too full to finish it. Thats the way of the herbalists. Ive never heard of a herbalist swordsman, much less a herbalist wizard. Ethan rxed his body and prepared to leave. Lets go. Shudlen. Well eat on the way. * * * The Dark Forest. Ethan never stopped training during the journey to get there. Every day, he woke up and practiced his swordsmanship, using the Heros Breathing, and healed his body with Heos Acupuncture. Young Master, are you sure are you all right? Im fine, soe at me seriously. Schudlen swung the sword in his hand. When Schudlen saw Ethan practicing acupuncture on a daily basis, he was very puzzled at first. But when he told Schudlen it was for treatment, he stopped asking questions. ng! Ethan trained with Schudlen every day. Schudlens swordsmanship was pretty good, so he was the perfect person to train with. His senses were heightened, and he improved his skills. He didnt want to die of the disease, but he also didnt want to be defeated because of his skill. . As a result, the proficiency in Heos Acupuncture and the Heros Breathing skills went up considerably. Looking at the numbers, it doesnt seem like theres much of an increase, though. However, the difference in skill level was much more than the numbers showed. Bang! Bang! Youre swinging the same, but the power seems to change from day to day! Ethan could feel it, just as Schudlen had said. I can feel my body changing every day. He was so weak that once he gained some muscle, he couldnt see his bones anymore. Also, with Heos Acupuncture, he now knew where to insert the needles without having to watch the video. Of course, it was still difficult to build up some mana. The mana he had umted would quickly be rotten, so he would have to use acupuncture to draw out the rotten mana. Though, at least he was able to build up some mana. And it was his physical strength that he needed to train with Heros Breathing. He needed to harden his body first. And about Heos Acupuncture. Im only at 5% proficiency, but if this is already the quality, I cant wait to see what its like when Im at 100%. By the time it reached 100%, he was feeling like he could use Heos Acupuncture freely. Afterpleting the training, they moved forward again. Now its time to be a little wary. Getting to the Dark Forest wasnt too difficult. He wasnt familiar with the roads near Count Whiskers estate because he hadnt traveled there often, but he knew all the roads to the Dark Forest from Pirenne. Ethan was well aware of how dangerous the Dark Forest could be. If you rxed even a little, you would be eaten by the monsters that lived there. Ill have to do everything I can before we go in. Young Master. Are we really going into the Dark Forest? Schudlen furrowed his brow slightly. In truth, Ethan wasnt the kind of man to exin the meaning behind every action. Schudlen didnt bother to ask either; his purpose was to escort Ethan. Yes. The person Im looking for is in the Dark Forest. Its too dangerous, Young Master. I could actually handle it in the underworld, but its different in the Dark Forest. This forest is a very dangerous ce. I know. Then we shouldnt have gone in there. Your body isntpletely healed, and I cant handle the strong monsters once we get deeper into the forest. If we go in, theres a good chance well both die. I dont mind dying, but if I die because I cant protect you, it would be my disgrace. The Dark Forest was certainly a dangerous ce. Of all the forests in MePan, thosebeled dark contained dangerous monsters. It was the effect of that strange viscous aura the forest gave off. The Dark Forest would have been dangerous even if Ethan had been in his normal form, but in his weakened state, there was no way he could have handled the monsters in the forest. Dont worry, Ill run away if I think its dangerous. Huh, I understand, but who on earth are you going to meet in there? Theres nothing but monsters in the Dark Forest. Someone who will save my life. * * * Before entering the forest, Ethan prepared himself. First, he inserted acupuncture needles into various points on his body. This was because there might not be a good time to use his Heos Acupuncture once they were in the Dark Forest. Ah, and there was one video I didnt watch yet. He opened the [New World]. There were two videos of Hercules, and Ethan hadnt seen one of them yet. Its titled, How to Beat a Lion. I dont know if this will help me though. Ethan now had a total of seven likes. Hed have to spend four more likes to see the second video. It seems a waste, but Im sure its worth the four likes. So Ethan pressed y. -Use likes to unlock additional videos. What is this? The videos that came up were pretty simple. The first one was still trying to exin things, but the second one was literally just a video of catching a lion. No, there must be more to this. Watching the video one more time, Ethan realized. Hes not using his fists, hes using a club. Other than that, the video was nothing. He felt something was missing. I already used a good amount of my likes. And it wasnt even one like. A whopping four. More than half of Ethans current likes. -You have learned one of Hercules skills. -Added Skill: Monsters Cmity (A) Still, that didnt mean he didnt get a skill. I certainly remember Hercules killing a lot of monsters. What kind of skill is this? Ethan immediately tried the skill. But nothing happened. Maybe you need a target to use it. He tried to use the skill on the lightly sleeping Schudlen. But the skill didnt activate. Hmm. It doesnt work on people. Does that mean it can only be used on monsters? If so, he had no choice but to enter the forest. Early the next morning. Ethan and Schudlen entered the dark forest. Despite the time of day, the forest was dark. There were some glowing bugs, but that wasnt enough, so Ethan and Schudlen grabbed the torches theyd brought with them. They didnt know how far theyd gotten. Suddenly, there was a growl. Grrr. Young Master! Reacting quickly, Schudlen swung his sword and blocked the monster. It was a wolf withrge teeth. Schudlen blocked it once, but a monster appeared from another direction. Ethan didnt hesitate, pointing his sword at it. Hmm? A bright red spot appeared on the wolf for a moment. Ethan knew what it was from years of experience. Could it be its weakness? Like small dots, the wolfs weaknesses began to appear everywhere. So this is why its called the Monsters Cmity? And then Ethans eyes lit up with something hed never seen before. Is that. Chapter 10: Saw it in a book Chapter 10: Saw it in a book [LV 21] Level. Originally, it was impossible to see an opponents level on this map. The only way to see their level was to have a hidden job or to gain a hard-to-get superpower. All I could see was my level and stats. But now he could see his opponents level. The wolf was level 21. Okay, this makes it worth the four likes. Ethan couldnt help but smile. A skill that could be used to exploit weaknesses and read monsters levels. Knowing the level of the opponent was a huge advantage. It allowed him to determine quickly how strong or weak they were. In short, it would increase the chances of winning because he could intuitively check and make judgments. As expected of monsters in the Dark Forest, their level is high. Grrrrr. Young Master, stay as far away from me as possible! I know. A normal forest monster would be in the single digits, or at most level 10. So level 21 was a very high level. Moreover, they had just entered the Dark Forest, so they were at the very beginning. It was clear that the further you went, the higher-level monsters woulde out. But as long as he could see their weaknesses, he had a better chance of defeating them. I wasnt nning on fighting them directly. Ethan knew how to take them on. He didnt know their exact weaknesses, but he knew what weapons and attributes they were vulnerable to. But that was when I had good stats, and this time I was about to use a surefire way to get away. Running away was one way to deal with monsters that one could not fight. So this time, he was going to run away and get to Hecates granddaughter. But this changed things. There are achievements for killing monsters, I think. 100, 200, 300. He remembered getting one achievement for each higher number. Be my likes. Ethan grinned and plunged his sword into the wolf in front of him. These wolves weak spot was their forehead. A bright red dot was stuck in the middle. I have to be precise. The dot is very small. However, the entire forehead was not the weak spot. It was right in the center. No, a little above it. There was a tiny red dot, and that was the forest wolfs weakness. Its usually hard to hit a spot that small with precision. However, for the current Ethan, it wasnt too difficult. Due to his talent as a sword prodigy and his repeated practice of Heos Acupuncture, the precision of his swordsmanship was quite high. Whimper! The sword stabbed out with precision, instantly causing the wolf to go limp. Critical strike! Schudlen, who was swinging his sword at the wolf from behind, opened his eyes wide. No, Young Master! How Schudlen. The forehead is their weak spot. Aim precisely for the forehead. Yes! Looking at Ethan, who was far calmer than he was, though he didnt know how Schudlen nodded and plunged his sword into the wolfs forehead. Whimper! It didnt kill it in a single strike like Ethan had, but it was enough to mortally wound it. We go to the center of the Dark Forest like this, Schudlen. Yes, Young Master! * * * Whimper! The screams of the monsters spread through the dark forest. Heup! Ethan breathed heavily as he thrust his sword in, killing the wolf with a single strike. Yo-Young Master. How did you know this? Youre amazing. They were secretly trying to protect something on their face, I just observed it. Of course, it was thanks to his skill. The wolfs weakness, Ethan had always known, was its right leg, where it carried its source of power, the magic stone. His new skill, Monsters Cmity, was incredibly powerful, but only on monsters. He could see his opponents weakness, and all he had to do was stab it. And on top of that. Ethan was grinning from ear to ear. If there was one thing that was a big part of MePan, it was the monsters. The history of the humans here was a history of wars with monsters, and monsters were everywhere. ying monsters was amon urrence, and entire cities were often destroyed by powerful monsters. So there was a lot of fighting with monsters. Gaining these skills in such a ce would be very helpful in the future. The great thing is that I can deal with whatever monsterse out of this dark forest right now. Schudlen. Yes. The corpses of monsters are money. You know that, right? Yes, I am aware of that. But I dont know much about dismantling them. Its something you have to be a professional hunter to do in the first ce. The monsters of the Dark Forest were each powerful, which meant that their byproducts were also expensive. Teeth, hides, ws, blood, and, of course, magic stones. There was nothing to throw away, but the problem was dismantling. If one did not know how to prepare them properly, it was safe to say that all but the magic stones were practically worthless. Ethan chuckled to himself as he approached the monster carcass. Watch and follow along. Yes? From now on, the monsters we kill will be dismantled by you. If you dont understand, ask me again. What do you mean As soon as Schudlen spoke, Ethan raised his sword and shed at the wolfs corpse. Twak! This is how you dismantle them, and when you do the skinning, you should be careful not to damage the skin. Ethans touch was gentle. The wolfs corpse was dismantled in an instant, transformed into something that could be found in a shop. The magic stone is in the foot. Yo-Young Master, how did you Schudlen could only open his mouth in disbelief. How could Ethan, a noble, be able to expertly do this kind of dismantling! Although Schudlen hadnt done it himself, he had seen it done quite a bit, so he knew that Ethans skills were excellent. Ethan then spoke as if it was no big deal. I saw it in a book. My god. * * * Grrr! The monsters of the Dark Forest were dangerous. They attacked at all hours of the day and night. Only the strongest could escape them unharmed. And Ethan was not one of them. It was because he knew so much about the monsters, but he wasnt strong enough to put that information into use. We need to go a little faster. If we stay here for the night, were a hundred percent dead. Yes, Young Master! Schudlen had already be a knight, faithfully following Ethans orders. Despite hisck of experience in hunting these monsters, Ethan was handling them naturally. Therefore, Schudlen could only trust Ethans wordspletely. He had already stopped overthinking it. I cant believe you utilized something you saw in a book. You are a genius! Schudlen had already reached the level of a fanatic for Ethan. Normally, it would be hard to believe and he would have to be suspicious, but Ethan was a swordsmanship genius. In Schudlens eyes, Ethan was already beyond the category of normal people. That is why people need to read books. Ethan continued to roll his eyes. The same monster could have different weaknesses. Depending on their condition, their weaknesses would change, or if the monster had a previous wound, it would show up as a weakness. This one must have hurt his foot. Ethans sword sliced right through the wolfs foot, and the wolf died instantly. Huu. Its almost time for another monster to appear. The monsters of the Dark Forest didnt live in harmony. The forest had defined territories between monsters. Hmm. Ethan frowned as he thought he had reached the next area. This is bad. For the most part, each area had its own monsters, but there were exceptions. It was not umon for an area to have multiple monsters. If the monsters are following a single monster, there can be multiple monsters, and that can be very dangerous. They canpensate for each others weaknesses. Patter, patter, patter. Ethan could tell who they were by the sound of their footsteps. Light footsteps and heavy footsteps. Damn it. Ethan clicked his tongue. Never in a million years did he think theyd be in this part of the Dark Forest. Young Master. Schudlen. On my signal, you pick me up and run straight ahead. Do you understand? Yes. Now! Ethan gave the signal, and Schudlen quickly lifted him up. As he ran forward with Ethan on his back, a crude arrow shot from where they had just been. Goblin rider! Schudlen shouted in rm. Goblins were tiny creatures, smaller than humans and weaker in strength, so they werent inherently threatening, but they were cunning and intelligent, and one had to be careful. Some, especially those called Goblin Riders, rode boar-like creatures topensate for their slow speed. The Goblin Riders in front of them now rode boars with long, pointed, protruding tusks. They looked much stronger than the usual goblin riders, with several weapons strapped to their waists and bows in their hands, I think the goblins have tamed those horn hogs. This was once the domain of horn hogs. [Lv 28] Having tamed a level 28 horn hog, it was safe to say that the goblins were stronger than that. Keep running! Theyre faster than I thought! We have to go faster! Ethan dug into his pockets. He pulled out the wolfs blood hed after dismantling the wolfs carcass. Kiiik! A few of the goblin riders smelled the scent and split off, following the blood. But many were still chasing Ethan and Schudlen. Faster! If we get caught, we die! You and I! Aaaahhhhh! Schudlen ran forward frantically. Ethan grabbed his hair without realizing it. Right! He grasped the right side of his head, turning Schudlens body to the right. Left! This time he grabbed his left hair. Go straight ahead, stand in front of that tree for a moment, then crouch! As Schudlen stood in front of the tree and crouched down, an arrow containing magic shattered the tree and pierced through it. If he had been standing, the arrow would have gone straight through his body. The goblins here can shoot arrows. Theyreced with a terrible poison. Wh-what kind of poison? Schudlen asked urgently as he started running again. Dung poison. It was the foulest poison in the world. If you get hit, youll be a dead knight with a dung poison, and youll be a knight who died of a dung poison and failed to protect his master. A dung poison. Its sad, but I suppose its inevitable. Ethans words energized Schudlens entire body. He was exhausted, but he couldnt stop. A knight who died of dung poisoning? Thats ridiculous. I cannot suffer such dishonor! I-Im fine if I die ying a dragon, but I certainly dont want to die of dung poison! Then run! Just a little more! Aaahhhhhhhh! With a sound that one could not tell if it was a scream or a cry, Schudlen sprinted forward. Chapter 11: Heros Power Chapter 11: Hero''s Power Swiish! Goblin riders were quite skilled in archery. This was because they were an evolved form of themon goblin, so what theycked in strength, they had already made up for. Keuuk! Schudlen groaned as he quickly changed direction due to the sudden bombardment of arrows. Schudlen. My apologies. I dont think I can hold out much longer, Young Master. He had just made an unnecessary turn and strained his joints. It would be hard to keep up the pace like this, and his joints could really hurt if he continued. Schudlen voiced his opinion cautiously. We might as well just fight them. Theyve already got us now, theyre just ying with us for the fun of the hunt, and it doesnt matter if we slow down a bit more. But wont that mean we just y into their hands? Schudlen gritted his teeth. They were being hunted by monsters even though they were hunting them before. Although he was still a new knight, he didnt look the part. But Ethan calmed him down. Its okay, just follow my lead. At the moment, Ethan did not have a body to use the knowledge in his head. Instead, that body was in Schudlen. It could not be used perfectly, but it could help with the current situation. All right. Schudlen slowed his pace with determination. Then the goblin riders caught up to them in a sh. That was when Ethan extended his body and plunged his sword into them. Schuk! Kiiik! The goblin riders who had rushed in were immediately stabbed by Ethans sword. However, they were too skillful on their horned hogs for Ethan to inflict fatal wounds. It doesnt matter! He continued plunging his sword into the red dot, coating it with poison. Keep running. Schudlen! Yes! The angry goblin riders were no longer ying games. With all their might, they drove their horn hogs to kill Ethan and Schudlen. Kiiiik! Swiish! A flying arrow aimed for Ethans neck. But Ethan just didnt have the strength to move fast enough, not that he wasnt skilled. He quickly sliced the arrow in half and they hid among the trees. As soon as Ethan and Schudlen were out of sight, the goblin riders split up and entered the trees. As soon as they entered, Schudlen jumped out. Tuk! Kiiiik! One of the goblin riders who had been following dropped dead. Ethan immediately gave Schudlen an order. Run! This time they changed direction and ran in the opposite direction. The goblin riders on the horn hogs would have a hard time making a sharp turn. On the other hand, it was easy to turn this way for Schudlen, though it would grind his joints. As he burst out the other side, the angry goblin riders swerved wildly with a snicker. But where were they hiding just then? It was in a grove of trees. It was hard enough to swerve, but how would they do it in a grove of trees? Ethan held the bow of the goblin rider he had just killed in his hand. With a strong draw, he fired. Instead of arrows. The needles of Heos Acupuncture were used instead of arrows. There were several different sizes of needles, so thergest could be used in ce of arrows. Swish! The needles shot straight at the goblin riders as they tried to escape through the trees. Kiik! He pierced them right in the red dots. The goblin rider slumped from the horn hog it was riding as the needle hit its weak spot. Stay on your toes. The guys that are distracted by the blood I threw areing. How do you know theyreing! There must have been some distance. They just made a noise before they died, didnt they? Theyre calling for theirrades. Theres an enemy they cant handle. Dudududu! Schudlen was too scared to answer since the sound of Horn Hogs hooves could be heard. Damn it. Run again, Schudlen! Cant we just kill them like we just did? Theres a big oneing, blending in among them. If you say big, then. -Kiiiiiiiiiiik! Its the Goblin Rider King. [Lv 35] A whopping level 35. The Goblin Rider King, who had a much higher level than regr goblin riders, was much bigger than regr goblins. And there he was, on an even bigger horn hog, chasing Ethan and Schudlen at a furious pace. Th-the speed His speed was so much faster than the regr goblin riders, which made Schudlen panic. But Ethan was calm. Go back to the tree! Ethans calm voice calmed Shudlens panic. If it was Ethan, he must know something. If so, this wouldnt be their graveyard. Schudlen stomped his feet and headed for the trees. But their hopes were shattered. The Goblin Rider King continued to advance, smashing through the trees. In this case, they couldnt use the same method as before. Young Master, what should we do now!? As Ethan said, Schudlen still had the strength to move. He had to do something more while he still had the strength or the worst would happen. Ethan made a quick judgment call and gave instructions. Go deeper. And. Wait. Kwaaang! The Goblin Rider King disyed tremendous strength. With a single strike, trees crumbled and paths opened up. It was the kind of strength that a mere goblin could never hope to possess. Only an ogre would be capable of such feats, but in this dark forest, it was only natural for those named King. This was a ce where one couldnt survive unless one were strong. To be alive in this dark forest was to be a survivor. Kiiik Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang! Reaching the depths of the forest, Schudlen paused to catch his breath. Young Master? There was no movement from Ethan on his back. This! Hed forgotten. That Ethan was sickly. Schudlen moved furiously, not thinking of Ethan on his back, trying to avoid their opponent at all costs. Moreover, it also urred to him that the goblin riders arrows might have hit Ethan. Young Master! There was no answer from Ethan. He then tried to put Ethan down. Im okay. Put me down. Schudlen slowly set Ethan down. Ethan was turning quite blue. He said he was fine, but in his current state, he wouldnt be able to kill even one of those goblin riders like earlier. Kwaang! Go run away, try to get out of the forest somehow. Its no use, were already outpaced. Then we have no choice but to die as we are. I dont know for sure, but Young Master is not one to die in a ce like this. In the short time hed been with Ethan, Schudlen had seen glimpses of his extraordinary power. Ethan was a man who could change the Whiskers family. He couldnt let him die here. I am indebted to the Count, and nothing would be better than to repay him here. Kwaaang! The Goblin Rider King was getting closer and closer. Schudlen made up his mind. He would buy time for Ethan to escape, and he would stay here and fight that monster. He knew he would die on the battlefield someday, but he didnt think it would be by a single monster. But it didnt matter now. Please run away What if Im already thinking about dying here? Suddenly, Ethans eyes glowed. A fearsome gleam in his sickly, crumbling body. That was determination. Cold, hard determination. Although, Ethan was not giving up on anything. But I have no intention of dying here. Kwaaang! The Goblin Rider King maintained his terrifying momentum and knocked down thest tree in front of Ethan and Schudlen. Kiiik. Then, with a threatening cry, he raised the spear at his waist. He dismounted from his horn hog and let out a louder sound as he realized that Ethan and Schudlen were no longer running. At the same time, goblin riders began to arrive on both sides. Aplete encirclement. There was no way to escape now. The goblin riders looked forward to seeing how their king would divide up the kill. Schudlen despaired. This is it. There was no more hope. Ill see what I can do. But that didnt mean he would let go of his sword. He stepped forward and pointed the sword forward as if to protect Ethan. Then Ethan stepped forward as well. Schudlen stared at him in amazement. It must be hard for him to move. How can he walk so strongly? Ethans eyes were fixed on the Goblin Rider King. His brow. The Goblin Rider King was about twice the size of a typical goblin. He was over two meters tall. He would have to stretch out his hand to reach for the brow. But doing so would cause him to lose speed. Shoulders. The red dot pointed to a very deep part of the Goblin Rider Kings shoulder. It was also very high. Huuu. The giant Goblin Rider Kingughed at the humans who seemed to be observing him. The other goblin riders echoed hisughter. The crazed goblinsughter froze Schudlen in ce for a moment. Ethan breathed calmly. The Heros Breathing kept him calm in the face of death. A desperate situation. There was only one way out of this situation. It was very simple. Kill the threat in front of him, this Goblin Rider King. There is only one way. He put power into the sword in his hand. All he could see was a sea of red weaknesses. All of them were hard to stab. -Breathe. Steady. And be brave. All these trials are to make you stronger. Then, the words of the hero, Hercules, came to his mind. -Concentrate your breath and cut it in a single breath. This breath, drawn from the deepest part of your soul, is then exhaled with your hands. In his mind, Hercules came to mind, and the things he showed on video came to mind. The hero smashed huge boulders and chopped down trees the size of houses with a single blow. There was no doubt there. There was only naturalness and conviction. This was Hercules, making the impossible possible. -Breathe deeply. Be confident in your strength. Be confident that you can y the thing in front of you with a single blow, whether its a cannibalistic lion or a giant dragon guarding a golden tree. Such is the breath of a hero. That is what a hero is. Before Ethans eyes, he saw the Goblin Rider King. He saw the Goblin Rider King raise his hand in the air and bring his massive club down upon him. It would be difficult for anyone but the strongest to survive a blow like that. Swooooooooshhh! Even amidst the crashing sound of the wind, Ethan calmly mulled over Hercules words. Hercules was a violent and brutal god. But the moment Ethan understood everything he said, he could embody the power of a hero. Breathing and being sure. There were trials in the path of a hero, and a hero did not crumble in the face of trials. The club came down. At the same time, Ethans sword was also swung like a shot. -Convince yourself that you are a hero the moment you take a breath. Understood. There was only one thing to cut. He didnt need to think about whether he could cut it or not, but when he decided to cut it, he cut it! Baam! The Goblin Rider King, which had been shed diagonally, copsed with a thud. For a moment, the surroundings became eerily silent. Then, slowly, Schudlen opened his mouth. My word. The goblin riders eyes grew wide with horror, and they began to panic. What they felt was terror. Fear that their king had been killed in a single blow! They began to back away slowly, trembling with fear. And Ethan took a deep breath after cutting the Goblin Rider King with his sword. Come. ring at them with a mocking expression, the goblin riders turned in unison and began to flee. Chapter 12: Found You Chapter 12: Found You Schudlen guarded Ethan through the night as he slept soundly. This was the territory of the goblin riders. Because of this, once they fled, they would not return, even if a fire was set. If it werent for the young master, Id be dead. Seeing with his own eyes the enormity of Ethans power, Shcudlen shuddered as he looked at the sleeping Ethan. In truth, he didnt think they would live, but they did. Ethan had in the Goblin Rider King with a single blow. Not even the knights of the Count he knew would dare to do that. Its not my ce to gauge him. Hes already got his sights set on something bigger. Broader, not just to this County of Whiskers and its neighboring provinces, but to the center, to the entire continent, to judge Ethans strength. Schudlen chuckled at the thought. He couldnt believe to be in the presence of such a great man. By the way, who in the world is he here to meet, anyway? Curios? Ah, you are awake, Young Master! How are you feeling? Schudlen hurried over to Ethan. Ethan hadnt always looked well, so it was hard to tell how he was feeling. What about the corpse? What? The body of the Goblin Rider King. At Ethans words, Schudlen jumped to his feet. Ill take care of it right away! * * * -You have earned an achievement! -You have hunted the Goblin Rider King, the ruler of the Dark Forests territory! -You have earned 3 likes for the achievement! It was the first thing that greeted Ethan when he woke up after passing out. The Goblin Rider King was a type of Named Monster. Naturally, there was an achievement for hunting Named Monsters. The reward was a whopping 3 likes. It was a lot, but Ethan, who had nearly died, could only grumble. Can they give me a little more? It was so strong. There was one more thing that he got after that. My skill proficiency has increased significantly. A whopping 10%. The Heros Breathing proficiency, the most important skill that allowed him to kill the Goblin Rider King, had increased significantly. I feel like I understand a little more now. Heros Breathing wasnt just a skill that strengthened his body. Strengthening the body was just a bonus. What it really did was strengthen muscle strength. Strength. A surge of power! The body is strengthened to support that power. Hercules had passed on something fundamental. Hercules power could be harnessed by anyone by converting their natural strength into breath. When someone was confident in their power, they could wield it to great effects, like when Ethan killed the Goblin Rider King. This is why he has so many subscribers. He had many subscribers and likes even though he had some bad reviews. It urred to him that maybe Hercules could be in the top rankings of this [New World]. If the other gods are like this. I should start with the basics and build them up one by one. He thought that it wouldnt be a good idea to subscribe to some random gods. Like Hercules, the gods basically use powers that were difficult to understand. If he couldnt understand the power, he wouldnt be able to utilize it properly even if he learned the skill. Same thing with Heros Breathing, it was just a normal skill until then. It wasnt until he was close to death that he was able to use Heros Breathing properly, so he had to be careful. My Heros Breathing isnt perfect yet. Ethan tried to move his body around. His whole body screamed, and rightly so, after all the effort hed put into it. He took a deep, calming breath and then immediately began to use Heos Acupuncture. At the same time, he dug into his subspace pouch and took out some herbs. Im getting better at making decoctions, but its not enough. Ethan had an idea to take the decoction-making process to the next level. Since decoctions werent an element in MePan but they had a simr mechanic to potions. This meant that if he learned the skill to make potions, he could take Heos Decoctions to the next level. One by one. Lets increase my lifeline. Young Master! Schudlen, who had been dismantling the corpse of the Goblin Rider King in the meantime, waved with a cheerful expression. See, I did exactly as you taught me, and this one. Hes got a veryrge magic stone! Ethan smiled as he walked over to check it out. Schudlen was quite apetent knight after all. Perhaps the standard of his escorts he thought was just too high, but he was certainly worthy of having on his side. Well do the math when we get back. You should get what you deserve. Dont you think so, Schudlen? As long as you give me a reward, I will dly take it! * * * After two days of rest in the Goblin Riders territory, they moved on to the next area. Shes probably in the center of this forest. The granddaughter of Hecate he was looking for was currently hiding out in this Dark Forest, and her reasoning was simple. Because she believed that the Grimoire, the source of all Hecates magic, had been passed down to her. Because of this, she had to fight many enemies. Those who wanted to steal the grimoire by offering to help her with sweet words, and those who wanted to steal the grimoire by killing her with their mighty powers. She ran and ran and ran, not even knowing who was an enemy and who was an ally. That was how she ended up in this dark forest. Im sure theres a grimoire, but the substance of the grimoire is already gone. Hecates true grimoire had already been burned. But that didnt mean it had disappearedpletely. The grimoire definitely still existed. In her granddaughters head. The extraordinary talent was passed down to his daughter, and then to his daughters daughter. Her mind, which understood everything just by looking at it, contained all the magic that had earned Hecate the title of Archmage. Though, she cant use it now. There was a restraint on her. A curse, a restriction ced on her by superpowers. Ethan was going to break it and get her He grinned at the thought of an archmage escort with a thousand spells in her head. If it werent for the disease, I wouldnt die. Besides, her talents were the ones he needed most right now. He would certainly find a way to center his life around her. But Yerica is hard to get. Yerica was a character that could be obtained early on, but that didnt mean it was easy. She had been deceived and used by so many people in her life, would she open up so easily? So what about getting herter in the game? By the time she was strong enough to resolve her doubts, she had already be a being who didnt need anyones help. Shed never be able to open her closed mind. She could never be an ally character. When that happened, her closed heart could never be opened. She could never be an ally character. But I can. Making her his escort now. And Ethan didnt intend to use her just as an escort. Young Master, may I ask the reason why you are looking for her? I intend to use her as my escort, for now. An escort? Why would you need toe into such a dangerous ce to find one? Your family has many knights. Shes a pretty versatile escort. She can do a lot of things that knights cant. There were so many things she could do beyond just escorting. If he had her, he could make many of the things he envisioned in his heade to life. Recruiting her will allow me to do things I cant do now. More than just escorting, I can enchant and do business. Its harder than recruiting multiple people, but its more profitable to recruit Yerica. Schudlen. Yes. Lets take a break. The one Im looking for is in this next area, but its going to be very dangerous, maybe even more dangerous than the Goblin Rider King from earlier. While Ethan rested, he prepared a decoction. He mixed the ingredients hed bought from his subspace pouch with the silver lily. Basically, it was abination of herbs that made up the cure. It was a little easier. All he had to do was mix it up and the cure was made. But now it was different. In order to create the cure, he needed to do more than just mix it up. If only I didnt have a disease, I could develop a cure topletely cure her body. It was regrettable, but he knew how to do it. All that mattered now was a cure that would remove Yericas curse. Did you learn those things from books too? You shouldnt stay away from books, Schudlen. There is so much knowledge in books. You cant experience everything, but there are many things written that you can know. Ill start reading when we get back. Making the decoction took quite a while. Huu. Fortunately, he was able to sessfully make the cure. This decoction should be enough to loosen her curse. Thebination is difficult and the proportions of the silver lilies are hard to get right. The difficulty of making it itself is not difficult. That was why Ethan was able to make it in his current state. After Ethan made the decoction, they immediately moved on to the next area. Now he had to find Yerica. Its really big, Young Master. Do you think we can find the person youre looking for in such arge forest? Or before that, is it even possible for a person to live in a ce like this? Schudlen was dumbfounded. Certainly, this dark forest was the kind of ce where the sun rose for only a few moments and darkness fell the rest of the time. It was a perfect ce to flee, but not a ce to live, and it was hard to believe because it was so uninhabitable. Its infested with monsters, and its even more dangerous at night, isnt it? But no onees here. If anyone needs to hide, this is the ce to do it. Certainly, if they can handle the monsters. Still, it seemed very dangerous to live in a forest like this. Just how far did they go? If anything, the monsters they couldnt avoid in the previous area could be avoided here. Because there are fewer monsters. Each one is stronger, but easier to avoid. It was thanks to Ethans knowledge. As they continued a little further, they began to hear loud noises. Maybe the monsters are fighting each other. No, its different. The monsters here dont fight each other. They have a distinctive smell, and theres no reason for them to fight if they think theyre enemies. Bang! Bang! With a sound that shook the earth, bulls charged from beyond. Minors, the monsters of this area. The three-horned bulls charged toward Ethan and Schudlen. Young Master! No, theyre noting for us. Watch them. Theyre frightened. Theyre running away. Running away from what? That I dont know. Follow me. Ethan was then asked to be lifted by Schudlen in his back with an expression of naturalness. Didnt you tell me to follow you? Your feet are much faster. It was ridiculous, but he wasnt wrong. Once Ethan was on his back, Schudlen sprinted forward. * * * Ive finally found you. I couldnt find you since youre in a ce like this! Deep in a dark forest. A man stood there. In front of him stood a girl, her shoulders as bloodied as her crimson hair. But far from being in pain, she was furious. I know that you dont have the original book. Ive heard that your mother burned it all. Probably everyone whos after you knows that, too, thanks to people who couldnt be silent about it. Heughed lightly. Each time heughed, mana spread out around him, and the monsters of the Dark Forest began to flee one by one from his aura. The girl gritted her teeth. I might actually die. If that happened, she might have to resort to ast resort. It would take much longer to break the restrictions on her body, but she had no choice. She had to stay alive. I cant die in a ce like this. Her goal was revenge. Revenge for her mother. And revenge on the bastards who had ruined everything for her grandfather! Then you know its useless, so get the hell out of here! Thats what you think. There are ways to get the grimoire out of your head. Magic-crazed wizards defy expectations every time. He pulled something out of his arms. Ill pull your memories myself. With this Imagine Realizer. With that, he stomped the ground and dashed forward. Yerica crossed her arms and cast her magic. Then, in an instant, an earthen wall rose from the ground. It was intertwined with tree trunks, adding to its strength. Its useless. But his fist crushed it with a single blow. I know you cant unleash the magic in your head. Its a shame you can only use such crude defensive magic. It is an insult to your ancestors to let the magic of the Archmage Hecate rot like this. So spit it out, and Ill put it to good use! Stop talking nonsense. Its because of scum like you that my grandfather died with all the stigma attached to him! He just got senile in hister years. He smirked and drove his fist straight into Yericas abdomen. Keheok! Im not going to kill you. Dont worry. Then he took out the artifact and held it up to put it in her mouth. Eat it quietly. Then he heard a sound. Thud, thud, thud. It was the sound of footsteps on the slightly rutted ground. He nced in that direction. Found you. It was a strangebination. There was another man on the back of the robust man, who looked strangely sickly. Nevertheless, his eyes were gleaming. I finally found you. Chapter 13: Seen Chapter 13: Seen Young Master. Somethings not right. Its not a monster. I know. Youre from a noble family? Im not a merciful man, but this is a very important moment. Get out of here. Ill spare your life. I cant do that, I have business with the person in front of you. The words startled Schudlen. So that bloody woman is the one Young Master Ethan was looking for? Hed heard she was holding on for dear life, and now that he looked at her, she was dying. If thats how you want to die, then so be it. Its like killing a mosquito, anyway. Suddenly, the man unleashed a tremendous burst of energy. The aura spread out around him, enveloping the three of them. Schudlens body froze in ce as he immediately drew the sword at his waist. He tried to move, but he could only shudder, unable to move at all. Fear. Extreme fear enveloped him. It was the same for Yerica. I cant believe hes this strong. This was it. It was all over. Neither the mysterious nobleman nor herself realized that they would all die. But then a strange thing happened. Huu. With no one else moving, the weakest-looking man began to move. It was a movement that seemed to be unaffected by the Beast Kings aura. Ethan stepped off Shudlens back and immediately drew his sword from his belt. The Beast King stared at him curiously. I see, so you can move. Ethan pointed the sword at him. I could kill you. It was a bluff, of course. His level was evident in Ethans eyes. [Lv 82] Ethan clicked his tongue. The man was level 80. Obviously, there were many strong people chasing Yerica, but why was there a level 80 at this time? When it came to level 80, it was a very high level, even for the entire continent. Since level 90 monsters were called legendary monsters, it was safe to assume that level 82 humans were also at that level. I had a method against the monsters of the Dark Forest, but against this level 80 strong man, I have no method right now. Ethans Heros Breathing allowed him to move without being affected by the Fear he used, which gave away who he was. Hes not even a monster, yet he can use Fear. There were many powerful people who used Fear, but only one had such an aura on his face. The Beast King. I wonder if hes targeting Yericas grimoire. The Beast King, a powerful man with superpowers. It was a nickname given to him because he possessed one of the most devastating superpowers of all: Beastification. Also known as the Mad Beast of Levante, he destroyed everything around him when he wanted to. True to his nature, he was eventually captured by the Temrs and taken to prison, where he also escaped after some rampage. I knew he was after the grimoire, but who knew hed be here at this time? Ethan frowned. As they said, mountains over mountains, nothing was easy. (+)[1]TLN: Mountains over mountains, if were talking about Ethan, its basically since he was just oveing one hardship (Defeating the Goblin Rider King) theres another hardship he has to ovee At this point, there was only one way out. Run away. There wasnt a single thing in his possession that could defeat the Beast King. So Ethan pondered his best course of action. If Ethan couldnt take him down, he could at least survive. Really? Then try it The Beast King smirked, then twisted his body. Beastification! Then his body began to transform with a grunt. There was a sound of bones breaking and snapping, and then his body expanded. In an instant, he was transformed as massive as the Goblin Rider King Ethan had hunted, but with far more muscle. Grrr, a white breath escaped from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were bloodshot and crimson, his mouth gaping like a wolfs, his teeth chilling. He was a beast. But now that I think about it, why do I see his level? Ethans eyes began to ze over as he asked the question. As the question arose, a red dot appeared in Ethans eye. Grin. Ethan grinned against his will. He couldnt believe it. Beastification. As the name suggests, it was a superpower that transformed him into a beast and gained immense power. Not only his appearance, but all of his abilities would change to match the name of the beast. In other words, he became human but not exactly human. A monster of sorts. And Ethans skill was one that would give him an advantage over all monsters. Even if it was a wielder of the superpower Beastification. The Beast King,pletely transformed into a beast, roared. Grrrrr-! Predators had an aura that overwhelmed their prey. The power to instill fear in their opponents! The Fear spread to the surrounding, even stronger than before. Schudlens stiffened body dropped to his knees, and Yerica trembled like an aspen tree. It was a powerful Fear that was on apletely different level than the first one. Of course, in the middle of it all, Ethan was rxed. Oho? You can still move? You seem strangely confident, so I assume youve been hiding a trick up your sleeve. If so, show it to this body. The Beast King bared his teeth, and then he was on all fours, closing in on Ethan in a sh. Ethan couldnt even keep track of how fast he was moving. But Ethan remained calm. He thought of his opponent as a monster and stared at his weaknesses. The Beast King had two weaknesses. His waistline and the tips of his toes. Ethan aimed for the tips of his toes, where he could strike the fastest. His shoes had long since been torn off by the giant ws, and the exposed toes were huge. Scwack! The Beast King immediately tried to bite Ethans throat. Ethan ducked as low as he could. Then he stabbed the tip of the Beast Kings toe. Keukkkk! The Beast King let out a scream of pain. Why does the pain. By nature, his hard flesh should have been imprable to any attack; that was beastification. As he writhed in agony, Ethans attacks continued unabated. sh! The Beast King twisted and dodged, but he couldnt avoid all the attacks. Its not just about attacking the enemys weak spots. Ethan could now clearly understand this Monsters Cmity skill. It wasnt about understanding the opponent and finding their weaknesses. It was about exploiting the opponents weaknesses to inflict extreme damage! Wh-why! The Beast King panicked and wrapped his arms around his waist, where blood was gushing out. More red spots began to appear on the Beast Kings body. This time on his thigh. Ethan kicked the ground hard. If he took too much time, he would lose. Therefore, he had to defeat the Beast King in a short time. A level 82 powerful foe. If I dont defeat him in one fell swoop, Ill never win! Right now, hes just surprised by my unexpected attack! Ethan took a deep breath. His entire bodys strength focused on a single point. He opened his eyes wide, observing everything about the Beast King. I see it. A tiny dot. The smallest of the red dots. It was probably the most difficult, but it seemed to be the weakest, capable of dealing the most devastating blows. Its too small and too deep. That little red dot was his corbone. The center part of his corbone, to be precise. A tiny little spot. It was barely visible unless he looked really hard. But I have to do it. So that he could live. Ethan thought back to when hed faced the Goblin Rider King. Forget about level 82. What he saw in front of him was not a level 82 human. He was a high-level monster, and Ethan was a hero. He had the power to hunt all monsters. Huuuu. Ethan took another long breath. -Your whole body is energized! You little bastard. Im not ying anymore! With his pride wounded, the Beast King charged forward without looking back. It was faster than before, and more animalistic at the same time. And it was a good thing for Ethan. When he was standing, the height difference meant he had to jump to attack, but now that he had lowered himself, he could aim for that exact spot. Just once. A precise stab. Just as the Beast Kings jaws were about to tear Ethans throat out. Ethans sword prated that spot with precision. Stab- Keuk. With a groan, the Beast King fell forward. * * * Yerica marveled at the sight before her. I never thought hed be this strong. When the Beast King had been emitting his aura, she had thought that she might have been able to use a trick. But the moment he transformed into a beast. All her options were gone. It urred to her that there was a difference in power. A great power consumed everyone in the ce, and she didnt think anyone could move without his permission. But that sickly-looking man moved. It was like that at first too. He was moving nonchntly, even as the Beast King who had turned into a beast was emitting Fear. He even smiled. As if this situation was too easy for him. As if the Fear was having no effect on him. She could sense that the Beast King was deeply offended by this fact. He drew his sword and raised it against him. Yerica watched in pity. Dropping a drop of water on the giant stone would have no effect. Hed die anyway. But at the same time, a strange sense of anticipation filled the corner of her mind. Something. I think somethings going to happen. No one on the verge of death should be smiling like that. Then the Beast King moved, his teeth lifting to bite at the nape of his neck. She couldnt even close her eyes at the sight. Bam! She thought his head was going to fall off. Keukkk! Things were getting weird. Whats going on? She couldnt quite make sense of it. All she could tell now was that the frail man was gaining the upper hand on the insanely strong Beast King. sh! Stab! The Beast King was rapidly losing ground to Ethan. It was ridiculous. If she were in his right mind, she would have rubbed her eyes and watched it again. Not long after, something even more shocking happened. Thud! The Beast King fell headfirst into the ground. -You have hunted the Beast King! -Overwhelming achievements! -Your reputation is increasing! -You have aplished an impossible feat! Receive additional rewards for winning an unwinnable fight! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have earned likes for the achieved achievement [Perfect Hunt]! -You have earned 3 likes! The rewards for hunting the Beast King have begun to pour in. Chapter 14: Yerica Chapter 14: Yerica Ethan breathed raggedly. If he was any slower or faster, he would never have won. If it wasnt for Heos Acupuncture. If I hadnt realized about the Heros Breathing while facing the Goblin Rider King. He would have died. More likely, he would have died for nothing. But Im alive. Ethan breathed urgently. The red dot on the Beast King was tiny, and Heros Breathing supported his stamina as he stabbed it. Add to that the delicate movements of his because of Heos Acupuncture. -Heros Breathing proficiency increases significantly! -Heos Acupuncture proficiency increases significantly! As if to prove it, the proficiency of both skills increased significantly. Heok, heok. Im sorry, Young Master. No. You should be proud of yourself for holding on, Schudlen. Breaking out in a cold sweat and letting out a ragged breath, Schudlen somehow managed to straighten up, his eyes burning with anger. Anger at himself for standing by and doing nothing while his young master was in danger. Ethan smiled inwardly as he looked at Schudlen. This will either break him or make him stronger. Im sure hell find this a very good experience. And he would be even stronger than he was now. And then hed be able to fit right into Ethans n. It turned out better than I thought. Ethan quickly checked his rewards. It was certainly a great achievement. The level difference between the Beast King and Ethan was insurmountable. Under such circumstances, he had achieved a perfect victory. [Perfect Hunt] You hunted a monster with arge level difference without getting hit once. Youre a natural hunter! First up was the achievement of Perfect Hunt. It was exactly what it sounded like, an achievement for killing monsters of different levels without getting hit by a single one. You can only get it if theres at least a level difference of 50. Of course, the rewards for killing a rtively high-level monster were always going to be high. That was because they were more difficult. But that was one thing, and at level 50, it was a different story. Plus, it was an achievement for killing it without taking a single hit. From Heos Acupuncture to skills I learned from Hercules. Im sure people will love this if I put it in the reviews. Ethan felt quite grateful to these two gods. First of all, I wrote a review for Heo Jun, because Im going to watch hister videos anyway. It would be nice to write a review for them now that he was their subscriber. Maybe theyll give me something more, like, the skills Im learning were originally used by the gods, so maybe theyll give me more tips. Ethan then checked his reward. Hmm! The reward was a single item. [Beast Kings w Sword] [Grade S] A sword used by the Beast King. One of the weapons made from his powerful ws. Made by a master cksmith, it boasts a beautiful de. [Special Skill] Fear: You can use the fear emitted by the beasts. Ive got a good one. It said thered be extra rewards. I didnt expect to get this. The Beast Kings w sword was a useful weapon in many ways. He used to use his own ws to make the swords in the first ce. The Beast Kings w Sword was a fairly cost-effective weapon. If its an S-grade w sword, its much better than the others. Ethan put the new w sword in his subspace pouch for now. Then he knelt down on the ground and approached Yerica, who was still unable to move. Weve finally met. Yerica stretched out her hand and eyed Ethan warily. She waspletely drained, but she still had the strength to cast her magic. Donte any closer. First of all, I appreciate your help, but who are you and why are you looking for me? That was a question Schudlen wondered as well. Who was this person Ethan was looking for, and why was she being attacked by such a powerful man? It doesnt really matter who am I. What matters is your ability. Ethan held out his hand. I need your abilities, Yerica von Hyde. * * * Yerica couldnt remember a time in her life when trusting someone had ever paid off. Most humans had all been nice and then tried to take everything from her, and then betrayed her trust, hurting her deeply. So for her, trusting someone was the equivalent of saying she was willing to walk into the pits of hell yourself. So she chose not to trust anyone. She didnt need to trust anyone for her own purposes anyway, and that was just as well. It was a hand held out in such circumstances. That hand was oveid with so many people. And so did he. Many words were spoken as the hand was extended. But in the end, they were all the same, and most likely the man in front of him. You need my abilities? Did hee for her grimoire, too? Ethan gave her a sickly smile as he spoke. Yes, my name is Ethan Whickers. Enough with the small talk, lets get to the point. Yerica, I need your ability. Ethan said. As you can see, I am weak. Myplexion and the bags under my eyes suggest I havent slept in ten days, but I actually had a good nights sleepst night, and yet I look like this. Im too weak to be healthy. Ethans words were credible. Ethansplexion was indeed quite unhealthy. The sentence sickly young master from noble family seemed to fit him quite well. But what did that have to do with his need? I cant wander around, even if I wanted to, because, in this state, I dont know when Ill die. Wandering around was a fairly normal thing to do, but for the current Ethan, even such normal things were dangerous. So. Now he was getting down to business. Yerica turned up her senses to the max. If there was any mention of grimoires here, she was going to use magic and run. I need an escort. Yes? Yerica, who had been preparing her magic, was momentarily stunned. What, an escort? Didnt hee to get the grimoire? She asked, letting her guard down a bit. Arent you here for the grimoire? What am I supposed to do with it? You see, Im a swordsman, and theres nothing for me to learn magic for. I dont have enough mana. Ethan shook his head. The sincerity in his expression confused Yerica. Shed thought hede for the grimoire, but he wanted her as an escort. Never in her life had she heard such an offer. So you came to me because you wanted me to be your escort? Yes. I was a little surprised to see the Beast King here, but I took care of him. Youre good enough to kill the Beast King, and yet you need an escort? She said to Ethan, and Schudlen, who was behind him, shrugged. Ethan smiled bitterly.` My health is not that good. As for defeating the Beast King. I was lucky. If I hadnt gotten a good hit, I would have been dead. Lucky? If you were able to defeat the Beast King by luck, why would the world give him such a nickname? They would have just called him an ogre, a human-like ogre, or maybe the other way around. Yerica shook her head in disbelief. He wasnt someone she could take down by saying she got lucky. But in response, Ethan merely shrugged his shoulders. Ethans appearance was decidedly weak. He looked like he could copse at any moment, and it wouldnt be surprising if he did. Then why me? Because if I was going to have an escort, it would have been someone who was an archmage. I cant use proper magic right now, and Im sure youre all aware of that. The reason the Beast King was trying to kill me like that, and I couldnt even fight back, is because I cant use proper magic. Yerika continued to show a strong sense of caution. Currently, she wasnt able to use her magic as well as she said she could. To recruit her and use her as an escort? No matter how she thought about it, it didnt make sense. Even if she thought about it, her current self was not worthy of recruitment. She thought he was just trying to convince her to take his grandfathers magic. But the other man wasted no time in answering her question. Ill fix it. What? Why you cant use magic. Ill remove the curse from your body so I can use you as an escort. * * * Unpredictable. Each of his words was unexpected. He said he would remove the curse on her, he said he was sick, and he said he wanted an escort. These were words she had never heard before. Shed heard of people offering to remove the curse, but no one had ever actually done it. It was always just a ploy to get the grimoire out of her hands. But this time, something was different. I can get rid of it. I came here to make you my escort, and I didnt even think about that? You cant be my escort if I cant get rid of your curse in the first ce. Isnt that right? Thats right, I know I say I can use magic, but Im not really a proper mage. But how? There are ways. You just have to answer me. Will you be my escort or not? Ethan smiled at that. The certainty in his tone made her feel momentarily ufortable. But she quickly shook her head. She hadnt been able to get rid of it, despite her best efforts, and now a man she didnt even know where he came from said he could. A man who appeared to be a swordsman, not a mage. She wanted to ask him again, beyond whether it was possible or not. She couldnt trust him yet. Why do you want me to be your escort, and why do you want to wander around? And so, back to the beginning, she had to ask why. Because the Ethan in her mind couldnt be argued with. She couldntprehend him, couldnt measure him, couldnt figure him out, so she had to ask. This time, he answered clearly. I need someone on my side. I need someone to protect me from those who threaten me. But I cant get someone strong right away, and if I cant, the solution is simple: take someone who will grow stronger as an escort. Ethan pointed to her. The granddaughter of an Archmage who had been cursed. She had the elements to be strong. And the reason for me to wander around? Ill answer that too. Ethans eyes glowed intensely. Because I want to live. I die when I stand still. Im looking for a way to live now. Those words stunned her into silence. She couldnt trust himpletely, not with a single word or action. But she could trust that he wanted to live. She could see the intense desire to live in his eyes. As you know, my name is Yerica von Hyde. Let me introduce myself again. Ethan Whickers. Ethan held out his hand, and she took it. Ding-! Then an rm sounded in Ethans ears. -Your chances of survival have increased! Chapter 15: Subscriptions Reviews Chapter 15: Subscriptions Reviews In fact, it wasnt just her powerful magic that made him want her to be his escort. It was because she could use a wide variety of magic. Not just powerful offensive or defensive magic, but a whole range of things that could be called magic. That general magic included things like alchemy, of course. She is particrly skilled at creating magical artifacts using alchemy. In the future, she would be a great mage and a great alchemist, and a legendary figure who would leave countless artifacts around the world. As such, she was a beneficial character in many ways. I chose this path for a reason. He had entered the Dark Forest and nearly died several times already. He had even met and defeated the Beast King, so it was safe to say that he had suffered like crazy. But it was all worth it to get her. Now it was clear what Ethan had to do. Im doing things I couldnt do because it was dangerous. Now that she was there, he was out of physical danger. Therefore, he wouldnt suddenly be stabbed to death. He could use her to his advantage. Im going to do business first. What? Yerica was taken aback by Ethans sudden desire to start a business. Ethans goal should have been survival. I need to take it one step at a time. Its not something you can just jump into without preparation. Ethans most important goal was to cure the disease. The fastest way to do that was to meet the Saintess. And the fastest way to meet the Saintess was to build up a reputation. Of course, reputation alone was not enough to meet the Saintess. In fact, Ethan had only met the Saintess once in the game. And that was when he was an All-Clear. If he hadnt aimed for All-Clear, he wouldnt have met her at all. And even then, it wasnt much of an encounter. He didnt even speak to her, just saw her face from afar. The Saintess is supposed to be hidden characters. The Saintess was known only by rumor. Few people had ever seen her in person, and there was even talk among yers about whether she had even been implemented. But I have seen her. From afar. And I know how to do it, albeit roughly. Ethan had the fastest way to build his reputation and meet the Saintess. After I make some money in business. I n to be a teacher at the Academy. Teacher at the Academy? If youre a noble, cant you just be a teacher? Youre weak, but youre at least good at something. He was the one who had defeated the Beast King in a few attacks. If he was that good, there was no academy he couldnt get into. Except for two. No way. Yes. Im aiming for the prestigious Ivecar Academy. Well, its certainly not a ce where just anyone can be a teacher. There was a reason Ethan chose Ivecar over the other two. First, Im more knowledgeable there. The Ivecar Academy was a prestigious academy, the best of the best. It produced many great people, including the Sword King, and was the ce where many promising nobles sent their children, but itter fell and became an academy that no one looked up to. The reason for its downfall was simple. The entire student poption went out on a field trip, and half of the students were killed by the Followers of the Moon of the Magic Empire. (+)[1]TLN: This, Im still not sure if its Magic/Demon () If anyone knows what that word means, please tell me T_T The surviving students were unable to ovee their anxiety and dropped out one by one, and the academy was shaken to its core when the dead students werepensated. Since then, there had been no clear resolution to the incident, and the number of students entering the academy had dropped dramatically, and the quality of the students had also dropped dramatically. Naturally, the academys outstanding teachers also left one by one, gradually leading to its downfall. This is the second reason. One of the ways to quickly increase his reputation was to deal with the main viins of this Mephan, the Followers of the Moon. The Followers of the Moon were a bunch of lunatics who wanted to drop the moon, reset the continents once, and create a new world. So lets get going. First, they had to get out of this Dark Forest. Hearing this, Yerica hesitated for a moment before speaking. Then can I stop by where I used to live first? Sure. Gather everything you need. We dont know when well be back in the Dark Forest again. Then Ethan casually climbed back onto Schudlens back. Are you his mount? Somehow I ended up with this role. Schudlen wiped his nose and looked embarrassed. Im a pretty good runner. * * * -Hmm? [New World] Heo Jun. Nicknamed the Eastern Physician of All Things, he was constantly making videos to attract new subscribers. His dream was to bring medicine to more people. So that no one would die from sickness. So that the sick didnt suffer more. That was his mission. That was why he made each video to make it a little easier and simpler to learn his medical technique. However, in the [New World], where there were many gods, it was not easy to attract the attention of users with the level of Eastern medicine. There are many medical gods like me. Even if they didnt choose him, there were plenty of other options. Hippocrates, or Paracelsus, the alchemist and physician, and many more Greek gods. Therefore, he thought it would be difficult to attract subscribers. But just because it was hard didnt mean he couldnt do it. When he was making the video with such sincerity. Huh? Heo Jun rubbed his eyes in confusion. Something strange was happening. Why has the number of subscribers increased so much? The number of subscribers, which had been in the single digits not long ago, had surpassed the triple digits. A whopping 102. There were also over 200 likes. What is this. Heo Jun was shocked, but he also wanted to know why. * * * Many gods began to wonder at Heo Juns sudden increase in subscribers. Gathering subscribers was not an easy task. At first, the promise of learning their abilities was enough to get them to subscribe, but that wasnt enough to get them to like them. Subscriptions were a start. The important thing was to keep watching their videos and using their likes. That way, the number of likes would go up and be their score. -Heo Jun. God of the East. How in the world did you do that? Even in this [New World] there were rankings. The number of subscribers, the number of likes. And then there was a ranking of how much theyd grown, based on a score that was unique to the [New World]. These rankings strangely stroked the pride of the gods. Motivated by the rankings, the gods strove to reach the top of the list. They were gods in the first ce. They were the ones at the top, the ones who exuded power. As such, they could never admit they were at the bottom and wanted to keep moving up. However, since each god had different abilities, there were certain gods that [New World] users favored, and it was difficult to reach the top of the rankings unless you were one of them. In short, only the gods that were seen every time were at the top of the rankings. However, when Heo Jun, who was at the bottom of the rankings, grew rapidly, everyone became curious. -I didnt do much. Ares. Ares, the Greek god of war, asked Heo Jun coyly, but Heo Jun shook his head. -I just did what Ive always done. If theres anything different, itsYeah, theres one review. -Subscription reviews? Subscription reviews were pretty important. When [New World] users were choosing which gods to subscribe to, they were often judging them by what they could do, and gods often said a lot of nice things to attract those subscribers. Of course, there was a lot of truth in what they said, but there was also a lot of exaggeration and a lot of videos that werent really what subscribers were looking for. So subscribers didnt want to hear from the gods, they wanted to hear from people who had used it. That was the subscription review. But many gods didnt like those subscription reviews. They rated their videos and wrote them down. There were many gods who would get angry if there was even one bad word. Ares was one of them. He was the perfect god of war. The faction he descended upon would win a glorious victory. As such, he considered himself invincible. But when he read a review that said anything bad about him, no matter how many nice things were said, he couldnt help but get angry. -Are you trying to tell me that the number of subscribers increased because of that one review? Heo Jun justughed at that. He didnt know Ares ego or personality. -They just put up reviews for themselves. None of them get it right. -If you want to know, look. Ares. Ares frowned slightly and looked at Heo Juns subscription reviews. Heo Jun had only one subscription review, a video one, withments from several [New World] users underneath. -I saw this and subscribed. I think this will cure me. -I saw this and subscribed. My body is full of yin qi because I was born with it, and I think this will help me clear it out. -In my world, we dont have Americano, so I guess Ill just have to make do with decoctions, thanks for the info. There were dozens ofments under it. Unusually, they were all favorable. -What? Ares was puzzled. He checked the review video and realized that the review was more popr than the video. And ten minutester. -What is thisI almost hit subscribe Ares was dumbfounded. A god subscribing to another god? Of course, it was possible, but no god had ever done it before. Because the majority of them were proud of themselves and wanted to win this [New World]. -How can they make such an immersive subscription review video! This was something very different. It was very different from the [New World] users who had been leaving reviews until now. If anyone watched this video, they could not help but subscribe to Heo Jun, the Eastern Physician of All Things. It was full of sincerity and contained everything Heo Jun could give to his subscribers without exaggeration. He used his abilities in the right way and even exined what kind of people might need them. To exaggerate a bit, it felt likements. -Id call this a masterpiece of a review, and I was almost ready to hit subscribe when I saw how honest and genuine it was, without the hyperbole. Ares empathized. He had a strong antipathy toward subscription reviews and the people who write them, but this one changed his mind. -Every subscription review Ive ever seen has been fake. Its a sham. This is the right one. And then it hit him. This subscription review was what brought Heo Jun from the bottom to the top. It made people who just wanted to see what kind of god he was also wanted to subscribe to him. What if this review was written about him? -I can increase my influence even more. Anyone can be the winner of the war! Aress heart skipped a beat. -Who is this, what kind of amazing person would write such a subscription review? The nickname written was quite unusual. Chapter 16: Quest cleared Chapter 16: Quest cleared When he first started ying MePan, he would just bump into anything. Wherever he went, there were a lot of strange things, and it was fun to uncover them one by one, so if there was something suspicious or a suspicious ce, he would go there. And if there were monsters that he had never seen before, he would go there. He was always looking for hidden dungeons and treasure chests and things like that. So once he finished the first ythrough, in the second ythrough, he used the wealth of knowledge he gained in the first ythrough to get good things quickly. But after the third ythrough, he changed his approach. It was true that it took less time to clear, but it was also true that it became too easy and not fun. As a result, he often purposely yed without getting them in order to increase the difficulty on his own. But he didnt have to do that this time. No, he shouldnt. He had to get everything he could get. Anything that would help him in the slightest! The difficulty increased on its own. This was the story of a life-or-death situation. Arriving at Yericas hut, Ethans first priority was to gather all the herbs in the area. He gathered everyst one of them. Anything with even a hint of medicinal value, he stuffed into his subspace pouch. Oh. There were certainly some pretty good herbs in the Dark Forest. There were many types of mosses, as well as potent sap from mushrooms and trees. These could be put into ss bottles and used to make potions and decoctions. And so, for twenty minutes or so, he gathered them without saying a word. When Yerica gave Ethan a strange look, Schudlen smiled and exined. Hes a thrifty person. Only when Ethan was done gathering he entered the hut with Yerica. Once inside, there were quite a few items. There was a jar on the floor, and Ethan unwittingly picked it up and smashed it. ng! What are you doing? Yerica asked, frowning. Ethan apologized with an apologetic look on his face. Im sorry, I broke it without realizing it. There was always something in the jar. Usually money or other consumable items. So breaking the jar was a basic task. His mind was elsewhere, and he had gotten into the habit of looting without realizing it. I feel like Im back in my first ythrough. Luckily, it was an unimportant jar, and Yerica didnt say anything. She also had a subspace pocket, so she stuffed everything in the hut into it. Come to think of it, theres a main scenario in the game. Originally, the condition for clearing MePan was to clear the main scenario. Of course, in order to beat the main scenario, yers had to do a lot of side quests, and they had to collect a lot of things that could be used in the main scenario. I dont need to do that this time. Ethans goal wasnt to save the continent. The continent could be saved by anyone, and there are plenty of heroes. In other words, he just needed to find a way to live. After gathering everything in the hut, Yerica pulled out something from a hidden ce. It was an ore that shone like a star, and Ethans eyes lit up momentarily. Where did you get that? t was my grandfathers. He was going to give it to my mother, but he ended up giving it to me. He said it would prevent bad luck, but I ended up like this: it didnt prevent anything, and it didnt protect me. It had been a precious object at first, but over time it had be a source of resentment. Ethan asked cautiously. Are you going to throw it away? Yes. Holding on to it makes me feel bad. Then why dont you sell it to me? Yerica narrowed her eyes at Ethans words. I actually dont know what this glowing ore is, but it looks like its a pretty valuable item since you want it. Do you happen to know what it is? Of course, there was no way Ethan didnt know that. The identity of that starry yellow ore. Anyone who yed MePan was bound to know. Its. Ethan said in a serious voice. Its gold. Dont lie to me. She was sharper than he thought. * * * In MePan, stats were pretty important. Strength, Stamina, Agility, and Intelligence. These four stats could be increased by leveling up, but basically, yers couldnt just increase the stats they wanted. Your stats increase based on your actions. For example, if yers wanted to increase their intellect, they could level it up by reading a lot of books or practicing magic. But theres an artifact that can raise the stats you want. The yellow ore that Yericas grandfather had left behind was an artifact that could raise any stat, and it was called a Stat Stone. It was so rare that MePan yers would run for it with their eyes lit up. If its that big, its going to raise at least 30. 30 was a huge number. Every time a yer leveled up, their stats would increase by 1, or sometimes 2 if they had a lot of training. So that was at least a 30-level gain for this one Stat Stone. Ill be honest with you, thats a very precious ingredient. You just said its gold. I meant its as precious as gold. At Ethans words, she couldnt hide her suspicion. But then she rxed her expression. She was going to throw it away anyway, and he was offering to help her. Since you said you were going to remove my bodys curse anyway, Ill give you this in return. Ill give it to you if you remove my bodys curse, Ethan. Yerica was actually curious. If he wanted to use her as an escort, he would have to remove the curse on her body. Only then would she be able to use the knowledge in her head and the magic that her grandfather, an archmage, had used. Yerica has tried everything and worked tirelessly. She must be able to use her grandfathers magic if she wished to survive against those who would steal it. Lets do that. Ethan tried to suppress the corner of his mouth that threatened to curl into a smile and took the artifact. I cant believe this is here. He had gotten smaller stat stones before, but never one this size. An unexpected gain. Just a little longer, please. I have more luggage. While she gathered her things. Ethan stepped back and safely consumed the stat stone on the spot. Gulp. Although outwardly it looked like ore, it was still some sort of food that could be chewed. -Powerful powers are inside you! -You can choose which power you want to increase! Strength, stamina, agility, intelligence. There was only one thing Ethan needed right now. Stamina. It was the easiest stat to increase in the beginning, but once it went over a certain number, it would remain fixed and not increase. All the other stats can continue to increase as long as you keep honing your skills. But the stamina stat was different. Stamina is literally something youre born with, and its very limited. But if there was a stat stone, that limit could bepletely broken. If I use a stat stone to increase my stamina and break through it, my natural limitations will be greatly increased. The body, weakened by the curse, was restored to its original state by the increase in stamina. Ill have good stamina beyond the normal level. Currently, he couldnt train for long. But if he raised his stamina to 30 or more, he would be able to train longer and fight longer. -You can increase your stamina by 31 -Would you like to increase it? Ethan immediately invested a point in his stamina stat. Shaaaaaah-! A golden gust of wind blew through Ethans body. -Your survival chance has increased significantly! -Your survival chance has reached the target number. -The main scenario [Surviving as Ethan Whickers] 1 quest has been cleared. -You have received a new main quest. -You will receive a clearance reward for the main scenario [Surviving as Ethan Whickers] 1! Quest cleared? Ethan quickly checked the sudden influx of notifications. When he first became Ethan Whiskers, there was only one quest in his quest window. It was the main scenario, Survive as Ethan Whiskers. There was very little description. The difficulty was Hell. It was the highest difficulty rating he knew of. Other than that, it was very abstract. It said, Survive by any means necessary. So I thought it was just that, but theres more to it. Ethan quickly opened the quest window. -Quest Notifications- * Survive as Ethan Whiskers [Difficulty: Hell] [You are the weakest man on the continent, and you can die with just a blow] [Survive as Ethan Whiskers] <> NEW!!! [Your survival chance has reached 10%!] [You should now be able to survive some blows] [But the threat of death still lurks; get a job in order to survive] The quest that continues. It was a continuation of Surviving as Ethan Whickers. It seemed to be a quest that would allow him to escape the threat of death for a little while longer, now that his basic survival chances had increased. Whats the reward? Ethans eyes widened. Oh. What he got was a title. [Survival King] Each time your survival chance increases, all of your stats receive a modifier. <> What a crazy title. A massive boost to all stats by five. That wasnt all. Every time my survival chance goes up, all my stats get a modifier? This meant that while it was currently written as +5, the stat increases would berger as the survivability increased. The more I fight to live, the stronger I get. It was a great reward. Ethan felt a surge of strength. Ethan called out to Yerica. Have you packed everything? Yes. Ive got it all. Then before we leave. Lets weaken the curse right away. Chapter 17: Weight Reduction Workshop Chapter 17: Weight Reduction Workshop Yerica swallowed hard at Ethans words. Is he really going to remove this curse? Every day she had imagined the day she would remove it. She imagined not running from her pursuers but fighting back. And she would get her revenge. Revenge against those who had framed and killed her grandfather, and revenge against her mother for the sacrifice she had made. Every day she envisioned the day when she would absorb all the knowledge in her head, learn magic, and avenge them. But it seemed so far in the future. There was no way to remove the curse right away. She had tried countless methods, but so far they had all failed. Rx, itll be over soon. Yerica nodded at Ethans words. Ethan immediately took the potion from his hand and handed it to her. It was a potion made from the silver lily he had made earlier. If you drink this, it will remove the curse, but not all of it. The curse upon her was imposed by powerful forces or individuals with supernatural abilities. So making a potion with silver lilies wouldnt break them all. Its a kind of poison that works inside the body. Therefore, in order topletely remove it, he had to make a higher-grade potion and give it to her. Aplete cure is not possible at my level. For now, it was best to weaken the curse as much as possible. A perfect mage wasnt what he needed right now anyway. Being able to use some of the magic she wanted was enough. You can drink it. Yes. She squeezed her eyes shut and drank the potion made of silver lilies. Gulp, gulp. It smelled quite foul, but she swallowed hard, knowing it would remove her curse. ! The reaction was immediate as the potion entered her body. Her cheeks turned bright red and her whole body heated up. And her stomach began to rumble. Ughthis is At Yericas fierce re, Ethan hastened to calm her down. Hang in there. The medicine is usually more effective when its bitter. With that, Yerica grimaced and held on. After a while, the pain slowly faded. Ethan watched her face grow calm and spoke calmly. Try using magic. At those words, Yerica immediately recalled a spell in her head. It was a spell she hadnt been able to use because her bodys mana wasnt working properly, even though she knew all the forms. Wooong. Little by little, mana began to circle her body. Gradually, the amount of mana increased, and it went where she wanted it to go. Ah It worked. The mana moved. The curse on her body weakened. Yericas eyes reddened for a moment. It isntpletely removing the curse. Its a very powerful one. Thats the limit of my abilities right now. You can only about the first level kind of magic, but there should be still quite a bit of it you can use. It was an emotional moment, but Ethan assured Yerica. This didnt mean that itpletely removed the curse. Thank you so much. But Yerica was also grateful that the curse had been weakened. Just being able to use some of the magic she couldnt use was a salvation to her. I will never forget this favor. Lets repay it right away, then? What? Of the magic you can use now. Ethan chuckled. You know weight reduction magic, right? * * * Items in MePan had weight. Weapons, armor, etc. had realistic weights, and some equipment could not be used at all if the yers strength stat was low. In such cases, they could only be used by using support magic or artifacts that increased their strength. If you have a certain amount of strength stats, you can use them all. The problem is controlling them. When wearing heavy armor, of course, yers agility decreased. They couldnt move as quickly, theyd be slower. The same applied to heavy weapons. If they were heavy, they were unwieldy. Yerica looked slightly surprised, then nodded. I know. One of my grandfathers magic was weight reduction. How did you know about it? I read a lot of books. Thats where I got to know the Archmage. He was an amazing man. Yerica looked proud at that. Our Young Master loves books very much. Schudlen marveled, remembering Ethans knowledge back as they first entered the Dark Forest. I can use weight reduction magic. Its not like normal weight reduction magic, its much more effective. Yerica was motivated. Are you trying to use my weight reduction magic on the equipment youre wearing? No. Ethan grinned. Im going to make money off of it. * * * Upon returning to Pirenne, Ethan immediately used all the money he had. Everything is well arranged, Young Master! The reason he wanted Yerica first was partly for escort reasons, partly for her potential, and partly because she was essential for Ethans n. This will be your workshop from now on. Good work, Schudlen. Its not a bad ce. Thank you, Young Master. Ethan set up a workshop there. After setting up a workshop, he nned to start a business. So were going to use weight reduction magic to make peoples gear lighter and get paid for it. Hmmm. Arent there already people doing this kind of business? I suppose, but isnt yours different in its effect? Its an archmages weight reduction magic, and its much more naturally reduced than a normal wizards weight reduction magic. Yes, it is, and its a semi-permanent weight reduction magic. Thats the thing. Ethan said in a convinced tone. It doesnt have to be semi-permanent. What? Semi-permanent weight reduction magic is a higher-level weight reduction magic, though. Im saying theres no need for anything higher-level about it. Im not sure I understand what youre saying. Simply put, its the customers problem. If this is a semi-permanent weight reduction magic, you pay once and youre done. But what if this weight reduction magic onlysts for 30 days, or 60 days, or whatever, and then it wears off? Only then did Yericas eyes widen as she understood what Ethan meant. It wasnt just about the effectiveness of the magic. What Ethan was trying to do was business. The most important thing in business was profitability. How to keep that profiting, and how to generate it, was the most important thing. If the effect was time-limited rather than semi-permanent, people woulde back for more. If they like it, theylle back for more, Im sure. The better the effect, the better. Its not like the weight reduction enchantment they do elsewhere. Ethan grinned. And Yerica. The weight reduction magic you can use is the best amongst the other weight reduction magic. Doesnt this could make us rich!? Schudlens shoulders shook at the perfection of Ethans n. But its the first customers that count, and theyre the ones who will spread the word. The target market for the business was adventurers, knights, mercenaries, and other people who use gears. But. dont these people already have workshops they go to regrly? Of course, they do, because theyll get a little more cheaply if theyre regrs, and they get other items enchanted for free. But how do we get those people, I. Yerica trailed off, a troubled look on her face. She was being chased by a lot of people right now. Even if the curse was weakened, if a Beast King-level powerful person came, it would be difficult to deal with. Well just broaden the target a bit. Target? Well, weight reduction magic has a wide range of effects, and higher-level mages have better weight reduction magic, and those mages usually have higher pride. That was why they were so selective about who they used weight reduction magic on. I have some memories of being annoyed because of that. The number of mages who could enchant equipment was small, and some enchantments were monopolized by only one mage. Most mages were stubborn and didnt give away their enchantments easily, so only a very few could use their powers. What if we made this a business? What if we made this power avable to everyone? Theres enough demand. But we have no pride. Well cast a weight reduction magic on anyone for money. Is money the same as pride? Of course. Yerica smiled slightly at Ethans words. She too had seen enough to know that magic is just magic. The climate is warm here in Pirenne, and with the surrounding ins, many people farm, and the lord encourages it. Dont tell me For a moment, Yericas eyes widened. If she understood Ethan correctly, then she didnt need to think about her pursuers right now. Yes. Well enchant their farming tools to make them lighter. Farmers are our first targets. * * * Its heavy. Heavy. It was a pickaxe he used every day, but he never got used to the weight. When he was younger, he was full of energy and could spend hours hoeing, but as he got older, things changed. My muscles were getting weaker and weaker, and the work was getting harder and harder, so he started to get aches and pains here and there. You should hoe a little less. Shaaak Because of this, most farmers sought treatment at the nearby monastery. It was because it was the cheapest thing to do, and the monks were basically good. But how can I quit, monk? I need to get this old body moving so I can support my grown son. I too still have to pay the academy tuition. Despite the monks advice, the farmers could only grunt. Hmmmm. The monks, knowing their situation, could only sigh and repeat the same thing. As the farmers walked away, they noticed a new sign. Huh? Weight reduction workshop? It says Ethans Lightweight Workshop. Weight reduction workshop? Ive heard of that before. Isnt that what those knights always use? Something that makes things lighter! I didnt know there was such a thing in our city. Hmmm. Should we go inside? Ah no! Theyre not going to cast a weight reduction magic on farmers like us, no way! Still. Hmm As they pondered, a fairly young man appeared before them. He smiled at them and said. Wee. Dont be afraid toe in. Well, is that okay? Of course. Youre always wee. The farmers were lulled into a false sense of security by the soft, trusting voice and entered the workshop. Wee. Inside, a wizard with a robe covering her face greeted them. Hmm. Cough. Do you, uh, do you do weight reduction enchantments on things like this? Like what? The farming tools. We were wondering if you could enchant our pickaxes and other farming tools to make them lighter. Were farmers, after all, and weve been having some aches and painstely. The farmers shrugged because of course they didnt think they would enchant their equipment. There was a part of them that wondered what kind of weight reduction magic was possible for mere beings like them. We can do that for you. What!? A-are you sure? We dont discriminate here at Ethans Weight Loss Workshop. Heres the price list. 30 days, 60 days. Extended-term pricing is here. ! It wasnt cheap, but the farmers didnt mind. It was a small price to pay to be able to work that long without getting sick. I-if you really want to do this. Lets take the 30 days for now! Please! Behind them, Ethan was watching them with a hearty smile. The business was off to a good start. Chapter 18: To the Deathlands Chapter 18: To the Deatnds What is it? In a darkened room. The man who had checked the poisons frowned and looked at the parchment. There was only one area missing from the parchment he was handed. No report from Pirenne and those stupid underworld bastards wouldnt have stabbed me in the back. The man clicked his tongue. Someone has intervened, whoever it is, interfering with my great work on a country estate like this? The man immediately snatched up the parchment and crumpled it. Green smoke rose in the dark room. Gradually, the smoke enveloped the mans body and entered his nose. Huuu. As he exhaled, the green smoke grew even thicker and billowed out. I wonder who stands in the way of me, the Poison King. * * * I heard theres a mage in Pirenne who can make things lighter? If its a weight reduction magic wouldnt anypetent mage be able to use it? No. You can bring any kind of object to them and theyll lighten it for you, and its very effective. They can do it with any object? Its very popr among farmers, and Ive seen some mercenaries use it, and they have nothing but praise for it. Ethans weight reduction workshop was starting to grow by word of mouth. There was a great deal of demand for weight reduction magic, but there were very few mages who could do it, and of course, very few who made a business of it. And even if there were, they wouldnt take farmers as customers. In other words, the supply was terribly lowpared to the demand. This was what Ethan was aiming for. Come here! You cane in here! The knight, Schudlen, fulfilled his hospitality duties with professionalism. It might have bruised his pride, but he had already sworn his loyalty to Ethan. He would do anything Ethanmanded. Besides, he felt pretty good about how well his master was doing. Come,e. Also inside, Yerica was practicing her weight reduction magic day and night. She should be tired, but she wasnt. Just being able to use her grandfathers magic, which she had never used before until she got tired of it, was a blessing. Wow, I cant believe how light it is. I could hoe all day with this. They all eximed as they experienced the magic of weight reduction for the first time. Who in the world is the owner here? What a genius. A genius. Thanks to him, Im able to experience weight reduction magic like this! The farmersughed like children, and all of them returned with satisfied expressions. While they were experiencing weight reduction magic for the first time, it was different for the mercenaries. What is this. This level of weight reduction is remarkably consistent! To think that we can get this level of magic at this price, its unbelievable. The mercenaries who had encountered Weight Reduction Magic elsewhere were impressed by Yericas Weight Reduction Magic. Generally speaking, Weight Reduction Magic was a distinctly different level of magic. While it was true that the object itself would be lighter, it was difficult to lighten it evenly in different areas, and cheap Weight Reduction Magic was often unbnced. In fact, it was not umon for a weapon to bepletely broken after being lightened. But this was different. They were evenly bnced, with no one part being heavier or lighter than the other. Ethan grinned at the mercenaries. This was why he had chosen her. We are doing well. Half a million gold already. The money he received from his father, the Count, was 500,000 gold, and half of it was used as an investment. Not only did he recover the investment, but he also prepared to repay it. This is just the beginning. The farmers have all arrived now. Rumors must have spread to the neighboring territories as well. The farmers from that area will alsoe here. The farmers were just the beginning. Once the farmers realized that this Weight Reduction Magic was pretty good, more mercenaries woulde, and maybe even knights. But it would also increase the chances of her being discovered. So Yerica had to practice magic separately. She needed to be able to materialize the magic in her head and use it herself. And I wont be doing this for long. For now, he was going to make a quick fortune and get out. In that case, the brand called Ethans Weight Reduction Workshop would remain, and when it reopened in the future, it would have its merits. And then Yerica doesnt have to do it herself. He could expand his business by adding more mages who could use Weight Reduction magic. And there would be no room for Ethan in this busy workshop. That was what he was aiming for in the first ce, so he trained separately. Huuu. He breathed and used Heos Acupuncture. Suuk-! Suuk-! It took concentration and control to get the acupuncture needles into the right spots for maximum effect. With my stamina stat increased, the number of needles I can make has increased. Ethan continued to produce needles. Hed been able to make five before. But now he was making more than five. Ten. The number of needles he could make increased by five more. Good. Ethan continued to use Heos Acupuncture. -Heos Acupunctures proficiency is increasing! With each increased proficiency, Ethans concentration shone even brighter. Huu. And so Ethan continued to train in Heos Acupuncture and Hercules Breathing every day. Like a machine, he practiced Heos acupuncture, and Hercules Breathing, and made decoctions. Normally, he would have only been able to practice for a short time each day. I can definitely feel the increase in my stamina stat. He cycled ap as usual and still had plenty of stamina left. Status window. [Name: Ethan Whickers]. [Level: 5] [ss: X] [Strength: 10][+5] [Agility: 10][+5] [Stamina: 36][+5] [Intelligence: 5][+5] *Reputation: 30 Ethans current status window was pretty good. His Stamina was high thanks to the Stat Stone, and if he had this much at level 5, he was off to a good start. You dont usually have this much at level 5. And then, thanks to the title effect, all of his stats went up by an additional 5. Compared to the beginning, my condition has improved ridiculously. He was still weak, but he was able to move many times more actively than before. I should be fine moving alone at this point. With his increased stamina, he was able to move much more easily than before. This should be sufficient. Even if he couldnt resolve dangerous situations, he could always run away. That should be enough. Ethan made up his mind to take on the second quest. The Weight Reduction Workshop was now doing well without him, and unless something happened, it would continue to make money. Depending on what ss I get, the rewards will be different. The ss was one of the most important factors. In MePan, once you chose a ss, you could never change it, and the difficulty level would change rapidly depending on which ss you got. Hmm. After a moments thought, Ethan gathered his things. * * * There were Deatnds in the world. This Deatnds was once inhabited by the ancients. It was to the Land of Death that Ethan was going. At my current level of skill, the slightest misstep could kill me, so I need to be prepared. Concentration was needed more than ever. The rmended level for the Deatnds was level 20, but where Ethan wanted to go was farther back in the Deatnds, and the rmended level was higher. At his current level, it would be nearly impossible to hunt there. The best I can do is get to the outskirts of the Deatnds. Once inside, I should avoid fighting as much as possible. Ethan first made a decoction. -Your body will be energized! -The bitter vor of the decoction awakens tension in your entire body! -Your Dexterity has increased by +2. Its not quite effective enough. But he couldnt create better potions right away. In that case, the only option was to upgrade. Ethan immediately opened the subscription window. Hed gotten quite a few likes this time, so it looked like he might be able to watch new videos or subscribe to new gods. Huh? As soon as he opened the subscription window, Ethan noticed something shiny. -You received a message. A message? It was a message from someone. Ethan opened it immediately, and a voice began to speak, apanied by the sound of smoke. -[Only subscribed to the right gods]. I am Ares, the God of War! A message from Ares, God of War. -I saw your subscription review for Heo Jun. It was amazing, the sincerity in the video. That was a very long story, but to summarize, he said You wrote a great subscription review. -By the way. And the next thing Ethan knew, Ares was asking if he could subscribe. -Ill give you lots of free videos if you subscribe, Im the God of War! Hes a god that I dont need right now. Ares, the god of war, was a pretty famous god. But the skills needed for war werent what mattered to Ethan right now. But just in case, he checked out Ares subscription reviews. -We fought a great battle today. Our third division would have been wiped out if it werent for Ares teaching us how to attack and defend. -If you are about to go to war. I rmend it to anyone who is about to go to war. I subscribed before a huge battle and benefited from it. Well, this is useless for me now. As expected. Ethan didnt bother to subscribe to Ares. He just went straight to Heo Jun. Ethan now had a total of nine likes. That was the 3 likes he had left over fromst time, plus the 6 new likes hed gotten this time. [Donguibogam] Detoxification Chapter. [Donguibogam] Strengthening Chapter. In addition to the existing acupuncture and herbal medicine videos, there were also Detoxification and Strengthening videos. 5 for Detoxification. 4 for the Strengthening. The likes that he had were just enough, so he unlocked both videos immediately. -Unlocking a video with your likes! The padlock shapes on the two videos disappeared, and Ethans eyes were immediately drawn to the videos. -You have opened 4 videos! -You have unlocked all of Heo Juns videos! Shaaaaaagh-! Suddenly, something began to form in Ethans hand. Huh? In Ethans hand was a fairly worn book. On the front cover, it read. -You can now summon the magic book, Donguibogam! -Your skills will be strengthened when you hold the Donguibogam! Is this like a set effect? In this situation, it seemed appropriate to thoroughly make Heo Juns Donguibogam his own before entering the Deatnds. Then. Ethan opened the Detoxification video first. Chapter 19: In the Deathlands Chapter 19: In the Deatnds Please. This is all I have. Please. Please. A very poor-looking man was on his knees, begging. In front of him was Heo Jun. He looked much older than thest time Ethan saw him. He stroked his white beard and nodded with a stern expression. Dont worry. The man thanked Heo Jun and continued to bang his head against the ground. Inside the room he entered was a girl with a wet cloth on her head. Her cheeks were red, and her moans of pain were intermittent. It was obvious that she was a patient. Heo Jun began to make a decoction of various herbs. Ethan focused on Heo Juns dexterity. Perhaps because he was the author of the Donguibogam, his timing in creating the medicinal decoction was excellent. Huu! A green and ck colored decoction was created. -The All-Purpose Detoxification Decoction [1 Star] has been created! -The recipe for the decoction has been updated with the addition of the All-Purpose Detoxification Decoction. Feed her this for five days. It should cure her illness as if it had been cleansed. Thank you. I really appreciate it. Sob, sob, sob. That was the end of the video. A short, simple, to-the-point video. Ethan was very satisfied So this is the method of making a detoxification potion? The initial 1-star decoction he created, which was a beginners decoction, also had the effect of enhancing stamina. However, the All-Purpose Detoxification Decoction he learned this time was a decoction that could remove debuffs or detoxify toxins. No way. Can these remove a curse? Ethan checked the information on the Universal Detoxification Decoction. Decoction recipe The effects of the detoxification potion vary depending on the ingredients used. It detoxifies toxins that cause abnormalities in the body. Hmmm. It cant be. I think the effect is to clear debuffs. The curse upon her was one of the greatest in all of MePan. It shouldnt be that easy to break. Still. Its a very nice addition. Ethan continued to watch the Strengthened Chapter video. The Strengthened Chapter video was simr to the first one. Heo Jun appeared and exined various things. -The title of this video is exactly what it sounds like, strengthening your acupuncture, decoction-making skills, and detoxification. Ding-! -Your Heos Acupuncture and Heos Decoction skills have been strengthened! -Your skills proficiency will increase. The effectiveness of acupuncture is increased! Crafted decoctions now possess additional special effects. So you can learn it like this too. The content inside the video wasnt the most important thing after all. He Jun and Hercules. He was unsure since he only subscribed to two gods, but their videos were basically exnations to convey their powers. Whether or not you understood them, you could learn skills by watching them. Gods with a lot of likes and subscriptions are probably exining how to use their skills well in their videos. It wasnt just a matter of learning. It was evident in the subscription reviews. There had been many reviews from subscribers from different worlds who had learned the skills but couldnt put them to good use. That meant there were a lot of bad gods out there. Right then. Ethan began to make the decoction. He had enough ingredients. Hed gathered quite a few herbs from the Dark Forest. Bubble, bubble He stirred the various herbs together. The heat spread around him, creating a foul odor, but Ethan didnt mind. The fouler the smell, the better the effect. My stamina has increasedpared to before. He could stir for a long time. With one hand stirring and the other hand holding the Donguibogam, Ethan continued his work. -Magic Book Donguibogam. Increases the effectiveness of Decoction-making and Acupuncture by 1.8x when held. I cant believe Donguibogam is a magic book. The restrictions were a bit harsh, but the effect was as good as the restrictions. Ethan continued to stir the decoction. Ding-! -You have created an [Intermediate Decoction]! -Rating in progress. -The effect of Donguibogam has been activated. -[Intermediate Decoction] Grade B. What was made was a Grade B Intermediate Decoction. Great. Ethan immediately checked the information on the decoction. -[Intermediate Decoction] Grade B. A decoction with a foul odor. Its effects are enhanced by excellent processing. Enhances physical abilities for 5 minutes. [Strength +3, Stamina +3, Agility +3, Intelligence +3] Upon eating this, your stamina will be restored. Crazy. Ethan was taken aback and he let out a swear word. A rare decoction had been created that would give him +3 to all his stats for 5 minutes. A mere 5 minutes, but a whopping three stat increases. It was something he would never have been able to create at his current level. Buff potions are very difficult to make in the first ce. Most buff potions only increase one of several stats. There were some that boosted two, but they were rare and expensive. But this one raised four stats by three in five minutes. That was a pretty impressive effect. The ingredients were pretty good. He chose only the best herbs from what he brought back from the Dark Forest. Perhaps that was why the effect was greater than he thought. I can eat this if I have to. It also had the effect of restoring stamina, so if he felt like he was in danger, he could eat it and run away. Thats how I should use it. * * * Kriik Kriiik A horde of kobolds, reeking of putrid odor, moved across the Deatnds. As they advanced, the chieftain at the front suddenly halted and sniffed the air. Kriik! Then, it quickly turned its head. There stood a human. It was evident at a nce that the human appeared weak. Kriikriikriik, kiik! Upon the kobolds roar, the subordinate kobolds began charging at the human. The human, Edan Whickers, tightened his grip on the sword in his hand. [lv 25] The levels disyed above the kobolds heads were all 25. There were a total of twelve such kobolds. Ethans expression hardened slightly. To encounter kobolds as soon as he entered. Although kobolds were monster-like creatures with a dog-like appearance, being humanoid monsters made them much more formidable to deal with than typical beast-type monsters. Moreover, despite being rusty, the weapon they held in their hand was undoubtedly made of iron. Annoying. That meant there was a high possibility that the armor they were wearing was also made of iron. Still, its worth it. Ethan came to this Deatnds to obtain a ss. If he couldnt even handle a single kobold group, he wouldnt dare to dream of obtaining a ss. Furthermore, Ethan had a good sword with him. The Beast Kings w Sword. Its time to test it. Ethan focused on his breathing. As the Heros Breathing activated, vitality surged through his body. Soon, his eyes glowed, and the Monsters Cmity, Hercules skill, became active. The weaknesses of the approaching kobolds began to reveal themselves. Perhaps due to being higher-level monsters, they indeed had vulnerabilities in tricky areas. Kriikriikriik! Kiik! One kobold thrust its head toward Edan and charged at him. Ethan then swung his held sword with all his strength. Direct confrontation had to be avoided. Engaging in a strength battle would not allow him to defeat the significantly higher-level kobold. So. Swiftly, he evaded the attack and swiftly turned, picking up speed. ! A red spot appeared on its corbone. Ethan aimed directly at that spot on the corbone and stabbed. Kriiiik! The kobold trembled and staggered forward. Ethan didnt stop there and took another step forward. Huuk. He infused vitality throughout his body once again with the Heros Breathing. In that instant, he could see every movement of the kobolds. I see. Ethan had fought enough battles to the point where he could predict the meaning behind every movement of his opponents. Control was his main strength. Its the effect of increasing my stamina. Since he could see everything with his eyes and predict it, all he had to do was follow along with his body. Swish-! The kobolds blunt sword cut through the air. Ethan aimed precisely at the kobolds jaw and thrust his sword into it. Swoosh-! Once again, the kobold fell with a single strike. In quick session, Ethan quickly bent his waist, and the sword swung over the spot where he had just been standing. I could kill 3 in a row if I aim for the vital spot. Ethan plunged his sword into the heart of the kobold, who stared dumbfounded as if it hadnt realized it wasing. The sharpness of the w Sword effortlessly pierced through the kobolds skin. Critical strike! You aimed for the precise vital spot andunched an attack! You have cleared the challenge [Eye of the Hawk]! Achievement unlocked! Depending on the difficulty of the challengepleted, you have received likes! You have received 1 like! The overwhelming disy made the kobold chieftain realize that something was amiss with the situation. Kriiik! Re-retreat! As it ordered with a stern tone, the kobolds started fleeing. I dont care about letting the others go. However, Ethan had no intention of letting them go so easily. He swiftly charged toward the kobold chieftain, who was thest to retreat. Taak! I just need to get the chieftain! The chieftain provided the highest experience points. Furthermore, there were achievements to defeat multiple chieftain-level monsters like this. So, Ethan couldnt afford to let the chieftain slip away. Thud. Thud. He covered a distance that seemed impossible to reach. Then he saw the fleeing kobold chieftain. There was a red spot right in the middle of its back. Ethan precisely aimed for that spot and thrust his sword. Thuuk! Kriiik! With a final whimper, the kobold chieftain copsed in its ce. Being a boss monster, it didnt die immediately despite being struck at its weak point. Ethan repeatedly targeted its weak spots. Finally, the kobold chieftain fell, and the remaining kobolds fled in disarray. Huuu. In essence, it was Ethans first solo hunt. Sessful. * * * Eddan neatly dismantled the remains of the kobold pack. The kobolds leather was surprisingly soft and had many uses, making it seble at a decent price. He organized the seven pieces of leather and ced them in his subspace pouch. Maybe Ill actually get it this time. In truth, he wasnt confident. He had attempted to acquire this ss multiple times before but had often given up midway due to its high difficulty. Ill just obtain a different ss. The ss he was currently trying to obtain was considered one of the best in MePan. However, failing to acquire this ss didnt mean he couldnt clear the game. Moreover, being a hardcore gamer, he found it more enjoyable to acquire other sses to increase the difficulty. Thats why Ive only been attempting so far. You need to be without a ss to obtain this ss. In a state without a ss, you could only keep giving up. The situation was simr to back then. He was without a profession and, above all, burdened with the weakness of being sick. But now he couldnt afford to give up. If I give up, I might die this time. It was a matter of life and death. In that case, he had no choice but to take the risk and try to get that ss. Moreover, this time there were not only significant weaknesses but also many advantages. First and foremost, the fact that he could subscribe to the gods was a huge advantage. I will definitely obtain it. Ethan continued to venture deeper into the Deatnds. He wondered how far hed gone. A group of orcs appeared. Perhaps due to being the orcs of the Deatnds, their skin tone was darker, and signs of decay and corrosion could be seen here and there. Ive found it. From now on, it was the real deal. Chapter 20: Into the ruins Chapter 20: Into the ruins There were many different sses in MePan. And most of the sses were fixed. Although there was a system for advancing within the same category, it was literally advancement, not the ss itself growing. Once you obtained a ss, you could only learn the skills of that ss category, so there were clear limitations. For every advantage, there was a disadvantage, so the basic approach was to maximize the advantages to offset the disadvantages during gamey. But there are sses that break such rules. They weremonly known as growth-type sses. These growth-type sses were very difficult to obtain, and even if you obtained them, they didnt boast formidable strength from the beginning, as the name suggests, because they were growth-oriented, unlike other sses. But if its just about growth, then the power is boundless. The essence of growth-type sses was their ability to continuously grow. With each growth, they became significantly stronger and quickly surpassed other sses. As far as I know, there are only five of them. And among the upations that can be obtained in this Deatnds, they were the most essible yet the most challenging. I have acquired the other sses. However, the ces you have to go to obtain them are extremely dangerous. In the current situation, going to the area required to obtain that ss would mean risking death. Kwiik. Kwiiik. [lv 35] High level. It was at the same level as the Goblin Rider King he hunted before. Of course, if they would bepared based on the monsters ranks, the Goblin Rider King would be higher. However, these creatures were gathered in groups. Foul orcs roamed around the area. They seemed to be observing with a sensitive sense, even with the slightest movement. Behind the orcs, there was a crumbling temple. Once, that temple was a ce where the radiant god bestowed oracles upon its representatives. Now, with the god forgotten and the temple left unattended, one might think it was an insignificant deity But I know its true identity. The owner of this temple was not just a deity. Fighting them head-on would be difficult. Ethan shook his head in dismay. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no chance of winning head-on. Although their weaknesses could be seen, the probability of dying before exploiting them was high. The level difference is significant, and the disparity in strength is severe. Ethan quickly decided on a n. I should go for an assassination y. Assassination y was a high-difficulty ystyle. Those who had the Assassin ss typically engaged inbat using various skills. Tak- Tak Tak- Ethan measured the distance based on the previous reaction. He threw a nearby rock to confirm the distance at which the orcs could sense the presence. The range is about this much. After confirming the range, he threw another stone. This time, the orcs quickly turned their heads. They are checking the direction of the stone that I threw, huh? This time Ethan cautiously moved in a different direction and threw a stone. Upon seeing the thrown direction, the orc immediately sniffed the air and started moving in that direction. Ethan swiftly retreated and created distance once again. I just need to get inside. All of this was solely based on his senses. Experience and intuition. Without these two, this ystyle would be impossible. For those who were not assassins but still attempt assassination ys, it was mostly for the sake of learning the concept and having fun. It wasmonly believed that it wouldnt be very effective in practical situations, but Ethan didnt agree with that opinion. Its because of theck of control. If one could have perfect control, this assassination ystyle became a perfectbat strategy. Moreover, now Ethan possessed the skill of Heos Acupuncture. He could also see the weaknesses of his opponents. With that, he could carry out assassinations much more smoothly. Kwik. Kwiiik. As the orc, who was trying to determine where the rock hade from, turned his head sideways, Ethan threw a needle at it hard. Swiish! The needle prated directly into the rotten part near the orcs arm. -Critical strike! -You have sessfully performed an assassination! -You have earned likes forpleting the [Achievement] Assassins Path! -You have received 1 Like! -You have increased your proficiency in Heos Acupuncture. Oh, my proficiency in Heos Acupuncture has increased quite a bit. It seemed that the proficiency increased rapidly when using acupuncture in various ways. Repeating the same task alone didnt significantly raise the proficiency. Ethan quickly stepped back after dealing with the orc. Since there were now corpses here, the orcs would surelye to investigate. Monsters arent fools, after all. In a frightening disy, a group of two orcs appeared. These orcs were the ones guarding the entrance to the ruins. That meant the entrance to the ruins was now empty. Ethan left them behind and continued moving toward the ruins. However, at that moment Kwaaang! Kwiiik! Kwik! Kwik The orcs began to panic. Ethan instinctively looked back. Behind him, not too far away, a massive swarm of spiders appeared. [lv 44] Spiders, Arachne. This is insane. Why on earth are those creatures here? Indeed, even in the Death Forest, this ce is peculiar. It doesnt make sense to have level 44 monsters in a level 20 hunting ground. As soon as the swarm of Arachne appeared, the orcs immediately started fleeing. Ethan also quickly ran away. However, Arachne was much more sensitive and agile than the orcs. They were not monsters that could be easily escaped from. Theirrge legs swiftly chased after them, creating a terrifying sight. Damn it. Ethan muttered curses under his breath. He wanted to save the decoctions and use them sparingly if possible, but given the circumstances, he had no choice but to consume one immediately. Gulp! -You have consumed an Intermediate Decoction. -Your sensory perception bes heightened. The effects manifested rapidly, to the point where he could feel his heart pounding. Ethan sensed a significant increase in his agility and lightness. A head-on confrontation? Not a chance. In an instant, Ethan swiftly changed direction and leaped forcefully toward where the orcs were fleeing. Then, he aimed his needle at the back of the retreating orcs heads. Swiish! Swiish! I just need to get inside. The orcs were solely focused on fleeing due to the terrifying speed at which the Arachnes were chasing them. Without being able to counterattack, they were nothing more than bs of meat. After swiftly dealing with two orcs, Ethan now began leading the Arachnes along with him. Thud-! Thud-! The Arachnes legs pounded the ground, reaching out towards Ethan. They almost made contact, but Ethan twisted his body narrowly to evade the attack. Phew I need to get to the entrance quickly! There was still plenty of time left for the decoctions effect. Ethan ran for his life, pushing himself to the limit. Kwik!? Kwik! Kwik! Arachne! Gather! Gather! At the entrance, Ethan encountered a group of orcs. This was a crucial moment. He needed to divert the attention of the Arachnes, who were targeting him, towards the orcs. The orcs are still in confusion. Ethan boldly led the Arachnes and charged straight through the midst of the orcs. Suddenly, as Ethan, a human, rushed towards them, the orcs tried to attack and push him aside, but the presence of the Arachne behind him proved to be too much of a burden. Kwik-! Kwi-kwiiik! At an opportune moment, Ethan swiftly entered among the orcs, rolling sideways as he went. Kyaaaaak-! The Arachnes unleashed their venom, engulfing the orcs. Reacting btedly, the orcs also began to counterattack the Arachnes. In an instant, the battle between the Arachnes and the orcs erupted. However, the tide quickly turned in one direction. While individually stronger, the Arachnes outnumbered the orcs, leaving the orcs as easy prey. In the meantime, Ethan remained low and dashed towards the entrance of the ruins. Heup! At that moment, one of the Arachnes, who was trailing behind, spotted Ethan and followed him. However, Ethan forcefully stepped on the ground and rolled into the ruins. Thump-! The Arachnes footnded right where Ethan had been moments ago. As Ethan entered the ruins, the Arachne gazed at him with dozens of eyes, shimmering as if expressing disappointment. * * * Heok. Heok. Ethan took rough breaths, trying to calm his breathing. If he had deviated even a little, there would have been a high chance of dying on the spot. Nevertheless, I made it inside. Since he had entered the ruins, he considered it a pass for the first stage. I need to find the tomb. He had to find a certain tomb within this ce. Drip. Drip. The sound of water and the pungent smell filled the air, but Ethan navigated the path without hesitation. It brings back memories. Since he had been here several times before, he knew the way to the tomb itself. The ce where I always got stuck was right in front of the tomb. There was a guardian right in front of the tomb. This guardian was incredibly powerful, making it impossible to conquer at the time. Lets see how it goes once I get there. Ethan moved as carefully as possible, avoiding traps and monsters within the ruins, until he reached the inside of the tomb. Just like the monsters outside, there were powerful monsters and traps here as well, but Ethan had them all mapped out in his mind. Its easier to avoid it here. Instead of fighting, if Ethan simply lured them and entered through the entrance like before, it wouldnt be difficult. After approximately 30 minutes of progressing inside, Ethan arrived at his destination. Drip. Drip. A huge cavity with water dripping from the ceiling. Right below this ce was the entrance to the tomb. Phew. Arriving at the entrance of the tomb meant encountering the guardian Ethan had never defeated before. The thought was too much to bear, and then there was an iron ng in the darkness. ng! ng! ng! As Ethan approached the entrance, a soldier d in armor emerged from the darkness. Its been a while. You havent changed a bit. Rusty armor. And a colossal double-edged axe. As the soldier recognized Ethan, the eye slits of the dark helmet began to glow red. Seeing that Ethan didnt leave the entrance, the soldier swung the massive double-edged axe. Whoosh! The first move always started with a sweeping horizontal attack that seemed capable of wiping out everything. I should confirm its pattern first. Ethan checked if the enemy followed the familiar pattern of attacks. After the sweeping horizontal strike, its followed by a downward sh. If theres distance, it approach and performs a spinning attack. As Ethan created some distance, he took two steps with a thump, thump, and the enemy took two steps forward, executing a spinning attack in the shape of an eight. Ethan swiftly evaded by moving backward, just barely avoiding the attack. Then, Ethan swiftly moved forward, as if charging. Its speed is slow, but the attacks are heavy. A single hit would be fatal. As he got closer, the enemy raised its axe high and brought it down. Kwaaaang! Although Ethan managed to evade the axe itself, the shockwave was so powerful that it made his body stagger uncontrobly. Just from that impact, blood trickled from Ethans mouth. Huu. Ethan stepped back significantly. As long as he kept a certain distance, the enemy wouldnt approach him. However, that only applied if Ethan hadnt attacked the armored soldier. If Ive attacked even once, it will continue to chase me no matter how much I try to create distance. Until I leave the ruins. There were times when Ethan attempted to lure them and enter the entrance of the tomb, but it was futile. I have to defeat you to open the entrance of the tomb. This time, theres no choice but to bring you down. Its pattern remained the same. However, the circumstances were different from when thest time he failed. I can see it now. Ethan grinned and activated Monsters Cmity. Your weakness. Chapter 21: Trial Chapter 21: Trial Huh? Ethan was momentarily taken aback. Until now, activating Monsters Cmity had revealed the weaknesses of all the monsters. The same applied to high-level Beast Kings. Why cant I see it? Even though he strained his eyes, thinking it might be too small to see, it remained invisible. No way. No weaknesses? It couldnt be. If that was the case could it be Its not a monster? The Monsters Cmity was quite a generous skill in terms of judgment. Even the Beast King, who transformed using the superpower of Beastification, was treated as a monster. So it made sense that countless others of simr nature would be ssified as monsters as well. The fact that there are no visible weaknesses ultimately meant that it wasnt a monster. Now that he thought about it, there was no level disyed either. I always thought it was a monster. But if its not a monster could it mean that defeating it throughbat isnt the answer? Ethan shifted his thinking. Until now, he had naturally assumed that the guardian should be defeated. It was because he had always thought of it as a monster. But if the guardian wasnt a monster? However, he had never seeded in defeating this guardian throughbat. That meant that winning through fighting might not be the solution. Why is it guarding the tomb? Boom! As Ethan approached, the guardian swung his axe once again. Ethan spun around and continued to ponder. It was risky to think while dodging attacks, but he couldnt stop thinking. If its just a guardian, it wouldnt have been able to protect the tomb for so long. It was clear that it had received some kind ofmand. There was a possibility that the person inside the tomb was someone very precious. Simply being driven by orders wouldnt have kept it here for such a long time. After all those years, even the strongest willpower would have been broken. Ethan searched his memories. In the hints of this ancient deitys ruins, there must have been clues about the identity of the tombs owner. She was the princess of the royal family blessed by the ancient deity. If that were the case, this guardian might be the princesss knight. Alternatively, it could be her lover. Or perhaps a family member. Is it protecting the princess even in death? Im not sure if its guarding the tomb or protecting the princess. After a brief moment of contemtion, Ethan approached closer as if he had organized his thoughts. If thats the case He decided to convey his words to the guardian. Boom! The first pattern. Ethan narrowly evaded the attack and opened his mouth. Princess. The moment he uttered the words Princess, something unprecedented happened. The armored soldier twitched and raised his axe toward the sky. She has escaped to a safe ce. Th-The princess? A weary voice was heard. You can retreat now. The princess has been safely rescued to a safe ce. To a safe ce His tense body began to rx in an instant. Then, he knelt down on one knee, followed by the other. The red light that had been emanating from him began to flicker and weaken. -You have subdued the guardian of the tomb. -The quest [Guardian of the Tomb] has been cleared sessfully without attacking the guardian! -You have received the reward for clearing the [Guardian of the Tomb] quest! Defeating the guardian inbat was not the answer. Giving them rest was the correct solution. To acknowledge their dedication and hard work throughout the long years in this ce, and to assure them that it was all over, was the right way. They were not an undead monster. They were simply a guardian. Shaaaaaaaah- As the guardian turned to dust and dispersed into the air, Ethan stood in silence for a moment. Then he checked the rewards he received. -Rusty Guardians Double-Edged Axe [Grade: A] The double-edged axe of the guardian who had protected the tomb for many years. Crafted by the finest cksmith of that era, it retains its sharpness even after the passage of time. Despite being rusted, it still held an A-grade rating. If properly restored, it could potentially be elevated to S-grade. The axe was too heavy andrge for Ethan to wield personally, but he could fetch a decent price for it if he were to sell it. Whoo. Ethan exhaled once and immediately entered the tomb. It was the first time he had ever set foot in a ce he had never seen before. * * * Hmm. Ares, the God of War, pondered on what kind of content he should create for his new video while thinking about the message he had sent earlier. For Ares, it was a significant decision to send the message first. Despite being a god who received the subscribers choices, he also held a strong sense of pride as a being who granted immense power to his subscribers. Sending the message first? It was an action that required him to set aside his pride. That was why he was curious. If I use the Likes Received feature, I can confirm my subscribers. There was a feature that allowed him to verify whether the desired subscribers had subscribed or not. He had to use the Likes Received feature quite a bit, but it was the only way to confirm subscriptions. Ahem. Should I check right away? No, wait. They might not have checked the message yet. Ares held back. As he tried to focus on creating the new video, the thoughts kept popping up, hindering Ares concentration. Meanwhile, Heo Jun was thriving. I hope it doesnte to a point where a lesser god from the East surpasses me. That would be an absolute disaster. Being the God of War, he needed to stand out prominently among the multitude of gods to disy his full prowess. Im frustrated that Im falling behind Hercules. Ares clicked his tongue. Theres no other choice. I have to check it myself. Unable to bear it any longer, Ares started using the Likes Received feature to confirm the subscriptions. -Not on the list Not on the list? Could it be that they havent checked yet? With that thought in mind, Aress eyes widened as he read the subscription reviews from Heo Jun and Hercules. Huh? There was a new subscription review for Hercules, and the username of the reviewer looked familiar. -Hercules subscription review. *Only subscribed to the right gods Then they must have definitely read my message! Ares controlled his anger and immediately checked Hercules subscription review. Once again, it was a video-made subscription review. No matter what, its still Hercules subscription review. Hercules was a major deity. He was inherently famous and well-known among numerous subscribers. Moreover, the abilities that could be gained by subscribing to Hercules were abilities that could be effectively utilized by any subscribers, regardless of their background. Being a hero renowned for his mighty strength, many people were inclined to subscribe to him. In fact, it was safe to say that Hercules had a higher level of fame and recognition than Ares when it came to public perception. However, despite such fame, his subscriber count and likes were not as high. The reason was simple. His exnations were overly abstract and difficult toprehend. While it was possible to obtain abilities by watching his videos, effectively utilizing those abilities required a proper understanding conveyed through the videos. The rity of his video exnations yed a crucial role in harnessing those abilities. Unfortunately, Herculescked the ability to provide clear exnations. This was evident from the various Subscription Reviews. No matter how well they write their Subscription Reviews, subscribing to Hercules is a disappointment. I wish they had subscribed to me instead and written reviews about my content. Ares became angry, but he managed to calm himself down for the time being. In Ares eyes, he saw the reviews from those who had previously subscribed to Hercules. -It was highly rmended, but I couldnt understand it at all, so I had to unsubscribe. -I have no idea how to use the powers. I went into a dungeon and couldnt properly utilize the abilities, so I got kicked out of the party. The evaluations were terrible. No matter how much they tried to sugarcoat it with positive words, the fact remained that they couldnt write good Subscription Reviews. Even if they force themself to give himpliments, it will only backfire. It will only anger Hercules more. If that happened, Hercules anger would be the only oue. It might seem foolish, but Hercules, too, as a god, desired victory in New World. No matter how well they created Subscription Reviews, its futile. Hmph. It would have been better if they had subscribed to me. Then, I could have given them some likes as well. Once a certain number of subscribers were reached, gods were able to ess various features in the [New World] Sharing likes was one of them. Still, Im curious. They must have posted a negative Subscription Review. I wonder how negatively he expressed it. Ares immediately opened the Subscription Review of Hercules from [Subscribe only to the right gods]. Shaaak-. A video unfolded before his eyes. The Subscription Review video was a kind of exnatory video. The reason why Hercules videos received criticism was very simple. His exnations were really poor. They were abstract, difficult to understand, and relied on brute force. Such videos left a bad impression on users of [New World]. Of course, those who were in sync with Hercules could understand quickly. From their perspective, seeing Hercules himself using his power directly was more than enough to understand, rather than excessive exnations. Im starting to understand. Ares eximed. In fact, Ares also found it incredibly challenging to exin things he instinctively knew. That was why he often struggled toprehend Hercules videos. However, as he watched this particr video, he began to grasp its content. What is this? Can you write Subscription Reviews in this manner too? It had a different style from the Subscription Review videos they had previously posted on Heo Juns channel. I-I must grasp this technique. Thements on the video were overwhelmingly positive as well. -I wish Hercules himself had posted this. -Cant Hercules pin this Subscription Review? -This person will probably be a god. Im going on a pilgrimage in advance. -Ive subscribed all this time but never fully understood Hercules videos until now. -Seriously, this person is a true expert. Aress eyes started to gleam. A message. Who cared about pride? I need to send another one! * * * Kukukung. The tomb was quite beautiful inside. Although time had taken its toll, causing corrosion and breakage, decorative items and intricately carved sculptures could still be seen throughout. Its been decorated quite nicely. Inside was a coffin made of a gorgeous golden color. And in front of the coffin stood a stele. Ethan extended his hand towards the stele, and it began to glow brightly. -The ss quest [Ancient Trial] has begun. -Step into the dreadful catastrophe of the [Remation of Reichardt]. -Please resolve the regret held by the descendants of the hero who slumbers in this tomb. * * * Rumble, rumble. A sizable formation. The ones in the front were mounted on horses, while those following walked armed. Among them, a man in histe thirties approached Ethan and spoke to him. My name is Murine. Hmm, you look young. Why did you join the remation force? Im Ethan. I joined to rescue my family in Reichardt. Ethan nced around, his words vague. He had entered the realm of past cmities. Chapter 22: Trial (2) Chapter 22: Trial (2) Listen, everyone! Amanding voice echoed. The entire formation turned to look at the owner of the voice. From now on, we will be facing a life-or-death situation. Reichardt is currently under the upation of the Fire Dragon King! The one delivering the speech was a woman with a beautiful appearance. Is she the princess? Reichardt was a massive city known as the second capital. It was densely popted, with numerous mansions and estates owned by nobles. However, the city had suddenly fallen under the upation of the Fire Dragon King. He ravaged the city, devouring its inhabitants. Naturally, the kingdom couldnt remain idle in such a situation. Among those who joined the remation force, many have their family or friends there. Even your currentmander of this force is also in that situation. My younger brother is there right now. Originally, the position of themander of the liberation force should have been taken by the Royal Knight Commander of the kingdom. However, the Royal Knight Commander became the lieutenantmander, and the position of themander was taken by the Princess. The iron-blooded princess, Lea Martinez. One of the Seven Cmities. The trial that Ethan entered was rted to an incident involving the Fire Dragon King Siegmund, who was known as one of the Seven Cmities. The Fire Dragon King, who appeared out of nowhere, indiscriminatelymitted massacres and destruction,pletely annihting the major city of Reichardt. The one who orchestrated the situation was said to be the leader of the remation force. I never expected the leader of the remation force to be the princess. This catastrophe weakened the power of the continent. It was nearly on the brink of destruction, and there were no remaining records or information about it. Most people live without even realizing that such a catastrophe urred. You can learn about it through the Quest of the Follower of the Moon. But even then, the information provided was fragmented and iplete The journey to Reichardt itself was rough. By the time they arrived, one-third of their forces had already perished. They said Reichardt was engulfed in mes. I dont know the exact oue. Even Ethan, a stagnant water in MePan, didnt have aplete understanding of this catastrophe. But one thing was certain. The objective of the quest seems to be to resolve Princess Leias regret. What is this regret exactly? The goal of this remation force was to retrieve Reichardt. So would reiming Reichardt lift the princesss regret? Thats why I understand your hearts. We will definitely reim Reichardt and protect our beloved family and friends. Whaaaaaa! As soon as the speech ended, the troops rearranged themselves and advanced once again. The front lines wereposed of the strong, while the back lines consisted of rtively weaker individuals. Ethan naturally found himself in the back. Step by step, there was a tense silence, with no one uttering a word. Kuwagagakgak-! At that moment, a loud noise erupted from the front. Its the ck Scorpions! Everyone, get in formation! ck Scorpions ahead! A loud voice echoed from the front. If its the ck Scorpions, it must be referring to that giant monster, right? They seem to be under themand of the Fire Dragon King. I just came here on a whim. Among the weaker individuals positioned at the back, there were many who had never fought in a proper battle before. While they likely had basic skills to participate in this remation force, theirck of experience made them highly anxious upon hearing the sounds ofbat from the front. However, being overly tense would hinder their ability to fight when it really mattered. Are you alright? The man in histe thirties, Murine, who had asked why Ethan had joined the remation force earlier, questioned him. Ethan was so lost in thought that Murine thought he was just as nervous as everyone else. Im fine. Of course, Ethan wasnt nervous at all. He was simply focused. It was mentioned earlier that a ck Scorpion had appeared in front. And Ethan knew it wouldnt be limited to just the front. Now is not the time for that. Stay focused! We could really die here. Im telling you this because youre young. If a ck Scorpion or any simr creature appears, we must run. With our abilities, we have no chance of defeating such monsters. Kwaang-! Charge! It seemed like the battle with the ck Scorpion had already begun at the front. The ck Scorpion is a monster with a level well over 50. Plus, its arge monster, so even creatures of the same level cantpare to its power. If its tail pierces you, youll be impaled and die. Thats why you must run without hesitation. You need to stay alive to seek revenge. Murine spoke with determination. But dont worry too much. Everyone positioned at the front is strong, especially the Iron-blooded Princess. Shes incredibly powerful. As he spoke, a menacing sound erupted from the rear. Kuguguguk-. The ground began to crack with a Kuakang-! And it shattered into pieces. Ah! Ah The people at the rear were taken aback. Emerging from the ground was a sleek, ck scorpion with a smooth body. It was over four meters in size, with a menacing and sharp-looking tail. The sudden appearance of such arge monster left inexperienced soldiers frozen in ce. Monster aura. Different from Fear, powerful monsters possessed a distinct aura. Run! Run this way! Dont engage inbat! At that moment, someone shouted. It was the lieutenantmander and the fourth-inmand of the Royal Knights who was in charge of controlling the rear forces. Since the forces at the rear were equally important, the fourth-inmand of the knight order was directly responsible for theirmand. We will handle them! Run! Upon hearing those words, the individuals who could move started running forward. Perhaps excited by their movement, the ck scorpion began to move forward as well. Despite its bulky body, its speed was incredibly fast. Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! The scorpion charged forward at a terrifying speed. Damn it! The deputy of the Royal Knights cursed under his breath. Encountering suchrge monsters often caused people to freeze in fear. It wasnt due to ack of willpower, but rather because of the aura emitted by therge monster. In an attempt to save as many people as possible, he shouted loudly once again. Move, hurry up! We cant afford to die before reaching Reichardt! However, the ck scorpion was faster than anticipated. You! Run! What are you waiting for? Run! Murine shouted at Ethan. But Ethan didnt even flinch. Thinking that he was paralyzed with fear and unable to move, the man tried to pull him along, but it was toote. Damn it, I might end up getting killed too. Im sorry! With no other choice, he started running away alone. Until your revenge, I At that moment, Ethan started running forward. Not in the direction, they were told to run but at the ck scorpion. ! Wh-what are you doing?! The Royal Knight who had been running ahead frowned. He couldnt believe Ethan had lost his mindpletely. Surely, that would be a suicide. Everyone, run back! Move your bodies no matter what! Ignoring Ethan rushing towards the ck scorpion, the Royal Knights shouted again to the others. Meanwhile, Ethan had approached the ck scorpion at close range. The scorpions tail glowed and swung down as if it was about to pierce him from above. Many onlookers closed their eyes, thinking that the young soldier would be impaled by the tail and killed. ! But the sound they heard was not the sound of a body being impaled. Wh-whats going on? Th-the scorpion! Ethans sword collided with the tail of the ck scorpion. They were expecting Ethan to be the one who would get knocked back, but it was the ck scorpion that was knocked back instead. Kwiig! The scorpion made a threatening sound and retreated. Run away! Upon hearing Ethans voice, the people who were unable to move started to flee. Leaving behind those who hurriedly escaped, Ethan turned his gaze back to the ck scorpion. Long time no see, Scorpion. Ethan casually raised the corner of his mouth. He effortlessly dodged the scorpions attack by shifting to the left. ! ! The Royal Knights who were charging forward were stunned by Ethans swift movements. The others also wore astonished expressions. H-how The scorpion, frustrated, swung its tail once again. I know you well. He swiftly moved his body to evade the attack. * * * ck Scorpion. Ethan was very familiar with the ck Scorpion. It was because he had hunted numerous ck Scorpions while engaging in hunting quests to umte experience points. The ck Scorpion had clear weaknesses, making it easy to hunt while providing a substantial amount of experience points. While other monsters in the desert were annoying, if Ethan focused on hunting only the ck Scorpions, he could experience explosive level-ups. Because of this, Ethan was confident that he could easily defeat a ck Scorpion even with his eyes closed. Besides, this body. Its not a weak body. Since entering the trial, Ethans body seemed in pretty good shape. Of course, my skills remain the same. [LV 55] Not only was his body strong, but his skills remained intact as well. Ethan could still utilize all of his skills, such as Heos Acupuncture, Whiskers Swordsmanship, and Hercules Breathing. Moreover, the monsters weaknesses are even more apparent. As Ethan fully understood the ck Scorpion and the Monsters Cmity was triggered, he could see numerous weaknesses in the ck Scorpion. The ck Scorpion swung its tail at a faster speed than before, as if it had gained strength. Its attack now swept across a wider range, unlike the previous single-target strike. With a swift motion, Ethan jumped andnded on the tail at the right moment. Its quite ironic, isnt it? Your greatest weakness lies in the very tail you predominantly use. Ethan focused on the tip of the tail, where a bright red spot was precisely marked. The entire tail is a weakness, but the fact that there is such a vivid red spot indicates that its a critical weak point even among the weak points. With that in mind, he realized he could inflict significant damage. Theres no point in prolonging this. I have numerous people behind me right now. Ethan knew he had to make his way with them to Reichardt. No matter how weak they might be, they were crucial in reiming the massive city. Boom! Boom! As the scorpion continued to thrash its tail, trying to shake off Ethan, he remained crouched, holding onto the tail tightly. The scorpion eventually seemed to give up and fiercely charged toward the humans in front of it. Now! Ethan swiftly rose, gripping his sword in a reverse grip, and precisely stabbed the tip of the tail. With a fluid motionbining Heos Acupuncture and the first technique of Whiskers Swordsmanship, he struck a single point urately. Phuuk-! Kwiiiiiiig! The charging scorpion, as it started to glow, began to copse from its tail, disintegrating in an instant. Ethan, floating in the air, safelynded. Phew. As soon as the ck scorpion died, admiration and cheers erupted from the surrounding area. Whoa. He killed the ck scorpion! Ethan was pleased with the reaction of those around him, but he didnt forget what he had to do. I must definitely take these. -You have obtained the ck Scorpions flesh. -You have obtained the ck Scorpions venom. -You have obtained the ck Scorpions hard exoskeleton. It was important to gather these items for future use. Chapter 23: Princess Rewards Chapter 23: Princess Rewards Impressive. Why was he positioned at the back? With skills like his, he could have been at the front. Does anyone know who he is? Ive never seen him before. Who on earth is he? Such a young guy. Amidst the murmurs, the lieutenant of the Royal Knights who had silently observed Ethans every move from beginning to end couldnt help but express admiration whenever Ethan fought against the ck scorpion. It was truly a wless movement. As someone had mentioned, it was inexplicable why he was positioned at the back, as his movements were devoid of any unnecessary actions. It seemed as if he could predict every move the ck scorpion would make from the very beginning and respond ordingly. Its a fast one, that ck scorpion. Yes, indeed. Despite being arge monster, its incredibly fast. Among therge monsters, the ck scorpion was known for its exceptional speed. Despite its bulky size, it was swift enough that it was nearly impossible to take down alone with average skills. Even among the Royal Knights, there were few who could single-handedly defeat it. At least two or three knights were required to engage and restrict its movements while attacking in coordination to subdue it. Furthermore, there was another issue. He managed to prate that tough exoskeleton like that? His strength may not appear impressive, but his skills are extraordinary. Its truly incredible. He took down the ck scorpion alone. Hepletely overwhelmed it. The ck scorpion didnt stand a chance. Cant you do it, Lieutenant? Its possible, but Im not sure if I can exhibit such wless movements. Honestly, its frustrating. The lieutenant spoke, crossing their arms. Do you happen to know who that young man is? My apologies. I have no idea either. Another Royal Knight shook their head in response. What is certain is that many people survived thanks to that person. It was our duty to do so. We owe him a debt. People who were saved by Ethan rushed towards him. Thank you so much. Thanks to you, you saved my life! Ethan gestured as if it was nothing. Arent we all striving towards the same goal? Its only natural for us to save each others lives. Everyone looked at Ethan with expressions of admiration upon hearing his heroic words. I cant just let it go. This was intended for me to consume. But now, in a situation where I might die, I cant even have it. I really wish you had taken it. -Many people express their gratitude! -You can receive rewards from them. Thank you. Im truly grateful. If it werent for you, I would have died there. -You received an Advanced Healing Potion. -You received an Advanced Buff Potion. People thanked Ethan for saving their lives. Most of the rewards consisted of potions that they had kept for desperate situations. Moreover, theyre advanced potions. Advanced potions had immediate effects when consumed and their effects were quite good. Anyway, everything will disappear once I exit this ancient trial. There was only one thing he could take with him from this trial. Rewards and skills he could directly acquire. However, since the trial was not yet over, Ethan epted the potions without hesitation. Thank you. I will ept them gratefully. Ethan left behind the grateful people and approached Murine, who was wearing a vacant expression. Y-You! Youre incredible! You have amazing skills! You shouldnt be in the back like this. I was lucky. I know a little bit of swordsmanship. It wasnt just a little! It was remarkable! Huh. I feel a bit embarrassed now. No. Thank you for your help. Murine, who was feeling embarrassed, finally smiled at Ethans words. Everyone seemed to rx. Meanwhile, up ahead, themotion from the battle subsided, indicating its conclusion. Yatro, one of the fourth-inmand of the Royal Knights, approached Ethan and bowed respectfully. You had an amazing skill. Thanks to you, many people in the rear were saved. By any chance, what is your name? Im Ethan Whiskers. Whiskers, Whiskers Ive never heard of that surname before. Perhaps the name Whiskers will spread across the continent from now on. Yatro chuckled as he spoke. I will make sure to report this clearly. The Princess will likely bestow a reward. After the situation was settled, it didnt take long for the sun to set. They quickly prepared for the camp and before long, someone came looking for Ethan. Whiskers! Where are you!? The Princess is looking for you! * * * A makeshift tent. Following the guidance of the Royal Knights, I entered the tent, and there, the key figures of this remation force had gathered. Mercenaries and mages, including the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, whose names were renowned. They were all valiant warriors, and at the center of them stood the Iron-blooded Princess, Lea. As Ethan entered the tent, their gazes turned toward him. In an instant, immense pressure weighed down on Ethan. Huu. Ethan took a light breath. -The Heros Breathing activates! The pressure emanating from the powerful individuals was akin to a monsters aura, but it could all be neutralized by Heros Breathing. Ethan walked calmly towards the princess. As he approached, the gathered strong individuals disyed expressions of disbelief. Their expressions seemed to ask, You endured and just walked casually? You called for me, Princess. I am Ethan Whiskers. Princess Lea Martinez. She possessed a beautiful appearance but had a slender physique. However, the hidden strength within her made her worthy of being called the Iron-blooded Princess. I heard that you single-handedly defeated the ck Scorpion, saving the lives of numerous individuals in the remation force. I merely did what needed to be done. Lea smiled warmly at his response. Such amendable mindset. Ethan Whiskers, was it? Once you return, I will bestow upon you a noble title in the name of Whiskers. You have achieved such a feat deserving of that. Everyone nodded in agreement. What Ethan had done held that much value. However, Ethan shook his head. I appreciate your high evaluation of my aplishments, Princess. However, I would prefer if you could consider granting me a different request rather than bestowing a noble title upon me. He couldnt personally take any items from this ce, anyway. What remained here was solely what could be stored in his mind, such as skills. If thats the case. I wish to be of assistance in this remation. My family is in Reichardt, and in order to save them and the city, I believe I need to make up for my shorings. Ethan spoke firmly with determination. So, I would like to receive the Giants Relic. The Giants Relic Yes, that would indeed be a fitting relic for you. To renounce your title and seek to aid in this remation, you truly are remarkable. You are the epitome of a knight. After a brief moment of contemtion, the princess nodded approvingly. As she gestured, a knight who had been waiting behind them stepped out of the tent and returned with a relic resembling a stone tablet in his hand. The Giants Relic. It was a kind of ancient skill book-like relic. This skill book allows you to acquire new abilities. Currently, Ethan had no abilities. He only had a curse. That was why he needed to umte good abilities. ept it. This is a fitting reward for your actions. Use this power to contribute to the remation of Lecart. And Lea looked at Ethan. Strong individuals like you should be at the forefront, not in the back. Move to the front. With the Giants Relic, Ethans position was readjusted. It was not a bad suggestion. However, Ethan had no intention of epting that offer. Princess. Ethan, who thought he would receive the reward and step back, called out to the princess once again, and she looked at him. Do you have any more desires? Yes. I apologize, but I would like you to reconsider the order to move to the front. Such audacity. Its an order that has already been given. The Royal Knights immediately showed their displeasure. Their expressions were stern. The princesss orders were absolute. Once an order had been given, it should be carried out as such. However, the princess restrained her subordinates and gestured to Ethan as if urging him to speak further. I agree with the princesss words that I should be positioned at the front. However, if I were to move forward, those behind us would be even more vulnerable. The path ahead will continue to grow dangerous. Are you saying that you will continue to protect those in the back? Yes. Since there are strong individuals at the front, I, at least, will focus on protecting the weaker ones at the back. That way, I believe there will be a higher chance of reiming Reichardt. Lea, who had been rigid, once again smiled with satisfaction. Youre not wrong. The rear unit is important as well. In the rear unit, there may be limited opportunities to achieve great feats, but you are willing to take on that responsibility. I feel fortunate to have someone like you in this remation force. Excellent. Truly excellent. Lea gestured once again to the person who had brought the relic earlier. Oh. Mhm. Mhm, mhm! The expressions of those who were angry rxed once again. Some even made satisfied sounds as if they were content. The variety of facial expressions was quite amusing. Ethan chuckled. -Lea Martinez begins to trust you! -You now have the ability to influence Princess Les decisions! I have to take what I can get as much as I can. Knowing the personalities of NPCs made it easy to extract new choices. Its an additional reward. The person who entered the tent again brought an elegant-looking sword. Just looking at it, one could feel its sharpness just by looking at it. Dinalychus. Its a spare sword I brought. A slender de with a sophisticated hilt. Above all, it was incredibly lightweight, made of titanium ore. As Ethan held the Dinalychus handed to him by the princess, he was surprised by the sensation of it fitting perfectly in his hand and its lightness. Its incredibly lightweight. It feels like it has been enchanted with a weight reduction magic. Perhaps because it was a spare sword carried by the princess, its quality was remarkable. Ill lend it to you. Its much better than the sword youre using. It will protect the rear, just like your determination. Together, we will reim Reichardt. Its a shame I cant take it with me. With a sword like this, I could easily rece the w sword I had. Nevertheless, with this sword, Ethan felt that he would be able to ovee the uing trials more smoothly. Thank you, Princess. With the additional reward that he quite liked, Ethan nodded his head respectfully, tucking it into his scabbard. * * * As Ethan returned to the rear campsite, he didnt immediately enter his tent. Instead, he headed towards a secluded area where there were few people around. Quietly, he took out the relic. The relic of the giant. As he ced his hand on it, the relic began to glow. .! A surge of power flowed into Ethan through his fingertips. Ding! -You are infused with tremendous power! -The power of the giant surges within you! -You have acquired the trait [Giants Strength]. Kwaaaak-. Ethan exerted force in his fist. That fist contained greater strength than usual. Chapter 24: Manticore Chapter 24: Manticore Early morning. The remation of Reichardt resumed its advance. They still had over a days worth of walking to reach their destination. Princess Lea, leading the charge at the front, wore a less-than-pleasant expression. Others shared the same concerns, gued by thoughts of facing the Fire Dragon King and the fate of their loved ones within Reichardt. However, worrying wouldnt solve anything. They had no choice but to move quickly and make their way to Reichardt. Meanwhile, at the rear of the remation force. Eh? Werent you called by the princess? Why are you here? Surprised to see Ethan there, whom he thought would not be present, Murine opened his mouth in astonishment. Ethan smiled faintly and replied, Yes, I went there. The princess gave me a reward. But why did youe back? Murine asked with a puzzled expression. Murine thought surely the princess would have ced him at the front lines alongside the generous reward. Ethan quickly exined Murines confusion. I said I would stay here. What!? You said you would stay here? Murine asked, unable to believe what he was hearing. Why, why would you do that? With someone as strong as you at the front, we could quickly break through the monsters blocking our way! What if theye from behind like yesterday? Everyone will die. We need someone to hold them off. W-well Those who heard him nearby stuttered and asked. Are you staying here for our sake? Youre staying for us! I cant thank you enough. The members of the remation force looked at Ethan with teary eyes. Of course, he wasnt staying here solely to save them, but there was no need to mention that. Ethan simply smiled and nodded. I consider it my duty. At that moment, one of the Royal Knights, Yatro, apuded. p. p. p. What a true knight! A true embodiment of a knight! As the apuse spread, everyone in the back started pping as well. -The members of the remation force trust you! -The members are ready to follow whatever you say. Im embarrassed. Please stop. Then, it became eerily quiet. They really have be obedient. How much longer did they have to walk? Then, a loud noise came from the front. Kieeeek! It had a much deeper and ear-piercing tone than the usual monster cries, causing pain in the eardrums as if they were about to be torn apart. N-no way! Yatro quickly nced ahead and was astonished. M-Manticore! In front of them stood a group of Manticore,posite monsters with the head of a lion, the tail of a snake, and wings. S-stop them! We must stop them! The Manticores were flying low and charging toward them, but the knights who had tried to intercept them from the front were clinging onto the Manticores back. O-oh no, its Manticores, how do we deal with them? Why are such monsters appearing now? Is the Fire Dragon King controlling even the Manticore? The Manticore was a monster with no weaknesses. This strange creature, created bybining various monsters, possessed incredible resilience and powerful attacks that could withstand numerous assaults. There are over ten Manticores in front of us! One of the knights shouted. Yes! Dozens of Manticores are currently attacking us! The knights hanging on the Manticores back desperately swung their swords down. However, the Manticores skin was tougher than most steel armor. Kkangg! Their attacks only seemed to agitate the Manticore further. Damn it. The Manticore had a snake tail. The silver snake directly attacked the knight sitting on its back. Kuakkk! Screams filled the air as the knights, including Yatro, in the rear immediately raised their bows. However, their attacks didnt inflict significant damage, and the knights were pushed back. Damn it, what should we do We dont have any mages with us right now The mages were currently positioned at the front. To face the Manticore, they needed the mages buffs and powerful magic, but they couldnt bring them over immediately, as it would leave the front vulnerable. In this helpless situation, Ethan took action. Kiiiik! With the Manticores scream, Ethan swung his sword at it, which was thrashing its front ws. Thanks to the Giants Relic, Ethan had the trait [Giants Strength]. I can deflect it! With that power, he could even deflect the Manticores powerful attacks. Whiskers Swordsmanship Utilizing the Whiskers Swordsmanship, which was used in conjunction with the Heros Breathing, Ethan deflected the Manticores attack. Simultaneously, he grabbed hold of the Manticores hind leg. Swoosh Ethan Whiskers! Run for now! Join forces with the front and receive support from the mages! Those creatures are much stronger than the ck Scorpions! We cant hunt them down using conventional methods! Yatro shouted loudly. Thats right! Come down for now! If sir Ethan gets hurt here, itll be irreversible! The knights and the remation force members shouted to Ethan, who was trying to confront the Manticore. At this time, they still dont have a strategy to defeat the Manticore. Thats why they were like this since what they know is the Manticore is a powerful monster with no weakness. But the Manticore did have a weakness. And Ethan knew that weakness. I can see them. Ethan already knew about the Manticores weakness, but due to the Monsters Cmity, other weaknesses became more apparent. Red spots were scattered here and there, small but unmistakably present. Moreover, my equipment now is incredible. Holding onto the Manticores leg and climbing up, Ethan exerted force in his hand holding the Dinalychus. Shaaak-. -Giants Strength is imbued in your right hand. -The Dinalychus cries! Blue energy began to gather in the Dinalychus de. As expected of a renowned sword. Ethan decided to test the power of Giants Strength and this Dinalychus. If he couldnt defeat the Manticores here, it would be almost impossible to hunt down the Fire Dragon King. Kieeeek! The Manticore shook its body, trying to throw off Ethan who was riding on its back, just like the ones that had flown in earlier. Simultaneously, the snake tail aimed for Ethans neck, opening its mouth wide tounch an attack. Heuk! The weakness of the Manticores was at the back of their heads. Ethan swung his sword at the snake tail attacking him, targeting the moment when the beak was wide open with the speed of his Whiskers Swordsmanship. He thrust the sword straight into the exposed area. Kiaaak! Slicing through the snake tail, Ethan looked at his own hand, trembling. This is insane. Combined with the power of the famous sword Dinalychus, the Giants Strength added a sensation he had never felt before, coursing through his hand. giants Strength has always been a trait Ive always gotten, but it truly feels like an exceptional trait. Ethan was inherently weak, which made the trait [Giants Strength] resonate with him even more strongly. Finally, he could consider himself slightly stronger than before. After cutting through the tail, Ethan regained his bnce. Royal Knights! He called out to the Royal Knights who had been barely holding their ground, minimizing the damage from the Manticores. Upon hearing Ethans voice, the Royal Knights who were at the back immediately responded. And the remation members below! Those with bows, aim for the Manticores ws! Ethans n was simple. The Royal Knights already riding on the Manticores would target vital spots to restrict the Manticores movements, while those below would attack the upper part of the ws with arrows. With this approach, the Manticores could be easily subdued. It seemed like a straightforward n, but without knowledge of those vital spots, it would be difficult to execute. That was why everyone was still searching for the mages. And Royal Knights, please follow my instructions! The Royal Knights paused for a moment. Royal Knights were typically of noble lineage, while Ethan, amoner of unknown origin,manded them. Normally, it would be unimaginable for them to obey his orders, but the current Ethan possessed the ability to make it happen. I understand! Give themand! Moreover, given the situation, they had no choice but to trust Ethan. However, two of the Royal Knights still wore skeptical expressions. Could they really defeat these Manticores? No matter how much recognition Ethan had received from the princess, it was impossible to defeat the Manticores without the mages. That was why, as ast resort, they had considered retreat and, inevitably, joining forces with the mages. Kieeeek! Due to the rampaging Manticore, it was impossible to regain bnce properly, but Ethan stood up. And he aimed precisely near the head. Look here! The Royal Knights looked at Ethan. If you look closely at the back of its head, there should be one reverse-direction fur. Stab it there! Ethan said so and raised Dinalychus, aiming directly at that spot. Stab-! Kieeekk! Upon being struck, the Manticore let out another scream, different from before. It was a scream filled with genuine pain and agony. ! H-How! The Royal Knights couldnt help but be astonished. He really knew the Manticores weakness. Quickly! Un-understood. At Ethans urging, the two Royal Knights swiftly moved to the back of the Manticores head. There. There, barely visible, was one reverse-direction fur. Without hesitation, they stabbed right at that spot. And then, the Manticore began to scream. They hadnded a solid blow. How? How did he know the Manticores weakness? They never thought they would be able to inflict any damage on the Manticore. As the Manticore writhed in agony, Ethan shouted to the people below. Get ready! The Manticores movements had slowed downpared to before, allowing them to hit it urately. Thwack-. Following Ethans signal, the archers drew their bows. Fire! Several arrows bounced off the ws as they hit them head-on, but a few managed to hit exactly where Ethan told them to aim. Kiiieeeekkk! The Manticores, struck twice in their vulnerable spot, spread their wings, and flew briefly before crumbling and falling. Bang! The sight of three Manticores falling simultaneously was quite spectacr. Kiiiing-. As the dust settled from the fallen Manticores, the defeated creatures could do nothing but writhe helplessly. This is unbelievable. We we managed to defeat the Manticore To kill a Manticore without the help of mages. All eyes turned to Ethan simultaneously. Emerging from the dust, Ethan met their gazes head-on and gestured to the Royal Knights. We must finish it. Approaching the back of the Manticores head, Ethan thrust his sword forcefully. -You have in a Manticore! -An extraordinary achievement has been aplished! -Rewards for ying the Manticore have been obtained! The Royal Knights no longer doubted Ethan. Their gaze toward him hadpletely changed. Chapter 25: Center of the battlefield Chapter 25: Center of the battlefield Ethan carefully collected the remains and byproducts of the Manticore. Just like with the previous encounters with the ck Scorpion, these powerful monsters had a wide variety of useful materials. I cant bring them outside of the trials, but I can utilize them to gain other abilities. Especially, the Manticore possessed potent venom. The venom flowed through its blood and resided in its fangs. The uses for this venom were endless. While Ethan was busy collecting the Manticores materials, a loud noise erupted from the front, startling everyone. Now is not the time for this. The situation up ahead is dire. The Royal Knights, who had made it this far while being pursued by the Manticore, spoke urgently with concerned expressions. Whats happening? Ethan rushed forward and asked. Theres more than just the Manticore appearing. Did something else show up? Yes, if it were only the Manticore pack, we could have dealt with it swiftly, but the Cockatrice King has also appeared. The Cockatrice King. Ethans expression stiffened. It seems like the path to y the Fire Dragon King is filled with immense peril. The Cockatrice King was no easy opponent to face. Its annoying, but. He knew the strategies to deal with the Cockatrice King inside and out. Dispelling its petrification was not difficult. While the Cockatrice King is powerful, it shouldnt be too challenging to handle upfront. Is it because of the Manticores? Yes, it doesnt make sense, but The Cockatrice King has brought the Manticores instead of its own kind. It was an urrence that wouldnt happen under normal circumstances, defying the natural order. Ethan swiftly moved forward with the Royal Knights. I entrust this ce to you, Sir Yatro. Dont worry and return quickly! We will ensure the safety of this ce. * * * Where are the priests! The priests are currently petrified! It was truly a chaotic situation. The Cockatrice King was the top-tier monster among monsters. And of all creatures, it had to appear alongside the Manticores. Normally, such powerful monsters wouldnt appear simultaneously. Different species of monsters inherently held hostility towards each other. Yet, as if they had formed an alliance, the Cockatrice King led dozens of Manticores in their assault. This was the remation mission to y the Fire Dragon King. Handling the Cockatrice King was manageable, but the problemy with those manticores. It seemed as though the Manticores were moving under themand of the Cockatrice King. Its not an ordinary Cockatrice King! Moreover, the Cockatrice King wasnt an ordinary one. Among the Cockatrice Kings, it stood out as an exceptional individual. Its crest had a deep purple hue that made it easily recognizable. It uses petrification! In particr, petrification was an extremely troublesome ability. The single eye in its crest periodically turned all nearby living beings into stone. Those with mana could resist it to some extent, but there were only about ten people, including the princess, who could resist the petrification in this ce. The rest were helpless against this petrification. Especially the priests and mages were the most vulnerable. With the wizards incapacitated, it created a dilemma in hunting down the manticores, and eventually, several Royal Knights tried to salvage the situation but ended up falling victim to it. Calm down. Leas eyes shone. The presence of the Cockatrice King and dozens of Manticores was undoubtedly a burden. But they couldnt afford to be immobilized here. They had to move forward as quickly as possible. Leas hand grasped her sword, emitting a blue light. Ill take the lead. Yes, Princess! First, they had to deal with that troublesome Cockatrice King, and then they could handle the remaining Manticores. Lea firmly nted her foot and stepped forward. Kwii-iiik! The Cockatrice King immediately turned the surroundings into stone with its petrification ability. Lea swung her sword. Her sword possessed the ability of reflection, allowing her to deflect the creatures petrification power. However, the Cockatrice King, unaffected by its own ability, remained unpetrified. Enraged by the deflection of its petrification, the Cockatrice King soared high into the air. Kwiik! It struck down with its front ws, but Lea didnt evade. Gripping her sword with both hands, she leaped forward and struck back with her sword. aaang! The sharp ws and the sword shed. For a moment, it seemed like a bnced struggle, but then the Cockatrice Kings ws shattered. The Cockatrice King let out a pained scream as it began to emit a blinding light. Shields! At hermand, the shield bearers raised their shields, but the power of petrification was stronger than anticipated. The petrification power pierced through the defense of the shield bearers and began turning the soldiers caught in between into stone. Kwiiiiik! Damn it! Its undoubtedly a monster sent directly by the Fire Dragon King. Princess Lea was convinced that the Fire Dragon King feared theiring. Then lets deal with it decisively. She tightened her grip on the sword and swung it from above to below. Frostde. Then, a wave full of coldness shot diagonally. The impact wave hit the Cockatrice King, causing its body to freeze in ce. Kwiiiiik! Even as it was dying, the Cockatrice King let out a final roar. Thinking it was itsst struggle, she ignited her mana to its fullest extent. Then, she began relentlessly striking the fallen Cockatrice King. Her power, the Frostde, umted with each swing. And when the power umted five times, it couldpletely freeze the target. sh! sh! In an instant, she struck five times, and the body of the Cockatrice King started to freeze. Princess Lea fearlessly stepped on the frozen head of the Cockatrice King and shattered it. Crack! Cockatrice King is dead! Lets clean up the remaining monsters! Kugugugung-! Pr-Princess! One knight who was ahead of Princess Lea shouted in a grave voice. A swarm of Cockatrices ising! Cockatrices? Could it be that the sound earlier wasnt the final attack but a call to their allies? If the Cockatrices came on top of the fact that they hadnt finished dealing with the Manticores, it would be overwhelming. Their weapons were not limited to petrification. If the Cockatrices emit poison while the priests were all incapacitated, the damage would be unimaginable. She had to make a decision. Should they temporarily retreat or, even if it was a bit risky, use the things she intended to use to defeat the Dragon King? While she was pondering, the swarm of Cockatrices quickly joined them. However, they passed by Princess Lea without attacking her. ! They knew instinctively. They realized that Princess Lea was the strongest human in this ce. Therefore, it was logical for them to prioritize attacking the weaker ones. In this case, the weaker ones here were those who had already been petrified. They were extremely vulnerable in their petrified state. If they were to be attacked in that state, they would shatter and die. It was absolutely not an option to let that happen. Kiiiiiik! No! She urgently unleashed all her power. The blue frost descended, and it felt as if the entire castle was enveloped in it as if it were a divine intervention. Kwaang! As she stomped the ground with great force, frost remained in that spot. She swung her sword with that power, but she missed the Manticores that were in front of her. At that moment, she realized that she had to endure and block the inevitable damage, cursing under her breath. Baaam! The Manticores bodies were sent flying backward. Heook, heook. At the end stood Ethan Whiskers. Desperately, he threw his sword, Dinalychus, obliterating the Manticores, and sent a relieved gaze to Princess Lea. Then, he immediately leaped toward the Manticore in front of him. Kwaak! He pulled out the Dinalychus embedded in the Manticore and swiftly swung his sword. Taking advantage of Whiskers unique speed in swordsmanship, he pierced and stabbed the visible weak points with precision. Thanks to his Giants Strength, his already impressive speed became even faster. Normally, it would be difficult to adapt to sudden acquired strength, but who was Ethan? He was famous for his control in MePan. Swiish! Ethan wlessly disyed his Whiskers swordsmanship. Starting from Form 1 and swiftly advancing to Form 5, he skillfully stabbed the vital points of the Manticores with his dazzling swordsmanship. ! Everyone was astonished. To easily prate the Manticores hide andunch an attack was unbelievable. The Royal Knights, who were staring dumbfounded, quickly regained their senses and started rescuing the vulnerable individuals. Princess Lea also swung her sword at the Cockatrices. With Ethan joining the battle, the previously dangerous situation was instantly reversed. Ethan, who had exploited the Manticores weaknesses using Monsters Cmity, swiftly turned around and stabbed the vulnerable spot beneath its jaw. Thud! As the massive Manticore copsed, the Cockatrices went berserk, opening their beaks wide. Theyre spitting poison! Everyone, hold your breath! When they spewed poison, they had to retreat. However, by doing so, they couldnt stop the movements of the Cockatrices. Normally, there would be no hesitation in stepping back, but at the moment, there were many people who needed protection. Ironically, with so many people to protect, the actions of the strong were constrained. At that moment, Ethan lunged forward. Even if he got poisoned through his skin while holding his breath, it didnt matter. The poison could be curedter. What mattered now was hunting down the Cockatrices. This situation is bad. Before reaching the Fire Dragon King, their feet were already entangled with the top-tier monsters. The situation both in the front and rear was unfavorable, and the bnce was off. Even the strong warriors positioned at the front were in a hopeless state. To fight on the front lines while being entangled, protecting their alliesit was a chaotic scene. However, it ignited Ethans spirit. Ethan had always enjoyed difficult games. The harder it was, the more fun it became for him. The fact that he could aplish what others couldnt make his heart race with excitement. Theres nothing more exciting than turning the worst situation around. If everyone else could clear it, he wouldnt have been so interested in the game. It only had meaning because only he could clear it. His mind was racing. What should be prioritized and what should be discarded? In order to find the answer, he instinctively moved his body, seeking the actions to be taken immediately. The chin. He pierced the red dot on the chin and immediately drew his sword. Then, targeting the weak points one after another, he brought down one Cockatrice. With a final groan, the Cockatrice copsed. Seven of them remain. Ethans eyes sparkled. His stamina was already depleted, but he didnt stop. Adrenaline continued to surge through his body. Charge! At that moment, Princess Lea gave themand. Thanks to Ethans decisive actions, they were able to cure the petrified allies. Furthermore, the strong ones who were protecting the petrified allies could now fight without hesitation. Follow Ethan Whiskers! Ethan stood at the center of the battlefield. Chapter 26: The goal of the trial Chapter 26: The goal of the trial Kweeek! Thest Cockatris fell. We have won! Princess Lea raised her sword and everyone cheered. Then, she approached Ethan first. Ethan, breathing heavily, sat down on the ground. Ethan Whiskers! It was an amazing feat! What in the world are you!? I couldnt even see your sword! From the Royal Knights to the mercenaries and even Princess Leas personal guards, everyone praised Ethan. While it might have been possible to handle the monsters somehow, it was his decisive judgment without hesitation that prevented them from suffering immeasurable losses. It was as if Ethan had rescued them from a great crisis. Thank you! You saved our lives! If it werent for you, we would have definitely died right there. Ethan smiled while still seated. He was quite exhausted, but he could feel a sense of fulfillment throughout his body. If I had made a single mistake, the quest could have ended right there. Cockatrice was an incredibly powerful monster. Although he gained Giants Strength, all he could rely on was his strength, and if he had taken a proper hit from the enemys attacks, he wouldnt have been able to endure. Princess Lea reached out her hand to the seated Ethan. I express my gratitude. You saved everyones lives. -Lea Martinezpletely trusts you. Upon reading the message, Ethan smiled inwardly and responded calmly. Its not over yet, is it? Even though he was already exhausted, Princess Lea admired his concern for others. Youre a true knight, looking out for others even in such circumstances. We should save as many people as possible. Let me assist others quickly. Ethan replied consistently, as befitting the embodiment of a hero. Princess Lea nodded with a proud expression and left the ce. Everyone was in the midst of receiving treatment. However, many priests were still petrified, leaving a significant number of people in need of assistance. Especially, detoxification was urgent. Ethan himself was also affected by the poison. Phew. Ethan immediately opened the Donguibogam. -You opened the Magic Book, Donguibogam -The poison of the Cockatrice King is recorded in the Donguibogam. -The poison of the ck Scorpion is recorded in the Donguibogam. -The poison of the Manticore is recorded in the Donguibogam. -Donguibogam analyzes the poisons. -Now it is possible to create antidotes for the recorded poisons! Ethan had recorded the poisons of the Cockatrice King, the ck Scorpion, and even the Manticore in the Donguibogam. By recording the poisons in the Donguibogam, he could create antidotes to counteract them. [New World] subscribers may not know it yet, but Heo Jun is an amazing god. Id like to request the ingredients that the priests and mages were trying to use. What are you nning to do? Im going to make antidotes. The Royal Knights were surprised by Ethans words. To think that he was not only a skilled swordsman capable of hunting down Cockatrices and Manticores on his own, but also capable of creating antidotes. You can even make antidotes!? Not only are you incredibly skilled in swordsmanship, but you can also make antidotes? It seems like you can do anything! Everyone eximed in admiration and awe toward Ethan. Meanwhile, rtively unharmed individuals brought the materials. Its remarkable. Making an antidote meant creating an antidote potion, but Ethan didnt follow the conventional methods. It was only natural since what Ethan was creating was not an antidote potion, but an antidote decoction. Swish, swish, swish. While Ethan was preparing the antidote decoction, the people quickly restored order to the chaotic scene. The injured were gathered and those affected by the poison were kept together in one ce. The bodies of the defeated monsters were piled up in one location, their remains separated to prepare for any potential additional poisoning. Meanwhile, Ethan devoted himself to crafting the antidote decoction. If I dont make it properly, I might die too. In the midst of that intense situation, Ethan rushed to create it without hesitation. It was an action he took because he was capable of creating the antidote decoction himself. Its done. -[Intermediate Detoxification Decoction] has been created! -Grade assessment in progress -[Intermediate Detoxification Decoction] B+ grade. Thepleted detoxification decoction had the ability to neutralize all the poisons recorded in the Donguibogam. Ethan immediately consumed the decoction. Ugh. It was so bitter that he wanted to spit it out, but the effect was undeniable. The toxins that had filled his body began to be rapidly detoxified. The effect is definitely worth the bitterness. Ethan forced a smile and continued to create more decoctions. -The proficiency in decoction brewing has greatly increased! -Decoction Brewing (A) [25%] Unintentionally, Ethans proficiency in decoction brewing experienced a significant boost. Satisfied with the unexpected benefit, Ethan called upon the Royal Knights. Give them this. Understood. Despite it being a potion they had never seen before, the Royal Knights unquestioningly epted the decoction and administered it to the poisoned individuals. Ughh. Those who had been suffering in agony were swiftly detoxified upon consuming the decoction. To see immediate effects like this How on earth did you make this? The priests and mages were greatly astonished by Ethans decoction. Normally, a detoxification potion did not take effect immediately upon consumption. Unless it was an exceptionally advanced potion, detoxification usually took a considerable amount of time. Could it be that you have created an advanced detoxification potion with those ingredients? I added a little trick. Ethans humility elicited another round of admiration from the mages. Mages were esteemed individuals, possessing a noble power that only the chosen few could wield through magic. Yet, even with such power, to remain so humble was remarkable. Thanks to Ethans creation and distribution of the decoctions, everyone recovered without any additional casualties from the poisoning. I owe you my life. I will definitely repay this favor. Since he couldnt take the items with him anyway, Ethan asked with a hopeful heart: If theres a potion that can restore my health, Id appreciate it. I have suffered from too much poison. Is something like this eptable? Ding! -Received Advanced Healing Potion! He received potions simr to the ones he had received before. Having them was not a bad thing, but it wasnt what Ethan had hoped for. Thank you. Still, Ethan smiled and expressed his gratitude. Meanwhile, a priest approached Ethan. I may not have much, but if you wish, I can teach you something like this. Ethan clenched his fist. This was exactly what he had been hoping for. -Priest Louranche wishes to pass on magic to you! -You can learn the [Blessing of Nature] magic from Louranche. If you are willing to teach, I will gratefully learn. -You have learned the Blessing of Nature! Skill added: Blessing of Nature (A) This is nature magic? Nature magic was a type of ancient magic. It was believed to have originated from the elves and had be lost over time, essible only through special routes. Thank you. With the ability to learn such magic, Ethan could create decoctions without limit. Afterward, he continued to receive potions from various people. While it would have been nice to learn more magic, having acquired the Blessing of Nature alone was a significant gain for Ethan. If the recovery isplete, we will advance again! The day is growing dark, so lets push forward a little more and make camp! * * * That night. Ethans camp. There was now less than half a days journey remaining. If they departed early in the morning, they would soon arrive at Reichardt. Once they reached there, they would have to fight the Fire Dragon King. Of course, Ethan was not too worried, as he knew the oue of this story. In the end, the remation force would drive out the Fire Dragon King and reim Reichardt. However, Princess Lea and many others would perish. But driving out the Fire Dragon King and reiming Reichardt is not the ultimate goal. The quest clearly stated that he must resolve the regret of the one buried in the tomb. And the one buried in the tomb was Princess Lea Martinez. What could the regret be? It doesnt seem like reiming Reichardt is the regret, and I remember something about a family. Is it rted to that family? Or is the act of being dead itself the regret? He needed to find out the details before reaching Reichardt. He had to appease this regret in order to clear the trial. Hmm, perhaps not being able to ultimately kill the Fire Dragon King could be the regret. He needed to uncover Princess Leas story and, in addition, not just drive out the Fire Dragon King but kill it. Those were the two clear objectives he had to pursue. But it seems impossible to kill the Fire Dragon King in my current state Ethan pondered for a moment. Ah, thats right! A good idea suddenly came to mind. Ethan immediately took out the meat of the Cockatrice and Manticore from his subspace pouch. In general, meat from monsters that possessed poison couldnt be consumed. The poison permeated the meat, making it inedible. The poison made the taste of the meat unbearable. Even if it was cooked well and the poison was supposedly removed, it often resulted in cases of poisoning. It was like a food debuff of sorts. Ethan held the meat of the Cockatrice and Manticore in both hands. Huu. What Ethan was about to do could be described as either a clever trick or a reckless gamble. It was an unconventional approach, deviating from normal gamey, reminiscent of the assassination y he had attempted before entering the ruins. Chew, chew! Taking a deep breath, Ethan started eating the meat in his hands. As soon as he consumed the meat, his body reacted. He was poisoned and afflicted with abnormal status. However, Ethan didnt stop. He chewed the meat once more and swallowed it with a decoction, eliminating the poison in his mouth. But as he ate the meat again, the poison built up once more. Ethan repeated this process of chewing and swallowing several times. His face contorted in disgust, and the pain was unbearable as if his stomach was being ripped apart. Nevertheless, Ethan didnt stop. There was something to be gained. Sir Ethan? Murine, who hade to relieve himself, spotted Ethan. What are you eating all by yourself? Eugh! What is that? Startled by Murines reaction, Ethan casually replied. Its a tradition in our vige. Tradition?! The word tradition struck a nerve in Murine, reaching deep into his core. Traditions were something to be upheld, and he couldnt ignore them. One more. There was little meat left now. If he didnt obtain what he sought, he would have to get more meat and repeat the process. He wouldnt stop until he obtained what he desired. Euugh. With a low groan, Ethan ate the meat one more time. And just as his consciousness was about to fade away. Ding! The awaited notification popped up. -You have earned the trait [Gourmet]. Done! Murine eximed in admiration as he looked at Ethan. Youre truly amazing. How did you manage to eat all of that, Sir Ethan? Its not a secret to bing stronger, is it? Thats correct. Ethan replied with a smile. It was incredibly painful, but he was able to obtain the desired trait without a doubt. The trait was [Gourmet]. As an S-grade trait, it was likely a trait that no yer in MePan had discovered, even after countless ys. -[Gourmet] [S-rank] -Your pte is the most discerning and peculiar in the world. Your body adapts to your gourmet behaviors. -When affected by abnormal conditions, your strength is enhanced. -Resistance to various abnormal conditions greatly increases. -As the severity of abnormal conditions increases, your attack power and defense significantly increase. The Gourmet trait was a unique trait that involved consuming substances or getting stronger when affected by abnormal conditions. It had a challenging acquisition process, and its concept revolved around gaining strength through being in abnormal states. Who would eat something like rotten meat? Of course, Ethan discovered the trait through firsthand experience, but it remained rtively unknown to most people. With his current self, he could make good use of it. As far as I know, it definitely applies to curses too. Currently, Ethans body was under a powerful curse. With a curse that wont be lifted until death, it provided the opportunity to continuously activate the Gourmet trait. This is actually one of the intended uses. If youre under a longsting curse, its almost certain death. Longsting curses often possessed tremendous power. Therefore, managing the curse in a stable manner was more challenging than utilizing the Gourmet trait. You could easily end up dying. Although Ive enhanced various aspects of my health to maintain stability, at its core, its the Extinction curse where different parts of my body are slowly dying. However, it was precisely because of this that Ethan could make even better use of the Gourmet trait. Szzzzz. Obtaining the Gourmet trait sent a thrilling surge of vitality through Ethans body. -The [Gourmet] trait is activated. -Condition: Afflicted by an unknown curse. -Due to the unidentified nature of the curse, the enhancement provided is not as strong as typical curses! Ethan chuckled softly. Its a bit disappointing that Extinction is a rare condition, so the Gourmet trait isnt fully applicable. Nevertheless, the constant activation of the Gourmet trait was a favorable oue. This way, I can make some use of the curse. Its not like Im just going to passively ept it. You seem truly delighted. To think that rotten meat holds the key to power, the world truly has its strange, or rather, diverse traditions. Would you like to try it? You can be stronger. Ugh. He closed his eyes tightly and took the meat to eat. Of course, Ethan didnt eat any more rotten meat and discarded itpletely. With this, the preparations areplete. Chapter 27: To the Burning City (1) Chapter 27: To the Burning City (1) After obtaining the Gourmet trait, Ethan felt incredibly light. It was almost like having a passive skill. The Gourmet trait continued to activate due to the curse, providing its effects constantly. The effects are quite neat. Increased strength and defense stats. Furthermore, if Ethan were to be affected by another status ailment, the stat boosts would stack. I just need to make gradual adjustments like this. Euhh, Sir Ethan, how can you eat that and still be fine? Murine, who had struggled after eating poisoned food, asked with a puzzled expression. Ethan gently smiled and shared some decoction with Murine. Eat this. Th-thank you. Murine, who already regarded Ethan as an impressive person, had a different look in his eyes after eating the poisoned meat. Ethan looked at Murine and began thinking about the uing events tomorrow. Tomorrow would likely be the day of the decisive battle. He needed to n everything properly to ovee this trial wlessly. As Ethan was devising his n, a Royal Knight approached him. Ethan Whiskers, Her Highness is looking for you. * * * When he entered the princesss tent as summoned, Princess Lea sat there with a worried expression. He first wondered if there would be other people gathered, but it turned out she was the only one inside the tent. Although it was a bit strange, he quickly assumed that she trusted him to that extent andfortably spoke up. Did you call for me? I wanted to talk, so I called for you. Princess Lea let out a deep sigh as Ethan took a seat. Do you think we can drive out the Fire Dragon King? Ethan pretended to contemte for a moment, then nodded. Considering the actual history, they did manage to drive out the Dragon King. However, he couldnt say that it woulde at the cost of the princesss life. Yes. Do you have a reason for you to say that? Because you, Princess, are here. As Ethan spoke as if he knew something, the princess silently looked at him before speaking. I dont know where you came from, but it seems like youre aware of my power. I dont know much. I just have a feeling. Princess Lea let out a small sigh. Well, fine. Thats not important. I called you here because I have one request for you. What is your request? I will drive out the Dragon King myself. I dont really need your help or anyone elses. However, if I do that, I will die. So, thats why she will die. Although he didnt know much, it seemed there was a way for her to exert great power by sacrificing herself. Princess Lea already seemed determined, as if she had made up her mind. You mentioned that you also have family there, right? Could you possibly save my mother while rescuing your own family? Your mother? My foster mother who raised me is there. It seemed like there was aplicated family history involved. Others may not know, but I already carry the bloodline of the royal family. Thats why I have no choice but to entrust it to you. If you fulfill this request, I will grant you all of my power. Is this rted to her personal matter? It seemed like a clue topleting the quest was emerging. After a moment of contemtion, Ethan nodded. I understand. I will do it. Thank you, truly thank you. * * * Burn-! Stand by! In the distance, a burning city came into view. The great city of Reichardt was engulfed in mes. The city walls were charred ck, and the bridge leading into it was severed. Thud-! At the sight, the remation troops charged forward. They wanted to get inside as quickly as possible. Then, a roar echoed. Roarrr! It was a sound they had never heard before. Dragon Fear! Despite the considerable distance, many froze in their tracks at the mere sound of the roar. Blessings of Nature. Natures protection, natures armament. The priests immediately cast buff magic. It was the same magic that Ethan had been taught. Indeed, the effects of the magic were tremendous. The frozen bodies of the troops quickly regained their mobility. The princess confirmed the change and shouted loudly. Lets reim it! In response to Leasmand, the remation forces charged toward Reichardt. * * * The first objective is not to defeat the Fire Dragon King. Thats something I must remember. Reichardt was truly a hellish scene. Crimson mes engulfed the surroundings, and the area was filled with fallen people. Buildings were charred ck, emitting a pungent smell. Amidst the scattered ashes, paths were formed by the mes. n A. n A-! It was impossible for arge-scale force to advance. Only a few strong individuals could confront the Fire Dragon King. Therefore, the task of facing the Fire Dragon King was assigned to those positioned at the front, while the rear personnels objective was to rescue the people of Reichardt. Lets survive and meet again, no matter what. Upon the words of a Royal Knight, everyones expressions hardened. At that moment, the princess looked at Ethan. Ethan nodded as if he knew what she meant. Ethan slipped away alone towards one of the alleyways of Reichardt. For now The princess had asked him to find her foster mother. She had only revealed the location of her foster mothers house to Ethan. A blue roof with a chicken-shaped ornament at the end. Ethan moved to a higher ce first. Climbing up a pir and onto the roof, he traversed between the roofs, making his way to the top of thergest building. And there, he saw it. Roar! (+)[1]TLN: Sorry to interrupt your reading but, I just want to tell you that this is an onomatopoeia of roaring mes. Not the roar of the Dragon King The Fire Dragon King The Dragon King was floating not far away. And in an instant, their eyes met. [Lv. 99] -You insignificant insect. Im in trouble. Since their gaze had met, it wouldnt be long before the Fire Dragon King unleashed his attack. Nevertheless, Ethan did not run away. I need to confirm it first. He turned his head and found the chicken-shaped ornament on the blue roof. There it is. And before long, he found it. But at the same time, he felt an immense heat. .! It was the breath that the Fire Dragon King unleashed in his direction. At the same time, the sound of pping wings was heard. No way. Is heing this way? Kuuung! Kuuung! With each p of his wings, the force was so fierce that the sound of buildings copsing could be heard. Ethan quickly descended. By this time, Princess Lea should have joined forces with the people hiding in Reichardt. If that was the case, the encounter with the Fire Dragon King was still far away. Looks like Ive met the Dragon King first. It didnt matter. If it meant escaping from the Fire Dragon King, he could do it anytime. Now that Ive found the house Princess Lea mentioned He just had to make sure to avoid causing any damage in that direction. Ethan sprinted to the opposite side of the house with the blue roof, using his full power. At that moment, the sky started turning crimson. Ethan smashed through the neighboring house with Dinalychus and entered inside. Rumble! Before the building copsed, he quickly dashed out to the opposite side. The attacks ofrge monsters were generally area attacks, and there was a significant dy between attacks. It meant that once theyunched a proper attack, there would be a considerable gap until the next one. By effectively utilizing that gap, evading was rtively easy. Thud! He forcefully stepped on the ground and continued fleeing. He had to get out of the Fire Dragon Kings line of sight. Im not your opponent. When there was a considerable distance between them, a loud noise came from behind. Protect him! Ill bring down that dragon! Along with the princesss voice, the sounds of battle echoed. Ethan, who had been fleeing, spun around and redirected his steps toward the house with the blue roof. Could it be that she failed to rescue her foster mother? If that were the case, then rescuing the foster mother would likely clear the quest. Ethan made a U-turn and headed back towards the house with the blue roof, retracing his steps. It would be faster to go back the way he came. However, if he did that, he would have to cross paths with the remation troops engaged in battle with the Fire Dragon King. So, he chose to take a detour instead. Keukkkk. Get a hold of yourself! We need to escape quickly! Now is not the time for this! M-mom! Mom! Someone help here, please! Reichardt was truly a hellish scene. Just witnessing the sight of the burning city upon entering was overwhelming enough, but seeing people dying inside was a shock beyond words. However, soon after, he shook his head and regained hisposure. Its already over. This was just a recreation of the past. The memories of Princess Lea Martinez, it was a thing of the past. Even if I try to save them here, it wont change anything. The dead were already dead, and the living were still alive. Those who survived in this ce had likely passed away by now. Damn it. Despite knowing it was foolish, his body moved on its own. He quickly rescued the people trapped under the copsed buildings and continued running forward. Thank you! Sniff, thank you so much! Ding! -You have earned an achievement! -You performed a good deed! -You earned an achievement [Hesitated but Eventually Did It]! -You have earned 3 likes! Was there also this kind of thing? Ethan smirked. Good deeds always came back in some way. There were no meaningless events in the world. Ethan continued running and arrived at the house with the blue roof. It had been quite some time since the Fire Dragon King arrived in Reichardt. Theres a high chance they evacuated. He tore the door off and entered. The inside was quiet. Activating his Heros Breathing, Ethan listened intently. Theres a basement. There was a basement inside the kitchen. Ethan immediately headed towards the kitchen and started rummaging through the floor. Found it. Then, Ethan discovered the door to the basement on the floor. Since it was securely locked, he used Dinalychus to smash the basement door. There was no time to leisurely knock and ask if anyone was inside. Kwaang-! Outside, themotion could still be heard. As Ethan opened the basement door, a musty smell greeted him. Upon entering, he saw a long staircase. Small torches, seemingly recently attached, adorned the walls. Is anyone inside? Im with the remation sent to reim Reichardt! Dont be afraid! Ivee to rescue you on behalf of the remation force! Ethan spoke in the most friendly voice possible. Then, he sensed movement from below. Remation force, you say? It was a hesitant voice. There was a slight tremor as if the person doubted whether Ethan was truly from the remation force. Being in the basement, they probably didnt have a good understanding of the situation outside. However, it was clear that they were filled with fear. Yes, please rest assured. Im from the remation force. Right now, Princess Lea Martinez is leading the remation force to fight against the Fire Dragon King Siegmund, to drive him out. Pleasee down here first. As Ethan descended, he saw an elderly woman with snow-white hair. She seemed momentarily surprised when she saw Ethan, but quicklyposed herself and guided him. You are truly noble, despite your young age. Thank you so much foring to help Reichardt. Its not me, but rather I came here on behalf of the princess. Under the orders of Princess Lea, I see. Yes, she specifically asked me to bring you, her mother, to a safe ce. Upon hearing those words, she fell silent. Was it truly the princesss order to bring her mother to a safe ce? She looked at Ethan with suspicion. Yes, its natural for you to suspect me. Since its sudden for me toe here and say such things. But its the truth. Its dangerous outside right now. The basement might be safe, but if that dragon goes mad and starts spewing fire around, theres a chance that this ce could be affected as well. Upon hearing Ethans words, she let out a sigh. In such a situation where doubts are inevitable, I apologize. Its because Princess Lea she doesnt refer to me as mother.'' The princesss foster mother spoke with a bitter smile.
  • 1. TLN: Sorry to interrupt your reading but, I just want to tell you that this is an onomatopoeia of roaring mes. Not the roar of the Dragon King
Chapter 28: To the Burning City (2) Chapter 28: To the Burning City (2) After sending the princess to the royal family, Princess Lea ceased to be my daughter. The foster mother exined briefly. She had raised her for 18 years before sending her to the royal family. She had raised her with love as if she were her own daughter. But ever since Lea Martinez went to the royal family, knowing her true lineage, she no longer called her mother as before. Perhaps it was themand of the royal family. The princess of the kingdom should not address amoner like me as her mother. She had such a poignant expression. Indeed,st night the princess had a deeply emotional expression. Various emotions were conveyed in her statement that she couldnt save her foster mother herself. Even if it was amand from the royal family, it doesnt justify everything. Ethan muttered, suspecting the extent of the royal familys coercion that he was unaware of. As Ethan hesitated, she asked again, tilting her head slightly. Did that child, I mean, the princess, really call me mother? Yes, she clearly asked me to save her foster mother. . However, she still wore an expression of disbelief. For now, please leave. Its too dangerous here. Ethan thought that not being able to save her foster mother was her regretful past. But now that he had met her foster mother in person, he felt that there must be more to it. Even if I hadnte here, the princesss foster mother would have survived. In other words, it meant that her regret stemmed not from failing to protect her foster mother, but from something else. Ethan clicked his tongue softly. What is it? Kwaaaaaang-! At that moment, a loud noise erupted from outside. Startled by the sudden sound, she trembled. During her time in the basement, she hadnt heard such noises before. For now, lets get out of here. Ethan held her tightly and quickly led her outside. Kwaang! Whoooosh! Fire surged in all directions and the sound of buildings copsing filled the air. Kuaaak! Prin-Princess! Step back! The sound of screams echoed. Looking up, they saw burning meteors falling from the sky, heading straight above Ethans head. Ethan, holding the princesss foster mother, swung his sword. In the face of this ordeal, Ethan would never have been able to strike before, but the current Ethan was different. Swoosh! With a swift motion, he deflected the meteor that would have hit the neighboring building. Lets go to a safe ce. Ethan guided the princesss foster mother to a distant location for safety. The quest is not over. He brought the princesss foster mother to a safe ce. However, the trials were far from over. In the end, its the Fire Dragon King after all. Indeed, this wasnt the clear condition of the quest. Ethan immediately headed to the square where the Fire Dragon King resided. The remation forces that came together rescued the citizens of Reichardt and moved them outside. Only the remation forces and the Fire Dragon King remained in the square, as others had already be the Fire Dragon Kings prey. -Roarrr! Embrace the baptism of fire! At the center of it all were the Fire Dragon King and Princess Lea. Princess Lea disyed incredible swordsmanship, exerting pressure on the Dragon King. It was an unbelievable disy of swordsmanship, almost beyond human capabilities. O Goddess, grant me strength. She was truly engulfed in mes. -Youre using power beyond your limits. Youve disappointed me, human. You thought you were better than the other insects, but you only think about dying together. Youre no different from the rest of them. The Fire Dragon King mocked her and spewed fireballs toward her. Princess Lea swung her sword and froze the fireballs in mid-air. Crackle! The Fire Dragon Kings roaring mes shed repeatedly with the icy cold emanating from Princess Lea. Princess Lea had an expression of immense pain on her face. Only Princess Lea could withstand the overwhelming power of the Fire Dragon King. The other members of the remation forces were gradually bing exhausted and copsing. Huuuk. Lea took a deep breath. She then focused her strength on her sword and gathered the cold energy. Frost Breath of Frost. It was her most destructive sword technique. Upon witnessing her action, the Fire Dragon King opened its jaws wide and unleashed a powerful stream of mes. Crackle! The sh between the cold energy and the mes ensued. In the end, it was Lea who was pushed back. However, at that moment, Ethan stepped forward and caught Lea, preventing her from being pushed back further. Wh-why are you here? Dont worry. Ive taken her somewhere safe. -So, youre that insect from earlier. The Fire Dragon King, Siegmund, opened his jaws wide. mes flickered within, infused with tremendous power. Whoosh! Breath. The inferno, capable of consuming everything, was unleashed directly toward Ethan. -Be ash, you insect. Princess Lea wore an expression of despair. She realized that she should have resolved this herself but because she couldnt, everyone would end up dead. Including Ethan Whiskers, who should have escaped with her foster mother. No, it cant be. Her body began to glow, and tremendous energy started gathering within her battered form. It felt like the energy could explode at any moment. However, the Fire Dragon King paid no attention to her. He was still fixated on the mes that refused to die out. -Human. The voice of the Fire Dragon King grew softer. Within those mes, Ethans eyes gleamed. -You have suffered extreme burns. -The [Gourmet] trait is activated. -Condition: Burned Power increases due to burns. -You have been burned by the mes of the Fire Dragon King, Siegmund, the me Lord. I only have to hold out once. Ethan consumed all the potions he had, allowing him to withstand the attacks of the Fire Dragon King. That was all he needed. Having obtained burns from the mes of Siegmund, the me Lord, his Gourmet trait was pushed to its limits. Ethan tightly gripped Dinalychus. I see it. Siegmund, the Fire Dragon King, was undoubtedly a being unlike any other monster. But in the end, he was still just a monster. The Monsters Cmity trait had been triggered. Of course, that didnt make him an easy opponent. Its too small. Among the enemies Ethan had faced, the Beast King, who had the highest level, was far surpassed by the Fire Dragon King. His weaknesses seemed minuscule, and it felt impossible to prate them. Still, I can see it. Its notpletely invisible! Thats enough! Huuuuk. Thanks to the Heros Breathing and various buff potions, power surged through Ethans body. Giants Strength, along with the power gained from this Gourmet trait. The Dragon Kings attacks were fierce enough to cross the threshold of death. However, Ethans offensive power had skyrocketed exponentially. Stab! Ethans sword moved like a beam of light, piercing through the Dragon Kings scales. -You pierced my scales? With the Fire Dragon Kings astonishment, Ethan withdrew his sword. Without stopping there, he relentlessly thrust his sword repeatedly. He had to target the exact weak points. Otherwise, he would never be able to prate those scales. Stab! He struck once more, delivering a solid blow. The Fire Dragon King winced in pain and retreated. One more time. Ethan continued his attacks without letting his guard down. As he continued the assault, he had to properly control the speed of the Whiskers swordsmanship, which elerated with each strike. If he couldnt control it effectively, his attacks might bounce off and miss their mark. Nevertheless, Ethan maximized his speed as much as possible. His relentless movements were a testament to his confidence that he would never strike in the wrong ce. -Keugh! Human, I have no choice but to acknowledge your iprehensible power! But can you withstand this!? Dragon King Siegmund spread his wings in an instant, creating a gust of wind. -Hell of Firewind. The heat was suffocating. The intense wind was so strong that even standing on the ground became difficult. Oh, Moon Goddess. At the same time, a voice came from behind Ethan. Princess Lea was holding the sword with both hands pressed against her chest. Princess Lea closed her eyes and quietly murmured as if praying to a god. Her ultimate strike, exchanging her life for it. Moonforce. Shaaaaaah! In an instant, the gust of wind subsided. Simultaneously, intense cold spread around, suppressing the Fire Dragon Kings ability to use magic. -That power! The power of that goddess! Ethan didnt miss this opportunity. With the glowing red spot on the forehead clearly visible, he forcefully thrust his sword into it. Fire Dragon King Siegmund writhed for a moment before his massive body copsed. Kwaaang! -The Fire Dragon King Siegmund has been in! -Level up! -The trial has ended! -The quest has ended! As soon as the Fire Dragon King fell, the surrounding scenery began to crumble. However, Ethan couldnt smile. No, somethings not right. This doesnt feel like aplete clear. Ethan instinctively realized it. This wasnt a perfect questpletion. The surroundings were disappearing, but he didnt feel the sense of aplishment he expected. It said end, not clear. Ethan looked at the fallen Princess Lea. It asked me to resolve the regret of the tombs owner. This isnt the answer either. Please, hold on. With all his strength, Ethan ran while carrying the dying Princess Lea. He arrived at the ce where her foster mother was waiting. Gently cing the bloodied Princess Lea on the ground, her foster mother silently shed tears. Princess Lea, who had lost consciousness due to the speed at which they ran, opened her eyes upon feeling the tears falling down her face. Lea, my daughter, my beloved daughter. Princess Lea looked at her foster mother and then contorted her face. Im sorry. Im sorry Mother. The disappearingndscape began to change. The crumbling scenery that was copsing and falling apart now turned into dust, slowly dissipating and scattering. The princess has already surpassed her limits. I cannot save her. However, unlike before, when it seemed like she would die at any moment, the princess now appeared to be quite well. I misunderstood, Mother. I thought you had made up your mind to send me away. Since I did everything you told me not to do, and when it was revealed that I had royal blood, I thought you liked it. Because I could be sent away. So, so No. No, my daughter. I didnt want to send you away. I was afraid you would be hurt if I sent you away with a crying face Her regret was that she couldnt call her foster mother Mother after she left for the royal family until her death. She should have not been stubborn. She should have taken a step back. The regret of not saying those words weighed heavily on her. Princess Leaughed through her tears. The words she had wanted to say so badly. She finally got to say them. Thank you so much for raising me truly. Thank you for bing my daughter. Now, you can rest easy. Even if I were to be born again as your daughter Leas foster mother held Princess Leas hand. Gradually, the strength began to fade from Princess Leas hand. Beside her fallen daughter, Leas foster mother sang the luby she used to sing when Lea was young. Princess Lea closed her eyes quietly. -The owner of the trial, Lea Martinezs regret has been resolved. -You have passed the trial. -You have perfectly cleared the trial. You havepletely resolved the regret that the princess could not achieve. -Rewards are enhanced! The trial came to an end. Ethan had received the rewards for sessfully clearing the trial. Following that. -[Surviving as Ethan Whiskers]-2 Main Scenario has been cleared! -Obtained the ss [Heir of the Moon] -Obtained the skill [Frost sh] -Obtained the skill [Moonforce] -Received a chain quest. -Survival probability has increased! -Title effect has changed! [Survival Desire] -Every stat receives modifiers as the survival probability rises. <> With numerous notifications, Ethan had sessfully changed ss to the Heir of the Moon. Chapter 29: Heir of the Moon Chapter 29: Heir of the Moon Ethan opened his eyes and found himself in front of the tomb. It was quite simple, but that was her regret. Her regret was not that she couldnt save her foster mother. Her true regret was for someone to personally save her foster mother, to seek her out and face her foster mother directly. Lost in thought for a moment, Ethan then checked the results of the trial and quest he hadpleted. First, he looked at his status window. [Name: Ethan Whiskers] [Level: 15] [ss: Heir of the Moon] [Strength: 20][+6] [Agility: 14][+6] [Stamina: 38][+6] [Intelligence: 6] [+6] [Trait: Gourmet, Giants Strength] *Fame: 85 *[Moonforce]: The power of the moon protects you, greatly increasing your stamina. His stats had significantly improved. The curse was still present, but his physical condition had greatly improvedpared to before. I still have a limited time, but Ive regained a certain level of health. He was able to restore his body to a certain extentpared to the beginning. Now, he felt that he could engage in normal activities to some extent. Now Im standing at the starting line. Ethan finally felt like he was standing at the starting line. In MePan, yers would quickly raise their stats through various means. However, even if they umted an excessive amount of stats, they would often die due to the high difficulty. Considering that, Ethan could now consider himself standing at the starting line. And I got the ss I wanted. It was a remarkable event. He had obtained a job he had never obtained before. Ethan assessed what he had gained from this trial. First and foremost was the ss. Heir of the Moon. Ethan had be the sessor of the Moon Goddess, Moonforce. Of all the jobs I could have gotten, I chose this one for a reason. Ethan activated one of the skills he acquired during this trial, Moonforce. Moonforce possessed two powers. The first power was the ability to infuse the sword with the power of the moon and unleash it. Now I can deliver a decisive blow. This Moonforce skill is the same technique Princess Lea used in her final moments. And the second power was the exact adjustment to Ethans desired ability, the modification of his stamina stat. My stamina stat receives a significant adjustment. This second power had a profound impact on Ethans stamina. It not only provided a significant bonus to his stamina stat but also greatly increased his base stamina. In reality, Ethans stamina stat had significantly increased. And with each level-up in this state, his stamina would increase even more. With this level of stamina, he wouldnt experience any shortage of stamina. No longer will I vomit blood or die from swinging a sword. To Ethan, that was the most important aspect. Sustaining good health. While he could replenish his strength as much as needed, maintaining good health was a separate matter altogether. In that sense, being the Heir of the Moon is the safest bet. Princess Lea was able to withstand the battle against the Fire Dragon King because she was a descendant of the Moon Goddess. Of course, she also had the Frost Sword, but it wasnt something that Ethan could hope for more. I should be satisfied with obtaining this ss. Ethan infused power into the Beast Kings w Sword he possessed. Instantly, a blue aura surged around it. I may not be able to fully utilize the Frost Sword like the Princess, but Still, he could make some use of it. Ethan looked at his status window with a sense of pride. It was rewarding to have obtained these powers through his arduous efforts. Shall we check the rewards then? -You have sessfullypleted the trial! -Please select your desired reward! -Rewards have been enhanced, allowing you to choose higher-tier rewards! [Leas Frost Sword], [Cloak of Agility], [Hanamuras Horn], [Ludravynis], [Stat Stone]. Huh? Ethan was momentarily taken aback. He couldnt believe that the Frost Sword would be among the options. The other rewards were also quite remarkable. In particr, Ludravynis was a very famous bow. Archers known as Divine Archers often carried replicas of Ludravynis. The other rewards are great, but There was only one reward that Ethan needed to choose right now. The Frost Sword. -You have chosen [Leas Frost Sword]! -The reward will be granted. Ssshaaaak-. The Frost Swordnded in Ethans hand. Ethan raised the Frost Sword and immediately activated the Frost Sword skill. As a result, an intense cold spread out. It was a powerful cold that couldnt be unleashed with the Beast Kings w Sword alone. Ah. With a satisfied expression, Ethan swung the Frost Sword a few times. Then he bowed his head towards the tomb. Her regret was no doubt relieved. Having properly obtained the rewards, Ethan proceeded to check the next quest, which turned out to be more than just one. *<> [Grade A] [Visit the Moon Goddesss temple and announce yourself as the new heir.] [Reward: Blessing of the Moon Goddess] If its the temple of the moon goddess, is it there? If it was a temple, there was a ce that came to his mind. The Moon Goddess was one of the ancient gods, a fallen deity with no worshippers left in the present day. As a result, the temple had been closed or neglected. However, Ethan had a hunch about the location of that temple. For now, I should go back and head to the temple. Next, he checked the main quest, [Survive as Ethan Whiskers]-2. There must be rewards for this too. The Frost Sword was a reward for clearing the trial. -You have received the clear reward for the main scenario [Survive as Ethan Whiskers]-2. -You have obtained a rare ss that exceeds imagination! -Survival probability increase! The maximum survival probability achievable through [Surviving as Ethan Whiskers]-2 has increased. -You have received the ultimate reward! The clear condition for the second scenario was actually quite simple. Obtain a ss for survival. In other words, regardless of the specific ss obtained, the quest would be cleared. Maximum survival probability? So, the rewards vary greatly depending on how I clear it? Ethan immediately checked the rewards. -Quest Reward: Double Caster. Double Caster? His hand trembled for a moment. No way. He couldnt believe hed see a Double Caster as a reward. -You can obtain an additional ss. Literally, it meant double. It was a reward where he could obtain two sses. The unexpected reward made Ethan unable to help but smile. He had faced numerous dangers to clear this quest. If the reward is anything like this, its worth doing. With this, he could focus on being the Heir of the Moon as his main ss and obtain an additional ss specialized in offense. Since being the Heir of the Moon was a safe job, he could choose an attack-oriented job for the other one. Ethan continued by checking [Survive as Ethan Whiskers] -3. *<> -You have just gotten a ss, further increasing your survival probability! -Form a contract with a being that can protect you. A being that can protect me The quest didnt explicitly mention which being to form a contract with. That meant he could choose autonomously, simr to the second quest. Its up to me. To maximize the rewards once again, it was best to form a contract with a reliable being. Lets give it a try, for now. * * * Ethans first encounter upon leaving the ruins was with the Arachnes. Seven massive Arachnes were hissing and spinning webs, preparing for an attack. The area was littered with the corpses of orcs and other monsters, making the surroundings grim and unsettling. Swiik! Youve been waiting for me, huh? It seemed that Ethan, despite beingte, appeared quite appetizing to them. Perhaps they had been lingering here, waiting for a meal. However, Ethan was no longer the same as before he entered the ruins. He had obtained a new job and gained various additional powers. Ethan tightly gripped the Frostde in his hand. This would be a good time to try it out. He then unleashed the power of the Frostde. Sha-aack! The blue glow of the sword intensified, and a chilling aura emanated from it. The Arachnes charged at Ethan. But he remained calm. He swiftly executed a series of Whiskers Swordsmanship techniques, from Form 1 to Form 8. The icy energy from the Frostde spread out, instantly freezing the Arachnes in their tracks. Without hesitation, Ethan took another step forward and unleashed his next skill. Frost sh. The frozen Arachnes crumbled under the might of Ethans Frost sh, shattering into icy fragments. -You have hunted an Arachne in an ancient ruin! -The curse of the Arachnes is aimed at you! -You are under an unimaginable curse! The curse of the Arachnes is nullified. The curse is nullified? The Extinction was so strong that other curses couldnt even prate it. I guess I should be thankful. Ethan chuckled as he left the forest. * * * Huu. Huu. In a dark room. A woman had her eyes closed. Tick. But it didntst long. The lights in the room turned on. Whats the matter? Ethan, who entered the room, looked at Yerica. Where have you been? But first, take a look at this! Yerica held up a handful of gold coins scattered nearby. The room was filled with gold coins. Ive be rich. She said with aplicated expression. After just starting her business in Pirenne, the weight reduction industry began to skyrocket like a sailboat in a favorable wind. I saw it on my way here. There were an incredible number of people, and they were all our customers. Yes, thats why I felt a bit scared. Yericas expression darkened. Her life had been that of a fugitive. She had lived as inconspicuously as possible, avoiding drawing attention from others. With the help of Ethan, some of her curses had been lifted, and she gained confidence by being able to use the magic passed down by her grandfather. But at the same time, she felt uneasiness. If people start gathering like this, wouldnt it cause problems? Can I really use magic properly to defeat someone? Theres nothing to be afraid of. Youre not the same person as before, Yerica. Those whoe seeking your magic? You should wee them. Just show them what youre capable of. Show them that youre not just a library filled with the knowledge of an Archmage, but the Archmages granddaughter. Ethan spoke to reassure her, to instill confidence. Now you can use magic, right? Yes. Then lets knock down anyone whoes on our way with your magic. Yes! Her eyes sparkled with determination. But before that. Ethan picked up the scattered gold coins from the floor. Lets expand our business a bit more. We shouldnt bail out when the tide rises. (+)[1]TLN: It means when you have a favorable opportunity in something, it means not to bezy but to work diligently without missing the timing.
  • 1. TLN: It means when you have a favorable opportunity in something, it means not to bezy but to work diligently without missing the timing.
Chapter 30: The Return of the Sickly Young Master Chapter 30: The Return of the Sickly Young Master Pirenne was overflowing with people unlike before. Is this really Pirenne? Why are there so many people? Could it be that they have alle for the weight reduction magic? It seems like it. The people gathered here were all those who came to receive the weight reduction magic. It was all thanks to the rumors that spread about someone in Pirenne who performed exceptional weight reduction magic. As a result, Pirennes economy unexpectedly started to flourish. Can I have some corn here, please? You mean sweet corn? Sure, please line up! A seemingly endless line of people stood waiting. They were all here to receive the weight reduction magic. Among them were some who were dressed quite extravagantly. They were formidable individuals rarely seen in Pirenne, yet they lined up without a word. Our business is thriving, dont you think? Shouldnt we build bigger buildings? Maybe we should acquire the adjacent building with the money weve earned? We could rake in money hand over fist. People eagerly wanted to get the weight reduction magic. However, currently, Yerica was the only one performing the magic, and the workshop was not thatrge. Inside the workshop. Im withdrawing. Immediately after seeing off thest customer, Ethan spoke directly to Yerica. With business going so well, why are you withdrawing? Curious, Yerica asked, and Ethan gently exined. I did business in Pirenne to assess the demand. As expected, the demand was sufficient, so now we can fully engage in the business, right? Why not continue in Pirenne? It seems like the word has spread properly. Ethan chuckled and raised his hand. I asionally forget, even with a bodyguard by my side, I am the eldest son of Count Whiskers. There is no need for me to do business in Pirenne. Thats right. Young Master, you are the eldest son of Count Whiskers! There is no reason for you to do business in Pirenne, especially with a huge counts estate! Schudlen had already prepared to leave. His self-esteem had skyrocketed, and he was delighted to see Ethan, whom he served, bing an increasingly worthy master to pledge his loyalty to. Since its confirmed that there is demand, there is no need to do business in Pirenne. Pirenne was a small city. While its location was quite favorable for growth, there was no need to be fixated on this city. Im going back to the count estate. By returning to the count estate and starting proper business, he could bring these customers along with him. This is not a business that anyone can replicate. Ethan was certain of that. This business was not something that anyone could imitate, so there was no need to rush into action. * * * After returning to the Count Estate, Ethans name began to rise among the residents of the territory. Is that really Young Master Ethan? He haspletely changed! He walks properly now!? And he carries two swords on his waist? The residents of the Count Estate knew well how frail Ethan used to be. There were stories subtly spread by the estates employees, and some had personally witnessed his condition. Moreover,pared to his younger brother, Nathan Whiskers, who was known to be at the prestigious Freya Academy, theparisons were inevitable. Therefore, the residents of the estate couldnt help but be astonished by thepletely transformed appearance of Ethan Whiskers. What on earth could have happened to him? One thing was certain: Ethan no longer looked sickly. But his gaze is still so tender. However, his gaze remained gentle. When looking into his eyes, there was still a sense of sickliness, which didnt quite match his now sturdy physique. If Young Master Ethan has rid himself of his sickly look Does that mean Has his expertise solely focused on swordsmanship, now? The once frail prodigy of swordsmanship had returned to the Count Estate. * * * Its truly astonishing. The Count Estate is much grander than I imagined. And everyone used to refer to you as the frail young master, and it turns out it was true. You didnt believe it? How could I? You defeated the Beast King. Unless the meaning of sickly has changed without my knowledge. It was a stroke of luck. If luck was all it took to defeat such an opponent, then I must have the worst luck. Yerica shook her head. Now I have no choice but to believe. Young master, please follow us this way. Ethan, along with Schudlen and Yerica, headed toward the Count Estate. They had to report their return to the Count, who was also Ethans father. Although their outing was brief, much had changed in the meantime. I brought Yerica with me. Moreover, with Yerica, Ethan had brought a business opportunity that could further develop the Count Estate. With this, our reputation will surely solidify. The Count Estate is vast, so it will umte quickly. Ethan suddenly thought of Nathan Whiskers. Nathan Whiskers exuded such simplicity that it was hard to believe he was from the Count family. Its all because of the money they spent on me. Having poured so much money into him, one would expect him to at least live on, but he sumbed to illness, and it was no wonder the Count family would be ruined. Ethan intended to ensure that such a situation would not ur at least. A foothold is absolutely necessary. In the early to mid-game, obtaining a title was the best thing one could achieve. However, obtaining a title was an incredibly difficult task. With effort, one might be able to obtain the rank of Marquis, but anything beyond that was extremely challenging to achieve through effort alone. But now, Ethan had essentially obtained a title. For the sake of my survival. Did you enjoy your outing, Young Master? Im truly relieved to see you return safely! Normally, the one who should have been the first to wee Ethans return was his father, Count Whiskers. However, for some reason, Count Whiskers was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the steward greeted him. The steward had be much more dignified than before and wore a smile on his face. The Count is having a conversation with a guest, Young Master. A guest? Yes, Count Huntar has arrived. By the way, Young Master, you have truly be healthier. The steward took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his moistened eyes. When you suddenly fell ill, we were extremely worried. Your reputation as the sword prodigy of the Whiskers family crumbled in an instant, and I cant even imagine how you must have felt. However, you managed to ovee it splendidly. The steward gestured to Schudlen. Schudlen had already finished talking with Ethan. This outing was meant to acquire good medicine, and they had reached an agreement on that matter. Im notpletely recovered yet, but I can walk around. Thank you so much for your concern, Steward. Its thanks to my father and you, Steward. Its truly a joy to hear that. I must quickly convey this good news to Count Whiskers. Please go inside. Ive been waiting to tell him that you have returned. As a formality, I should also greet the guest. Indeed Im relieved to see you in good health. Im notpletely recovered, but I have caused a lot of worry until now. Ethan gave a nod to the steward. The steward was genuinely pleased for his well-being. Ethan smiled at the steward in return. * * * Counts Reception Room. My son here, he has mastered the Huntar Swordsmanship perfectly this time. He can now demonstrate the ten forms of the Huntar Swordsmanship, which several members of our family have not achieved before, hahaha! Although the distance between their territories was quite far, Count Huntar, who had maintained periodic exchanges with Count Whiskers, was present as a guest. Count Huntar had a son who was one year younger than Ethan and was known for his exceptional talent, earning him the title of the Huntar prodigy. Well, its not a remarkable achievement, but it does concern me. I heard that your second son, Nathan, is performing quite well in one of the top academies, Freya Academy. However, isnt your eldest son still in a fragile state? That was the crux of the matter. Count Hunter subtly belittled Ethan while showcasing the aplishments of his own son. I have no need to worry about my eldest. However, I understand that you must be greatly concerned due to the troubles caused by Young Master Ethan. He will recover soon. I didnt expect you to be so concerned, Count Huntar. Count Whiskers made an effort to maintain hisposure. Although he was belittling his own eldest son, he couldnt reveal any ill feelings. That was because Count Whiskers relied on support from Count Huntar in various aspects. In particr, the magic tools and magic scroll businesses were firmly controlled by Count Huntar. In order to purchase such items at a reasonable price, Count Whiskers needed to maintain a good rtionship with him. Of course, it would have been better to develop businesses within his own county to createpetitiveness. However, Count Whiskers financial situation was not favorable. He had spent a significant amount of money to treat Ethans illness, but the count considered it a natural obligation. Therefore, it was an unavoidable situation. For the sake of his son and the county, he was willing to set aside his pride and offer a few boasts now and then. Knock, knock. At that moment, a knock was heard from outside. Oh, we have a guest. As the door opened, Ethan entered and met eyes with Count Huntar. However, he quickly averted his gaze and walked toward his father. In that instant, the three of them focused their gaze on Ethan. Just by his footsteps, one could discern his level of skill. Twist. The eyebrows of Letra Huntar, the eldest son of Count Huntar, who had been sitting quietly, raised. Despite hearing that Ethan was frail, his footsteps exuded a sense of agility and even a hint of a rogue-like aura. I have returned, Father. I stayed out a little longer because the fresh air outside was quite refreshing. Nevertheless, I have returned in good health. Upon hearing those words, Count Whiskers burst intoughter. Indeed, as Ethan spoke, there was hardly a trace of his previously frail appearance. Hahaha! Youre getting healthier by the day, so theres no need for you to stay within the county! Now, you should go out more often! As he spoke, Ethan nced briefly at Count Huntar. Count Whiskers conveyed his message through his gaze. My son was not as frail as you think. Congrattions on Young Master Ethans improved health, Count Whiskers. Count Huntar apuded. Thank you. Well then. Ssik-. Count Huntar then smiled. I heard that Young Master Ethan excelled in Whiskers Swordsmanship in the past. Coincidentally, my eldest son has achieved mastery in Huntar Swordsmanship. How about a sparring match between them? Count Whiskers expression stiffened slightly at Count Huntars words. Despite Ethans improved condition, it had been a long time since he wielded a sword. Achieving excellence in Whiskers Swordsmanship was also a thing of the past. On the other hand, Count Huntars eldest son had been training relentlessly from the moment he first picked up a sword until now, without a days rest. Whiskers Swordsmanship is said to prioritize speed over strength. Well, I suppose you could lightly swing the swords. Count Huntar continued speaking. If it bes too much, we can postpone it to another time. After all, Young Master Ethans physical condition is not at its best. If its not a proper Whiskers Swordsmanship, theres no point in winning. Count Huntar was already discussing under the assumption that Huntars Swordsmanship was far superior to Whiskers Swordsmanship. This was a severe insult. Just as Count Whiskers was about to refuse and say a few words, Lets do it. Ethan said. But I have a condition. I know you came today for business discussions. Are you nning to downsize that business? Well, yes. Are you asking me to pretend that the downsizing discussion never happened? Count Huntar shrugged his shoulders and asked. It wouldnt be a big issue to pretend it never happened, so he was ready to agree quickly. However No. Ethan shook his head. I want you to withdraw it Leave the building as it is. Clearly. Instantly, Count Huntars expression turned cold. Chapter 31: Sparring Chapter 31: Sparring Count Huntar visited Count Whiskers with more than ten people. The purpose of his visit was to inform Count Whickers about the downsizing of his main businesses, the potion business, and the magic tools business. Although these two matters were the main objectives, there was also a desire to boast about his own son. Once, Count Whiskers held a significantly higher position than Count Huntar, but over time, the gap between them narrowed, and in their generation, the hierarchy hadpletely reversed. Moreover, theparison extended to their childrens achievements. Nathan Whiskers, the second son, entered a renowned academy and demonstrated promising skills, while the eldest son, referred to as a frail individual, was disregarded. Ethan Whiskers, who was once hailed as a sword genius and even refused to bepared to the nobles of neighboring territories, now had a name that was utterly insignificant. Letra Huntar, the eldest son of Count Huntar, nced briefly at Ethan with a hint of disdain. Back then, you were my goal, Ethan Whickers. There had been a small sparring session organized among the noble youths, serving as a form of reconciliation to promote development between their respective territories. Letra had faced off against Ethan during that sparring session and suffered a crushing defeat due to the overwhelming difference in skill. In the end, Ethan emerged as the victor of that sparring session. Though he was now frail, to Letra, that image of Ethan Whiskers, exuding a formidable aura during their spar, lingered in Letras mind. That was why he wanted to shake off that lingering image. You seem tense. Tense? Thats what I should be saying. If you want to give up now, go ahead and give up. With your current condition, you can never defeat me. And I wont go easy on you. This is a spar fought in the name of Huntar. He was the pride of the Count Huntar family. Having achieved sess in the Huntar swordsmanship that his father could never reach, Letra was overflowing with confidence. If he could defeat Ethan here, he would no longer have anything to fear. Defeating you, weakened as you are, would indeed hold no meaning. It was a clear provocation. Letra believed that Ethan would be even more determined not to give up on the spar in the face of such provocation. Admittedly, I am not in perfect condition. For Ethan, being in perfect condition didnt simply mean having a curse-free body. It meant reaching a state where his abilities resembled those of the character he had nurtured. Compared to those abilities, his current state was far from perfect. But were not here to kill each other, are we? I am fully prepared to kill you today. Letra said. The festival duel, I still remember that day vividly. As they entered the small duel arena, the entourage brought by Count Huntar and the Whiskers Knights became visible. The knights of the Whiskers wore concerned expressions, whispering among themselves. Facing a spar just as young master starting to recover. Why did the Count ept this spar? The Young Master may be seriously humiliated. No, it could even result in severe injuries. The members of the Whiskers Knights were all deeply concerned about Ethan. Ethans condition was undeniably precarious. While he had improved considerably, the knights were unaware of the extent of his recovery. Even if it appeared fine on the surface, it didnt necessarily mean he was in a condition to fight. Schudlen. Yes. Go and talk to Young Master once again. You should know best about the state of his health since you apanied him on the outing! Schudlen, who had engaged in deep conversations with the steward, was quite exhausted. However, upon seeing Ethan entering the arena, his eyes lit up with anticipation. Do you mean to encourage him? No, its not that. I mean we should intervene. This spar was unfair from the beginning. Letra Huntar, the eldest son of Count Huntar, has been training relentlessly, while our lord has only just begun to recover. He is not in a state to fight! Did Young Master Ethan engage in any fights during this outing, Schudlen? Schudlen shook his head in response to the Knight Commanders question. He hasnt been in any fights, but Then we should intervene. He could be seriously injured. He has only just begun to recover, and if he gets hurt, it will greatly distress our lord. The knights never even considered the possibility of Ethan winning. In fact, they didnt even see him as a worthy opponent for Letra Huntar. Although he had regained some health, his stamina was still insufficient. On the other hand, how about Letra Huntar? One could tell just by looking at his muscr physique. He has trained properly. He ims to have excelled in Huntar swordsmanship, and it doesnt seem like a lie. Even the Knight Commander felt a tingling sensation, seeing Letras condition looking so good. But Schudlen had no intention of listening to the Knight Commanders words. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity. It was a chance to show that their Young Master could make another leap forward! He had lied about Ethan not having engaged in any fights, but in reality, hadnt Schudlen seen Ethan in action? Ill go then. Schudlen said so and moved to the back. There was a seat arranged at the back where he could sit and watch the fight. Oops. There was already a person there. Now that hes changed his clothes, Mr. Ethan truly looks like a noble. Since the spar had been arranged suddenly, Yerica hadnt been introduced to anyone yet. As a result, Yerica had been lingering in an ambiguous state ever since arriving in Whiskers County. Hes a noble, indeed. But who is that person? From what I briefly heard, it seems like hes going to participate in the spar. He is the eldest son of Count Huntar from the neighboring territory Schudlen exined briefly. Ah, I see. Among those present, only Schudlen and Yerica believed that Ethan would win. The two young masters ascended the dueling tform, followed by the two counts. When Count Huntar entered, the attention of the knights shifted to him. They were silently gesturing for him to stop the spar. Count Whiskers wanted toply with their silent pleas. However, knowing Ethans determination, he couldnt do so. Before the spar began, Count Whiskers called Ethan aside. Yes, Father? Ethan, are you sure about this? If you epted this proposal just for the sake of pride, I can go and decline it on your behalf. Besides Count Whiskers let out a short sigh. If they withdraw, it will be difficult for our county finances. Whiskers County doesnt have any major projects to rely on, so well have to raise taxes even more. But in order to pay those taxes, the people of the territory need to earn enough money. Its alright, Father. In fact, its the situation where they should withdraw. They should withdraw? Yes, because I have brought a new business opportunity. It will help resolve the financial issues. Ethan smiled as he spoke. So please watch me. * * * Amidst everyones concerns, the spar finally began. The steward, who had been opposing this spar all along, looked at Ethan with a worried expression. Young Master, is this really alright? Dont worry, Steward. I would appreciate it if you trust me and watch over me. The steward wanted to stop this spar right away. Looking at the expression on Letra Huntars face on the other side, it seemed like he was ready to strike Ethan down immediately. Both the knights and the count shared the same sentiment, but no one could stop the spar. It was because Ethan stepped forward confidently. And sensing the atmosphere, the spirits of Count Huntars vassals chuckled quietly. It seems like the young master hasnt been able to properly assess the situation. Well, he was called a sword prodigy in his prime. Now that his health has somewhat improved, he must have felt the desire to fight. It goes without saying that Count Huntars vassals had no doubt that Letra Huntar would win. They knew it firsthand from training together. Letra Huntar was the strongest swordsman in the Huntar family, even in this generation. His renowned Huntar swordsmanship was a ruthless style focused on overpowering opponents with sheer strength. As his massive build indicated, his goal was to crush his opponents with powerful blows, and he wielded a gigantic greatsword. Its a sparring match for mutual exchange I would prefer that you didnt use a real sword. As soon as Count Whiskers finished speaking, Ethan drew the sword at his waist. Its fine. You say so, Count Whiskers. Dont worry. Our Letra will handle it properly. Letras swordsmanship is not bad enough to harm the weak. So, watch with peace of mind. Count Huntar smiled proudly. Hesitantly, Count Whiskers nodded with aplex expression. The steward raised his hand, and the two men stood facing each other. The sparring begins, a fair and square exchange between the two territories. Start-! As soon as his hand dropped, it was Letra who made the first to move. To erase all previous memories, he unleashed the Huntar swordsmanship. The massive greatsword swung from top to bottom, striking like an axe. It was a swift and fierce attack, even in his own thoughts. Above all, there seemed to be no ce to dodge. If Ethan retreated, he would be subjected to a continuous assault, and if Ethan stood his ground and swung his sword, it would undoubtedly shatter. Just as the steward raised his hand to call for a halt. Ethans sword flowed like water, effortlessly avoiding Letras sword. Kwang-! A powerful strike mmed into the ground. Ethan seamlessly transitioned from the first form of Whiskers swordsmanship, deflecting the opponents attack, to the second form. A swift strike aimed at Letras chest. Letra hastily raised his sword to block Ethans attack. Kwang-! With a resounding noise, Letras body was pushed back. Ethan didnt miss a beat. He moved forward lightly and unleashed the Whiskers swordsmanship. From the second form to the third, from the third to the fourth. The speed was astonishingly fast, leaving Letra desperate to block the attacks rather thanunch his own. And then came the fifth form. Kwang-! This was not the frail Ethan of the past. With the boost from traits and level-ups, Ethan had grown stronger and gained stamina. Letra had no chance of blocking Ethans attacks. Kwang! Kwaaang-! Letra desperately tried to block Ethans attacks. He had no opportunity to unleash his renowned Huntar swordsmanship. He wanted to swing his sword forcefully to push back Ethans attacks and seize the chance to use the Huntar swordsmanship, but it wasnt easy. Keuk. Ethans attacks were not only fast but also powerful. Each attack was so heavy that it pierced through Letras defense and struck his wrist. With each strike on his wrist, Letra couldnt even find an opening to counterattack. Kwaak-! Under the continuous onught of Ethans attacks, Letra couldnt regain hisposure In the end, Letra missed Ethans attack. Keuk! Suddenly, Ethans sword was at Letras throat. The surroundings fell silent in an instant. Chapter 32: Started Late Chapter 32: Started Late An unexpected event unfolded. He was overwhelming. Did Young Master Ethan really win? Yes, its definitely Young Master Ethan. And hes just like the old him. During the time when Ethan was hailed as a swordsmanship genius, the Whiskers Knights trained with him every day. It was a time when Ethan grew day by day, and the Knights were greatly inspired by witnessing his progress. Back then, Ethan exuded a fierce and sharp aura, as if he could easily cut or pierce anyone who provoked him, unlike the frail young man he appears to be now. The current Ethan reminded them of his past self. The winner is Ethan Whiskers! As the steward raised his hand, the duel came to an end. Letra Huntar couldnt grasp what had just happened. Wa-Wait! What was thatst move? In a hurry, Letra asked Ethan, who was about to leave the training ground. Whiskers Swordsmanship the 6 form. So it was the 6th form? Not the 7th or 8th form, but the 6th form was invisible? Letra Huntar wasnt the only one surprised. Count Huntars expression stiffened, and even the vassals were astonished by the unexpected oue. Did Young Master give such a one-sided fight? What on earth was Young Master Ethan doing? We heard that he couldnt even move properly due to worsening illness. That wasnt a lie. In fact, the economy of Whiskers County was struggling due to Ethans illness. Moreover, there were many who had personally witnessed it. Even in this very ce, many remembered Ethan diligently tending to his illness. His body still appeared frail even now. Although his stride was certainly impressive, it was not enough topletely cure his illness. Despite being in such a state, he had lost. . Letra Huntar lowered his head. Ethan observed Letra in that state. This is a turning point. Ethan had nned to cut off the support of Count Huntars support and be self-reliant. However, it would be foolish to provoke Count Huntar, who held significant power among the neighboring Counts. He mentioned not forgetting the festival duel earlier. Of course, Ethan was unaware of the specifics. But it was clear that the incident had sparked a sense of rivalry in Letra. Its hard to see it as just a sense of rivalry, isnt it? If that were the case, the emotion Letra felt was likely disappointment. I understand that feeling. Ive been disappointed before when the yer I targeted quit. Youve improved quite a bit, Letra. Speaking with a slightly teasing tone, hinting at remembering the festival duel, Ethan watched Letra with surprise in his eyes. That day, I remember the others being pathetic, except for you. At those words, Letras eyes lit up for a moment. He had gained recognition from Ethan. That fact alone made Letra happy. -Survival probability increases. Huh? And that raised Ethans chances of survival. Letra looked at Ethan and smiled. You were indeed strong, Ethan Whiskers. I will strive harder with you as my goal. Letra nodded his head, then descended with a relieved expression. I should train harder, Father. Its not the time to rx after achieving sess in Huntar Swordsmanship. Noticing the relieved expression on Letras face, Count Huntar, who had been wearing an unfavorable expression, realized that his son had broken through a wall. Well done, Young Master Ethan. I roughly understand the meaning behind the withdrawal you spoke about. Count Huntar approached Ethan. Separate from the withdrawal issue, Id like to make an investment in Whiskers County. Would that be eptable? Of course. Lets do it with an 8:2 ratio. Although the words were firm, Count Huntar nodded decisively. Let it be so. After Count Huntar and his group left, Count Whiskers blinked his eyes repeatedly, trying toprehend if this was truly real. It had been a long-cherished wish. For his eldest sons illness to bepletely cured. No, even if it wasnt fully cured, for him to live a normal life, at least. But what he saw surpassed that reality. You dont have to worry anymore. Although he would always face the threat of death, at least there would be no more senseless deaths. Thanks for your concerns so far. With Ethans words, it felt as if all the hardships the count had endured were being washed away. Now, you wont have to suffer anymore. * * * This is Yerica. Shes a business partner I met during the outing. Hello, Count. My name is Yerica. Yerica smiled and greeted the count. Although she had lived as a fugitive during her childhood, she had received proper etiquette education through her mother. Coupled with her beautiful appearance, Count Whiskers felt proud as he received her greeting. Thank you for apanying Ethan. He may appear frail and unreliable due to his delicate appearance, but thats just his outward appearance. In reality, he is a reliable and strong child. Im well aware of that, Count. He possesses truly remarkable swordsmanship skills. And he proved to be even stronger than I expected. Even that incredible beast Ethan nced at Yerica, silently signaling her to stop talking. Yerica quickly caught on and closed her mouth with a slight cough. I n to work on a business venture with Yerica. Originally, I was considering borrowing some funds from you, Father, but Count Huntar generously offered significant financial support, so I dont think well need to take any money from you. I see. What kind of business do you n to pursue? If you start a business, youll likely need to stay in the territory for a while. I assume youre not bing a merchant? While Count Whiskers would support Ethan regardless of his chosen path, he couldnt imagine Ethan bing a merchant. I n to go to the Ivecar Academy. The academy? But considering your age I dont n to go as a student. I intend to go as a teacher. ! Count Whiskers face filled with admiration upon hearing Ethans words. If its the Ivecar Academy, its not an easy ce to get into. Are you nning to use the business as a stepping stone for admission through donations? Donation-based admissions were not limited to students alone. Teachers who wanted to be employed at the academy also had the opportunity to be hired through donation-based admissions. Of course, it wasnt a guaranteed path to securing a teaching position. But having the tag of being an Ivecar Academy teacher was valuable in itself. With just that tag, one could easily go ces. Even when applying to ces like the Royal Knights, it would earn them extra points. Many people who are in need of the academys reputation often seek honorary teaching positions. Well, not a bad idea. If you have the tag of being an Ivecar Academy teacher, there will be opportunities avable almost anywhere. No, Im not interested in an honorary teaching position. I want to be a real teacher. Hmm? Count Whiskers was momentarily taken aback. You really want to be a teacher? Yes. The Ivecar Academy is on the verge of copse. There are numerous events surrounding it. In other words, it meant that one could build a significant reputation there. Thats also the ce I know best. Ethan was well aware of the state of the Ivecar Academy after its copse. When the game started, it was already in ruins, and rebuilding the fallen Ivecar Academy was one of the scenarios. Regardless of the y style, it would eventually connect to the main scenario, allowing for various ythroughs. Therefore, an academy ythrough was considered a ssic choice. That was why Ethan intended to raise his reputation significantly there. As his reputation grew, he would naturally have the opportunity to meet the saintess. If she is the saintess, she will surely be able to lift this curse. That would bring about a turning point. Living with a curse in this harsh world was like moving with a few chains attached. But not just anyone can be a teacher, Ethan. If you enter through a donation, the honorary teaching position has its limits. To secure a teaching position, you need the skills to match. Ethan was a prodigy in swordsmanship. However, that was limited to the surrounding territory of Count Whiskers. The continent was vast. Count Whiskers influence was far from the outskirts of the central region, and if Ethan were to go to the central region, no one would consider him a swordsmanship prodigy. Even Nathan Whiskers, who was hailed as a magical genius in this vicinity, struggled greatly at the academy. No one recognized his abilities. I know your skills better than anyone, Ethan. But the world is vast. The central region is highly developed. Ivecar Academy is an academy located in the central region. You understand what that means, right? It means it attracts formidable and famous individuals in the academy. Both students and teachers. Nathans Freya Academy is also located in the central region. How about aiming for Freya instead? Since Nathan already has good grades, you can benefit from his influence as well. However, Ethan shook his head. Freya Academy was a remarkable academy that rivaled Ivecar Academy. But unfortunately, the headmaster of Freya Academy was the spear king. The spear king is a lunatic. If we were to judge between good and evil, he was closer to the evil side. The reason he inherited Freya Academy was simple. He wants to fight stronger opponents. Thats why he leads the academy. Someone whose sole purpose was to fight against stronger opponents. In that case, there was no way he wouldnt pay attention to Ethan. Its too dangerous. Getting close to Spear King was too risky. So it would be better to go to Ivecar, even if it was a bit more difficult. The headmaster of Ivecar Academy was known as the Ghost Sword, and at least they were more modestpared to Spear King. Well, then you should choose a different subject. There are so many skilled people in swordsmanship. Thepetition rate will be extremely high. Ivecar Academy was renowned as the top academy, so there were a tremendous number of applicants. From nameless experts to the second generation of noble families in the central region, many people wanted to secure a teaching position. If it doesnt work out, Ill focus on the business and join the Knights. Ethan reassured his worried father. Dont worry. If it doesnt work out, thats what Ill do. He said with a smile, and finally, Count Whiskres expression brightened. Of course, Ethan had no intention of giving up, even though he said so. * * * Will that really work as a business? Count Whiskers, after hearing about Ethans serious business ns, once again had doubts. To Count Whiskers, it seemed like his son was venturing into risky endeavors. Do you have any thoughts on territory development? Territory development? It had been a long time since he had heard those words. Count Whiskers had already entered a period of stagnation, and development had long ceased. However, that didnt mean the count had no thoughts on the matter. There are many things I want to aplish. I want to expand the market a bit more and increase welfare for the people in the territory. Lately, there have beenints about the noisy back alleys. To maintainw and order, I also want to expand the Knights, but we need resources for that, as you know. The count was already aware of what was needed to fulfill his role as the count of Whiskers County. You just need to prepare for it. Ethan said. It will be toote once we start the business, Father. Chapter 33: Starting a Business Chapter 33: Starting a Business Yerica dedicated herself to magical training every day. Her grandfathers magic was so impressive that it wasnt easy to understand it all at once. However, through repeated practice and training, she gradually gained a deep understanding of the magic. My weight reduction magic has be stronger than before. But wont this cause problems for the business? Yerica knew that Ethans goal was not merely about the business. Nor was her goal to be the sole responsible person for this business. The business served as a stepping stone for various other objectives. Therefore, this business should be able to continue even without them, with the involvement of other mages. Other mages wont be able to perform weight reduction magic like mine. But cant other mages perform lightweight magic like the one before? Well, its not that difficult. But Im not sure if other mages would even want to do it. Mages were revered beings. Once they reached a certain level, they made various attempts to enhance their magical prowess. To mages, a business venture would be like making potions. They dont even consider weight reduction magic. Weigh reduction magic itself was not that difficult. The magic itself was quite simple. The challenging part was maintaining the bnce while performing weight reduction magic. That was why mages considered weight reduction magic to be trivial. Mastering easy magic didnt necessarily help in learning advanced magic. Thats true. But thats about the esteemed mages. Were not aiming for those kinds of mages. What do you mean? Both mages and swordsmen have some underlyingmonalities. After a brief moment of contemtion, Yerica widened her eyes and looked at Ethan. Recognitionright? Yeah, thats right. We all want recognition. Everyone does. In fact, it was something that applied not just to mages or swordsmen. But where do you n to find these unrecognized mages? If theyre not recognized, it means theyck skill, and at that level, they probably cant even perform weight reduction magic properly. Although weight reduction magic might seem easy, it required a certain level of control. It wasnt something that inexperienced mages could easily aplish. Our clients are very discerning. Even mercenaries and knights can sense the slightest imbnce. During her short time practicing weight reduction magic, Yerica had received a lot of feedback from knights and mercenaries. That feedback stimted Yerica and fueled her dedication to mastering magic even further. If we dont achieve the right bnce, they wonte back for a second time. Therefore, Ethans n was essentially impractical. I know all of that. However, Ethan was already aware of Yericas concerns. Ive experienced it all. He knew from firsthand experience that mediocre mages couldnt properly use weight reduction magic. Im going to the Magic Tower. The Magic Tower? Isnt that a ce for esteemed mages? They probably wouldnt even want to participate in a business focused on weight reduction magic in the first ce, right? Ah! As she spoke, she quickly understood Ethans intentions. Yeah, the failures of the Magic Tower. They have the skills, but their tastes are unique, so theyve never gained recognition in their lifetime. Ill bring them. * * * Ruanduize Magic Tower. This tower was primarily upied by mages specializing in the fire element and boasted thergest scale among the towers located on the outskirts of the continent. Puong-! Another failure, Marakan! T-There should be no reason for failure this time Why do you keep attempting things that never work? Thats why you cant advance to the third rank. Look at those in the first rank. I dont know if they can be called mages, just like you. They only know how to fail. Dont you have something youre good at? Just stick to your ordinary research on fire magic. . Otherwise, I wont cover for you anymore. I have my limits. Marakan hung his head low. The mage before him was a friend who had entered the tower together with him. You understand, right? Focus on researching fire magic. Youre more talented than me. Of course, the gap between us has widened a bit, but youll catch up soon enough. When they first set foot in the tower, Marakan was filled with passion. He pledged to be the foremost wizard, conducting research on the magic he desired. However, Marakan spent his days experiencing constant failures. Being called useless or pathetic, receiving daily insults, his self-esteem dwindled, and his pride was eroded. Even hearing such words from his friend dealt a greater blow. While he ranked at the lowest level in the first rank, his friend was in the third rank. Ironically, their evaluations were the opposite when they entered the tower. After his friend left theboratory, Marakan mmed his fist on the desk. Damn it, it seemed like it would work. I thought it would work. Just a little more. Really, just a little more His research focused on fire elemental enchantment. But it wasnt your typical attribute enchantment. Its a roaring me effect. It bestows a continuous effect of that me. Attribute enchantment itself was simple, but continuously creating the zing me effect it manifested was extremely challenging. Theres clearly demand for it. Its not just about the attributes that can be enchanted into weapons. Style matters too. Who would want to wear equipment that looks uncool? Marakan had been striving to uphold his belief. Hmm. But even that belief was now fading away. If he didnt stop, he would be driven out of the tower. While he was lost in his thoughts Marakan! Theres a client looking for you. His friend, who had just left, returned with a group of people. One of them was a handsome young man with a gentle gaze, and the other was a beautiful woman who clearly looked like a mage. Who are you? And why are you looking for me? Marakan asked the two people he had never seen before. I am Ethan Whiskers. I am the eldest son of Count Whiskers. And this is Yerica, my personal mage. Hello. Lets cut to the chase. Marakan, we want to hire you as a mage for our county. Wh-What? Marakan was momentarily taken aback. His friend, who had entered with him, also wore a bewildered expression. Ethan Whiskers, if you came to the tower looking to hire a mage, then even if things go wrong now, youre making a seriously wrong choice. This friend of mine is in the 1st rank. If youre from Whiskers County, dont you need a mage of at least the 3rd rank or higher? Thats correct. I, um, Im in the 1st rank and havent learned any proper magic. This friend here is in the 3rd rank, so it might be better to No. Ethan cut him off sharply, then looked at Marakan. We need you, Marakan. W-Why me? Why would you need me? The words We need you. Had he ever heard them before? Marakans heart raced. Perhaps his face turned red too. His ears were definitely red. They felt extremely hot. What do you want from me? At the same time, he felt a bit angry. Does he even know what hes doing? No matter how much of a 1st-rank he was, he was still a mage belonging to the tower. We are starting a business, and we need your magic for that. My magic? But my magic is Before Marakan could finish his sentence, his friend interrupted. Seriously, I cant believe this. No matter how mediocre of a mage my friend is, talking about a business? Mages have their pride. Mages pursue their beliefs, not money. They dedicate themselves to magic Uren. Marakan cut off his friends words. Step aside. With Marakans firm words, Urens face fell. Do whatever you want. After all, I bothered to take your side. Grumbling, Uren left the room, and Marakan lowered his head. He was feeling excited. Had there ever been a time like this before? No one had ever told him that they needed him. Are you aware of what my magic is like? Yes, I know. Youre researching fire-based magic. Not the typical offensive magic, but rather the study of attribute enchantment, correct? Yerica looked at Ethan with surprised eyes. She thought he had just barged in, but he had already finished his information gathering. If you already know all that, why do you need my magic? As I mentioned earlier, I am interested in that magic. I want to work with you, Marakan. Can you discuss business with a mediocre mage like me? As his excitement subsided and his head cleared, Marakan began to doubt if he was being mocked. He couldnt fully believe that his magic was truly needed. Moreover, a business venture? Magic, for a mage, was not meant to be used in such a way. Yerica. Yes. Yerica snapped her fingers, and suddenly mes began to spread around them. A wall of fire was created. Fi-Fire Wall without chanting? A mage of at least the 3rd rank, or even higher. It was clear from the disy. Our mage here is the centerpiece of the business. You can imagine what it means to have a mage of this caliber involved in a business venture. Im an impressive mage. Yerica smiled and spoke with a mischievous tone. The more Ethan got to know her, the more he realized she was audacious, more than he initially thought. And he quite liked that. What kind of business are you nning? If youd like to hear the details, please sign here. Havinge this far in the conversation, he couldnt resist finding out what kind of business they had in mind. * * * Marakan was quite a unique mage. There were many people searching for Marakan. He was an exceptional Attribute Enchantment NPC. He was different from the typical Attribute Enchantment NPC. The magic he bestowed didnt have a significant effect. It merely altered ones appearance, but even that was enough to attract numerous people. An aura that seemed to be engulfed in mes. That was the me Attribute Enchantment he granted. It didnt increase resistance to fire or enhance the power of fire-based magic. It simply bestowed a burning aura upon the equipment. Yet people cheered for his magic. In essence, Marakan was like a guaranteed winning lottery ticket. Wee, Marakan. Ethan, holding the signed parchment, extended his hand with a smile. As Marakan shook his hand, he sensed an indescribable hint of danger in Ethans smile. Chapter 34: Unbelieveble Chapter 34: Unbelieveble Steward, what do you think about this? To be honest, I think it would be a failure. Is that so? Well, mages are a stubborn bunch. They would never engage in the weight reduction magic business. If they listen to the proposal and dont start throwing fireballs, that would be quite an aplishment. Count Whiskers had quite a lot of experience dealing with mages. Mages were stubborn. That made them less than ideal business partners. To seed in business, one needed to act boldly without regard to status, but mages didnt have that quality. Above all, mages prioritized their own magic above everything else. If they alle back rejecting the offer, well just end up gathering mediocre mages. In that case, the business wont thrive. I know quite well why people ask high-level mages for weight reduction magic. I will prepare to assist. Thats the spirit. At least we should support Ethans business from our side. While not particrly hopeful, he couldnt just give up. Seeing his son trying to do something, even if it wasnt much, brought a sense of satisfaction to Count Whiskers. Its okay to fail. Whats important is that hes doing something. Besides, even on the day he returned, he continued his training. Theres no doubt that hes determined to do something. Then lets start by recruiting the mages right away. * * * Ethan gathered the unrecognized mages inside the magic tower. Are you referring to me? Are you really here to find me? That cant be true. Most of them couldnt believe Ethans words that he came to find them. Theycked confidence and had low self-esteem. Are you sure its going to be okay, Sir Ethan? Yerica asked, slightly anxious. If it were Marakan, it wouldnt matter since he already knew from the beginning. If Ethan had confidence, he could grow into a proper mage. However, it didnt seem that way for the others. Of course, not just anyone could enter the tower. But their condition was so poor that they doubted if they had really passed the test and entered the Magic Tower. This tower may be on the outer side of the continent, but its closer to the center. They are all here because they have skills. Ethan whispered quietly to Yerica. Even so, Yerica looked at the mages with dissatisfaction. Although they seemed to be mages who could earn a living, they didnt appear to be satisfactory mages for Ethan, who had just recruited them. I know that all of you are researching impressive magic. Ethans words were sincere. If it had been said by someone else, the word impressive would have carried a sarcastic meaning, but not for Ethan. Just because it takes a slightly different direction, your magic is not wrong. Each word he spoke was exactly what they wanted to hear. Yerica, who had been listening while slightly stepping back, crossed her arms and continued to observe Ethan. If only she had been in their position, unrecognized as a mage. If I were told that I couldnt learn my grandfathers magic and instead belonged to the 1st rank in this Magic Tower. She would undoubtedly have been enthralled by those words. Hes speaking sincerely. He truly was an impressive person. He genuinely believed that the magic of those mages was remarkable. That was why he had that expression and tone. However, their magics are quite ambiguous. Yerica thought. In fact, she couldnt understand why they were researching them. If they were affiliated with Magic Tower, they would have ess to a wealth of information and could research a wider range of magic. Heuk, heuk. Some of the mages, upon hearing Ethans words, clenched their lips and let out a quiet sob. They had been treated as mere relics for as short as one year or as long as five years. But now that someone recognized their efforts, they couldnt help but feel overwhelmed with emotions. The magic you all are researching, why dont we try using them properly together? And show it to those who ignored you. Ethan spoke. To the skilled mages of the Magic Tower. He said he would bring to life what they had always imagined. We will do it! We will make a contract, Sir Ethan! There was no mage who refused. Siigh. Yerica let out a sigh without realizing it. As she watched them, memories of when she first met Ethan in the Dark Forest suddenly came to her mind. * * * The lord of the Magic Tower. He thought that Ethans proposal was actually beneficial. The mages that Ethan offered to take were the failures of the Magic Tower. Magic Tower was fundamentally a ce for magical research. If the magic being studied had the premise of sess, they would spare no support. However, they failed every time. Well, that was fine. Failure. When researching proper magic, there were often many failures. They were more ustomed to failure than sess. But what they were researching was not extraordinary magic. However, Im curious, Sir Ethan Whiskers. Why these individuals? The lord of the Magic Tower asked, stroking his goatee. They have potential. They will undoubtedly be great mages. Well, if you say so. From the lord of the Magic Towers perspective, it would be good to send them away as soon as possible. Now, they are no longer affiliated with the Magic Tower. I can assure you of that right here. Ethan simply brought them out of the Magic Tower and presented them under themand of Whiskers County. * * * Whiskers County. The mages who arrived at the county wandered around in all directions. They couldnt have imagined that the day to leave Magic Tower woulde so quickly. And to top it off, they would be involved in a business venture. Sir Ethan. At that moment, Marakan raised his hand with an anxious expression. First of all, I would like to thank you for offering us a contract. However, before that, I have a question. You mentioned that you would conduct a business centered around our magic. How do you n to proceed with the business? And And you havent seen our magic yet. They were grateful to him for believing in them. They had decided to join Ethan without looking back at his words of acknowledgment. That was why they were anxious. Ethan had not actually seen their magic skills yet. I-I havent evenpleted my magic yet Some of the mages were still in an iplete state with their magic. However, Ethan smiled at the anxious mages. Those he brought from Magic Tower, starting with Marakan, were all mages that Ethan knew. There was no NPC he didnt know in the game. He even remembered the NPCs he simply passed by. I picked the best of the best. There wasnt a single person who failed. Even if they didnt be exceptional in the future, they would be useful mages. They had enough potential. I just need to tap into that potential a little. Then they would be mages who do anything for Ethan, rather than prestigious ones. You came here because you believed in me, right? Yes. If I didnt believe, I wouldnt havee! True. Mages were inherently sensitive about their magic. Magic was entirely theirs. Even if they didnt know what lies ahead, someone interfering with it touched their pride as a mage. I will help you all a bit. Are you saying that you will meddle with the magic we are researching? Marakans words made Ethan nod. Ill just offer some advice. Isnt that magic entirely yours? Ethan first took out pouches from his subspace pouches. The pouches were filled with solid gold. This is the advance payment. Jingle. The pouches were filled to the brim, astonishing the mages. He discreetly opened one and found it filled with golden coins. Money-like things were not important. Money was merely incidental to thepletion of magic. But he called it an advance payment. It meant that the value attributed to their magic was worth this much gold. The moment they received it, the value of their own magic skyrocketed. Ethan looked at their expressions. It was a method possible because they were thirsty for recognition. May I offer some advice? Yes. * * * Oh, my goodness. In a small workshop. Marakan was astonished as he watched mes flicker on the dagger. He had just received advice from Ethan yesterday, and to be honest, he didnt feel good about it. Ethan wasnt a mage. He was clearly a swordsman. Even if he had some knowledge about magic, it wasnt specialized knowledge. Thats why he couldnt help but feel some resistance, even though Ethan reached out to them with a helping hand. Still, he held back his emotions. Ethan was someone who had acknowledged them, and he had asked them to give it a try, even if it meant deceiving themselves. The act of deceiving oneself was truly important. It allowed the mages to set aside their pride. Thus, including Marakan, the mages listened to Ethans advice. After firmly remembering the advice, they began their magical research in the workshop this morning. I-I did it. I seeded! The dagger flickered with mes. This magnificent me dagger was exactly what Marakan had always yearned for. He had merely followed Ethans advice with just a slight modification. Just a tiny bit. But it was a sess by simply epting Ethans advice. Marakan couldnt believe the situation he was in. Uaaaahhhh! At that moment, they heard a strange sound of power from outside. Uaaaahh? And along with it, they heard a startled scream. No way, did all the other mages seed too? The people who hade with Markaan had once received attention within the Magic Tower, but their research on magic was so obscure and impractical that they remained in the lower ranks. Marakan himself had not gained recognition, but those individuals had made even less progress in magical research than Marakan. This cant be true. This was unbelievable. It was truly unbelievable. * * * Sir Ethan. You all seem lively since morning. Ethan could tell from their expressions alone. They must have seeded. They couldnt have done anything else but seed. After all, Ethans advice was no different from looking at the answer sheet and telling them the solution. I mean, how did you? How did you know everything? Ive been researching for years, and it never worked for me! I read it in books. The mages were bewildered by Ethans words. If Schudlen were here, he would probably have said As expected of Young Master. Have you all understood now? You are all capable individuals. You seeded with just a little advice. Ethan humbly lowered his own achievements and simply lifted them up, saying it was all because they did well. Shall we start the business in earnest then? From now on, you will be selling magic. More specifically, it will be a business of weight reduction magic and enchanting the equipment with the magic you have long researched. Weight reduction magic? The one in charge of weight reduction magic will be Yerica here, and as you be familiar with it, you will be immediately put to work. As Ethan pointed to Yerica, she smiled at the mages. Youll get used to it soon. She said as she gathered mana in her hand. If they didnt get used to it, she would make sure they did. Chapter 35: Lively Chapter 35: Lively Everyone rejected it. It seems like they are hesitant because its a business involving enchanting weight reduction magic. Hmm. Count Whiskers let out a sigh. Should I have gone myself? No, I also sent letters and met them in person, but even if you had met with the count, they would have likely refused. Mages are all like that. But Count, its quite chaotic outside. Whats happening all of a sudden? Chaotic? Ive been overwhelmed with my recent work and havent received any reports. I was nning to handle them all at once when you returned, Steward. Due to busy tasks, the count hadnt been receiving daily work reports. It was because the intermediate filter, the steward, had just gone on a business trip. Knock, knock. Count. Whats wrong? Ivee to report. Young Master Ethan has brought the mages and started the business. Where did he bring them from? He brought them from the Magic Tower. Hmm, the Magic Tower. Count Whiskers put on a pensive expression. If they were mages from the Magic Tower, they were originally there for magical research. Such individuals usually didnte out of the Magic Tower. Then there wont be any proper mages among them. If they were high-ranking mages, they would have already declined. Even if they were skilled mages, they wouldnt have epted mediocre offers. Even the magicians whom the steward had approached had all rejected the proposal, so it would be even more likely for the mages from the Magic Tower to do so. Ethan was an excellent swordsman, but he wasnt a skilled administrator or merchant. Moreover, he had been isted for a long time, so he wouldnt be well aware of the realities outside. Both the steward and the count considered Ethan to be exceptional in swordsmanship, but they thought it was limited to that field and epted his limitations in other areas. Perhaps hes disappointed because he doesnt have a single customer. Thats likely. Swordsmanship has been flourishing so far, but its different when ites to business. Unfortunately, through this incident, his son would learn many lessons. There was much to be gained from failures as well as sesses. Thats how we learn. Count Whiskers prepared to go to the market with the steward, both tofort his son and address the issues caused by the business Ethan had started. There there is still something to report. Something else? Well, theres a problem that has arisen due to the business initiated by Young Master Ethan. A problem? Of course, there were bound to be problems. For now, it would be better for us to go out together. I will take the lead, Count. * * * The Market on the Whisker County. This market was exclusively used by the residents of the territory. Count Whiskers territory had very few external visitors. The only ce where they could encounter people from other towns was the magic item shop run with the support of Count Huntar. The reason the market was not thriving was that Count Whiskers did not have any unique products to offer. It was much better to go to nearby territories to purchasemon goods. The prices and variety were notpetitive enough. Is this the right ce? It seems to be. Look over there! Isnt that him? Yes, and I think thats a mage. The count and the steward, upon arriving at the market, were astonished. There were so many people. It was unbelievable. They couldnt fathom such arge crowd in the market. So many people here? Why? Thats the problem I mentioned earlier. All the people here are customers who havee to Young Master Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop. There are too many people, and its difficult to control the situation. Theyve requested assistance from the knights to maintain control Wait a moment. Count Whiskers interrupted the subordinate who was giving the report with a hand gesture. So is the problem that the business is doing too well? Are all those people here customers of Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop? Yes, thats correct, Count. The peopleing out of the workshop were looking satisfied with their enchanted equipment. But that wasnt all. After undergoing the weight reduction enchantment, they roamed the market, having meals and purchasing necessary items from the shops in the market. The merchants in the market, who had never experienced such arge number of customers before, were beaming with joy and waving their hands. Of course, it wasnt all positive. With so many people gathered at once, there were asional disputes among the customers. But that was a luxurious concern. My Lord. Are all these people really the customers of our territory that Ethan brought in? It seems so. They appear to be customers who havee specifically for Young Master Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop. Count Whiskers was taken aback. The mages brought in from the Magic Tower were not expected to possess genuine skills. No, even before that, was the Weight Reduction Enchantment so popr? Steward! Yes! Lets go to the Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop. We need to talk to Ethan. Count Whiskers and the steward quickly moved with urgency. * * * Ethans Weight Reduction Enchantment Workshop was muchrger in scale than during the time when they were in Pirenne. Since the demand had been confirmed in Pirenne, there was no reason to create a small workshop like before, and there were many more mages avable. At first, the mages seemed unfamiliar with the concept of weight reduction enchantment, but as time passed, they gradually became more ustomed to it. Weight reduction enchantmentplete! Its done. Give it a try! Its finished! Ohhh! The customers who received the items after the weight reduction enchantment were extremely satisfied. Its so light. The weight reduction enchantment was done exceptionally well. This willst for a month, right? Ill definitelye back in a month! The praise from the customers made the mages proud. Having received little praise since entering the Magic Tower, the mages found great encouragement in thepliments from the customers. Their newfound confidence marked the beginning of the actual business operations. Please line up in order! Everyone can be served quickly, so just make sure to line up properly! Come this way! This way! Those waiting in line behind watched with delight as the ones who had entered earlier came out with smiles on their faces. You seem extremely satisfied! Youvee to the right ce!! The line was so long, I was thinking ofing back another time. Of course, this flow of customers was part of Ethans n. But whats this about a subscription? A subscription? Ive never heard of it before, but it seems like its for regr maintenance of the weight reduction enchantment. This is the first time Ive heard of such a thing. But the results are certainly impressive. If itsts for about a month, its quite excellent. Ethan had conceptualized the weight reduction enchantment business as a subscription service. Although people were initially unfamiliar with and surprised by this new concept of time-limited magic, they followed along without much protest because the quality of the weight reduction enchantment itself was top-notch. They were willing to pay any amount for a months worth of such results. Some even opted for longer contracts, as the longer the contract, the more affordable the price became. This is truly satisfying. The customers who came to the county for the weight reduction enchantment were pleased with the results, and word of mouth spread once again. People who had heard that the weight reduction enchantment workshop had relocated from Pirenne to Whiskers County kepting to Whiskers County. As these customers visited various shops in the market, the economy started to change, and merchants who had stopped visiting Whiskers County began returning. A positive cycle was established, and the county regained its vitality. Selling potions for experiencing the full effects of weight reduction enchantment! I also have small daggers specifically enchanted for weight reduction use! essories for sale! Rings, nes! Get essories with various effects! They can also be weight reduction enchanted! This can be weight reduction enchanted, right? Yes, sir! Do you know this ne? Its quite heavy. The effect is great, but its not preferred because of its weight. But with weight reduction enchantment? You get a weight reduction ne with the same great effect! Ill take one! Me too! Yes, yes! Thank you! The weight reduction enchantment worked exceptionally well on heavy objects, and these effects were highly sought after. Pleasee this way! Please line up here! If you stand in front of the mages, well perform the weight reduction enchantment on your items immediately! The weight reduction enchantment workshop was bustling with people. However, despite the apparent chaos, there was a certain order to it. Customers lined up in front of each mage, and the mages quickly enchanted the items brought by the customers. The duration of the process varied depending on the type of item, but generally, the speed was impressive. Armor took the longest, but smaller items were weight reduction enchanted in the blink of an eye. That was why even with such arge crowd, they were able to handle it smoothly. Are you saying that all of the customers are really here for the weight reduction enchantment workshop? Yes, Count. Thanks to Young Master Ethans workshop, the market has be incredibly active. ording to the merchants, they are selling several times more than before. Hmm. Count Whiskers couldnt believe the situation. The signboard of the weight reduction enchantment workshop bore Count Whiskers seal. It meant that the workshop was officially operated by Count Whiskers himself. So people trusted it even more and flocked to the weight reduction enchantment workshop. This grand establishment itself served as a certificate for the workshop. Is it really my son who established this workshop? Count Whiskers kept asking the question repeatedly. It was hard to believe that his son had built such a workshop. In his recent outing, Count had paid a hefty sum to purchase medicine that was said to be good for his health. Counts goal was for his eldest son, Ethan, to regain his health enough to wield a sword like before, even if he couldnt use Whiskers swordsmanship. He simply hoped for Ethans recovery to the point where he could swing a sword. But that was just a recent event. My lord, I hope Im not dreaming. Smack! The lord pped Stewards face. Thats hurt. Its not a dream, Steward. My sons business is changing our territory. Count Whiskersughed heartily, his mouth splitting wide. Father, youvee? Ethan, who happened to be nearby, greeted Count Whiskers and Steward. Some people have left, so its more rxed now. People have left just now? Yes, today is rtively slow. How many people usuallye here? It hasnt been long since the workshop opened! The count couldnt contain his excitement. More people will likelye. I request your permission, as the Lord, to use the surrounding buildings. More people wille? Are you saying that there will be even more customers here? Yes, the mages I brought are currently only using the weight reduction enchantment. But I didnt bring them here just for that purpose. There will be customers whoe to our territory for other reasons. The count didnt fully grasp Ethans words, but he could at least understand that the mages Ethan brought were far more exceptional than the count had anticipated. Therefore, he made a bold decision. From now on, I entrust all the authority of this market to you, Ethan. Do as you please. Youve reached an age where you can handle it. Count Whiskers spoke with a sobbed voice. Im sorry I couldnt trust you. You didnt trust me? To some extent. Ethan looked at Steward. Steward avoided his gaze. Steward said you would fail. But truth be told, I believed in you, Ethan. The count chuckled ambiguously and sold the Steward. Chapter 36: A fresh start Chapter 36: A fresh start Why are the taxes like this? Baroness Sephira of Pirenne couldnt hide her surprise. The taxes that hade in this time were several times higher than the previous ones collected. It was an amount that would never be imposed on a small town. Its because of the recently established workshop called Weight Reduction Workshop. They paid a tremendous amount of taxes. The advisor exined. Weight Reduction Workshop? Baroness Sephira had been away in another city for about a week, so she was unaware of the existence of the Weight Reduction Workshop. She had simply been pleased by the bustling atmosphere upon her return to Pirenne. Its The advisor exined briefly. So, who is running this business? Its Ethan Whiskers, the eldest son of Count Whiskers. Ethan Whiskers? The frail young master? Yes, Your Excellency. It was Ethan who started the Weight Reduction workshop, and during that period, people flocked there in great numbers. Goodness! Is that something to be pleased about? Immediately send a message to Young Master Ethan and arrange a meeting! That my apologies, Your Excellency, but he has already left. What did you say? It had only been mentioned that the Weight Reduction workshop was recently established. That he had already left, what did that mean? He, he left? Why! He moved the business under the authority of Count Whiskers. The lord hastily scanned through the documents. The presence of the Weight Reduction workshop in Pirenne had been brief. Nevertheless, a significant amount of taxes had been paid. During that period, the people who visited the territory had spent a considerable sum of money. Furthermore, the taxes paid by the Weight Reduction Workshop were substantial. Is there nothing we can do about this? It will likely be difficult. Baroness Sephira rubbed her temples. Persuading those prestigious mages would be challenging. And even if we bring in just anyone, they will never be able to replicate that business. We might just receive more criticism. T-then what should we do? It would be best to request Ethan Whiskers to establish a branch in Pirenne. Although the Baroness of Pirenne was a lord, she still operated a single territory. In contrast, Ethan had no official title yet. However, the Baroness of Pirennes gaze was already fixated on the gold written on the parchment. I will go myself. If necessary, I will even kneel! The lord had her own ambitions. And the thread that could fulfill those ambitions was Ethan. Prepare some gifts! Something good for his health, all of it! * * * There are so many people? Whats happening? Our shop was also exceptionally busy today. Armor that hasnt sold in five years was sold today. Our swords were sold too. Whats suddenly going on? The merchants from the cksmith and the weapons shop were bewildered. Havent you heard the news? It seems Young Master Ethan has started a new business. Young Master Ethan? What kind of business is it? It seems to be a business that makes things lighter. Ive heard of it. But isnt that something sought after by extraordinary knights? There would be few people capable of getting it. No, thats not the case. They say they can do it for anyone, especially for farmers. Farmers? They say that farming tools have be lighter, making it much easier to cultivate thend. T-then What about hammers? And scissors? They should be possible! The residents of Count Whiskerss territory also weed Ethans business with open arms. It had a direct positive impact on their daily work, going beyond the benefits to the territory itself. The money is rolling in. Already, 3.5 million gold had been umted. Ethan smiled contentedly as he looked at the growing pile of gold. Money was always good to have, especially inrge amounts. Furthermore, a letter arrived from Pirenne as well. It was a letter personally written by the lord, expressing the desire to meet and discuss matters face to face. Its only natural. The taxes they get must have been quite generous. Even in such a short period, there had been a considerable number of customers. Moreover, by keeping the territory active, there were many benefits to be gained. Ethan wanted to take advantage of the opportunity with the weight reduction workshop. However, Ethan had no intention of opening a branch in Pirenne. Ill open a branch in a bigger ce. And the location had already been decided. The capital city. But for that, Ill need to cooperate with the merchant guild. Ethan thought about the vicinity. In truth, he didnt know much about Whiskers County, but he was aware of the impact it had in this area. David Guild. There was a fairly capable merchant there. If Ethan stirred things up like this, that merchant would surely catch wind of it ande looking. They called her the Money Ghost. Whenever you engaged in a profitable venture, that person always came seeking you. And true to her name, when they worked together with her, they could earn a significant amount of money. Ethan nned to make a contract with her and open a branch in the capital city. Thats why I brought the mages from Magic Tower. They were already familiar with their tasks. If we need more people, we can hire more. Of course, finding mages wouldnt be easy, but with some effort, he could gather as many as he needed. Then I should be able to quickly gather enough funds for admission fees. Besides, with money, I can easily clear various quests. Having a foundational business like this was a key to growth. Yerica, who had found Ethan during his break, approached him with an excited expression. Ethan, I didnt expect the business to go so well. When I first saw those mages, I didnt think they would perform so impressively. How did you know? I did some research. Wait, dont tell me it was from books again? Not at all. I simply observed their situation from various angles and made decisions. But rather than that, get ready. We have to go out. What? Were going out? Its already dark. Are we going for a drink, perhaps? She had a hopeful look on her face. No. Ethan shook his head. Ethan wasnt focused on the sess of the business. The business was bound to do well, given the circumstances. He had infused the knowledge he obtained while clearing MePan. Now was not the time to bask in sess. The dangers were not yet fully resolved. Today, I received a report from the knight who was assisting with crowd control. They mentioned that there was a suspicious person. Someone was discreetly trying to confirm you were here, Yerica. They will likelyunch an attack soon. Yericas expression froze at those words. Finally, the expected threat had arrived. After all, he had willingly put her in the forefront, epting the risks. Thats why I got the ss. Furthermore, there was something to gain from this situation. Fame. Those who pursued Yerica were usually formidable individuals. Knowing that Yerica possessed the knowledge of an Archmage, the ones tracking her would likely be skilled individuals. We should strike first since an attack is imminent, dont you think? * * * Yes. Its definitely her. Are you sure you didnt mistake her for someone else? I heard she cant use magic. Yes, I was aware that she couldnt use magic due to some curse or something. But shes using weight reduction magic. Could it be someone else? However, her appearance is identical, and above all, her unique eye color is the same. Hmm, in that case, its undoubtedly that guy, Ethan Whiskers, who did something. It seems likely. However, since shes only using weight reduction magic, it seems she hasnt fully lifted the curse. Well, in that case, we shouldnt hesitate. The two masked individuals moved in the darkness. Their destination was the Weight Reduction Workshop. Over the past two days, they had been observing the workshop, tracking where the mages went after closing their business. Once their route was known, it was an easy task to abduct them. But under no circumstances should we kill her. With the knowledge she possesses, our lives will bepletely changed. Yes! Their objective was the knowledge of an Archmage. To obtain it, they must not kill her under any circumstances. They swiftly made their way to the building, moving silently. Proceed. As they whispered, their bodies came to a halt at that very spot. Ugh!? I-I cant move! You came to find me? Yerica appeared in the darkness. Mana gathered in her outstretched hand. H-How? Ive been running away all this time, surviving. Thats why I can sense you guys moving around like little rats. Yerica twisted her wrist, and the wrists and bodies of the masked individuals twisted in the same way. Keukk. Keuuuuk. As trained individuals, their screams were barely audible. I dont need to run anymore. The magic you were after, my grandfathers magic, is no longer just in my head. Shaaaak-. The more force Yerica exerted, the more the masked individuals writhed in agony. Now there was no fear. She had confirmed her ability to fully control magic, so she could easily handle anyone who came after her. Now At that moment, she sensed a presence. Yerica quickly turned her head, and there stood a man wielding a dagger. ! The attackers were not just those two. Another masked individual emerged from the darkness, wielding a dagger in the shape of lightning, charging straight at Yerica. Caught off guard as she was casting a spell, Yerica couldnt react properly. Keohok. Thats when Ethan jumped out from the side. Ethan drew his own sword and shed diagonally at the masked man. Shaaaak-. A chill emanated from the blue sword. -You have defeated a renowned individual. -Your reputation has increased! Ethan sessfully gained some reputation. Those who targeted Yerica would continue to appear, and slowly umting some reputation in this manner wasnt a bad thing. Finish them off, Yerica. Yes. Startled, Yerica refocused her attention on the two masked individuals. Keookkkk. P-Please spare us Youre not worth living. Yerica swiftly dealt with the two masked individuals. Phew Yerica took a deep breath, her body trembling slightly. It was something she had imagined countless times, but experiencing it firsthand wasnt as easy as she had thought. She had just dealt with the person who had been pursuing her. Her heart started racing. Tap-. At that moment, Ethan lightly tapped Yericas back. Instantly, she regained a sense of calm. Well done. For some reason, Yerica felt that the area where Ethan had touched her back was incredibly warm. * * * This is no small feat. I cant believe someone managed to turn this into a business. The woman had impressive hair that reached down to her back. She appeared to be in her 40s. Pinned to her chest was a badge, a well-known emblem that anyone would recognize. David Guild. It was one of the Top 5 badges, which were always held by individuals from guilds in each continent. Who could have started such a lucrative venture? It must not have been easy to acquire the mages. And moreover It was bold. Not only were they offering weight reduction enchantments but also other types of magic. They have a perfect understanding of the psychology of those who would use their workshop. It wasnt just about selling exceptional goods. Despite that, people kept flocking to this ce. But thats not all. This is the key. Who on earth can use such magic? Attribute-enhanced magic didnt disappear naturally. It remained in the object unless it was broken. At least that was what she knew. Is there a time limit? However, this weight reduction enchantment had a time limit. It was a kind of subscription system. As someone like Ethan, who immediately used [New World], the seller knew very well how advantageous subscriptions could be. But for a top-tier merchant, it felt incredibly fresh. I never thought such a method existed. Ive considered it, but to actually go through with it! She was deeply curious about the person who came up with this tremendous idea. That was why she hade here in person. Are you a customer? After waiting in a long line and finally reaching the weight reduction enchantment mage, she showed her David Guild badge. Im Etting Hunt, a sub-leader of David Guild. I noticed Count Whiskers emblem on the sign as I came in. Did Count Whiskers create this ce? David Guild? The mage looked surprised. It was undoubtedly a David Guild badge. It could have been fake, but they could sense the merchants aura from the person holding the badge. The owner of this weight reduction enchantment workshop is Ethan Whiskers, the first son of the count. Ethan Whiskers, Ethan Whiskers This time, Etting was surprised. Information was a weapon for merchants, and Ethan Whiskers was a name that could not be unknown. The frail young master, Ethan Whiskers, was the counts useless son. Is he fully recovered from his illness? Illness? The mage looked puzzled. Seeing that the employee didnt know, it seemed that Ethan had either fully recovered from his illness or had recovered to the point where it was not noticeable. Thank you for the information. She first requested the weight reduction enchantment for her staff. The weight reduction enchantment process was incredibly fast. They handed over her staff, and in less than a minute, the weight reduction enchantment wasplete. That was incredibly fast. The basic duration is seven days. If you want an extension, we can extend it for an additional fee. Pleasee again. Etting moved her staff around in various directions. She had a keen sense. If the weight reduction enchantment process was poorly done, the weight distribution would be off. Its bnced. Etting was convinced. This could turn into a lucrative business. To think that the frail young master had built such a genius enterprise. I need to meet him. Just as she was about to send a messenger raven to find Ethan, someone called out to her from behind. Etting Hunt, right? When she turned around, there stood Ethan Whiskers as if he had been waiting for her. Nice to meet you, Im Ethan Whiskers. Chapter 37: Sketch Chapter 37: Sketch [New World] The hero Hercules was quite popr among New World users. In particr, the very first video that was uploaded gained a significant number of views. People watched that video to learn Hercules breathing technique. However, the content of the video was very confusing, and despite its high view count, thements were mostly critical. It was simply difficult to understand, and as a result, the number of likes was rtively lowpared to the views. But after Ethans subscription review was posted, the views and likes on that video started to rise rapidly. #Trending Video 17 Hercules couldnt help but be amazed that his video made it to the popr videos list for the first time. This is unbelievable. Even Hercules himself was surprised. Is it an error? Eventually, other gods also became aware that Hercules video had be popr. Likewise, [New World] users also started paying attention to Ethan. -Who is this person to write such a subscription review -Ive never seen anyone who understands Hercules videos before. -Maybe it would have been better if Hercules himself had uploaded it. After using [New World], there was amunity for subscribers that could be essed after a certain period of use. This subscribermunity was also buzzing with discussions about the newly emerged subscribers -We dont have such people in our world. If I had someone like this next to me, I wouldnt have been defeated by the demon king. -We need followers like this in our faith. -Great review! Id rather subscribe to this person! People began praising this reviewer. -Huh? This person, arent they the same person as before on Heo Juns channel? Yes, the nickname is the same. They have a remarkable understanding. If subscribers like this subscribe to the gods, it would be very beneficial for the gods. It was exactly as they said. I only thought of them as a single subscriber, but was the subscriber this important! Hercules eximed in awe as the views and likes continued to rise. Remarkable. Other gods also grasped the situation btedly. The higher-ranked gods didnt pay much attention to it, but the lower-ranked gods regarded this situation with respect. We must get them! We should give them everything we can and make sure they subscribe to us! We need their subscription review! Meanwhile, Heo Jun, the first one to receive their subscription, remained calm amidst this situation. Hehehe. His number of subscribers and likes continued to rise. I can only convey this grateful heart through videos! Heo Jun created a new video. This video would be exclusively provided to only one subscriber. Among the countless people who subscribed to him, only one subscriber would gain ess to the new technique. Originally, I didnt make videos just for one person. Its because the number of videos I can create is limited. He had to ensure that as many people as possible could see one video. It was advantageous in various ways. However, the situation was different now. But all the sess Ive achieved is thanks to that subscriber. Heo Junughed. I should give this level of special treatment. * * * As expected, her scent of money is truly remarkable. Just as Ethan anticipated, Etting Hunt, the upper-level executive of David Guild, visited Whiskers County after catching the scent of money. Etting will make a contract with us and establish branches of the weight reduction workshop everywhere. I can leave the recruitment of mages to them. Ethan would manage the main branch, while David Guild would handle the remaining branches. Ethan had no intention of turning this weight reduction workshop into a remarkable high-end business. The important thing is that this weight reduction workshop business operates on a subscription model. This idea was practically the core of the weight reduction workshop. It was thanks to Yerica that we could put a time limit on weight reduction magic. That was why he chose Yerica. Its as if youve been waiting for me. Of course not, I couldnt have imagined that the top executive of David Guild would personallye just as we started the business. It was only natural since Ethan had also yed the role of a merchant before. On the other hand, Etting was taken aback. If they were to discuss the business, she believed that she would have the upper hand. She was a seasoned merchant, after all. In contrast, the young master before her, despite creating this ingenious business, appeared to be a novicepared to the likes of the Counts family. However, there was no sign of naivety in his demeanor. Instead, she felt that if she said something wrong, she would be devoured instantly. What brings you here? I heard youre conducting a remarkable business, so I came to propose a coboration. In that case, there was no need to beat around the bush. I also had the desire to open a branch. It might be a bit premature since Ive just started the business, but considering the long-term benefits, its a profitable venture. It seems luck is on my side. Ethan smiled lightly. I had many inconveniences running it alone. Furthermore, Im not a professional merchant, so it was difficult for me to expand it significantly. It would be an honor to have David Guild on board. Was it really luck? Etting thought that it was a coincidence that she came at such a good timing. She wondered if it was Ethan who led her, not just a random coincidence. As evidence, Ethan simply smiled at her question. This sickly young master is hiding something. Regardless of experience, he clearly holds the upper hand in this deal. Etting corrected her perception of the other party. It started to feel like Ethan was a real expert,pletely different from his appearance. Well, then the conversation should be easier. If I assist you in the name of David Guild, it will be much easier to open a branch. As she said that, Ethan took out a piece of paper and handed it to her. Shall we write up the contract? All my conditions are stated on this paper. There was no point in dragging it out. Merchants were generally very intelligent. If she approached him from a superior position, no matter how knowledgeable Ethan might be, she will undoubtedly create an opportunity. So, he wouldnt give her time. Since she was already interested in this weight reduction business, he could use that to his advantage. She quickly read the paper. It was at a speed befitting a veteran merchant. So, if I sum it all up are you saying youll sell the core magic? Yes, if you create branches that use the core magic, you can give us 25% of the profits generated from the branches as our share. You can handle the rest of the operations on your own. Etting pondered for a moment and then nodded her head. She was Money Ghost. She quickly grasped the essence of the business that Ethan mentioned. So, theres a separate cost for the core magic? Thats the most important part. Etting nodded her head in response to Ethans words. It was something she was aware of as well. However, this magic had its weaknesses. Weight reduction magic is a rtively low-difficulty magic. Of course, I understand that the level of weight reduction magic can vary greatly depending on the mage. But once people realize it can be profitable, numerous people will follow suit, and they will aim for this time-limited subscription as a sales point. They will im to offer perpetually ongoing weight reduction magic and such. I understand. So I n toplete the system beforeters enter. Those who have already found the weight reduction workshop are satisfied with the quality of our workshop. We intend to appeal with a quality that cannot be seen elsewhere. As she said, weight reduction magic was low-difficulty magic, but the results varied greatly depending on the level of the mage. Hmm, then we definitely need a mage who can properly use weight reduction magic. Thats what I consider the most challenging. Taking that into ount, adjusting the revenue On the contrary, you only need to focus on that aspect. The easiest but also the most challenging thing. It was securing the mage. However, Ethan stated that it was the easiest part instead. If its another ce, I dont know, but is it possible for David? Etting raised an impressed expression. Just how much did he know? Or was he just guessing? David Guild was sponsoring a Mage Tower. If they could make use of that, this business could be carried out properly. Well, thats a valid point. But if we provide the core magic to the branches, what about the main branch? She asked provocatively. Ethan lightly smiled as if he had expected it and responded. Well, we still have severalpetitive items. ! Even with just this business alone, it was remarkable, but there were even morepetitive items? Although their conversation was brief, she could tell that Ethan wasnt someone who spoke without thought. It meant that there were indeed morepetitive items. Perhaps those items could also be First, lets start with the contract for this weight reduction workshop business. We can discuss the rest step by step. Ethan didnt appear to be in a hurry. * * * Ethan proposed a contract fee of a whopping 20 million gold. It was a tremendous amount of money, butpared to the authority granted over the core magic and the branches of the weight reduction workshop, it could be considered a reasonable price. I agree to the contract. It was an irresistible offer. If she were to decline here, it was certain that he would make a contract with someone else. It was a good deal. Ill leave it to you from now on, Merchant Etting. Just call me Etting, Young Master. Ill be in your care then, Etting. Ive secured a significant capital with this. Of course, the core magic wasnt simply sold off. Since it was fundamentally Yericas magic, they had separate discussions about it. As a mage, Yerica couldnt help but be sensitive about her own magic. But youre Ethan. Well, its not some extraordinary magic anyway. However, Yerica willingly epted Ethans request. Dont worry, Ill settle the payment securely. And please buy me a delicious drink as well. That wont be a problem. Ethan then gathered the mages of the workshop. In the future, branch workshops of this weight reduction workshop will open in various cities. That way, not only the main branch but also the branches will receive the same service. The mages nodded in agreement. But still, everyone wille to our Whiskers County territory. From now on Ethan locked eyes with Marakan, and simrly, the other mages swallowed nervously under Ethans gaze. The magic that you all researched at the Magic Tower, from now on, those magics will be the representative magics of our workshop. Representative. That word struck a chord in the hearts of the mages. We will work hard! Thank you for trusting us! There was no trace of resistance among them regarding their magic being usedmercially. Instead, they were fervently loyal to Ethan, who acknowledged them. Until the end of their days. * * * Ethan immediately set aside ten million gold. This money was intended for donation-based admissions. Ethan immediately set aside ten million gold. This money was intended for donation-based admissions. However, what Ethan wanted was not just a simple honorary teaching position. If I donate more than ten million gold, I will inevitably attract attention. If onecked skill, attracting attention could be detrimental. But Ethan had undeniable skills. By gaining attention through a donation of ten million gold, he would receive more scrutiny during exams. And that will give me an advantage during the exams. Ethan promptly sent the ten million gold to Ivecar Academy in the form of a donation. I shouldnt expect an immediate response. At least three weeks. It seemed appropriate to expect a response around four weeks, just as the new semester was starting. I have quite a lot to do in the next month. Ethan was determined to prepare thoroughly. Ivecar Academy appeared to be a simple academy on the surface, but it was a ce that could be called a martial world in reality. The noble descendants from various regions gather there, and they are all exceptional individuals. As a result, the events held there had three-digit attendance figures. And in terms of danger, there were numerous events where one could potentially die. Furthermore, among the students, there were individuals who posed risks. Those individuals might disregard Ethan as a mere local noble. To prepare for such situations, he couldnt rely on his current specifications. Lets sketch the outline. There was still a mountain of things to acquire. Chapter 38: Subscribe to a new god Chapter 38: Subscribe to a new god Ethans first priority was to subscribe to a new god. Originally, portal magic existed in MePan. The ability to instantly travel between regions was a magic that had to be learned no matter what. However, there was a problem. This portal magic was a magic that only the highest-ranking mages could use among the mages. There were artifacts and superpowers with simr effects, but they were extremely difficult to obtain. As a result, most people used portal scrolls, but these scrolls were sold by the top-ranking mages through contracts with the highest-ranking mages, so they were incredibly expensive. Furthermore, they were limited in distance and could only be used to travel to specific cities, so there were many restrictions. If there is a god with a simr power, I should subscribe to it. Ethan opened [New World]. Hmm? As Ethan essed the New World, there was a message waiting for him. The mailbox was glittering brightly, and he was so concerned that he couldnt resist clicking on it. Is it from that Ares from before? But Ethan didnt read the message. ETHAN opened the New World to find a new god to subscribe to. It was not the time to waste reading letters. Currently, he was subscribed to two gods. The first one he subscribed to was Heo Jun, whose power had been the foundation of Ethans survival so far. The power of Hercules had also been a great help in subsequent achievements. That was how much influence the subscribed gods had. I have five likes at the moment. Theres no need to hoard them. Its better to subscribe to a new god or unlock different videos to increase my power. With just likes, he could subscribe to multiple gods. He wasnt sure if there were limitations on the gods he could subscribe to, but it was clear that he could subscribe to as many as the number of likes he had used. I need to choose wisely. Just like before, the algorithm of the New World rmended various videos to Ethan. However, none of them were what he wanted. Ethan quickly skipped through the videos. As he did, he came across the numerous major deities that he had seen when he first opened [New World]. [Zeus] [God of Thunder] The most famous one was undoubtedly Zeus, the supreme god of Greek mythology, known for his immense poprity and ability to gain subscribers. He has ten million subscribers? Zeus had a staggering ten million subscribers, making him the god with the highest number of subscribers in the New World. Furthermore, his like count was also quite high. Even in the brief preview videos, Ethan could see shes of blue lightning. There seem to be more users in the New World than I thought. With ten million, its almost like all of them subscribing to him. Currently, Zeus was the god closest to being the victor of [New World]. However, Ethan hadnt subscribed to Zeus. Zeus would probably offer the power of lightning, but I dont necessarily have to obtain it through subscription. Currently, Ethan had obtained a second job as a reward for obtaining his first job perfectly. Therefore, he nned to choose the job he had favored the most during his previous ythrough to obtain a second job. I cant waste likes recklessly. He passed over Zeus and looked at other gods. He needed a god that could immediately empower him. While exploring different options, Ethan discovered one particr feature. Oh, I can search using keywords? -You can subscribe to suitable gods through keywords. -We assist you in subscribing to the gods you currently need. If I enter a keyword, will it show a list of gods rted to that keyword? First, Ethan searched for [Ability to Move]. Instantly, a list of gods appeared before him. [Hermes] [God of Travelers, Messenger, and Thief] The one that caught his eye was Hermes. Hermes possessed winged shoes that allowed him to easily travel to any desired location. Below that, he found gods rted to portals and teleportation-rted movement abilities. Ethan immediately checked the reviews of subscribing to Hermes. -This is a review of subscribing to Hermes. Thanks to the ability of the winged shoes, I was able to travel around easily, but the conditions were strict, and it wasnt an immediate teleportation, so it was inconvenient. -I subscribed because the other abilities were decent. However, since movement abilities werent the main focus, it felt a bit strenuous. Hmm. Hermes wasnt the god Ethan was looking for. Ethan continued searching for information on other gods. During his search, the algorithm began to readjust, and immediately, it presented a god at the top. It was a deity with very few subscribers. [Hong Gil-dong] [Ouw] (+)[1]TLN: For those of you who dont know who Hong Gil-dong is, he was a Robin Hood-like civil servant/military officer. But theres also a novel that tells the story of Hong Gil-dong. If you are interested to read a little bit of it, you can read it here Hong Gil-dong? The gods name was Hong Gil-dong. There were only two videos avable, and the number of likes and subscribers was extremely low. However, what Ethan could learn from the videos provided by Hong Gil-dong was perfect for his current situation. [Wherever there is a treasure, a corrupt official is there. To take away the treasure from the rich and distribute it to the hungrymoners, our Hwalbindang Group must exist.] (+)[2]TLN: Hwalbindang is an ouw group that Hong Gil-dong created in the novel that I talked about earlier. Hwalbindang means league of those who help the impoverished I already subscribed to Heo Jun, now if I also subscribe to him, wont I be concentrating just on Eastern gods? Well, it wont be bad. It didnt matter which god it was. What mattered was being able to learn what he needed at the moment. Theres only one review. -Deep Sea Exploration Department: Hes a great god for obtaining abilities like teleportation and portals instantly. While other gods offer various abilities, this god solely focuses on portal abilities, albeit with conditions. Its exactly the god I want. Ethan didnt hesitate to subscribe. -Would you like to subscribe to [Hong Gil-dong]? -The required number of likes for subscription is 3. Oh, the required number of likes has increased? Whats this? Could it be that as the number of subscribed gods increases, more likes are needed? Upon thinking about it, that possibility seemed high. If the number of likes continued to be 1, the users of this [New World] would simply subscribe to gods without watching in-depth videos. Just that alone would be enough to gain abilities. Its true that such a control mechanism exists. Nevertheless, it was fine. The number of likes he had was not insufficient. Ethan immediately subscribed to Hong Gil-dong. -You have subscribed to [Hong Gil-dong]! -Two videos from the subscribed god will be unlocked! And additionally. Ethan inserted some gold. -You have purchased the skip function for 1 million gold! The skip function! He had finally purchased the ability to skip backward and forward the videos. With a smile on his face, Ethan immediately started watching one of Hong Gil-dongs videos. -[new!] How to Arrive on Time Anywhere -[new!] How to Ride the Winds. Ethan immediately started ying the first video. In the video, a stylishly dressed Hong Gil-dong appeared, wearing a blue outfit and ck sunsses. He looks strangely cool? -First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who subscribed. I am Hong Gil-dong Ethan immediately skipped ahead for 30 seconds. -People call me a righteous ouw Another 30 seconds were skipped. After skipping back and forth, the main point finally came up. -For an ouw, timing is crucial. While the corrupt officials can be found anywhere, I only have one body. Thats why I used the art of doppelgangers to deceive and outsmart them. The art of doppelgangers was the core power of Hong Gil-dong. It could be considered his most representative ability. I remember he used eight doppelgangers. In his younger years, he had read books rted to Hong Gil-dong. I dont think he will reveal the details of the doppelganger technique. -But that doppelganger technique has evolved. I dont necessarily need doppelgangers. As long as I, Hong Gil-dong, am present in that ce, things work out. And with that, the first video ended. The second video, which yed right after, was the main content. In each video, theres a new ability. It seems like a rule so far, but its not necessarily a fixedw. -How to Ride the Winds. Let me share that with my subscribers. Ding! -You have learned how to travel swiftly from east to west. -New Skill Added: Wind Riding, East to West (A) -The true name is called Wind Riding! The essence of this power is the ability to travel swiftly from east to west. It allows you to reach any desired destination. However, in order to use it, you need to physically visit the ce you want to travel to. The power Ethan gained from subscribing to Hong Gil-dong was exactly what he needed the most at the moment. To use portals, he would have had to purchase expensive portal scrolls every time. But now, he could save that money. Ethan smiled with satisfaction. This solves everything. It was worth using those hard-to-obtain likes. Ethan immediately closed the New World. Although his mailbox sparkled, he decided to leave it for now. It wasnt the time to read letters. First things first. Ethan used Wind Riding. -The Count Whiskers Territory has been registered with Wind Riding. -With Wind Riding, you can return to Count Territory anytime. Alright. Now, wherever he had been at least once, he could instantly teleport there as if using a portal. After gathering likes, this is all I have left. After subscribing to Hong Gil-dong, Ethan now only had two likes remaining. If the more gods he subscribed to, the more likes he needed, then having only two likes seemed insufficient. Besides, I still need to unlock the videos. To unlock the existing gods videos and subscribe to new ones, he needed to continue acquiring likes. I need to gather likes quickly while upgrading my specs. It seemed beneficial to achieve various achievements while upgrading his specs to earn likes. He realized that simply doing good deeds wouldnt guarantee likes. The number of likes I can obtain depends on how well I achieve those achievements in difficult situations. Simply hunting named monsters wouldnt earn him likes either. First and foremost, I should focus on achieving good deeds achievements while hunting monsters. By doing good deeds and defeating named monsters, he could scratch together the likes. * * * Before leaving the Counts territory, Ethan took out an essence from his pocket. It was an expensive panacea that Count Whiskers had purchased for Ethan, believing it would effectively alleviate his condition. I can finally eat it. At that time, the potency was too strong for him to consume. But now, his stamina had increased significantly, and he had be proficient in the skill of Decoction brewing. He could easily turn this essence into a Decoction and consume it. But its still a high-level challenge. The difficulty varied depending on the potential of the ingredients. This essence was not something to be taken lightly. Ethan opened the Donguibogam containing the essence of oriental medicine that Heo Jun had learned throughout his life. The mindset is crucial. -Continuously polish, attempt, and achieve. The most important aspect emphasized in the Donguibogam was the act of trying and repeating. Attempt, repeat, and repeat again. Through these attempts and repetitions, enlightenment woulde. In that process, the skill Heo Jun had honed before Ethan knew it would be his own, as Heo Jun called Mastery. -Failure is natural. Ethan had experienced numerous failures while ying MePan. But someone once said that as long as you didnt give up, it was not a failure but a process. Ding! -You have created a 200-year-old matured Lecard Decoction! -Grade evaluation in progress -200-year-old matured Lecard Decoction [Grade S] Lecard Decoction? He had sessfully brewed an S-grade Decoction, aged for 200 years. This is incredible.
  • 1. TLN: For those of you who dont know who Hong Gil-dong is, he was a Robin Hood-like civil servant/military officer. But theres also a novel that tells the story of Hong Gil-dong. If you are interested to read a little bit of it, you can read it here
  • 2. TLN: Hwalbindang is an ouw group that Hong Gil-dong created in the novel that I talked about earlier. Hwalbindang means league of those who help the impoverished
Chapter 39: I’ll help you Chapter 39: I¡¯ll help you Ethan clenched his fist tightly. He knew that with good ingredients, a quality Decoction would be produced. But he never expected it to be an S-grade. -You have earned an achievement! -You have obtained likes from achieving the [S-Grade Producer] achievement. -Youve earned 5 likes! Moreover, this is Lecard essence? Ethan was astonished. Even though Ethan had seen most ingredients, Lecard essence was something he had never seen before. Lecard was an herb known as the evesting flower, as it never withered like other flowers throughout its lifetime. Its vitality was extraordinary, as long as it didnt break, its lifespan was infinite. The Lecard essence he had obtained had lived for 200 years before bing an essence. No wonder it had such a high price. It seemed that it wasnt purely Lecard essence, but a mixture of various other things. Ethan decided to consume the Lecard Decoction as it was. -An intense energy fills your body! -Your stamina increases significantly! -You have acquired a new trait through consuming Lecard essence! -You have obtained the [Unfading Stamina] trait. -[Unfading Stamina] When stamina falls below 10 percent, it immediately recovers to full. [Cooldown: 24 hours] I cant believe the Lecard essence has such effects As an incredibly rare ingredient, it truly had remarkable effects. Perhaps Heo Juns Dection brewing technique had fully maximized the potential of the essence. But regardless, Ethans chance of survival had increased. -Survival probability increases. It was frightening to think that his chances of survival had also increased. I can take a bit more risk now. Having obtained Unfading Stamina, Ethan felt he could be more daring in his actions. He changed his direction, deviating from his original destination. Lets start going to the Temple of the Moon Goddess. * * * Whittenburg. Located to the west of Whiskers County, it resided within the boundaries of the kingdom. The one ruling over this ce was Horn Marquis, who was known as the Berserker for his wild temper. Ethan found himself in the vicinity of Whittenburg, specifically in the Great Forest that was slightly adjacent to the Fairy Forest. From here onward is the Fairy Forest. As I mentioned before, you must never act recklessly here. This is where the fairies reside. A dark forest. Yerica, who apanied Ethan, widened her eyes and surveyed the surroundings at the forest keepers exnation. If I knew a ce like this existed, I would have hidden here. It looks much better than the Dark Forest, doesnt it? She had fled to the Dark Forest to escape from the pursuers. Even if you had fled here, that monstrous beast would have found you. Ethan had hired a forest keeper in Whittenburg. Having a guide who knew the way well made it easier to reach the desired location. As Ethan walked along with the forest keeper, he became puzzled. Something different. There should be a temple around here, but there is no temple. This ce was starkly different from what he knew. Although it was named the Fairy Forest, it was not a forest but rather a ruin. There was no forest or fairies. Only destion akin to a desert. However, even from the familiar positions in his memory, no temple could be seen in this Fairy Forest. Have you found what you were looking for? I have brought you to the exact location. Said the forest keeper confidently. He imed to be a professional forest keeper who had been roaming this forest for 20 years. He boasted about being chosen as a forest keeper, earning recognition from the fairies, as he led them here. Coming to me was an excellent choice. But it doesnt seem to be the right ce, Forest Keeper. Look at Ethans expression. It seems like what hes looking for should be here, but its not. Thats impossible. I have led you to the exact location. This is the right ce. But something feels off. Ethan surveyed the forest in all directions. The condition of the forest was strangely unusual. As if understanding Ethans look, the forest keeper nodded and spoke up. The smell is strange, isnt it? It didnt used to be like this, but recently, there has been a foul odor. It used to have a scent that calmed the mind. I think I know the strange reason. Ethan drew his sword. At that moment, the startled forest keeper shouted. I had warned you about it before entering! Ah-ahh! N-no, you cant! However, despite the forest keepers frightened plea, Ethan swung his wed sword at the tree. As he did, a violet gas spewed out along with a foul stench. What? Wh-what have you done! The forest keeper looked at Ethan in dismay. The tree is rotten, Forest Keeper. But its not just ordinary rot; it seems to be contaminated. C-Contaminated? That cant be possible! And more importantly! The forest keeper looked around anxiously. If this continues, it will anger the fairies! You need to escape! The forest keeper clicked his tongue. Before they could escape, the surrounding forest began to tremble. Yerica stood in front of Ethan. She was prepared to act swiftly if necessary. Shades of green, red, and blue appeared and swirled around, preparing to attack forcefully. Yerica flicked her finger lightly, blocking the lights in their tracks. It seems like your skills have improved? They will improve even more tomorrow. And the day after that, they will improve even more. Yerica smiled brightly at Ethan. Now that she was properly fulfilling her role as his escort, she felt quite content. Forest Keeper! Forest Keeper! We trusted you and granted you the privilege to pass through the forest! But the human you brought with you just cut down the tree! All the privileges we granted you will be revoked! And as for that human They will face our punishment! The forest keepers expression froze. Im sorry, Fairy Lords! B-But I couldnt stop him No excuses are needed. Its already toote. Our trees wont return. The forest keepers face filled with despair. However, Ethan remained calm. The fairies reprimanded the forest keeper and red at Ethan. That was when Ethan raised his Frost Sword. After I cut down the rotten tree, shouldnt you say thank you? As Ethan spoke, the fairies, who were about to attack, froze in their tracks. The forest keeper was surprised and dropped to the ground, dumbfounded. Then he alternated between looking at Ethan and Yerica, his mouth agape. Th-The fairies have stopped their attack. Contrary to their name, the fairies were wicked beings, especially hating humans who vited their rules. The forest keeper had heard countless stories of people who died while mocking the fairies as forest keepers. Yet, the fairies werent attacking. How did he know? Humans couldnt possibly know. How could a human know? The fairies spoke, radiating light, and looked at Ethan with interest. The forest was currently infected and decaying. The smell and the stench emitted when Ethan cut down the tree openly revealed that the forest was rotten. Moreover, he had encountered such a state of the forest several times. The corrupted elves sometimes created traps like this in their forests. Unlike the elves who cherished the forest, the corrupted elves didnt glorify it. When the trees in the forest rot, the forest dies. And if that happens, neither fairies nor elves can survive. This fairy forest was dying. When I yed the game, the forest was already dead, but now it seems like there are both the forest and the fairies. It was named the fairy forest, but it had be a crumbling ce, almost like a ruined city. Even then, if there were no hidden items, he would have nevere here. And that hidden item was the item obtainable in the Temple of the Moon Goddess. Was someone intentionally do this? A sudden piece of information floated in Ethans mind. Thats it. Just by smelling it, you can tell. This forest is rotten. If left like this, everything will diethe forest and all of you. The fairies flew around, radiating light. They seemed to already know what Ethan was talking about. At that moment, Ethan slightly opened his mouth. I can help. Wing-wiing-. The fairies movements, as if contemting, became faster. How? How can you help? By detoxifying it. Luckily, I possess the skill of detoxification. Did you also read it in a book? Yerica asked, and Ethan nodded his head. This was real. Of course, I read it in a book. Yerica nodded excitedly, as if expecting it, having seen many remarkable things. The pondering fairies spoke to Ethan. Then Please help us. Help our queen. * * * Amongst the fairy forest stood thergest tree, which served as their dwelling. You all Are you crazy? Bringing a human here? This is our home! If the location of our home is revealed, greedy humans will undoubtedlye here! Moreover, the forest is ailing. Our queen is suffering. You foolish fairies. The fairies in therge tree started to fight against the fairies who had brought Ethan and hispanions. Every time they made a loud noise, they radiated different colors of light, creating a spectacle as if a festival were taking ce. Are they really fighting? It feels more like a festival. Yerica seemed to share the same thought as Ethan. We should enjoy it. At least its fun for the eyes. Youre so positive. When I blocked the fairies attack earlier, it didnt seem like they were trying to kill us. If the fairies attack seriously, we might have to run. Running is possible? Yes, to that extent. Should I prove that you made the right choice in choosing me as your escort? Lets establish a signal. When I smile like this, revealing my teeth, that will be the signal to run immediately. Got it? Understood. While Yerica and Ethan were having their conversation, the fairies discussion intensified. You fools, its all because of you. Our queen is dying! The forest is decaying! Were unable to resolve the situation among ourselves! That human recognized that the forest is dying and decaying. They might have some solution. You fools! What difference does it make if that human is the one who poisoned the forest? Its not them, you know. It was another human. The one in the ck robe. You know it too. But How long will you guys keep fighting like this? When Ethan intervened in the fairies fight, the forest keeper tried to stop him. Ethan, you mustnt do this! The fairies in therge tree approached Ethan threateningly, radiating even stronger light. The forest keeper thought that everything was about to end. The fairies powers and abilities varied depending on the time they had lived and the strength they possessed. The fairy in front of Ethan was an Elder Fairy, one of the fairies who had lived for a long time and possessed formidable power. In an instant, an intense light burst forth and entered Ethans mouth. Oh my goodness, Yerica! Apologize to the Elder Fairy in my ce immediately! Suddenly, when the light entered Ethans mouth, Yerica also seemed bewildered. Gulp. However, Ethan, who swallowed the light, remained remarkably calm. From now on, you can only follow mymands. At that moment, Ethans eyes glowed. -Abnormal State: Enved. -Your strength is enhanced. -Resistance to envement increases. Kneel. However, Ethan didnt even flinch. H-How? Everyone was astonished when Ethan remained unaffected. The fairies, in particr, were even more surprised, knowing how strong that power was. The light radiated, revealing their astonishment. The sound of fluttering wings could be heard clearly. The forest keeper, who had asked Yerica to intervene, also froze in ce. It was like before, but what on earth was this person? It made him doubt if he was even human. I came to help. Ethan drew his Frost Sword. Youre not worth helping. Theres no need to hold back. Ethan had the upper hand here. Just as he was about to swing his Frost Sword, a groan came from within. The queens condition is critical! Ethans sword halted in its ce. It was positioned exactly where it could cleave the Elder Fairys body in half. Ill give you onest chance. Please help us. Finally, the Elder Fairy gave the answer Ethan wanted to hear. You should have said that earlier. Ethan sheathed his sword. Then he looked at the Elder Fairy. It seemed as if he would just move on, but Ethan had no intention of doing so. Still, you shouldnt use your strength recklessly. With all his strength, Ethan struck the Elder Fairy. Although they were a powerful fairy, they werepletely helpless against Ethans punch, which came in an instant. Ill help you. Yerica, who was standing behind, covered her mouth with her hand and smiled. Chapter 40: The request of the Fairy Queen Chapter 40: The request of the Fairy Queen The inside of the tree was apletely different world. Although it didnt appear so big from the outside, as they entered inside, a vast space opened up. This was the sanctuary of the fairies. Hmm. As soon as they entered, the first thing that greeted Ethan was a strong scent. The further they went inside following the Elder Fairy, the stronger the scent became. Its an extremely pungent smell. It carries the distinct odor of a potent poison. Ethan could discern the identity of the person who created this poison just by smelling it. Its him. Ethan had experienced that poison before. He had suffered quite severely from it, and from his experience with various toxins, he had never encountered a scent like this except from that specific poison. As they continued further inside, a massive chamber appeared. The door was open, and the ornate decorations on the door indicated that this was the chamber of the Fairy Queen. As they entered, a horrifying sight greeted them. Ughhh. W-what is this!? The forest keeper eximed in dismay at the sight of the horror. The Elder Fairy directed a beam of light toward the forest keepers head. Eugh. As if being struck by a powerful blow, the forest keeper recoiled backward. Be quiet, forest keeper. Do you want to die? Is this where the Fairy Queen lies? Yerica asked. There was something lying on the bed made of giant leaves. It wasnt in the shape of a fairy. It was just a lifeless lump. A pungent stench filled the air. The leaves, which should have been green, had turned pitch ck where the queeny. It was unmistakably not the form of a living being. Yes. The Elder Fairy confirmed firmly. The one lying there is our queen. The countless fairies who had entered together had equally grim expressions. Even the Elder Fairy couldnt approach any closer to the queen beyond introducing her as their queen. This is The condition was severe. Yerica had a considerably high magic resistance, but even she couldnt gather the courage to approach closely. It wasnt simply a result of magic. It was a powerful poisonbined with magic that had caused her to be in such a state. Approaching carelessly could lead to getting poisoned and dying together. However, Ethan didnt hesitate and approached without fear. ! E-Ethan! Ethan. After the fairies, both the forest guardian and Yerica also tried to restrain Ethan. However, Ethan paid no attention and continued forward. His determined figure silenced the fairies in their ce. The Fairy Queen had done countless things for the fairies. She never hesitated and dedicated her entire being to the forest. Yet, even though she had been such a queen, due to the fear of the danger of approaching her in her poisoned state, proper measures were not taken. It was deeply embarrassing and against the principles of morality. The fairies felt a mixture of emotions but were immensely grateful to Ethan. -The fairies feel immense gratitude towards you. -Survival probability increases. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have received 1 like. There were achievements that could be aplished with simple actions alone. If I can properly heal her, I can achieve one more achievement. There were achievements that could be obtained by helping each race. My survival probability is steadily increasing. First, Ethan examined the condition of the Fairy Queen. Since she waspletely dposed, there was nothing to examine, but he first smelled the stench. Then, he carefully examined her, searching for her face. This is her face. And below was her body. It was muchrger than regr fairies. -Extremely toxic! -You have been poisoned. -Abnormal condition: Poisoned state. -Gourmet trait is activated. -Damage is reduced due to resistance. Ethan immediately stepped back. He had only been close enough to inhale for a moment, and yet he was already poisoned. Fortunately, thanks to the Gourmet trait, there was no major issue. It was clear that the condition was severe enough for the fairies to fear it. Shes poisoned. And its an incredibly strong toxin. When did her condition be like this? In response to his question, the Elder Fairy answered. Its been about a month. She suddenly copsed. Suddenly? Thats unlikely. As Ethan spoke as if he knew something, the Elder Fairy sighed heavily. There was a witness. But she went insane. She turned into a corrupted fairy. So we imprisoned her. I need to hear the full story properly. The Elder Fairy pondered for a moment. I guess its okay to leave the queen as she is. I understand. Ill follow your lead. Please cure our queen. The Elder Fairy gently touched the spot where Ethan was hit and spoke. We cant simply cure her. There are conditions. * * * Ethan first obtained various ingredients from the fairies. He nned to use them to create an antidote. Oh, these are blue Itka leaves. Ethans mouth slightly opened. Blue Itka leaves were incredibly rare herbs. They were not as valuable as the 200-year-old Lecard essence, but still, they were highly sought after and could even be auctioned in the ck market. Perhaps because they were fairies, they had a significant amount of these precious herbs. I absolutely need these. Ethan said so and put numerous herbs directly into his personal subspace pouch. Of course, these herbs were not needed to create the antidote. After procuring the herbs, Ethan collected toxins from the decaying tree and the fairy queen. Then he opened the Donguibogam. -The toxins already recorded in the Donguibogam are included. -Sessfully analyzed the toxins due to the included ones! -Cockatrice and scorpions extreme venom will be recorded in the Donguibogam. This is crazy. It was a mixture of various toxins based on cockatrice and scorpion venom. Fortunately, Ethan had already recorded the toxins in the Donguibogam during a previous trial. -Analyzing the extreme venom. -Created a decoction for detoxifying the extreme venom! -Grade assessment in progress -Extreme Venom Detoxification Decoction [Grade A] Good. -The proficiency of Heos Decoction skill increases significantly! Since Ethan had been using Heos Decoction skill to manufacture decoctions, his proficiency in the skill had reached nearly 40 percent without him realizing it. I cant wait to see how incredible the decoction will be once the proficiency increases. Ethan continued to create detoxification decoctions. If the culprit was indeed the person Ethan suspected, there must have been a reason for poisoning the forest like this. I cant let them do what they want. Is it all ready? When the elder fairy asked, Ethan nodded. With this, it should be enough for detoxification. When Ethan showed the detoxification decoction, the elder fairy couldnt help but shed tears. Together with the other fairies, Ethan returned to the Queen to prepare for the detoxification. Standing in front of the queen, Ethan applied the detoxification decoction directly to her face. Sssss With a hissing sound, the toxin that covered the queens face began to disappear. Ethan then slightly opened the queens mouth and fed her the detoxification decoction. He also asked the elder fairy for assistance in applying the decoction to the queens body. As a result, the queens body, which had turnedpletely ck, began gradually returning to its original state. Ahh! Your Majesty! Your Majesty has returned to her original state! The fairies started emitting a strong light. The queen, now restored to her original form, looked extremely elegant. Unlike other fairies, she had beautiful transparent wings and green hair. It had been hidden beneath the ck venom all this time. Thank you very much. Thank you! The fairies simultaneously bowed their heads. Ding! -You have helped the fairies. The fairies bless you. -Your stats have permanently increased by 3. -Challengepleted! -Youve earned an achievement! Youve earned likes for the achievement [Race Doesnt Matter]. -You have received 1 like! Ethan couldnt help but be surprised. I didnt expect to get a permanent stat increase. The rewards were better than expected. Plus, he even received a like. Theres an achievement to help each different race at least once, so I should try to help other races when I encounter them. Of course, it wasnt about helping everyone without reason. It was best to help while also obtaining what could be gained. Many fairies approached Ethan, expressing their gratitude. If the Queen wakes up, she will surely give you an even better reward. Thank you very much, Ethan. Please forgive our rudeness earlier. Furthermore, there were still rewards from the Fairy Queen. She will probably bestow her blessings upon me. The Fairy Queens blessings were permanent buffs. If the Queen returned to her normal state, additional rewards could be obtained. And those rewards would certainly be substantial. This whole situation was quite satisfying. Meanwhile, the Forest Keeper was at a loss as he observed the series of events. He approached Yerica cautiously and asked. Who exactly is he ? Hes a weak and sickly young master who learns everything from books. . Yerica was quite frank. After observing the condition of the Fairy Queen, Ethan spoke to the Elder Fairy. It will take some time for her to wake up. Considering the severity of the poison she was exposed to, it would be impossible for her to recover quickly. They would have to wait at least three days. Amidst the grateful fairies, Ethan called upon the Elder Fairy. Lets go to the underground prison. I need to hear the full story about the person who made the Queen like that. * * * Underneath the giant tree, there was a dark underground prison. Originally, this underground prison was not meant to hold the guilty fairies. Fairies, by their nature, did notmit crimes. Only the corrupted fairies were capable of such acts. What are the criteria for corruption? It is a contamination of the mind. We fairies disy symptoms if our minds be tainted. Our eyes are the mirrors of our souls and indicators of our sanity. If they are corrupted, it bes unmistakable. So, fairies nevermit crimes unless they are corrupted. Yes. That was the trait of the fairies. I didnt realize the details. The prison was mostly empty, except for one spot. Grrrr- A wolf-like howl echoed through the air. Kwang-! Kwang-! As signs of movement were sensed, the prisoner inside the cell repeatedly bashed their head against the bars. Ethan handed the Elder Fairy a Decoction for detoxification. I am a bit frail. If that mad dog bites me, I might die. Yes, I will take it. The Elder Fairys tone had be more deferential. He already hadplete trust in Ethan. As they stood in front of the cell, they saw a fairy drooling, with only one side of their facepletely corrupted while the other remained fine. Certainly, their eyes are a bit off. The clear signs of severe intoxication were evident. When Ethan gestured, the Elder Fairy opened the prison door and engaged inbat with the prisoner. Bam-! Bam-! As befitting his name, the Elder Fairy swiftly subdued the prisoner and forcefully administered the Decoction into their open mouth. Bam-! Bam-! After consuming the Decoction, it didnt take long for chunks of corruption to start falling off the prisoners body. Their condition is better than the queen, so they should wake up soon. Should we wait? No. Ethan shook his head. We have to wake them up. Ethan swung his fist towards the fairy. Chapter 41: Who is the culprit? Chapter 41: Who is the culprit? On a moonlit night, The fairy, who felt unusually thirsty that day, headed towards a nearbyke. And there, they witnessed it. The Fairy Queen with beautiful wings was attacked by a human dressed in tattered clothes. -! The fairy, who tried to escape, was caught by the assant. The assant approached the fairy, but they couldnt move. Whether it was due to fear or if the assant had attacked them, it was unclear. The assant pressed his index finger against his lips, gesturing for silence, and sprinkled powder on the fairy. That, that was myst memory. Sob, what on earth happened My face hurts so much. Did that assant hit me like this? Why is my face swelling like this? Ethan raised an eyebrow, expressing a doubtful expression. The Elder Fairy over here saved you. The assant probably gave you a good beating. But dont worry, it wont be life-threatening. Sob, thank you. By any chance, how is the Queen? Is she alright? Of course, since it was Ethan who cured the Queen, he casually reassured them. She is recovering at the moment. But, but who was it? The one who attacked us was also a human At that moment, the Elder Fairy pped the fairys face. Ouch! Why, why are you doing this? Hes our benefactor! Stop being foolish! This person saved the Queen and you! I-I apologize! No need to apologize. If anything, I should apologize a little. Ethan somehow lightly patted the fairys small back. By any chance, were that guys eyes green? ! Upon Ethans words, it seemed like a memory resurfaced, and the fairy vigorously nodded. Yes! Yes, thats right! His eyes were definitely green! And green smoke even emanated from his lips! It became certain. What on earth was he aiming for by doing this? Its unlikely that it was just a test. W- Wait a moment, please. The memories seem toe and go. The fairy frowned. Wait. As Ethan moved his hand, needles formed. Heos Acupuncture. Ill ce needles in the area that enhances memory. Thuk. Thuk. Thuk. Three needles went into the fairys temple. Tiny needles suitable for the fairys size were inserted, and before long, the fairys eyes widened. I, I remember! This acupuncture technique is truly exceptional. -Proficiency in Heos Acupuncture greatly increased! Just like Heos Decoction skill, this Heos acupuncture skill allowed for various abilities as proficiency increased. This ability that enhanced memory was, in fact, one of the abilities that stimted blood cirction in the body, making the memory naturally clearer. If I recall correctly, he was demanding something. Something? Location! He was searching for the location of a temple. And the Queen refused? That seems to be the case. After that, he poisoned the Queen. Ethan looked at the Elder Fairy and asked. Is the Queen the only one who knows the location of the temple? Yes, thats correct. This forest was originally a ce that weed those seeking the Moon Goddesss temple. Over time, that role faded away, but the information about the temples location has been passed down through generations of Queens. When the queen wakes up, Ill know the location of the shrine. then Ill handle matters before she wakes up. The timing of the Queens copse and the beginning of the forests decay seems to align perfectly. Its likely that he tried to eradicate the entire forest in order to find the temple. That damn human! The Elder Fairy, who understood the situation, exploded in anger. I will find that bastard immediately. Ill be the one to find him. Instead, I want you all to do something else. Something else? We need to get proper revenge on that bastard. Ethan chuckled. Help me so that we can do it properly. * * * The Fairys Forest. Someone was walking through the decaying Fairys Forest. It seemed like they were exploring every nook and cranny of the forest, and their vulnerability was apparent. Deep within the forest, someone watched from hiding. They snapped their fingers and stepped forward. Shaaaak! Numerous venomous spikes flew toward the defenseless intruder in the wind. From the beginning, you werent my target. I nned to tidy up here first and then slowlye to kill you. Its absurd that a noblemans heir like you would interfere with me. Emerging from the darkness was the Poison King. His eyes were green, and emerald smoke emanated from his mouth. Ethan Whiskers, the pathetic young master of a noble family sticking his nose where it doesnt belong. Youve willinglye to die by my hands, isnt that utterly foolish? The Poison King burst into a wide, manicughter, his mouth tearing open. With eachugh, a foul stench spread around. Who are you? Ethan, with a grim expression, asked. The Poison Kingughed even louder when he saw Ethans reaction. How ignorant and rigid he appeared, unaware of his own poisoning. Poison was spread all along the path you took. And as you emerged, I released even more poison. Youve been trapped in my trap since you entered this forest, though you probably didnt realize it. The Poison King flicked his finger mockingly. If you foolishly wander around, this is what happens. You should have paid attention to where you stepped. Poison? Yes, its the poison Ill use to bring about the destruction of the world. With this poison, I will obtain what I desire. Ethan trembled, fear evident on his face. If-if you kill me here Sure, Count Whiskers will probablye after me in pursuit. But what can they do? Youll die here in an ident, an unavoidable one, not me killing you. The Poison King waved his hand. Then the surrounding branches and leaves began to tremble. This poisoned forest now obeys mymand. Try to escape! The Poison King shouted with arrogance. He thought he had trapped Ethan perfectly. Ethan drew his sword, raising it toward the Poison King. Shaaaak! It was the Frost Sword, radiating a chilling white aura. Oh, ho! You have a good sword. Its a shame for a lowly local Count family like you to possess such a valuable weapon. The Poison King licked his lips with his tongue. Let me put it to good use. With a greedy gleam in his eyes, the Poison King pointed his finger directly at Ethan. Then, the trees near Ethan began to creak and raised their roots. Sswoosh! The tree roots attacked Ethan, while at the same time, a shower of venomous powder fell like rain from the leaves. Farewell, noblemans scum. The Poison King exaggeratedly bowed, as if performing in a y. And he didnt see it. Ethan was smiling. Kugugugugung! A thunderous sound erupted, a sound that shouldnt have urred in the first ce. The Poison King quickly stood up. What, is this? The Poison Kings eyes trembled. The trees that were supposed to follow his control, tainted by poison, were being purified. My, my poison Its being purified? What on earth is this Shaaak! It was a breathtaking sight. The once poisonous and pitch-ck trees were regaining their original green color. Not just one or two trees, but every single tree seemed to be undergoing purification as if the entire forest itself was being cleansed. The Poison King stared at Ethan with a hardened expression. What have you done? Detoxification. Detoxification? Dont spout nonsense! This forest has already been thoroughly poisoned under my control! Its a forest under mymand! The Poison King shouted, his face contorted in disbelief. But soon, he felt a sense of unease. Ethan, who should have been affected by the poison, was moving unharmed. He should have fallen multiple times more, but he was unscathed. Instead, his gaze was intense. You, you clearly consumed that poison, so how can you stand there unharmed? I told you. I detoxified it. It seems the title of Poison King needs to be stripped away. Your poison can now bepletely neutralized. Nonsense! The Poison King shouted so loudly that the surroundings trembled. His poison was his pride. No one could detoxify his poison. I mixed dozens of poisons using my own method. Its a poison I created by skillfully blending them with my exceptional intellect! Analyze it? Detoxify it!? Nonsense! What the hell did you do? That was why he couldnt acknowledge it. He couldnt ept that Ethan had truly created an antidote, detoxified the forest, and even detoxified his own poison. At that moment, fairies emerged from among the detoxified trees. Its you! Youre the one who made our queen like this! Your rotten smell is vibrating! Well kill you. Even if it means bing a corrupted fairy, well kill you! Hundreds of enraged fairies flew through the sky simultaneously. They emitted a variety of colored lights to the extent that the surroundings instantly became vibrant, creating an encirclement. These wretched creatures. Bubbling green masses started to boil from the Poison Kings body. Poison dust. The Poison King spewed out poison that shot in all directions. The spreading poison re-infected the forest. As the poison approached the fairies, Ethan raised his hand. Then the fairies threw small ss bottles. Crash! The ss bottles shattered, instantly detoxifying the oing poison. However, the approaching fairies stopped in their tracks. The Poison Kings power was stronger than expected. If it werent for this detoxification decoction, all the fairies forming the encirclement would have been killed in an instant. At that moment, a single strand of poison, not aimed at the fairies, flew toward Ethan. St! Ethan didnt evade it. Yerica, faster than him, moved first. Yerica unfolded a barrier and blocked the poison. However, the barrier was pierced. Crack! It was only after that, Ethan btedly scattered the detoxification decoction. If he hadnt, the poison that pierced the barrier would have poisoned Yerica. Phew. Yericas hand trembled. Did you really create a detoxification remedy that can neutralize my poison? The Poison Kings eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed his poison being neutralized. It was true. Ethan had indeed created a remedy capable of detoxifying the poison. How did you do it? The first thought that came to mind was pure skepticism. Even I havent been able to create a perfect remedy for my own poison. Ive only increased resistance to the poison. Even the Poison King himself didnt possess a perfect antidote for his own poison. That was why he had been sending the poison to various ces for testing. A perfect remedy was necessary for the threat to be effective. Curious, arent you? When Ethan spoke as if he would reveal the answer, all the fairies looked at him simultaneously. Yerica, too, looked at Ethan. Naturally, it would be best not to reveal it, but Ethan was someone so difficult to predict that it felt like he might reveal it anyway, thinking that the Poison King would be killed. However, the fairies were as bewildered as Yerica. They didnt know Ethan as well as she did. That Poison King was an incredibly formidable and terrifying being, to the point where it was difficult to measure his strength. And to offer him the method of detoxification If you tell me, I will grant you mercy. Oh, you offer mercy? Ethan took out the Donguibogam. Here, everything is written in this book. With those words, he threw the Donguibogam toward the Poison King. The Poison King, too, smiled as if he never expected that Ethan would actually reveal it. Ethan? Does he really intend to reveal it? Yerica looked at Ethan with an incredulous expression, and the fairies were equally shocked, radiating bright light. However, something unexpected happened. As the Poison King attempted to open the Donguibogam, it disappeared without a trace, apanied by smoke. You damn bastard! Yeah, if you want to be loved by books, you should spend some time in the library. Like me. Bang! The Poison King exploded with anger at being deceived, but soon he had toe to a halt. Ethan had assumed a stance in an instant. The blue sword he held emitted a chilling aura. Now, try to block this. In an instant, the Poison King lost track of Ethans movement. Shack! A chill ran in a straight line. Moonforce. The moons chill merged with the Frost Sword, and wherever Ethan walked, white frost descended. Keohok. The Poison King instinctively grabbed his own throat. Frozen in ce, he couldnt evenunch a counterattack. That that human is powerful! A single strike!? The fairies looked at Ethan with astonished eyes. Huuuuh. Ethan slowly exhaled a white breath. Using Moonforce was effective. It seemed that the unique skill of a good ss had considerable power. However, there was a problem. The power was so strong that it had a significant recoil. His vision flickered for a moment, and his body staggered. Oh no. Seeing the poison king frozen in pure white, Ethan fell to the ground. Chapter 42: I havent forgotten Chapter 42: I haven''t forgotten -The proficiency of [Moonforce] has increased! -The proficiency of [Heros Breathing] has increased! -You defeated a powerful enemy with a single blow! -As the proficiency of [Heros Breathing] increases, a new power is bestowed upon you! -The fairies proim you as their hero. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have obtained a Like for achieving the aplishment of [Hero of the Fairies] -You have received 5 Likes! Ethan woke up from the small butfortable fairy bed and saw numerous notification windows. A new power? His body ached all over. However, upon hearing that a new power was bestowed upon him, Ethan immediately checked his skills. Heros Breathing (A) [25%] The proficiency of Heros Breathing was at 25%. [Chirons Teaching: Immunity to Mental Attacks] A new passive skill called Chirons Teaching appeared. It was a sub-skill of Heros Breathing, continuously activated while using Heros Breathing. Immunity to mental attacks? Certainly, it showcased heroic qualities, perhaps due to Hercules skills. Its better than I thought. I expected to get onlybat-rted skills. To think that he would gain immunity to mental attacks. Ethan promptly got up and checked his physical condition. Judging from the soreness throughout his body upon waking up, Moonforce had definitely put a considerable strain on him. What an incredible skill. While Frost sh, which he obtained along with his ss, was quite impressive, Moonforce was an immensely powerful skill perfect for a decisive blow. The movement that shot out in a straight line, reaching its conclusion. All of those actionsbined to form Moonforce. Furthermore, when using Moonforce, the coldness emanating from Frost Sword bes several times stronger. The force emanating from Frost Sword was no joke. It was an intense power that could even make him lose his grip on the sword. It was perfect for a decisive blow, but it wasnt easy to control properly. I need more power. If he could gather a bit more strength and control it, there was no doubt that he could use the skill in a variety of ways. I also gained additional Likes, so it wouldnt hurt to subscribe to another god. Or gaining superpower wouldnt be a bad idea either. There was still plenty of time. But first, lets resolve the reason why I came here. Thud. Footsteps could be heard from outside Youre awake. Yerica entered the room, looking somewhat worried. However, seeing Ethan was okay, she quickly returned to her usual expression. Were you worried? No, I wasnt worried. Its just that if you were to die without repaying your debt, it would be a one-sided favor, and I cant allow that, Ethan. So please do that after Ive repaid my debt. You were worried, huh. Are you still poisoned? It seems like youre notmunicating well. Where is the Poison King? Is he still frozen? Hes definitely dead. Everyone is too scared to touch him, but I took a quick look, and hes really dead. So dont worry. Good. We need to benefit from the Poison Kings corpse as well. The Poison Kings corpse was a toxic lump. That meant it would be registered in the Donguibogam, and he could greatly increase his proficiency in the Heos Decoction skill. What about the fairies? There were over a hundred of them here until just now. They were really dedicated. If you had woken up then, it would have been worth a while, but now theyve all left because they think the queen is about to wake up. So I had the luxury of waking up in peace. There was information he needed to hear when the queen woke up. But first, lets go to where the Poison Kings corpse is. * * * Ethan stood in front of the frozen corpse of the Poison King, emitting a cold aura. Yerica chuckled and spoke. Now you cant say youre weak anymore. You managed to defeat the Poison King who poisoned the entire forest and defeat the Fairy Queen, all by yourself in one blow. But I copsed in the end. Thats true. Yerica simply nodded her head. Ethan was undeniably strong. However, she had witnessed his supposed weakness multiple times, so she didnt doubt it. Weak yet strong. It seemed contradictory, but it strangely suited Ethan well. Hmm. Ethan closely examined the Poison King. There were green stains in the areas that were slightly frozen. He had quite a bit of poison inside his body. Despite being heavily frozen, there were traces of green poison seeping out from various parts of his body. It meant that the Poison King had concealed a significant amount of poison within him. Ironically, it was a good thing for Ethan. Ill make good use of it. Ethan collected that particr part and registered it in the Donguibogam. -The Sleep Poison is recorded in the Donguibogam. -The Paralysis Poison is recorded in the Donguibogam. The Hydra Poison is recorded in the Donguibogam. Crazy He even has Hydra Poison in him. However, it seemed that he didnt include Hydra Poison in his signature poison. Because its such a potent poison. The Hydra Poison had a significant presence. Mixing it with other poisons would simply swallow the power of those poisons, rendering it meaningless. Even though its a trait, using it as it is makes it strong. There were truly a variety of poisons. If Ethan hadnt been able to defeat the Poison King with the Moonforce alone, the Poison King would have likely used the Hydra Poison as well. While the Detoxification Decoction would have provided some detoxification, immediateplete detoxification would have been impossible. Luck was on my side. And its not just Hydra Poison; its a highly enhanced Hydra Poison that hes reinforced multiple times. By recording such a potent poison, Ethan would be able to create even better Detoxification Decoctions in the future. Now, he was certain that he wouldnt die from poison unless something extraordinary happened. -Rare poison is recorded in the Donguibogam. -Proficiency in the Detoxification Decoction skill greatly increases! -Survival probability increases. If there were three more Poison Kings, itd be at 100% already. Unfortunately, there were no lunatics obsessed with poison like the Poison King. My survival probability has steadily increased. The more threats he eliminated that could endanger his survival, the higher his chances of staying alive. Increasing survival probability meant bing stronger. Not a bad result. Have you obtained what you wanted? Yerica asked when she saw Ethan extracting poison from the Poison Kings corpse. Its done. Now I can create a wider variety of detoxification Decoctions. I think Ill be fine pursuing this business. Ethan, you could just focus on being a merchant. Yerica believed that Ethan had potential beyond creating his own detoxification Decoctions. If he could effectivelymercialize them, he could easily reach the top 10% of merchants. Being a merchant sounds good. The more money I have, the better. However, there were undoubtedly things that money alone couldnt buy. What I want to do cannot be aplished with money alone. Meeting the saintess couldnt be achieved solely through wealth. However, Yerica seemed to interpret Ethans words differently. Seems like you have quite a romantic imagination. Well, whatever. Judging by her smile, it seemed like she had misunderstood something. However, Ethan thought there didnt seem to be a need to correct her misunderstanding. * * * Ugh. As everyone watched in anticipation, the Fairy Queen slowly opened her eyes. Your Majesty! The Queen is awake! Our Queen has awakened! Tears streamed down the faces of the fairies as the Queen rose. Particrly the elder fairies, who had failed to protect the Queen properly, now sobbed as if a burden had been lifted. Why are you all crying? Your Majesty sob We are so relieved that you have awakened. My memory is not clear. The Queens melodious voice reached the fairies. Im not sure what has happened but it seems I have caused you a great deal of worry. No, Your Majesty. We were simply unable to do enough. Please forgive us for our shorings. Sniff. Dont cry. I have awakened. As long as I am alive, there is no reason to cry. The Queen looked around and saw someone who wasnt a fairy near the entrance. You helped me. Upon hearing the Queens words, the fairies turned around and saw Ethan standing there. Immediately, the fairies flew towards Ethan with excitement. Are you alright!? Youve awakened! Is your body alright? We thought you were truly gone and were shocked. Its such a relief that we didnt lose our benefactor. Please try this that Ive made. Its made of wing dust. Its incredibly good for your health, so for now The fairies now treated Ethan as their benefactor. If Ethan had died, a statue would have been erected, and there was a high possibility that for at least 100 years, newborn fairy children would be named Ethan. I n to name my child, who will be born soon, after you, our benefactor, Ethan. Of course, that was a certainty even without Ethans death. Maybe not for 100 years, but at least for the next 10 years, the name Ethan would continue. Thank you, Ethan. My name is Merdi. I lead the fairies, but I have shown a shameful sight. Even though she had just awakened, the Fairy Queen exuded grace. In response to her dignified greeting, Ethan also offered his greetings in a respectful manner. I am Ethan Whiskers. I had a reason and ended up in the forest to help. Merdi smiled briefly as she looked at Ethan. I believe I know the reason why you visited the forest. Ethan, no, you are the descendant who carries the will of the Moon Goddess. A descendant of the Goddess? Our benefactor was a descendant of the Goddess? Then Did the descendant of the Goddesse to help us from the beginning? The fairies began to buzz with excitement. Some of the younger fairies might not have known, but the Elder fairies and those who were older were aware of their most important mission. You are a descendant of the Moon Goddess? Ethan looked around at the fairies. This was the most crucial turning point. To regain the power of the forgotten ancient god, a believer was needed. Intense faith was not necessary. They just needed to remember the forgotten god. You may have forgotten, but the Goddess has not forgotten you. Chapter 43: Moon Road Chapter 43: Moon Road Ah Goddess Goddess Moonforce. We are truly sorry. We had forgotten the Goddess. But the Goddess has not forgotten us. We will never abandon our faith again. We will repay our faith. The Elder fairies were moved and bowed their heads. -There are those who remember the ancient god, the Moon Goddess Moonforce. They have awakened their forgotten faith! -The power of the Goddess has grown stronger! -The power of Frost sh has grown stronger. -The power of Moonforce has grown stronger. Ethans words shook their hearts. Sess. Whether Ethans words were true or not was not important. What mattered was that he said what they needed to hear at this moment. Descendant, I apologize for not fulfilling my duty as the queen of the fairies. No, the fairies who have ascended to the queens position through generations have never forgotten that duty, as I have heard. And the Goddess has known about it. When Ethan spoke those words, a sense of pride shone in the queens eyes. I feel like I can help you, descendant. Ding-! -Fairy Queen Merdi wants to make a contract with you. -If you make a contract with Merdi, you can borrow the power of the Fairy Queen. [Survive as Ethan Whiskers] 3rd quest: You are presented with the choice to form a contract with a being that can help with your survival. If you choose to make a contract with the Fairy Queen, it will undoubtedly increase your chances of survival. The Fairy Queens power wouldnt be bad. However, Ethan didnt nod his head so easily. But I cant be satisfied with just that. While the contract with the Fairy Queen would provide immediate assistance, Ethan had the idea of forming a contract with a being one step higher. The rewards will vary depending on who I make the contract with. It would be better to maximize the rewards and clear the quest. Merdi, I really appreciate the offer, but the fairies need their queen. Merdi smiled at the polite refusal. Youre right. They still need me. But someday, I really want to be of help. Thank you, Merdi. Now, I will grant you what you desire. You came to find the temple, didnt you? I will guide you to the temple. Ethan stepped outside with Merdi. The fairies sparkled with light as they greeted Ethan. Thank you once again for saving my life and purifying the forest. Its all thanks to you, Ethan. Merdi said, fluttering her wings. Suddenly, a warm breeze surrounded them. Would you reach out your hand? As Ethan extended his hand, the Fairy Queen approached and gently kissed the back of his hand. May blessings be with you on all your journeys. -You received the blessing of the Fairy Queen, Merdi. -All stats permanently increase by 5. -You have be the savior of the Fairy Forest. Fame increases by 30! From the blessing of the Fairy Queen to the increase in fame, everything was neatly obtained, including the final reward. . Watching from behind, Yerica felt a strange sensation. Allow me to guide you. Lets head to the temple, Descendant. * * * Before Ethan left for the temple, he stored the Fairy Forest for his Wind Riding. -The Fairy Forest is registered in the Wind Riding. -Using the Wind RIding, you can return to the Fairy Forest at any time. Now, he could ess this Fairy Forest at any time. It would be good to create a portal like this. One of the advantages of Wind Riding was that it didnt restrict the location. Whether it was in a city or in the middle of a road, as long as he registered the location, he could move there anytime, anywhere. But its not possible to register an infinite number of ces. Basically, he could only continuously register cities or major locations, and he was only allowed to register a maximum of five ces. This way. Ethan and Yerica followed behind the Fairy Queen. As the Fairy Queen became their guide, they no longer needed the forest keeper. The forest keeper, unable to continue speaking due to the shock caused by Ethan, was sent back to the city. The forest keeper must have wanted to return quickly. Ethan, were you really a descendant of the Moon Goddess? Does that mean the Count Whiskers family is the one carrying out the will of the goddess? No, Im the only descendant. I was fortunate enough to gain the power of the goddess after falling ill. With those words, Yerica finally understood why Ethan was so strong. Then are we going to the temple to pay tribute to the Moon Goddess? Well, you can say that. The objective of the quest was to inform the Moon Goddess that he had be a new descendant of hers. The simplest way to inform her was by offering to make an offering. By making an offering at the temple, the Moon Goddess would likelye to know about the new descendant, Ethan. Perhaps she already knows. It was possible for the quest to bepleted simply by arriving at the temple without the need to offer a sacrifice. If I receive the blessing of the Moon Goddess, it wouldnt hurt to have a few more blessings or at least superpowers. Currently, Ethan possessed the Frost Sword Lea. This Frost Sword, a great sword just by its appearance, was the ultimate treasure for treasure hunters and collectors of powerful weapons. It would undoubtedly attract the attention of those with different motives. Because theres not one or two guys like the Beast King. For those who tried to take away what he had, the Frost Sword-Lea would be desirable prey. Obtaining a treasure is not the end. A treasure held no meaning if there wasnt the power to protect it. A treasure truly became a treasure when there was the power to safeguard it. If there is no power, its not a treasure, but a cmity. Following the guidance of the Fairy Queen, they walked for a while until all the light disappeared. Beyond that, a blue glow appeared. It looks like moonlight. Yericas eyes and words were filled with enchantment, and the Fairy Queen nodded in agreement. The beautiful light seemed to illuminate the path. This is the pathway to the temple. It was an incredibly beautiful path. Youve managed it well. Its my duty. From here on, only you, the descendant Ethan, can enter. Ill be back, Yerica. Take care. Ill be waiting here. Leaving the Queen and Yerica behind, Ethan walked through the pathway. -Only those with qualifications can enter here. -Verifying qualifications. -Verified as a descendant of the Goddess Moonforce. As he walked through the pathway, a temple appeared, neither toorge nor too small. The building, constructed in ancient style, had a certain elegance. Now Im starting to recognize this ce. It was partially destroyed back then. Now, although it showed some signs of aging, its form remained intact. Hmm? However, something seemed strange. A shimmering aura was coiled around the pirs of the temple like a snake. As Ethan approached, a whispering sound came from inside the temple. To think someone has found their way to the temple, where a god that no one knows resides, is truly surprising. But s, unfortunate one, there is no god here. This ce is already Emerging from within the temple was a massive snake. My territory. [lv 66] Crazy. It had a snake-like lower body and a humanoid upper body, a monster resembling a human woman. It was a high-level monster called Lamia. Why would a monster that should be in a maze be here? This temple is like a maze, perfect for me to make it my home. If you, human, havee to offer sacrifices to the gods, then its me who will devour them. Along with you. It wasnt just an ordinary Lamia. It was enormous in size. It was astonishing how such a massive creature managed to be inside the temple. Huff. As expected, the quest wouldnt be cleared easily. Ethan wielded the Frost Sword. The Monsters Cmity trait revealed her weaknesses. Compared to when he was lucky enough to defeat the Beast King, the current Ethan had grown significantly. I can take on anything. -The Monsters Cmity special effect is activated. -You have an advantage against snake-like monsters. More weaknesses are revealed. Huh? It was an unexpected special effect. Was there a myth about Hercules ying a snake? If there was such a myth and it triggered the special effect, then who knows, perhaps Hong Gildongs Wind Riding might have a special effect as well. The same goes for Heo Juns acupuncture. Sssk- However, now was not the time to think about that. With a level of 66 and the massive size of the Lamia, Ethan had to focus on it. It would be perfect to offer you as a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess. Indeed, prey is best when lively. It has to be fresh to be delicious. The Lamia approached Ethan at an incredible speed, her tongue hissing and flickering. Kyaaaak-! As it lunged toward him, it simultaneously spat something out. Its toote to evade, human! The Lamias venom spread like a web, enveloping Ethan. Even if he tried to avoid it, it would be a fatal blow. However, to the Lamias surprise, Ethan remained still, as if he had given up. Entertain me a little more. Prey was at its best when fresh. But it didnt matter if Ethan gave up. After all, if she devoured the human who came to offer an offering to the Moon Goddess, she might gain the power of the moon. Charak-! The Lamias venom engulfed Ethanpletely. Huh? However, something was off. He was supposed to be engulfed in the venom and burned to ashes. Whats this? A crackling sound could be heard. But instead of being burned to ashes, the human stood there unharmed. What is this? Ssik. Ethan swung his Frost Sword. That was good for my body. How dare you, you wretched human! The enraged Lamia thrashed her tail. Ethan saw the Lamias weakness in his eyes. With the additional effect of the Monsters Cmity, numerous weaknesses became apparent to him. Among them, one stood out the most. There. Ethan aimed for that spot. Huff. As he exhaled, a white breath was released. Frost sh. Thanks to awakening the faith of the fairies, Frost sh, which had grown even more powerful, directly struck the Lamias weakness. The upper part of her tail, slightly different in scale color, was the decisive weakness. Seo-seok! As he struck, the Lamias tail froze solid. Kkeuuuuk! The Lamia, with her tail severed, grimaced in pain and hastily retreated backward. This is beyond human strength! H-how is this possible? The Lamia tried to escape into the depths of the temple. However, Ethan had no intention of letting her go so easily. Your hide looks quite valuable. G-Get lost! Get away from me! Let me make you a leather armor. As Ethan breathed, he swung his sword. Chapter 44: Temple of the Forgotten God Chapter 44: Temple of the Forgotten God -You hunted down a Lamia! -Your level has increased! -You hunted a renowned monster of thebyrinth. Your fame increases! The Lamia he encountered was muchrger in sizepared to regr Lamias, so it yielded a significant amount of loot. The quality of the leather, especially, was remarkable. With the Frost Sword and the newfound power to wield the w Sword, dismantling the loot has be easier. Having experienced a period of frailty, having such strength brought immeasurable joy to him. Of course, defeating the Lamia, being a venomous monster, it was easy to kill it for a high-level monster. Ill have to be careful with this. -The Lamia Venom has been recorded in the Donguibogam. Ethan recorded the Lamia Venom in the Donguibogam, making sure to keep the remaining venom safely. With his subspace pouch full, Ethans heart was full. If need be, he could use the venom to escape orunch an attack. But why would a Lamia be here? Normally, Lamias wouldnt be found in this location. There cant be abyrinth nearby. Ethan was very familiar with the geography of the vicinity. There was nobyrinth nearby. At least, one would have to travel quite far from here to reach abyrinth. It didnt make sense for a Lamia to havee from there. For now, I should enter the temple and find out. The temple was different from what Ethan remembered. Inside, a vibrant blue aura filled the air, apanied by a refreshing fragrance. With each step Ethan took, the floor illuminated, as if blessing his path. Following the radiant glow, Ethan ventured further inside. After walking for about ten minutes, a magnificent door came into view. Ethan opened the door and entered. Shaaaak! As the door swung open, moonlight bathed Ethan from above. -You have entered the Temple of the Moon Goddess! Inside, there was a statue of the goddess. It depicted a winged figure with hands sped in prayer, gazing up at the sky. However, something peculiar adorned the statue, resembling what Ethan had seen on the exterior pirs of the temple. Next to it stood an altar where offerings could be made. Ethan offered the severed head of the Lamia, which he had kept in his subspace pouch. The descendant of the Moon Goddess has arrived. Despite his words, nothing seemed to happen. Is something wrong? Ethan approached the statue and noticed something behind it. This is He was well aware of the significance of this symbol. Theyre symbols of the Followers of the Moon. Beneath the symbol, a magical inscription was drawn, and something was drawn into the inscription. Simultaneously, there was a gaping pit beneath it, and something seemed to be trying to emerge from that pit. Its absorbing the power of the Moon Goddess, present within this temple. And this pit Ethan noticed a creature attempting to crawl out of the pit. [lv 59] A monster? Could it be that this pit is connected to thebyrinth? The reason why the Lamia was in this temple became clear. So, the followers of the Moon have already begun their invasion of the Holy Empire? MePan had a main event. Also known as the main scenario, the objective of this quest was to stop the followers of the Moon. The followers of the Moon were individuals who sought to bring down the moon and reset the world. MePans yers had to prevent these followers from achieving their goals. Perhaps they believed that as the Moon Goddess, she would help them in their quest to drop the moon? Or maybe they needed the power of the gods? Both possibilities were likely. Regardless, he couldnt leave things as they were. While I hadnt nned on intervening in the main event just yet Leaving things unresolved meant the quest would be impossible to clear. Moreover, there was a possibility of losing the power of the Moon Goddess as well. If all my power is taken away, it would render the Moon Goddesss descendant and everything else useless. If that happens, all my power will disappear. There was a possibility that his ss itself could disappear due to unfortunate circumstances. Alternatively, the ss might remain, but the power could vanish. Regardless, if all the power of the Moon Goddesss descendant is drained, it means losing all the advantages I gained from bing her descendant. That cant happen. After all, he had obtained a growth-type ss. If he gained recognition from the Moon Goddess, his ss would undergo further growth. But if the Moon Goddess disappeared? That was something he absolutely couldnt allow. Dont get in my way. Ethan gripped the Frost Sword. At that moment, a rumbling sound came from the pit. A human worthy of being my prey. Thump Thump Emerging from the pitch-ck pit was a half-human, half-beast creature, a centaur. As the centaur was halfway out of the pit, Ethan swung his sword. Do you really think Ill wait for you? Wait, hold on! This goes against the natural order! Ethan plunged the Frost Sword into the creatures weak spot. Frost sh. The area where the sword was embedded froze, and the centaur became frozen in ce. The frozen centaur got stuck in the pit, essentially bing a lid, sealing the pit shut. For now, lets block it off. Ethan crossed his arms, contemting how to resolve this situation. -The will of the goddess reaches the Moon Goddesss descendant. -The quest has been updated. <> Grade [A+] [You have arrived at the Moon Goddesss temple, which has been ruined by unknown individuals. They are aiming for the power of the Moon Goddess and have drawn sinister magic circles. Time is running out. Restore the temple to its original state.] [Reward: Blessing of the Moon Goddess] [Additional rewards will be given forpleting the quest]. -Remaining Time: 05:00 What? 5 minutes? Ethan was taken aback. No, this was getting ridiculous no matter how you looked at it. However, time was ticking away even amidst his confusion. Theres no other choice. There was no time to calmly remove the magic circles now. While it may be a bit extreme This quest was directly bestowed by the Moon Goddess herself. That meant the Moon Goddess was watching Ethan. I suppose I can be a bit more extreme. After all, she personally gave me the quest. As the descendant of the Moon Goddess, Ethan had to perform sacrilegious acts, but if he didnt do this, resolving the situation quickly would be impossible. The symbol, the magic circle, and even the pit were all connected to that statue. In other words, breaking the statue would solve everything. Although the statue held significant meaning, if Ethan couldnt resolve this situation, it would essentially be a meaningless statue. Swish. Ethan swung the Frost Sword without hesitation. Kwang-! With a loud noise, the statue shattered into pieces, copsing. Kurrrrrrrung-! With the disappearance of the pit, the centaur that had been trapped within it was also shattered into pieces. Since it was already frozen, it broke apart as soon as it was released. Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent. At the same time, the aura of the Moon Goddess grew stronger once again. I resolved it. As if in disbelief, the aura of the Goddess trembled. She probably didnt expect that he would resort to such a drastic method to break the statue. The statue was a sacred representation of the Goddess herself. And to shatter it so aggressively. But the statue was just a statue. By breaking it, he could quickly eliminate the corrupting magic circle that was stealing the Goddesss power. It was a swift and perfect resolution. Although he had broken the statue, there was a reason behind it. Surely the Goddess wouldnt consider it a failure or an act of sacrilege. As Ethan waited, the clear window appeared btedly. -You have cleared the quest! -You have cleared the quest in a way the Goddess did not expect! -The Goddess was surprised by your choice but satisfied. -The Goddess bestows her blessing upon you, the new descendant! -Additional rewards are avable! -You have surpassed the conditions perfectly to clear the quest! The rewards are enhanced! As a result of clearing the quest, Ethan received the original reward, the blessing of the Goddess. The blessing of the Goddess was quite simple. -The Goddess has acknowledged you as her new descendant. -Your ss has grown! ss growth. Among the numerous sses, this was one of the sses that could grow, so as soon as Ethan received the Goddesss blessing, a new star was engraved in his ss window. [ss: Heir of the Moon*] The effect of ss growth was an increase of all stats by +10. This is it. It was worth the difficulty of obtaining the ss. -Additional rewards will be granted. -You can choose one of the Goddesss relics to take with you. Goddesss relics? Ethan immediately checked the list. [Relic Goddesss Ring], [Relic Goddesss Ne], [Relic Goddesss Elixir], [Relic Goddesss Boots], [Relic Goddesss Sword] Wow. Relics generally referred to items used by heroes. They were usually heavenly in their effects. Receiving a blessing from a god, being forged by powerful magic to be indestructible, or having the legendary Archmage imbue all their power into it. Such backgrounds existed. The Goddesss relics listed were items that the Goddess herself had personally bestowed powerful blessings upon. There are a lot of counterfeits, though. There were many counterfeits made to resemble relics. These items could be sensed through appraisal, and among the counterfeits, there were quite a few that were well-made and usable. However, the items in this reward list didnt require appraisal at all. Since they were rewards directly given by the Goddess, they could only be genuine. Looking at the five relics, Ethan smiled contentedly. He couldnt have imagined obtaining such high-level items at this point. Compared to these items, the Frost Sword is a step below. Ethan pondered deeply. He had to choose the item that would be most helpful at this point. After much contemtion, Ethan made his decision. -You have chosen the [Relic Goddesss Ring] as your reward. -The reward will be granted! What I need right now is a ring. The ne, elixir, and boots were all decent items, but among them, the ring provided the highest increase in health points. Moreover, the ring had a special effect. [Moonlight Defense] -Automatically activates when under attack. It defends against any attack once. [Cooldown: 24 hours] Moonlight Defense was a special effect that automatically activated when attacked. It nullified any attack once. The cooldown is one day. For one day, Ethan would be able to withstand any attack once. Its a ring that canplement my most important defense. Ethan immediately put on the ring. The silver ring with a blue glow slid onto Ethans ring finger. -The temple has been restored to its normal state. -You can offer a tribute to the Goddess. Ethan ced the Lamias severed head on the altar as an offering. In an instant, the offering disappeared. -The Goddess has given you a new mission. -As a descendant of the Goddess, you have taken a step forward. Retrieve the forgotten followers of the Goddess. Activate the forgotten temples to grow your ss. It was a chain quest. It seemed like a growth quest for the descendant of the Moon Goddess, where Ethan had to discover and activate temples just like he did now. Like the fairies, there were once followers of the Moon Goddess who lost their faith over time. I need to find those followers and increase the number of the Goddesss devotees. Furthermore, the reward was the growth of his ss. I should practice my acting skills a bit. Ethan muttered to himself. Chapter 45: My goal is… Chapter 45: My goal is¡­ When Ethan appeared, Yerica greeted him with a weing smile as if she had been waiting for him. Oh, youre here? Looks like youve had a hard time. Your clothes are a bit dirty. I went to the temple, but there was a visitor who arrived before me. It wouldnt move out of the way because it was the first one to arrive, so I took care of it. A visitor? What do you mean? It was a very long visitor. I dont know how long exactly, but it took about an hour just to dismantle the loot. Ethan flicked his wrist and immediately opened his dimensional pocket, revealing snake leather. The snake leathering out of the subspace pouch was countless in number. With that many, it must have been a huge monster. Are you okay physically? I almost passed out. Do you need me to support you? Ethan nodded his head, and Yerica immediately supported him. Oh? Yerica looked at Ethans hand. There was an item in his hand that wasnt there before he entered. Looks like youve obtained something amazing. The magical power in it is no joke. After going through all this trouble, I should at least get something good, right? Dont you think? Ethan then asked about the Fairy Queen. She said the forest isntpletely purified yet, so she went back to take care of it first. And she asked me to give you this. She handed him a bundle of herbs that looked quite valuable. She said its a token of her connection with you, Ethan. Good deeds alwayse with rewards. Ethan was quite pleased with the fairies who generously gave until the end. * * * Ethan swiftly returned to Whiskers County using the Wind Riding skill. I thought I was the only one who could use it. Wind Riding was a movement skill that allowed for swift travel. Seeing that proficiency increased with each registered location, it seemed better to register many ces rather than using it frequently. Teleportation, huh? Even I still cant use it. Yerica muttered with a dark expression. Ethan gently reassured her. Dont worry. It doesnt mean I no longer need you. Im not worried about that. However, Yericas face showed a slight blow to her pride. Shell improve even more. Ethan knew her personality well. This kind of stimtion could be a good driving force for her growth. It seems like there are even more people now. Theres nowhere to set foot. Yerica sighed. The market was bustling with numerous people. There were more people than Ethan had anticipated. Hahaha! Finally got it! I waited for five hours! It was worth the wait! People seemed quite satisfied with the weight reduction magic. But there was something more. The magic they had been researching in Magic Tower stood out. Whoosh! Ugh, I couldnt afford to buy an Elemental Sword. It may not be real, but I never thought you can get a fire enchantment at this price. The equipment of the people shimmered with fire effects. This magic was called the Fire Illusion, one of the spells that Marakan had been researching in Magic Tower. While typical illusion magic showcased illusions, Fire Illusion added fake fire effects to equipment, purely for the sake of aesthetics. From one perspective, it was magic that had no practical effect and merely created flickering fire effects. However, the realistic fire effects appealed to people. Not only that, but illusion spells from other mages who were researching simr techniques to Marakan were also popr. I never knew that would be so popr. It doesnt have any real effects. its just an illusion that looks like elemental magic. Yerica expressed her disapproval. I admit that the magic is quite challenging, but if they had put that effort into something else, they would never have been driven out of Magic Tower. Yerica, people have their own dreams. Those mages with strong beliefs and persistence were the ones pursuing those dreams. You dont understand those dreams. I dont want to understand. Whoosh! Even if you look at that Wind Magic illusion? Or what about the Illusion that emanates a green aura? Within the territory, there were countless people adorned with elemental magic illusions. These elemental illusions, like Yericas weight reduction magic enchantments, were designed with a time limit mechanism. Unlike other weight reduction magic enchantments, these illusion spells could only be used by the enchanters of the Weight Reduction Workshop. In other words, it meant that the magic couldnt be obtained elsewhere, even with a subscription Moreover, with their appealing appearances, people were highly satisfied with the illusion spells adorning their equipment. But even if theyre satisfied like that wont they stoping back once the subscription period ends? Ethan shook his head. They would inevitablye back again. Theylle back anyway. So when theye back, they should feel like theyve gained something, just as if they benefited from it. That way, theylle back a third, fourth time, and so on. Is there a way to do that? There is. When they make their second visit, well automatically extend their subscription by 10 days. And on the third visit, well add another 5 days, making it a total of 15 days. And I n to expand the variety as well. Variety? Look at the expressions on Marakans and other mages faces. Even though theyre tirelessly working, they look incredibly happy? From a distance, it was clear that the mages expressions showed happiness despite their apparent fatigue. Despite engaging in magic sales that all the mages despised, their expressions were bright. They were being acknowledged now. This is just the beginning. Once you receive recognition, you cant stop. Over time, the desire for recognition will diminish, but once it starts Then there was no choice but to go all out. Once they had tasted that initial feeling, they would want to continue experiencing it. Theyll improve and advance existing magic. If that happens, customers wont be able to resisting. Since they started with swords and armor, theyll want to apply illusion magic to other parts of their equipment as well. Yerica nodded as if she were possessed. At first, she didnt understand, but the more she listened, the more Ethans words seemed natural to her. Im thinking of enchanting my sword as well. What? You mean with that Fire Illusion? Yeah. But Ethan, your sword is an Ice de. Its flowing with icy energy. Thats exactly why I think I can deceive them more. Are you serious? About half of it. He contemted bestowing a Fire Illusion on his w Sword, in addition to the Frost Sword. But if there are more people than now, can Count Whiskers handle it? What cant he handle? Well have to discuss it with Count, but we can expand the size of the market beyond what it is now. It can be expanded? From what Ive learned, it used to be muchrger in the past. Even when the territory was smaller than it is now, the market was bigger. Once upon a time, Whiskers County was the center of this region. Various craftsmen had established themselves in the Whiskers County market, and to buy their goods, one had to visit Whiskers County. However, when the craftsmen left, the market became useless. Now the market has shrunk. So, can it be restored to its original size? Thats right. If that happens, we can amodate even more people than now. Of course, there will be a maximum capacity, but if that happens. And you can restore it to its glory? With your power, Ethan. Ethan smiled slyly. Thats the n. * * * Count, Im not sure if I should report this, but The steward reported to Count Whiskers with a worried expression. Thanks to Young Master Ethans business, the territory is umting an insane amount of money. Its the first time weve had this much money, and Im at a loss on how to manage it. Count Whiskers, holding the stewards report, widened his eyes in disbelief. He had expected a significant influx of money, but to this extent? Just how much is this? With this, we wont need to rely on other territories. We can also replenish the knights we had downsized and restart the subjugation of the surrounding areas. But thats not all. Theres another issue. Another issue? Count Whiskers asked with a puzzled expression. The fact is, Ethans business is continuously growing. Even the current visitors to the territory are too many, and the space is insufficient. The number could increase by at least 1.5 times, if not more. It seems like they started offering other magic in addition to the originally provided weight reduction magic. In other words, it meant that the ie was expected to increase dramatically. If that happened, there would be no territory in the vicinity that could match Whiskers County. Does this mean we can regain our former glory? The counts voice trembled. All of this was the result of his son Ethans efforts. Count never even dreamt that Ethan, who was famous for his swordsmanship genius, would revive the territory through business. Brilliant. Father. Ethan entered the counts office. As soon as the count saw his son, he jumped up and embraced Ethan without saying a word. Youre truly amazing, Ethan. Truly amazing. Youve achieved everything on your own. The counts voice trembled. I simply hoped that you could regain the swords you loved so much. I just wished for you to be a little healthier so you could do what you love. But youve ovee everything like this. Truly remarkable. Its all thanks to you, Father. If it werent for you, I wouldnt have been able to take a single step. The counts sincerity was conveyed. Ethan gently closed his eyes and patted the counts back. The reason Ethan Whiskers had been able to survive until now was solely due to the utmost sincerity of Count Whiskers. The count had obtained and provided anything that could even remotely help Ethans health. If Ethan hadnt taken even that, he would have already died. Moreover, the elixir has been incredibly helpful. Im truly grateful. He wondered if this was how he would feel if his parents were still alive. Ethan felt the warmth from the count a little more. The steward watched the two wealthy men with tears in his eyes. He was quite moved and quietly apuded, satisfied. Now its time to prepare tough, not cry. Ethan showed them the profit statement of his workshop. ! ! Both the count and the steward were dumbfounded. The ie from the territory obtained through Ethans workshop was tremendous, but the direct profit from the workshop itself was naturally even more enormous. T-This isparable to five years worth of ie for our territory, if not more, Count. Youve only just begun, and yet this much? It wasnt a long period. It was an achievement aplished in an incredibly short time. I dont think were in the stable phase yet. We need to operate for at least another year. However, Ethan had no intention of stopping there. Ethan. Therefore, Count had no choice but to ask. What is your goal? My goal is Ethans words made Count Whiskerss heart race. Chapter 46: Subscriber-exclusive video Chapter 46: Subscriber-exclusive video Ethan left the room. The count and the steward remained silent for a while. The steward stayed as the steward, and The count was lost in his thoughts. The silence was eventually broken by the count after a long time. How long has it been? Its been quite a while, Count. We were both young back then. James Whiskers, Ethans father, made efforts in various ways to inherit the title. At that time, Counts rule still held some hope. Though his influence had diminishedpared to before, there were still opportunities to regain the past glory. After intensepetition with his brothers, James Whiskers seeded in inheriting the title. He had one goal. To make Whiskers County glorious again, just like in the old days. James met the present Steward during that time. Steward, too, was ambitious back then. They shared dreams of a bright future. However, they realized how futile that goal was in just five years. Whiskers County had many shorings. James himself wascking to transform a count with so many deficiencies. Even though he reduced his sleep, bowed his head, and even stooped his waist, all that remained was deteriorating health and wounded self-esteem. Since then, he lived without dreams. No, new dreams emerged. Ethan, the firstborn, and Nathan, these two children became the counts new dream. Since Nathan was born and shortly after losing his wife, the count couldnt help but be even more attached to his dream. My dream is to make the name Whiskers the first toe to mind among the western territories. Its about elevating the name of Whiskers to the highest level. These were the words spoken by Ethan. It was a grand dream. It was a dream that Count Whiskers and the steward once seriously pursued. At some point, they hadnt mentioned those words for goodness knew how long. The foremost territory in the west. Elevating the name of Whiskers. They had given up at some point. That was why they hadnt even mentioned it. But upon hearing the story from Ethan, their hearts began to beat again. They felt that through Ethan, they could once again challenge that dream. Young Master said that when talking about goals, its as if they are not the ultimate goal. To that child, it must be a natural thing. Its just an intermediate goal. The count smiled. Then we cant be holding him back. We must be the best support for Ethan! * * * Count Whiskers acted swiftly. Upon Ethans request, they restored the size of the market to its original scale. There were already people living within the boundaries of the market, but they were given greaterpensation than before. Afterward, all the vacant houses were included in the market and sold to the existing merchants and newly entering merchants. As the size of the market grewrger, the number of people able to enter the market also increased. Not only the existing merchants but also new merchants were introduced to the market, and these neers started new businesses. Positive momentum began to build once again. Is this report true? Its hard to believe. Yes, it is. I was also surprised and double-checked multiple times, but its certain. Didnt you invest in it? Young Master Ethan has achieved great sess. The number of visitors seeking Whiskers territory is increasing every day. Huh! I made a long-term investment. It hasnt been long since I visited Whiskers territory. News about Ethan and Count Whiskers reached Count Huntar. Count Huntar had previously provided financial support to Ethan. Of course, he didnt expect to receive a quick return on his investment. It was a support made with a distant future in mind. Clearly, he saw potential in Ethan, and he believed that investing in that potential would undoubtedly bring benefits. The potential that Count HUnTAR saw was Ethans swordsmanship skills. Once hailed as a swordsmanship prodigy, Ethan had ovee his weaknesses and be much stronger. Naturally, Count Huntar believed that he would seed in swordsmanship. To seed in swordsmanship, would eventually require going to the central region, and Count Huntar believed that it would take quite some time to seed in entering the central region. I invested in Ethans swordsmanship skills. But to think he had a talent for business as well. If this report is urate, isnt it remarkable, Steward? Yes, it is. Summon the merchant guild leader. I need to hear it directly. Well, the merchant guild leader has already left. I was about to inform you. They left? He insists that we must establish a contract with Young Master Ethan. At the very least, we should maintain a good rtionship even if we cannot form a contract. I see. The merchant guild of Count Huntars domain was a talent handpicked by the Count. He was knowledgeable inmerce and had a keen sense of money. He had led the merchant guild from scratch to its current position. When it came to matters rted to money, the Count trusted the merchant guild enough to discuss with them. Well, it seems certain. Is Ethan really trying to rewrite the history of Whiskers territory? Although he had made the investment, he couldnt help but feel a mix of emotions. In other words, it meant that Whiskers domain would grow as it used to be. At the same time, in the neighboring domain of Yurahan, they were also hearing about Whiskers domain. Yurahans domain was the wealthiest andrgest among the nearby territories, governed by the wealthy Yurahan Count. Whats going on all of a sudden? Whiskers domain has nothing. Its already a deadnd. The Yurahan Count, with ash-colored hair, spoke with a disapproving expression. That deadnd was revived by Ethan Whiskers, the eldest son of Whiskers Count. Everyone in this vicinity is now gathering in Whiskers domain. The word is spreading continuously. Originally, the central hub in this region was the Dren Marquis territory which was the territory of Marquis Dren, who was one of the Twelve Stars. Marquis Drens territory was a vast territory,parable to the central region, as people and resources converged there. However, now Count Whiskers domain had attracted as many people as the floating poption of Marquis Drens domain. Though the exact numbers were unknown, the decrease in people seeking Marquis Drens domain was noticeable, indicating that they had been absorbed by Whiskers domain. How did this happen? What did that Ethan Whiskers do to attract people? The Yurahan Count asked, and the steward replied. He started a business, and it has been remarkably sessful. A business? Are you telling me that the Ethan Whiskers you just mentioned started a business and made it sessful? That frail young man? That cant be true. That cant be true. I distinctly remember seeing that child. He couldnt even hold a sword properly. He would cough up blood every time he walked. He was a walking corpse. Ethan Whiskers was so frail that his existence itself was a miracle. Moreover, he was not known for his intelligence he was known just for his martial prowess when he was young. It was unbelievable that Ethan had achieved sess in business. What on earth happened? The Yurahan Count muttered in disbelief. Could it be that Count Whiskers cured him? His incurable disease? He doesnt seem to have beenpletely cured. His condition doesnt seem significantly different from his frail days. So, he was only treated enough to be able to move around. And he achieved business sess in that state What kind of business did he do? Its called the Weight Reduction Workshop business. Weight Reduction Workshop? Just by hearing the name, I cant quite understand. Please read this. The steward handed a document to the Yurahan Count, who began reading the details of the business. After reading it to the end, he couldnt help but let out a sigh. This can only turn into money. The Counts heart raced. This was not just something good, it was an incredible business opportunity. Im going to Whiskers County immediately! Bring the merchant guild! Were going together! The Count, along with the Yurahan merchant guild responsible for the finances, immediately set off for Whiskers County. * * * Since visiting the temple, Ethan had umted 14 likes. I should unlock a new video and see if there are any gods worth subscribing to. He also nned to leave a subscription review for Hong Gil-dong. Hes a better god than I thought. Just the ability to use the portal without any conditions makes it worth subscribing. Upon entering the [New World], Ethan was greeted by the sparkling mailbox, just like before. Maybe I should tidy things up this time. After dealing with urgent matters, it seemed wise to organize everything first. First, Ill subscribe, and then check the mailbox onest time. Opening the [New World], Ethan discovered something interesting. Huh? Subscriber-exclusive videos? Among Heo Juns videos, there was a new onebeled as a subscriber-exclusive video. Can only subscribers watch it? Currently, Heo Jun had gained a significant number of subscribers. But why arent there any likes required? The subscriber-exclusive video had no likes at all. Am I the first one? Curiously, Ethan checked to see how many likes it had. Do you not need likes for this? When he pressed the video, an alert appeared for Ethan. -[Subscriber Exclusive]: Acupuncture Enhancement. -This is a subscriber-exclusive video. -Only [Premium Subscribers] can watch this video. -You are a [Premium Subscriber]. You can watch the video. Im a premium subscriber? Ethan couldnt help but feel bewildered. He had never done anything like this before. When he pressed the confirmation button, the video started ying immediately. In the video, Heo Jun smiled at Ethan. -Have you been well? I believe your health has somewhat recovered. Thanks to the subscription review you wrote, the number of subscribers and likes I have has increased significantly. Thank you so much for the great subscription review video. Heo Jun lowered his head with a benevolent smile. The increase in subscribers was because of the subscription review I wrote? Ethan had no idea about this fact. Meanwhile, Heo Jun continued speaking. -Thats why I have decided to select you as a premium subscriber. This video will be exclusively for you. Among those who have subscribed to me, only you will have ess to this ability. A video only I can watch. It meant that Heo Jun regarded Ethan as someone special. Did my subscription review really help that much? -I will dedicate this video to you. Im truly grateful. When you open the video, you will not only receive my skills but also other gifts I have given. And Heo Jun smiled. -Now, you have be Chapter 47: Subscriber everyone wishes for Chapter 47: Subscriber everyone wishes for -Now you have be a celebrity in the [New World]. Take a look at your mailbox. Im sure there will be quite a lot of letters. Many gods were amazed after seeing your subscription review videos. So, everyone is hoping that you will subscribe to them now. More precisely, they hope you will write a subscription review for them. Those prestigious gods, haha. Heo Jun informed Ethan that there was a ranking chart in the [New World]. -I wasnt even registered in the rankings. I was at the very bottom. But thanks to your subscription review, I was able to enter the rankings. With just one subscription review, numerous [New World] subscribers started subscribing to me. Its truly remarkable. Heo Jun continued to smile. Could it be that my subscription review video, which is just ordinary, gained him so many subscribers and likes? Of course, he had always been good at writing reviews. He had received prizes and various gifts for writing reviews. However, that was simply because he wrote the reviews cleverly. It was impossible to know whether people actually bought the products because of his reviews. It was probably just for marketing purposes. Could it be that it actually had such an effect? Come to think of it, among the subscription reviews Ethan had seen, many were filled with a few words or short videos. [New World] users must be different from everyone else. There was a possibility that the tide had turned with just one subscription review. Ethan decided to open his mailbox as Heo Jun had suggested. Come to think of it, the mailbox had sparkled when he first opened the [New World]. Crazy. There were an astonishing number of letters. The letters were written in the names of numerous gods. Including Ares, who had sent a letter before, several gods were urging Ethan to write a subscription review for them. -Athena, the Goddess of War: Nickname [Only Subscribed to the Right Gods]. I have thoroughly seen your subscription review. It was truly impressive Athenas letter was quite long. In summary, it praised Ethans subscription review as exceptionally excellent. -I have a suggestion. Would you consider subscribing to me? If you write a subscription review, I will provide videos specifically for you. And I will also share the likes! The letter seemed to imply that she was offering something grand. Considering what Im offering, you will naturally subscribe to me, right? That sentiment was clearly conveyed. Hmm. Reading through other letters, it was the same. There arent many helpful gods. They arent gods worth subscribing to right away. Besides, theyre so arrogant, its unfortunate. Nevertheless, through the letters, Ethan learned about various systems in [New World]. There are exclusive videos for subscribers. Moreover, the gods could share likes with [New World] users. However, it didnt seem like they could share likes freely. If you write good subscription reviews, the gods can select them as the best subscription reviews. Those selected subscription reviews seemed to be eligible for receiving likes from other gods. That means this. Currently, Ethan was receiving numerous love calls from various gods. In other words, Ethan had the leadpletely. I dont have a reason toply with their requests, do I? Ethan realized that he held the power of using the gods desired subscription reviews as leverage. Ethan smiled faintly. I dont need to act desperate. He could continue subscribing to the desired gods and use the subscription review videos as a means to gather likes. Im no rush in getting likes. I can obtain them with my knowledge in MePan if need be. What matters more is what abilities I acquire. Like the premium subscriber video provided by Heo Jun. Having unique abilities that only I can possess is whats important. After going through the letters, Ethan set them aside for now. I should finish watching the videos. It was time to gain skills through the premium subscriber video provided by Heo Jun. * * * -Heos Acupuncture has been enhanced! After watching the Acupuncture Enhancement video, Ethans Heos Acupuncture was further strengthened. Originally, Heos Acupuncture was a skill for healing and recovery. It involved creating multiple needles and urately inserting them into specific points or using them like a sword for stabbing. However, it was primarily a healing technique. Ethan would use Heos Acupuncture on his body every day to aid in his recovery. The video, however, revealed how Heos Acupuncture could be used for offensive purposes. -The Five Elements Acupuncture Technique has been added to Heos Acupuncture. [Five Elements Acupuncture Technique] [Insert the needle into the acupuncture points. Stimte them to draw out strength. The effect varies depending on the points targeted by the needle.] Its a technique to strengthen the body by inserting the needle into the desired acupuncture point. If Heos Decoction was a healing-based skill for treating abnormalities, then Heos Acupuncture became a buffing skill that provided buffs. Both skills can fundamentally be used for healing. Heo Juns skills are primarily in the healing category. But this time, additional abilities were bestowed upon it. Ethan created several needles. He could currently create up to ten needles, which meant he could reinforce ten different parts of his body. If I insert it into the waist -Your body is strengthened! Instantly, his body felt heavier, enabling him to withstand powerful attacks. And the arms When inserted into the arms, they became stronger. The legs became stronger when inserted there. However, the most important part was the head. Improved eyesight, huh? His vision had improved to the point where the expression clear as day was a perfect fit. -Three minutes have passed. -The effect of the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique wears off. Three minutes, huh. Ethan confirmed whether he could use the Five Elements Acupuncture consecutively. When he inserted the needle in the same way as before, the same effect urred. However, there was one difference. -Stamina decreases. So, this is the penalty. While he could use it consecutively, his stamina decreased. It was a noticeable drop in stamina, to the point where it could be felt instantly. I need to be cautious when using it. Still, the upgraded effect of acupuncture was a great thing. Now, there will be more dangerous situations. Once he joined the Academy, he would inevitably be involved in the main events. The main events were typically high-difficulty quests that also greatly increased ones fame. Can only I use this? Ethan immediately called Yerica and Schudlen. Schudlen had been fully immersed in trainingtely. He felt a great blow to his pride when he couldnt be of much help when he went out with Ethan. Did you call for me, Young Master? You called? Schudlen, whom Ethan hadnt seen in a while, felt physically stronger in a short period of time. On the other hand, Yerica looked quite tired. I have something I want to test. Ethan created needles. ! Are you going to stab us with those? They had seen Ethan stab himself with needles multiple times while he was wandering around. They had no idea what he was doing, but since Ethan said it was good for them, they couldnt refuse. Its good for your health. Im already healthy, though. Its good for your health, but its even better now. I gained some new skills. When I get pricked with the needle, my strength increases. Upon hearing that they could be stronger, Schudlen stepped forward without hesitation. Please insert them as you wish! In response, Ethan inserted needles into Schudlens arms, lower back, and legs consecutively. -The Five Elements Acupuncture Technique has been activated. Sshhhaaahhh! Mana flowed out of Schudlens body in an instant. It was a substantial amount of mana, visible to the naked eye. Im overflowing with power! Ooooh! Even Schudlen felt incredibly light, to the point of astonishment. Moreover, the needles had disappeared without a trace. Great, it worked. It seemed that the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique could be used not only on himself but also on others. That means the penalties should be the same. It can be utilized in various ways. Now it was time for the final attempt. Schudlen. Yes. It may be a bit risky, but will you trust me and follow along? Upon hearing Ethans words, Schudlen nodded without hesitation. I will follow. He has truly be my person. Satisfied, Ethan inserted needles consecutively into Schudlens arm. If I insert the needles consecutively, I can determine if the enhancement can stack If it does stack As the proficiency of Heos Acupuncture skill increased, the number of needles that could be used also increased. Therefore, the effect of the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique would also improve. Thuk. Thuk. Thuk. As Ethan inserted the needles in session, Schudlens expression became slightly strained. Young Master, it feels like the power is overwhelming my arm. Ugh. Schudlen groaned in difort. Ethan pondered for a moment before asking. I inserted five needles this time. Schudlen, does it feel different from before? Yes, it feels hot. With this, I feel like I can break anything. Ethan turned his head to Yerica. She immediately understood his intention and nodded. I also felt a momentary burst of mana. Alright, then. Schudlen, swing the sword. Aim for the ground if possible. Uuugh-! With overflowing strength, Schudlen drew the sword at his waist and swung it down towards the ground. Kkaang-! Wow. Yerica eximed in awe. It was the result of just a few needles. Amazing. Ethan hadnt expected the effect to be so significant, surpassing mere stacking. Heok, heok. This is incredible, Young Master. But the recoil is also significant. Schudlen held his right shoulder and spoke. Ethan ced another needle on his shoulder, but this time it was for healing rather than strengthening. Ohh, its definitely the same needle, but the effect ispletely different. The pain haspletely disappeared! Schudlens eyes widened in surprise. He had never expected Ethans acupuncture skills to be this remarkable. Being able to freely use recovery and strengthening. Youre like a mage. Please watch your words, Sir Knight. Yes? O-oh! I apologize. I didnt mean to belittle magic A flustered Schudlen waved his hand, trying to rify his words. But Ethan, youre truly amazing. Its not just being a mage, but rather It feels more like a priest. Exactly, its the feeling of a devoted priest. Even though you dont believe in gods Well, I do believe in gods. ETHANughed and replied. What god do you believe in? For now, there are three. Yerica nced at Ethan for a moment. She felt like shed been yed again. Anyway! Its clear that your acupuncture skills have improved from before, Ethan. Thank you you two for enduring it, and please continue to support me in the future. Yes? Yerica was momentarily taken aback. Did you do that to confirm that it doesnt hurt? As Ethan spoke, there were needles in his hand again. Ethan had a faint smile on his face. Ill count on you from now on. Haste. Yerica cast an eleration spell and quickly fled the scene. Chapter 48: Cunning Cat Chapter 48: Cunning Cat Principals Office, Ivecar Academy. While examining the list of iing donation-based admissions, the principal noticed a separate piece of paper that had been set aside. Hmm? Why is this one separated, Admissions Director? Once again, numerous individuals had requested donation-based admissions. Many people, including teachers and students, had applied, but among the many letters they received, there was a separate piece of paper. This applicant has donated a considerable amount of money as an admission fee, unlike the other applicants. Its an astounding sum of ten million gold coins. It was a significant amount for the paper to be set aside by the admissions director. The average amount was around two to three million gold coins. Oh, ten million gold coins? Thats not a small amount. Is it from a noble family? He is the eldest son of Count Whiskers. Whiskers? Ive never heard of them before. They are a noble family located in the western region, and he is the elder brother of Nathan Whiskers, who is at the Freya Academy. Oh, the elder brother of Nathan Whiskers! But if hes Nathan Whiskers brother, he must be quite old, right? He should be in his twenties or older. He didnt apply as a student, Principal. Upon hearing that, the principals expression, which had been filled with interest, returned to its original state. So, he aims to obtain an honorary teaching position. Well its a little different. He sent a separate letter, and if you look at this, youll understand it better. The admissions director handed the piece of paper to the principal. It contained information about Ethan Whiskers. Hmm, hes only twenty-one. It says he couldnt even hold a sword until recently? He was known for his frailty and even had the nickname Frail Young Master.'' The evaluations of Ethan Whiskers were mostly negative. At the age when he should be growing and bing stronger, he was famous for his frailty, so there were more negative evaluations than positive ones. The Whiskers Count was not a highly renowned noble family either. Nathan Whiskers may be considered excellent at the Freya Academy, but he shines alone within the family. The family background doesnt properly support him. Most of the glory of Whiskers Countyy in the past. Now, the glory and honor had faded, andpared to other nearby territories, theyckedpetitiveness. Although we have the honorary teaching position at Ivecar, we cant appoint someone whocks basic skills as a teacher. It would be different if they had skills. The honorary teaching system was a widely discussed institution. But for Ivecar, it was advantageous in many ways. It provided significant financial support and allowed them to establish connections with noble families who had been granted honorary teaching positions. However, that didnt mean they could give the honorary teaching position to just anyone. If the recipient of that position acted recklessly, it would be a stain on Ivecar. Thats correct. However, he was once called a swordsmanship prodigy. Well, thats probably just theory. And even that theory is wed. Its meaningless without practical experience. Isnt that right, Admissions Director? Besides, hes not from a central location but from a provincial noble family. Well, thats the end of it. Yes, youre right. Well, anyway, he sent ten million gold coins, so theres no point in refusing him. Lets send him an invitation for now. We can decide whether to grant him the honorary teaching positionter. Principal, theres more content in the letter he sent. When the admissions director cautiously spoke, the principal furrowed his brow slightly. Theres more? Is he making a request? If its something like that Its not an application for the honorary teaching position. Huh? If its not an application for a student or an application for the honorary teaching position, then? He wants to apply for a regr teaching position. With ten million gold coins? The principal looked surprised. No matter how much he donated for the admission fee, applying for a regr teaching position was a different matter. Regr teachers were typically selected through examinations. It was on a different level than being a teacher in name only, like an honorary teaching position. Hes underestimating our Ivecar. Ivecar was a ce where talented youths from high-ranking nobles to lower nobles, both from central and provincial regions, gather. Because of Ivecars reputation, the teachers who instruct these children must be the best talents. Teaching them carelessly would be a grave mistake. Dont think that just because theyre children, their skills arecking. They not only have potential but also some of them have awakened their potential and turned it into skill. If mediocre teacherse in, they will only torment themselves when dealing with such students. The admissions director agreed with his words. However, he couldnt speak recklessly, so he quietly waited for the principals words. To which department did he apply? The Swordsmanship department. Ah, the Swordsmanship department The Swordsmanship department was highlypetitive even within Ivecar. Not only the teachers but also the students were incredibly talented individuals. To be admitted, one had to be far morepetitive than the teachers of Archery or Spearmanshipbat. Of course, they were treated with the utmost respect as well. The pride of our Ivecar is the Swordsmanship department, and he wants to pay a ten million gold coin admission fee and take the teacher examination for the Swordsmanship department. Hes quite an audacious fellow, isnt he? He says he wants the authorization to take the examination. Its written that he intends to use the ten million gold coins as the admission fee. By now, it was starting to seem quite amusing. ording to the contents of the letter, he used the ten million gold coins just for the purpose of taking the examination. Ten million gold coins were not a small amount that could be easily thrown around. It was a considerable sum that even a provincial count would find difficult to produce. With ten million gold coins, we can offer him the opportunity to take the examination. Send a reply. Tell him to attend the Swordsmanship teacher examination at the Ivecar Academy on the specified date. However, make it clear that we consider it an application for the position of a Swordsmanship teacher, not an honorary teaching position. If hes not at that level, we will never consider hiring him. * * * Ah, youvee in person. Wee, Count Yurahan. Count Whiskers, its a pleasure to meet you. Im Marta Yurahan. The reception room of Count Yurahan. Count Yurahan and Count Whiskers exchanged greetings. First of all, congrattions on your great sess. Once, Whiskers was considered a remote territory, but it has be an impressive ce. You tter me. Count Yurahan has maintained his prestige from then until now, so it would be inappropriate topare it to our territory. In the past, his face would have turned red with humiliation and he wouldnt have been able to respond properly. However, the recent Count Whiskers was extremely rxed. Count Yurahan observed the change in Count Whiskers. The current Count Whiskers was apletely different person from before. Ethan Whiskers, did that frail young master make him like this? The James Whiskers before him were apletely different person. Youvee to meet our eldest, I presume? Yes, our Yurahan merchant guild sensed potential in Young Master Ethans business and wanted to invest. Count Yurahan smiled as he spoke. Though he smiled, his words held a hidden de. He made it clear that he came to invest in the novice Ethans promising business. In response to those words, revealing the clear hierarchical rtionship, Count Whiskers smiled back. Hes indeed involved in a quite promising business. Thats why Ethan is a bit busy. Could you wait a little? Count Yurahan felt a slight sense of displeasure. Until now, whenever he made someone wait, they waited. He hadnt made many people wait in the first ce. However, he wasnt foolish enough to let things go astray to that extent. Sure, thats fine. I cleared my schedule for today. Fortunately, it didnt take long before the door opened. I am Ethan Whiskers. Its an honor to meet you, Count Yurahan. I believe Ive seen you a long time ago, do you remember, Young Master Ethan? Yes, I remember, Count. Count Yurahan paused for a moment as he looked at Ethan. The impression of frailty remained as he had been informed. A faint gaze, a slightly emaciated body, and an appearance that seemed delicate. However, he felt a fundamentally different aura. As Ethan naturally took a seat in front of Count Yurahan, Count Whiskers immediately stood up. Im quite busy, so I will excuse myself. Ethan, make sure you show proper etiquette to the Count. Yes, Count. Ethan and Count Whiskers locked eyes. Signals passed between them, leaving only Ethan, Count Yurahan, and their respective escorts. Yerica, wearing a robe, quietly flipped her hood and stood behind Ethan. Seated in his chair, Ethan fell silent. Normally, Ethan should have spoken first, but he knew his position very well. He was well aware that he was the one who came to make a request. Now I understand. Count Yurahan opened his mouth with a wide smile, revealing his teeth. The leisure of Count Whiskers didnte from business profits. The leisure came from Ethan Whiskers himself, the first son of Count Whiskers, and everything he represented. Young Master Ethan, I came to see you not for any other reason but because of your excellent business. Even after a brief look, its truly remarkable! Thank you for thepliments. I feel a bit embarrassed to present it to a count who operates such a massive estate. However, Count Yurahan had encountered countless individuals like Ethan. Moreover, Ethan was a novice. Aplete novice, to be precise. He had never been outside his territory before, and this was his first venture into business. Beginners luck that led to a great treasure. The beginners luck should be moderate. If one obtained an overwhelming treasure from the very beginning, it turned into a disaster rather than a treasure. If you further expand such a business, youll earn a fortune that cant even bepared to what you have now. Ive heard the stories. Its said that you can no longer wield a sword. Its a pity. However, your business acumen is impressive. It seems that talent of yours isnt going anywhere! Ethan responded with a smile. In response, Count Yurahan poured out words like a flowing river. Subtle praises for Ethan. Listening to them, it was as if the real Count Yurahan was acknowledging him, and it couldnt help but lift Ethans spirits. Its just a small sess. The scale isnt thatrge. I know, I know. Youck money, right? But you possess exceptional business acumen. You surely want to grow this business, which is bound to seed. Thats why I came to you, Young Master Ethan. The Yurahan family will support you with the funds. Are you sure? As Ethan showed interest, the Count continued with a smile. No matter the amount. We, the Yurahan family, believe that your business will seed unconditionally. Weve been waiting for someone like you. We will nurture your talent. Even if you fail, its okay. We wont ask you to repay the funds we provided. Instead, if you seed, just share a portion of the profits with us. It was an incredibly sweet offer. There was no reason to refuse, as it was a very good proposal with no reason to decline. Now you understand why I came to you personally, right? The Yurahan family wants to support you wholeheartedly. I see great potential in you. So Count Yurahan once again locked eyes with Ethan. However, at that moment, a shiver ran down the Counts spine. A chill. It was a gaze that seemed to prate through him. A gaze that seemed to know why the Count had decided to support Ethan, why he was speaking vaguely. I know. You see through everything. The Count instinctively realized it. That Ethan Whiskers already knew that the Count hade to devour his weight reduction workshop. Perhaps he already had the power to protect the treasure? But at the same time, the Count felt that he was overthinking too much. Was he startled by that gaze and thinking too much? As the Count began to feel flustered by his own thoughts, Ethan quietly spoke up. Its a truly wonderful offer, Count. Really. Count Yurahan could no longer read Ethans gaze.Author''s Thoughts The title of this chapter () have a meaning of "A colloquial expression used to describe someone who appears innocent or harmless but is actually cunning, clever, or crafty." A little bit of announcement! I forgot to tell you this in the previous chapter, I changed the name for Count Eurahan to = Yurahan. Sorry for changing it and for making you all a little bit confused xD. AND! One more thing it''s just for those of you who already forgot who is this Count Yurahan. He''s or his family basically known for being the richest Count. Chapter 49: To Ivecar Academy Chapter 49: To Ivecar Academy The business didnt end just because you made money. During the days he yed MePan, he engaged in numerous businesses to make money. While some of them were sessful, he also faced many worst-case scenarios when he barely managed to seed. There are those who try to snatch away what Ive earned. When you seeded in business, there were people who would do anything to snatch it away from you. Especially those who took advantage of your ignorance and steal your entire business. The nobles. The nobles, wielding powerful influence, were no different from predators. Ethan had experienced being targeted by such individuals. Understanding the saying, Ignorance is bliss, he made sure to remember it firmly and vowed never to be a victim again. Those who approach you with good intentions are often the most ominous. But why are you making such an offer? Simply to foster your growth. Are you referring to me? However, that didnt mean there was a need for hostility. It was better to remain cordial and not create enemies. I sincerely appreciate your offer, Count. It is truly an honor. However, I have already received investment from another merchant guild. Is it from Count Huntar? Ethan smile subtly, as if indicating that he had already known that much. No, its David Guild. David Guild? Count Yurahans expression hardened for a moment. What kind of merchant guild was David Guild? It was a massive guild, counted among thergest on the continent. While the Yurahan merchant guild was considered powerful in its own right, thanks to the Counts wealth, the David Guild was on a different scale altogether. If Davit Guild saw the Yurahan merchant guild as a rival, thetter would vanish within a month. Thats correct. I appreciate the offer, but I must decline, Count. Ethan remained polite to Count Yurahan until the end. * * * Such audacity! I will handle this separately. No, leave it. This is a matter I need to handle myself. What? The Steward was taken aback. This was not the Count Yurahan he knew. The Count was always determined to obtain whatever he desired, especially when it came to matters involving money. So to hear him say to back off was surprising. He mentioned a coboration with David Guild. David Guild. A massive guild that extended not only to the western regions but also into the central territories. It was something they shouldnt recklessly meddle with. It may be a bluff. To dare mention David Guild, he must be incredibly audacious. Just because he seeded in one business doesnt mean everything has changed. But what if its not? Theres a high possibility that it is. It hasnt been long since Ethan Whiskers seeded in his weight reduction workshop business. I dont believe he would have already made contact with David Guild. True, that would seem logical. Count Yurahan admitted. He had contacted Ethan quite quickly. If there had been prior contact for the business with Davit Guild, there would surely be evidence of it. Besides, I cant imagine that the frail Ethan Whiskers had any connections with David Guild before. The same goes for Count Whiskers. The steward presented a series of logical arguments. It cant be anything but a lie. It was a conclusion. However, Count Yurahan shook his head. My instincts whisper to me. Even though your words may be correct, my instincts tell me that Ethan Whiskers isnt lying. If thats the case, we must back off. If David Guild is involved, hasty contact could put Yurahan merchant guild at risk. The steward bowed his head in response to the Counts conviction. Honestly, he didnt quite understand, but there was no choice. After all, the expression on Count Yurahans face was not a pleasant one. Yes, understood. For now, lets step back and investigate separately. Lets find out if there is indeed a connection with David Guild. Yes! Count Yurahan turned around. The grandiose yet modest Count Whiskers Estate came into view. Simultaneously, the gaze that Ethan had shown earlier resurfaced in his mind. * * * Time flew by quickly. During that time, Ethan continued to practice Heos Acupuncture and Decoction skills while working on the business with Yerica. Youre really raking in the money. And how many times have high-ranking noblese to visit? Yerica recalled the events of the past month. Each one of them was so remarkable that it felt unreal. Starting with Count Yurahan, owners of many guilds personally came and offered partnership contracts for the weight reduction workshop business. They would provide funds, in return for a share of the business. Theyre like cunning predators trying to swallow our business. Of course, Ethan rejected all of them. He skillfully turned them down. I never expected you to refuse. We could have expanded on a muchrger scale. Of course, there would be many challenges to ovee and stabilize, but with your abilities, you wouldnt have failed. Thats true, but Im not a merchant. Im already expanding through David Guild, and thats enough for me. Choosing David Guild was a very good decision. Once the name of the David Guild was mentioned, everyone obediently backed off. Thats how formidable Davit Guilds prestige was. Now, David Guilds side has probably finished preparing for the business, and things here will continue to run smoothly even without you and me. Ethan had a solid n in motion. So, youre going to Ivecar Academy. Thats right. Ivecar Academy was a haven for talent. Moreover, it was a ce where one could take advantage of numerous opportunities. To build a reputation and meet the Saintess. That was Ethans primary goal. But Ive heard that its difficult to enter Ivecar Academy as a student or a teacher. Obtaining the qualifications for the exam is also said to be challenging. Ive already obtained the permission, so dont worry about it. Ethan handed her a parchment. Only three days left? Now is the perfect time to depart. With the groundworkpleted, it was time to leave. * * * Marquis Rond, a war hero, used his fortune to establish the Ivecar Academy. While the official reason was to cultivate talent, the true motivation was atonement. During the war, Marquis Rond had fought countless battles against young soldiers. He had wielded his sword and magic against those who had just begun to learn them. At the time, he believed it was unavoidable, but the guilt haunted him even after the war ended. Marquis Rond couldnt bear it any longer. He felt the need to soothe their souls. For the fallen young soldiers, he founded the academy. Instead of fighting on the battlefield, they should have received education at the academy. The Ivecar Academy, originally established as a symbol of atonement, flourished rapidly under Marquis Ronds dedication. After his passing, the new Marquis of Rond continued his legacy, transforming the academy into the finest institution. I also wanted to attend the Ivecar Academy at one point. But why couldnt you go? I was too short. Currently, Schudlens height reached nearly 190 centimeters. When Yerica looked puzzled, Schudlen immediately exined. I grew taller as I became an adult. That must have been disappointing. Not at all, because I had the privilege of serving the Young Master! Schudlen said proudly, with a satisfied expression on his face. Ethan chuckled softly as he observed him. Lets finish the registration and take a break. Tomorrow was the day of the exam. Ethan and hispanions had traveled all night to reach Marquis Ronds estate. Although there was a slight detour, it was intentional on Ethans part. Its better to have a portal registered. -Marquis Ronds estate has been registered in the Wind Riding. Apanied by two escorts, Ethan headed towards the Ivecar Academy. The academy building was the secondrgest structure within Marquis Ronds estate. If you included the academy grounds, it could be said that half of Marquis Ronds estate was essentially the academy itself. Upon seeing the immense scale of the academy, Yerica and Schudlen couldnt help but feel overwhelmed. Wow. Oh There were dozens of buildings on the vast grounds. They could understand why people jokingly referred to Marquis Ronds estate as the Ivecar Territory. Especially Schudlen had an expression of deep emotion. There was not a trace of regret. Instead, he seemed to be appreciating the fact that the ce he once aspired to was truly magnificent. In addition to that, Schudlen nced at Ethan and shrugged his shoulders. It was a remarkable achievement for him to have his Young Mastere to this extraordinary ce as a teacher. How proud he must be. Of course, he hadnt even taken the exam yet, but Schudlen didnt doubt for a moment that Ethan would pass without any problems. I think were the only ones who are surprised. Arent you amazed, Ethan? This is the first time Ive seen such a huge building. And thend is so vast. It is astonishing. So many buildings and such arge area ofnd. See those buildings over there? Those are the ssroom buildings. If you finish sses there and have to go to that building in 10 minutes, what would you do? I guess I would have to use mana to get there. Most people have been training in mana since they were young, so it shouldnt be too difficult. Mana? Ethan smirked. Once you pass through that entrance, its thend of the Ivecar Academy. And using mana is restricted within the grounds of the Ivecar Academy. Mana usage is restricted? Yerica, being a mage, frowned. This was a significant penalty. There are a considerable number of high-ranking noble families gathered there. If someone caused trouble, it would be impossible to handle it with just the principals authority. So they havepletely banned it. Besides, it can be better for the students. Why? It means they cant train their mana. Yerica knew very well the importance of mana. Schudlen also looked curious and nced at Ethan. The noble families children have been umting mana since birth. So they are too familiar with it. As a result, their physical strength is weakened. Yerica nodded in agreement with Ethans words, but Schudlen seemed slightly puzzled. Lets imagine a state without mana. Schudlen, you can lift 10 kilograms. But what if you want to lift 20 kilograms? I would have to train for it. What if you have mana? I could lift it without training. Exactly, because of mana. With mana, you can simply lift 20 kilograms. Even though your body can only lift 10 kilograms, mana assists your physical strength. By relying on mana like that, physical development came to a halt. Its meaningless. The body should be the foundation. Mana is just a supplementary tool. Upon Ethans exnation, Schudlen quickly understood and nodded. You sound like a real teacher. It is as expected of Young Master. He has read numerous books! Hes a perfect fit as a teacher at the academy! Schudlen nodded his head in agreement. Then, Young Master, do they have to physically run to those distant buildings? Yes, with mana restrictions, theyll have to jump between buildings from a certain point. The break time is probably around 10 minutes. If you cant make it within that time, it will be consideredte, andteness is directly linked to your grades. Finally, the two escorts understood why Ethan was surprised. Its alright, Young Master. I can be the means of transportation! If the teacher did that, the students will surely follow. Ah. Should I secretly conceal your mana? For her, hiding mana was not a difficult task. She had made tremendous progress over the past month. During that time, anyone who came looking for Yericas magic ended up dead at Yericas hands. Well, if that happens, Ill be in trouble, Yerica. I was just kidding. Those jokes wont be well-received by the serious people here, so be careful. Yes, but youre talking as if youve already passed the exam. Do you think youll fail? If you fail, Ill pierce the eyes of the people who conducted the evaluation. This is not a joke. Ethanughed lightly at her remark. Chapter 50: Exam (1) Chapter 50: Exam (1) By the present time, Ivecar Academy had be a ce where numerous individuals wanted to enter. Whether it was teachers or students, it didnt matter. Thebel of being an Academy graduate had a positive effect wherever one went. If someone was known as a prestigious Academy graduate, they would attract and be drawn to each other. Wherever they went, there was a strong bond among Academy graduates. So, when working on quests, it wasmon to see Academy graduates coborating with each other. Most of the knightmanders and other high-ranking officials had graduated from prestigious academies. Therefore, if one graduated from the same academy, it meant bing a junior, and if fortunate, one could benefit from that connection. So, it was natural for anyone to aspire to attend a prestigious academy. Especially among applicants for teaching positions, there were quite a few who applied to the academy they graduated from. Since there were invisible bonus points or advantages, it was helpful during the interviews. Are you here to register? Ethan handed over the application form to the registration officer. It was the admission test permit from Ivecar. Student registration will begin at three oclock. Im not here for that, Im here to register as a teacher. Oh, Im sorry. Since you came with escorts. Those who applied as teachers usually didnte with escorts. To teach the so-called prestigious students of a renowned academy, not only theoretical knowledge but also exceptional skills were required. Yes, youre Ethan Whiskers, applying for a donation-based admission. I have confirmed it. The registration staff nced at Ethan and gave a slight smile. They understood why he came with escorts. It must be because he was aiming for an honorary teaching position through donation-based admission. Moreover, considering that Ethan was applying for the Swordsmanship department, the registration officer, who knew the internal circumstances, couldnt help but smile. Im not in good health. Ethan smiled as he felt the gaze of the registration officer. The exam was tomorrow. The exam details will also be announced tomorrow. The registration officer reached under the table and took out a ne with a square badge attached to it, handing it to Ethan. This is a visitor pass that allows ess to Ivecar Academy until the day of the exam. It must be returned tomorrow, so make sure you dont lose it under any circumstances. With the Ivecar Academy visitor pass in hand, Ethan wandered around the academy apanied by the two escorts. It truly looked like a prestigious academy. He saw applicants like himself roaming around in various ces, all here to take the exam tomorrow. And as soon as he entered, he felt the restriction of mana. A magic spell was spread throughout the entirend, restricting the use of mana. Are all these people applicants? They say there are more than usual, but still, there are too many. Yerica and Schudlen eximed in awe. Even among those who appeared to be physically strong, there were quite a few who seemed powerful. Among those who seemed to have applied as teachers, there were many strong individuals as well. Most of them emitted mana from their whole bodies, boasting theirrge stature and muscr physique. Even just being nearby, one could feel their strength and excellence. Especially, there was a man whopletely stole Schudlens attention. He was slightly shorter than Schudlen but had a solid and sturdy physique. Judging by the sword at his waist, he seemed to be applying for both swordsmanship and teaching positions. With his blond hair and an aura of elegance, he clearly looked like an elite who grew up in a noble family. And there were quite a few simr elites standing next to him. There are so many people applying for teaching positions. They all seem quitepetitive, dont they? Ivecar is one of the top academies. They are vying for the position alongside Freya Academy, the top one. Hmm. Yerica carefully observed the individuals wielding swords. They were likely thepetitors of Ethan. True to its reputation as the top academy, there was not a single person among the applicants who seemed weak. On the other hand, Ethan appeared ordinary. He seemed like a tourist visiting Ivecar Academy. Of course, if there was something distinguishing about himpared to them, it was that he was slightly more handsome. Ethan definitely won in terms of his gaze. And of course, in swordsmanship as well. I agree. Enough with the nonsense, lets go since weve seen enough. Are we going to eat? Yerica was greatly looking forward to the meal at Marquis Rounds territory. Of course. We should eat before anything else. No matter what. * * * Athena naturally expected a response to her message. -Huh, its not here? Did he havent checked it yet? There was a god watching Athena in surprise from behind. It was Ares, the god of war. -Did you send a message to that subscriber, Athena? Ares showed interest, causing Athena to put on an impression. Athena didnt particrly like Ares. To think that Ares, ignorant and hot-tempered, was the god of war. Observing hisck of any trace of intelligence, she disliked being involved with him. -Yes, but why? -They probably havent responded. Its only natural. That subscriber seems quite picky, like a gourmet. If he had spoken as if he were a senior, Athena would have disliked him even more. -They probably havent read it yet. Once they do, they will undoubtedly subscribe to me. There is no expert in war like me. The abilities Athena could offer were essential to those involved in war. With those abilities, one could not be defeated in war. Twitch. Ares eyebrow twitched for a moment. He, too, was the god of war. In fact, one could consider him a rival to Athena. As if to prove that, Athena and Ares had a simr number of subscribers. However, Athena had more likes. -If they need the power to excel in war, they would subscribe to me, not you, Athena. -And you said they read your message but didnt respond? Then its over, isnt it? Athena grumbled, and Ares became angry. But he quicklyposed himself and spoke curtly. -Theyd probably do the same to you. Im sure of it. After Ares disappeared, Athena used the likes to check if the subscriber had seen the letter she sent. -They checked the message. They had definitely seen it. -They ignored it? And indeed, they had ignored it. * * * Ethan explored the interior of the academy and was able to spot several familiar faces. Fortunately, all the people I know seem to be gathered here. Although Ethan wasnt intimately familiar with the current state of Ivecar Academy, he had a general idea. I know the key figures at least. By the time MePans story began, Ethan Whiskers was already dead. Its a slightlyter timeframe. As a result, he couldnt know every minor character, but he was aware of the important individuals. Even though I wont be able to select promising ones among the freshmen at the time. Those promising talents would still be undergoing training within their families. Instead, students who had already secured their positions would enter as freshmen this time. Moreover In other words, those who were close topletion at that time would now enter as promising freshmen. There should be Some capable students among the current students, like Mason or Roanna. While observing, ETHAN spotted a familiar face. Tall with beautiful blond hair. It was Ciron Ramsdale, the eldest son of the Ramsdale family. His nickname is Shortsword. The Ramsdale family was one of the Twelve Stars Families, and their previous patriarch was known as the Swordsman of the Continent. The current patriarch of the Ramsdale family was the son of that Swordsman, and while he has not fully inherited his talents, he has excelled in his ability to lead the family. The talent for swordsmanship was passed down through generations, and Ciron inherited it. That was why he was given the nickname Shortsword. He closely resembled his grandfather, the Swordsman, in his youth, possessing exceptional swordsmanship skills andtent potential. A powerful family background and great talent. And now, Shortsword was applying to be a new teacher at Ivecar. So, this is the timeframe. Ethan was quite knowledgeable about major characters like him. He coulde in handy. After finishing his observations, Ethan focused on recalling the contents of the exam. I need to remember the exam material clearly before going. ETHAN intended to achieve overwhelmingly outstanding results in this exam. He wouldnt settle for mediocrity but would reveal his true capabilities. That way, it will be easier to build a reputation. Ting-. Ethan touched his head with his hand. Itsing back again. -Your chances of survival are decreasing. Ethan raised an eyebrow and looked at the notification. * * * Entrance exam day at Ivecar Academy. The exam was divided into two parts: students in the morning and teachers in the afternoon. One notable difference between Ivecar Academy and Freya Academy was that the exam results were announced immediately. So, the students who passed in the morning will be eagerly anticipating the newly admitted teachers in the afternoon. The current teachers will also be present to evaluate the new teachers. Not only the new students but also the current students will be observing the sessful candidates in the afternoon exam. Unlike the students, the teacher recruitment exam is conducted privately. Ethan had been at Ivecar Academy since morning. I need to take a look at some promising individuals. Ethan, sir. What? Are you hungry? Well, I am hungry because I havent had breakfast, but thats not it. Yerica was worried after hearing themotion around them. After all, Ethan had a badge around his neck indicating his application as a teacher. He brought an escort? Hes applying as a teacher, and he brought two escorts. Well, there shouldnt be a big deal. After all, hes applying for an honorary teaching position, so he doesnt have to take the exam. Hes not going to pull the same stunt as that one before right? iming they want to teach as an honorary teacher. Oh, please. I hope not. It was the worst back then. The students of Ivecar Academy murmured and gazed at Ethan with cold eyes. Most of them didnt seem pleased. Noticing this, Yerica cautiously asked. Should we wait here? No, theres no need for that. I brought you along because I need you. Ethan didnt pay much attention to the murmuring. After all, such murmurs would be resolved once he demonstrated his abilities. What mattered to him more was ensuring his own survival. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, not having escorts could put him in a life-threatening situation. Of course, Ivecar Academy was safe. Mana was restricted by default, after all. But Ethan didnt think that way. Thats what those who dont know the situation think. Ivecar Academy was not as safe as one might assume. Numerous followers of the Moon had infiltrated the academy, and some seemingly ordinary individuals and students were also involved with them. The constraints on mana were imposed through artifacts and magic spread throughout this vastnd, but the followers of the Moon had the ability to manipte both of these. To be prepared for such situations, I must have Yerica and Schudlen by my side. That was why he brought them along. Moreover, theres no mana restriction in this examination hall. It was intentionally lifted for the exam. As a result, there were mages and knights hidden throughout the area, prepared for dangerous situations. To the best of my recollection, nothing significant happened during this exam at that time. If anything had urred, it would have been recorded in history, and Ethan would have known about it. Nevertheless, I still need to be cautious. The first was to be cautious, and the second was to be careful. Should I give those guys a little scare and thene back? Theyll stop insulting you then. Yerica frowned slightly. Its alright, its alright. As Ethan nodded, Schudlen prepared himself to step forward. Dont threaten them. Who knows if they might be my students? As expected of Young Master. No, even if you try to teach them a lesson, it has to being from me. It wasnt the first or second time he had done that from inexperienced individuals to be useful. Those who had been taught a lesson in such a way showed even greater loyalty. By dispelling their doubts, trust can be established. Chapter 51: Exam (2) Chapter 51: Exam (2) The morning exam began. Ethan sat in the spectator seats with his two escorts, observing the exam. Wow-! That guy better choose our department! Dont talk nonsense. Just look at the way he wields the spear. He should join our division. The enrolled students cheered as they watched the new applicants proudly disy their skills. Among the students watching them, there were quite a few department heads from the Academys special activity department. If they could recruit talented individuals from among the new students, it would be an opportunity for their departments to flourish. So, they had to keep their eyes peeled and find the promising ones. If they couldnt take them in, other divisions would. That would be the flourishing of another division, so they couldnt afford to miss out on this great event. This is no joke, really. The level is truly high, Young Master. Schudlen couldnt take his eyes off the new student exam. The age of new students entering the Academy wasnt very high. The minimum age was 14, and although there was no upper age limit, students over 20 rarely entered, so most of them were in their mid tote teens. I heard theres an implicit age limit, but that guy looks like hes in his forties? Dont judge a person by their appearance. Ethan found the nearsighted boy interesting as he watched him. I feel like Ive seen him somewhere before. Ethan narrowed his eyes and observed closely. He was definitely familiar. A serious case of presbyopia[1]Presbyopia is a refractive error that makes it hard for middle-aged and older adults to see things up close. that made him look like he was in his forties, had a rough impression, and an average height. Swordsmanship skills infused with swordy. Ah. Ethan remembered who he was. Oliveira. He was the most important character and the catalyst for the downfall of the Holy Empire in Chapter 1 of the main scenario. The question was Why is a member of the Royal Family here? The person who appeared to be in his forties was a member of the Royal Family, but his real age was 18, contrary to his appearance. Oliveira Sacred, the hidden prince of the Empire who possessed all the information of the Holy Empire and sacrificed himself for the Magic Empire. As a result, if you started from the side of the Holy Empire, capturing Oliveira was the conclusion of Chapter 1, and if you started from the side of the Magic Empire, protecting Oliveira was the goal of Chapter 1. He held the key to transitioning to Chapter 2, making him an important character. The perspective is a bit ambiguous. Ethan had no intention of interfering deeply in the main scenario until he met the Saintess. However, as an important figure, he couldnt help but think about various things. When I entered Ivecar, Oliveira didnt exist. That means Ill be staying in Ivecar for the next year or so. Ethan smiled to himself. If thats the case, I can effectively use it for my survival. Having cleared MePan so many times, Ethan had yed various characters and factions. And among those ys, there was even a ythrough where he sided with the main viin, the Follower of the Moon. It was considered practically impossible, but Ethan had unlocked that route and had gone almost to the end. I can use it as a means to align myself with the Follower of the Moon. * * * Finally, it was afternoon. Afternoons at Ivecar Academy garnered much more attention than the mornings. And for a good reason. The newly admitted students from the morning session were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the teachers who would pass the afternoon exams. Furthermore, many new faces joined the crowd, faces that were absent in the morning. They were the parents. The admitted students had the privilege of inviting their parents inside the premises of Ivecar Academy. Most of them brought their parents to witness the afternoon exams for new teacher recruitment. In essence, this was considered the main event. * * * New Teacher Recruitment Exam Waiting Room. Since it was a closed-door exam, the new teacher applicants were waiting on the first floor before heading up to the second floor. Ethan observed the crowded waiting room filled with various individuals. Just like yesterday, it was filled with impressive candidates. However, the most eye-catching among them was the blond young man from yesterday. Ciron, the Shortsword Saint. Though he might not be officially recognized as the Shortsword Saint yet, it was only a matter of time. Soon, he would be acknowledged as a Shortsword Saint user and reveal his true abilities. Hmm, there doesnt seem to be anyone else worth paying much attention to. The waiting room was sorge that each new teacher applicant managed their own routines to keep theirposure. Hoo, hoo, hoo. Right next to Ethan, there was a well-dressed woman breathing heavily as if she was overly nervous. She seemed to be quite tense, and Ethan was surprised as soon as he saw her. He thought there wouldnt be any more outstanding talents, but there was one more. Nadia. Nadia von Tschernkastel. The Tschernkastel family was one of the Twelve Stars Families that supported the current Holy Empire, and Nadia was the granddaughter of the current Chancellors youngest daughter. As soon as Ciron looked in our direction, he and her eyes met. Perhaps Ciron and Nadia knew each other. However, with the uing exam, Ciron continued with his own routine. Familiar characters keep appearing. Ethan was aware that Ciron was at Ivecar, but he didnt know about Nadia. It was surprising to see a familiar character emerge from an unfamiliar ce. As far as I know, Nadia has never been involved with Ivecar before. That meant Nadia would fail in this exam. But thats impossible. It didnt make sense. Nadia, being the youngest of the Twelve Noble Families, had quite remarkable abilities. Are you okay? Ethan decided to speak to Nadia for now. There was no harm in getting to know someone better. However, when Nadia turned her head, herplexion was extremely pale. I-Im feeling very unwell. Maybe something I ate was wrong? Ugh. If I feel like this, I wont be able to use magic properly. It seemed that her condition was not due to nervousness but rather her physical state. Can I help you with something? Oh, um, do you happen to have any emergency medicine? I usually carry it with me, but I forgot it today. Probably her escort was carrying it. Since she would usually have an escort. Ethan decided to take this opportunity to gain her trust. I have some abilities that might be more helpful than medicine. Yes? Suddenly, a needle appeared in Ethans hand. I can treat you with this. ? She didnt say a word, but her eyes conveyed her message. Wait, is he going to stab me with that? Its fate that were taking the same exam. Let me help you. Oh, no, its fine. I think Im feeling better now. Eek! As she waved her hands to decline, Ethan urately pricked his needle into her moving thumb. She let out a small cry. However, everyone was too engrossed in their own preparations to pay any attention to their side. Huh? She was surprised to feel her previously ufortable stomach suddenly relieved. It feels like something has been flushed out. Like its been digested. Do you see it here? This is your blood. It-Its ck? You have an upset stomach. And then, a bright red blood followed. Now that the difort should subside. Is it because of the needle you pricked me with just now that Im feeling better? Yes. Of course, pricking her hand didnt actually alleviate her condition. If it was truly a physical condition, it would have been resolved. But it wasnt. Someone like Nadia, who possesses as much mana as she does, wouldnt have an upset stomach. Those who have a significant amount of pure mana dont experience physical ailments. Even if their physical condition was poor, a single cirction of mana would instantly clear it up. Something was blocking it. Intentionally, something was obstructing Nadias blood vessels. Even if the mana cirction had been restored, the blockage wouldnt have disappeared. The effect of Heos Acupuncture was remarkable, easily puncturing through it. It was a problem that wouldnt easily yield to ordinary means. The events have already begun, it seems. Each characters events were already unfolding within the Ivecar Academy. As expected, its the center of the storm. Where major characters gathered, events ovepped and converged into grand events. I have to be alert. Those events were ingredients. From now on, Ethan would need to handle and season those ingredients to create a delicious dish. Ill devour them all without leaving a trace! Now, I will announce the details of the exam. Just as the academy staff entered at the opportune moment, they proceeded to announce the details of the exam to the aspiring new teachers. There will be a total of two exams. If you pass these exams, you will proceed to have an interview with the principal. Once the interview is over, you will be a new teacher at our Ivecar Academy. The sound of someone swallowing dry saliva could be heard. Up until now, Ivecar Academy had been selecting teachers through various exams. The first round is a written exam. You will be given exam papers corresponding to the subjects you applied for. And the second round is a practical exam. Regardless of the results in the first round, everyone will be able to participate in the practical exam. As soon as the academy staff finished their exnation, other staff members entered the room. Please proceed to the first-round written exam venue. * * * Hmm. The teacher in charge of this exam was a person named udie Hyde. As a member of the Hyde family, one of the Twelve Stars Families, udie was an exceptionally skilled individual, to the point where there was no one topare among his peers. His swordsmanship skills were highly regarded, and there were even evaluations suggesting that he could be the youngest department head of the Knightly Department. The students felt slightly overwhelmed as they looked at udie entering the room. udie and their age were around the same, and there were even older individuals among them. However, the difference in position was iparable. So, this is the person. udie noticed someone who was not looking at them among the numerous applicants. Slowly opening his eyes, udie observed the others in the room. udie was aware of the rumors as well. There was someone peculiar among the applicants for the swordsmanship department. This person had paid a whopping ten million gold coins for admission and expressed a desire to be a genuine teacher, not just an honorary one. Curious, udie had paid attention, but his expectations had been quite low. Doesnt seem to be anything special. His body is not robust, and his eyes appear sunken. If we were to talk about appearance, he was fairly handsome, but when seen as a swordsmanship teacher at Ivecar Academy, he didnt seem to fit in. He was probably around the same age as himself, but his physique appeared incredibly weak. Furthermore, his mana was faint. The swordsmanship department was the pride of Ivecar Academy. Therefore, among the various departments, it was the most difficult to be a teacher in the swordsmanship department. If one became a teacher in the swordsmanship department, it was only natural to be epted into other departments since the difficulty was exceptionally high. Moreover, the students they taught were also of high caliber, matching their level. Therefore, if one wasnt physically strong, it was simply impossible to teach the students. On the contrary, there was a high likelihood of being ignored and overshadowed by the students. Though it was somewhat questionableing from himself as a swordsmanship teacher, there were quite a number of unlucky and arrogant students in the swordsmanship department. Character and personality were set aside, and the focus was solely on skills when selecting new students. Because of such individuals, some of the swordsmanship teachers who were epted with great effort also ended up resigning due to immense stress. Donation-based admission is a good system. However, if one wants to be a genuine teacher, they should at least demonstrate something. But so far, he didnt appear favorable in udie eyes. We will begin the exam. The difficulty level of the swordsmanship departments exam was always challenging, but this time it was even more difficult. Though it was only one question, being an essay type, it couldnt be easy. -Interpret and provide improvements for the ancient swordsmanship technique, Revinade Swordsmanship. *Attached is a copy of the Revinade Swordsmanship Manual. Surely there should have been the sound of a pen scratching on paper, but only the sound of breathing could be heard. Revinade Swordsmanship was one of the swordsmanship techniques taught to the swordsmanship students at Ivecar Academy. This Revinade Swordsmanship could serve as the foundation for numerous swordsmanship techniques and was crucial for future lessons, as it couldy the groundwork for mastering other techniques. The swordsmanship students each had their own family-specific swordsmanship techniques. Of course, there were also some students who primarily used Ivecars swordsmanship techniques rather than their familys techniques, so they needed to understand this Revinade Swordsmanship as well. At a level where you can teach it. Of course, there were asional sounds of a pen, but they kept writing and stopping, repeating the cycle. udie recalled the time when they took the hiring exam themselves. Back then, it was interpreting and providing improvements for a different swordsmanship technique, not Revinade Swordsmanship, but it was still quite challenging. And interpretation and improvements arent simply about writing about the swordsmanship. After all, this exam was to select teachers. In other words, the answers had to be oriented toward teaching the students. While everyone was pondering, the sound of scribbling continued. It was the dry-looking man sitting in front, frantically moving his pen. Ethan Whiskers. He didnt stop and kept writing his answers. Other applicants began to be surprised as they watched Ethan. He doesnt hesitate? udie made an impression. Could it be that he quickly gave up and started writing whatever came to mind? Pitiful. After today, they probably wouldnt have the opportunity to see each other again. * * * The written exam was over. During the grading period, a short break was given. This exam seems quite interesting. That was too much, Principal. Revinade Swordsmanship, really? The topic was so difficult that there might not be any sessful candidates. Well, its a swordsmanship exam. Didnt we give reasonable exams for other subjects? The Principal chuckled and stroked his beard. Well, then, shall we begin? The grading order was based on the order in which answer sheets were submitted. Hmm? That was why at the top, there was an exam paper with the name Ethan Whiskers written on it. The Principal remembered that name. He was the man who donated ten million gold and came to take the exam. The paper was filled with densely written text. The Principal started reading the paper as if being drawn in from the first sentence. Suddenly, the Principal fell silent, and the Vice Principal and the Head of the Knightly Department approached him. Whats wrong? The Principal quietly handed over the exam paper, and the two of them could do nothing but fall into silence as well.
  • 1. Presbyopia is a refractive error that makes it hard for middle-aged and older adults to see things up close.
Chapter 52: Results of the test Chapter 52: Results of the test The second practical exam was taken by three people at a time. Mitran was quite nervous, but thanks to the potion he had taken before the exam, he managed to remain calm somehow. Its okay. Its okay. I am the pride of our family. Mitran was the eldest son of a promising Viscount family. He had received private tutoring from excellent teachers since he was young and had mastered the familys swordsmanship to the point where it became a part of his body. With talent added to his efforts, he was called the future of the Viscount family. Although he couldnt enter Ivecar Academy as a student, he graduated from another academy with excellent grades. Now it was his turn to join Ivecar as a teacher. He couldnt afford to fail this time. Group 1! People continued to go up to the second floor. Mitran unknowingly showed a nervous demeanor, trembling in his legs. How much time had passed? Group 7! Mitran, Ivara, Ethan. Pleasee up to the second floor! Upon hearing the staffs words, the three of them stood up simultaneously from their seats. Hmm? Mitran confirmed the two people who would be taking the exam with him. He knew one of them, but the other was someone he didnt recognize. Where did hee from? The recruitment exam for teachers at Ivecar Academy was not open to just anyone. Could it be that he made a donation and came for the test? Mitran smirked. In the second practical exam, thepetitors who entered together were important. If he performed well in the exam while the others didnt, he could receive additional points ordingly. I already know a lot about the reviews of those who have already been epted to Ivecar. Of course, all of that was obtained through the familys money and connections. The power of the family was his own power. If he waspeting against those two, it seemed likely that he could gain extra points in this practical exam. With that thought, he felt a bit relieved. Mitran took a deep breath and calmly went up to the second floor. Hello! As the first one to enter, Mitran greeted loudly. There were three interviewers there. The principal was in the center, and the vice principal and the head of the Knightly Department, which included swordsmanship, were beside him. Group 7, we will begin the practical exam. This time, you will be lecturing on the Revinade swordsmanship that you saw in the first written exam. As the principal spoke, Mitran inwardly sighed. He never expected the second practical exam to be a lecture. Among the three themes of the second practical exam, lecturing was the most difficult. He had heard that if he showed even the slightest opening in front of the principal, vice principal, and the head of the Knightly Department, he would be bombarded with questions. It was said that when the three highest-ranking officials in the academy put pressure on you, you would forget what you knew and find it even more difficult to think on your feet. Even those who were good would falter, and those who were not good would struggle even more in this infamous practical exam. That was why the academy was well aware of the notoriety of the lecture among the categories of the second practical exam. So I heard that it doesnt go well! Mitran began to feel even more nervous before it even started. Applicant Mitran Lyovitz, please begin. Yes! Mitran made an effort to calm his nerves. Paradoxically, the more difficult it was, the higher the likelihood that those two wouldnt be able to do it perfectly. Mitran stepped forward calmly and started exining about the Revinade swordsmanship. He had already read the Revinade swordsmanship textbook during the first written exam. Among the people gathered here, there was no one who couldnt memorize the swordsmanship textbook in a short period of time, so lecturing itself wasnt difficult. Well, um, Revinade swordsmanship is Based on the textbook, Mitran did his best to exin the Revinade swordsmanship. He had repeated the textbook countless times before. He thought about how to lecture in a way that students could understand well and put in a lot of effort. He even demonstrated by wielding the sword himself. He made sure to show different techniques and movements to make it easy for the viewers to understand. However, for some reason, the three examiners didnt ask any significant questions. They were supposed to ask tough questions. Could it be that Im doing too well? If that were the case, it made sense. If there were no questions to ask, then they wouldnt ask any. After finishing the lecture, Mitran took a deep breath. Thats it. Hmm. As soon as it ended, the three examiners exchanged nces and quickly wrote something on their score sheets. Mitran thought that this was it. The other two wouldnt be any different. They could follow Mitrans lecture as an example. If that happened, it would practically be over. With renewed confidence, Mitran took a seat in the designated area at the back. Now, next is Ethan Whiskers. Yes. Ethan, who had been waiting, smiled and stepped forward. Im Ethan Whiskers. Ethan briefly introduced himself and immediately started exining. Well, um, so, ah, how should I exin this? However, his lecture didnt flow smoothly. For a moment, Ethan fell silent and gently stroked his chin, as if pondering. Thats it! Thats it! Ive surpassed him! That was a significant deduction of points. Mitran was delighted. This was it. His chances of passing had greatly increased! Overwhelmed with joy, Mitran couldnt control his expression and let out a slight smile. And then, at that moment. Are you the Head of the Knightly Department? Ethan called out the Head of the Knightly Department, a man with deep wrinkles on his forehead and blue hair. Could you pleasee forward? For a moment, Mitran looked at Ethan with a gaze that seemed to question his sanity. * * * So this is Ethan Whiskers. Ethan Whiskers stood before the principal, who observed him closely. It was their first face-to-face encounter. His answer sheet was astonishing. After examining the answer sheets together, the principal directly called udie, who had supervised the exam. Then the principal asked how Ethan Whiskers had taken the exam. udie, initially puzzled by the question, seemed to grasp the situation. -He continuously wrote without taking a break. Perhaps he intended to regain his position as an honorary teacher after seeing the difficulty of the exam. Upon hearing udies response, the three examiners could only be more astonished. The Revinade manual provided for the exam was significantly different from the original. It was an improved version specifically designed for the exam, not the original manual. As a result, even those who knew the original Revinade swordsmanship would find it difficult to solve the problems easily. -He must have written down the original Revinade swordsmanship as is or roughly. That was the only logical conclusion udie could reach. The purpose of providing an improved manual for the exam was to test the ability to discern. Therefore, applicants were generally expected to interpret and write down the answers based on both their prior knowledge of Revinade swordsmanship and the improved manual. However, Ethan had solely relied on the improved manual to interpret and write down his answers. Since the three examiners were the ones who made the improvements, they could easily discern what was correct by examining the answers. He understood that perfectly on the spot. The modified Revinade swordsmanship. Only Ethans answer sheet differed from the others. While others had mixed and interpreted the original Revinade swordsmanship with the modified version, Ethan alone had aplete understanding of the modified Revinade swordsmanship and wrote his answers ordingly. Furthermore, hearing udies story was even more shocking. The fact that he didnt take a single break means he understood everything after reading it once. There was no need to pause in between. That was the more astonishing part. There has been only one person like that so far. And currently, he was known as the Sword Emperor. Applicant Mitran, Im sorry, but your lectures didnt make it into my mind at all. The same might be true for the other two as well. The attention of the three examiners was now solely focused on Ethan Whiskers, who had aced the written exam. They were curious about how he would perform in the practical exam. Please begin. Just as Ethan was about to start exining, he suddenly stopped and called forth the head of the Knight Department. Me? The startled head of the Knight Division looked at the principal, who found the situation quite amusing. Go ahead and give it a try. However, Ethan Whiskers, you do understand that this goes beyond the line, right? You asked me to give a lecture. And the students who are listening to me are the ones who pay my fees, arent they? Its only natural to have the studentse forward, isnt it? The principal couldnt help butugh at Ethans words as if he found them unbelievable. Indeed, hahaha. You certainly have a way with words. The principals anticipation grew even stronger. In reality, such words should not be allowed. But everyone remembered Ethans answer sheet from the first written exam. That was why the head of the Knight Department also stepped forward first. Revinade swordsmanship is the very fundamental sword technique taught in Ivecar. Its good to use as a base, and its also quite excellent as a standalone swordsmanship. As Ethan adjusted his posture, he continued speaking. From Form 1 to Form 5, and beyond Form 5, you can freelybine and develop your own sword style. Thats probably why it was chosen as the fundamental swordsmanship of Ivecar. When he signaled to the head of the Knight Department with a nce, the head also adjusted his stance. Ethan slowly moved behind the head. From now on, I will demonstrate the Revinade swordsmanship from Form 1 to Form 5 using the body of a student. What are you talking about Rx, student. If I exert too much force, you might get hurt. You have to trust mepletely. As Ethan moved discreetly behind the head, he lifted his sword and used it like a baton. ! Lower your waist, move forward, and thrust, thats Form 1. As Ethan pressed his sword against the head of the Knight Departments shoulder and lightly kicked the back of his thigh with his foot, Ethan put him in the posture of Form 1 of the Revinade swordsmanship. While the original Form 1 feels like tapping the opponent, this revised manual aims to finish with the first attack. More forceful and fierce. However, there is a greater risk if it fails. The sword shot forward like the w of a beast. The head of the Knight Division, touched by Ethans movement, momentarily showed a surprised expression. Although he didnt fully trust Ethans words, he had exerted some strength from his body for the sake of his lecture. But due to the sudden turn of events, he couldnt fully release his strength. Even if Ethan tried to move him as he desired, there were rigid parts that prevented him from assuming the perfect posture. Its perfect. It was a perfect posture, even surprising to the head of the Knight Department himself. I can even grasp how I moved in such detail. This kind of instruction wasnt originally possible from the first lesson. To receive such guidance, one had to fundamentally trust their partner. Only then could they release their strength. But even without fully releasing his strength, Ethan made it possible. How did he do it? Next is Form 2. As Form 1 ends, you can immediately move on to Form 2 topensate for its weaknesses. Form 2 has also been revised. While the original emphasizes transitioning from tapping to attacking, the revised version is just as fierce as the preceding attack. However, its not as fierce as before. Once again, Ethans sword moved. And it struck precisely to make the head of the Knight Department adjust his posture. I like forms thatbine offense and defense. It was only when he entered Form 2 that he could understand. Ethan was skilled. He didnt just rely on his sword to force the posture; he pressed the exact spots, making it impossible for the body to resist, no matter how much strength was exerted. He moved the body of the Knight Department as if it were his own, and the Knight Department could do nothing but assume the perfect posture. Mitrans mouth hung open as he watched Ethan. This cant be real. The other two examiners, and even the Knight Department who had temporarily taken the role of a student, were allughing. They wereughing so brightly that they were unaware of their ownughter. In the face of such a sight, Mitran felt despair. This exam had already tilted. What on earth is going on? Who is this guy? How could someone from the Whiskers family, whose name he didnt even know, be capable of such instruction? Thats all for now. There was nothing more to see. For Group 7, the exam was practically over at that point. And though the results hadnt been announced yet, Ethan could already sense the oue. -Survival probability is increasing! Chapter 53: Just Two People Chapter 53: Just Two People The outside was incredibly noisy. The stands were already packed. There were many new students who had passed in the morning, current students, parents, and even the existing teachers who would now work with those who were about to pass. Amidst all of them, Yerica and Schudlen were squeezed in. Its finally starting. Schudlen, youre not even taking the exam yourself, why are you so nervous? Schudlens forehead was sweating, and his feet were trembling. I dont know. I cant help but feel nervous when I think that our young master ispeting with all these talented people. Its not like hes fighting for his life or anything. Yerica said that and took a bite of her hotdog. But soon, she couldnt help but frown. Why is this so nd? Yerica, you didnt put any sauce on it. Yerica looked at her hotdog at Schudlens words. Oh. With a bewildered expression, Yerica sprinkled sauce on her hotdog. I forgot. She said it casually, but in reality, Yerica was quite nervous as well. How long had she been waiting for this? A person came out of the examination waiting room. On his chest was a badge with the emblem of Ivecar Academy. Having a badge meant that he had passed the Ivecar Academys new teacher recruitment exam this time. Waaaaa-! People cheered and shouted. Its the Demeka family. Of course, they would pass. The first sessful candidate was a member of a high-ranking family. It was no surprise that they were considered a highly qualified candidate. The second candidate was also a member of a high-ranking noble family. There were no surprises. The seeding candidates who continued toe out were also members of well-known families. Finally, the Swordsmanship Department! It was now time for the sessful candidates in swordsmanship, who were known as the pride of Ivecar Academy. The selection of swordsmanship teachers this time was extremely important. In the previous exam, four new teachers were selected, but three of them couldntst more than a year and left. The vacancy was significant. Due to the shortage of teachers, udie Hyde had to handle much more teaching than other professors. However, udie received tremendous responses in all of those sses. udie Hydes sses were challenging, and the grades werent that great, but there was so much to learn that everyone preferred them. Amidst the anticipation of everyone, The first sessful candidate in the swordsmanship department exam emerged. .! Schudlen. D-Did he pass?! Did Young Mastere out? No. The person who came out was a blond man. Its Ciron Ramsdale! The grandson of the Sword Saint! Finally! A proper new teacher ising. Schudlen looked towards the students. They all seemed to like him, but some had apletely different look in their eyes as they liked him. I think I understand why the new teachers struggle to pass and then run away, Yerica. They will try to tear you apart if you show any signs of weakness or confusion. After all, they were the best in their respective families. Even someone as strong-looking as Ciron Ramsdale seemed to have a hard time adapting easily. Who will be next? Since three people left, so theyll at least choose three, right? It might end with just one. Last time, there were plenty of talented individuals. Its a shame they left, but hey, kehehe. The swordsmanship department and the students awaited the next sessful candidate. And not long after, a sessful candidate emerged. Yerica, who had been nervously sping her hands, shouted with excitement. Ethan! It was Ethan Whiskers. Yerica and Schudlen stood up excitedly as Ethan came out. However, the other students remained quiet. Who is he? Never seen him before. Ethan? But that guy, wasnt he the one who always had two escorts with him? Huh! Really? How did someone like him pass? They whispered among themselves as they looked at Ethan. One student, who had quickly gathered information, stood out and asked. Hes from the Whiskers family. Has anyone heard of them? I dont know. The Whiskers family? Wait, could it be? There was someone who knew about the Whiskers family. You know, that guy who came from Freya during the academy exchange event. Nathan Whiskers. I think theyre from the same family. Hmm, but they dont look alike at all. That Nathan Whiskers guy had a strong impression. This person looks too frail. However it happened, someone from an unknown family had passed as a teacher. I have no idea how they managed to pass. Im curious now. Of course, their curiosity had a rather negative connotation. We could make a bet right now. Ill bet on a month. But a month is too short, dont you think? How about two weeks? A bet should be significant. Dont you agree? * * * Congrattions, Young Master! Euhuk! I knew for sure that you would pass. Thats why I didnt even feel nervous and just waited. But why are you crying? I passed. I saw it. Your legs were shaking so much that it felt like the audience seats were going to break. Yericas voice had a higher tone than usual. It was clearly a voice of excitement. Congrattions on passing! Bing a teacher at Ivecar Academy is a remarkable achievement. Its a position coveted by nobles of all kinds of families. Just today, hundreds of people came to take the exam. Yerica observed them closely. Those who coveted her magic still remained. They would likely continue to appear as long as she didnt demonstrate her true power. She firmly kept an eye on them, knowing that there might be someone among them targeting her. What she discovered was those truly exceptional individuals hade to take this exam. Among those exceptional individuals, Ethan was the one who passed. The swordsmanship department has its sessful candidate! Next is the Department of Magical Arts As Ethan came out, a staff member appeared and shouted. More than hundreds of people applied for the swordsmanship department, but only Ethan and that person passed. Yerica tensed her shoulders, taking it as her own business. Congrattions once again, Ethan. Thanks, Yerica, Schudlen. Ethan received their congrattions with a smile. But he wasnt just smiling. After all, he had thought he would pass without a doubt. * * * Ethan had used the winning technique that allowed him to enter Freya Academy at the top rank. (+)[1]TLN: Freya? I think this is the authors mistake. Because I double-checked it and its really Freya Academy in the raws. They probably mean Ivecar. Its the Revinae swordsmanship. I already knew about the improved version. The problem was the practical test. But Ethan already had a winning technique. It was the technique that had allowed him to pass the entrance exam for Freya Academy. (+)[2]TLN: Again? Now Im starting to doubt this is not a mistake. Freya Academys exam isnt much different anyway. (+)[3]TLN:????????? Ethan used the winning technique of Freya Academy, and it worked perfectly. Ciron has the backing of the swordsmanship department. With a good background and a sessful exam, theres a good chance hell be the top spot. Of course, it would depend on the exam results of other applicants in different departments, but in general, giving the top position to Ciron would probably be a good choice. Now I need to prepare right away. * * * A decent one came in. At first, I was wondering who it was, but just because hes from the regional area doesnt mean I should ignore him. The principal was very satisfied with the results of the exam this time. Ciron, the grandson of the Sword Saint, was a considerable talent. Whether he would excel as a teacher was a separate matter, but at least his teaching skills were good. Considering his skill level in swordsmanship, it was safe to say he had a promising future in the Department of Swordsmanship. As a sessor to udie Hyde, he was also more than qualified. But what was even more anticipated than that was Ethan Whiskers. With this level of skill, there was no need for him to make a donation. Its really confusing. The principal smiled faintly in response to the vice principals words. It was intentional. Really? Yes. He donated ten million gold coins and said he didnt want an honorary teaching position but a real teaching position. If he had chosen to take the regr exam instead, there was a high chance he would have been eliminated from the initial screening. Ivecar was a prestigious academy. Because everyone wanted to get in, they couldnt just ept anyone. To prevent that, there was a minimal screening process, and that was the background. Of course, it was possible formoners with talent to emerge. But even if that were the case, they wouldnt be able to withstand the position of a teacher. Among those they had to teach were many children from high-ranking noble families. Would the nobles, who disregarded and ignored evenmoners, listen to the words of amoner teacher? There was a high chance they would be torn apart without even showing their skills. Even mediocre nobles were the same. They wouldpletely ignore anyone who wasnt from the central nobility. A count from a local region? To them, they were just slightly better thanmoners, and not worth paying much attention to. He bought a definite document of eptance with money. Hes a very clever fellow. Not only is he skilled, but hes also intelligent. Maybe well have a new master in our Ivecar. Heh! Youre overestimating him too much. Hes just a newly hired teacher. He seems to have outstanding abilities, but its not in a different field, its in swordsmanship. If anyone bes a master, it would be udie first, right? Besides, dealing with students is apletely different matter from training in swordsmanship. Isnt that right, Principal? The head of the Knightly Department hesitated for a moment in response to the vice principals words. Principal? Maybe that could happen. Of course, its just a prediction, but he wasnt an average talent. No-now even the principal? The head of the Knightly Department had even higher expectations for Ethan because he had received direct instruction from him. In any case, the new semester looks promising. The principal said so and handed a piece of paper to the vice principal and the head of the Knightly Department. I prepared them in advance. Its the ss schedule. Principal! Are you seriously considering giving this ss to a new teacher? No, it cant be done! If you assign it to him, he might leave in not just a month, but even in two weeks! He might leave after teaching only twice! The vice principal shouted in dismay. The papers handed by the principal contained the names of the assigned teachers for each ss in the new semester. Its the ss that udie used to teach. Without the same level of skill as udie, the ss will be impossible! Do you not know how demanding and difficult the swordsmanship students are to handle? Moreover, its not just for swordsmanship students, students from other departments can also apply for the ss udie is already taking on too much at the moment. Its time to divide his workload. Then, wouldnt it be better to assign it to another veteran teacher and gradually hand it over If they cant meet this level, its better to hire a new swordsmanship teacher. Even if he is a new teacher, he should be able to handle the standards of our Ivecar. The principals thoughts seemed firm. Once the principal made a decision, that was the end of it, but if any problems arose, it would be the vice principals responsibility to fix them. That was why the vice principal let out a deep sigh. For now, I understand. But if things dont go well, I will immediately hand it back to udie. Alright. Do your best. Vice Principal.
  • 1. TLN: Freya? I think this is the authors mistake. Because I double-checked it and its really Freya Academy in the raws. They probably mean Ivecar.
  • 2. TLN: Again? Now Im starting to doubt this is not a mistake.
  • 3. TLN:?????????
Chapter 54: The Eye of Horus Chapter 54: The Eye of Horus A new semester. The Ivecar Academy had a curriculum consisting of a total of two semesters. And after all these semesters were over, the Academy Exchange Festival took ce during the winter. There are two major events. One in the summer, and one in the winter. The biggest one was the Exchange Festival in the winter. It was an academic exchange event where various academies, led by Ivecar and Freya, participated. The biggest problem lies with the students. The students of the Ivecar Academy could be broadly divided into three categories. There were the elite nobles of the Twelve Stars, a very small upper ss, the high-ranking nobles who were not part of the Twelve Stars, and the offspring of wealthy merchants. And there is one more group. In addition to these, there were those who entered Ivecar based solely on their exceptional talent. They had no money or influential background, but their talent was remarkable enough to receive rmendations from nobles and enter through special examinations. However, even if they possessed exceptional talent, they were the lowest ss in the Ivecar Academy. A ss ofmoners who were practically treated like servants. The current Ethan came from the Whiskers family, which could be considered an unknown family. He had not inherited any titles yet and had no notable reputation. If he were to be a swordsmanship teacher, achievements in line with that position were important. Like significant contributions in monster subjugation battles or had shown prowess in a certain knight order. Alternatively, he might have been recognized for his potential by individuals at the Swordmaster level. Such things were necessary for students to truly appreciate him. However, Ethan had none of those things. He was a nk te, so to speak. So, I also belong to thatmoner ss. Who would take Ethans sses seriously? They would probably ignore and ridicule him. To ovee that, I need more abilities than I have now. He could be certain of that. With his current abilities, Ethan couldnt control those unruly students. To subdue those insolent individuals who had no regard for authority, he needed overwhelming power. Teaching is familiar to me. But to teach, I need keener observation skills than I have now. And I need the ability to overpower the students. It didnt matter if he didnt possess truly overpowering skills. He just needed to appear as though he did. That way, I can manipte the students as I desire. Time was running out. The fate of the Ivecar Academy had already been determined. After the uing Winter Exchange Festival, it would head toward ruin. But that time could be elerated. Because I will build my reputation here. Therefore, to sway the predetermined fate, he needed strong allies who believed in and followed him. The students were excellent candidates to be such allies. A master-ss lecture. It requires a unique ability to make it possible. The title of master was given to the top instructors in the academy. Although only a few instructors in each academy were called masters, once they were given that title, their influence followed them until their death. Of course, having an enormous reputation was only natural. The difference between being called a master in an insignificant academy and being called a master in the continents best academy is on a different level. As soon as Ethan opened the [New World], he searched for the keyword education. -The algorithm is analyzing your keyword Numerous gods rted to education appeared. At the top was Chiron, the mentor of countless heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. Below that was Mentor, from whom the famous words etymology originated. No, something different. What Ethan needed right now wasnt educational philosophy. He already had an abundance of knowledge. What was important was the ability to make that knowledge shine even brighter. For that, having a perceptive eye is crucial. Both in swordsmanship and in assessing the abilities of the students. No matter how much knowledge Ethan possessed about various swordsmanship techniques and magic, it would be difficult topletely overpower students with strong swordsmanship skills. Those individuals had shining backgrounds that granted them the authority to do anything. Even if they injured a teacher during a practical ss, they could simply offer a few coins and resolve the situation. Of course, I wont be the one getting injured. But if that happens, the students will be hurt. I cant afford to win by sacrificing them while keeping myself unharmed. Ethan was merely a teacher of swordsmanship. Therefore, he needed abilities befitting that role. As the conditions were quite demanding, Ethan continued to scroll through the list. Zurrrrrr. He needed to subscribe to a god who could supplement those abilities. Continuing to scroll, Ethans eyes caught a promotional phrase that stood out. -A method of seeing through the world with the eyes of a falcon that sees day and night [Difficulty: Intermediate] Oh. The introductory phrase about seeing through things was incredibly appealing to Ethan. It was the ability he needed most at the moment. To see through things. With such ability, it would be possible to overpower opponents. Horus? The gods name was Horus. As it was Ethans fourth subscription, following Heo Jun, Hercules, and Hong Gil-dong, he needed six likes to subscribe. Ethan pondered for a moment. Seeing through the world. Although it required a significant number of likes, he thought it would be close to the ability he needed. First, lets check the reviews. Ethan checked the subscription reviews. It was essential to review them before subscribing. -Steel Special Forces: Thanks to subscribing to Horus, I was able to copy the arm movements of the person in front of me. As a result, I scored top marks on the exam and passed. Thank you. -Elfs Righthand Man: With the ability to see further than myself, I was able to defeat and date the Elven Queen, who promised to date only those who can see beyond. Hmm. The subscription review was nothing but praise and gratitude. Now that I see the others write their subscription review like this, I know why my subscription review is popr. What on earth are the conditions to be able to use [New World]? Nevertheless, the ability I want is undoubtedly rted to vision. Its about seeing through with some power rted to the eyes. Ethan immediately subscribed to Horus. -You have subscribed to Horus! -You have used a like. Horus video was slightly different from the videos of other gods. One video is long. -[NEW!] How to See Through with the Eyes of the Falcon Ethan immediately clicked on the video. And there appeared Horus, adorned with a splendid crown. More precisely, it was closer to a mask than a crown. The enormous mask of a falcon. Horus deep voice echoed. -Subscriber, you have subscribed to me. I am Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis, the guardian deity of the Pharaoh, and the archer of the sun. Youll never regret subscribing to me Using the skip feature he obtained earlier by spending 1 million gold, Ethan efficiently skipped through the beginning, skipping, skipping again. -I believe this power will be of great help to subscribers There was a reason for the length of the video. The introduction was too long. To the point, please. Finally, after skipping through the middle of the video, the main content was revealed. Fortunately, the duration of the main content was quite long, considering the number of likes given. -My power is very simple. Those who watch my videos will gain eyes that see a little better. However, that alone is not enough. I cannot im that you have fully mastered my abilities. Huh? What is this about? Not being able to fully obtain the abilities through videos? -In this [New World], the gods strive to gain subscribers and likes in various ways. However, among these gods, there are those who cannot bestow their abilities through videos. Gods like me. Horus continued his exnation. -Thats why we try to pass on our powers in slightly different ways. In the process, we also receive subscriptions and likes. Shaaak! A new notification window appeared before Ethans eyes. -You can purchase Horus goods. Goods? -Subscribers like you can buy goods! Selling goodses with restrictions on uploading videos. But I cant convey my abilities through videos! Ethan immediately checked the purchase list. -[Horus Goods!] Falcons Eye Falcons Eye? Do I have to rece my eyes? -You can even choose the color of the iris. That kind of power is a piece of cake to apply to the goods! Ethan cautiously checked the number of likes required to purchase the merchandise. This is insane. The total number of likes he used to subscribe to Horus was six. However, the price of the goods was a whopping fifteen likes. -Ive made it affordable. Compared to other gods, I am quite generous. Surely the video was recorded and uploaded rather than a live stream, but Horus calmly spoke as if he could read Ethans thoughts. No, I cant afford it. Its too expensive. -Dont worry. Even if you cant buy it because its expensive, you can still use the ability. Of course, its more of an imitation than proper use. This is a scam. -Surely you dont think its a scam? No, no. Its goods on apletely different level. Its my goods! Horus spoke as if he could read Ethans thoughts, which made it even more infuriating. Ugh, what should I do Ethan was lost in thought for a moment. He had used six likes and had only eight left. Not enough to purchase a single piece of goods. But then, a good idea crossed his mind. Wait a moment. He immediately opened his mailbox and checked the contents of the desired email. As a reward for writing subscription reviews, theyll give me likes. They clearly mentioned that they would distribute likes. This meant that there was definitely a feature to share likes. My subscription reviews are my weapons. The gods are craving Ethans subscription reviews. While Ethan might not know how sharp his weapon was, he was aware to a certain extent. He immediately wrote a message in Horus subscription review section. -I would like to leave a subscription review. * * * Hmm, should I add one more good? Or should I purchase the authority to upload another video with the likes I earned from selling the existing goods? Horus had been contemting his subscribers and likes, which had recently entered a stagnant phase. Normally, he wouldnt have had such concerns. After all, he believed he was doing his best. However, a problem arose. There had been fluctuations in the rankings of the [New World], which had remained rtively stable until now. Interestingly enough, it wasnt caused by the gods themselves. It was all because of one subscriber who had subscribed to them. The Eastern Doctor of All Things. Surely, there wouldnt be much differencepared to other medical gods. Yet, a single subscription review caused such a drastic change in rankings. Horus learned that the Eastern Doctor of All Things, who was once ranked much lower than himself, was now above him. And all because of a review written by a single subscriber. Are subscription reviews really that important? What kind of review could have caused this? Like other gods, Horus became deeply curious. He briefly considered sending a letter, but soon gave up on the idea. After all, a god is a guiding presence, a bestower of light. Everyone looks up to the sun not just because it is above them. With a solemn expression, he checked his [New World]. Ahem. And there, he discovered a new post in his subscription review section. All his previous thoughts vanished in an instant. Before himy a tremendous opportunity. Horus immediately sent him a letter. Chapter 55: The top-ranked Chapter 55: The top-ranked Why did ite so quickly? Ethan was surprised to receive a reply immediately after leaving a message. The response expressed gratitude for epting Ethans proposal and subscribing, and it was filled with words of appreciation. And right away, the live lecture began. As Ethan entered the lecture, Horus greeted him as if he had been waiting. -Only subscribed to the right gods! Oh, what joy it is that you have subscribed to me! Thanks to the subscription review you wrote in this [New World], many gods have been eagerly waiting for you to subscribe! And among them, you chose me! Horuss voice was filled with delight. Unknown to Ethan, he was the god who had thought he had to ovee the subscription review without sumbing to a single subscriber. Yes, hello. The reason I left this message is because I want to purchase Horus goods. -Oh, oh, oh, oh! Even my goods! Can such an honor exist? Yes, yes. Do you want to hear about the goods? Horus, who responded kindly, was extremely excited. It was only natural. His current ranking in the [New World] was rock bottom. Although Horus was considered a famous god, his fame was much lower than other famous gods. With so many gods and many ovepping abilities, it was difficult for him to stand out. Moreover, even if there were no restrictions on subscribing to gods, the increasing number of likes was burdensome, so many subscribers carefully chose the gods they subscribed to. As a result, Horus found himself in a situation where he couldnt even rise, let alonepete. This was an opportunity for him. And not just any opportunity, but a chance for a reversal! Although he had transcended and be an extraordinary existence as a god, he was not like a Buddha or the like. Just as humans created gods, Horus also had intense desires. Therefore, he had to seize this opportunity without a doubt. I understand about the goods. However, there is an issue: the number of likes. -The number of likes? Ah, I have a feeling it might be a bit expensive. To gather likes, one has to put in a lot of effort in the subscribers world. And each one has different conditions, so I heard that we cant provide assistance. Cant you provide any help? Ethan said with a smile. -What do you mean? I heard that its possible to transfer likes. -! As soon as Ethan said that, it felt like the eyes drawn on Horus mask suddenly widened. -How did you know? Thats something thats hard for subscribers to know. Ethan wouldnt have known if he had only watched the videos. But thanks to the emails he received after bursting the bubble with the subscription review, he learned about the privileges granted to subscribers in the [New World] and the privileges of the gods. I happened to find out. Theres no need to beat around the bush. Ill be straightforward. I need Horus goods. If you can transfer likes, please transfer them to me. Horus blurred the end of his sentence with a perplexed expression. -Well, there is indeed a transfer function. But its not something that can be done without conditions Of course, Im not simply asking for it. I will write a subscription review for you. You must know about my abilities since you know me. In reality, Ethan was still somewhat skeptical about the power of the subscription review. It was understandable since the rankings in the [New World] were typically visible only to gods. -I see. Lets do it that way then. When Ethan confidently said he would write a subscription review, Horus immediately took the bait. Ethan could tell from his reaction. His weapon was incredibly sharp. Once swung, it could cut anything. Then it seems like its a matter of how I use it. Of course, it was uncertain when the de of this weapon would dull, but that was also up to him. If he didnt swing it, who would know if it had dulled or not? -What are the conditions? How many likes do you need? To discuss it in more detail, these likes cannot be transferred without any conditions. If you write a subscription review, I can justify giving you likes based on that review. Of course, it doesnt mean that Ill give you likes just because you wrote a subscription review. So, there must be a limit to what you can give. -It depends on how many subscribers you have. The maximum I can give is fifteen. Instead of writing a subscription review, he would receive fifteen likes. Since the price of the goods was fifteen likes, it was practically receiving it for free. Not bad. Ethan could now confidently determine the value of his subscription review. There was nothing more important than that. With this, I can confidently choose from the subscribing gods perspective in the future. Although gods were already in a position to be chosen, Ethan was able to go beyond that and demand many things from that side. Its good that our understanding aligns. But Ill make it clear. I wont just write a positive review for you. -I dont expect that. I need an opportunity for a leap. My abilities are quite remarkable, you see. Horus had confidence in himself. It was just ack of opportunity, but if he were to be properly exposed, there was no doubt that his number of subscribers and likes would increase even more than they were now. Then its settled, Horus. -Ill be counting on you! A notification window appeared before Ethan. -Horus has transferred likes to you in exchange for your subscription review! Ethan immediately used the received likes to purchase Horuss goods. -You have purchased Horuss goods, [Eye of the Falcon]! -You used likes. -It is a shape-shifting item. Would you like to use it right away? Ethan pressed Yes. * * * The exam was over. All the sessful candidates were announced, and they celebrated their sess with their families and friends. Now, the main event awaited them. It was a congrattory party for the sessful candidates. This congrattory party was a gathering to wee the newly enrolled students into the academy. It served as an opportunity for interaction between current students and neers and a chance to get to know the new teachers. For the teachers, it was also an opportunity to greet and meet their new colleagues. However, there was something even more important. Do you see new faces? It makes me realize that a new semester is approaching, everyone. Principal Dior said from the podium. With his grandfatherly appearance, the new students thought that he intentionally created an intimidating atmosphere during the exams. But the current students knew better. They knew that beneath that benevolent grandfatherly appearancey aposed and cold side. If you looked at that kind face for too long, you would find it hard to believe his reputation. This years examination had the highest number of applicants in the past five years. Many students and teachers applied. It seems that the status of our Ivecar Academy has risen even further. Dior briefly spoke about the examination, including the number of students and teachers that passed. Despite therge number of applicants, the number of passed candidates was the same as previous years. The students eagerly awaited the most important words from the principal. Everyone must be curious about this. The decision has already been made. I will now announce the top-ranked freshman student and the top-ranked new teacher. As the principal spoke, the current students started cheering. There was a lot of anticipation. Among the new students, there were many talented heirs and heiresses of noble families, and among the teachers, there were many individuals who garnered attention. Especially in the department of swordsmanship, there was Ciron, and in the department of magic, there was the granddaughter of Archmage Philips. First, I will announce the top-ranked freshman student. The announcement of the top-ranked student was handled by the Head of the Department of Magic, not the principal. She was a woman in her 40s, wearing sses. The top-ranked student in swordsmanship is Ruya von Tiana. Waaaah! Among the students, there were some who remembered her from the morning exam. She was a girl with impressive red hair. She had swung a sword made of ck steel, and all those who underestimated the thinness of her de had been left trembling on the ground. After the formal congrattions and remarks, everyone eagerly awaited the announcement of the top-ranked teacher. It must be Teacher Ciron, right? Probably. The teachers murmured, mentioning Ciron. They had heard stories of his outstanding performance, and moreover, as the grandson of the Sword Saint, it was widely believed that Ciron would naturally be the top-ranked teacher. Cirons ss is the one I have to take right away. Im really looking forward to it. With him being the Sword Saints grandson, his teaching level must be incredible. There was another rival as well. Could it be Teacher Iris? Shes the second granddaughter of the Archmage, right? I overheard a conversation saying she excelled in both magic and the exams. They say she used three different spells simultaneously. The grandson of the Sword Saint and the granddaughter of the Archmage. All the teachers this time are outstanding. I think Ill take sses in the Department of Magic this time. Im curious about swordsmanship sses. Ciron is so good-looking too. The Head of the Department of Magic continued and announced the top-ranked teacher. The top-ranked teacher in swordsmanship is Ethan Whiskers. As the Head spoke, those who were preparing to cheer froze in their tracks, their mouths hanging open. Ciron, who had also been receiving attention, stopped in his tracks, seemingly frozen in ce, as if he thought he would be the top-ranked teacher. Even Iris, who had been casually leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, looked surprised. Waaaaaah-! Ethan! Only Ethans two escorts cheered and celebrated. Well, there was one more person. Wow! It was Nadia von Tschernkastel. She should have failed, but thanks to Ethan, she confidently passed and became a teacher. Ethan smoothly stepped forward. The awkward silence persisted, but Ethan paid no mind. Ethan was an underdog. No one had ever heard of his name,ing from an unknown family. He had applied as a swordsmanship teacher, but no one knew what kind of swordsmanship he used. A truly unknown person. It was only natural for the atmosphere to freeze when he was announced as the top-ranked teacher. Ruya, who had been chosen as the top-ranked new student, also had a bewildered expression. Everyones gaze seemed to be directed at an unwanted guest. The expressions of the current students were equally uncertain. Simrly, the existing teachers who had thought Ciron would be the top-ranked were dumbfounded as they looked at him and then at the principal who made this decision. Of course, the principal was nowhere to be seen now. And udie Hyde, who was expected to be the master of swordsmanship, stared wide-eyed at Ethan. Ethan naturally stepped up to the podium and observed them. In an instant, Ethans eyes gleamed intensely. Just before, Ethan had subscribed to Horus and obtained the Eye of Horus. I can see their movement too well. The eyes of stagnant water in MePan were enhanced with divine abilities. To think that he could see peoples movements so clearly. Even their emotions can be felt with subtle movements. Ciron seems quite angry. Ethan tried to remain calm, but he noticed that Ciron was trembling slightly. While Ethan was busypleting main quests, Ciron had already gained the nickname Shortsword Saint. At that time, Ciron was unwavering in any situation. But now, he seemed young and vulnerable. Ethans eyes could clearly see those things. The effects of the Eye of Horus were indeed impressive. Theyrepletely frozen. Ethan thoroughly enjoyed this kind of atmosphere. Breaking the mold is always a pleasure. I am Ethan Whiskers. I suppose most of you are seeing me for the first time today. Except for my two escorts and my fellow sessful applicant over there. Contrary to his frail appearance and distant gaze, Ethans voice wasmanding. Since youve given me such high praise, I should show you why. Normally, he would have spoken from a different position, but judging by the reactions, it seemed appropriate to speak here. In ordance with that, I will be a master within one year. Ethan dered in front of the entire school. Chapter 56: First Class Chapter 56: First ss After Ethans shocking deration, time quickly passed, and a new semester arrived. A new semester meant the biggest concern for both new and returning students: choosing their sses. The sses at Ivecar were not rigidly structured. Students could enroll in the sses they desired. Some sses had grade restrictions, but most sses were open to all students. It was an educational policy that embodied the desires of the first principal, who hoped for students to learn freely and grow freely. However, there were certain required subjects for each department. In the Department of Swordsmanship, there were three mandatory courses, usually taught by seasoned veterans. The subjects assigned to rookie teachers were usually elective courses that students didnt have to take. But some of these elective courses were just as popr as the required ones, and one of them was [Understanding the Sword Paths]. Is udie going to teach Understanding the Sword Paths this year? I only managed to take half of itst year because the teacher changed midway. I should retake it. Im excited. The second-year seniors who took Understanding the Sword Pathsst year insisted that we should definitely take it. Currently, udie Hyde was in charge of several sses, starting with the required courses, but Understanding the Sword Paths was a subject that he had shared with new teachersst year. However, all of those new teachers had fled, and udie took over again midway through. As a result, many students naturally assumed that udie would teach Understanding the Sword Paths this year as well. They thought that since new teachers had run awayst year, there wouldnt be another new teaching it. With great anticipation, everyone gathered in the ssroom, waiting for the teacher to arrive. Kwang-! With only a few minutes left until ss, someone brought interesting news. Guess what interesting news I have. Interesting news? What is it? Is udie going to teach it? No, I heard that a new teacher will be teaching Understanding the Sword Paths this time. Upon hearing the word new, the students had the same thought. Understanding the Sword Paths was a challenging course. Assigning such a course to a new teacher meant that the new teachers abilities must be exceptional. And if that was the case, there was only one person who fit the description. Is it Ciron? To receive lessons from the grandson of the Sword Saint. Its truly an honor, I suppose. Among the current students who excelled in their skills, they didnt particrly warm up to Ciron. They acknowledged his talent but didnt think he was on a level where he could teach them. He was a student at the Ivecar Academy until recently. He wont be much different from us. Can he teach properly? Hell probably just teach us what we already know. Normally, teachers from the Ivecar Academy would be weed at Ivecar. But that was for other departments, not for the Department of Swordsmanship, which didnt warmly wee teachers based solely on their alma mater. Since talented individuals gathered in the Department of Swordsmanship, unless they possessed skillsparable to udie or the department head, they wouldnt feel a significant difference. And until recently, Ciron was someone who had felt the atmosphere of the Department of Swordsmanship firsthand. Im looking forward to it. How will he teach? As soon as it was time for ss, someone entered through the front door. Huh? It was someone they hadnt expected. Moreover, their appearance waspletely different. During the congrattory party, there was a sense of elegance, but now the person before them appeared sharp and intense. Greetings. It was Ethan Whiskers, the newly hired teacher who had been appointed as the top-ranked teacher. * * * As soon as the semester began, Ethan received a notification pop-up. -Achievement Unlocked! -[Im a Teacher, and Youre] You have earned Likes as a result of achieving the achievement. -You have gained 1 Like! -You have be a teacher at Ivecar Academy. Your reputation has slightly increased! Along with officially bing a teacher at the academy, an achievement was also unlocked. Nice, my reputation has increased as well. Ivecar Academy was a field of achievements. This is why I chose this ce. While collecting the Likes, Ethan thought about the events that had taken ce a few days ago. It was great to receive the top rank, but he never expected to be entrusted with this ss. I naturally thought Ciron would be assigned to it. After the congrattory party, Ethan diligently searched for a house in the Marquis Rond territory to settle down. He needed a ce to live with his two escorts. The house in the Marquis territory was much more expensive than other territories, but it wasnt a big problem for Ethan at the moment. It was because the money he earned through weight reduction magic at Whiskers County was tremendous. Every time he thought yesterdays earnings were the highest, it would be surpassed by todays sales. This process happened every day, and it was like money flowing in like the tide. Of course, Ethan knew that this would decrease over time, so he nned to contact David Guild when he had the time. With that, he obtained a house and prepared for the new semester. Until the new semester began, there wasnt much to prepare, so he spent his days training. Then he received a summon from the principal. -I want to entrust you with the Understanding of Sword Paths ss. The Understanding of Sword Paths ss was a popr general education subject. In fact, it was not just a mandatory subject in name; many students applied for it as if it were a required course. -Isnt Ciron a better choice? Haha! Shouldnt the top rank handle something like this? Did we give you the top rank just to show off? What nonsense! We assigned it based on ability. Besides, if I had pushed for Ciron, it would have caused conflicts with the Sword Saint. The principal smiled and assigned the Understanding of Sword Paths ss to Ethan. Of course, that smile didnt look purely pleasant. -Please. As expected of the crazy principal. Ethan knew the true identity of the principal very well. He was the Ghost Sword. Thanks to the mana-made sword that had cut down countless enemies, he had lived the life of an undercover agent like Ethan. He was neither a noble nor had he received proper swordsmanship education until he became an adult. But now he stood at the top of the academy. He must have remembered the old days. Of course, its not just because of the old memories. Theres probably a reason why he didnt want to push the Sword Saints grandson forward. The Ghost Sword was once a formidable figure,parable to the Sword Saint. Pushing forward the Sword Saints grandson? Then, in the end, it meant he had received a favor from the Sword Saint, and to grant that favor, the Ghost Sword had to admit that he was below the Swordmasters. If I look at it in aplicated way, its like this. Of course, he couldnt be certain, but there was a reasonable possibility. Thanks to multiple ythroughs, he knew a lot about the Ghost Sword. And even if it was not the case, it didnt matter. If hes pushing me like this. He should take advantage of this opportunity and make significant progress. Besides, he caused a mess during the congrattory party. I said I would be a master. Bing a master was not an easy task, but achieving it through words and deeds would contribute more to his rise in reputation. First and foremost, he had to focus on the assigned course. The principal probably didnt have high expectations for him. If he can seed with just half of the students and continue teaching until the end of the semester, it would be considered a sess. The reason he was given the position of the top rank was because of his excellent skills, but teaching these rough students of Ivecar was a different challenge. That alone wont be enough. He intended to capture the attention of all the students who came expecting Ciron and lead them until the end. Ill take charge of the mandatory major course in the shortest possible time. That should be enough for the next semester. As Ethan entered the ssroom, the students expressions froze. It seems everyone is surprised. You were probably expecting Ciron. Some students openly disyed their disappointment. Ethan noticed a group of students dressed elegantly, adorned with artifacts. They must be the upper-ss students. To put it bluntly, it was a gathering of aces in the field of swordsmanship. The disdainful look in their eyes was not that of students looking at a teacher. With that look, all the newly appointed teachers fromst year abandoned the Swordmaster department. Its as if theyre holding all the power in their hands. In reality, that was exactly how things were happening. The background behind them made it possible. Ethan closely observed them. Theyre all from well-known families. Each of their clothing had the embroidered emblem of their respective families. It was a tant disy that served as proof of their statusa visible appeal. Its like a form of rank insignia. By openly disying such things, regr teachers wouldnt dare to treat them lightly. However, Ethan didnt let it bother him. If he were to sumb to such things, he wouldnt havee here in the first ce. Since its the first ss, Ill let you know how the ss will proceed. The name of the subject is probably Understanding the Sword Paths. What is it that you want to gain from this ss? Ethans question was met with silence. Then, one student raised their hand. I want to understand the path of the sword and further develop my existing swordsmanship. Most of you will probably have simr goals. While each of you may be learning different swordsmanship techniques, the essence of the path of the sword is the same. Teacher. At that moment, a hand was raised among the upper-ss students. Even among the upper-ss students, there was a separate hierarchy. The one raising their hand then was the leader among them. Chen Garcia. Oh, well, sorry. But you said you want to be a master, right? Is that true? Upon hearing those words, the people next to Chen started snickering. Even udie-sensei said that you need to put in more effort to be a master. Trying to be a master in just one year, isnt that too ambitious? We understand that you have enthusiasm, but A challenge to the authority of the teacher. A disrespectful tone, bordering on insolence. Although it was an insult, Ethan remainedpletely unaffected and casually looked at him. With his emotionless gaze, Chen Garcia momentarily hesitated, but soon regained hisposure under the prodding touch of the noble beside him. Only questions rted to the ss are allowed, Chen Garcia. Chen nced at the student next to him at that moment. Mason was the center of attention among these upper-ss students. When Mason nodded, Chen confidently opened his mouth again. We came here expecting Ciron-sensei to teach the ss. Ill just leave then. Thats fine, right? We wouldnt want to waste our time. If you dont like that, then maybe Chen Garcias, step forward. At those words, Chen slightly lowered his head. Sssshh. Just as he wished. His expression must have shown his anger. Since its the first ss, I was going to exin how well proceed, but its better to show you through action. The expressions of the students, excluding the upper-ss students, were not pleasant as they watched Chen step forward. They had witnessed firsthand what happened to the new teachersst year. Only the neers couldnt fully grasp what was going on. The clever ones knew that this was a way to train the new teachers, but they never expected them to directly confront the teachers like this. The air was heavy. In the midst of it, Chen stepped forward, looking at Ethan as if asking, So what are you going to do? Ethan calmly opened his mouth with aposed expression. Im here to teach you the understanding of the Sword Paths, Chen Garcias. Show me your Garcias-style swordsmanship instead of the Revinade swordsmanship. The rest of you, pay close attention. I will teach you what the understanding of Sword Paths is throughout this semester. Teacher, students these days like this. They cant control their strength properly. But since youre the teacher, you can handle it, right? Chen chuckled and said. Ethan nodded his head. -The Eye of Horus is activated. The Eye of Horus was a passive skill that was always active, but it could also be activated at will. By focusing and putting power into his eyes, Ethan could see every movement of his opponent. At the same time, Chen, who had finished speaking, unleashed his swordsmanship with all his might. Ethan looked at him and inwardly sneered. Kids these days think theyre something, huh, this punk. Chapter 57: Understanding the Sword Path Chapter 57: Understanding the Sword Path Connor Lendy, the only new teacher who entered the academy as a swordsmanship instructorst year and did not retire, had a grim expression. Sigh, I dont know how I managed to endure for a year? Swordsmanship and the students were incredibly difficult to handle. All the leading practitioners of swordsmanship were high-ranking noble-born students. Connor himself had rarely faced such difficulties beforeing to Ivecar. Although he was not an Ivecar graduate, he defeated all those who imed to be talented from other academies and graduated with excellent grades. After gaining one year of experience in a renowned knighthood, he finally managed to be recruited as a teacher at Ivecar. Just being a teacher at Ivecar itself was a testament to Connors abilities. But even Connor found it incredibly challenging to handle the upper-ss students of the Ivecar Swordsmanship ss. Mason and his gang are too difficult to deal with. Ha, what should I do? Understanding the Sword Path is in big trouble. Even if it were Teacher Ciron, it would be difficult to handle a ss like this, let alone a new teacher like Ethan. Connor hoped that the new teachers would not leave. Due to his peers leavingst year, he was burdened with excessive responsibilities. Furthermore, without teachers in their first or second year, it was challenging to build camaraderie with the experienced teachers. Its ufortable. Connor needed colleagues of simr experience. He must have had a tough day today. I have to help him. He had confidence in providing mental support. By giving various tips and offering assistance, he believed he would be able to endure it. As the top-ranking applicant who passed, he wouldnt be weak either. Maybe it will be over soon? Connor made his way to ssroom 1-1, where Understanding the Sword Path was taught. Clunk! As Corner stood outside the ssroom, he heard a strange sound. Whats that sound of hitting? It cant be happening on the first day of ss. On the first day of ss, most teachers didnt conduct actual lessons. He himself had finished his first ss quickly. S-Surely there isnt a fight going on? Those damn fools didnt hit the new teacher, right!? Those scoundrels were the kind who would receive a beating if a teacher came out strong. They could easily make any issue disappear by leveraging the power of their families. Connor anxiously nced through the window. Huh? The sight beyond the window was shocking. As a swordsmanship instructor, Connor could only stare dumbfounded at the scene unfolding inside the ssroom. * * * So far, there had been two instances of intimidating the new teachers since Chen enrolled. Chen, who entered as a freshman, encountered Mason, the eldest son of a duke. Mason exuded an aura of sophistication that could easily be described as exquisite. On top of that, the information that he was the heir to a dukes family added to his air of being from an entirely different world. Chen was chosen by Mason. Mason weed Chen into his group, and Chen acted as Masons acting leader. In this way, they harassed unqualified new teachers and forced them to withdraw from teaching. The same was happening now. Hes an unqualified person. Since Mason had stamped thatbel on him, Ethan Whiskers could no longer set foot in this academy. Just as he was considering how to gradually scratch at him, the new teacher fell into his provocation and the stage was set. The Garcia familys swordsmanship was straightforward. Simplicity was both an advantage and a disadvantage, but being physically strong as a member of the Garcia family allowed him to rise to a fairly high position with this style of swordsmanship. Chen intended to identally injure the arrogant teacher. Breaking one arm would be sufficient. The goal was to undermine the authority of the teacher. Since the opponent was a teacher, the new teacher couldnt retaliate against him. If he harmed him, the Garcia family could not stand by idly. Moreover, mana was restricted. Outside the academy, it might be unknown, but inside the academy, only limited mana was allowed. That was why they had been sessful in trampling over teachers so far. Who does this provincial noble think he is? Someone without the qualifications to teach dared to teach others? He needed to know his ce. Chen swung his sword with all his might. Most likely, all the sword techniques youve learned are fixed to a specific path. You all probably swing your swords ording to those sword paths. Ethans eyes sparkled. Chen thought he had surprised him. But he was wrong. Thwack! Ugh! Youre just imitating. In an instant, Ethan smoothly dodged Chens attack and struck his shoulder with the hilt of his sword. Thwack! Thwack! He then swiftly struck Chens thigh and side. The sword was so fast that it was almost invisible. Because manaplements your predetermined sword techniques. Mana ounts for half, no, 70 percent. The rest is your own strength when swinging the sword. The students, who had expected for him to be heavily injured by the first attack, watched in astonishment as the two shed. Ha! Enraged, Chen swung his sword again. Chens sword was clearly a real de, but Ethan hadnt even drawn his sword. Normally, a wooden sword should be used, but since Ethan didnt say anything, Chen used his own sword. Excited, Chen swung his sword with the intention of cutting off Ethans arm rather than just breaking it. Look. Its not about following the sword paths. Its simply about unleashing your swordsmanship based on what youve be ustomed to. Let me show you how big the difference is. Ethan took a step forward and spun around slightly. This time, he didnt even use his sword. Swish! Youre being pulled along by the sword path. Your physical body is not strong enough. Aaaargh! The body should guide the sword, not mana. Mana ys a supporting role. Ethan said as he grabbed Chen by the cor as he tried to retreat and pulled him towards himself, simultaneously swiftly moving backward. Train your physical body. Dont be swayed by the sword. Perhaps youre sick of hearing it? But while practicing mana and swordsmanship, youve forgotten everything I mentioned earlier. The students suddenly focused on Ethans words. From now on, I will teach you precisely how to follow the sword path. I will teach you how to not be swayed by the sword. I will show you what it means to unfold swordsmanship along the sword path. Chen was receiving education from Ethan. It seemed as if he was ying with a toy, but every time Chen swung his sword, Ethan urately struck his shoulder or thigh, adjusting Chens posture. He was correcting his posture. Intentionally striking his shoulder, thigh, and waist, Ethan was correcting the sword paths of the Garcia swordsmanship he practiced. Among the swordsmanship and students present here, not a single student wascking in swordsmanship. With exceptional swordsmanship skills, understanding, and the elevated swordsmanship of their prestigious family, they were all gathered here. Yet they were all captivated by Ethans movements. There was no one here who didnt know Chen Garcias swordsmanship. But the neer teacher was different. Even though he clearly didnt know Chens swordsmanship, he watched, judged, and corrected the posture as if he knew everything. This is unbelievable. Is that even possible? Hes seeing Chens swordsmanship for the first time today. It resonated even more with the students, given their familiarity with swordsmanship. They couldnt help but realize. That Ethan Whiskers possessed incredible skill. Keuuuuk! However, Chen couldnt hold on any longer. His shoulder waspletely dislocated from the direct impact. Given the amount of force applied, it was an unavoidable oue. What are you doing? Youre hurting a student right now! Is this what a teacher does? Hurting a student!? The students around Mason immediately stood up and shouted as if they had been waiting for this moment. Ethan nced at the student in that direction while Chen, in agony, was left behind. It was an icy cold gaze, and in addition to the inherent frailty in Ethans eyes, there was a trace of mncholy. When those two elements merged, a sense of terror emanated from his gaze. The students who had stood up discreetly averted their eyes. They felt that if they continued to stare, something would happen. We are in the middle of a ss. Ethans gaze was menacing. And who got hurt? Approaching Chen in agony, Ethan gently pushed his dislocated shoulder back into ce. He looks fine? Of course, Chen was in great pain, but it was hard to pinpoint any specific injuries. However, this was nothing more than a wordy. Moreover, it seems like everyone else is diligently listening to my ss, and you all caused a significant disturbance. Oh, no, when Ethans brief practical lesson seemed to have sparked some inspiration among the other students, as some of them were now taking notes of his words. Normally, they wouldnt even be able to look at themselves like this, but they were all staring at themselves, slightly taken aback, as they disrupted Ethans ss. When Mason firmly tapped his desk twice with his index finger, those who had stood up awkwardly sat back down. At that moment, Ethan and Masons eyes met. Ethan nced at Mason and shed a faint smile. Even that alone would be a significant provocation for Mason. He had seen many individuals of that sort in other academies on the same turf. Moreover, although Ethan didnt know Mason in detail, he had a general understanding. With all the information at his disposal, controlling the situation was an effortless task. Chen Garcia, this practical lesson should be sufficient. Have you understood now? My Understanding of the Sword Path will be taught in this manner. Ethan nced at the agonizing Chen while kneeling and raised an eyebrow. Chens face was stained with tears. It was only natural. Ethan hadnt shown any consideration when striking his bones. This bone alignment technique is originally a torture technique. -You acquired a new skill! -You have learned [Bone Muscle Control]. Ethan chuckled inwardly as he read the notification. It was a skill he had been proficient in, but he never knew when it woulde in handy. Skills that cant be learned withoutplete mastery through repetition. Thanks to the knowledge stored in his mind, he was able to learn a key skill that he had been using effectively after a few attempts. With that in mind, Chen Garcia seemed quite grateful. It almost made Ethan want to give him another piece of bread after giving him an unpleasant experience, even considering taking off another arm and attaching it for him. Although I couldnt learn other skills due to unfavorable conditions, this one is essential for activities in the academy. The Bone Muscle Control would prove its effectiveness not only in ss but in various other situations. Ethan looked down at Chen. Though he was one of the prominent figures in the Ivecar Academy, he was still just a student. Lowering his body, and speaking in a whisper-like manner, Ethan addressed Chen. The pain is only temporary, Chen Garcia. With time, the pain will fade, leaving only embarrassment behind. When that timees, think about where that embarrassment came from. If you find out, attend the next weeks ss. It was still within the period when course registration could be changed. Ethan deliberately provoked him. Its better to have more students, even if its just one. That was how his reputation would grow. With that, Ill conclude the first ss. Any questions? He gave them a moment, but the ssroom was filled with silence. Ethan smiled and dered, I guess not. Then, lets wrap up todays ss here. Chapter 58: Center of Attention Chapter 58: Center of Attention Crazy, crazy, crazy! After witnessing all that spectacle, Connor doubted if he was dreaming and firmly pped his cheek. Smack! That hurt. He must have hit himself harder than he thought because the impact reached his nose, causing it to bleed. However, he realized something important. This wasnt a dream. He had heard that Ethan Whiskers, the newly hired teacher, came from a noble family in the province. With ack of experience until recently due to his illness, this was his first proper career as a swordsmanship teacher at Ivecar Academy. Yet, despite that, he made a tremendous impact in his first ss. He perfectly instilled the sword path. Its unbelievable. Each swordsmanship style had its own unique sword path. That was why in the Understanding the Sword Path ss, they didnt analyze and teach each individual swordsmanship style. They focused on themon sword path used across different styles. Revealing thatmon sword path was the purpose of this ss. Ethan demonstrated thatmon sword path through Chen Garcias body. It was not an easy task to demonstrate it with ones own body, let alone through a students body. How did he know Chens swordsmanship when he saw it for the first time today? That was the most astonishing thing. I guess he really meant what he said during the congrattory party. But, it could also be seen as a form of punishment. I dont know, really. Anyway, it was impressive. Connor forgot why he was even here in the first ce. He had initially nned to help Ethan, the new teacher, adjust to Ivecar Academy, offer himfort, and treat him to a delicious meal. But now, in his excited state, he busily moved around to share this story with the other teachers. * * * Ethans first ss began to spread throughout the entire academy, epassing both students and teachers alike. On the student side, those who had attended the ss personally ryed their experiences, while on the teacher side, it spread through Connor, who unintentionally observed from the window. It didnt take even an hour for Ethans story to reach the ears of the principal. -You havepleted the first ss! -Your reputation has slightly increased. -You received an additional bonus! Not a single student dropped out during the first ss. -Your reputation continues to rise. Keu. This was it. This was why a good start at the academy was important. For knights, their reputation increases when they fulfill their duties. For adventurers, their reputation rises when they sessfully undertake adventures. And for teachers, their reputation increases when they conduct sses. The cost-effectiveness is the best. The reputation increases with every ss taught. Moreover, there was a sense of aplishment in making an impact during the first ss. Normally, many students would leave during the first ss even while listening to the ss exnation. If students leave, it would have a negative impact on reputation. Not many students dropped out, but there was no significant increase either. Ethan had no intention of letting a single student drop out during his tenure as the teacher of Understanding the Sword Path. And Im teaching a required major course. Understanding the Sword Path was a course that all students studying swordsmanship had to take. Moreover, since many students had to retake the course, the three required courses were always in high demand. After finishing the ss and preparing for lunch, Ethan felt the gaze of the surrounding students. Is the rumor spreading well? His handling of the upper-ss students would have undoubtedly stirred up some controversy. In reality, it was an action that crossed the line, but since the students had crossed the line first, the rumor would have spread in various forms. Whats important is that the rumor attracts students who want to take the ss. Moreover, Ethan clearly saw the effects of the Eye of Horus. I made the right choice by obtaining the Eye of Horus. It shows everything. How they move, how they swing their swords, even the subtle movements of their muscles. Eye of Horus was worth the price of fifteen likes. With it, he could perfectly perceive the opponent. He could see how they would move, how they would swing their swords, and even the delicate movements of their muscles. In other words, he could grasp the students swordsmanship to a great extent. If I didnt have Horus Eye, it wouldnt have been as smooth. Ethan immediately headed to the restaurant within the academy. It was the teachers dining area, where the food was slightly more expensive but also more delicious than the student cafeteria. Evidently, its meat. As Ethan picked up arge steak and ced it on his te, a voice came from behind. Ethan Whiskers, what is this nonsense? It was udie Hyde, with a rather angry expression, calling out to Ethan. Even though he had just finished his ss, the rumors had already spread extensively. So fast? It spread to the teachers too? Pretending not to know, Ethan asked, What are you talking about? I heard you punished a student. Corporal punishment is forbidden in Ivecar. One action by a teacher like you lowers the dignity of Ivecar. Are you hitting students as they do in provincial academies? If you attended such an academy, I can understand such behavior. Its not corporal punishment. Its a ss. As someone who has taught Understanding the Sword Path, you should know that touch is necessary to teach the sword path. Dont you? Sword Path was all about posture. Merely exining it verbally was not enough to grasp the proper posture. Clearly, touch was needed, as Ethan said. I touched him. I heard you hit him. The rumor has already spread that you attacked Chen Garcia. Can that be called a touch? There are different types of touch. Delicate, gentle, forceful. I touched him a bit forcefully. Isnt that the duty of a teacher? As Ethan uttered those words, udies aura began to surge with a threatening presence. Even though his mana was restrained, the pressure was still quite intense. Monstrous guy. It didnt matter anyway. In the restricted mana environment of Ivecar Academy, Ethan had no reason to back down from anyone. Milly was just a matter of experience. But my real experience surpasses him. That was why Ethan could calmly handle udies provocation. Although he didnt have the upper hand, he had enough confidence to handle the situation. Whats wrong? udie felt ufortable with Ethans confident demeanor. To think that he would dare to speak to him, one of the prominent figures in the academy. No one could treat him, the aspiring master of Ivecar Academy, lightly. Even the principal would consider his feelings. Surely, everyone knew that. Even the atmosphere within the academy conveyed that sentiment and new teachers were the ones who understood it best. I will formally discuss this matter with the principal. Please do. I have some important matters to attend to. Ethan said so and continued to cut his still-hot steak, devouring it in a single gulp. Was the important matter his meal? udie showed a displeased expression as if Ethan didnt sit well with him, but soon left the scene. * * * Ethan and udie, engaged in what seemed like a heated conversation, were being observed from a distance by another person. It was Nadia von Tschernkastel, a newly appointed teacher who joined alongside Ethan. Nadia, what are you doing instead of having your meal? Shh, it looks serious, Teacher. Wow In response to Nadias gesture, her fellow teacher tightly sealed their lips. The sight of Ethan and udie speaking to each other appeared quite impressive. Its like watching a y. Teacher udie is a prominent figure himself, but someone even more extraordinary has entered the scene. Watching those two, it feels like being a supporting character. While saying so, Nadia couldnt take her eyes off the faces of the two individuals. udie was a handsome man with a strong presence, while Ethan was a delicate-looking, frail young man. They gavepletely opposite impressions at first nce, but it was fascinating that they were both teachers of the swordsmanship department. It seems udie is making his point. You heard the rumors, right, Nadia? Ah, yes, I heard. Be careful, Nadia. Those students can be extremely ruthless. One small mistake, and youll be devoured. Once things go wrong, theres no turning back. Theyllpletely undermine your authority and destroy everything with the power of their family. Such students were not limited to the Swordsmanship department. There were also such students in the Magic department, and there were instances of Swordsmanship department students taking sses in magic as well. Especially the Swordsmanship department students often take sses in magic as well. However, I think youll be fine, Nadia. They only mess with people who are easy targets. While Swordsmanship department students didnt pay much attention to magic sses, they did take quite a few of them. But they only mess with those who were worth messing with. In Ethans case, they targeted him because he was from a provincial background. But Nadia, on the other hand, hailed from the noble bloodline of the Holy Empire. She had a noble lineage and an excellent background. If students from the upper ss were to mess with her, they would face an insurmountable opponent. But how did he manage it, exactly? Last year, the newly appointed teachers suffered greatly right from their first sses. They werepletely ignored and lost their authority, making it practically impossible to control the ss. It was truly the worst at that time. Ive experienced it multiple times myself. It seems now those students somewhat acknowledge us, but its still unreasonable. Yet, they couldnt voice theirints properly. The students backgrounds were so powerful that they were in a position where they couldnt even raise objections. But those students must have considerable skills, right? Yes, they have skills as well, which makes it even more difficult to handle them recklessly. Hmm. That meant Ethan Whiskers had enough skill to properly educate those students. Still, I think he might receive some reprimands. He provoked Chen Garcia, after all. Sigh, it seems like the academy will be noisy from the beginning of the new semester. Burp. Nadia then finished her meal in no time. Oh, excuse me, Nadia! Ill go ahead. It seems I have an opportunity to repay a debt. What? Debt? Nadia! Nadia vividly remembered how Ethan had helped her in that exam hall. Ethan returned home and waited for Schudlen and Yerica. Shortly after Ethan returned, Yerica arrived first. Not only did he bring them along for the sake of protection, but there was more to it. How did it go? You didnt resort to punishment right from the first ss, did you? Not punishment, but I conducted a rigorous education. If you resort to punishment in Ivecar, youll be expelled. Its not the school that kicks you out, its the parents. The high-ranking nobles, you know. What? So, are you saying you might get expelled on the first day? I said I conducted a rigorous education. It wasnt punishment. But Ethan, I cant believe you would act like that. Wasnt it just strong disciplinary education? Yerica knew Ethan too well. But they should consider my circumstances. Anyway, what about the information that I told you to gather? Ethan had ordered them to gather information. Something significant was going to happen at Ivecar Academy one year from now. However, depending on how Ethan moved here, that moment would undoubtedly change. Then I should be able to control that change. I hope you found the person doing suspicious things. Yes, as you said, I found someone acting strangely without raising suspicion. Thanks to being recognized as Ethans escort, Yerica was able to move freely within Ivecar Academy. Despite her limited mana, she could still use most basic magic. It exceeded Ethans expectations. If that hadnt been the case, he would have spent more time nurturing her growth. What a scary talent. Of course, for Ethan, it was a very wee gift. They might go unnoticed by others, but I could tell. They left signals on the floor. They were magical signals. Yerica handed Ethan a piece of parchment on which she had transcribed the markings left on the floor. The engraved symbol was an X mark. Isnt this an X for treasure hunting or something? This isnt an X. Ethan said, This is Chapter 59: First Order Chapter 59: First Order X. The identity of this symbol was two crescents facing each other. It was a signal used by the followers of the Moon. This is the signal used by the people Im looking for. Well done, Yerica. You found it faster than Schudlen. Yerica silently smiled at Ethans praise. Schudlen was searching for suspicious traces outside the academy. It must have been quite hard. Yerica shrugged her shoulders at Ethans praise. Im constantly working on making the knowledge in my mind my own. It would be nice to simply ept the praise, but the truth is that my abilities are nothingpared to my grandfathers magic. Yerica, I may not know your grandfather well, but you do, right? There must be a reason he passed on that magic to you. If it had been magic that she couldnt handle, he wouldnt have passed it on to Yerica. If he were to pass on his magic, there would undoubtedly be some aftermath that Hecate couldnt have foreseen. He deemed that Yerica could handle the magic that made him an Archmage, so he passed it on. Ethan instilled confidence in Yerica. And I share the same belief as your grandfather. No one else can use that magic except for you. Ethan said with a smile. Yerica smiled back at Ethans encouragement. Then she hesitated for a moment before speaking. Ethan, do you have no reservations about my grandfather? Yerica asked cautiously. From a young age, Yerica had been on the run because of crimes she hadntmitted. Every time she ran away, she asked why she had to flee. Her mother said that her grandfather had turned the crimes around. Her mother told her that her grandfather took the me. He was so powerful that those who coveted his power ended up dead, and they even tried to capture Yerica and her family, who were the grandfathers kin. But no one believed her mothers words. What was your grandfather like when you saw him? I dont remember well. But theres one thing I remember. My grandfather would always smile and praise me no matter what I did. Then think of him just the way you saw him. Of course, I dont think your grandfather is guilty. Strong individuals naturally attract envy and resentment. Ethan said, tapping Yerica on the back. Revenge, right? Yes, I have to. Im going to find out who, or rather, what made our grandfather like that, and burn them all to ashes. Her eyes gleamed with fiery determination. -Survival probability increased! Good. He provided her with another opportunity to leap further. With that, his chances of survival increased a little more. Im sorry Imte, Young Master! Schudlen arrived btedly. Yerica gave Schudlen a piercing look. Why are you sote? No, he came at the right time. But why did she shoot a look at him? Schudlen was curious, but there was no one to answer that question. Good work, Schudlen. No, Young Master! I did search the surroundings as you instructed, but I couldnt find any reliable information. I apologize. Its alright, those bastards are secretive. Theyre not easy to find. I found them, though. Schudlen couldnt hide his expression at Yericas words. But Yerica shrugged, thinking that she had been more helpful to Ethan no matter what. Ill be back! Before Ethan could stop him, Schudlen left. I need to find a connection with the outside world. Whatever the case, it was better to leave that task to Schudlen. Ethan had a lot to do within the academy. Yerica. Yes, Ethan. Should I go and gather more reliable information? No, I have a different request. A different request? Ethan started drawing something on the paper in front of him. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Youre quite good at drawing, arent you? Drawing was not his talent. It seemed to be one of Ethan Whiskers talents. But what is that? This is a teaching tool for my ss, not something you can buy. So Im going to make it myself. Ethan prioritized physical training for the Understanding the Sword Path ss. To do that, he needed tools specifically designed for that purpose. You need to ce an order at the smithy in the Marquis territory to create something in this shape. And I need your weight reduction enchantment magic on it. Are they all have to be different weights? Yerica stared at the parchment Ethan handed her, looking puzzled. What exactly is this? Its a device for building strength. This one is for lying down and lifting heavier weights, and this one is for standing up and lifting heavier weights. Just looking at it feels intense. And students supposed to use this? Even just listening to Ethans exnation made her break into a sweat. Remember what I mentioned before? If you want to keep up with the ss, you need to train your physical strength. Ethan chuckled. The thought of rolling them around brought him joy. Ill be right back and make it right away, as you instructed! * * * Hahahaha! Is this really true, Steward? Tell me, is this really true? Thats correct, my lord. It is the teaching certificate from Ivecar Academy, and this is a gift for achieving top rank! Count Whiskers. Despite being incredibly busy and exhausted due to the weight reduction workshop, his fatigue disappeared instantly with a letter that arrived from Ivecar Academy. Even though Ethan had ensured that the weight reduction workshop would run smoothly in his absence, he still delegated various matters to his father, Count Whiskers, in case of unforeseen circumstances. He, too, was once his ambition. Although it had faded away in the face of reality, the lightweight workshop had be a catalyst for awakening his fathers ambition. With the determination that his son could never ruin the business he started, everything was running smoothly. Amidst such a busy schedule, there were things to celebrate. I should write a formal letter. Right, Merelly? Thats right, sir. Count Whiskers called the steward by his own name, indicating how delighted he was. The steward was also pleased, just like Count Whiskers. Ethan was like his nephew, after all. And now, this Ethan had be the top-ranking teacher at Ivecar Academy. Moreover, in the department of swordsmanship, which was the pride of Ivecar Academy. Hahahaha! This feels so good! On that day, Count Whiskers held a celebration. Although the protagonist was still in the Marquis Ronds territory, influential individuals such as nearby nobles and merchants all came to visit Count Whiskers. The atmosphere was changing. In other words, the scent of money was in the air. Money was power and authority. After being ignored for so long, Count Whiskers had learned the hard way the power of money. Many individuals came with gifts, purportedly as a sign of congrattions, but how could one believe such words? It seems like everyone thinks Im getting carried away in this situation. I wonder if they know how much bitterness weve tasted to survive. However, the age to indulge in sweetness had long passed. Besides, he wasnt greedy enough to jeopardize his sons business. They dont realize that I dont want money; I want to make my sons business even bigger. Money was a matter forter. Just imagine how surprised Nathan will be when he hears this story. Im already looking forward to it, arent you the same too? Hell be incredibly surprised. The situation has changed so much since Nathan left for the academy. The two adults joyfully discussed when they should tell Nathan about this fact. * * * Night at Ivecar Academy. On a dark night without a trace of moonlight, someone appeared in the backyard of a building, their footsteps silent. Dressed in a brand-new robe with the hood flipped up, it was impossible to tell who it was. After surveying the surroundings, the figure quietly retrieved a piece of parchment from their pocket and gently ced it on the ground. As they did, something seeped into the parchment. [X] The seeping substance was the silhouettes of two crescent moons entwined. They reached into their pocket and sprinkled a powdery substance onto the parchment, causing various words toe to mind. [Guest], [Preparation], [X], [n]. Among the jumble of dozens of other words written on the parchment, they nodded as if understanding. They immediately put the parchment back into their pocket and moved swiftly. It seemed they had a destination to reach. Got you. Someone secretly followed closely behind them. Ethan first confirmed the direction they were heading. The person deliberately moved around the building, seemingly trying to confuse their trail. At times, they stopped to sprinkle something or remained still. Thats it. Through the Eye of Horus, Ethan could discern what they were doing. The followers of the Moon were drawing some kind of magical circle. Here, once. There, once. In addition, they left behind signals. Theyre giving orders to the followers of the Moon within the Academy. The followers of the Moon were essentially an organization that was scattered like dots and not connected to each other., and as a result, they were unaware of each others identities. They cant figure it out on their own. That was why theymunicated and gave orders in this manner. I need to capture the leader among them. Even though they were that kind of group, there needed to be a head who received and executed externalmands. They were known as the First Order. The Second and Third Orders below them arent important. They simply report gathered information and the progress of the ns. The important part was the First Order. Capturing the First Order was Ethans objective. That way, I can manipte their ns as I please. The timing and content would all move ording to Ethans n. I never expected it to be this helpful. ying as the follower of the Moon was a very challenging ystyle. Being the main viinous faction in MePan, even showing a hint of suspicion would lead to immediate death. In that case, the game could be considered practically over. Moreover, even if yed naturally, it was difficult to get the position as the Second and Third Orders, let alone the First Orders. However, Ethan persevered and managed to rise to the First Order. Ill take on the role of the First Order. Above the First Order, there were only the highest-ranking Twelve Apostles. In essence, Ethan had prated the core of the followers of the Moon. So, pretending to be the First Order was rtively easy. The person who had been moving quickly suddenly stopped and ced the parchment on the ground. In an instant, the parchment turned into dust and vanished on the spot. Illusion magic. Upon seeing that sight, Ethan was certain. This person was not part of the First Order. But that illusion magic is the final report sent to the First Order. I just have to wait here. After the follower of the Moon left, Ethan took a deep breath. This was the most crucial moment. The First Order was powerful. They possessed strengthparable to that of anyone in the central region. I might get exposed. Though he was hiding well at the moment, there was still a possibility of getting caught. Ethan immediately used his Heos Acupuncture technique. -Using the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique. The Five Elements Acupuncture Technique was a buff-type skill that strengthened the body but had clear penalties. When used continuously, it drained stamina. Ethan exploited this aspect. -Using the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique. By repeatedly using the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique and depleting all the energy in his body, he managed to empty itpletely after four consecutive uses. If I focus it in the same area, it will ovep, so I should distribute it to different ces. A tremendous surge of vitality circted within Ethans body. However, this wouldst only for three minutes. After three minutes, his stamina would be significantly lower than usual. Shaaaak-. After three minutes, the vitality drained from Ethans bodypletely. Ugh. In an instant, Ethan became like a living corpse. If it were anyone else, they would have been quite rmed by their body losing so much strength. But for Ethan, this situation was familiar. This is how my body is supposed to be. Memories of the time when a simple cough could have been fatal resurfaced. Back then, there were many people who didnt even realize I was by their side. Thats how little vitality I emanated. The current Ethan was exactly in that state. Even being weak has its lessons. Those who had experienced weakness knew how to handle it well. Ethan sat still as if he were dead. Before long, someone appeared. He was a man wearing the same robe as before, but his movements were different. Heup. Ethan took a deep breath and focused his eyes. The Eye of Horus activated instantly, and every movement of the man became clear to Ethan. Although everyone exhibited simr movements, each person had their own distinctive pattern, almost like their fingerprints. I remember that movement. Even with the robe flipped Ethan could recognize it. Now, every movement of the First Order was firmly imprinted in Ethans mind. The First Order quickly gathered the parchment and disappeared. Ethan, too, attempted to slowly get up while taking deep breaths. However, his current state waspletely depleted of stamina. Damn. It wasnt a very dangerous situation, but sleep quickly overwhelmed him. I shouldnt fall asleep here Although it wasnt a cold day, Ethan wished desperately for his mouth not to open as he drifted off to sleep right there. Chapter 60: Parent-Teacher Meeting Chapter 60: Parent-Teacher Meeting Ethan woke up from his sleep. Fortunately, he wasnt discovered by anyone, but his back was quite sore. Ugh Ethan slowly got up and stretched his body. Suddenly appearing from the bushes, he startled the students who were taking a walk in front of him. The two students were holding hands. When Ethans gaze rested on their hands, they quickly let go, as if they were holding onto burning mes, and looked at each other in surprise. S-Sorry! Were sorry, teacher! We werent holding hands; we were helping each other with magic and swordsmanship! T-This was just a handshake! Ivecar Academy strictly prohibited dating. Of course, there were those who secretly engaged in it, but if caught, the teachers had the authority to issue penalties. New teachers were generally passionate, so if they were caught by a new teacher, they would inevitably receive a penalty. What? Ethan was momentarily taken aback but didnt show it on his face. The two students thought that Ethan had been patrolling since early in the morning. It was only the second day since he joined the school, and they were impressed by his dedication. Of course, they didnt know that Ethan had just been sleeping there and had woken up just now. Is it customary to interlock your fingers while shaking hands these days? T-Teacher Receiving penalties had a significant negative impact on their grades. Of course, Ethan had no intention of giving them a penalty. Ill let it slide this time. But there wont be a second chance. As Ethan closed his eyes, a hint of tears welled up in the students eyes. If they had been caught by another teacher, they would have received a penalty without mercy. Thank you! The two students expressed their gratitude and quickly disappeared, afraid of being caught by other teachers. Theyll probablye to my ss. Just because they feel grateful. If they didnte to ss, Ethan intended to issue the penalty. Ethan immediately took out a decoction from his pocket dimension. Normally, he could have observed the First Orders movements with the Eye of Horus and then consumed the decoction, but Ethan chose not to. Taking decoction suddenly in a weakened state would only be more dangerous. He knew from experience. A fragile body easily reached the brink of death due to things that seemed harmless. I should be able to take it in my current condition. Ethan quickly consumed the decoction in one gulp. As the decoction entered his stomach, it bubbled and boiled, quickly spreading throughout Ethans body, starting to restore his stamina. I should have it in the morning before starting work. Perhaps it was because he had slept on the floor, but his hunger seemed stronger than usual. * * * Ethan Whiskers, is it true what I heard? Principals office. Ethan received a summons from the principal yesterday due to the incident. Its true, Principal. I disciplined Chen Garcia. I heard you almost hit him? I followed the teaching methods I demonstrated during the interview. As Ethan confidently responded, the principals expression became even more intrigued. In fact, such cases were quitemon. An overly enthusiastic rookie teacher and a student from a noble family who sought to undermine the authority of the teachers. Naturally, even if mana was limited, teachers were generally stronger. As a result, incidents urred frequently. There were cases where teachers suffered, but in such instances, it usually ended with the teacher being humiliated. However, when students were affected, their high-ranking noble parents often came to visit. And those parents were from prominent noble families. It doesnt seem like you provoked this recklessly. Chen Garcia is the second child of the central noble family, the Garcias. The eldest graduated from our Ivecar Academy and serves in the Phoenix Knights, and the Garcia familys patriarch himself held a high-ranking position in the Phoenix Knights. The Phoenix Knights were one of the most prestigious knight orders in the central region. Of course, the education of their children was a mess. The incident arose from the eldest childs exceptional talent and the second child being given a little leeway. Count Garcia seems to be furious. He insists on visiting the academy today to see the face of the rookie teacher who made his son like that. The principal spoke while looking at Ethan, curious about his expression. Ethan had the same face as yesterday. He didnt seem worried at all. Is it a bluff? Most of the teachers whom the principal had seen in such situations would confidently stand their ground but bow their heads when confronted by parents. They often lost all their momentum and werepletely subdued by greater authority. Perhaps an apology would suffice. Then Count Garcia might back down. There is no reason for me to apologize. Once again, Ethan came out strong. By observing his demeanor, one could determine whether it was arrogance or determination. The principal awaited Count Garcias arrival. Kwaang-! Before long, Count Garcia forcefully barged into the principals office. Principal! Count Garcia, you still know how to m the door. I warned you about that during our academy days, but it seems you havent changed, even as you grow older. Should I issue demerits? I apologize, Principal, but isnt this an extraordinary situation? Count Garcia red at Ethan. He was of towering height, with sharp, pointed hair that reached down to his back, resembling a wolfs mane. With his piercing gaze, Count Garcia was a man who suited the nickname Gray Wolf. So, youre the one who beat up my son like that. Count Garcias demeanor began to grow more aggressive. Of course, he posed no significant threat to Ethan. As an external guest, Count Garcia was also limited in mana. Thanks to the Heros Breathing, Ethan was impervious to any pressure and could remain calm in his presence. Shouldnt a teacher educate, not beat students? Count Garcia. I didnte here to listen to excuses, teacher. Havent you already decided what you should say? Ethan looked at Count Garcia. Count Garcia had already learned all about Ethan Whiskers and sought him out. Although they were both counts, Count Garcia held significant power and authority as a central count. On the other hand, the Whiskers family was a local counts family, already fallen into decline among the nobility. The difference in power was clear. If Ethan was expelled from here, he would have to give up his hard-earned position as a teacher at the Ivecar Academy. Moreover, considering he hade in as the top-ranked candidate, it would be even more disappointing. Count Garcia looked down at Ethan, scrutinizing his every word. And he was certain. Ethan would apologize. Being the only one from his family present, Count Garcia didnt expect Ethan to needlessly assert his pride and sacrifice everything. Would you like to experience the education? The education that Chen received, the education I provided to Chen. However, the words that came out werepletely different. What? I mean the education Chen received and the education I gave to Chen. Count Garcia looked at Ethan in astonishment, as if he couldnt believe his audacity. You want to educate me? Well, a demonstration of education is possible. Lets judge based on that. Whether I actually provided education or simply beat Chen, you can decide for yourself. Haha, hahaha! Unbelievable! Count Garciaughed as if he couldnt believe it. Then he looked at the principal with intense eyes. Principal, no, teacher. If you dont like the education, can I teach the teacher here ording to that education? As a senior at the academy, Im asking. The principal stared at Ethan with astonished eyes. He never expected it to turn out like this. Moreover, Ethans gaze was actually asking for permission from the principal. He wasnt being dragged along; he was taking the lead. What an interesting fellow. Go ahead. Youll have to prove that it wasnt corporal punishment. If you cant prove it, youll have to apologize to Count Garcia, in the manner he desires. Understood. If you consider this as education, then I ept your apology instead. Its in the manner I desire. I will, just the way the teacher wants it! Count Garcia revealed this with a smile. * * * To think that he would offer to educate him. Count Garcia thought the new teachers enthusiasm was too excessive. It was true that his second son was a good-for-nothing. However, that didnt mean the teacher had the right to hit him. If there was a problem, the teacher should educate him, not beat him. If he had just apologized, Count Garcia might have been able to calm down and let it go. But now that it hade to this, Count Garcia couldnt just overlook it. Go ahead and show me, teacher. Show me what you call education. Is there a particr aspect that youre struggling with? What? I mean the aspect where youre struggling in Garcia Swordsmanship. Was he really trying to teach him? Why dont you show me? Do you think Im struggling in Garcia Swordsmanship? If thats what you mean, I cant just let it slide, teacher! In an instant, a powerful aura emanated from him. It was so intense that it made the skin tingle. Ive seen Chens Garcia Swordsmanship. Chen may have some shorings in his skills, but theres also a fundamentally wrong path hes been taking. So he understood that from Chens swordsmanship. The principal was genuinely interested in Ethan. He wasnt just exceptionally skilled in teaching; there was more to him. During the interview, the principal had hoped that he could be a master someday. However, just like he dered at the celebration party, bing a master within a year was practically impossible. Perhaps. Maybe it could happen. Count Garcia, who was truly enraged, raised his wooden sword. Even though it was a wooden sword, if it hit properly, it could easily break bones. Swish! In an instant, he unleashed his Garcia Swordsmanship. Despite being the same swordsmanship as Chens, it appearedpletely different, showcasing remarkable mastery. Oh no. He felt humiliated, and it was a strike filled with genuine intent. Seeing that, the principal wanted to intervene. No matter what, the difference in their skills was too great to consider this as mere education. But the principal couldnt stop him. It was because Ethan effortlessly evaded his movements. Hes looking at the tip of the sword with his eyes. Does that mean he can see it? Ethan had been staring at the tip of Count Garcias sword until the very end. The difference in their skills was undoubtedly clear. ! And now, the real fight began. Ethan swiftly spun around and delivered a lightning-fast strike with his wooden sword, almost simultaneously hitting Count Garcias waist and shoulder. The speed was so fast that it was almost impossible to follow with the eyes, and even the struck Count Garcia was greatly taken aback. If this had been a real de, he would have suffered a fatal injury with just that one strike. . And he realized. He understood because he had wielded a sword for a long time. If he hadnt defended against that attack just now, what stance would he have ended up in? In his mind, he could envision how the sword would have swung. No words came out. Eventually, Count Garcia lowered his wooden sword. Ethan didnt need to say anything; he already understood. Teacher Whiskers. Count Garcia bowed his head towards Ethan. Thank you for educating my son. What Ethan had done was undoubtedly education, not punishment. * * * You had him fired, didnt you, Father? My shoulder still feels stiff. Such a person should never be a teacher Count Garcia pped his approaching sons cheek with anticipation. Chen. Uh, Father? Learn properly from Teacher Whiskers. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. W-What are you talking about, Father? Learn from him? This isnt education! I almost died! Startled, Chen shouted in desperation. However, Count Garcias gaze was filled with indifference. If you once again seek this fathers help through the actions of Teacher Whiskers, then you will receive education at home, not at the academy. Do you understand? Father! As Count Garcia left the scene, Chen looked at his retreating figure with a hopeless expression. What on earth is happening? The situation was taking a strange turn. Chapter 61: A novice teacher like no other has seen before. Chapter 61: A novice teacher like no other has seen before. Garcias swordsmanship and most sword techniques have clear destroying methods. They also have their limits as time goes by. And as time passes, they be archaic sword techniques. Its one of the reasons why MePan was called the God Game. Learning a good sword technique was not the end. As time went on, sword techniques be subject to interpretation and destruction. Constantly evolving and improving, finding new directions to create ones own unique sword technique. That way, even if the sword technique was destroyed, one could ovee it with their own strength. Most sword techniques are already in your mind from the start. Without knowing that, clearing MePan was almost impossible. Furthermore, the followers of the Moon have specialized personnel who analyze and destroy various things, including sword techniques. Thanks to his experience ying as a follower of the Moon, Ethan was able to modify Count Garcias sword technique. After all, Count Garcia, the Grey Wolf, was a character Ethan knew very well. This should have made the principal fully aware. Of Ethans skills being more exceptional than expected. Moreover, the goal he mentioned during the congrattory party was not just a joke. Of course, I dont have the skills to defeat Count Garcia at this moment. Extinction continues to hinder Ethan from building his strength. The current Ethan was aplishing these things with his traits, skills, knowledge within MePan, and the abilities granted by the subscribed god. Building mana is actually quite difficult. That was why it wasnt easy to defeat a strong opponent like Count Garcia, who had trained and umted mana for a long time. Of course, thats the case for now. However, this was something that would be improved upon at the Ivecar Academy. That was why he came to the academy. * * * After Ethans first ss, the students were intrigued by his teaching but also had great concerns. That was refreshing, but he did provoke Chen Garcia. He probably went straight to his father andined. If Count Garcia shows up, he could be instantly beheaded, right? Even though Chen is considered a troublemaker, hes still his son. Ethan was just an insignificant local noble. There was no one in the academy to protect Ethan, and he didnt even receive the support of his family, so it was natural for these concerns to arise. Surely he wont harm a teacher who has just arrived. But Garcia is on Masons side. If their troublemaker, Chen, ended up in that state, would they leave Teacher Ethan alone? Hes the kind of person who cuts off anything or anyone he doesnt like, whether its a teacher or anything else. The unseen wielder of ck power. That was Mason Yeld. But there were rumors that Teacher Ethan is also an extraordinary person, right? Someone said so. He was called a swordsman genius. The students who attended Ethans first ss highly regarded him. It was because they realized that Ethan was not an ordinary teacher with just one ss. Ai, was there ever a person from your family who called you a swordsman genius? I thought I was a genius until I came here. Of course, some students thought Ethan would be nothing special. Even those students who thought that way were curious about Ethans ss, and arge number of students signed up for Ethans ss. * * * What? Sorry, Mason. The thing is Chen stood before Mason, looking down and fidgeting as if reporting to a superior. The Count just left? And he even told you to attend the ss? Chen didnt mention that he had been pped. I dont know what happened exactly. He was obviously angry when he came, but then he just went in briefly and came out He sided with that new teacher? Yeah. Upon hearing that, Mason kicked Chens shin. Kkeuu! Stupid bastard. I told you to embarrass him in the first ss, but instead, you embarrassed yourself. And now your father is useless? M-Mason. Chen flinched at the moment his father was insulted but couldnt do anything about it. Mason was the heir to the Yeld family, the most powerful noble family. If he showed any disdain toward the sessor who was expected to inherit everything from the Yeld family, known for their strength, it would be over in an instant. That was why, even in a humiliating situation, Chen could only bow his head deeply at Masons words. Thwack! Mason struck Chen again. The other students around them nced at Chen with pity in their eyes. In fact, despite his reputation as a troublemaker, within this group, Garcia was nothing more than the lowest-ranking subordinate who handled everything first. I-Ill talk to my father again. About that new teacher, that lowly provincial noble! Do you think Count Garcia would listen to a childs words that have already been dismissed? Besides, Im sure the principal convinced him. Why would the principal? Because it was the principal who awarded the top position to that teacher. I heard he argued strongly for it. Is he losing his mind? The top position represents Ivecar, after all. Mason turned away from Chen. He deserves punishment, dont you think? Then he gestured to the other students standing behind him. Well take care of it. * * * Ethans second ss day. Ethan entered the ssroom with a smile on his face. -The ssroom is full of students. -Your reputation score increased! The notification indicated that the ssroom was filled to capacity with students. The impact of his first ss was definitely significant, as arge number of students had enrolled. The eyes of the students were shining. All the students who attended the first ss praised Ethans teaching of the sword path, saying it was different and unique. They also mentioned that they could learn things they had never learned before. Of course, there were skeptical students among the others. Many students had received extensive education to enter the academy. Among the upper-ss students, there were even members of the nobility. The upper-ss students actively used the power of money to educate their children. Therefore, there were many students who had crammed their heads with countless things to the point of wondering if they could learn anything new. It was natural for there to be many students like that in an academy that prided itself on being among the top in the continent. They had high expectations for being able to learn something they had never learned before. I can see the ambition in their eyes. He could feel how much they were anticipating his ss. If he failed to meet their expectations here, they would not attend the next ss. A new teacher, a ssroom filled to capacity. Although it could be nerve-wracking, Ethan calmly looked at the student on the far left and then shifted his gaze to the right, making eye contact with every student in the room. Greetings, this is the second ss, but it seems that there are quite a few students who are attending for the first time. As Ethan disyed an uncharacteristic calmness for a new teacher, the students eyes changed even more. These students havee with great expectations. I need to deliver a ss that lives up to those expectations. That way, the students wont drop the ss. Ethan remembered that maintaining a full ssroom, known as full attendance, would further increase his reputation. Besides, there are achievements to be earned. Therefore, he needed to put effort into his ss. I promise you one thing: no student in my ss will ever be beaten with a sword by another student who hasnt taken this ss. The students widened their eyes at his words. How arrogant and provocative those words were. However, for some reason, it seemed to align well with Ethans calm demeanor. -He must be serious. -There must be a reason why the principal chose Ethan as the top-ranked new teacher, right? -But this is just a basic ss. Whats the point of learning it again? There was a murmur for a moment, but as Ethan knocked on the lectern like a knock on the door, silence quickly fell. In the Understanding the Sword Path ss, we will cover the basics of the sword path that all of you already know. Understanding the Sword Path was a ss that focused on strengthening the fundamentals. Students who had taken the Understanding the Sword Path ssst year were familiar with its curriculum. The ss primarily dealt with the very basics of thrusting and shing, discussing the theoretical aspects of the path the sword takes and providing a glimpse of practical lessons. In essence, that was the entirety of the ss. Someone raised their hand. Can attending a basic ss significantly improve our swordsmanship? Student, whats your name? Ethan asked, looking at the student who raised their hand. Could it be? Im Yuna Ga. As expected, it was Yuna Ga. Yuna Ga was the third child of the Ga household, one of the top-tier merchant guilds. Her older brothers are in high positions. She will deal with her two older brothers and be the sessor of the Ga guild. In terms of potential, she was considered one of the top figures. The Ga Guild was evaluated to be superior to the David Guild, another top-tier merchant guild. But I heard she has some issues with her personality. Sharp and aggressive. Maybe its because people approach her with only her money in mind. First, Ethan responded to Yunas question. You asked if attending a basic ss can improve your swordsmanship? Yes. Its possible. However, what youre really curious about is whether attending this basic swordsmanship ss alone can overpower students who havent taken it, right? Yunas question was exactly what everyone here was wondering. Yes. Yuna smiled and looked at Ethan. It was apletely disdainful gaze. There was only one answer to this question. Impossible. While attending a basic ss could improve swordsmanship to some extent, it wouldnt lead to dramatic growth. It simply strengthened the foundation. Its possible. But Ethans answer was different. Are you saying its possible with just basic swordsmanship? No. Ethan said. Im talking about my basic swordsmanship ss. With that, he raised his wooden sword. I intend to teach a ss here that will solidify the sword path of swordsmanship that each of you possesses. Revinade swordsmanship, you mean? Yunas words made Ethan tilt his head. No, I said your swordsmanship. Teacher, there are 75 students in this ss. And each of the 75 students has a different swordsmanship. If I understood correctly, youre saying that you will solidify the sword path of every single swordsmanship that each of us possesses. Is that what I heard? Yuna was incredulous. Teaching the sword path of each of the 75 different swordsmanship styles? How absurd and futile. -The ss is only two hours long. -Did I sign up for the wrong ss? Ugh. Yuna Ga thought it was over. She had heard the story of how he had dealt with Chen Garcia and thought an interesting teacher had arrived, so she signed up for his ss. But with such empty and futile words Yuna was about to be the first to get up from her seat. That was when Ethan mmed his wooden sword onto the ground with a thud. Ten people in the front row,e forward. Feeling that there was no need for further exnation, Ethan immediately summoned the students toe forward. The students who were hesitating began to step forward one by one. Yuna Ga looked unimpressed. What exactly did he want to show by calling ten students to the front? If he really intended to modify each persons swordsmanship and the sword path they possessed, shouldnt he call them one by one? As if addressing her doubts, Ethan opened his mouth. Let me make you understand the sword path. Unleash your respective swordsmanship. The ten students who came forward looked at Ethan simultaneously. Now, unfold them. From Form 1 to thest form. Ethans eyes gleamed. The Eye of Horus simultaneously captured the movements of the ten individuals. Ethans knowledge was added to the mix. Swish! It was impressive to see the ten individuals simultaneously unleash their respective swordsmanship in different styles. Some had Form 1 as a thrust, while others had a downward strike from above. In their own unique ways, the ten individuals unleashed their swordsmanship like a storm, from Form 1 to thest form. They didnt stop and unleashed their respective swordsmanship at their own timing. Could this really be modified? The ssroom fell silent in an instant. And at that moment, Ethan made a move. Thud! Utilizing Heos Acupuncture skill, he brought down his sword precisely at the right spot, correcting their postures. Exactly ten times. Your sword path is now modified. Now, perform Form 1 again with the modifications. Unbelievable events were unfolding. -Wha-what is this? -What on earth is happening? Did we see everything? All ten swordsmanship techniques? The most astonished ones were the ones who had stepped forward to demonstrate their swordsmanship. They had just received a strike from his sword, and their postures were corrected. That alone made them understand. No words were necessary. With the postures and sword path modified by Ethan, they once again performed Form 1. Swish! It had a simr appearance to before, but they could feel the difference clearly. It, it has changed. It feels so natural now. W-what is this for real? Thud! Ethan struck down with his sword once again. Form 2. As if possessed by Ethans words, the ten students unfolded their respective swordsmanship techniques. In just five minutes, the time it took to modify their swordsmanship, all ten techniques were adjusted. Ethan looked at Yuna G. Yuna recalled the question she had asked Ethan, prompted by his gaze. Is it true that you will modify the different swordsmanship techniques of the 75 individuals? In response to that, Ethan answered, Thats correct. Chapter 62: Suggestion Chapter 62: Suggestion The students were intensely focused. This was unlike any ss they had experienced before. At first, they had doubts about how the ss would proceed, but soon they became engrossed in Ethans teaching. They knew that even a momentarypse in concentration could cause the knowledge he was imparting to scatter away. Ethan observed the students and felt extremely satisfied. No one will miss the next ss. Indeed, the Eye of Horus was remarkable. Although Ethan considered himself stagnant water in MePan, it was challenging to observe and modify the techniques of ten students simultaneously. Even without the Eye of Horus, I could probably handle up to five students at once. But the impact wouldnt be as significant. I made the right choice subscribing to Horus. It was worth it. He hadnt initially nned to teach the ss in this manner. He didnt expect to take on such a teaching role. However, after acquiring the Eye of Horus, he became convinced that this teaching style would work. It was truly a versatile and valuable tool. I can observe the movements of ten individuals at once. The ten students were, on average, proficient. With a bit more focus, I might even be able to handle up to fifteen. Anything more would be a stretch. The ss continued smoothly under Ethans guidance. However, not everyone was fully engaged or satisfied with Ethans teaching. Thats right. Its understandable that you, the upper ss, wouldntprehend this situation. Ethans teaching method could be seen as a monstrous performance solely based on his abilities. As a nobleman from the provinces, disying such prowess didnt sit well with Mason Yeld, who led the upper-ss students. Chen ended up like that, so he must have instructed someone more capable than Chen to attack me. Ethan had no intention of just standing by and watching. He wasnt merciful enough to let someone crawl up without taking action. You will also be a part of my n, Mason Yeld. Five cycles had already passed, and it was now Mason and the upper-ss students turn. They seemed to have synchronized their gazes and used Revinade swordsmanship instead of traditional swordsmanship. The familiar Revinade swordsmanship unfolded in their hands. Mason, and all of you, used Revinade swordsmanship. Are you asking me to modify the sword path of the foundational techniques? Yes. Mason replied. What youre doing goes against the principles. The students didnt look pleased with Masons words. They wondered what he was doing instead of focusing during this valuable ss time. Goes against the principles? Didnt you steal the Visionary swordsmanship with your eyes? You revealed all the techniques from the first to thest. Stole? Ethan chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. Shouldnt we consider that I understood it, Mason Yeld? Understood? Mason asked, bewildered. I dont know your Visionary swordsmanship. But is it possible for me to steal it just by watching the Visionary swordsmanship disyed by your family? If thats the case Mason didnt continue his sentence. No, he couldnt. Just by capturing the synchronized Visionary swordsmanship disyed by the ten of them in a single nce, did it mean that Ethan understood everything? And based on that understanding, was he modifying the sword path and teaching the optimal sword path right now? Was that really possible? A memory of Ethan popped up in Masons mind. Once, he was referred to as a swordsmanship genius within Whiskers County and its surrounding territories. As with the students of Ivecar, many people in this school were hailed as geniuses. However, they came here and realize that they were not geniuses but merely individuals with some talent. There were many exceptional talents gathered here. That was why Mason shivered. Could it be that there was a true genius right in front of him? But soon, he shook his head. To think such thoughts Hmph. It greatly shook his self-esteem. Ethan approached Mason quietly and spoke in a low voice. It was a voice that only Mason could hear. Are you here to y the boss? Or did youe to be stronger? To secure your position as the sessor. Do you think the Duke has already designated your brother as the sessor? So youre giving up and conceding? Youre a coward, Mason Yeld. Those words changed Masons aura. The previouslyposed and pragmatic Mason was now consumed by extreme anger. His subordinate next to him looked startled as they observed Mason. It was as if they were seeing this furious side of Mason for the first time. Who do you think you are? What did he know to blurt out such words? However, Ethan didnt respond. Next! It was now ss time, and they had to focus on the lesson. * * * The two hours of ss flew by so quickly that they felt like two minutes. That concludes todays lesson. Ethan announced, leaving a strong sense of disappointment in the students eyes. Time had passed so swiftly. However, Ethan swiftly turned around and left without hesitation. Aside from the ss, Ethan had many things to attend to. Normally, after the ss ended, it was customary for the students to leave first. But in this Understanding the Sword Path ss, the students stayed behind even after Ethan had left. Gradually, one by one, the students started to rise from their seats. Half of them shared the same thought. They should have attended the ss from the beginning. As the students left, Yuna Ga remained seated for quite some time. To handle Chen so harshly and treat Mason like a child Yuna became intrigued by Ethan. To handle Mason, who could be seen as the focal point and antagonist of the upper-ss students, after Chen in such a way? I should make him mine. * * * Its done! Ethan finally saw the solid items that had beenpleted. You mentioned that they are meant for training purposes, right? As you said, I paid a lot of attention to the handle part. Thank you for your hard work. Here they are. Oh my, there are so many! Please take good care of me in the future. Hehehe, of course! The cksmith chuckled as he collected the payment in gold. What Ethan had created were dumbbells and barbells. It goes without saying that such training tools did not exist in this world. There was little emphasis on physical training in a world where cultivating mana was the basic rule. However, Ethan knew. The body needed to be properly strengthened in order to efficiently and effectively utilize mana. Are they made properly? You exined quite well, Yerica. Since you drew the illustrations well, its only natural. Yerica immediately began casting weight reduction magic enchantments on the tools, just as Ethan had instructed. How about the weight? This small one is called a dumbbell. A dumbbell? With a dumbbell, you hold it with one hand and focus on training your muscles. Oh. And thisrger one is called a barbell. It can handle much heavier weights than the dumbbell we just saw. Its mainly used for training the lower body. Ethan demonstrated the use of the barbell by cing it on his trapezius muscles and performing squats slowly. Oh, so thats how you properly train the thighs. Then they wont bete for your lessons either. That would be great, wouldnt it? Ethan intended to fully engage the students who attended his ss in this direction. Of course, he didnt expect them to excel like Yerica or Schudlen. They have their own roles. But they cant fulfill those roles without proper skills. * * * Mason wont just stay quiet. Im currently having my meal. In front of Ethan were three steaks at the academys cafeteria. Since recovering his health and being able to eat properly, Ethan had been eating meat every day. He could now eat it without feeling like he was going to die. That pleased him the most. Its not the time for a leisurely meal. Ah, Yuna Ga, is it? If youvee to make a personal request, I wont ept it. If you want to learn from me, attend the next ss. To properly utilize the Ga ns swordsmanship, thats what it takes. Yuna smirked in response. Ive been paying attention to your sses so well. Ive never had such sses before. Its causing quite a stir among the teachers too, you know? The reactions have been tremendous. Im just so grateful for the lessons youve provided. She handed him a discreetly bulging pouch. It was a rather hefty one. Its my small gift. . Ethan remained silent as he epted the pouch, and Yunas smile deepened. I was afraid that Masons antics might cause you harm, Teacher. So, I thought, with such a small gift, I can give you as many as you want. As long as you fulfill my small requests little by little. Then I will offer you my protection. She already believed the situation hade under her control. Yuna had sessfully gained many teachers on her side using simr methods. The approach was simple. Money. And the anticipation of connections that could be established with the prominent Ga Guild. That had been the pattern of her life for the most part. People approached her based on her wealth and background, and she fulfilled their expectations. In return, she made full use of them. With the money and connections she possessed, anything was possible. No teacher had ever rejected her persuasion. No, they couldnt dare to. How about it, Teacher? That was why her gradesst year were exceptionally excellent. Of course, she had her own skills, but it was true that the leverage she wielded within the academy yed a significant role. I wont make a difficult request. Its a very easy one. A substantial amount of money for an easy request. Could anyone refuse that? Especially since Ethan was just a local nobles son. If he were a noble from the central region, he would likely be unaffected by money issues. However, as a noble from a local area, it could be considered a good deal. Ethan slowly looked at her and extended his hand. Dealplete. Ill count on you As Ethan reached out his hand, he firmly grasped the pouch that Yuna Ga had given to him. Huh? I have a lot of money. Unaware of whether he would refuse, her expression froze in the same smiling state. * * * Ethan knew Yuna Gas methods very well. Leverage and thework based on it. She was a cunning student who knew her weapon very well. Using that weapon, she had gained the support of numerous teachers and students. Its not that she was born with bad luck. Ironically, while the money was hers, the people she had gathered with that money did not belong to her. She must not have been able to trust people. Furthermore, the issue of seeding the Great Guild was intertwined. In a way, Yuna could be seen as simr to Mason. Mason also had two older brothers, but he had ambitions to be the sessor. While his talent surpassed his two brothers, living under their shadow for a long time created fear, which led him to escape to the academy. Of course, both of them would eventually ovee this weakness. It simply meant that even if left alone, they would be significant figures that would impact the main story. There was no reason not to buy a lottery ticket that was already destined to win. I just sprinkle a little bit of bait. Isnt winning someones heart through words the cheapest way to seed? The sessor of the great noble family and the sessor of the great merchant guild. If he could earn the trust of these two, wouldnt it be a great help in the future? Now that Ive spread both baits, lets catch the spy first. Since the ss was over, Ethan nned to go around and find the followers of the Moon he had memorized. But before that, there was one more person who came to see Ethan. Teacher. A cold voice. Standing in front of him was Mason Yeld. Well, youve be quite a popr teacher. Chapter 63: I Need You Chapter 63: I Need You Yuna Ga, who was left alone, was lost in thought. Theres no reason for him to refuse. A wave of emotions surged through her mind. This was something that didnt make sense from her perspective. Anything she predicted did not apply to Ethan. From the ss to her own request, everything went beyond her expectations. He couldnt say no. Her eyes flickered for a moment. Hes a strange man. Yunas gaze changed. Until now, she had never had any expectations of people, but she began to think that Ethan might be different. No, that cant be. But the excitement was short-lived, and she regained herposure. Trusting will only lead to betrayal. Its not people I should trust. It was money. * * * Is it the first time a new teacher has filled the ssroom like this during their first ss? I heard even udie couldnt fill the room that full either. What did he do during his first ss to make it like this? I heard he gave Chen Garcia a rough education. Then no one should have signed up for his ss. Ethans ss became a topic of discussion among the teachers. For the teachers, the ss they were assigned to was a matter of pride. The evaluation they received and the number of students who enrolled determined their value as teachers. As a result, Academy teachers proved their worth through their sses. They showcased what students could gain from taking their sses during the first session and recruited new students through the students who had taken their sses. Therefore, new teachers were ced in a disadvantageous position. But Ethanpletely shattered that disadvantage. The capacity is 75, right? Its still the adjustment period, so some could have dropped out, but it seems no one did. But there seems to be less talk about itpared to the first ss. In the previous ss, there were continuous discussions about Ethan, who had given Chen an intense education and showed what kind of ss he would teach. The main focus was on how Ethan would teach Understanding the Sword Path. However, there was no talk of that nature this time. There were only stories about filling the capacity and no one leaving during the ss, and the upper-ss students were dozing off. There was no mention of the ss content as if it were a lie. In the principals office. So, theres a reason why its so quiet? Yes. A third-year student stood before the principal. He was a principals schrship student and had been the executive of the Academy Student Council, serving as the principals eyes and ears since his first year. It may sound selfish, but I had the same thought, so Ill tell you honestly. After attending Ethan Whiskers ss, I felt a strong desire to monopolize this ss. I believe other students feel the same way. Monopolize? Since the teacher has just started his first ss, with this level of skill, he will quickly take on the next ss. And then the slots will fill up quickly. It will be difficult to even apply. The student council executive continued speaking. Teacher Ethans ss was amazing. I cant find any other words to describe it, except that it was incredible. What kind of ss did he teach exactly? Well He exined about Ethans ss. Ten students? Yes, it may sound like a lie, but Im telling you exactly as I described. There is no exaggeration or personal opinion involved. He lined up ten students and had each of them demonstrate their swordsmanship. Then he immediately provided feedback one by one. Huh. It was a shocking ss content, to the extent that a disheartenedugh escaped. To have ten people simultaneously demonstrate their swordsmanship and then provide immediate corrections to their sword path? He only witnessed it once, right? Yes. So, that means he remembered everything. It was simr to the Revinade Improved Swordsmanship Manual during the exam. You mean you took that crazy ss as if it were natural? Yes, Teacher Ethan seemed to think it wasnt a particrly special ss. Thats why the students are even more excited. If this is considered a regr ss for Teacher Ethan, who knows how much more incredible things we can learn in his future challenging sses. So, everyone is keeping their mouths shut? Yes, to monopolize it. If word gets out, it will be extremely difficult to attend Teacher Ethans ss. The students already believed that Ethan Whiskers would soon be teaching major courses. Some students believe that the principal has raised a secret weapon of Ivecar Academy. Its because his skill was unbelievable. They think Ethan Whiskers, whoes from the local aristocratic Whiskers family, was weak and couldnt do anything beforeing here to Ivecar. That was publicly known information. He double-checked because he doubted its validity, but it was definitely true. So, he thought someone might be trying to create confusion with the information, and many suspected it was the principal. Um, is that true? Are you asking if I secretly raised a secret weapon? The principal asked incredulously. If there were a secret weapon, I would have used itst year. Last year was the worst year. Ivecar Academy lost to their rival, Freya Academy. They relinquished the first ce they had held in the exchange festival and also lost in the friendly studentpetition. Furthermore, they werepletely defeated in the subsequent battle between the teachers, shattering their pride. I received so much criticism during that time. It was unbelievable that students would think that way. Thats the whole story of what happened, Principal. The student council executive quickly replied and bowed his head. . After listening to the story, the headmaster stroked his chin. He had anticipated that Ethan Whiskers would cause a stir. The way he appeared during the interview, and the impact he had on the Knightly Department Head. In fact, the Sword Saint had even subtly requested that Ciron be given the position. But the principal had higher hopes for Ethan. He believed that in one way or another, Ethan would bring a new breeze. However, he hadnt expected a storm. The principal was greatly taken aback by the results. It was more than he could have hoped for. Well done. Keep attending his ss and report to me regrly. Um, when do you think Teacher Ethan will start teaching the specialized courses? The student council executive asked with shining eyes. He looked like hed be the first to sign up for it if it was scheduled. The principal nced at the student council executive, remaining silent. If youll excuse me! The student council executive hurriedly left the principals office, sensing his expression. Alone in the room, the principal thought about moving up the schedule for the parent observation sses, which were originally nned for a couple of monthster. Since things turned out this way, I should emphasize how great my insight is. And it would be good to dere in advance that this years inter-academypetition would be different. How thrilling. Having won big in a high-stakes gamble, the principal clenched his fist firmly. * * * Mason was undoubtedly a troublemaker when it came to swordsmanship at Ivecar Academy, but that didnt make him a fool. That was why he sought out Ethan alone. The words spoken during ss. He knew something. But he was neither a central figure nor a noble from a prominent family. Mason couldntprehend how he knew about these matters. What do you want, teacher? So youre calling me teacher without hesitation now, Mason Yeld. Im moved to the point where tears should be shed. Ethan gestured for him to sit down. Sit, Mason. If this is a personal conversation, I can amodate. Mason clenched his jaw. He felt like he was constantly losing control. So, why did youe here? What do you want to talk about? Mason stared at Ethan without saying a word. He was one of the three siblings vying for the session of the ducal family, and as the one with the purest bloodline of the Duke, he exuded a different atmosphere when he put on a serious expression. What do you mean by saying those things to me? Mason. Ethan gazed at Mason with emotionless eyes. Be careful with your words. Mason was taken aback by the sudden force emanating from Ethan. He felt like apletely different person from just a moment ago. An overwhelming power that could overpower people. Mason had felt this kind of pressure before, from none other than his own father, the Duke. Just being in front of it made his body stiffen. What do you mean by saying those things? Its for your motivation. Youre a student who doesnt listen in ss, so I wanted to motivate you. Is that why you came here? Are you saying that talking about the sessorship, discussing my family history, was merely for the sake of motivating me? Mason Yeld, you must be well aware of the situation in the swordsmanship department, right? Why are you suddenly saying this? The pride of Ivecar lies in the Department of Swordsmanship, right? Most of the famous individuals that Ivecar has produced were from the Department of Swordsmanship. But recently, things have been changing. The departments of magic and alchemy are also achieving great results. Above all, who is currently the top-ranked in the academy? The Department of Magic. I heard youre in your third year, and the top-ranked student is in their second year. Ethans words were clearly provoking Mason. And this time, an excellent teacher has joined the Department of Magic. In the Department of Magic, there was a newly appointed teacher who was the granddaughter of an Archmage, Nadia von Tschernkastel. There was no doubt about Nadias skills. That meant the level of the students in the Department of Magic would rise even further. . Whats the reason for motivating you? Theres only one reason, isnt there? I intend to restore the Department of Swordsmanship to its former glory. Currently, the Department of Swordsmanship was only known as a remnant of past glory and the pride of the academy. In reality, the current pride of the academy lies in the Department of Magic. Do you think you can do what even Teacher udie couldnt, Teacher Ethan? Teacher udie is an incredible person. Hell probably be a master before me. Ethan also agreed willingly. But Teacher udie has a w. He only takes the ones who will seed and doesnt even look at those who wont. Saying that, Ethan looked at Mason. In an instant, Mason felt a pang in his heart. Was he considered one of the ones who wont seed? He tried to protest, but Ethans words were faster. Thats why udie couldnt bring the Department of Swordsmanship back to the top ranks. He decides too quickly who will seed and who wont. Ethan pointed at Mason. udie evaluated you as one of the ones who wont seed. Damn it. Mason couldnt hold back and cursed. Then he immediately stood up from his seat. But Im not like that. However, Ethan casually said as if throwing it out. udies failure was in evaluating you as one of the ones who wont seed. Youre currently the strongest force in the Department of Swordsmanship. He discarded the strongest card, judging that it would be difficult to utilize you properly. Youre saying Im the strongest force? Masons voice trembled. Mason didnt overestimate himself. It wasnt like there were a lot of students in the Department of Swordsmanship who were more skilled than him, but there were a few who could be considered on par. But to say that he was the strongest force? Of course, Im not talking about you as you are right now. Mason, listen to my sses diligently. Then, Ill help you break through your limitations. Ethans voice carried a strong determination. To restore the glory of the Department of Swordsmanship. Leaving Mason frozen in ce like a statue, Ethan stood up from his seat. I need you. Masons heart beat fiercely. Chapter 64: New First Order Chapter 64: New First Order Damn it. Mason cursed. The curses continued to pour out. He was in such an excited state that he couldnt control his emotions. Seeing his state, his subordinates rushed to him. Mason! Did that damn teacher pick a fight with you? That arrogant bastard. Ill go and protest, Mason. Shut up, I said shut up! Mason shouted, ring at his subordinates. Everyone flinched and stepped back at Masons harsh words. His state was different from usual. Although Mason usually controlled his anger coldly, now he was burning with rage like a fire. Since the age when he could wield a sword, being the third-born of the noble family, he had always beenpared to his two older brothers. Mason, who inherited the noble blood strongly, showed much greater talent than his two brothers. However, even that was short-lived. He tasted sess too quickly and ended up falling into the despair of failure. He struggled to find a way out, but it was difficult. The two older brothers constantly stirred Masons mentality, as if the younger brother, who was growing much faster than they, was bothering them. Even his father sent him cold nces as if already seeing the limits of his talent. That was the end of it. Mason ran away from his noble family. He entered the Ivecar Academy and lived as a spoiled brat, intoxicated with his own talents. He tried to relieve stress at the academy, but the more he acted like a spoiled brat, the more emptiness and anger welled up inside him. The students were oblivious. Although he was being praised as the son of the Duke, the power struggle was actually over. Im the reason the Swordsmanship Department be the second ce? It wasnt a derogatory remark towards Mason. Rather, it was a statement that elevated his potential and possibilities. It had been three years since he entered the academy. From his first year, he engaged in spoiled behavior that caused numerous teachers to resign due to his constant monitoring and pressure. The remaining teachers intentionally avoided and ignored Mason altogether. Because if they didnt, it would lead to trouble with Mason. udie Hyde was the same. At first, he extended a hand, but once he found out where Mason stood in the academy, he withdrew his hand and treated him indifferently. And that was a familiar look. Resignation. The same look he saw in his fathers eyes. It wont work. Its pointless to try. It was the look he saw in himself, someone who showed limitations in his talent. But Ethan was different. He said that udie Hyde couldnt elevate the level of the Swordsmanship Department because he abandoned him and left. And he said he wouldnt repeat that mistake. To think that I am needed. Until now, he had never heard such words. As a candidate for the sessor of the noble family, he was supposed to be a leading figure who was needed by others, not someone who needed others. Ha. Though he was clearly being ignored, he couldnt understand why his heart was racing like this. He was momentarily confused, but soon regained hisposure. Fine, lets do it. Lets see where you can teach me properly! He would attend the lesson and thoroughly expose Ethan Whiskers true intentions. * * * Im sure he understood that much. Ethan smiled with satisfaction. After saying that much, Mason would probably never miss a lesson. Perhaps a sense of anticipation would arise within his uncertain heart. If the Swordsmanship Department wants to be first, they need Mason. There was no student with as much potential as Mason, even if his current skills were unknown. Of course, there were other exceptional talents that Ethan knew of, but they were not of the age to attend the academy at this point. They were much younger. So, in terms of the current resources, there was no one but Mason who could make the Swordsmanship Department the best. If I produce the top student in the Swordsmanship Department, my reputation will rise. Moreover, multiple achievements could be achieved. And if the student I teach bes the top student, there will be another achievement. It meant that he could gain both reputation and achievements through the process of elevating the Swordsmanship Department to the highest level. There shouldnt be anyone elseing, right? I should head to the faculty office for now. Ethan went to the faculty office in search of the First Order. The first ones to be suspected were, of course, the teachers. It was highly likely that they were naturally infiltrating and working among the teachers. There were a total of three faculty offices. Ethan visited the one on the lower floor first. As soon as he entered, he scanned the teachers with the Eye of Horus. Ethan remembered the movements of the First Order and the Third Order. If there were any simrities, he could match them with his memories. There is none. They were not on the first floor. Teacher! As Ethan was about to leave, he heard someones voice. With so many teachers here, it couldnt possibly be someone calling for him, could it? Just as Ethan was about to leave, the voice called out again. Teacher Ethan! It was a voice he recognized. Hello, Teacher Nadia. The one who called him was Nadia von Tschernkastel. Nadia, with her neatly tied hair, approached Ethan with a rather heavy-looking book in one hand. Its the first time Im formally greeting you like this. I wanted to thank you at the congrattory party. Nadia bowed her head. She had a somewhat perplexed expression because she had tried to help Ethan during the previous incident involving Chen Garcia but failed. He had resolved it before she could even offer assistance. I was grateful for your help back then. If it werent for Teacher Ethan, I would have failed the exam. It was really bad, my condition. It was nothing. Ive had my fair share of such experiences since my body is quite weak. Ethan smiled and said. Then he slightly bent over and approached her. Nadia was taken aback by the sudden closeness. Wh-why all of a sudden? I couldnt say it back then. Ethan spoke in a voice that only Nadia could hear. It wasnt just a simple upset stomach. What? At that time, someone intentionally blocked your mana flow for quite some time. It caused the congestion of blood that resulted in the pain. Nadias expression changed upon hearing Ethans words. While just moments ago she had the face of an Academy magic teacher, now she had the dignified face of a member of the Tschernkastel family. I dont know who did such a thing, but please be careful. After leaving those words behind, Ethan turned around and left the office. Then, in the second-floor office, Ethan spotted someone walking with movements from his memories. It was a teacher who looked good in sses. As the teacher responsible for the second-year Alchemy ss, Ethan observed his movements more closely. Their eyes met for a moment. Hello, Teacher Ethan. Hello. Ethan was already a well-known figure within the Academy, and there was hardly anyone he didnt recognize. Meeting their eyes confirmed it even more. There was a sense of difort behind that seemingly friendly smile. I found you. Hassen Rittle, the Alchemy teacher for the second year. He was one of the First Order of the followers of the Moon. * * * I found it, Young Master! Schudlens expression was extremely bright. Seeing that, Yericas eyebrows twitched slightly. Well done, Schudlen. Upon Ethans praise, Schudlen finally smiled brightly. As expected, hes talented. Searching for external traces was the most difficult task. It required a lot of physical stamina, and if ones senses werent sharp enough, they could easily miss something even if it was right in front of them. However, Ethan intentionally sent Schudlen instead of Yerica to handle the external work. That way, Schudlen can grow. Schudlen needed opportunities for growth. If given the chance, his growth was certain. There was no need to hesitate just because it was challenging. Thanks to you, we can proceed with the n right on schedule. Im d I wasnt toote. Thank you, Young Master! Now, the only thing left was to lure the First Order into the trap using the information that flowed in from the outside. * * * A dark night. In that night, there was a masked figure d in a ck robe. Moving discreetly, as usual. Swiftly, they gathered information and reported on the internal affairs of the academy. The report was simple. The internal operation was progressing smoothly, and the construction of arge-scale magic circle was proceeding steadily. The only variable was Ethan Whiskers, the new teacher who had just joined the school and was already making a name for himself from his first ss. But in the end, he was just a rookie teacher. The regr report assured that everything would proceed as nned. As soon as the regr report was finished, the masked figure slowly began to fade into the darkness. However Thuk! A sword pierced through their back, preventing their disappearance. Syaaaak-. Keukk. A pure white frost began to spread around the pierced area. Who could know that Hassen Rittle is the First Order? W-Who? To reach that position, youve killed more than a hundred people, perhaps even multiples of that. E-Ethan Whiskers? The masked figure, no, Hassen Rittle, turned around, blood flowing from their body. The situation was iprehensible. Why would rookie teacher Ethan Whiskers target them? And how did he know about it?! Ho-how. You must have hidden it well. Ethan said what he wanted to say. But thats because people who dont know you well wouldnt be able to know. Drawing the Frost Sword, Ethan silenced Hassen Rittle once again with a swift strike. Hassen Rittles body crumbled to the ground. Huu huu Ethan used the same method as before to kill Hassen Rittle. He was in apletely weakened state now. However, he was determined not to fall on the ground this time. I wont sleep on the floor this time. Today was even colder than that day. * * * Damn it, damn it! What the hell is this! Ares, the god of war, was trying his best to win over the most popr subscribers these days, even at the cost of his own pride. But they didnt respond to his messages. He was infuriated that they didnt reply to his messages. Even they didnt answer the messages that Athena sent, another god of war. To make matters worse, they subscribed to other gods without reading his messages and even posted reviews about their subscriptions. Damn this [Only Subscribes to the Right Gods] guy! Do you mean to tell me that Im not the right god for you to subscribe to! Angry, Ares looked at the recently posted review. However, despite his rage, he couldnt help but watch the entire review as if possessed. Damn it! Its well-made! Once again, Ares was tempted to subscribe to a certain Eastern god named Hong Gil-dong, whom he knew nothing about. The number of subscribers and likes keeps increasing. Even though the ability itself is ordinary, the way the videos flow makes you feel like its good to have that ordinary ability. The ability to move was truly important. From short distances to long distances. Being able to save time in movement, if utilized in war, could give a significant advantage. How can they make this god, Hong Gil-dong, feel special? And it didnt end there. Horus? The Horus I know? There was another god who btedly received subscribers and likes. This guy is also the god chosen by [Only Subscribe to the Right Gods]! Ares shouted in frustration. Chapter 65: The Great Thiefs Mastery Chapter 65: The Great Thief''s Mastery After a short break, Ethan immediately distributed orders to the Second Order and the Third Order, each in their respective locations. Of course, he already knew the method, and also knew what role the First Order yed. I know everything about the role of the First Order. He also verified where he was issuing the orders. With Hassen Rittle dead, Ethan had be the First Order of the Ivecar Academy. But if this gets exposed, it could be a huge problem. Havingpleted the tasks, Ethan returned home and immediately opened [New World]. I need the ability to stay undetected. There might be times when I need to infiltrate discreetly again. He couldnt keep using the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique to weaken his presence as he had been doing so far. -The god youre subscribing to has uploaded a new video! A notification popped up as soon as he entered [New World]. A new video? It was Hong Gil-dong who had uploaded a new video. He only had one skill rted to movement, if Ethan remembered correctly. But since that ability was indeed remarkable, Ethan had dly made a review video about it and uploaded it. Of course, Horus had also uploaded a video after their first lesson. Oh. As soon as Ethan clicked on Hong Gil-dongs video, he was surprised. So, this is what the gods mean by skyrocketing. Until Ethan subscribed, Hong Gil-dongs subscribers and likes had barely reached double digits. However, now they had jumped to three digits after Ethans review video. Real-time likes and views for each video were also going up. -[Only subscribed to the right gods] Subscribed and watched as you did. There really is no god that can match Hong Gil-dong in terms of movement skills. -Crazy movement ability. I forgot our anniversary and didnt buy a gift. I used this ability to instantly go and save our marital peace. -After learning the wind ability that shes to the east and west, I became rich with a taxi business. Thank you. Ethan firmly confirmed the results his review had brought about. Its clear that theres power in this. His review was significantly influencing the subscribers of [New World]. Even more so than he thought. A gratitude video only I can see, just like with Heo Jun. -[Subscriber Exclusive] Hwalbindang Edition. -Subscriber exclusive video. -Only avable for [Premium Subscribers]. -You are registered as a [Premium Subscriber]. You are able to watch the video. Hong Gil-dong, whose subscriptions and likes had skyrocketed, uploaded a subscriber-exclusive video that only Ethan could see, just like Heo Juns time. Since it was a free video without likes, there was no reason not to watch it. Dressed in a quite stylish hat, a blue top, and white clothing, Hong Gil-dong appeared in the video. He bowed his head without saying a word. -Im grateful. Im naturally talented, you see. Initially, I uploaded a lot of videos. But subscribers and likes didnte. It was awkward to see a video full of likes suddenly pop up when I was in an angry state. So, I deleted them. Hong Gil-dongs expression, which started calmly, gradually brightened as he spoke. -I dont know why you chose me, but thanks to you, Ive found hope. So, I wanted to gift you this video. Its an exclusive video only you can see. Hong Gil-dong grinned. -Youd be surprised if you knew how I managed to amass enough wealth to sustain an ind as the leader of the Hwalbindang. Even those rascals and bandits came to surrender once or twice, and after that, I was well-prepared. Wind ability was simply a skill for fast movement, as Hong Gil-dong exined. -Of course, the essence of my power is indeed this wind ability, but starting with the wind, this ability can be utilized in various ways. Is it some kind of duplication technique? -No, its not a duplication technique. In fact, its something that cant be taught. As if reading Ethans mind, Hong Gil-dong started a lengthy exnation, simr to his exnation of wind. Although it was quite extensive, it was more detailed than Hercules exnation. Ding! -You have learned Great Thiefs Mastery. -Skill Added: Great Thiefs Mastery (A) The added ability specialized in covert infiltration, just like how Great Thief Hong Gil-dong effortlessly stole wealth. -This is a kind of spell. Its a bit different from magic, but you can think of it as a technique that erases your presence. With this Culmination of the Great Thief, theres nothing you cant steal. From Wind to the Culmination of the Great Thief, its simply perfect for stealing and escaping! Hong Gil-dong burst intoughter. -Thanks for the review! Hong Gil-dong sincerely expressed his gratitude. * * * Ethan immediately used the Great Thiefs Mastery. Come to think of it, Hong Gil-dong was the leader of a group of thieves called Hwalbindang. Being fixated on his act of taking from the wealthy and distributing among the less fortunate, Ethan had forgotten that Hong Gil-dong was, in fact, a thief. When you really think about it, a nationwide-active thief like Hong Gil-dong wouldnt just possess the skill of teleportation. He had subscribed to Hong Gil-dong to learn the Wind Movement skill. But, as fate would have it, Hong Gil-dong was providing Ethan with exactly the skill he needed. It seems luck is quite on my side. Ethan immediately used the Great Thiefs Mastery. -You used the Great Thiefs Mastery! In an instant, a spell swirled around Ethans body through his feet. And just like that, Ethan became someone who wasnt there. Wow. At this moment, Ethan was so seamlessly intertwined with nature that he couldnt help but be amazed. If he stayed still, his concealment was so perfect that no one could possibly notice him. With a smirk, Ethan promptly moved to where Second Order and Third Order receivedmands, delivering the orders. Then, he reviewed the reports they had submitted. Hmm. Encrypted reports, they provided thorough security even if someone else got hold of them. However, the intended recipient here was Ethan. Second Order and Third Order hardly have any authority. They act like puppets, performing actions without understanding the reasons. In other words, meticulous nning was essential for the strategies being concocted within Ivecar Academy. No wonder significant issues at the academy would likely go unnoticed until its toote. It was an exceptionallyprehensive n. However, this n was bound to be less meticulous than they anticipated. Since Ethan had assumed the position of First Order, he intended to discreetly disseminate information. So the Academy can prepare. Ethan had no intention of upying the First Order position solely to avert impending dangers at Ivecar Academy. Ill use it. His n was to establish his reputation within the academy and among the followers of the Moon. There was no logical reason to side with either party exclusively. Ethan wrote the keyword n Execution in the orders. * * * Hah! Keeukkkk! The practice room at the academy was bustling with noise. Whats with all these swordsmanship students? Why are there so many? A neer from Spear Techniques asked their friend beside them, clearly surprised. You know, its Teacher Ethans ss, Understanding the Sword Path. Theyre all students of that ss. All of them? Are all these students in that ss? Seems like it. They say that to truly absorb what they learn from one ss to the next, they dont even have a day to rest. What kind of ss is it, really? If its this demanding, cant they just drop it? It must be far more impressive than the rumors. I heard from a friend that the level of the ss is no joke. Thats why everyone seems so determined. The Spear Techniques students exchanged nces. Just how impressive is this ss? Ethans ss continued to gain notoriety. Students couldnt help but wonder about the nature of the ss thatpelled its participants to close their mouths and listen, leaving everyone else curious. The same sentiment was shared by the instructors. Connor, who had unexpectedly witnessed the first ss, couldnt have predicted that Chen wouldnt face consequences for his provocation, much less that it would be considered legitimate educational conduct. This essentially meant the Headmaster had approved. Moreover, Count Garcias silence also indicated his satisfaction with Ethans ss. So, this is the ss that even Count Garcia acknowledges. It seems a truly remarkable teacher has arrived this time. Wouldnt you feel more nervous than with magic? More so, Im worried about udie. Hes been leading the Sword Techniques ss up to now. Suddenly, a new teacheres in and steals all the attention Plus, theparison would be inevitable. Still, udie is doing fine since his ss is full. But theres the teacher who came in at the same time. Ah, Teacher Ramsdale? Though there were quite a few teachers who joined along with Ethan, there was only one Sword Techniques instructor. Ciron Ramsdale. Ever since his eptance as Sword Saints grandson, he had garnered attention, from the congrattory party to the present, he had vanished from everyones radar. He was a neer to teaching, but he was drastically overshadowed by Ethan. 50 students were in the ss, yet only 30 remained. Although his performance as a rookie teacher wasmendable, he was dwarfed by Ethan, his peer, who achieved monstrous results. Essentially, the gap between them was so wide thatparison was practically futile. Shh. The teachers gathered hushed as Ciron Ramsdale approached from a distance. Ciron Ramsdale sensed their gaze. Damn it. He was acutely aware of the situation. Why did it have to turn out like this? He hadnt expected to excel from the beginning. But a shadow trailed him. The shadow of being Sword Saints grandson. No matter what he did, that shadow followed. So, this was an opportunity to shake off that shadow. Not Sword Saints grandson, but a teacher at Ivecar Academy. But it all went wrong from the start. All because of his peer, Ethan Whiskers. Of course, Ethan hadnt done anything wrong. But being human, Ciron couldnt help feeling resentment toward Ethan. Teacher Ciron Ramsdale. In that instant, Ciron started, surprised. Well, were you having any bad thoughts? Cursing me or something. It was Ethan Whiskers. Upon Ethans sudden appearance, Ciron found himself offering an awkward smile he wasnt even aware of. N-no. Thats alright then. Its nothing special, just thought it might be nice for us to share a meal or something. A meal? Arent you stressed unintentionally because of me? Ciron was surprised by how Ethan seemed to have seen through him. Moreover, he extended his hand first. Theres something different. Yes, it would be nice for us toe together. Ciron was growing curious about Ethan. * * * The organizer of this new teachers gathering was Ethan. Including those from the Knight Department and Magic Department, there were a total of seven new teachers present. It was meant to be a casual meal, but the atmosphere wasnt light. The teachers stole nces at Ciron Ramsdale and Ethan. Another person, Iris, also caught their attention. Normally, Ciron and Iris would have been inpetition for the top position, and ever since bing official teachers, they should have beenpeting in terms of their qualities as new instructors. However, Ethan was overwhelmingly overshadowing them both. I didnt expect this kind of style. Youre more sociable than I thought, Teacher Ethan. Iris, the Magic Department teacher, initiated a conversation with Ethan. Iris also didnt seem in the best mood. Even here, except for Ethan, only Nadia was enjoying her meal without worries. Its not that I dislike people. And I thought you might have some grievances, so I arranged this gathering. Ciron and Iris raised their eyebrows. Other teachers disyed surprised expressions at this situation. Never did they imagine that they would talk so openly about this. Sensitively speaking about an issue tied to their pride. Im talking about me. Im not particrly impressed with my achievements this time. What do you mean by not being impressed? Ciron asked. His voice was deeply subdued. Was this level considered the very basic? Not enough to inspire any sort of amazement? It wasnt like he organized this dinner to brag. Ethan looked at Ciron. You two arent teachers just topete with each other, right? Teacher Ciron Ramsdale, Teacher Iris Paqueta. I have bigger goals. Teacher Ethan is right. Nadia said while eating her sd. I came to this school as a teacher with grand goals, teachers. I think you probably have simr thoughts. Ethans spoken grand goals were what everyone gathered here was dreaming of. When anyone held a sword, they dreamed of wielding the best sword on the continent. Simrly, teachers who enter the academy generally dream of bing the best instructors. Bing a master. And the reason was to leave a significant mark on the academy. Once they became teachers, it was the kind of self-pride that believed they would ascend to the highest position in any academy. But look at the current situation. In Ethans words, Ciron and Iris were momentarily embarrassed. They hade in as teachers with the ambition of putting Ivecar Academy at the top. Ethan had be the vanguard. If that was the case, shouldnt they keep up as well? Or at least, they shouldnt hinder progress. Phew. They were aware of this too. What emotions they harbored towards Ethan. It was jealousy and envy. Ciron Ramsdale and Iris Paqueta had never envied or been jealous of anyone before. The spotlight had always been on them. Anything they wished for came true. Effort meant anything was possible, and they always yielded exceptional resultspared to others. Teachers. Ethan gazed at them with a profound look. We have the same goal, dont we? Isnt that right? Saying so, he not only met the eyes of Ciron and Iris, but also other teachers. Yes. Yes, Teacher Ethan. Then let us work together, shall we? At the word us, something surged deep within the teachers. Chapter 66: Alchemy Department Class (1) Chapter 66: Alchemy Department ss (1) Among the aspects of academy life, teacher gatherings were considered the most important. I need to eliminate misunderstandings. When someone who should receive attention didnt, problems arose. This was especially true for someone like Ciron Ramsdale, whose grandfather was famous. The issue was that there was one more descendant of a famous individual. Iris Paqueta. Both were fixated on achievements. So, if left as it was, they would undoubtedly develop hostility toward Ethan. Even though Ethan hadnt caused any major harm to them, he was being swept away by the opinions around him. This could adversely affect Ethan. Gaining allies is crucial. If you rubbed someone the wrong way during your limited lifespan and an unexpected threat arises, it was game over. Its not necessary for everyone to be on my side. It was not necessary for everyone to be an ally. It was beneficial to remain neutral without bing an enemy. With this in mind, the gathering was quite effective. Both Ciron and Iris were elite individuals, so Ethans words seemed to resonate deeply with them. I didnt know you had such grand goals. Nadia seemed to have developed a positive impression of Ethan. Lets have a drink togetherter and discuss those goals in more detail! Yes, maybeter. Ethan replied with a smile to Nadia. Alright then. Now was about the right time. The head of the Magic Department would have found Hassens resignation letter by now, and they would be searching for a recement. With no one left to be jealous, maybe I should take on another ss. * * * Well, this is unbelievable. Hes just going to leave by writing a letter like this? The head of the Magic Department clicked his tongue. Never did he expect that Hassen Rittle would submit a resignation letter. He had been a decent teacher, handling his sses well. Now we have no one to take on his sses. And his sses are challenging even for new teachers. Hassen Rittle, who was in charge of the Alchemy ss in the Magic Department, was now teaching Potion Making. Potion-making was one of the more difficult subjects even within alchemy. You couldnt just mix ingredients haphazardly and expect to create a good potion. Understanding thebinations of ingredients and timing their additions were crucial. Above all, without a proper understanding of each ingredient, the ss itself couldnt be taught effectively. However, entrusting it to other teachers was also difficult. Other teachers were already handling their respective sses, so they couldnt afford to take on another burden. Hmm. The head of the Magic Department pondered for a moment. The image of a new Swordsmanship department teacher came to mind. He had heard that the new teacher from the Swordsmanship department had filled all 75 slots in his ss. Moreover, the evaluations were so high that all 75 students were fully engaged in the ss. The training grounds have been bustling. It seems the new teachers are attempting something this year. The head of the Magic Department adjusted his sses. He thought about entrusting this difficult ss to the new teachers. The Swordsmanship department isnt the only department that has attracted great talent. Weve also got quite promising individuals in our department. In the Magic Department, both Nadia von Tschernkastel and Iris Paqueta had joined. They both had decent backgrounds and exceptional skills. Initially, it might be challenging, but if they focus for about two weeks, they should be able to prepare and handle the Alchemy ss. Although achieving outstanding results might be a stretch. The head of the department briefly contemted who to assign the ss to between the two new teachers. How about giving it to Nadia? Her background suits Alchemy more. The head of the Magic Department called Nadia. You called for me, Dean? Nadia, hows the new ss youve taken on? Oh, its interesting! The students seem to be following my ss well, and Im enjoying teaching it. Do you have some spare time? Um, is there something specific youre referring to? Hassen Rittle suddenly submitted a resignation letter. So, one of the sses is currently without a dedicated teacher. The head of the Magic Department exined the situation to Nadia. Nadia had a thoughtful expression for a moment. You dont have to decide immediately. Theres still some time until the next ss, so take your time to think and let me know. Alright, I understand! * * * And not long after, someone knocked on the door of the deans office. Principal? The person who entered was the principal and another teacher. Teacher Ethan is here too? Ethan Whiskers, the protagonist heating up the academy, followed the headmaster into the office. What brings you here? I heard Hassen Rittle submitted a resignation letter? Left without reporting anything just like that. Im sorry, Principal. I also received the resignation letter this morning and found out. There were no signs. Something unexpected must have happened to lead to this. The head of the Magic Department looked troubled. From the principals perspective, this was undoubtedly an unpleasant situation. However, the principal gestured as if it was alright. I didnte here to reprimand you. Is there a reason both of you entered together, including Teacher Ethan? Yes. The principal smiled subtly. Hassen Rittle was in charge of the Alchemy ss, right? Potion Making. Thats one of the more challenging sses in the Alchemy Department, isnt it? Yes, thats correct. It just so happens Ive been contemting that ss. Hasnt Teacher Ethan, as a new teacher in the Swordsmanship department, achieved remarkable results? Even though hes a new teacher, I was impressed by his achievements. So, I was also considering taking on this ss Dean. Yes, Principal? How about entrusting that ss to Ethan? What? The words that came from the headmaster werepletely unexpected. Handing over the Alchemy ss to Ethan, a Sword Technique teacher what did that mean? Are you joking? I already suggested that to Nadia. Im not joking. If thats not the case, then why? Im having trouble understanding this. Is there something Im missing? Magic Department Dean. At that moment, Ethan spoke up. Ive been thinking about this since I first came to the academy. I want to take on multiple sses, regardless of the department. Coincidentally, Nadia came to me for advice. In the current situation, she suggested taking on an additional ss might be overwhelming. So, if Nadia declines, I expressed my interest in taking on the ss to the Principal. The Magic Department Dean stared at Ethan. Certainly, as a new teacher, this was a reasonable idea. Everyone enters with significant goals in mind. And it wasnt about being confined to a specific department; it was about bing a representative teacher of the academy. However, that was an immensely challenging task. Can you handle it, Teacher Ethan? This isnt an easy task. Teacher, you entered the Swordsmanship department after passing the exam, and your sword skills are exceptional. I admit that and even respect it, and I acknowledge that, but those are your main expertise, right? The Magic Department Dean spoke calmly. Magic is an entirely different matter. The ss you want to take on, [Potion Manufacturing], is not something you can just pick up. The ss Hassen Rittle was teaching, for example, required an extensive knowledge of potion making. Even if he left irresponsibly, Im not doubting his ability. He knew about the herbs used in potion making. The shape, taste, effects. He could instantly identify the herbs used to make various potions. Without that level of knowledge, conducting an Alchemy department ss is impossible. Is that so? Why in the world does Teacher Ethan want to take on that ss? Isnt the Understanding the Sword Path ss already progressing splendidly? Isnt it full with 75 students? Ive heard that a new teacher has never managed to satisfy the demanding students of the Swordsmanship department. Leading that ss itself is difficult, so why take on this as well? To be honest, the principal, who had been observing, shared the same sentiment. When Ethan suddenly came to the principals office with this proposal, the principal thought he had gotten carried away with his sess. Entering as a top student and starting the first ss so sessfully, some arrogance was understandable. So, the principal had tried to convince him nicely. However, he found himself being persuaded instead. Principal, you should have intervened. How exactly could I have intervened? What? Whats going on? At that moment, Ethan walked toward the section of the Deans office where a herb cultivation garden was set up, along with various potted nts. Dean, you said it would be difficult to take on the ss without extensive knowledge, right? So, if you reverse that, if you have that extensive knowledge, you can take on the ss. Regardless of whether its Magic or the Swordsmanship department. True. If you have the knowledge to conduct the ss, theres no problem. There have been cases like that. Ethan smiled at that statement. Dreca Herb, Eury Leaf, Ibina Herb, Gold Herb, Red Herb. Ethan began pointing to the herbs from left to right and stating their names. For the herbs that werent clearly visible, he smelled them and quickly named them. The expression on the Magic Department Deans face, which had been puzzled at first, gradually stiffened. The names Ethan mentioned matched the herbs he was pointing to. He had answered all of them correctly, without missing a single one. Funny how that works. Thoseplex mathematical forms were difficult to memorize, but the names of over a hundred heroes were easy to remember. Even their skills were memorized effortlessly. Simrly, Ethan had memorized various items in this world to the point where he could recall them like pressing buttons on a vending machine. The principal had been convinced by that knowledge. It wasnt just boasting; Ethan indeed possessed extensive knowledge, to the extent that if he had applied for the Magic Department, he might not have been the top applicant but definitely a close second. Teacher Ethan, why on earth did you apply to the Swordsmanship department? Distinguishing herbs just by sight and smell wasnt easy. Except for unique herbs, they often looked and smelled simr. Especially when cultivated together, their scents would ovep, making distinguishing them purely by smell quite difficult. I prefer swordsmanship. Hmm. The Magic Department Dean clicked his tongue. If Ethan Whiskers had entered the Magic Department, all the attention currently focused on the Swordsmanship Department would have shifted here! Well then, what do you think, Dean Dade? Shall we let Teacher Ethan handle this ss? Hmm Initially, it sounded absurd. But after witnessing Ethans abilities firsthand, the Deans certainty began to waver. I will handle the other aspects. If you agree, I will take care of it. Despite being the Principal, each departments Dean held considerable authority. Ignoring the Deans power could disrupt the entire system. Hence, the Principal had to wait for the Deans decision. But judging from the expression, the answer seemed apparent. The Magic Department and the Knight Department werepeting for the top spot in the academy, and due to Ethan Whiskers, this yearspetition had taken an unexpected turn. So, instead of restricting Ethan to the Knight Department, why not broaden his role? That way, he could ride the wave of attention. The Principal could roughly deduce the turmoil in the Magic Department Deans mind. While considering other teachers in our department, we were hesitant due to the difficulty of the ss. But with Teacher Ethans capabilities, we can entrust it to him! However, there are conditions. The Principal looked at Ethan. He seemed to already know what conditions he would propose. As you know, our Magic Department students have strong pride. Do you know that too, Teacher Ethan? Naturally, mages have strong pride. It might be strange for a mage like me to say this, but even among such mages, our students have crossed that threshold. The Dean nodded in agreement. Having someone from a different field teach a ss? They might not even bother to listen properly. Convincing them to cooperate, let alone conduct a two-hour ss, would be difficult. Permission could be granted. Ethan undoubtedly had the ability to lead the ss. However, whether students would ept it was a different issue. While he could be given the ss, persuading the students to listen well was Ethans responsibility. Rejecting someone from a different field is natural. If someone who entered the Swordsmanship department suddenly ims to have knowledge of Herbology, how believable would it be? Indeed, they might doubt it. It could be tough to endure. Dont dwell on Swordsmanship department sses. At least the Swordsmanship department sses started with the premise that Ethan was a Swordsmanship teacher. Thats why he managed the beginning rtively well. Dont worry. I will take responsibility and handle it. Lets hope so. Ethan nodded. Thank you, Dean. Chapter 67: Alchemy Department Class (2) Chapter 67: Alchemy Department ss (2) Did you hear the news? Teacher Hassen Rittle has resigned? Huh? Out of nowhere? What happens to Teacher Hassens ss then? The students of the Magic Department buzzed with questions. Hassen Rittles Potion Manufacturing ss was one of the foundational courses in the Magic Department. While not a mandatory major, it was a skill that every mage should know, and thus the ss was consistently full. Of course, there were students who found it uninteresting or too challenging and dropped out, but they were quickly reced by others. One of the reasons for this was that the dedicated instructor, Hassen Rittle, possessed considerable skill. As befitting an alchemy teacher, Hassen Rittle was well-versed in various herbs and could answer students questions with ease. Moreover, his exnations were so well-delivered that they made grasping theplex Potion Manufacturing ss somewhat easier. So, when it was revealed that Hassen had submitted a resignation, the Magic Department students couldnt help but chatter. If its Teacher Hassen who applied, why would he resign? What could be the reason? Is he feeling unwell? Wait, then whos going to take over this ss? We dont have any predicted instructors. Could they be assigning it to a new teacher? Oh no! C-Could it be, by any chance, Teacher Graham? Id want to drop the ss immediately if its him. He makes it tooplicated. Just because he thinks were all geniuses. Everyone spected about who might take over the ss. Particrly, everyone hoped it wouldnt be Teacher Graham. Quiet! Creak! The door opened, revealing the entrance of the Magic Departments Dean. All fifty students in the ssroom turned their attention toward the entrance. As the Dean, with his distinctive gait, entered, the students expressions turned deste at the realization that the Dean would be taking over this ss. However, another person followed behind him. Huh? What? Whats going on!? Everyone was taken aback by the faces they saw. Isnt that Teacher Ethan? From the Swordsmanship Department? What on earth? Teacher Ethan isnt going to teach this ss, is he? Confusion spread across the students faces. Settle down, everyone! Standing at the podium, the Magic Departments Dean was apanied by Ethan, standing beside him. Teacher Hassen Rittle has submitted his resignation and retired. The reasons are personal. Therefore, starting today, this Potion Manufacturing ss will be taught by none other than Teacher Ethan Whiskers. What!? Dean! What are you saying!? But Teacher Ethan is from the Swordsmanship Department! Hes a knight! As soon as the words left the mouth of the Magic Departments Dean, strong objections erupted. Youre making too much fun of this! Among them, the second-year students of the Magic Department were the most resistant. Are you saying that a teacher who isnt even a mage will be teaching this ss? Well then, we wont take this ss. Us too. Count me out! The Magic Departments Dean let out a sigh, as if he had anticipated this. No matter that they were students, they were still magicians. Such dismissive behavior towards magic couldnt be tolerated. Even the Magic Department Dean had a simr reaction when Ethan initially approached him about taking over the ss. If it werent for the presence of the Principal, he might have exploded on the spot. Alright! If you dont want to attend the ss, you dont have to. But still, shouldnt you at least listen to how Teacher Ethan ns to conduct the ss? And let me remind you, Im a mage too. Ive been exploring magic far longer than all of you. So, I understand what worries you. The Deans earnest words caused the departing students to pause for a moment. It was I who personally brought Teacher Ethan here. Remember just that and try to listen to Teacher Ethans first ss. At that moment, Ethan signaled to the Dean. As the Dean stepped back, Ethan positioned himself at the front of the ss, scanning the students all around. First of all, I didnt take on this ss to belittle magic. Despite his words, the students expressions remained grim. Being a teacher from the Swordsmanship Department while taking on a ss in the Magic Department was seen as belittling magic itself. Exining otherwise wasnt resonating with them. As Ethan began to speak, the Deanpletely left the ssroom. His part was done now. Convincing the students and preventing them from leaving was solely Ethans responsibility. Now alone, Ethan faced the students icy stares. While the Dean was around, he had to consider the Deans reactions to some extent, but now there was no need for that. Why did you decide to teach this ss? Youre a teacher from the Swordsmanship Department. Is it true that the Principal pushed you into this? Awkward and impolite questions were thrown at him. What can we possibly learn from you, Teacher? We dont want to learn about swordsmanship, Teacher Ethan Whiskers. Moreover, just like the Swordsmanship Department, there were elite students here as well. Swordsmanship Department might be easy enough for a teacher from a rural area to handle, but were different here in the Magic Department. If the Swordsmanship Department had Mason Yeld representing the upper echelons, the Magic Department had someone equivalent in Grandel Torf. The current Marquis Torf was considered one of the top Archmages. He was known as the Archmage of the Red me, a title he earned as abat mage among the Archmages. There are quite a few familiar faces here. Certainly, the Magic Department had more familiar faces than the Swordsmanship Department. Having often coborated with the Mage Tower and the Royal Magic Corps, the sharp expressions from those who knew Ethan and the tales associated with him in the Magic Department came to his mind. To be honest, I believe I have a talent for potion brewing thats superior to Teacher Ethan. In reverse, it means I could teach Teacher Ethan a thing or two. Grandels words were met with silent nods of agreement. The students gathered here were exceptional mages, to the point that even bringing other mages wouldnt make them feel inferior. That held true for potion brewing as well. Most likely, you all have reasons to doubt my skills. But to prove myself to you, I need to demonstrate my skills, as you suggested. Ethan had anticipated their resistance. He had dealt with plenty of stubbornly proud mages; that included students as well. So, the only way to pacify theirints was through his abilities. Ethan spread various herbs on the long table in front of him. -Casting the Decoction of Herbal Essence! He immediately started brewing the decoction. The students watched Ethans every move, plucking herbs, grinding, adding at precise timings, and mixing. It seemed like a routine potion-making, but there was something different. How were your previous Potion Manufacturing sses? They were quite challenging, werent they? Despite being foundational, these sses were difficult. Students who didnt resonate with the basics had a tough time attending. Even with difficult sses, the students would only acquire foundational potion-brewing skills. Moreover, the rewards seemed too basic for the effort, leading many to think it wasnt worth it. Yet, this ss still holds value. So most of the students will eventually want to take it. It took about three minutes. Ordinarily, making a single potion would take at least ten minutes. Ethan had managed to craft a potion in a remarkably short time. As Ethan swiftly finished making the decoction and poured it into a ss bottle, the students who had been pouring outints were now focused on his every move. He had introduced himself as a Swordsmanship Department teacher, but the way he handled potion-making resembled a mage to the core. Before sealing the finished potion, Ethan raised his hand. In truth, merely brewing a potion didnt make one a mage. Hence, to convert their interest into assurance, he needed to be a mage at least for this moment. Blessing of Nature. Ethan cast the ancient spell he obtained from the trials, the Blessing of Nature. Of course, the Blessing of Nature didnt add any extra effects to the potion, but it had a definite impact on students unfamiliar with ancient magic. Whoa!? Th-The Blessing of Nature? The students were taken aback by the unfamiliar magic. Slowly, their expressions changed. At that moment, Ethan ceased being a Swordsmanship Department teacher. From potion brewing to magicwasnt this the perfect demeanor of a Magic Department teacher? A situationpletely different from what they had thought. With a light toss, Ethan closed the decoction bottle. Thunk! As Grandel caught the potion, his expression stiffened. Drink it. Then youll know. Whether I pretended to make it or actually produced a proper potion. Grandel immediately drank the potion. And he immediately understood. Vitality surged through his body, especially enhancing his senses. Swish. He waved his hand once and understood. This potion was real. It was almost equivalent to a high-end potion, without even considering its taste. Creating such a high-quality potion in a matter of moments was astonishing beyond words. Alright, this is where I want to stop. Thanks for your attention. If any of you want to leave, feel free. The implication was clear. Having closed his eyes, Ethan wouldnt know who left. Ethan nonchntly closed his eyes. The meaning was evident. He was leaving the choice up to the students. Another two minutes passed. When Ethan opened his eyes again, he grinned. Now, may I talk about the ss? Not a single person left. * * * Half, no, even a third remaining, would still be considered a sess. I doubt theres any mage as discerning as our students in the entire school. The Deans office. Magic Departments Dean believed that about a third of the students would remain in Ethans ss. Their earlier reactions were disheartening. Indeed, a Swordsmanship Department teacher taking over a ss in the Magic Department faced considerable resistance. If he were an experienced teacher who had proven his abilities, he might have been able to quell some of that resistance. But Ethan was a rookie. For a rookie teacher who had shown promise in the Swordsmanship Department, the Dean thought that even having a third of the students stay would be a sess. Dean, the ss has ended. Dean sent Ethan a look that was a mixture of pride and sympathy upon hearing the results. Ive witnessed Teacher Ethans skills earlier, so I know. But students will always start with skepticism. If they dont like it, they wont stay. Still, dont worry too much. This will be a significant learning experience for a teacher. It was quite rare for a rookie teacher to handle sses from two different departments simultaneously. Even just the experience of managing two different sses at once was meaningful. Ethan would probably see it that way too. Thank you for the advice. So, how many are left? It might sting a bit, but I still have to hear it. The Dean asked as if trying to provide morefort. Meeting the Deans gaze, Ethan replied casually. There are 50 students. Oh my, thats significantly fewer Huh? 50? Deans eyes widened dramatically for a moment. No one left the ss. Chapter 68: The Third Lesson Chapter 68: The Third Lesson The result was shocking. W-What? No one left at all? None? Even Magic Department Dean stumbled over his words. He had thought that having a third of the ss remain would be fortunate. Ethan was saying there were zero dropouts. All 50 students are staying for the ss? Seriously? Youre not kidding, are you? Wait, are you kidding? Hahaha, but to use the ss for a joke Deans words prompted Ethan to shake his head. Its not a joke, Dean. The students are pretty nice. After I exined how I would conduct the ss and showed them my skills, they focused on the ss really well. * * * Is that true? But the kid who took the ss said that Teacher Ethan is teaching Magic Department sses. Hes from the Swordsmanship Department! What kind of Magic Department ss is it? Whats going on? Rumors about Ethan teaching the Magic Departments Potion Manufacturing ss spread among the students. Until just recently, Ethan had been popr for his Understanding the Sword Path ss. But now, he was teaching Potion Manufacturing? Thats just a baseless rumor, right? A Swordsmanship Department teacher taking up some kind of Magic Department ss? Teacher Ethan is known for his swordsmanship skills, right? Could it be that Teacher Ethan is spreading rumors in the Magic Department because hes jealous? It was an unbelievable story. Because of that, nobody believed it. However, a Magic Department student who attended the Understanding the Sword Path ss discovered the truth. Is it true!? What? Its true!? The story was indeed that Ethan Whiskers had taken on the Potion Manufacturing ss. Oh, no, wait, why? Why would he suddenly do that? Could he be quitting Understanding the Sword Path? Hes not quitting that, right!? Its not that, is it? Students taking the Understanding the Sword Path ss began to worry that Ethan might be quitting for some undisclosed reason. At the same time, the Magic Department students who had experienced Ethans ss started spreading stories about him. Why did he apply to the Swordsmanship Department? With his skills, he could have passed the exams for Magic or Alchemy Department without a hitch. Then we would have the top teacher in our department! Unusually, the opinions of the Knight Department and Magic Department aligned. There was something different about Ethan Whiskers sspared to others. Grandel, whats going on? Did you attend his recent ss? Although the Knight Department was essentially led by Mason from the Swordsmanship Department, the strongest sword master student, the Magic Department held power across multiple disciplines. Grandel, a magic major, was asked by students from the Alchemy and Summoning departments about Ethans recent actions. Yeah, I attended. Grandels expression still seemed elusive. It looked like an excited expression, but in a different light, it also appeared somewhat nk. Whatever it was, this wasnt the usual Grandel. Who was Grandel Torf? He was a student in the Magic Department, who excelled in Combat Magic and had shown outstanding achievements, standing as a rival to Mason from the Swordsmanship Department, and had garnered attention in the Magic Department. And now he was disying this strange expression. If things were off before, they were now very off. What on earth happened? Its mind-boggling enough for a Knight Department instructor to be teaching our departments ss. Why did you all obediently stay for the ss? You were there too, Grandel! This is a matter of pride. . Even in response to their words, Grandel only folded his arms, not offering any further exnation. Grandel! Im not deaf. I was trying to figure out how to exin this situation. Exin? Even Im still confused after witnessing it firsthand. If I just exin, will you all believe it so easily? Grandel clicked his tongue. Then, as if organizing his thoughts, he opened his mouth again. Ill just tell you one thing. Why I stayed for the whole ss. Thats the part youre least likely to believe. Grandel recalled the ss. The students who attended this ss will never lose with their potion-making skills elsewhere. * * * Thus, the secret night at the academy was filled with stories about Ethan. Great Thiefs Mastery. Ethanpletely concealed his body and confirmed the instructions from the higher-ups of the followers of the Moon,ing from the outside. Its begun. The directive from the higher-ups of the followers of the Moon was to cause an incident during the parent observation ss of this department. The target had already been determined. Assassinate one of the departments parents through an incident? Hm. Ethan pondered why this order had been given. There had to be some reason for an assassination order without any apparent cause. It must be rted to their ultimate n. Ethan was aware of the origin of Ivecar Academys downfall. Students on a field trip were killed by followers of the Moon. The academy took all the me. With students and instructors gone, only the shell of Ivecar remained. But really. This on-site ss doesnt usually go well. The risk burden is too great. The nobles gathered at Ivecar were garnering attention in various ways. Higher nobles usually attract more enemies. On-site sses give those enemies an opportunity. No matter how skilled the instructors are, controlling the situation from outside the academy isnt easy. No, its not just not easy, its nearly impossible. Even if the instructors worked diligently, controlling such arge number of students thoroughly was impossible. Hence, on-site sses were effectively sses filled with risks. And the risks were high, while the potential gains were few. Its not like theres absolutely nothing to gain. Theres a unique charm to on-site sses. But if you attend an on-site ss to experience that charm and something happens, the instructor cant handle it. And the principal couldnt be unaware of this. The principal cant be unaware of this. And yet, they pushed forward. Until now, Ethan didnt know the reason. In fact, he hadnt really tried to find out. What mattered was that Ivecar Academy had fallen. However, he felt like he now understood why they had attended that on-site ss. Does it all start from here? If a parent were to die during this parent observation ss, the evaluation of Ivecar Academy would plummet. Safety concerns would arise, and the nobles who had trusted the principal and Ivecar with their children would lose faith. Of course, a single incident wouldnt shatter all the trust. But the followers of the Moon would likely continue with these kinds of incidents during events, and they would seed. The principal will grow anxious, and the academy will be shaken. To alleviate this anxiety and demonstrate that Ivecar Academy was still solid, a significant achievement was necessary. Someone rmended on-site sses to the principal. Likely, some instructors proposed this sweet suggestion to the principal, who needed achievements, and the principal epted it. Its mere spection but this seems to be the most likely. Phew. Yet, Ethan couldnt just prevent what the followers of the Moon were nning. If he did that, events might take a different direction from what he knew. And then all my merits would be diminished. So, he needed to subtly intervene, and prevent the incident, while letting the followers of the Moons n proceed. Intervene in such a way that different oues could be derived. And those oues could benefit me. Ethan was lost in thought. Yeah, that should work. A perfect n formed in his mind. * * * Were nning to conduct the parent observation ss soon. A teacher meeting. The derations of the principal left the Knight Department Dean and the Magic Department Dean taken aback. Isnt this a bit early, Principal? At the assistant principals words, the principal nodded. We n to do it a bit earlier this year. You all probably know the reason. We have a newly recruited teacher who is showing some promise. Just as the water is getting turbulent, the school is buzzing. This wasnt an exaggeration. Just the Understanding the Sword Path ss alone had caused amotion. Now, the news about Ethan taking on the new Potion Manufacturing ss was spreading and it was of no joke quality either. Dean Dade, why did you snatch our teacher away? The Knight Department Dean, Ricardo, looked really angry. Chapter 69: Parent Observation Class Preparation Chapter 69: Parent Observation ss Preparation -Your reputation is rising! -You have excellentlypleted sses from other departments! -Additional reputation has been gained! -Achievement unlocked! -Due to the achievement of [No Department Bias], you have gained likes. -You have gained 3 likes! Ethan proudly checked the notification window. The second ss, the Potion Manufacturing ss, was also sessfully conducted with full attendance. Above all, this ss wasnt from the Swordsmanship Department. Achievement unlocked. Consequently, he achieved even the achievements possible for teaching sses in other departments. He gained a whopping 3 likes. From now on, I might have to subscribe to gods like Horus who sell merchandise. And just subscribing also brings in a lot of likes. Of course, like during the time with Horus, he could manage through a trade of subscriber reviews. However, it seemed better to have a sufficient stock of likes. After all, in trading subscriber reviews, the god has almostplete discretion. Having many likes gives me the most assurance. When an unexpected situation arises, having control over the situation was the safest. Ethan confirmed what he gained this time and looked at his gathered peers. They were the fellow teachers from Ivecar Academy with whom he had previously dined. The parent observation ss is approaching. Have you all heard? The reason he gathered them was due to the uing parent observation ss. Because of the sudden notification, the new instructors were quite concerned about how to handle it. Why is the parent observation ss schedule suddenly so fast? I heard that normally, it takes about a month to start preparing. It seems like we started two weeks earlier. This year, the parent observation ss was conducted earlier than usual. Of course, it didnt matter much to the students whether it was a bit early orte, but the issue was with the teachers. Teachers fundamentally needed the trust of the parents. Parents could only evaluate the teachers based on the sses. If any shorings were noticed during the sses, parents would evaluate the teachers quite coldly. And this would reflect on the department and even affect future teacher evaluations. So, for the instructors, this observation ss was like the most critical event at the beginning of the semester. On the other hand, considering it from another angle, it was also an opportunity for the instructors to appeal to the parents. Among the parents of Ivecar Academy were quite a number of prominent nobles. If they wished, they could provide material support and even secure a position in the center. Weck experience in such matters. Im not sure what to do. Peer meeting. The fellow teachers Ethan gathered were meeting in preparation for the sudden parent observation ss. Ethan had suggested that, in preparation for such events, they should exchange information through regr gatherings for meals. Upon hearing this, Iris suggested that if there were regr gatherings, it would be good to have a name, and with Iriss words, the fellow teachers began brainstorming names for the gathering. How about jeans? Upon Nadias words, everyone had puzzled expressions. What do you mean? Its an abbreviation. Since our youth is starting here, lets call our youth jeans by shortening it! (+)TLN: From (youth) to this -> (jeans). I dont really get it either since Im rtively new to tranting Korean novels so I might get it wrong. This is the raw: . , ! Not good. Ciron looked unimpressed. Why! Sounds like a childs y. Well then, Ciron, how good of a suggestion do you have? In response, Ciron gave Nadia a knowing smile. Are we not bing a new wave of Ivecar? So, how about the New Wave Project It sounds worse, actually. This time, Iris clicked her tongue out at Ciron. No, you dont like this either? Then whats good? After a prolonged discussion yielded no answers, everyone turned their attention to Ethan. We probably dont need a grandiose name. I think something simple like a social gathering should suffice. We can call Nadias gathering the Jeans Social, and Cirons could be called the New Wave Social, dont you think? Everyone nodded in agreement to Ethans words, Iris even had an Oh expression, looking at Ethan. In fact, implicitly, Ethan was the leader of this gathering. Of course, everything was going as per Ethans intentions. So, its decided as a social gathering. Jeans Social! Congrattions on the establishment of the New Wave Social. The members of the social gathering apuded. With the name settled, there seemed to be a sense of belonging. The parent observation ss is very important to us. We cant just think parents areing for a normal visit. The first event to raise the academys reputation had begun. Ethan intended to achieve everything possible through this event. I cant pull everything out by just acting on my own. It was an obvious statement, but simply gaining attention could indeed elevate reputation. But thats exactly what it would do only elevate reputation. For Ethan, reputation wasnt the only thing that mattered. I need to achieve achievements as well. Both reputation and achievements, I need to grasp both of them. Focusing solely on reputation wouldnt be enough. Within the academy, achievements could also be umted significantly. For that, he needed the fellow teachers. Smoothlypleting the parent observation ss with fellow teachers would unlock achievements. Thats why its good to have a social gathering. So, it was good to go together. By fostering good rtionships, he could elevate their trust and, when needed, also receive their assistance. Since I needed to get close with Ciron anyway. If he wanted to utilize Cirons connections, it was better to be close. It was the same with the rest. Since they all had their own backgrounds, there was nothing bad in Ethan helping them in return for their assistance. Ethan shared some tips rted to the parent observation ss with the new teachers. So, does everyone have some ideas? Ciron responded to Ethans question. I n to do it as usual. Just because its the parent observation ss doesnt mean anything should change. After all, dont the students know everything? If you go and prepare something then, it would be an improvisation. Isnt it better to do well as usual? Im thinking the same. Me too. It would be good to show sincerity to the parents. Showing sincerity to the parents. Those were good words. But Ethan shook his head. To us and the students, this is a special event. Its a significant event where parents areing. Ethan spoke, looking at Ciron and Iris. Both of you probably wouldnt be too nervous to lecture in front of numerous parents. Even though the parents are high-ranking nobles, you two are also from noble families. Both nodded. It wasnt an incorrect statement. Nadia would be the same, and others as well. They would have plenty of opportunities to interact with high-ranking nobles. And, above all, they are teachers. If they wanted to, they could afford to take their time. But not the students. The parents focus is on the teachers, but on their children even more. They would be curious about how their children have been taught. And thats pressure on the students. Even students who were doing well until now would feel nervous with their parents watching them from behind, and when other adults interacting with parents are watching Ethan stopped there and smiled when he saw their understanding expressions. But Cirons expression froze for a moment. Until not long ago, Ciron was a student of this academy. And he recalled the immense pressure he felt during the parent observation ss. I hadnt thought of that. If they acted as they usually did, it could lead to a disaster. Moreover, it could escte beyond the students mistakes, raising doubts about the teacherspetence. Right, now that I think about it, I did the same. Ciron and Iris nodded in agreement as if empathizing. Its impressive; I was missing this point. They had been thinking only from the teachers perspective. Even Ciron, who had been a student until recently, had missed it. But looking at it from the opposite angle, this is a big opportunity for us. We can gain trust from both sides. Both sides? Yes. This could also be an opportunity for students, right? Nadia, who was listening to Ethans story, said with a gleam in her eyes. Ah! Hearing Nadias words, other teachers seemed to understand too. Just as the teachers wanted recognition from the parents, the students also wanted recognition from their own parents. Especially during such a parent observation ss, where they can stand out? Theres no better opportunity. But this is the most challenging part. If only one or two students shine, the others might feel discouraged. And the parents might not be too pleased either. So, everyone needs to shine. This was the most challenging aspect, but Ethan smiled softly. Prepare many questions. Ethan had already prepared a method for that. Throwing out questions was something anyone could do, but creating answers for them was not an easy task. Now, even if Ethan were to start a coup at the academy, everyone would support him. Oh Prepare a lot of questions tailored to the students, and make the students answer them! Everyone can shine fairly. Everyone sighed in amazement, raising their thumbs at Ethan. And one more thing, the parent observation ss traditionally involves open sses. Dont be too absorbed in your own sses. Try to attend other sses and see how they teach. Such opportunities are rare. Ethan sounded like a seasoned teacher. If it had been Ciron from some time ago, he might have suspected that even this statement was some incredible talent, obtained through some sort of unfair means. However, now that he knew Ethan, he felt a sense of awe towards Ethans innate abilities. If he had possessed such skills himself, he would never have acted this way. He might have monopolized and tried to shine alone. Iris was no different. Both knew how selfish someone with a shining talent could be. Thats why they couldnt help but hold Ethan in higher regard. Its a bit unfair that were the only ones getting this much help. Ciron smiled discreetly. Seeing Ciron like that, Ethan felt relieved. His anxiety seemed to have disappeared from within him. Now, even if he stepped forward, Ciron would be the Sword Saint Ciron that Ethan knew, without any issues. Its not like were just the type to receive help. I agree. Honestly, this feels a bit awkward. Is that so? Well, actually, Im used to this kind of thing. Ethan met the gazes of the other teachers. Well, anyway, if you need help. If you need help, just let us know, Teacher Ethan. Well all feel the same way. Thats right, Teacher Ethan. If theres something we can help with, well be more than happy to assist! Ethan smiled at the teachers words. Ill do the same. Nadia also added, a bit btedly. Although she had seemed cheerful until now, her expression changed at the mention of offering help. To provide help, one often had to rely on the power of ones family. Thats probably what was going on. Something seems to be happening within the family. Its natural that her expression hardens and she bes more contemtive when she thinks about the family. Originally, Nadia should have been rejected from Ivecar. However, she was epted with Ethans help. Moreover, Ethan had sown seeds of doubt in her, soplex situations were likely unfolding. Things seem to be gettingplicated. However, he didnt have the time to deal with Nadia right now. Nothing major is going to happen immediately. I should focus on this parent observation ss for now. Your assistance, everyone, Ill make sure to ask for it when I need it. Ethan smiled. Chapter 70: Ethans Preparation Chapter 70: Ethan''s Preparation That night. Ethan was outside the academy. -Great Thiefs Mastery proficiency has increased! Using Great Thiefs Mastery, Ethan exited the Marquis Rond mansion and headed towards the outskirts of Marquis Ronds territory. He had something to do on the outskirts. I should take care of the things I postponed. There are many things to gain in Marquis territory. Currently, Ethan was focusing on his life at the academy, but achieving results at the academy wasnt the only thing that mattered. There were closed-off areas in Marquis Rond territory. One of these prohibited areas was once called the Sky Garden, but now it had turned into apletely decayed and dead forest. Its sealed due to toxic emissions. And this ce was also one of the hiding spots of the Poison King. I heard there was some sort of ruins here. But back then, I didnt pay much attention to it. I thought that the Poison King would consume everything and only ruins would be left. However The Poison King had been killed by Ethan and was no longer here. So, treasures left by the Poison King should remain in his hiding spot. And the ruins wouldnt really be ruins. Ethan was particrly curious about the ruins. For some reason, the Poison King had been searching for the ruins. He was definitely looking for the Temple of the Moon Goddess. That meant that the ruins here, which he used as his hiding spot, were likely to be the Temple of the Moon Goddess. I should grow when I have the chance to grow. Ethan was considering advancing his ss by one level. There might be nobles who dont like this area during the parent observation ss. Along with that, Ethan was convinced that there were followers of the Moon among the high-ranking nobles. I dont know who they are, but they definitely exist. Ive often used information thats virtually impossible to get, without revealing my sources, while I was active as a First Order. This information would be unattainable without followers of the Moon among the high-ranking nobles. They might try to kill me or persuade me. The chances of persuasion are low. But killing could also raise suspicions. He hadnt fully grasped the strength on this side. In that case, they only had one choice. Mind control. Mind control on the followers of the Moon. Using their power, he could turn this side into pawns that the followers of the Moon could use and then discard. I might end up dealing with things I cant handle right now. Thats why Ethan was on the move. He would obtain everything that could be obtained from the Poison Kings hiding spot. Ethan reached the front of the prohibition area on the outskirts of Marquis Ronds territory. But the prohibition wasnt a ce one could just enter. Indeed, theyre thorough. In front of him, skilled knights of the Marquis stood guard, protecting the prohibition. The prohibition was surrounded by artifacts and defensive magic spells were spread throughout for protection purposes. The Poison King probably made deals with the knights guarding this ce, allowing him toe and go freely. With such tight security, even using the Great Thiefs Mastery wont make it easy to infiltrate. Ethan pondered for a moment. If sneaking in was difficult, he could just enter straightforwardly. Whos there! This is a prohibited area! You cant enter recklessly here! Step back. If youe any closer, Ill strike. The knight spoke in a solemn voice. Upon closer inspection, the knight seemed quite aged. His beard was slightly white at the tips. Hello, sir. I am Ethan Whiskers. I work as a teacher in the Swordsmanship Department of the Ivecar Academy. Ethan greeted politely. When he showed his badge, the knights guarded expression quickly softened. The Ivecar Academy had a very positive image in Marquis territory. As long as one was associated with the academy, their status was as good as proven. Oh, greetings. You must be a newly arrived teacher? This area is prohibited. Its a dangerous ce where toxin emissions leak. Why have youe to such a perilous ce? Ah, I want to talk about this dangerous prohibition in Marquis territory for the topic of the uing ss. I want to exin how dangerous toxins can be. So, Id like to take a look at this prohibition. Is there any way? A great teacher, indeed. You want to exin to the students how dangerous this prohibition is. But its too dangerous here. You wouldnte out alive if you entered. How about listening to what I can tell you and then leaving? The knight nodded. Ethan scrutinized the knight closely. The knights dark circles were quite pronounced. He seemed to have been on night duty for quite a while, and that too continuously. You look quite tired, sir. I am tired. Retirement isnt far away, but they keep pushing me from higher up. Lately, I cant even sleep properly. The knight rotated his arms as if to stretch, and every movement produced a creaking sound of bones, indicating the extent to which he was being worked from above, even causing him to let out a groan. This is it. Ethan chuckled subtly and said to the knight, as if whispering a secret. Is your back hurting too, by any chance? ! The knight looked at Ethan as if wondering how he knew. I can make you feel as if youve washed away your fatigue. Of course, not just your back. Your shoulders seemed quite sore when you rotated them just now. It seems youre experiencing pain every time you move them. I can even relieve that shoulder collision pain. The knights eyes sparkled at Ethans subtle suggestion. He could relieve the pain? You can relieve it? Didnt you say youre a teacher? I, too, have been quite physically frail since a while ago. I found my own methods and studied, so I naturally acquired this ability. Oh, its okay if you dont believe me. Since you said its dangerous, Ill just go back as it is. As Ethan turned his body, the knight shouted. Wait a moment. Why? Um is it really possible to fix it? Hooked. Of course. Ethan nodded and immediately produced needles. Whats that? These are needles I use every day. I will insert these needles to release the blocked cirction. If you let me do this, your back will instantly feel as young as it used to be. Your shoulders, even if you had swung a sword thousands of times in a day, will return to normal by the next day. Can sticking those needles really bring me back to those days? How? Just by inserting it like this. Ethan gently inserted the needle into his own back. Hmm. The knight seemed interested in this unfamiliar medical procedure. He had seen and heard a lot, especially given his advanced age. Is it really effective? If it werent for this, I wouldnt be standing here. I wouldve already died. Hahaha, quite the joke. Can you try it on me? In exchange. Ethan smirked. I want to enter the prohibited area. I wille out soon without any trouble. Cough, cough, if its really effective, well then, Ill pretend you didnte here today. When the knights permission was granted, Ethan immediately made the knight lie down on the soft ground. Lets begin. * * * I will insert it. Ugh ugh, ugh Hold on a bit. This time, Ill insert it gently. Ugh, ugh ughhhh! Amidst the struggling screams and groans, a sound could be heard that might be deeply misunderstood if someone unfamiliar with the situation was listening. But this was a form of treatment. Ethan was properly inserting the needles, bringing the knights body back to recovery. In addition, Ethan administered a decoction he prepared using Heos Decoction method. -Heos Acupuncture proficiency has increased! Come to think of it, I havent really treated things like frozen shoulder or chronic back pain before. So, could this increase in mastery be due to that? The mastery of Heos Acupuncture had also risen considerably. When the Heros Breathing proficiency exceeded 25 percent, new techniques were added. So, there was a high likelihood that a new skill would soon be added to Heos Acupuncture as well. Now, this is thest part. Just bear with it a bit. I will! Even though the treatment wasnt yet finished, the knight was already experiencing significant effects. His body was being revitalized, and mana was circting throughout, instilling strength where it hadnt been before. ! Its done. As soon as Heos Acupuncture was finished, the knight eximed. This is truly amazing! I didnt expect the effects to be this good! Phew, go inside quickly. But you shoulde out before sunrise. We alternate shifts, so if you get caught, there will be real trouble right before my retirement. Yes, understood. Smiling, Ethan left the lying knight and entered the prohibited area. As he entered the interior of the prohibition, what greeted Ethan was a purple mist. Ethan furrowed his brows. Crazy Poison King. How could he turn a ce like this into his hideout? Even though he was drenched in poison, Poison King was still a person. It was a risky move since it could lead to his death if something went wrong. I cant fathom the mind of a lunatic. Of course, Ethans resistance to poison was so high that he was practically unaffected even in this poisonous environment. Kieeeek-! Still, better be cautious. Inside the prohibition, monsters were indeed present. Given their survival with poisons, this ce could essentially be considered a paradise for them. Poisonous Big Frog. [Lv 49] A giant frog with impressive violet markings appeared. Ethan exerted all his strength. Bring on some more. It was unavoidable. Shwiing. Ethan raised his Frost Sword and demonstrated his Whiskers Swordsmanship. Swish-thud! Despite being Level 49, the monster couldnt resist Ethans precision strike that targeted its weakness and died in one blow. Ethan immediately dismantled the Poisonous Big Frog. Huff. It seemed wise to carry around this frog meat just in case. There might be situations where he needed to utilize his Gourmet trait. Though such a situation should be avoided. -The poison of the Poisonous Big Frog has been recorded in the Donguibogam. Ethan recorded the poison of the Poisonous Big Frog in the Donguibogam and continued moving forward. Endless expanse of poison mist. He pushed through that mist, how far he entered was uncertain. In the distance, there was a wooden hut copsing. Ethan was certain that this was Poison Kings hideout. Found it. Just as he was approaching the hut. The ground trembled, and shockwaves started radiating outwards. Kiiiiik! It wasnt a wooden hut. Ah, that scared me! Whats this? [Lv 65] It was a massive centipede. Ethans previously furrowed brows slowly rxed into a smile. So, youre a new poison for me, huh? Never would he have imagined that a nourishing meal woulde looking for him. Ethan grinned and drew his sword. Chapter 71: Prohibition (1) Chapter 71: Prohibition (1) The giant centipede was the king of this poisonousnd. There was no creature that could withstand its venom, so it lived its days contentedly. Once, a human with a simr poison resistance to itself entered, but that human surprisingly treated it well. The human provided delicious poisons and even offered prey. Because of this, the centipede believed it would live eternally as the king of this poisonous realm. Until that fearsome human entered, that is. * * * Kiiiiiyaaaak! Frost was swirling all over the centipedes body. Huuuuu. Ethan held his Frost Sword Leas, gazing at the red dot on the giant centipede. Its Level 65 andrge size required caution. However, caution wasnt directed toward the centipedes attacks. The poison sac is under its head. I cant record it in Donguibogam if I burst it. So, he had to remove the poison sac without bursting it. But it seemed the centipede sensed Ethans intentions, as its movements were quick. It wont work. Ethan activated the Eye of Horus. This was his first time using the Eye of Horus inbat since obtaining it. Lets see if its as effective as before. He didnt simply invest 15 likes for educational purposes. Swoosh-. In an instant, every movement of the centipede entered Ethans sight. Fast. The centipedes rapid movements were chopped up into fine details within Ethans field of vision. Snap! With movements dissected, Ethan found himself on top of the centipedes tail. I can see all its movements clearly. The Eye of Horus proved even more effective inbat. Ethan was surprised at how detailed he could see the monsters movements. Its nearly precognition-level tracking of movements. Knowing how the opponent would move allowed him to dodge any attack. Ethan quickly ascended the centipedes body. Squelch-! Thunk-! Despite the centipedes tail attacking wildly, its movements were already seen through by Ethan, who swung his Frost Sword in counterattack. Frost sh. Thuuuk- Thanks to Heros Breathing and Giants Strength, the powerful Frost sh burrowed deep into the giant centipedes body. Kiiiiyaak! The centipede shook violently. Even those movements were visible through the Eye of Horus. Here. At precisely the right moment, Ethan jumped. Seizing the moment when the centipedes movements briefly ceased, he unleashed the Whiskers Swordsmanship. Swoosh-ng! Kyaak! Ethan cleanly detached the poison sac hidden beneath the centipedes head. Got it! After removing the poison sac, Ethannded and unfolded the Donguibogam. -The venom of the Giant Growth Centipede has been recorded in the Donguibogam! As he touched down, Ethan gave his Frost Sword a shake. Now, time to finish you. Having obtained the poison, there was no reason to spare the centipedes life. * * * Ive finally found it. Navigating through the toxic fog, Ethan spotted a stone house instead of a wooden one. However, he didnt hastily move forward, recalling his previous experience. These arent regr monsters. Upon opening the door and entering, a more intense toxic odor assaulted Ethans senses. Kiiyaaak! Kkiik! Chyaruruk. Oh. This was Poison Kings hideout was unmistakable. Sounds of various living organisms inside were audible. These are monsters carrying venom. They werent just ordinary monsters. They were extremely rare, including tiny creatures resembling mice. A 0.25% spawn probability monster. They possessed deadly venom, but their urrence rate was incredibly low. This one is at 0.5%. And the one beside it was a monster with a 1% chance of appearing. Such rare monsters filled therge room. No doubt these are the venoms that can be recorded in the Donguibogam. To Ethan, this ce resembled a treasure trove. Are there more? Ethan thoroughly searched Poison Kings hideout, now intrigued by the possibility of finding something even more exceptional. Specifically, the monster that possessed the most potent venom, the one he had found in the Poison Kings body. The Hydra. Known as the King of Venom, the Hydra venom was present in the Poison Kings body. This implied that the Hydra could possibly be present in this Poison Kings hideout. However, the Hydra was an incredibly massive monster. He must have gathered the Hydra venom separately. But even that alone holds significance. It didnt matter if it was a true monster. If he could obtain the venom, it would be worth visiting this Poison Kings hideout. Ethan continued his exploration and eventually found a suspicious wall. Without hesitation, he punched the wall. Crash! A metal door? His fist stung, but he had discovered a concealed area. Phew. After taking a breath, Ethan swung his Frost Sword. Frost sh. He used Frost sh five times in a row. The metal door froze entirely. Ethan put his sword away neatly and kicked the frozen door this time. ng! The metal door shattered into ss-like fragments. Behind the metal door were numerous cabs. With a sly smile, Ethan began rummaging through them. Before long, he found a leather pouch. Originally designed for storing wine or water, this leather pouch contained liquid poison that seemed to shimmer. Of course, it had to be here. Ethan lifted the leather pouch. This leather pouch doesnt just hold ordinary poison, it contains Hydra venom. The Poison Kings venom was inherently powerful. Especially the Hydra venom, even in its raw state, had the power to dissolve almost anything. So, preservation was practically impossible. But there was one way to keep it. Its the Hydra that can use venom right away. Hydra leather. This Hydra leather was an armor capable of withstanding the Hydras venom. Its the Hydra Leather Pouch. Otherwise, theres no way to withstand this venom. It means you can store anything. In a pinch, he could probably create armor using this leather. After using up the venom, I can use it as armor. Visiting Poison Kings hideout was indeed worthwhile. Ethan returned to where the monsters were gathered. Stay calm and let my proficiency grow. Then, he started recording the venom of each monster in the Donguibogam. -The variety of recorded venoms in Donguibogam has increased! -Heos Decoction skill has reached 50% proficiency! -The effect of decoction is enhanced! Breaking through to 50% proficiency. Ethans Heos Decoction skill was further enhanced. Oh. Enhanced effects of decoction. This was perfect for Ethan, who had recently taken up Potion Manufacturing sses. Ethan promptly took out the venoms. With so many venoms acquired, I should try making poison bombs that I can throw and escape with if necessary. -Casting Heos Decoction skill! Ethan used the enhanced Heos Decoction skill. And he could feel it. The Heos Decoction skill felt different from usual. The details are different. Heos Decoction skill was assisting Ethans dexterity. The most crucial aspect of potion-making was timing. Missing the timing meant failure. Even using the same ingredients and time, the oue could be entirely different. I can smell it. Ethan deeply felt the effects of the enhanced Heos Decoction skill. It was worth raising the proficiency. Ding-! -Poison Bomb Decoction has been created! -Grade judgment in progress -Poison Bomb Decoction [B] What he created was a B-grade Poison Bomb Decoction. It was of B-grade. Its intended for attack. Although it was his first time making it for attacking purposes, it still resulted in a high-grade B due to its intended use. When making decoctions, I can perfectly determine the timing. Previously, he used his sense to determine the timing, but now it was not only his sense but also the assistance of the skill. Something better has toe out. With a satisfied smile, Ethan threw the Poison Bomb Decoction at the wall. Kwaang! With a loud noise, the wall melted and crumbled due to the poison. A satisfying result. Getting quite a haul. But there was one more thing left. Theres still the ruins. He needed to confirm if it was the Moon Goddesss temple. * * * Amidst the Prohibition Zone. There was a site that looked like ruins. Hmm. As Ethan reached it, he observed the ruins. There are traces of someone having been here. Footprints remained, and there were familiar-looking statue fragments that seemed to have been taken from the inside. Has Poison King already checked this? Ethan entered the interior directly. Clearly, Poison King had been here before; the temples interior was nothing but ruins. Who would view this ce as a temple? However, Ethan, with his Moonforce ss, Heir of the Moon, could feel it. Inside, he could sense the energy of the moon. Kuahahaha-! You did well to flee here! From now on, this ce will be the stronghold of our demon kin. What? Demons? Using Great Thiefs Mastery, Ethan quietly moved inside. At the heart of the temple. There, where the colossal statue of the Moon Goddess stood, demons were present. Human-like in appearance, they were monsters of the Demon Realm that considered humans their prey. The portal to the Demon Realm shouldnt have opened yet. The portal to the Demon Realm would only open after a considerable time had passed since the fall of the Ivecar Academy. The opening would be in the northernnds, where the Sun War would erupt on the frigid northern terrain, and as a result, demons would flood into this realm. Preventing that is one of the main quests. Why demons were here was unclear. But one thing is for sure. Ding-! -The goddess assigns you a mission. -Regain tranquility in the ruins of the Moon Temple. Dealing with these demons is probably a ss growth quest. Ethan raised his Frost Sword slowly. [Lv 68] The demons levels were exceptionally high. You cant judge demon strength solely by their levels. Their true threaty in their formidable magic. I just need to neutralize their ability to cast magic. First, Ethan retrieved the Big Frogs meat from his dimensional pocket, which he had kept earlier. Ugh. The taste was horrible, but he gritted his teeth and swallowed. Immediately, his Gourmet trait zed even more intensely. Then he took out the poison bombs he had prepared. Five in total. St! Ethan threw the poison bombs directly at the demons. Kwaang! What, whats this!? What is this! What kind of thing is this! As the five poison bombs exploded, a violet mist quickly spread around. The demons were invisible to each other, but Ethan was not. -Eye of Horus activated. I can see. Ethan pinpointed the demons locations. Then he activated Heros Breathing for an extended duration. Ill assassinate them using Great Thiefs Mastery. This time, he wanted to see how effective the Great Thiefs Mastery was for assassination. If it proved suitable for assassination, it would be useful in various future situations. And it could also serve as an escape option. Amidst the bewildered demons in the poison mist, Ethan infiltrated. Swoosh! Keohok! The demons didnt sense Ethans movement until his sword pierced their hearts. Its not just named Great for show. Ethan wore a satisfied smile as he dispatched the rest of the demons in the same manner. Thanks to the Eye of Horus and Great Thiefs Mastery. Quite useful. Ethan cleared the demons to the side. With the mist clearing, the overall appearance of the temple became visible. It seemed like this ce was meant for prayer, given the broken chairs scattered around. And at the center was a colossal statue. A statue of the Moon Goddess. A reverent Moonforce user, hands sped in the center of her chest as if in prayer, was depicted. Someone neatly severed the head. Very clean. In one corner, Ethan spotted the head of the statue. Perhaps the demons did this. Ethan carefully put the head back where it belonged. Ding-! -Moon Goddess bestows her blessing upon you! -The temple has been restored to its original state! -You have cleared the linked quest! -You have received a new linked quest! A sparkling blue powder rained down over Ethans head. -Your ss has grown. -All your stats have been permanently raised by 10. Ethans once single star had now gained another. -You have received a reward. I wonder what the reward is. With anticipation, Ethan opened the reward. Huh? And then he froze. Chapter 72: Power Struggle Chapter 72: Power Struggle A sapphire bead was trembling above Ethans hand. -You have received a reward! -The Goddess encourages you. The reward was a blue bead. It was a fairly beautiful bead, resembling mana gathered together, and it seemed to ripple and move like a living organism. Staring at it, an odd feeling offort welled up in his heart. Every time the bead trembled, the surrounding light was absorbed, causing it to start sparkling. Ethan raised the blue bead above his fingers toward the sky. In response, a sparkling blue light spread out around him. I didnt expect you to give me something this good, Goddess. Sure enough, it was the Goddess of the Moon. After Frost Sword Leas and the Goddess Ring, she was giving him this! The Goddess seemed satisfied as she saw the broken statues neck restored to its original state. Ethans previously stern expression softened in an instant. I will make good use of this, thank you. The sapphire bead. Ethan knew very well what this blue bead was. I didnt expect to receive a Spirit Stone. The true identity of this blue bead was a Spirit Stone. A Spirit Stone was a gem containing the power of a spirit. It facilitated contracts with the Summoning Department, but obtaining one was incredibly difficult. Each Spirit Stone contained the power of a different spirit, making it extremely easy to form specific contracts with a specific spirit. Moreover, the risks of a spirit contract were greatly diminished. Im not sure which spirits Spirit Stone this is, but its definitely not an ordinary one. Though it seemed in at first nce, the aura it emitted was far from ordinary. I should visit the Spirit Realm sometime. If I go, I might easily identify which spirits Spirit Stone this is. Alternatively, it might be good to find the Magic Tower where the spirit practitioners gathered. The Poison King has been doing only good things for me from start to finish. I can even call him a generous benefactor. Indeed, viins also had their own ways of showing kindness. * * * Ill ask for your help again next time, heh. But next time, donte here; I wont be around. The old knight smiled and spoke to Ethan as he emerged safely from the prohibition area. Thank you, Sir Knight. Ethan courteously expressed his gratitude before immediately returning to the academy. And the next day. With two guards by his side, Ethan entered the ssroom. Today was the day of the third ss. Theyre probably going to show me what theyve been training for all week today. After the second ss, every student had received criticism from Ethan. He had heard that they trained for a week based on those critiques. But today, the ss will be different. Were also preparing for a parent observation ss. For this third ss, Ethan nned to train them in a different way. Enhancement of basic stamina. Since birth, the nobles heirs had treated mana almost as a necessity due to countless elixirs and high-level potions consumed from a young age. However, Ethan knew. He knew that this mana hindered the bodys development. Completing swordsmanship requires a solid physical foundation. You need to harness your muscles and utilize mana simultaneously. Should I move these here? Everything has been moved, Young Master! ce them over there. With the assistance of his two guards, Ethan had brought dumbbells and barbells he had previously prepared into the ssroom. He had also brought a bench for lying down and exercising. Collectively, it looked like nothing short of a small gym. Systematic physical conditioning is essential for bing stronger. Huff, huff. It seems that muscles all over my body are screaming when I lift these heavy iron objects with mana restriction. Schudlen, the knight, had moved the dumbbells and barbells without Ethan evenmanding him to do so. The result was that Ethan could directly experience how effective his stamina training n was. Booong-. Of course, Yerica easily moved the equipment using buoyancy magic levitation. Dont use too much strength, Schudlen. If you dont maintain proper form, youll hurt yourself. Yes, I understand! After all the exercise equipment had been moved thanks to his two guards, Ethan waited for the students. Today, both of you have an important role. Today, youll be assistant instructors. Since there were so many students to train, there was a shortage of personnel. But is our role really that important? At first, Schudlen thought Ethans words were only natural, meaning that he wanted them to check his exercise posture. However, that wasnt the case. Overall control, watching exercise postures, pointing out mistakes, and teaching correct forms were all Ethans responsibilities. The guards role was to look down on the students who couldnt be corrected even after being taught once with cold eyes. Even that alone can hurt their pride. Schudlen briefly imagined himself receiving such a gaze. Then he shuddered. This will be an enormous pressure. Is that so? Since we have a parent observation ssing up soon, lets consider this an opportunity for practice. How do you understand the students psychology so well? If I were under your guidance, I would have cried every day. Learning while crying is the best way to remember. Yerica trembled as she met Ethans gaze. After everything was set up, it didnt take long for exhausted students to starting in. Although they all seemed extremely tired, the glint in their eyes was alive. Today was the third ss. The first and second sses had been a bit overwhelming due to being unfamiliar with the teacher, Ethan Whiskers. However, today they were determined to showcase their abilities properly. They all seem to have adapted roughly. This was what Ethan had expected. Among the intimidating aspects of elite students was their quick adaptability. Ill continue building impact with this third ss. Its nice to meet you all. It seems youve all adapted well to my timing, as no one iste. It looks like the previous ss suited your taste. Ethans atmosphere changed in an instant. Schudlen and Yerica were surprised, looking at Ethan. His voice, his demeanor, and the aura he exuded. There wasnt a single aspect that resembled the Ethan they had known until now. This wasnt the usual Ethan, who could be somewhat modest. Right now, Ethan was the embodiment of a teacher with an atmosphere that was difficult to even casually answer. An elite instructor. Thats exactly how it felt. These two are my guards. You all know, right? The reason theyre here today is to assist with the ss. The students gaze shifted from the guards to the mysterious iron objects in front of them. And this is the core of todays lesson. As Ethan gave a slight smile, the students expressions stiffened. Over the past week, they had honed their swordsmanship skills, particrly focusing on the aspects Ethan had pointed out. They were determined to showcase their familys distinctive swordsmanship properly. Thud-! Among them, Mason was the one who felt the most strongly about this. He had demonstrated the Revinade swordsmanship and had heard from Ethan that he was needed. Therefore, he intended to showcase his own swordsmanship in this ss. But to switch to a different topic for todays ss? However, despite the students doubtful expressions, Ethan remained unfazed. Todays lesson is focused on physical conditioning. The unexpected statement provoked a murmur among the students. Did anyone use mana to get here? Did anyonee here without using mana? No one raised their hand. Then when was thest time you trained without using mana? Excluding before the age of ten. Once again, no one raised their hand. Ethan looked at the students as if he were pitying them. Under his gaze, students started to break out in cold sweat. But in the end, training with mana is the way, isnt it? At that moment, Mason mustered the courage to raise his hand and ask. However, that mana is used by the body. Ethan clicked his tongue. In my opinion, except for one person here, all of you look physically weak. So, its impossible for you to properly use swordsmanship. In fact, from the students perspective, Ethan looked the weakest. Especially when he had that distant look in his eyes, it was somewhat scary yet evoked a sense of sympathy. Ron Bears. Yes, Teacher. When Ethan pointed, a massive student stepped forward. Is it because you were born with a strong physique that youve only focused on mana training? To be honest, I share Masons thoughts. In the end, mana was crucial. As long as you had a basic ability to control mana, your physical strength didnt need to be extraordinary. Upon hearing this, Ethan chuckled. So, physical training has no significant meaning then? Yes, ultimately, isnt it about mana? After all, no one fights using just their physical strength. If mana oveid the physical body, no matter how much physical training they had undergone, it would be insignificant. Step forward. As Ron came to the front, his massive presence seemed to increase even more. He was about 20 centimeters taller than Ethan, who was already over 180 centimeters. Take the sword. And use as much mana as you can. Ethan handed Ron Bears a wooden sword. Then, he took one for himself. I will fight using only my body without mana. Rons expression stiffened at those words. Im not challenging your swordsmanship skills. Dont worry. Ethan reassured Ron, who seemed taken aback. Its a strength battle. In an instant, the students expressions collectively froze. The two guards were no different. They knew Ethan had incredible swordsmanship skills. But when it came to sheer physical strength, Ethan wasnt particrly strong. How much strength could one muster from a lean build? With mana, he couldpensate for that weaker physical strength and enhance his swordsmanship. However, Ethan had just dered that he would face a giant over two meters tall using only his physical strength, without relying on anything else. Ron clearly had formidable strength. Not to mention, he had permission to use mana. Although mana was limited within the academy, that alone seemed to be sufficient. What on earth is he up to? Yuna Ga thought Ethan had made an excessive choice this time. Ron Bears possessed a physique that could hardly be seen as human. He was even allowing him to use mana in a non-mana fight? Ron Bears. Teacher, I dont think this is right. Are you worried about me? Ethan smirked. Thest in the Swordsmanship Department is spouting such words. How pathetic. In an instant, Rons temples flushed. Teacher, you clearly allowed it. A furious Ron Bears took his stance. Come.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 73: Third Lesson (1) Chapter 73: Third Lesson (1) Ron Bears was born in the forest, precisely in the mountains. He certainly wasnt from a noble family. He was one of the rare special admissions to the academy. Thanks to his innate strength, he managed to enroll in the Swordsmanship Department. The surname Bears was given due to his bear-like life in the mountains. He had been taken in by the tribe that lived like bears in the mountains and was raised by them. Like a parent, like a friend, like a lover, they raised Ron Bears wholeheartedly. They were a tribe that dealt with many unknowns living in the mountains, protecting them in exchange for Mystic Power. Soon, Ron became a candidate for the tribes warrior. But Mystic Power didnt suit Ron. What suited him was using his strength. The tribes chief recognized Rons situation. Therefore, they decided to gather the elders of the tribe and sent Ron to Ivecar Academy, pooling their efforts to provide him with this chance. They believed that he could learn what they couldnt teach him and pursue what he wanted to do at the academy. To send Ron to the academy, the tribe donated their treasure to the institution, which granted him a special admission opportunity. Learning all of this, Ron made up his mind as he descended from the mountain. The tribe had given their treasure to send him to the academy, granting him this opportunity. He swore to never waste this chance. He would return with outstanding achievements and a shining graduation diploma. With such a goal in mind, he entered the academy. However, since his arrival, he had been tasting despair. While he had no rivals in terms of physical strength among his tribe, here, no one was easily defeated. Physical strength alone wasnt enough. The students here possessed both strength and skills. He wanted to prove that with overwhelming power, skills were unnecessary. But that was just a vain hope for someone like Ron. He was furious, not at someone else but at himself. Teacher Ethans words were right. The bottom of the Swordsmanship Department, but despite that, he wasnt putting up a fight to escape it. However, when he heard those words, anger surged within him. He hadnt tried his best, he knew that! Arrgh! An infuriated Ron raised his sword high. Despite his massive size, he moved quickly. In an instant, Ron, who had approached Ethan, swung his sword down towards him. A battle of pure strength. Ethan slowly lifted his sword. Then, at the right moment when Ron swung, Ethan swung his sword. Several students shut their eyes tightly. They expected Ethan to be badly hurt. Kaang! Amidst the sh of swords, a small grunt sounded. Ugh. But the voice wasnt Ethans. It was Ron Bears. ! The fight of strength against strength. To anyone watching, it should have been a situation where Ethan was pushed back. However, in this contest of strength, Ethan was gaining the upper hand. From their first collision, Ron Bears, who had taken a heavy blow to his wrist, continued the battle against Ethan while grimacing. But the bnce was soon shattered. As Ethan took a step forward, Ron Bears, despite his massive size, started staggering backward. All the students in the ssroom watched the duel in disbelief. Does that even make sense? Mason Yeld raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue in disbelief. When he heard about Ron Bears, the bearer of immense strength, challenging in a physical showdown, Mason ultimately thought that Ethan, the teacher, had made a wrong judgment. To convince them through his teachings, he needed to demonstrate his abilities. Choosing a physical showdown with Ron Bears for that demonstration wasughable. Mason had nned to burst intoughter. But something utterly unbelievable happened. Ron Bears not only utilized his immense physical strength but also used mana alongside it. On the other hand, Ethan didnt use mana at all. He overwhelmed Ron Bears solely with his physical strength. This is just impossible. Now that he thought about it, from the first ss until now, Ethan had been doing the impossible. No, it wasnt just from the first ss; it started from when the new teacher entered. He was making the impossible possible. In an instant, Ethan lowered his sword and stepped aside. Ron, who had been holding his ground, immediately knelt forward as Ethan sidestepped, hitting the floor with his knees. The duel was over. It was apletely one-sided match in terms of strength. He won? Yuna Gas thoughts were not much different from Masons. Clearly, Ethan wasnt using mana. On the other hand, Ron Bears had used all the mana he was allowed to use to deliver a powerful strike. Although Ron was at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department, that was mainly because he hadnt properly learned sword techniques. Furthermore, his understanding of the basic Revinade sword style wascking. In essence, Rons deficiency wasnt his strength but his skill. He wasnt at the bottom because hecked strength; it was because hecked technique. The innate strength emanating from his massive physique was remarkable even in the Swordsmanship Department. In terms of sheer physical strength, no one could beat Ron Bears. There was a difference between a student and a teacher. But where were they? Wasnt this Ivecar Academy? A ce filled with talented gems. The students were so talented that the teachers had to feel a sense ofpetition to keep up with them. Ugh. To defeat Ron with sheer physical strength alone. The students could hardly believe the results and could only stare at Ethan in disbelief. Ron Bears. I didnt use mana just now. I merely overwhelmed your strength and mana with my physical power. Ethan looked at Ron, who was on his knees, with a look of resignation. Ill ask you again. Is a strong physique not important even now? Is mana still the most crucial factor? The seemingly casual smile was aimed at Ron, but in reality, it was directed at every student in the ssroom. However, none of the students could speak up. In the end, it was Ethan who broke the silence again. A robust physique serves as the foundation upon which mana is built. Even if you swing your sword along the same path, the power differs based on your physical training. Furthermore, a strengthened physique can fill in the intricate details of your sword path. Ethans words continued. A robust physique serves as the foundation for mastering and advancing along the sword path. From now on, youll engage in physical training using these metal objects you see before you. Ron closed his eyes. He had been pushed back even from a power showdown, where he was most confident. Then, was there a reason for him to continue attending the academy? When he wasnt good at anything. He would only bring shame upon himself. His tribe that had supported and believed in him would also face ridicule. Ron slowly rose from his seat. The shock of defeat was too great. As he was about to return to his seat, Ethan called out to him. Ron Bears. I apologize, Teacher. I spoke foolishly. My skills arecking as well His gaze and tone were near self-loathing. Ethan smiled andforted him. Everything you said is true. You did speak foolishly, and your skills arecking. But theres one thing you did well. Ethan approached him. Attending my ss. Yes? You didnt even know how to use your strength properly. Ethan gave him a pat on the back. I will help you harness that strength effectively. * * * Its rewarding to see the umtion of traits. Ethan smiled without words as he observed the students stepping forward. Even if he had just instructed them to step forward and engage in physical training, probably all of them would have done it anyway. But maybe they wouldnt understand why or grasp the idea of modifying and correcting their existing sword paths, so the lesson about that was probably better. Though this might mean that some will drop out. Ethan was determined to make Understanding the Sword Path a valuable lesson that should never be abandoned. For that, he needed a definite impact. Ron was the perfect student to provide that impact. Ive trained hard in physical training myself. But I never lifted something as heavy as these metal objects. This training method wasnt suitable for Ethan, who had always been frail. But I doubt this will resonate with Ron. Thats why Ethan subtly activated the traits he had acquired. Thanks to the curse of Extinction and the trait [Gourmet] that kept triggering, as well as [Giants Strength] obtained from the trial. No matter how strong Ron Bears was, he would kneel before these two traits. Moreover, Ethan was the one controlling this power. Ethan immediately demonstrated to the students who had stepped forward. From now on, both of my guards will demonstrate. Theyll show you how to perform physical training. Follow along. Ethan and the two guards repeatedly lifted and dropped the metal objects in precise motions. Ethan demonstrated this three times in a row. Once youve seen it, lets begin! Just like the previous lesson, pair up and get started! The students eyes gleamed. Some looked disgruntled, but others wore expressions of confidence. Although it could get monotonous performing physical training, this was different. This was the stamina training routine brought by Ethan Whiskers, the teacher who had engaged in these intense workouts. Since mana wasnt to be used, the physical training would undoubtedly be more intensive than before. Well, its not really different. Since the allowed mana is already limited. Its like moving around without mana in regr activities. The students didnt consider not being able to use mana as a significant penalty. Ethan nced at the somewhat arrogant students. Just as I expected. Ethan chuckled inwardly and continued with his instructions. Ten times. Repeat. The first posture I showed you earlier. Ethan had demonstrated the barbell squat, a movement that could explosively enhance lower body strength by cing the barbell on the trapezius muscle. Yerica. Yes. As Yerica snapped her fingers, ten barbells floated up simultaneously and precisely lowered onto each students trapezius. (+)[1]TLN: The trapezius is a muscle that starts at the base of your neck, goes across your shoulders, and extends to the middle of your back. At that moment, the students of the Swordsmanship Department and the students of the Magic Department, who were taking sses together, saw Yerica. They knew she was Ethans bodyguard. However, considering they were in an academy, they had wondered if mana would be restricted. But that doubt was nowpletely erased. Ugh. Uuugh! They lifted those incredible weights simultaneously and controlled them urately. This was no easy feat with such limited mana. The students realized that the bodyguard of the monstrous teacher was equally monstrous. Then how much more formidable would the knight with that solemn expression be? Amid eager expectations, the trainingmenced. Down! They straightened their backs, descended all the way, and then came back up. Although it was a simple movement, it wasnt easy for those who werent using mana. Uuuugh! Focus! Concentrate! Dont focus on the numbers! Dont think aboutpleting all ten! Even if you only do half, do it with the mindset of doing it with the correct form! Uaaaargh! Just three more! Aaargh! Im done! Two more! It was then that Schudlen moved. He approached a student who seemed unable to continue and spoke with a cold re. Is that all you can manage? Youre really worthless without mana. Worse than garbage. Im telling you to lift those reeking buttocks right now. Ugh Wh-wha You pitiful creature. Concentrate on your posture instead of ring at me. Youre just a sorry soul who can only eat and swing a sword. Cant even perform a simple movement properly? Its pathetic, thinking about the chef who wanted to feed you delicious meals. Ethans order was clearly to simply re down at them with a cold gaze. But Schudlen thought that wasnt enough. You glutton. How can yourrades trust and rely on you? You cant even do a simple task. Uuugh! The enraged students red at Schudlen with fiery eyes. For some reason, Schudlen felt refreshed. He hadnt known that the words he had heard from the knights would be so useful. The students waiting their turn sent irritated nces. In another sense, that knight was undoubtedly a monster too. Unless he was a monster, he wouldnt be able to speak words that could break hearts like that.
  • 1. TLN: The trapezius is a muscle that starts at the base of your neck, goes across your shoulders, and extends to the middle of your back.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 74: Third Class (2) Chapter 74: Third ss (2) Huff. Huff. Huff. Mason performed the barbell squat very neatly. He had already made up his mind. He was going to give that damn teacher a piece of his mind, no matter what. At the same time, he had another thought. He wanted to somehow fulfill the expectations the teacher had of him. So, he imagined that the cold smile he put on would be directed at him. It was aplex and subtle emotion, but essentially stemmed from the desire for recognition. Uuuaaaagh! With that in mind, he put even more effort into it. The students were taken aback as they watched Mason Yeld approach the training seriously, pouring his spirit into it. Until now, he had been ignoring the teacher and not properly participating in the lessons. And now Mason Yeld was earnestly engaging in the training? And it was this strenuous and simple physical training? Despite the students confusion, Mason continued with his barbell squats. Compared to the other students, Masons posture was rather impable. Hmm. Ethan looked at Mason in that state. Mason was precisely mimicking the postures demonstrated by Ethan and his two assistants. Naturally, he thought he would receive praise, but Ethan just passed by without a word. Damn. Was this not enough? However, instead of cursing again, Mason did one more barbell squat. He was determined to receivepliments next time. He was resolved to hear the words Well done, Mason from Teacher Ethan Whiskers. Posture. Your posture is off. Straighten your back urately. Use your thighs to lift. When you rise, focus on your hips. Its not just about sitting and standing up. Ethan used the Eye of Horus to delicately observe the students postures. -Eye of Horus proficiency has increased. -You can see more information with your eyes! The Eye of Horus was originally a good, essentially an item, but it was used like a skill. So the higher the proficiency, the more you can see. Ethan concentrated more on the skill, trying to increase its proficiency. Te-Teacher Ethan! At that moment, Yuna Ga, who was doing barbell squats together, called Ethan. Honestly, he found it amusing. But when she tried it herself, that idea was wiped away. Especially, the posture was the most difficult. She understood it mentally, but it was hard to reproduce with her body. Moreover, it was too heavy and strenuous. I, I think Im going to die. Yuna Ga, who had always been cool-headed and unenthusiastic, said in a desperate voice. As Ethan approached, she whispered to him in a voice only he could hear. I, I can offer you a little something in return. No, I can offer you something substantial. So, Teacher, could you maybe say that the count is ten? If you say I did all ten Student Yuna Ga. Ethan stared at her and spoke. Im wealthier than students think. Do you think theres nothing that cant be achieved with money? Yuna looked at Ethan with a pleading expression. However, Ethan remained unyielding. As if to say that there was something money couldnt buy, right here. Seven. If you dont go down, youll be stuck at seven forever. Uuugh! The ssroom was filled with intense sounds. The harsh breathing of the students who had finished one round of training and the asional sounds of groaning. The barbell squats continued, and now only thest group remained. Realize how weak you all are. Do you get it now? You imitated that great swordsman with your feeble bodies, pretending to be something youre not. How ridiculous. The students felt powerless. How powerless they were without mana. How much they relied on mana. But there was one exception. There was a student whose eyes were gleaming. The same Ron Bears who had been pushed back by Ethans strength stepped forward. Ron Bears had received advice from Ethan earlier. And he had also said that this ss could be a lesson for him. Ive been doing foolish things until now. Muttering to himself, Ron adjusted his posture. As Ethan had said. He had forsaken his body, his greatest strength, relying on feeble mana. He had stopped training and focused only on honing his mana and swinging his sword. He hadpared himself to someone trying to squeeze into clothes that didnt fit and had tried to make himself smaller in various ways. Only now did he begin to see the light. But at the same time, no one else had told him that. Various teachers or students who tried to befriend him had all just told him to learn swordsmanship properly. But Ethan was different. Ethan was the only one in the academy who had told Ron that he could be strong in his own right. He said he would make me strong properly. And so, he would be strong. He would return to the chieftain and the people of the vige with his head held high. He would not be this pitiful figure anymore; he would be the best warrior of the tribe, graduating from Ivecar Academy. So, he had to show it here. One! Huff! Thus, he began the barbell squat with all his might. Since they were thest group, the students who had trained before knew how heavy that barbell was. To sit down and stand up without mana required putting strength into the whole body. Leg strength was crucial, especially the bnce of the entire body. If that bnce was lost, improper postures would inevitably result. Then, like ghosts, Schudlen and Yerica approached and poured out chilling words that pierced the heart. Oh. But Ron was different. He went down steadily and rose up very lightly. Just once, no big deal. However, when he went beyond twice, three times, four times, and reached ten. The expressions of the students froze. Among all the students who have done it so far, his posture is the most excellent. Ethan said with a satisfied expression. Look. This is the perfect posture for squats that I want to see from all of you. Ethan gestured towards Yerica without dy. Increase the weight. Are you okay? Ron. Yes. I think I can handle more. I still have some room. Rons statement that he still had room left bewildered the expressions of the students. He had room for more of this demanding exercise? Adding more weight? Among todays students, none had increased their weight and done the barbell squats. Using the heavier barbell, Ron Bears began the squats again. It was heavier than before, but his posture remained perfect, and the process of squatting and standing up was still smooth. He lifted the weight as if it was nothing. Witnessing this spectacle, the students looked at him with expressions of reverence. For Ron Bears to repeat the barbell squats with the increased weight multiple times meant that his physical strength was tremendous. But didnt Ethan just demonstrate that? His power struggle against the monster-like strength of Ron Bears. Ethan had overwhelmed Ron in that power struggle. This meant that Ethans body was even stronger than Ron Bears, who was squatting like a monster. Ugh. After getting scolded by Ethan once, Chen, who had been quietly listening to the lesson, covered his mouth with his hands. His body was trembling. What on earth is Teacher Ethan How strong is he? No, how did he manage to beat Ron Bears with his own body strength? They just couldntprehend it. Ron, who had finished the barbell squats in one go, looked at Ethan. Well done. Today, youre the first, Ron Bears. Ethan nodded approvingly and then looked at the students. Those of you without mana are worse than thest in the Swordsmanship Department. Right now, the first in the Swordsmanship Department is Ron. Damn it. Mason Yeld didnt bother to hide his frustration, his rough breaths evident. The other students also looked impressed as they watched Ron Bears return to his spot with confidence. It was humiliating. To lose to thest ce. Now you all understand. Understand how important your physical bodies are. By the time the training we did today no longer feels difficult, the sword path you can tread on will change. Now Ethans words hit home with a bone-chilling rity. But at the same time, fear crept in. The pace was too fast. Although it was a ss for Ethan, for the students, it was just one among several. What if the other sses suffered because of this? Everyone. Ethan gave a reassuring smile to the exhausted faces of the students. The idea of increasing the Eye of Horus proficiency was a good one that hade to him. Are you worried about next weeks ss? His words seemed to pierce into their minds, and the students looked puzzled. You all came expecting to see the sword path I modified, right? Since you practiced pushing your body to its limits with it all week and today we had a different ss. It was like having two assignments. One was physical training, and the other was to fully internalize the modified sword path. But both of these assignments required hard work and a substantial investment of time. It meant that these problems couldnt be solved through passion alone. Ill relieve your fatigue for the next ss. Yes? It was the stern and cold Ethan, the kind of teacher who would sternly educate as he did with Chen Garcia if you didnt keep up with the ss. But he said he would help with their fatigue. Some of the students looked surprised. Did saying he would help with their fatigue mean he would give them an even bigger assignment? Would he give them a bigger task to create more fatigue so they could forget the previous fatigue? Or was he literally just going to help them rx their fatigue? It was impossible to guess. The two guards understood Ethans words about relieving fatigue, but they didnt reveal any expression to indicate that understanding. Lighten your fatigue. Your body will likely feel rxed almost instantly. Saying this, Ethan conjured a long needle strand in his hand. ! T-Thats Im sorry, teacher! I apologize for showing a pathetic appearance! Chen Garcia abruptly stood up and bowed at a 90-degree angle. With this scene, the two guards could quickly understand what the students had misunderstood. Ethan slowly raised the needle strand, looking at the students. Dont worry, Im not trying to kill you. Eep. With Chens gasp, a strange situation unfolded. Ethan chuckled and gestured to Chen. Chen Garcia. Youre probably the most fatigued, right? I gave you pretty intense training before. Theres a saying that goes, Give the hater another piece of steak. Im going to help with your fatigue. (+)[1]TLN: Roughly trantes to giving an extra piece of steak to someone you dont like in English. Its a metaphorical expression that implies offering a reward or benefit to someone who is disliked or treated poorly. In the context of the story, Ethan is referring to the fact that he had given Chen Garcia intense training previously, and now hes metaphorically rewarding Chen by helping him relieve his fatigue. Its not meant literally with a steak; rather, its about providing something positive to someone who might have faced challenges or difficulties. Chen, his expression a mix of fear and caution, walked forward slowly. Watching him, Ethan chuckled inwardly and said. Rx. Then, in an instant, he ced five strands of needles simultaneously. He concentrated them mainly on Chens most fatigued thighs. Huh? Chens eyes widened in surprise. The fatigue is gone. Ethan gestured as if telling him to keep talking. Itspletely disappeared.
  • 1. TLN: Roughly trantes to giving an extra piece of steak to someone you dont like in English. Its a metaphorical expression that implies offering a reward or benefit to someone who is disliked or treated poorly. In the context of the story, Ethan is referring to the fact that he had given Chen Garcia intense training previously, and now hes metaphorically rewarding Chen by helping him relieve his fatigue. Its not meant literally with a steak; rather, its about providing something positive to someone who might have faced challenges or difficulties.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 75: Parent Observation Class Preparation (1) Chapter 75: Parent Observation ss Preparation (1) It was bing increasingly difficult for the students to predict the extent of Ethans abilities. After all, they had no reason to doubt Chen Garcias words. Hisplexion, which had appeared extremely fatigued, now looked much better, and most importantly, his color had returned, indicating a newfound vitality. Still skeptical? Alright, line up ande out just like before. Ill help you relieve fatigue right away. They knew that Ethan was currently in charge of the Potion Manufacturing ss in the Magic Department. They had seen teachers excel in one subject. There was udie Hyde in the Swordsmanship Department and simr standout teachers in the Magic Department. However, there had never been a teacher who, in such a short period and in so many different ways, demonstrated their abilities like this. Teacher. Yuna Ga, dont worry. Ethan spoke to her. Ill give you some treatment even if you dont pay. . Yuna blinked. Am I not needed? She should have asked if her help wasnt needed. However, the words not needed felt like they were implying that her existence wasnt necessary. The heiress of the Grand Merchant Guild. A fortune built up through money. Somewhere along the way, money had be synonymous with Yuna Ga herself. No one refused Yuna or her money. This was a first. Such an experience. Ethan looked at Yuna. Then, after carefully choosing his words, he spoke slowly as if he thought they were appropriate. You dont need to pay. And then he pierced her with the needle without reservation. Puck! Ouch. She expected it to hurt, but it didnt hurt at all. Chen Garcias visibly improvedplexion wasnt an exaggeration. The muscle soreness was being chased away, and the feeling of fatigue was dissipating. Next. Though her thoughts grew moreplicated, there was a sense of finding something sparkling. -Proficiency of Heos Acupuncture increased! -Proficiency of Heos Acupuncture increased! Ethan smiled inwardly. Every time he inserted a needle into the students, Heos Acupuncture proficiency continued to increase. You guys all look quite lovely. Ethan looked at the students, his eyes shining. The students epted it as another meaning. -Proficiency of Heos Acupuncture increased! -You have reached a certain level of proficiency. -The number of needles increases! -The number of Heos Needles has increased to 11. Originally, he could make 10 needles. Now, with one more, he had 11. And with this additional needle, Ethan could use the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique in even more diverse ways. Good. He hadnt expected to increase his mastery of Heos Acupuncture like this. With every ss, Ethan was gaining various things. Now everyones expressions are much better. Those students who had worn expressions of exhaustion just a while ago now looked brighter. Even their gazes had softened a bit. Yeah, after Ive even relieved their fatigue, they should feel grateful. The goal of my ss is one thing. For you all to gain something from this ss. The sword path Ive adjusted for you, and the physical training that will allow you to follow that sword path even more perfectly. Thats enough for me, that you be stronger through this ss. You are the future of the Academy. With brighter expressions on the students faces, Ethan delved into the main topic. It was the conclusion of the ss and a preview of the next lesson. Next week, we have the parent observation ss. Im sure you all know about it. The students nodded. Their expressions indicated that they were all nning to attend. Though their expressions had been positive until now, they were now mixed and subtle, showing a bit of concern about the parent observation ss. Even among high-ranking nobles, parents scrutiny wasnt any different. In fact, it could be even more severe, considering that the inheritance of the family was at stake. Probably about two-thirds of the students here would be apanied by their parents for the parent observation ss next week. If that was the case, they had to show something. Their achievements so far. Moreover, since even other students parents would be present, the tension was bound to increase. How they were perceived among the nobility was quite an important issue. If theres one event thats most important to you, I know its this one. A chance to showcase and prove yourselves in various ways. Ethans gaze met with several students. But there are limitations. ss time is limited. Only a few of you will stand out. Only a few of you who excel in this ss will be selected to present. Yes? How many of us will be chosen for the presentation? What will happen to the rest of us? The students eximed in surprise at Ethans words. Just as it was about to get noisy, Ethan stomped his foot forcefully, silencing the students. Thud! In other sses, this might have been the case. But in my Understanding the Sword Path ss, it wont be just a few that stand out. I intend to make it so everyone can shine in this ss. This uing parent observation ss. As Ethan had said, in other sses, only a few students would be chosen to stand out. But Ethan had no intention of missing even one student. Based on what weve learnedst week and this week, we will engage in free sparring. Free sparring? Whats that? Ethan raised his sword finger, pointing at himself as he exined. Its a duel between me and each of you. * * * Ethans exnation lit up the students eyes. The concept of the free sparring lesson nned for the parent observation ss was quite intriguing. Free sparring. Just like its name suggests, it was a ss where students would spar freely. But this wasnt sparring between students. It was a lesson where students woulde out one by one and spar with Ethan as the center. In the process, they could disy the swordsmanship they learned at the Academy. Everything they had learned, how far they had progressed, it would all be visible. Every student, beyond the Understanding the Sword Path ss, would have a chance to showcase everything they had learned at the Academy during this time. If thats the case We can all showcase our swordsmanship! The students enthusiastically agreed with Ethans words. This meant that everyone would have a chance to be in the spotlight at least once. But there was a risk involved. Teacher, youll be exerting a lot of effort. For the students, it was just once each, but Ethan had to spar 75 times. And it wasnt just any sparring. It was sparring with students who wanted to show their skills to their parents and impress them. Students would pour everything they had into these sparring sessions, and Ethan had to respond to all of it. As skilled as Ethan might be, sparring 75 times in a row? Even udie Hyde wouldnt be able to manage that. Are you going to be okay, Teacher? Teacher has to keep sparring with us. Were really grateful for it, but Though it was a fantastic opportunity for the students, they hadnt enrolled to simply listen to Ethans lessons. What if Ethan made a mistake there? With so many nobles eyes present, Ethan could easily be buried. Do you even have the room to worry about me? Th-Thats not what I meant! Dont worry. You have nothing to worry about. Ethan reassured them. The students looked at Ethan with respectful eyes. All for the sake of the students. Wasnt this self-sacrifice for their sake, even at the risk of injury and humiliation? He truly was an exceptional teacher. Among the students, some even had tears in their eyes. Of course, it was the students misunderstanding. Ethan had never harbored such thoughts. He was solely focused on effectively showcasing himself during the parent observation ss. For a new teacher, this parent observation ss was the only opportunity to make a significant impression within the Academy. In fact, this parent observation ss was not just for the students. It was a significant event where the quality of teaching could be demonstrated to the parents, a kind of battle for the teachers, alongside the students event. New teachers might not understand this yet. Experienced teachers would prepare for this parent observation ss with great determination. Whats remembered is the minority. Ethan aimed to be part of that memorable minority. * * * As the ss ended and Mason was leaving, he coincidentally met Ethan at the entrance. Mason had intended to pass by Ethan without much notice. He wasnt satisfied with this ss. The best performance hade from Ron Bears, who was previously at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department. Without Masons involvement, Ron had naturallye out on top in the Swordsmanship Department during this ss. Even Max Jurod isnt here. Max Jurod was the top student in the current Knight Department. Back when they entered the Academy, it had been a toss-up as to who would be first, him or Max Jurod, and now the difference was like night and day. While Mason remained within the top ranks, Max had maintained his position as the first without a single slip. This Max Jurod hadnt attended this ss. He had already taken Understanding the Sword Path. On the other hand, Mason had only been attending sses that seemed easy. Thats why he was in this Understanding the Sword Path ss. Phew. He felt that this parent observation ss could be a great opportunity in many ways. But at the same time, he was afraid. A duke would surely be upied with his duties, but his father would undoubtedly participate, and if his two older brothers had nothing special to attend to, they would be there too. Could Mason, who had achieved nothing, satisfy his father there and astonish his brothers? Perhaps his brothers might even be pleased. After all, their mainpetition had disappeared. Damn. Normally, he wouldnt have cared much. It would have been tormenting, but he had already given up, thinking that it was toote. Ethan Whiskers. His words echoed in Masons mind. Shaking his head, Mason headed straight for the practice room. No more distractions. What he needed to do now was to prove himself to Ethan Whiskers. Just then, someone passed by him. Well, you did fairly well. Mason Yeld. In that instant, Masons eyes widened. He quickly turned around, but Ethan was already far away. You did fairly well, huh? Damn. Gritting his teeth, Mason rushed into the practice room. * * * So, how was the Understanding the Sword Path ss today? Seriously, tell me. Im definitely taking Teacher Ethans ss next time. I really regret it now. Students attending the Understanding the Sword Path ss were interrogated about its contents by their friends who hadnt signed up. Since no one was opening up easily, rumors about the sss content only circted among close friends, bit by bit. But this time, something was different. Insane. Wasnt this even more intense? Seriously, how strong is Teacher Ethan? Isnt this Understanding the Sword Path ss going to be part of the parent observation ss? How did that happen? Sword path was a core aspect of swordsmanship. Even the teachers in the Swordsmanship Department found it challenging to teach this. Since revealing the core of their swordsmanship was impossible, exining it vaguely or modifying it was the limit. So, practically, the nutritional value of the instruction wasnt that high. However, there was one teacher who taught a ss with genuine nutritional value. udie Hyde. Why arent you saying anything? It cant be as intense as udie, right? Of course not. Finally, youre talking. So spill. How was it? Im learning things Ive never encountered before. What? Theres no time for this. I need to go review the ss material. You, you madman! Where are you going? Simr to thest ss, the practice room was bustling. And everyone there was a student from the Understanding the Sword Path ss.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 76: Parent Observation Class Preparation (2) Chapter 76: Parent Observation ss Preparation (2) You all did great. Thanks to you, I was able to smoothly conduct the ss. Oh, dont mention it. But your atmosphere waspletely different. Yerica recalled Ethans demeanor during the ss. The sharp and icy atmosphere he exuded made it difficult to approach or deal with him casually. He was the very embodiment of a teacher whom one should treat with respect when addressing him. When you do something, you should do it properly. If you underestimate these students, theyll just end up looking down on you. That does seem to be the case. Yerica observed Ivecars students quite closely. They were all quite advanced, to the point where it was hard to believe they were just students. They had exceptional potential and intelligent minds toprehend things, to the extent that if a teacher was even slightlyzy or inadequate, they would notice. As Ethan had mentioned, there was no room forcency. It was truly exciting, Young Master. This is the first time Ive had an experience like this. Schudlen shared his impression. However, there was something strange in his gaze. Is this how the senior knights felt when I, the youngest, joined the Order of Knights? It seems a bit different. Yerica gestured to Schudlen that his gaze seemed unusual. Anyway, I felt the same way as Yerica. You are indeed Young Master. In no time, Schudlens gaze of reverence returned, as if he was back to his usual state. But is it okay to teach the students your unique skills, Ethan? During this ss, Yerica had realized that Ethan was teaching the students more than she initially thought. Even though this was an academy, teachers didnt often share their core skills, as that was the essence of their strength. What Im teaching isnt all that impressive. Its quite fundamental. Besides, even if I teach them exactly, not all of them will be able to follow. Its not easy. Ethan shrugged his shoulders. And it was meaningful for Ethan himself to teach. And when the students be stronger, it benefits me. Their evaluations will improve. So, the more he invested in teaching, the more he would get in return. It was a kind of investment. Ethans ultimate goal was to be a Master. Once he became a Master, he could move on to the next step. But these are basic things? Basic for me, at least. Because the data I gather from teaching the students umtes within me. It wasnt just about teaching. Im stillcking. Theres a lot more to teach. Looking at Ethans expression, Yerica thought of the students. 75 students. They were struggling to properly digest even the fundamental concepts Ethan was exining. In this situation, if Ethan were to teach them something more challenging, it would be a mixture of enthusiasm and screams. But on second thought, this was a teaching method that other teachers couldnt possibly provide. Its unfortunate. About what? Theyve tasted Ethans ss. Now, how dull will other sses feel? At Yericas words, Ethan chuckled lightly. Then they should only take my ss. Even if theyve had something tasteless, they can eat something delicious, but the reverse doesnt work. * * * Teacher udie, isnt this getting out of hand? A newly hired teacher is tantly disregarding the academys basic rules. Moreover, isnt Teacher udie a senior in the Swordsmanship Department? Instead of visiting separately, hes ignoring you to the point of not even acknowledging your presence! udies office. Except for the newly hired teachers, all the instructors had their own offices. The size varied ording to seniority, and udies office was alreadyparable in size to a department heads office. One teacher hade to his office. It was Martynas Lane, a mid-level instructor in the Swordsmanship Department and udies junior by a year. As a member of the Lane family, he was a veteran teacher who had been working at the academy for several years. Keep it down. This isnt a neighborhood gossip session. Even if silence magic was cast on this room, a teachers voice would still be audible. No, Teacher udie. Doesnt he seem too audacious? What in the world is wrong with you? Hes ignoring the rules! Isnt he being too cocky? Hmm. udie nodded, as if to say go ahead. Talking as if hes going to teach something amazing, but in reality, hes just doing some stamina training, showing off his sword skills. Isnt that something that should only be done as a private instructor? Martynas spoke fervently. Hes disqualified as a teacher at Ivecar Academy. He doesnt even teach the standard swordsmanship, the Revinade swordsmanship. The word is that he came here just to impress the students and wants to be a private tutor for other noble families! After listening to Martynas, udie looked at him for a moment. Have you ever attended his ss? No, I havent. But they say he crushed Chen Garcia during his first ss. Hes disqualified as a teacher, that guy. Why did they hire such an utterly clueless person as a teacher and even give him the top position? Martynas raised his voice as he spoke. Furthermore, even the Magic Departments Dean is like that. What did they see in a newly hired teacher to assign him sses? And that too, assigning sses from the Magic Department to a teacher in the Swordsmanship Department! Magic Departments Dean isnt someone who would take on sses lightly. Even if the principal himself asked, he would refuse if the person isnt qualified. Teacher! Are you taking Teacher Ethans side? Im not on anyones side. Pathetic, arent you, Martynas? You used to be a bit more perceptive. What is this behavior now? Seeing that udies reaction wasnt supportive as he had anticipated, Martynas was momentarily at a loss for words. But he couldnt back down from this situation. But that guy doesnt seem to be simply aiming to develop the Swordsmanship Department. He might be ying a different kind of teachers game. Teachers game? You know that problem child, right? Mason Yeld. He clung to Teacher Ethans sses. There are even people who say theyve seen the two of them talking. Mason Yeld was a promising student. That was the assumption based on how well he had followed his teachings. Masons mind was quite twisted, and he didnt possess the potential to be educated to the extent of untwisting it. It would be better if he redirected that effort elsewhere. From that perspective, Mason was a castoff of the Swordsmanship Department. For udie, hearing that Ethan Whiskers was ying with this castoff from the Swordsmanship Department was irksome. Your point has validity. But emotionally resolving this issue wont do. At the moment, Teacher Ethan is certainly benefiting the academy. udie had heard the constantints about the practice room being full and how hard it was to get practice time. And that was because the room was filled with students attending Ethans ss. At the very least, Ethan was conducting his ss in a positive direction. Even though it shed with udies feelings and with what Martynas had called the teachers game. But still, are you just going to let it slide? Enough. Im busy, lets discuss this another time. udie waved his hand dismissively. That was a clear signal to leave. Martynas sighed and left udies office in that state. Then, he looked at the door for a moment and muttered to himself while lightly smacking his own face. Hes not falling for it. That udie Hyde. His demeanor was so expressionless that it almost nullified the fervent tone he had just used. His cold eyes showed no trace of the atmosphere he had disyed earlier. Well, then, I should focus on my tasks. It would be better to handle Ethan Whiskers, who could potentially be a disturbance. * * * Preparations are all set. Mages, do a final check. These mages are crucial. If the expensive magic we brought from there isnt cast properly, the business wont run smoothly. Ill bring them right away! The David Merchant Guild was on the verge of opening a lightweight workshop through coboration with Ethan. Etting Hunt, in charge of the project, had reported to the higher-ups shortly after taking on the business and had now embarked on the opening. The growth trend of Whiskers Countys lightweight workshop under Count Whiskers is exceptional. It had grown nearly three times the size since she had initially approached him for the contract. Moreover, thanks to the lightweight workshop, Whiskers County, which was once nearly dead, was now one of the most vibrant areas in the vicinity. Its like its developing just as I had expected. Whiskers County was rapidly increasing in poption, and the city was developing. Even the previously abandonednd was now under construction, with about half of it alreadypleted. It was a safe bet that the lightweight workshop venture would be a significant sess, and that had been the right call from the beginning. Hes using all the money for territory development. Etting Hunt knew Count Ron Whiskers was not the kind of person to make such a bold decision. If he was a person who knew how to seize an opportunity when it came, he should have also known how to create one for himself. And if that had been the case, Count Whiskers might not have ended up like this. So, there was only one answer. It had to be Ethan Whiskers idea. A voice cut through her thoughts. Wereing in! With those words, her subordinate, along with the mages, entered the room. She paused her thoughts for a moment. It was a time to be fully dedicated to this lightweight workshop project. If I cant make this a sess Ethan Whiskers will never work with our David Merchant Guild again. In that case, the project would be handed over to another Merchant Guild. That was simply not an option. This opportunity had to be seized definitively. Etting. Just then, a face shed rather not see before the mages entered walked in. As soon as he walked in, the mages and Ettings subordinates who hade with him went back out. Wee, Mr. Kimmel. You must be busy, what brings you here? Our money-savvy Etting is starting a new venture, so I came to visit. You have the best nose for money in our Merchant Guild, dont you? But I heard your nose was wrong this time. Is that true? Kimmel said with a sneer. He was one of the three officers in the David Merchant Guild. Well, you spent a hefty sum on what seems to be a worthless business. Your words are quite harsh, Mr. Kimmel. Ms. Etting. Do you really think this business will seed? This pitiful venture? Kimmel was well-known even within the guild for being a parachute hire. (+)[1]TLN: Getting hired with the help of rtives (Nepotism) Although he wasnt without skill, he had a reputation for undermining promising merchants within the guild and taking credit for their achievements. This made him quite unpopr. Etting had also lost several businesses to him and had many public arguments. But eventually, she had no choice but to submit. Although both were officers, Kimmel was her superior, and she was just an officer of a subsidiary. Whats the problem, Mr. Kimmel? The problem lies in your judgment. The mighty David Merchant Guild, contracting business with a minor noble family in a rural area? How disgraceful. Is it a matter of disgrace? Mr. Kimmel. Thats ancient history, Etting. How long are you going to live like that, like in the past? Youll live crazily for money. Now David is one of the most respected Merchant Guilds even in the central region. Its a well-known name across the continent. So, you shouldnt be pursuing only money anymore. Kimmels words infuriated Etting. For a merchant, the most important thing was to make money. That was everything. Nothing else was worth considering. The moment you prioritized something other than money, it was hard to call yourself a merchant. Do you want to run a Merchant Guild, or do you hope to be something else? Kimmel replied to Ettings words as if he had been waiting. This trash-like venture. If it fails, Im asking you to leave David Merchant Guild, Etting. Kimmel stroked his mustache. Does Mr. Kimmel have the authority to do that? Just because we both are officers of the guild doesnt mean were in the same position, Etting. Kimmel spoke with a stern expression. It was certainly true. They both might be officers but the rtionship between them was strained. Furthermore, on their side, there was not only the officers position but also the position of overseeing external businesses. This project was also an externally sourced business. Even if they were both officers, their ranks were different. Making a business contract with some local nobility named Ethan something. Ugh, really. Even if youck insight, you shouldntck it to this extent. You need some integrity. Watching Kimmel leave with an arrogant demeanor, Ettings subordinate, along with the mages, quickly entered the room. Heard everything? Yes. Since itse to this, if it fails, its over. Well keep that in mind. Etting said with determination in her eyes. We must seed no matter what.
  • 1. TLN: Getting hired with the help of rtives (Nepotism)
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 77: Brüle Chapter 77: Br¨¹le The Potion Manufacturing ss was excluded from the parent observation sessions. The reason was simple. Our Potion Manufacturing ss doesnt participate in parent observation sessions. You all understand the reason, right? Yes. We heard its because there are too many sses. The Magic Department had a surplus of sses. Among the meticulously divided courses in the Magic Department, there were quite a few that were essential for parent observation sessions. As a result, rtively less important sses had to be omitted from the Magic Departments side. If Hassen Rittle was here, maybe it would have been possible, but Ethan, who hadnt been validated yet, participating in the Magic Departments observation sessions was unrealistic. Well, its amusing that I, who am not a mage, would take you to parent observation sessions. Nevertheless, we still consider you our teacher, even if youre not a mage! During the first ss, the students had shown resistance, but their thoughts changed that day. They initially brushed aside the rumors from the Swordsmanship Department as exaggeration, but experiencing it firsthand revealed it wasnt an exaggeration. The rumors from the Swordsmanship Department were true: Ethan indeed delivered substantial sses. Like the instructors of the Swordsmanship Department, the instructors of the Magic Department hadnt been teaching their core techniques effectively. In fact, they were worse than the Swordsmanship Department in this regard. Even if a swordsman was exceptionally talented, reproducing their sword skills was difficult. This was because sword skills varied greatly between each swordsman. But magic was different. Applying most of the core techniques in various ways was feasible. By doing so, students could quickly end up using magic that surpassed that of their instructors. Therefore, the Magic Department instructors taught their secrets but subtly held back the core techniques. Core secrets and techniques. Since these two things were taught only to apprentices or bloodlines, there was no choice but not to teach them to the students. And such things didnt sit well with the Magic Department students. If it was going to be like this, why bother attending sses at the academy? It would be better to learn from a personal tutor or enter as a renowned mages apprentice. If not, entering the Magic Tower would have allowed them to learn much more. Thats why the students had high expectations for this ss. They believed there would be something worth learning in Ethans Potion Manufacturing ss. You all seem excited. This was the second session of the Potion Manufacturing ss. -The ss that was taken over midway was received excellently. -All students were in attendance! -Your reputation is growing! Just continuing the ss inherited from the middle without any dropouts added to the reputation. And if I finish it sessfully, my reputation will rise even more. The more the students hoped for Ethan, the better. Its not at all burdensome. If there were no expectations, it might have been burdensome, but Ethan was already well-prepared. If I can establish trust here, it will be much easier from the second semester onwards. Back then, Ethan was willing to take on many students, even if it meant pushing the limits. In order to gain a lot of reputation, sses needed to be filled to the maximum capacity permitted by the academy. Those who have learned the basics of potion-making from their family tutors, raise your hands. Upon Ethans words, all the students raised their hands. Those who have learned the same content from their families as they did in the academy? Again, everyone raised their hands. They already knew all the basics. Yet, the reason they took Ethans Potion Manufacturing ss was due to their previous instructor, Hassen Rittle. What you all expected from Teacher Hassen Rittle were practical potion-making methods. Not grand ones, but methods that could be practically utilized in daily life. Applying to Hassen Rittles ss was a way to learn something new, something substantial. In essence, something of value. This was what all academy students desired. Ethan promptly started writing on the board. [Potion Manufacturing] Healing potions, mana potions, buff potions that provide buffs. There are various types of potions, but even for the same potion, the effects can differ. After finishing his sentence, Ethan looked at Grandel Torf. It was a gesture, asking him to exin how they were different. Inferior, lesser, intermediate, greater, superior. These are the five tiers. With good materials, even if youre not skilled, you can make a lesser potion, but with poor materials, you cant make anything higher than that tier. Therefore, the most crucial thing in potion-making was the ingredients. Without proper ingredients, even a skilled alchemist would find it difficult to make a good potion. In fact, a skilled alchemist encountering poor ingredients wouldnt be able to produce any potion below a certain tier. In potion-making, I understand that ingredients are the most important. Right. Thats why Potion Manufacturing doesnt differ that much no matter who teaches it. Using poor ingredients wont yield good potions. This was almost like the essence of the truth about potions. Then, do you know how to handle those ingredients? The timing of adding the ingredients is crucial. You need to add them at the right moment to create a potion with good effects without wasting the ingredients. Upon Ethans question, Grandel Torf nodded confidently. Thats for sure. The more time you invest, the better the potion bes. Smiling at his words, Ethan added new text next to the [Potion Manufacturing] that he had just written on the board. [Correct] You all have a preconceived notion about potion-making. That is, it takes a long time to brew. But thats wrong. The students paid attention to Ethans words. Now, let me show you a spell. Ethan drew a simple fireball rune. With just five strokes of the pen, a fireball appeared on Ethans hand. This is the basic. Then, he did it again four more times. Application. This time, with three strokes of the pen, he drew a rune and conjured a fireball. The size was smaller than the first one, but it formed much faster. This is the advanced version. Elite mages like yourselves could naturally handle this advanced fireball, right? Everyone nodded. Although a few students still needed four strokes, most of them could achieve it in three. It was challenging but feasible since it was the most basic fireball. Then, Ethan made two simple movements with his hand. Two strokes of the pen. And this is eleration. ! Thats unbelievable! Huh, how? Grandel couldnt contain his astonishment and blurted out. Creating a fireball with just two strokes of the pen? Why did you apply to the Swordsmanship Department, Teacher? Though it wasnt the most polite question, Grandel couldnt hold back. Could an inspector create a fireball with just two strokes of the pen? It would be impossible for anyone other than a high-ranking mage. This is just an example. Im not particrly skilled in magic. Im just adept at handling runes. In a moment, Ethan drew another rune swiftly. Im sorry, Teacher. Its fine. Youre just asking on behalf of everyone. Grandel scanned the room. Everyone had the same expression. Without a doubt, if he hadnt asked, someone else would have. The fireball rune conjured with just two strokes of the pen by Ethan was shocking enough to elicit such reactions. Undeterred by their surprise, Ethan continued his exnation. Whats important here is this eleration created with these two strokes of the pen. The spell waspleted while maintaining the form of the fireball. The original should have been a rune consisting of five strokes. Do you know why? Even Grandel, the most exceptional mage here, didnt know the reason. He only knew that the rune had beenpressed, but he didnt understand why it functioned that way fundamentally. No one could know. What Ethan was doing now was magic from the future. He intended to show a part of the core of the reformed potion rune, developed by future aplished alchemists. In reality, this spell was designed for the convenience of the yers in the marketce. Creating potions one by one was quite tricky in MePan. Because of that, yers had to buy potions at high prices. As their levels increased, the cost of potions often took a toll on their wallets. It became challenging even to embark onrge-scale expeditions due to the potions, which led to an urgent patch that created this setting. I know that. Everyone silently awaited Ethans response. Despite the silence, their excitement was palpable. Brle. Ethan spoke briefly. The line here. The power contained in this line is the brle. The burning force. This single line holds the burning force, which is why a fireball can be created with just two lines. Having drawn the brle, Ethan promptly took out a substance from his pocket. Then, if we integrate this into potion-making? The reason for dedicating time to making potions is to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly heated. After pausing to catch his breath, Ethan continued. Bybining this brle, we can intensify the heating, and consequently, create potions much more quickly. Currently, Ethan possessed the skill of Heos Decoction. However, even during his time as a yer in MePan when he didnt have the Heos Decoction, Ethan was already skilled in potion-making. In fact, efficiently making potions was his specialty. At present, the Heos Decoction is much more effective using the brle than not using it. However, he couldnt reveal the Heos Decoction to the students. So, he intended to introduce them to the brle. After all, it wouldnt be significant since this knowledge would be unlocked when that alchemist appeared in the future. If we utilize this brle to make potions, what do you think will happen? This time, Ethan asked another student. To be honest, I think it would result in messy potions. Potions need time to be meticulously prepared. Right, that seems like the only logical conclusion. Ethan nodded. But youre wrong. He immediately raised his hand. Ill show you now. Watch closely. With one hand, he started making a potion using the brle rune, and with the other hand, he made a potion without it. The students remained breathless, their focus locked on Ethan as he skillfully crafted two potions. In an instant, a brle Healing Potion was created. Since it was made without using the Heos Decoction, the brles power was the only element infused into the potion. The other side was still being created. And not long after, a potion made without the brle was also crafted. The difference between the two potions solely depended on whether the brle was used or not. One was created with careful dedication, while the other was made quickly utilizing the brle. As you know from your training, logically, the quickly made potion shouldnt have better effects than the one made with time. Ethan tossed the two potions to Grandel. Appraise them. Grandel, the most skilled at appraisal magic here, could easily perform appraisal magic in this situation. As Ethan handed him the potions, Grandel nced around. Everyone was looking at him expectantly. Ethans statement directly contradicted the content of Potion Manufacturing they had learned until now. No one had ever suggested making potions faster before. Even students who learned from Hassen Rittle had been taught that potions should be made at a leisurely pace, and concentration should never waver during the process. With his eyes closed, Grandel ced his hands on the two potions. His hands radiated light, and appraisal magic was instantly cast. ! Grandel opened his eyes anxiously. Both of these Everyone focused on his words. Th-Theyre the same.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 78: Grand Horn Chapter 78: Grand Horn They were the same. Although Grandel was not a professional appraiser mage, he couldnt discern the minute details of the appraisal, but at the very least, the appraisal magic had determined that the grades of the two potions were the same. Intermediate. The potion made quickly was intermediate, and the potion made with time was also intermediate. So, wasnt the answer already clear? The quicker approach is more efficient. It was a shocking result. Certainly, everyone saw it with their own eyes, yet it was almost unbelievable. After graduating from the academy, you will each choose a ss that suits your path and live ordingly. During that process, you will make numerous potions. At that time, those who can make potions quickly and those who take longer. You will be divided into these two categories, and you will be mages who can make high-quality potions quickly. A gulp was audible as someone swallowed. It was so shocking that everyone had forgotten to speak. Grandel. Yes, Teacher. It was an excellent analysis. ! Perhaps not expecting praise, Grandel blushed slightly and smiled. It-Its not big of a deal Teacher! I can also use appraisal magic! The students no longer saw Ethan as just a new instructor, nor even as a teacher of the Swordsmanship Department. He was an exceptional mage, more precisely, an extraordinary mage. With such knowledge, he was bound to stand out in Ethans eyes. Indeed, the atmosphere among the students of the Magic Department was different from that of the Swordsmanship Department. Schrly. Very much so. They are interested in potion-making but seem more interested in the line I showed them, the brle. And there were students who seemed to be recalling how Ethan had drawn the runes. Its fun. Teaching has a different taste. Especially Grandel was a student who could use the lesson effectively. His reactions were quick and responsive. I could consider him as an assistant. Todays lesson is about this brle. I will teach you how to make potions quickly using the brle. It might be difficult for you to use two lines, a 2nd equation, like I did to cast a fireball. However, since this is a Potion Manufacturing ss, I will teach you how to use this 1st equation line, the brle, to quickly make potions. Ethan spoke. To make potions quickly using the brle, I will teach you this 1st equation line, the brle, thoroughly. * * * What had urred in the Swordsmanship Department was now unfolding in the Magic Department. Grandel, tell us. Whats the big deal? Why do you keep reacting like this? Youre trying to tease us, right? Isnt that it? You said you wont lose to anyone in potion-making skills. Yet today, practically the only proper lesson was on the first day? What did you learn? The students of the Magic Department who had talked to Grandel before looked at him with anticipation. What they were expecting was not a story about how incredible Ethans lessons were. After all, there had never been apetent teacher who spoke so confidently. Since you made such a big deal about it, he must have taught something amazing, right? No way! He didnt just casually teach the ss like other instructors who are reluctant to reveal their true abilities. But well, even if he taught something about potion-making, isnt it all the same? If you use good ingredients and take your time, youll get decent results anyway. Since they were students of the Magic Department, they had a fair amount of knowledge and experience in potion-making. So, they knew even better. No matter who teaches potion-making, the result would be roughly the same. Saying he taught something great was just like saying to use good ingredients; it was only stating the obvious. Suddenly, Grandel spoke up. How do you use a fireball? What are you talking about? Out of the blue. Just tell me how! When Grandel raised his voice, the upper-ss students were surprised and looked at him. Whats with this guy? Their expressions showed their skepticism, but soon they began to talk. Use the 4th equation. I use the 3rd equation. You use the 3rd equation, Grandel? But why are you suddenly asking about this? Grandel clenched his teeth. He had experienced something unbelievable during the ss. He knew they wouldnt believe him even if he told them. Do you all know who my grandfather is? Of course. If we mention the Red me, your grandfather is the first one thates to mind. Archmage of the Red me. Just like the name implies, Grandels grandfather was a master of fire magic, an Archmage among mages. His grandfather could cast fireballs even without the need for a magic circle, his skill was that advanced. When we were listening to the exnation about the line brle, it seemed to ovep with my grandfathers teachings. It was the same then. Even though I dont quite understand it in detail, I instinctively know its something extraordinary. Dont you all feel the same way? As Grandel imagined the previous ss, he got goosebumps on his back. What did you hear? Brle. Grandel exined the story about Ethans ss on brle mixed with potion-making. It was an entirely new method of potion-making that shattered all themon knowledge so far. It was such an astonishing content that they doubted if it was even appropriate to learn something like this in the academy. This cant be true. He makes potions like that? If he makes them like that, theyll turn out to be a mess, wont they? But, if thats truly possible, shouldnt he be presenting it at the magic society? Why is he teaching it here? If Grandels exnation was correct, this wasnt just something any teacher at Ivecar could solve. If formally presented at the Magic Society, Ethans method could gain recognition as an exceptional innovation. However, the students didnt know. They didnt know that Ethan couldnt officially present it. But, it turned out exactly as the Teacher said. There was no difference between the one made with time and the one made quickly using the brle. I confirmed it with appraisal magic, so Im sure. Everyone fell into a stupor. What was a potion? Wasnt it something that required time and effort to make? If you made it too quickly, wouldnt the effects becking? At least, that was how potion-making had been taught until now. When I had a personal tutor, they also emphasized spending a lot of time. I did that too. And it wasnt just listening, I actually tried it out. The students couldnt believe Grandels words. Amidst the silence, rough breathing was heard. Huff, huff. The practice room they were in was shared by both the Knight Department and the Magic Department. In a building specially designed for training, the practice rooms of the two departments were connected. A student, drenched in sweat from training until just now, was looking in this direction. Mason Yeld. Grandel Torf. A famous figure from the Swordsmanship Department and a famous figure from the Magic Department locked eyes. Both knew how they werebeled in their respective departments. It wasnt a coincidence that Mason passed by here. Grandels voice had reached his ears, despite being spoken in a low tone. It was about the stories of Teacher Ethan Whiskers. Grandel also remembered seeing Mason attending Teacher Ethans ss. Meeting each others gaze, they nodded slightly. The two troublemakers who attended Teacher Ethans ss were sharing emotions they had never felt in the academy before. Were you two close? No. Grandel shook his head. Just something like that. Nothing special. Perhaps because of the shocking ss, you seem somewhat different, Grandel. Cant you attend the additional part? It seems like a loss if you dont. It might be something really valuable. Im sure Teacher Ethan wont open it up. Hes quite intimidating. If you make one wrong move, you might get kicked out of the ss. At Ivecar Academy, instructors rarely remove students from sses. Unless the students pick fights, they generally wont be removed. But somehow, Grandel had a feeling that if he made a small mistake in Ethans ss, he might be kicked out. Hes a real iceberg. With these words, Grandel got up from his seat. Where are you going!? We were supposed to have the Crans Gruttire wine tonight. You guys enjoy. I need to go practice. We dont have an observation ss, and theres a break next week. Then, its the exam after that. The midterm exams wereing up, so there was no time to rx. In Grandels mind, there was only brle right now. If he didnt master this brle and use it effectively in potion-making, he wouldnt be able to get the top grade in the next ss. If I fail the midterm, I wont be able to learn more about using brle. He said he would only teach those with good grades. Everyone watched as Grandel hurriedly left. Something was changing. Because of the neer teacher, Ethan Whiskers. * * * That night. Ethan was once again moving in the shadows. There were so many achievements at the academy. Particrly, the mostmon ones were the Grinding Achievements. The Academys backyard. Just like how most of the academy had one huge mountain attached to it. Memories of Ivecars school anthem came back to him. I remember now. Our school was supposed to grow by receiving the energy of Grand Horn, just like most schools do. As with most schools, Ivecar also received the energy of Grand Horn, located in the rear of the Marquis territory. Since there are many mountains and rivers here. With a smile, Ethan entered Grand Horn. Although this Grand Horn was within the boundaries of the Rond Marquis territory, it was so vast that it extended beyond the Marquis territory. Once, the marquis had attempted to subdue the monsters inside this Grand Horn topletely eliminate the threat to Ivecar Academy. However, he almost lost his life in the process, it was said. This showed how powerful the monsters of Grand Horn were. And they dont tend to leave their territories. That was a characteristic of the monsters in Grand Horn. Because they were monsters protecting the territory, they didnt venture far from the mountains. So, even if the subjugation failed, he didnt keep trying. But still, the marquis had put in some measures. [Danger! Golden Wolf Territory Ahead.] [Danger! Mountain King White Tiger Territory Ahead.] These were signposts. It was said that they had installed artifacts at one point, but the monsters in the mountains wouldnt leave them alone. Hence, there was no choice but to put up these signposts. Since these signs were quiterge, it meant that entering was at your own risk. Its quite ironic. The most powerful monsters are in the rear mountains of Ivecar Academy, which should be the safest. Though it wasnt an ordinary rear mountain. Ethan turned onto a path that the signposts werent indicating. He wasnt here to challenge those powerful monsters. I cant achieve those named monster achievements right now. The Blue Wolf and the Mountain King White Tiger were fighting for the position of the master of Grand Horn. Even when Ivecar Academy was on the brink of copse and the followers of the Moon were attempting to enter Grand Horn, these two beasts were fighting. But the followers of the Moon wiped out all of them. Before that, Grand Horn had been dominated by monsters for quite a while. I dont know what happened after that. As Ethan took a deep breath, Heros Breathing filled his body with vitality. Today, he came to hunt a monster slightly above the middle of the food chain in Grand Horn. I have toplete the 75th duel. He had casually mentioned this to his students, but it wasnt an easy task. Despite his ss growth and using status stones to greatly enhance his stamina, 20 duels wouldnt be an easy feat. As Ive pierced the original limit of my stamina stat with the status stone, I can further enhance my stamina. This was the reason he came here.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 79: Subscriber Community Chapter 79: Subscriber Community Grand Horn. Ethan entered further inside, pulling his sense to the maximum. Whoo As he used Heros Breathing, his sense became sharper. While my eyes have grown ustomed to the darkness, relying solely on them has its limitations. I need to awaken my sense with Heros Breathing. I should be able to sense any threat at any time. And if a threat came, he had to be ready to move immediately. The monsters in Grand Horn were all threatening; a slightpse in concentration could lead to death. So, this ce is ideal for growth. It forces you to concentrate. If your focus slips even a bit, that could mean death. With death on the line, he had no choice but to concentrate forcefully. In this Grand Horn, he could raise his stamina to the limit. I still have some time until the parent observation ss. Ill raise my stamina to the limit here before that dayes. -Grand Horn had been registered with Wind Cloud. No need to sneak around now. I can get here instantly with Wind Cloud. (+)[1]TLN: I think I made a mistake with tranting Wind Cloud to Wind Movement. My mistake, sorry. He also nned to work on achievements here. Simultaneously working on achievements. Its a chance to collect likes as well. Then, somewhere, a howl began to echo. Ah-oo-oo-oo. It was the howl of a wolf. Various types of wolves lived in Grand Horn. The Golden Wolf was the strongest, followed by the Blue Wolf. Just as their names implied, the Blue Wolf had blue fur and they formed packs to hunt. They seem to be nearby. Ethan felt a packs presence around him. Grrrrrr. Grr. Together with the seemed to be the leader, dozens of wolves surrounded Ethan in an instant, their eyes glinting in the darkness. Only their glowing red eyes were visible; their bodies were concealed. The fear they emitted was palpable. [lv 55] Although their level was lower than the monsters he had hunted before, their hunting skills were superior. The wolves gazed at Ethan, who stood still, and growled softly. These monsters also had Fear. Prey that sensed Fear would freeze. Grrrrr! The wolves, sensing his condition, charged with a growl. Dozens of wolves moved as a single body. Through countless hunts, they had instinctively learned how to attack prey effectively. Ethan moved in an instant. The wolves, which thought he was caught by Fear, used their front legs to change direction. As if they were living whirlwinds, they moved to his right and attempted to circle behind Ethan. Shaaak. Frost Sword Leas emerged from the scabbard, emanating a blue chill. Ethan actively used the Eye of Horus. At the moment, Ethan could track up to fifteen targets simultaneously with his eyes. Anything beyond that couldnt be followed even with the Eye of Horus. Frost Sword. A variation of Frost sh, it gathered its power into a pinpoint thrust. Unconsciously, Ethans eyes widened due to its power. Do theyplement each other? The Eye of Horus was incredible. Monsters whose weaknesses were visible due to Monsters Cmity revealed by the Eye of Horus. Normally, the small, blurry red dots should have been difficult to see, but they were vividly visible. Shaaak! As the vanguard wolf froze in an instant, the wolves approaching from behind were forced to change their direction and pounced on Ethan. A gap! The changed direction created a gap. Although it was tiny, to Ethan with the Eye of Horus, it felt like a gaping hole. Thud! Thwack! Ethan swung his sword consecutively. The wolves fell before they could sink their teeth into him, missing by a sheet of paper. Grrr! As five wolves went down, the rest pulled back and regrouped. Then, acknowledging Ethans strength, they formed a different kind of encirclement from before. My eyes hurt a lot. His eyes throbbed with pain, and he wanted to rest them, but he couldnt afford to. The wolves attacks woulde any moment. Indeed, realbat is different. When using the Eye of Horus to observe students movements in ss, he didnt experience such pain. There was fatigue, but not this level of agony. Does the strain on the eyes change with the opponents movements? The Eye of Horus was essentially a gadget forprehending all movements. Regardless of the movement, he could see it, understand it, and prate it. However, as the level increased, so did the fatigue it caused. Exactly like now. Pains intensity changes ording to the opponents movements and my level, huh? Still, its a pretty good ability. At higher levels, his eyes wouldnt be able to keep up. However, the Eye of Horus traded pain for insight. It allowed him to see things he couldnt at his current level. Blessing of Nature. First, Ethan used an ancient magic, Blessing of Nature, to protect himself. Grrrr! This time, three wolves formed a group to attack Ethan. Two targeted his lower body while the other withdrew slightly to exploit any gap. The first two are the decoys. And the real one was behind. Forming groups like this, they surrounded Ethan widely. Then, they attacked fiercely, leaving no gap this time either. Ethans pupils moved roughly. The Eye of Horus automatically grasped the wolves movements. Swipe. As Ethan stepped back and stomped the ground powerfully, he embedded his Frost Sword into the ground. The wolf, which initially thought Ethan would swing, was bewildered. But it quickly opened its mouth wide and lunged at Ethan. Shaaak. Chill spread from the ground, filling the surroundings with frost. The wolves standing on the earth froze instantaneously. Actively utilize it! Ethan actively utilized the power of this frost. Basic Frost Sword power and the power of the skill were both strong. Swordsmanship is still swordsmanship. Yet Ethans body wasnt yet in a state to withstand a strong impact. If he were to be hit properly just once for example, by a w attack from the Blue Wolf that was currently swinging beside him it could potentially be fatal. Grrr! Being well aware of this, Ethan didnt stop using the Eye of Horus, even if it caused excruciating pain that felt like his eyes were about to burst. Huff, huff. It wasnt easy. And thats why he hade to fight these monsters in Grand Horn. Ethan continued to swing his sword relentlessly. Kaang! Damn it! However, dozens of wolves were observing Ethans attack pattern. They momentarily increased their speed, discovering Ethans blind spot. Thwack-! He managed to evade the attacking onught of over a hundred wolves, but eventually, he had to allow an attack through. Yet Ethan had already anticipated such a situation. -Moonlight Defense! -Attack nullified! I gained this in preparation for situations like this. Ethan, who nullified the wolves attack, quickly moved his hand to the wolf that had tried to bite him and swung his sword. Grr! The wolf whimpered and recoiled. Huff -Heros Breathing proficiency has increased! As thebat continued, a sense of excitement welled up. Ethan, using Heros Breathing slowly, regained hisposure. That attack. If I block the initial assault with Moonlight Defense but cant prevent the subsequent attacks Come. Intentionally revealing a vulnerability to the wolves, Ethan baited them. The wolves didnt miss this vulnerability. Despite it being deliberately shown, their attacks were still fierce enough to momentarily confuse Ethan. Thud-! This time, an attacknded squarely. As expected. Although Ethan had fortified himself with Blessing of Nature, his health took a significant hit. Whiskers Swordsmanship. Ethan separated himself from the wolves again, pierced the wolves that charged in session, and knocked them down. But he couldnt help but let out a wry smile. Im feeling it anew. Just how serious Extinction is. But ming it all on Extinction wouldnt work. To avoid danger, he was plunging into danger. It was contradictory, yet absolutely necessary. Focus. Swoosh-! Amidst the charging wolves, Ethan leaped forward. Having been countering their attacks, Ethan now suddenly lunged between them, confusing the wolves. No second chances. Having taken one attack, Ethan concentrated even harder, swinging his sword with all his might to hunt down the Blue Wolves. Grrr! Blood streamed from Ethans eyes, and he roughly wiped it away with his sleeve. His whole body was drenched in sweat, yet his heart remained calm. Real-world experience is undoubtedly important. As Ethan had sessfully pierced and hunted down thest wolf, a notification window appeared before him. -Achievement unlocked! -You have obtained likes for unlocking the [Wolf Hunter] achievement. -You have gained 2 likes! The [Wolf Hunter] achievement could be obtained by hunting down 30 or more wolves. The more that number increased, the different the achievements became. Thest one was the wolf yer if I remember correctly? The rewards were pretty good. Ethan remained seated right there and drank the decoction he had brought with him inrge gulps. Huff. Then he immediately stood up and started processing and collecting the wolves materials. I cant afford to miss these. Stamina and likes. Tonight, he had secured the two things he desired. But theres still a lot to improve. I can see everything with the Eye of Horus. But I cant cover all the blind spots. Attacksing through blind spots were invisible, so seeing through them was impossible. Even though I blocked with Moonlight Defense. In the end, there are limitations. Thuck. Thuck. Thuck. Maximizing his bodys recovery with Heos Acupuncture, Ethan nced around briefly and then sat near a tree that looked safe. I need to improve. It would be good to subscribe to one more new deity. By the way, the Eye of Horus is doing a great job. It even influences the Monsters Cmity. The weaknesses of the wolves werent really visible. If it werent for the Eye of Horus, those blurry weaknesses would have caused more trouble. Thinking he should subscribe to a deity who couldplement his current abilities, like the Eye of Horus, Ethan activated the New World. Ding! -Conditions have been met. -Subscribed to four or more deities, and utilized [New World] for a certain period. -[New World Subscriber Community] has opened! Huh? Ethan closely read the newly appeared notification. A subscribermunity?
  • 1. TLN: I think I made a mistake with tranting Wind Cloud to Wind Movement. My mistake, sorry.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 81: Supreme Resilience Chapter 81: Supreme Resilience -[War Addict]: My life changed after subscribing to Hang Woo. -[Dont Even Try]: I subscribed believing in The Best Defense is a Good Offense. I thought a defensive stance would turn into an offensive one, but it didnt. -[Strength is Power]: After considering Hercules, I chose Hang Woo. His instant burst of power can shatter anything. Highly rmended. Once again, none of the subscriber reviews really stood out. -I thought it was all about offensive techniques, but having defensive skills surprised me. Of course, I didnt watch that video. Defensive skills, you say? -Would you like to subscribe to [Hang Woo]? -Number of Likes needed for subscription: 15. When subscribing to Horus, he needed 6 Likes. Now, it was nearly 2.5 times that amount. Bigger than I thought. It was arger amount than he initially considered. He would have to use almost all his existing Likes to subscribe to Hang Woo. No need to save Likes. There are ways to earn more in the future. Though the number was not infinite, he needed to choose carefully. Ethan made up his mind. I trust the algorithms choice. He searched with the keyword [Defense] and found this god. This undoubtedly meant that Hang Woo possessed the skills Ethan currently needed. But its fine even if he doesnt. While browsing the subscribermunity, Ethan realized he had gained fame. Enough to influence countless subscribers with his reviews. There are many people who subscribe to the god I subscribed to. I can use this as a bargaining chip. He could even request Hang Woo to create videos specifically for him. Lets check it out. Ethan immediately subscribed to Hang Woo. -You have subscribed to Hang Woo! -You used Likes. Soon, Hang Woos videos began to unlock one by one. A total of six videos. Indeed, famous gods were different. Each video taught powerful techniques associated with Hang Woo, garnering high Likes and views. Since subscribing to Hang Woo requires considerable strength, many would subscribe for that reason. Hang Woos representative keyword was reverse waterfall. An incredible power that could move mountains and cover the world. It seemed like most of the people subscribed to attain that power. A lot of people subscribe because theypare him to Hercules. While looking through Hang Woos videos, Ethan stumbled upon one with low views and Likes. Supreme Resilience. How to face ten thousand alone and not diean invincible way. That was the title. This is it. Ethan grinned. The title seemed to hold the reason why the algorithm rmended Hang Woo to him. Hang Woo possessed immense power, capable of facing ten thousand opponents. Looking at it the other way, it meant that even while fighting against ten thousand, he had exceptional defensive skills to prevent his death. Its not something that can be warded off with just the body. Among the six videos provided by Hang Woo, the first video could be watched for free. Most likely, everyone had seen the video titled Supreme Resilience, but Ethan intended to watch this one first. Even if I gain abilities by watching Supreme Resilience, its impossible to move mountains like Hang Woo without improving proficiency. And the conditions to raise that proficiency were quite demanding. So, at the moment, it wasnt a priority for Ethan. First, I need solid defensive abilities. Ethan immediately clicked on the video for Supreme Resilience. -Thanks for subscribing. Subscribers, Im grateful. This Supreme Resilience video shares the know-how of not getting injured even while fighting against ten thousand people. Red-haired. Brightly glowing eyes and rugged muscles. A god with a determination simr to Hercules, but there was certainly a different feeling about him. An air of seriousness emanated from the god, and his character was visible in his tightly bound hair. -Attack is the best defense. But conversely, it means defense can also be the best attack. This Supreme Resilience is the ultimate technique Ive developed based on that logic. Dozens of horned cattle appeared beside Hang Woo. Powerful-looking cattle with muscles so prominent they seemed ready to burst charged toward Hang Woo, exhaling steam. Moo-! Moo-! With each charge, it sounded as if lightning was striking due to their tremendous impact. Hang Woo observed those cattle. -Supreme Resilience. Then, he collided head-on with the charge of the cattle. Oh. Although he should have been heavily impacted by the cattles charge, Hang Woo remained unscathed. -Through Supreme Resilience, I absorb the force. And then release it. Energy gathered in Hang Woos hand. It was the damage he had received from dozens of charging horned cattle. He absorbed that damage and extended his fist. Kwaang-! With a booming sound, the horned cattle were sent flying. -As proficiency increases, you can capture and redirect iing attacks! Its about utilizing the opponents power to defeat them. Thats the true meaning of power, especially against stronger opponents. Depending on proficiency, you can absorb and then release the opponents attack. It was immediately understandable. Not just defense, but simultaneous offense as well. The technique Hang Woo showcased perfectly matched his catchphrase. I made a good choice. Ethan chuckled. Trusting the algorithm had indeed been wise. -However, excessively strong force cant be absorbed. Even if absorbed, it might be to some extent. Still, defense is possible. No matter what. That was important. After blocking with Moonlight Defense and recovering with ungging stamina, if he used Supreme Resilience as the third method, it would work. Moreover, its useful even in fights against multiple opponents. It was a useful technique that could be applied in various situations. You have learned Supreme Resilience! -Skill added: Supreme Resilience (S) Ethan immediately exited the New World. Then, he returned deep into the Grand Horn. Grrr. Suddenly, wolf howls echoed in the surroundings. It was the Blue Wolves he had encountered earlier. But there was one difference. Grrrrr! A werewolf stood at the forefront of these Blue Wolves. So youre the leader guiding these Blue Wolves. He was nearly three meters tall, the werewolf. After the werewolf saw Ethan, it roared. The Blue Wolves simultaneously charged forward. The Eye of Horus captured every movement of the wolves. Feeling the pain, Ethan closed his eyes slightly. And when he opened them again, the wolves were right in front of him. It was toote to dodge. Of course, Ethan had no intention of dodging. Grrrr! One of the wolves bit Ethan directly. Supreme Resilience. The originally expected damage didnt actually ur. -Absorbing damage! -Damage umted [7%] Is this how it works? Its certainly challenging. It seems there are designated areas to be hit. Indeed, it was of an extreme level of difficulty, not easy at all. Thud! Thud! The wolves attacked Ethan in session. In no time, Ethan was rendered helpless as the wolves attacked all parts of his body. Once the wolves hadpletely incapacitated Ethan, the werewolf roared again toward the sky. Grrrr! Thinking it had easily hunted, the werewolf slowly approached its prey. However, something was off. Despite the wolves tearing into him with all their might, the prey seemed strangely unharmed. -Damage umted [88%] -Damage umted [96%] -umted damage has reached the limit! A chill ran down the werewolfs spine. It was a ferocious aura. A sinister energy it had felt somewhere before. Kwaaaang! With a booming sound, all the wolves that had covered Ethan were sent flying backward as if exploding. And in that spot stood Ethan, wielding a sword. Grrrk. The werewolf realized the nature of this energy. It was the same energy it had sensed from the massive Golden Wolf before. Death. Ethans sword severed the werewolfs neck, which had stiffened. * * * Its easy to understand that the best defense is a good offense. What Hang Woo pursued was the integration of offense and defense. Supreme Resilience was the perfect technique for thisbination. Considering its extremely challenging difficulty level, there was a lot to be mindful of when using it. A slightpse in concentration could lead to significant damage not just to the user but also to any individual hit by it, even a single mistake could be catastrophic. But it was certainly a defensive move. At the level Ethan wanted. As expected of the algorithms. Despite using a whopping 15 likes, he had no regrets. Having obtained what he desired, Ethan immediately prepared to return to the academy. But before that Ethan surveyed his surroundings with the Eye of Horus. He hade deep into the forest, so there wouldnt be any human traces. I need to gather things smartly. Ethan checked under the trees and swiftly moved, bending down to his waist. There were plenty of high-quality herbs there. I always gather decoction materials to be prepared. It was Grand Horn after all. High-quality herbs were abundant here and there. Especially the variety of herbs; they had all grown for over a year. They were high-quality herbs that had grown in the so-called good soil, bathed in sunlight. Ethan carefully plucked the herbs. When it came to harvesting herbs, one important thing was the method of plucking. Thoughts like Does it matter how you pluck it? crossed his mind, but depending on how you plucked them, the condition of the herbs changed. If you just roughly pluck them, an A-grade herb could turn into a B-grade one. Because its efficacy would diminish, he had to pluck them carefully. Grasp above the head. Slowly. Ethan carefully plucked the herbs like that and packed them one by one into the spatial pouch. Without straightening his back, he continued to pluck herbs caught by the Eye of Horus. Before he knew it, he had collected quite a lot. Anyway, I can just use Wind Cloud to get back easily. Thats why he had acquired that movement technique. Hmm? As Ethan prepared to use Wind Cloud to return immediately, something caught his eye. It was something he would have missed if not for the Eye of Horusan ordinary trace. As he approached, he saw a very familiar mark. . Two crescent moons with their backs facing each other. It was the sign of the Followers of the Moon. Hidden so discreetly, it would have been impossible to find by ordinary means. Why are the Followers of the Moons sign here? Given how well it was concealed, there surely must have been important information hidden within. Ethan immediately examined the mark. Theyre arranging a rendezvous here. Three days from now. [Awakening from Hibernation][Mother Bear Hunt][Diet Sharing] Mother Bear Hunt. Diet Sharing is probably a n. Awakening from Hibernation likely referred to the observation of parents, and the students of the school were likely the bear cubs, while the parents were the mother bears. Theyre conducting a rendezvous here, I guess this is why Schudlen couldnt find it. Ethan left the mark undisturbed as if nothing had happened. First, Ill head down. It said the rendezvous would be in three days. Ethan first used Wind Cloud to return home. As of now, he didnt know exactly what those guys were nning. Although I dont know what theyre up to. Ethan smiled. It will turn out to be something good for me.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 82: Lifting the Curse Chapter 82: Lifting the Curse Returning to the academy, Ethan based his lesson n on the significance of real-world experience that he had felt during this Grand Horn expedition. In general, the importance of practical experience was something each instructor understood. However, providing practical experience was an extremely challenging task. Its hard to control. After visiting Grand Horn, he could be sure of that. The monsters there were incredibly dangerous and difficult to control. Even Ethan, who had only faced Blue Wolves, would have likely died if he hadnt built up his experience until now. To conduct practical training in such a ce? It could mean wiping out everything on this side before the Followers of the Moon could carry out their ns. But that doesnt mean we can skip practical training. Without practical training, they couldnt make proper use of the students. I have a way. Even without dealing with Grand Horn and monsters, there was a way to umte practical experience. Ill have to follow this as the third ss. Originally, it was not permitted for a rookie teacher to handle multiple sses. In fact, it was unusual for Ethan to take on the Magic Departments ss. Someone had to take on those sses immediately, and there was no suitable person avable it was a perfect situation. In that situation, Ethan showed his talent, and with the principals rmendation, it became possible. For a rookie teacher, of course, these are things you cant do. I have to do things like that. It has to be that radical. Ethan intended to make bold moves with a purpose. To the point that no one would have anyints about it, even if it were that radical. Thats the only way to quickly be a master without causing a fuss. Even if there were some disagreements, this radical approach would rationalize it. After quickly drafting the lesson n, Ethan called Yerica. Did you call for me? Yerica seemed to have been training, as she was drenched in sweat. Youve been practicing. I do it every day. Im your escort, after all. Schudlen trained every day as well, but Yerica trained even more intensely than him. She pushed herself harder than Schudlen did. Seeing her like that even motivated Schudlen. It should be fine now. What is? Im referring to the curse ced on you. Im ready for the next step. ! Yericas curse hadnt beenpletely removed yet. Because it was a powerful supernatural curse, at that time, Ethan could only partially unlock it, allowing Yerica to use only a few spells. But things were different now. Heos Decoction spell has also been strengthened, and Yerica is in a much better condition than back then. Ethans skills and Yericas abilities had grown strong enough to break the curse. Yericasplexion brightened. Can you fully remove it? If she could fully remove it, she could use all of her grandfathers magic. With that ability, she could immediately proceed with what she had been preparing on her own. No. Its not at that level yet. However, Ethan shook his head. I hope we can fully remove it, but the curse shouldnt be underestimated. Still, its getting better little by little. Ill leave it to you, Ethan. Not too long ago, Yerica couldnt properly use a single spell due to the curse. But now, although only a few spells, she was able to use them freely. Furthermore, if she could further lift the curse this time, she would be able to use even more spells. That alone marked significant progress. Your curse has four stages in total. I unlocked the first stage, and what Im about to unlock now is the second stage. Once we unlock the second stage of the curse, your Mana Nodes will open up further. That way Ill be able to create more Circles. Exactly. Creating more Circles and smoothing the flow of mana would enable the use of higher-level magic. Yerica, then do you think you could use that magic too? What magic? A magic that creates special golems. At Ethans words, Yerica was momentarily surprised and looked at him. The reason Ethan took Yerica as his escort was precisely because of these special golems. How did you know about that? Everyone knows about it. When you mention Archmage Hecate, his Golem Legion is the most famous. Hecate was famous for raising golems through magic and had victories with a Golem Corps. I cant be sure, but if I can fully utilize the Circle by unlocking the second stage of the curse, it should be enough to create that special golem. Yerica said confidently. She would be able to use each of her grandfathers signature spells one by one. That boosted her confidence. Alright then, lets get started. Ethan took out the materials from his spatial pocket. There were already numerous materials stored in his spatial pocket. Among them were precious herbs he obtained from the Fairy Forest. They were herbs that, like the Silver Flowers he used to unlock the first stage of the curse, could also be used as toxic herbs if used skillfully. These are much more valuable than Silver Flowers. Moreover, handling them was quite tricky. They were precious herbs that, if handled incorrectly, could be unusable. Ethan was quite nervous too. If he couldnt use what he had painstakingly obtained, he would have to go back to the Fairy Forest to collect them again. It would be a waste of time. Ethan started to carefully prepare the herbs after taking them out slowly. -Casting Heos Decoction spell! Then, he began to make decoctions using the processed herbs. The key ingredient was the Pure White Herb. Yerica stood patiently, waiting for Ethan to finish making the decoction. Is it going to hurt like thest time? I told you that time too. Its good for the body, right? Yes. This one will be even better. And its going to hurt a bit more. Yerica showed a slight grimace at Ethans words. But if this could unlock the second stage of the curse, she could endure it. Thank you. Theres no need to thank me that much. Yerica expressed sincere gratitude to Ethan. Without Ethan, she might not be alive right now. I wont forget this debt, no matter when. Ill repay it. Ding-. An alert popped up for Ethan. -Survival probability has increased. Deep trust. Yerica hade to trust Ethan much more than when she first extended her hand to him. And perhaps the trust in the would-be Archmage carried a weighty meaning, as his survival probability had risen. I think it increased a lot this time. Ethan smiled subtly as he finished making the decoction. -Created White Herb Mana eleration Decoction! -Grade assessment in progress -White Herb Mana eleration Decoction [A+] The grade of the created decoction was A+. Although the grade was lower than the Lecard Decoction he had made before, that was only possible due to the 200-year-old Lecard Essence. Considering the current state, this was the highest grade Ethan could achieve. -Proficiency of Heos Decoction skill has increased! Yerica. Yes. Yerica took the decoction and drank it in one gulp. Gulp. Instantly, wisps of steam started rising from her body. Ugh. Yerica closed her eyes. In an instant, her veins began to thicken, centered around her forehead. Ethan carefully assessed Yericas condition. elerating mana to expand the Mana Nodes. Yericas Mana Nodes are constricted due to the curse caused by the superpower. Unlocking the second stage of the curse meant expanding these Mana Nodes slightly. Phew! Before long, Yerica returned to her normal state. Then, with a dazed expression, she looked at her own hand. She clenched and released her fist, gradually breaking into a smile after checking her physical condition. It worked. Of course. Yerica closed her eyes in that spot and began circting her mana. She felt the enormous mana flow around her body, something she hadnt felt before. Phew. With this much mana cirction, she could do things she couldnt before. Just wait a moment. A blue aura began to emanate from Yericas body. As expected. Ethan admired it. Indeed, she was Hecates granddaughter. Now, she was adding more Circles. One, two, three. In an instant, she added three Circles that she couldnt properly form until now. Four Circles. Yerica opened her eyes. Now its perfect. With four Circles, most opponents wont even be able to approach you, Ethan! She was very pleased with herself. Seeing her like that made Ethan happy too. Yerica. Yes, Ethan. Can you make a golem? Now that Yerica could create golems, he asked her. * * * You use this brle like this? The magical form is a bit different. Its ignited. When you burn it, it generates the heat needed to create potions. Thats why it speeds up the process. Making magic out of a recipe like this. Its so ingenious that it could probably be patented. Did Teacher Ethan reallye up with this? The news of Ethans brle teaching spread from students to teachers in the Magic Department. A student from the Alchemy Department, who was taking Potion Manufacturing, visited the Magic Departments office seeking help. After listening to the exnation about brle, the teachers present couldnt help but marvel as soon as the exnation was over. To think ofbining it in this way. To have such flexible thinking. Did you really learn this from Teacher Ethan? Yes, thats right. But I really wish Teacher Ethan had chosen Magic as his field. Im still so disappointed. This is truly remarkable. Its not just about taking out a magical form and pasting it. Teacher Yudian! Take a look at this. This brle The Magic Departments teachers exined the rapid potion-making using brle to Yudian, a teacher from the Alchemy Department. After hearing the exnation, Yudians eyes widened, and he apuded. Wow. But does this really achieve the same effect? Were you unaware of this too, Teacher? Making potions does take time, but Ive never even heard of a method like using brle to shorten the process. At Yudiansment, the Magic Department teachers sighed. So, is it true that Teacher Ethan independently devised this? No mage has used brle to expedite potion-making like this before. He even presented it at a conference recently Yudian nodded. I need to see Teacher Ethan immediately. If he really came up with this on his own This is revolutionary. Being able to elerate potion production while maintaining its effects. This is something revolutionary enough to reshape the field as it exists now. The student who had asked the question observed the teachers conversing amongst themselves. Though they had be somewhat isted, as they listened to their discussion, their confidence grew. What they were learning in this Potion Manufacturing ss was something that even the professors from the Magic Department were experiencing for the first time. They were the ones discovering such things first! Just knowing that made their heart race. They hadnt expected to learn something so remarkable. Thank you, teachers! The student left the office with a heart full of joy. They had no intention of telling other students how great this ss was. I need to minimize thepetition! Their thinking was just like that of the students in the Swordsmanship Department.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 83: Golem Chapter 83: Golem So what kind of golem do you want to make? Now a 4th circle mage, Yerica first practiced the specialty golem production magic left by Hecate for a day. In the meantime, Ethan prepared materials. To make a specialty golem, the materials were as important as the magic itself. What I want to make is a wooden golem. Huh? Why make it out of that Well of course you can make it out of wood. But to withstand strong impacts, a sturdy material works better. A wooden one would break easily. A key trait of Hecates specialty golems was that they were much stronger than regr golems. Not only that, regr golems could only make simple, rigid movements. But these specialty golems moved as smoothly as humans. Thats why the material was so important. If proper materials werent used, they couldnt withstand impacts and would shatter. Im making it with the assumption that it will break. This will be used for education. For education? Hearing Ethans words, Yerica made an expression of sudden realization. Unlike regr golems, being able to makeplex movements meant it would be helpful for practical lessons. You mean to use it for practicalbat lessons? Exactly. I said education, but we cant go catching monsters just for that. Weak monsters are too weak, and strong monsters are too dangerous. My word how did you evene up with this idea? I nned this from the beginning. If his only goal was protection, he would have picked someone other than Yerica. The difficulty level to get her was extremely high at the beginning after all. Yet the reason he chose Yerica was this. You just have to see the big picture. You make a good point. Okay, so you want to make it out of wood? I wont use just in wood. I said education, but itd be meaningless if it shatters too easily. Ethan nned to use ck ironwood. ck ironwood? Isnt that extremely expensive? I heard its pricier than most metals. Yerica asked in surprise. For something just used in education, it was too expensive a material. I said education, but thats not the only purpose itll serve. Huh? Im going to sell this. Sell it? My golem? The lightweight magic itself was just regr magic, so Yerica could sell that expertise to the David Merchant Guild with no problem. But these golems were different. Creating these specialty golems was Hecates signature magic. That signature magic could not be sold. No. We absolutely cannot sell the specialty golem production magic. Yerica, only you can use that. Then what? Well downgrade the magic. Downgrade? Mix some of the specialty golem production methods into the regr golem magic. But preserve the unique motions specialty golems are capable of. That resulted in golems that were sturdier than regr ones, but not as durable as Yericas specialty golems. The trait of these golems is that they can move more smoothly than regr golems. But theyll break easily. Oh, if that happens. Ethan grinned. An important thing when making products was ensuring they werent too sturdy. If products were too durable, customers would nevere back to buy new ones. So to make theme back periodically, they need high performance but appropriately low durability. Instead of low durability, you raise the performance. Anyone who experienced that high performance wouldnt be able to help but purchase again since these golems were different than regr ones. And isnt revenge still revenge, even if its not directly killing the perpetrator? Hearing Ethans words, Yerica fell silent in thought for a moment. The revenge Ethan spoke of didnt utilize force. Selling the golems made with grandfathers magic to countless people. The nobles who falsely used and hunted you as a witch will purchase them. Most of the upper nobles will be your customers. The ones who actively tried to capture Archmage Hecate were high-ranking nobles. Sell Hecates magic-produced golems to those nobles. Infiltrate them. Thinking about this, Yerica felt a chill run down her spine. As Ethan said, she didnt only have to take revenge through force. This kind of revenge could be even more thrilling. With that thought, Yerica nodded enthusiastically. I really shouldnt make you my enemy. To think this much Theres also the reason for simply earning money off your magic. Even so, I dont mind Ethan. Those damn nobles looked down on Grandfather, but will soon desperately want the golems made with Grandfathers magic. And youre saying that to reassure me too. The more Yerica thought about it, the more she agreed Ethans method was good. And the nobles would have no choice but to periodically purchase these golems. Wouldnt it be her grandfathers magic prevailing in the end? Yerica nodded at Ethan. Lets try downgrading it. Downgraded magic can be sold with no problem. But who are you nning to sell this magic to? Will you deal with the David Merchant Guild like before? Ill leave it to a merchant from the David Merchant Guild. But Im going to fully utilize our mages for this. Our mages? The mages from the Magic Tower. Its time they y on a bigger stage. Yerica figured if her dead grandfather saw this situation, his face would turn beet red from anger. Who wouldve thought the signature magic that he devised would be used for education and business? Oh well. She figured it was much better for the magic to continue like this than to forever disappear as high-level magic. ck ironwood? How many? The Marquisdoms market. In this Marquisdom, ck ironwood, an expensive material, was only handled by two establishments. Hearing the merchants question, Yerica took out a heavy pouch from her pocket and handed it over. However many this can buy. Seeing the opened pouch, the merchants eyes grew wide. The pouch was packed to the point of bursting with gold coins. You need this much ck ironwood? What exactly are you nning on using it for? The merchant was very shocked. With this much, even if he took out his entire stock of ck ironwood, there would still be money left over. I need to make something. She nned to make Ethan only the highest quality products with the magic from her now 4th circle, which she had never used before. I need to make him something incredible. She wanted to showcase herpetent handling of the 2nd stage curse, while also seeing Ethans astonished reaction. While Yerica went to purchase ck ironwood, Ethan used Wind Cloud to find the independent city of Butra. This city of Butra was on the way to the Rond Marquis territory and was where David Merchant Guild member Etting Hunt ran her item-light weighing business. Its about time. For Ettings lightweight workshop to haveunched and settled into ce. Ethan headed straight for the inner market. I heard this is really popr in the estates. Yeah, I heard that too. Apparently, they do amazing item lightening. No wonder they opened a branch here. I heard mages were picky. This is my first time seeing one run a business like this. Not just any merchant guild but the David Merchant Guild is running the branch directly. Gotta check it out even just from curiosity right? As if anyone could stay away? I heard crowds of people are there already. Seriously? The moment he entered, Ethan was already hearing talk about the lightweight workshop. Among the people in the market, quite arge number were headed to the shop Ethan was looking for. As expected. Seeing the scene before him, Ethan smiled contentedly. A long line of people queued up. Simr to the Whiskers territoryndscape. People lined up, and those who finished made stops at nearby stores. Please line up in order! Well finish shortly! It wont take long! Just line up in order and well get to you immediately! Please take out the items to lighten and gold beforehand! She definitely has a knack for this. When first operating the lightweight workshop, Ethan paid a lot of attention to managing customers. No matter how good the service was, if receiving that service was inconvenient, people wouldnt visit much. On top of that, profit couldnt be maximized either. So there was only one solution. Raising turnover rate. Managing it like this will naturally raise turnover. He felt it was definitely a good call to sell this to Etting. While observing, Ethan spotted Etting Hunt walking over from afar. ! Etting seemed to have noticed Ethan as well, as she approached with a delighted expression. You didnt even tell me you wereing. If Id known beforehand I wouldvee out to wee you! Its been a while. Ive heard the rumors going around. To think you became one of the head departments of that Ivecar school. And a teacher in the Swordsmanship Department at that. She looked busy but had a cheerful expression. Word spreads even this far huh. Thank you. Ethan nced at the lightweight workshop and smiled. Theunch seems very sessful. This is a service that cant fail. Not being able to make this a sess means failure as a merchant. Etting said with augh. Did youe to check if theunch went well? You mustve been worried. But I operate businesses quitepetently. At Ettings words, Ethan shook his head. No. Etting naturally assumed Ethan came to check if the lightweight workshop, a service he helped create, was operating well. So when he shook his head, she had a puzzled expression. If not that, then why was he here? If not, then for what reason? As you said, isnt this a service that cant fail? And I left it to someone besides myself, Etting. Seeing his gaze, Etting felt her assumption wasnt mistaken. She wasnt the one who came looking for Ethan. Ethan sought her out to give her this opportunity. You left it to someone who wont fail then? One of the most outstanding merchants I know. Hearing you say that makes me curious. Who are these other outstanding merchants counted among the best? Ethan shrugged his shoulders to change topics. Anyway, I came for a different matter. By the way, there shouldnt be anything more for you to worry about with this lightweight workshop business right? Having operated a lightweight workshop himself before, Ethan knew well these shops needed minimal oversight once the cycle with the mage business partners was flowing smoothly. Things like the expansion of shops or various business matters just needed asional checking in on. That freed up time. And merchants rarely left that free time idle. Yes, theres time to spare. Ive already put people I trust in charge so it can operate fine without me now. I have a lot of reliable subordinates. Hearing Ethan say this, Etting smiled knowingly. Asking about spare time had only one implication. Ive brought a rather good item. Likest time, hearing Ethans assured words made Ettings heart race again.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 84: The Wrong Encounter Chapter 84: The Wrong Encounter Hmm. After hearing the story, Etting looked at Ethan. How on earth do youe up with things like this? Ettings nickname, Money Ghost, was because she had tried all kinds of money-smelling businesses and made them sessful. But Etting didnte up with these kinds of business ideas alone. Every morning, she would put her head together with the merchants who worked with her and talk about the businesses they were currently operating and new businesses. And bypiling the information they brought, she would also buy up other peoples already sessful businesses. Thats how she seeded in all her businesses. On top of that, she had a solid safety device called the David Merchant Guild. With the David Merchant Guilds name at stake, she was building trust to some extent. Thats why this bold item was so surprising. Whats more surprising than just the idea is that youve made detailed ns to the point where you can start running the actual business right away. Anyone coulde up with a brilliant idea. But there werent many people who not only came up with an idea but also put it into action. Ethan was one of those few people. The fact that you brought this to me means youve already identified that theres demand for it, right? Then you must already have it made? I havent made it yet, but it will be made soon. Thank you for choosing me. A confident tone. Etting could only say thank you. Because he had chosen her from among the merchants he had mentioned. Its still too early to be thankful. If I just wanted to sell something new, I wouldnt havee looking for you. The main point started now. Mrs. Etting, you already knew that with you, this business would definitely seed. You came to see me in the early stages of my business to confirm that possibility with your own eyes. However, for some reason, the scale of this business was small. I dont know the details of the internal situation, but the scale is a bit small. With your authority, an officer, you could have made it bigger Ethan pointed to the Lightweight Workshop. Etting nodded. Thats right. I was originally going to make it bigger. It doesnt look like you made it smaller just to reduce risk. It looks to me like someone else didnt believe in this business and reduced their support. . An officer-level person would invest properly when starting a new business. And invest with confidence if its a business theyre confident about. But the fact that they opposed means either the owner of the Merchant Guild intervened, or. Ethan spoke with a confident voice. Someone among the officers must have interfered.. Etting fell silent. It was exactly as Ethan said. Because of Kimmel, they had to scale down the original ns. There was no choice because he had a tight grip on the funding from that side. Even if they tried to talk to the Merchant Guild owner, Kimmel was the brother of the Merchant Guild owner. If thats the case, interference wille in every business you do as an officer from now on. The person who stopped this business will stop every other one too. The business was sessful. Thats the problem. Perhaps that person thought it would fail, but it seeded. It must bepletely out of his expectations. Even if it seeded, it should have been a failure. But how do you change something thats already sessful? Ethanughed at Ettings words mixed with sighs. This business was something that any insightful merchant should never oppose. But he opposed it. In other words, that person is not a merchant. Not being a merchant meant there was no need to even keep the merchants morals. Regardless of how much money you make or lose, they will try to get rid of you with unconscionable behavior. Mrs. Etting. Whether you make a lot of money or your business seeds or fails. No way. At Ethans words, Etting shook her head as if to say there was no way. But at the same time, doubts began to arise in her mind. Ethan noticed what was in her heart. Ettings future has already changed. Because she seeded with the new business, Lightweight Workshop. But in the original future, Etting leaves David Merchant Guild before long. Because of that stupid officer. Among David Merchant Guilds officers, there was a most brutish guy. He was jealous of Ettings talent as a fellow officer, and eventually made her leave the Merchant Guild somehow. That will happen a little sooner now. With the sess of this business. It was truly ironic. She seeded in the business, but instead of being rewarded for it, she was kicked out of the Merchant Guild. But that preposterous thing was bound to happen. She doester seed in returning to the Merchant Guild and getting revenge. The owner of David Merchant Guild was not a particrly wise figure either. It was his father, the former owner of the Merchant Guild, who grew the Merchant Guild, not himself. But theres no need to leave ande back in. She can aim for the owners seat of David Merchant Guild right now by persevering here. There was no need to leave, she couldpete to directly aim for the owners seat of the Merchant Guild. Etting had the ability to do that, and if she added his item to her ability, it was quite possible. What do you think about definitively pushing out the person who hates you? And going even higher after that? Ethan spoke in a confident tone. With the business item I mentioned. Looks like he knew everything when he said it. Isnt Officer Kimmels nonsense famous in our Merchant Guild? Etting and her subordinates talked about what had just happened. Ethan, who she thought hade lightly, had given her food for thought. Putting that aside, is there any reason to reject this? At Ettings words, her subordinates thought for a while and then shook their heads. There is absolutely no reason. Rather, we should bow our heads to Sir Ethan and make requests. Officer Kimmel will definitely try to drive you out. And the Merchant Guild Owner will probably help or turn a blind eye. If the Lightweight Workshop business had seeded on arger scale, your foothold within the Merchant Guild would have been shaken. In fact, Sir Ethan is trying to pull us out of the swamp. In that case, this was as good as owing him. One might think that was the end of it if you didnt ept it, but Etting was a merchant. It was natural to move toward where money could be made. He even properly created a justification. No matter how much I think about it, Sir Ethan has the blood of a merchant running through him. To present such a new method to us despite hisck of experience If he did this instinctively, he has a high chance of bing a tycoon. Etting nodded. Thats right. But I think hell turn out to be someone more impressive than just a tycoon. Meticulous ns, grand ambitions. He was not a figure who would end up as a tycoon. Etting looked at the private note Ethan had left behind. More shocking words were written there. The ultimate goal. There was a question about Ettings ultimate goal. Naturally, there was only one ultimate goal. Could he have thought that far ahead? He was startling in many ways. Returning to the academy, Ethan moved briskly. Teacher Ethan. Ethan was choosing a lecture room to prepare for the parents observation ss. The existing lecture halls alone could amodate 75 people in a spacious lecture hall, but for this parents observation ss, far more people were expected to attend, so arger lecture hall was needed. He intended to borrow thergest lecture hall in the academy so that as many parents and academy officials could see it as possible. Someone called out to such an Ethan. Its Teacher Martynas. It was one of the original Swordsmanship Department teachers he had greeted at the congrattory party. Where are you going? I was wondering if we could talk for a while if you have time. Im a little distracted trying to find a lecture hall to use for the parents observation ss this time. Whats the matter? As Ethan nodded, Martynass expressionpletely changed. A serious expression appeared on the formerly gentle face. Teacher Ethan. Rumors about you are not very good. As Ethan stood still, Martynas continued. Ive heard you not only use corporal punishment but also dont properly teach students Revinade swordsmanship. Thats a vition of school regtions, Teacher. And Ive also heard that instead of proper sses, you teach strange things. Martynas shook his head firmly. You crossed the line, Teacher Ethan. Martynas spoke as if it were something serious, but Ethan did not respond much to him. Seeing such Ethan, Martynas snorted and whispered to Ethan. Other Swordsmanship Department teachers are not favorably inclined towards you, Teacher Ethan. Right now, Teacher Ethan seems more like a private tutor for the high nobility than someone teaching for the academy and the students. No matter how noble are you from a local noble family, this is an academy. Its not intended for entering noble families and advancing ones career. Perhaps I didnt know enough. As Ethan came out in a calm posture, Martynas smiled slyly and spoke to Ethan in an undertone. I can help a bit. Whats better than having a senior on your side? Especially, udie Hyde is particrly concerned about this matter. Martynas emphasized the name udie Hyde. udie was a teacher with significant influence not only in the Swordsmanship Department but throughout the Ivecar Academy. The fact that such a teacher viewed Ethan unfavorably meant that Ethan could potentially be marginalized within the academy. Seeing Ethans expression stiffen, Martynas patted Ethans shoulder lightly. Its okay. I came to help you with this directly. Martynas, who had be more rxed in his tone, spoke to Ethan. Do the parent observation ss as I suggest this time. The impact is crucial. If you want to do a ss with a significant impact that everyone will acknowledge, well an outdoor observation ss should be fine. An outdoor observation ss! That would be good. Everyone else will be able to see it, and theyll acknowledge Professor Ethan. An outdoor ss? Isnt that risky? The principal wont allow it. Why bother about that? Everyone is eager to somehow penalize the professor right now. Come over here for a moment. Lets discuss this in more detail. The moment he said that, his eyes began to shine. Quietly. In an instant, Ethans pupils clouded, reminiscent of Hollin, as Martynas Lane smirked and led him to a discreet location. An empty ssroom. The ssroom, being used for storage, was exceptionally dark. Creak. As soon as the door opened, Martynas approached Ethan with a sly smile. Although Ethan was already weakened, he was in a state of brainwashing. He never expected to be caught so easily. Ethan Whiskers. From now on, you obey my orders and listen only to me. He grabbed Ethans shoulder and turned his body so that he could see both eyes. However, something was off. Contrary to what should have been a zed look from being manipted, there was a coldness in Ethans eyes. Second order, cant you snap out of it? Uh, um, what? A bewildered Martynas stepped back. Im asking who are you using brainwashing on. This pathetic guy. Huh. Ugh! Martynas momentarily wore a shocked expression. What on earth was going on? Ethan knew his position. He clearly said he was the Second Order. Moreover, the brainwashing didnt seem to work. Martynas mind started to race. And then, the conclusion. No way. Are you someone from the Dawn Council? Second. Who told you to act like this without thinking? What if you foolishly attempted brainwashing, and if it failed, what did you n to do? Only then did Martynas expression turn pale. It was certain. The person who came from the Dawn Council was truly formidable. Im sorry. Truly sorry. I made a big mistake. Puzzles started to fit together in Martynass mind. Ethan Whiskers, the head novice teacher. Everything about Ethan Whiskers didnt make sense from the beginning. But what if this was a well-calcted move by the Dawn Council? I didnt know you were from the Council. Martynas, bowing deeply, didnt dare to lift his head to look at Ethan. This whole situation must be part of the Dawn Councils n. That meant the possibility that Ethan Whiskers in front of him was an Apostle was high. One of the Twelve Apostles, the core of the Dawn Council, hade directly to Ivecar. Martynas had tried to brainwash such an Apostle, nearly thwarting his ns. Im sorry. Truly sorry. Please forgive me! Martynas prostrated himself, forcefully hitting his forehead on the ground. Thunk, thunk, thunk! Blood began to flow from his forehead, but Ethan didnt tell him to stop. Instead, he added in a chilling voice. Do you think that is enough? S-sorry! He repeated the intense headbutting. When Martynas thought he might lose consciousness, Ethans voice reached him. Enough. Ugh. Martynas tried to get up but copsed on his knees. Ethan was undoubtedly an Apostle. The thought that he was dealing with an Apostle from the Dawn Council seemed correct. You pitiful fool. Martynas was on the verge of tears.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 85: You Who Rolled Over Like Ivy Chapter 85: You Who Rolled Over Like Ivy Ethan wasughing inside. I cant believe I found a follower of the Moon this easily. Martynas Lane was a follower of the Moon. On top of that, he had clear orders, unlike other orders. Among those who will secretly move during this parents observation ss, this guy must be the core. Looking at Martynas who couldnt even raise his head in front of him, Ethan thought he could surely get results from this incident. At the same time, I can carefully n things so that the followers of the Moon dont think their ns were interfered with or failed. Then the future Ethan knew wouldnt change. Martynas Lane. Yes, yes! Raise your head. The frightened Martynas raised his head. It was a look that seemed to think his life was over since he had tried to mentally influence an Apostle. Because of you alone, the grand n almost copsed. Martynas, who is the bastard who chose garbage like you as a Second Order? Tell me that name. Im sorry! Im really sorry! I acted too rashly. Please forgive me just this once. Ethan pressed Martynas. Martynas currently believed Ethan was an Apostle. The Apostles were the most beloved of the Dawn Council, which the Followers of the Moon belonged to and believed in. Their strength is also tremendous. Even the Twelfth Apostle, who is evaluated as the weakest among the Twelve Apostles, is very strong. He could be as strong as Ivecars Principal, Ghost Sword, or even stronger. So he had to act convincingly. First, take out everything you got from the organization. Originally I should have killed you here, but I will show mercy and see your actions in the uing grand n. Yes, yes, I understand. Im really sorry, ugh. Martynas took out a pouch from his clothes. He also took off all the bracelets, rings, and nes he had on his arms. Theyre artifacts that would fetch a good price if sold. Since he was a Second Order, it looked like he had received quite a lot from the Dawn Council. When Ethan looked in the pouch, it was quite heavy. Its not just gold coins. Various things are inside. Please give me orders, Apostle. Lets talk in detail about the grand n. At Ethans words, Martynas swallowed hard once and then spoke. Since he hadnt recognized the Apostle and had tried to mentally influence him, he understood why the Apostle would suspect him. My role in this parents observation ss is to open the door. To open the door. That was exactly the order Martynas had received. So even though, you tried to drag me in because you wanted to score points? Im sorry. It seems my actions to eagerly work for the organization went too far. I really am sorry. Martynas bowed his waist again. Ethan quickly organized his thoughts. So opening the door was his original mission. Are the coborators ready to wee? Opening the door meant someone wasing in from the outside. As Ethan roughly guessed correctly, Martynas nodded. Yes, were fully prepared! An order other than First Order? It was information that wasnt in the First Orders orders. It looks like they deliberately gave separate orders to other orders. Because the Firsts are precious talents. In case they get involved and killed or suspected, the time invested so far would be wasted. Im extremely worried if you know that coborator after failing to recognize me and trying to mentally influence me. Im sorry, Apostle. My orders didnt state who the coborator was. I only received orders to open the door and wee the outside coborator Martynas trailed off. Ethan roughly grasped how the situation was unfolding. The outside coborators were probably the guys who would make contact from Grand Horn. When Martynas opened the door, the coborators woulde in and kill the target. That would be the end of Martynass job. Martynas must have realized that fact as well. Thats why he might see this opportunity to advance from Second Order to First Order, and seemed to have tried his hand on Ethan in the process. He has to produce definite results in order to move up. He probably hadnt carried out any proper work since infiltrating Ivecar. Even if he did, it was just ying the stepping stone role, not the core of the work. Since hes a mid-level teacher. He must have been anxious. Ethan saw through such psychology of Martynas. The bastard might see this again as an opportunity. Then youd know the target, right? Yes! I know! I heard its Marquis Roentgen! Good, Im d you still remember that. At Ethans words, Martynass face stiffened again. Marquis Roentgen, just the right target to stir anxiety at the academy. Martynas Lane. Yes, Apostle. Originally I should have killed you here. But youve done well so far. Ethan continued in a grim tone. But remember. With just one mistake like this, everything could copse. Ill keep that in mind, Ill keep that in mind! Apostle! Martynas shouted in a trembling voice. Ethan grabbed his shoulder firmly. Ill give you one more chance. Tha, thank you! There wont be another. Ill give you orders separately so follow those orders. Yes! After Martynas left, Ethan sat in the empty lecture hall and organized the situation. Its not a very good idea to use this bastard as a subordinate. It seemed better to dispose of him in a different way than Hassen Rittle. After thinking for a while, he decided on how to deal with him. Ill make Martynas a hero and kill him during this parents observation ss. Naturally, so that the followers of the Moon dont feel this matter was exposed or failed. Of course, you can use therge lecture hall, Teacher Ethan. Thank you, Dean. But you know, was it really your choice to take over the Magic Department ss? The Knight Department Dean asked Ethan. Although he did get permission to use the lecture hall, the Deans expression didnt look good. Yes, thats right. As Ethan answered, he quickly grasped why the Dean was like that. Because the Magic Department and the Knight Department have traditionally been rival departments. Ethan was a teacher affiliated with the Knight Department. As a new teacher, he was receiving the best evaluations. Among the students, there was no one who ignored Ethan for being from a local noble family, and everyone wanted to take Ethans ss at least once, causing an uproar. Moreover, the students who had already taken his sses proved that. The teaching enthusiasm burning like this from the beginning of the semester was a phenomenon that even existing teachers were seeing for the first time. Students who took Ethans sses not only studied hard in Ethans sses but also showed an enthusiastic attitude in other sses. It had been so long since they saw this kind of enthusiasm that they couldnt remember when. So it was only natural that such an ace teacher took over a Magic Department ss. Why? It cant be easy to lead the Understanding the Sword Path ss right now. So why did you take over another ss? Ethan smiled. The truth wasnt important right now. The Knight Department Dean simply didnt want to share the excellent new teacher Ethan with the Magic Department. Im a teacher of the Knight Department, Dean. At Ethans words, the Dean slightly smiled. Well, of course. I havent forgotten that obvious fact. The reason I decided to take over the Magic Department ss was because my colleague, Teacher Nadia, asked me to. They were originally going to give that ss to Teacher Nadia. But Teacher Nadia felt burdened, and Ethan briefly exined the situation. Hmm In summary, in the end there was no offer or anything from the Magic Department, right? You just wanted to help your fellow teacher and conduct a new ss with your talent? Thats right. Thank you for seeing it positively. Youre a great teacher rarely seen these days. Now the Dean finally smiled. Folding his arms, he nodded. It seemed that with this, all distrust toward Ethan had dissipated. What he had been suspecting all along was whether the Magic Department Dean had made some kind of offer to Ethan. But determination emanated from Ethan. It was a resolve that he was, at the end of the day, a teacher of the Knight Department. Observing Deans expression, Ethan smiled inwardly and spoke. Now, what I want to discuss is, since I am a teacher in the Knight Department, if possible, Id like to take on an additional ss in the Knight Department. Haha, of course! Theres no doubt about Teacher Ethans skill now! Once this Understanding the Sword Path ss is over, Ill personally take care of allocating another one for you. He already had a few sses in mind to assign. I also want to create a new ss. Hmm? Dean slightly tensed at Ethans words. You want to start a new ss? Yes, Dean. Deans face became serious again. Taking on an existing ss and creating a new one werepletely different matters. Currently, there werent many newly created sses within the academy. Its too early. Too early even to suggest. Youve just entered as a novice teacher. Of course, you have solid skills and achievements, unlike other novice teachers. Your evaluations within the academy are excellent too. But you stillck experience. Of course,ck of experience means theres an absolute shortage of time. Dean stated with a gentle rebuke. To start a new ss, you need more experience. Most teachers umte about five years. By then, you figure out your own methods and what and how to teach. But youre stillcking in experience. It was a clear rejection. However, Ethan didnt expect Dean to approve right away. As Dean said, no teacher with less than a year of experience had created a new ss before. Thats a valid point. Ive only been a teacher for a year. Your abilities are impressive, I acknowledge that. But its too hasty. Give yourself some time. Ethan showed a regretful expression. Then, after a moment of silence, he spoke again. Actually, after taking on the Potion Manufacturing ss, the Magic Department Dean approached me with a proposal. The expression on the face of the Knight Department Dean changed drastically. A proposal? What proposal? It seems that, perhaps because I led the Potion Manufacturing ss well, he suggested that I take on apletely new ss. Ethan said so with an awkward expression. Of course, I refused. I am a teacher of the Knight Department. He suggested you create and take on a new ss? The Magic Department Dean? He didnt specify it like that, but Ethan trailed off at the end of his sentence. Although he hadnt heard such words before, it didnt matter. There would be no way to verify the truth anyway. Traditionally, there had been a rivalry not only among students but also among teachers between the Knight Department and the Magic Department. That wont do. Dean clicked his tongue. Well then, can I ask about the topic of the new ss you want to create? Since you mentioned wanting to start a new ss, you should be prepared for it. Teacher Ethan. The Dean showed a firm determination that he wouldnt easily hand Ethan over to the Magic Department. If its at this level, I might be able to approve depending on the nature of the ss I created. Of course, the Deans approval was just the first obstacle. The next step would be obtaining approval from the Principal, but Ethan wasnt overly concerned about whether he could get the Principals approval. Of course. Its Introduction to Practical Swordsmanship. The Deans eyes widened at Ethans words. You want to do a practical ss? Practical sses were crucial. However, despite their importance, they rarely came into existence as part of the curriculum. Practical sses are entirely imposs Before the word impossible could be uttered, Ethan spoke up. Dont worry. Well do it in the ssroom. It wont involve facing monsters, and it wont be sparring either. Then what kind of practical ss are you talking about? I have a method in mind. The Dean, who had been crossing his arms with an air of confidence, sighed deeply at Ethans assertive attitude. If you have a n, I can give my permission for now. But keep in mind that approval for ss creation isnt solely up to me. You understand, right? Yes. If the Principal ultimately refuses, I will also give up. Wait a moment. The Dean quickly left the room. After about 30 minutes, the Dean returned, breathing heavily. What happened? How did it go? The Principal The Dean made an expression as if he couldnt believe what he was about to say.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 86: Secret Meeting Chapter 86: Secret Meeting He approved it. The Dean, who had gone to report to the Principal, couldnt have imagined in his wildest dreams that the Principal would grant permission for this matter. This has never happened before, Teacher Ethan. Not only is a new ss allowed for each new teacher in each department, but now, getting approval for the creation of a new ss, and that too for a practical ss! It was an unprecedented event. Having worked here for over 20 years, the Dean had seen numerous talentse and go. In the past, there was Sword Emperor, and currently, there was udie Hyde. But the new teacher before him was more shocking than both of thembined. Ethan possessed the teaching talent of udie and exceptional skill with the sword, equivalent to Sword Emperor. Having just one of these would make someone a master. Ethan had both talents. I thought hed want a detailed exnation, but he approved it right away. What kind of practical ss are you nning to conduct, and in what manner? You said it wouldnt be an outdoor ss, no monsters involved, and not even student sparring. It will be a practical ss using golems. A practical ss using golems? Ethan showed his ss n to the Knight Department Dean. The Dean read through the n, wearing a puzzled expression by the end. Is this even possible? Golems cant do things like this. Our students at Ivecar should easily be able to predict a golems movements. Its not an ordinary golem. Well be using a special golem, one that moves in a way simr to realbat. Ridiculous. Where on earth can you find such a golem? I made it. You made it? Yes, along with my escort. Thinking there couldnt be anything more surprising, the Dean couldnt fathom the extent of Ethan Whiskers talent. Then, I take it that you have given permission. Ill proceed with the Introduction to Practical Swordsmanship for the second semester. Ill personally inform the Principal of the permission he granted. Teacher Ethan. The Dean called Ethan with a serious expression. Theres an interdepartmental exchange scheduled for the second semester. udie will probably be a candidate, but it would be good if you couldpete with him. Ethan simply nodded without giving a verbal response. The interdepartmental exchange was a practice for the biggest festival of the winter, the Academy Exchange Festival. Now that it hade to this, the Dean had no choice but to follow the Principals will. The Principal had already sensed Ethans potential during the interview. If they followed the traditional rules, Ethans potential might be stifled. They probably dont see me as just a new teacher anymore. As Ethan nodded, two notification windows appeared simultaneously. -The Knight Department Dean sends his trust to you! -Record-breaking in the shortest time! -Your fame is rising significantly! -Gained the authority to open a new ss! -Record-breaking in the shortest time! -Your fame is rising significantly! The trust from the Knight Department Dean and the authority to open a new ss. Both of these were impossible tasks for a new teacher to handle. Therefore, Ethan received a clear reward for them. Satisfied with his rewarding oue, Ethan smiled lightly and bowed his head. Ill do my best. Encounter day with the Followers of the Moon. Until the day of the encounter, Ethan had been hunting on Grand Horn every day. As a result, not only did he enhance his practical senses, but he also achieved another desired achievement. -Achievement unlocked! -Gained Likes for achieving the [Wolf ughterer] achievement. -Gained 5 Likes! Ive killed so many wolves that I have too much wolf leather now. Ethans spatial pocket was currently filled with numerous materials. Although he intended to entrust these materials to an outstanding cksmith to make equipment, he hadnt had the chance due to various other tasks. I should visit the cksmith after the parent observation ss is over. He knew of a promising cksmith nearby. Although the cksmith was likely still an apprentice, with a bit more time, they would be a Goldhand, gaining fame quickly. Ethan decided it would be best to find them soon. Ethan climbed Grand Horn and used Great Thiefs Mastery. Today, he didnt n on hunting. He intended to quietly wait for the followers of the Moon to approach for the encounter. I need to be careful. These external helpers were individuals sent by the followers of the Moon to carry out their ns for the parent observation day. They should also consider Ivecar Academy quite important. Ivecar must fall for them to proceed with what they intend to do. So, the followers would likely send capable individuals to control the n. The Apostles wonte. Apostles were heavyweights. In that case, individuals of the First Order level, not infiltrators like Hassen Rittle, woulde those capable of taking on internal and external missions. As he waited quietly; someone approached without making any sound. Someone quietly approached, flipping the cloak to reveal a symbol a follower of the Moon. Ethan discreetly checked the orders, then followed him. The follower of the Moon went deep inside and stood still. Suddenly, from the opposite direction, another person in the same robe appeared. Theyre here. As soon as Ethan confirmed them, he stepped back. Then, the two of them took their positions overlooking. This should be enough. Then, a voice reached his ears. This mission is quite important. We need to kill one Marquis with the traitor. If we fail this mission, Ghost Sword wont remain steady. But is there a reason to do it this way? We could just send a few assassins from our side to kill them. Tsk, dealing only with beasts must have dulled your senses against dealing with people. Watch your words. If you dont want to die. Sending assassins to kill them wont me the Academy. We are conducting this operation to thoroughly bring Ivecar down. It seems more impactful for those beastly creatures to enter and kill people, doesnt it? Yeah, you can control monsters as much as you want. That is, unless its a dragon. Dragons were considered natural disasters, and ming the Academy for their sudden appearance was impossible. However, monsters were different. Whether it was a powerful or weak monster, if a monster appeared at the Academy and caused harm due to not being handled, it became the Academys fault. Lower their reputation and continue to amplify that anxiety. Yeah, so what should I do? Grand Horn has two owners. One is the Mountain King White Tiger, and the other is the Golden Wolf. You need to leash the Mountain King White Tiger and tame it. Release the tamed beast during the parents observation day. The White Tiger kills the target, and they both die together. So, whos the target? That damn traitor, Dricth, and Marquis Roentgen! Dritch, huh? So, he finally betrayed us. Did he sell our information to the Holy Empire? Yeah, thats how he gained his status. Fool. Moreover, he entered the academy to start a new life. This mission seems to have various reasons mixed in. Roentgen Marquiss involvement is probably to cloud their vision, right? Do you understand now? Yes, Roentgen Marquis has no connection to us. And conveniently, he has a high status. In this mission, their goals were twofold. One was the elimination of the traitor, and the other was to shake the academy. Understood. It was said that mana is limited within the academy, right? So, it should be easy. A faintughter could be sensed from within the robe. Then hurry up and leash it. See you then. For the new world. The two men simultaneously split apart in different directions. Ethan, who had watched their movements until the end, ran towards the followers of the Moon, who were going to leash the monster. I need to organize the n. During this parents observation day, Ethan had clearly learned the followers of the Moons n. He knew every detail now. Blocking them in advance is meaningless. Its also not a good idea for me to step forward and block them directly. Blocking them in advance or personally intervening would only draw unnecessary attention from the followers of the Moon. So, he needed to use the situation to his advantage. The traitor should be killed, but not Marquis Roentgensomeone else. Dritch was a double-crosser. Such people had a knack for betrayal. Dealing with him was a certainty. Including Martynas Lane would be a good idea. Setting Martynas Lane as the main actor while positioning himself on the side. I just need toy my hands on it and gain a reputation and the trust of the parents. Ethan quickly formted the n. I need to get a bit closer. Ethan had kept a considerable distance from the followers at the moment. The Great Thiefs Mastery he used wasnt highly proficient yet. It may work against demons, but these guys are originally specialized in covert operations. So, they might have higher vignce than demons. It was not easy to sneak up and kill them in a surprise attack. What should I do While Ethan was gradually closing the distance, the follower suddenly looked back. At the same moment, a massive figure rushed from Ethans side with a loud crash toward the follower. It seemed as if a mountain was moving. Ugh! This is a sacred ce. Dirty humans chasing filthy things shouldnte here. This beast can talk! White fur and golden mane. It was the owner of Grand Horn, the Mountain King White Tiger. Phew, luckily, I didnt get noticed. But he definitely knew. When facing high-ranking followers of the Moon with Great Thiefs Mastery, caution was required. I need to raise my proficiency. As Ethan watched, a fierce battle unfolded between the white tiger and the follower. Matching its name, every time the white tiger swung its front paw, the ground shattered, and shockwaves spread around. The followers of the Moon desperately tried to avoid the white tigers movements, but he managed to reach out for the golden leash at the right moment as if that was all he needed. Roar! The white tigers speed increased. The follower, who momentarily missed his move, had his shoulder cut deep. Despite the profound wound, the followers of the Moon sessfully scattered something from their hands. Keuk! Creatures that mimic human speech, indeed. They naturally acquire divine power. Especially you The robed follower roughly removed his hood, revealing a smile. I can feel the energy we were looking for. I never thought things would be solved so smoothly. Krrrrrrr! Bark louder! The more you do, the more demonic energy will seep into you. The energy will gnaw at your mind and plunge you into chaos. That will be the end. You will be tamed by this golden leash. W-What in the world Its a dense magic that neutralizes the sacred power you possess. A secret given to us by our god. The followers of the Moonughed heartily. Because the Mountain King White Tiger began to stagger, vomiting a lot of fresh blood. Youre holding up well. Since he needed to make use of the white tiger, the followers of the Moon did not inflict any more wounds. Instead, he took out something simr to what he had scattered before and held it in their hands. And in the moment they were about to scatter it again, Whoosh! The follower of the Moon turned around, simultaneously scattering the powder on the ground. He then drew a thin ck sword from his waist and swung it. Crash! Shaaaaaagh-! As the two swords shed, a cold air spread around. Who are you? Just an animal lover passing by. Animal lover? At Ethans words, veins popped on the Moon followers forehead.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 87: What the Mountain King Guards Chapter 87: What the Mountain King Guards Lets see if you can crack such a joke even with one arm missing. As if saying, Lets deal with him first, the follower of the Moon swung his sword. Just as the Academy had Revinade swordsmanship as its basic sword technique, there was a sword technique within the followers of the Moon that was passed down to those in the sect. The basic sword technique was the Seid swordsmanship, in which even the person who was cut realized that they had been cut after taking seven steps. Although they had distributed an improved version that was easy to learn, what the followers of the Moon were learning was Seid swordsmanship that closely resembled the original. The sword flew so fast that it was impossible to perceive in an instant. It was precisely a strike aimed at Ethans shoulder. Since there was no intention to kill, the strike deliberately targeted the shoulder rather than the neck. I got you! The follower of the Moon was confident that the attack had seeded. eleration had already taken effect, and to evade it, one would have to move faster than this. Moreover, during the previous ambush, the Moon follower had confirmed Ethans speed. sh! And that confidence was well-founded. Ethan couldnt avoid the attack, and he took the followers sword directly. No! However, Ethans sword, which had merely taken the hit, stood firm on his shoulder, preventing the opponent from prating his chest. What is this? In front of the bewildered follower of the Moon, Ethan stepped forward and pressed on. Supreme Resilience. -Absorbing damage! -Damage has umted. -umted damage [56%] Ethan absorbed the damage and then directed the sword to block it. He then lowered his body and adjusted his posture. Vitality was surging through his body. It was a state of enhanced physique through the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique just before the charge. Moonforce. Shaaaak-. Simultaneously shing the sword diagonally, an explosive burst of cold erupted. The follower of the Moon guy, frozen in his astonished expression, hadnt expected to die here. Huuuu. Ethan exhaled a white breath. The first time he used the Moonforce, he lost consciousness with a single strike. But the current Ethan was different. Its worth using once. Of course, added to the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique was the power of Supreme Resilience. He was probably curious about who I am. So, he must have aimed for my shoulder with the Seid swordsmanship. If he aimed for his neck, he would have blocked it with Frost Sword without using Supreme Resilience. But he aimed for his shoulder. I know everything about you guys. He could simply endure it. Ethan slowly sheathed the Frost Sword. As the Frost Sword emitting an intense cold entered the sheath, the shing motion ceased. Supreme Resilience is truly remarkable. Even if the follower of the Moon didnt try to kill him, the powerful strike of Seid swordsmanship was certainly threatening. However, Supreme Resilience absorbed and released all that damage. The strongest defense is an offense. Ethan approached the suffering Mountain King, who had somewhat grasped the direction of Hang Woos subscription review. Krrrrr, krrrrr-! Calm down. If you keep going like this, youll just be a tiger. The name Mountain King will disappear. Yo-you human! Although were the same kind, didnt you hear earlier? Im an animal lover. Even as the White Tiger lost strength, it still threatened Ethan, but it was no more than a toothless tiger. So Ethan paid no attention and created a decoction right there. It was a decoction that could improve the state of the White Tiger. Ill save you. Instead, lets make a deal. A, a deal? Yes, a deal. Ill spare your life if you obey mymands. Dont talk nonsense! Krrrrrrrr-! Youre nothing more than a human just like them! I will never trust those of the same race as you! The White Tiger tly rejected. Observing the White Tiger for a moment, Ethan made another decoction. Then he sprayed it directly toward the White Tiger. Krrr-! The White Tiger, which had reacted strongly to the suddenly sprayed substance, momentarily stopped its movement. Surprised, it looked down at its own body. The wounds The wounds were being healed. Although the healing effect of the decoction wasnt very strong due to Ethan spraying it, it was clear that it was improving. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it sooner. If I wanted to tame you, I would have done it earlier. In response to Ethans words, the White Tiger stared at Ethan intently. What do you want, human. If the wordmand sounds a bit unpleasant, Ill say it again. Ill spare your life. Just do me a favor. Ethan smiled slightly as he looked at the White Tiger. You, be a criminal. Horus couldnt hide his surprise. This is insane. This is crazy. No matter how great my abilities are, it shouldnt be to this extent. Horuss subscribers and likes were explosively increasing. Horus is a god who gathers subscriptions and likes more through merchandise sales than videos on [New World]. In other words, in reality, the videos were essentially for merchandise. The price of the merchandise was a whopping fifteen likes. It was an expensive price, but he didnt think it was too expensivepared to its value. Oh, no However, he never thought it would sell this much. He already knew that Ethans subscription reviews were impressive, and he knew that when subscription reviews were posted, he could rise in rankings more than before. But he never thought it would be to this extent. -Eye of Horus, its a bit expensive, but the cost-effectiveness is definitely good. -You can use it as soon as you buy it, and there are many ways to use it, so its really good. -Its a bit painful for the eyes, but its still usable! -Subscribing after seeing the review of [Only subscribed to the right gods]. Definitely worth subscribing to this god. There were plenty of praises in the subscription reviews. Also, Ethans posted subscription reviews had a lot of likes. Its quite intimidating. Can these countless subscribers be swayed by just one subscription review? Horus looked at the subscription review written by Ethan. The subscription review, consisting of both text and video, thoroughly detailed the abilities one could obtain by subscribing to Horus. This is it. After repeatedly reviewing Ethans subscription review, Horus understood why it was so popr. Hes created videos that vividly showcase the abilities obtained when subscribing to gods like us. Moreover, it not only presented the abilities but also suggested how to use them and provided information on when subscribing would be beneficial. In essence, the subscription review by [Only subscribed to the right gods] could be considered a guidepost.: Because the subscribers consider efficiency. In a sense, this was a strategy. The strategy of [New World]. Kuhuhuhu. Horus, who had considered this, couldnt contain the smile that emerged. Im in charge of one axis of that strategy. He couldnt be happier. Could I finish it with just one merchandise? Probably not. I cant leave it like this for my new premium subscribers! Horus began preparing new merchandise exclusively for premium subscribers. Krk, krrk. The white tiger shook its front paw. The pain and dizziness that were present just a moment ago had disappeared as if it were a lie. Now recovered, the white tiger observed another person digging through the belongings of the one who had just tried to kill it. Oh, theres quite a lot here. Is he going to tame monsters with these? This is what he threw at the White Tiger earlier to nullify the divine power. Thanks to you, Ive recovered. The white tiger, while picking up items, spoke to Ethan, making a growling sound. About what you said earlier, did I hear it correctly? Yeah, I spared you, so I should follow through, right? Its just as I said earlier. With that, the deal isplete. Ethan said so and shook the golden cor he obtained from followers of the Moon. Why do you want to do that? Killing that person just now was probably to stop what that person was trying to do. In that case, I wouldnt have a reason to run amok in Ivecar. This n needs to proceed as it is. Of course, those who need to die should die, and those who shouldnt die will die in the intended direction. The white tiger understood Ethans intention in a moment. Is there something you need to hide? Yeah. In that case, I understand. Since you spared my life. But I have something to protect. So, I cant easily leave this ce. Something to protect? After looking at Ethan for a moment, the white tiger turned its back. Then, as if inviting Ethan to follow, it swiftly moved forward. Ethan followed the white tiger. After following for about 10 minutes, a cliff appeared. The white tiger descended down the cliff as if sliding down, and soon its figure disappeared. Hmm. Ethan stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down. It was a cliff where the bottom was not visible. Ethan, as the white tiger had shown earlier, descended down the cliff just like that. While descending like that, the white tiger, biting Ethans back, threw him backward as if tossing him aside. Doing a somersault in the air andnding perfectly, Ethan realized what the white tiger was guarding. This is This is where Im guarding. I received grace from her and became her lion. A lion. The white tiger looked at Ethan with disdainful eyes. But this Ethan, pretending to be indifferent, stroked his chin while looking at the entrance. It was an entrance he had seen somewhere before. It looked like the entrance to a temple With a hint of caution, Ethan slowly drew Frost Sword Leas. The power of Moon Force began to spread through Frost Sword. Huh! The Mountain King White Tiger involuntarily opened its mouth. A descendant of the goddess No, are you a descendant? What Mountain King White Tiger was guarding was the temple of Moonforce, the goddess of the moon. Having quickly assessed the situation, Ethan, who had be serious, turned to look at the white tiger. The goddess sensed a danger. As her descendant, I, havee to protect the mountain king of the Grand Horn. Youve been doing a good job of guarding the goddesss temple until now. Grrr! The white tiger closed its eyes and growled. It had guarded this temple for a long time. Although the goddess did not respond, it had lived thinking of repaying the grace it had received someday. Did it work? Thinking that he didnt really know, Ethan entered the temple of Moon Force without hesitation. -Found the temple of Moon Force! This temple of Moon Force was much cleaner andrger than the two temples Ethan had found before. The central statue was the same, and the altar was neat. Most importantly, there were long chairs for prayer, which were hard to find in the previous temples. I have guarded diligently. Many guys tried toe in, but they were defeated with the fangs and ws given by the goddess. The Mountain King spoke with a proud voice. Are you really a descendant of the goddess? Then, what you said earlier I am fulfilling the goddesss mission. I see. So you were hiding it. I couldnt properly recognize the power due to the magic of that nasty guy earlier. I apologize. As if understanding everything now, the Mountain King let out a growl, a mournful sound. I understand. If theres anything I can help with, Ill help you, descendant. This ce must be protected, but the important thing was not the temple but the goddess. If they were a descendant who received a mission from the goddess, the White Tiger had to put everything aside and help. The Mountain King White Tiger approached the statue of the goddess. The statue depicted Moon Force with closed eyes, spreading her hands as if embracing. Below, the white tiger prayed. Ethan also slowly stood in front of the statue. -Will you pray? Ethan quietly closed his eyes and prayed. I just happened toe here. Still, since I saved the white tiger that was guarding the temple, please help me in many ways. Shaaaah-. The blessing of Moonforce descended upon Ethans head. -The goddess of the moon bestows her blessing upon you! -Your ss has grown. Since he didnt directly save the temple from a crisis like before, there wasnt a dramatic reward. However, his ss had undeniably grown. A new star has been added. Now, all his stats had increased by +30. My body feels a bit lighter. Ethan raised Frost Sword Leas and swung it several times in the same spot. The force going in was definitely different from before. The Mountain King also stood up from its ce, as if the prayer had ended. Let me exin the n. Two days from now, on the day of the parent observation ss, you should kill two people as I instructed. And attack the two teachers moderately. Understood, descendant.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 88: Parent Observation Class (1) Chapter 88: Parent Observation ss (1) With the help of a renowned cksmith from the Marquis Rond territory, Yerica created a ck ironwood golem. It was a monumental first golem. Clean and sleek body. Oval-shaped head. Arms and legs shaped like a doll, with no fingers or toes, but overall, it resembled a human. The cksmith praised Yerica for creating the golem quite well, especially for her first attempt. Upon returning home with the newly created golem, Yerica began the finishing touches. After creating the golems body, enchanting it with magic wouldplete Hecates special golem. Now it bes Yericas special golem. With inscribed runes, Yericapleted the special golem, and at the same time, Ethan returned home. You came at just the right time. Oh, youvepleted it. Ethan looked at Yericas first special golem. How is it? Did it turn out as you expected? The created golem resembled the golems Ethan was familiar with. Of course, being a prototype, it had some awkward aspects, but overall, its appearance was quite satisfactory. You did well, Yerica. Its all thanks to you for unlocking the second-tier curse. Yerica was quite satisfied because Ethan had unlocked the second-tier curse. Now, how are you going to use this? After the Parent Observation ss, I n to use this ck ironwood golem for sses. Then, the most important thing would be its movement, right? To conduct practical lessons, this golem should demonstrate movements resembling realbat. Thats why I n to imprint my movements directly onto it. Ill incorporate Whiskers swordsmanship as a base and mix in various swordsmanship techniques from the Revinade Swordsmanship Department. He intended to use it as the main base and include movements that could unveil each students swordsmanship within one or three moves. Ethan already knew themonalities and weaknesses of the swordsmanship techniques used by the students. Its important to make it so they can bepletely unveiled. If it was going to break, it needed to break thoroughly. To rise higher, you had to hit the ground. Most of them probably havent experienced breaking to that extent. Most of the academy students came from noble families. They might not have alwayse out victorious, but they probably hadnt thoroughly experienced defeat to the point of tasting the ground. Yerica, can we imprint movements on this? No. Saying so, Yerica subtly frowned. Its an impossible task. Reading her expression, Ethan smoothly responded. Indeed, its impossible. How can a golem like that replicate suchplex movements? However, Ethan smirked subtly. Only the special golem magic left by Hecate is possible. Yerica, youre the only one capable of achieving that. Yerica bit her lip, smiling with pride. In fact, it was fascinating. Despite being a local noble, Ethan was also a noble. Yet, there was no condescending gaze directed toward her. If she said the same words to another noble, would they ept it as easily as Ethan did now? No matter how much she thought about it, it didnt seem likely. This was possible because Ethan saw Yerica as an individual, as a person. Yerica liked that. At the same time, she thought she made the right decision to shake hands with him back then. -Survival probability is increasing! Hmm? Ethan was momentarily taken aback by the message that his survival probability had increased. Of course, he didnt reveal his surprise on his face. Whats this? I just gave her a praise. Could it be an Easter egg where survival probability increases with praise alone? The best magic, the best mage! Thank you, hahaha. Lets give you a name now. Since youll surpass Archmage, how about Maximum Archmage or something like that? Its the worst, but thank you. Ethan continued to praise repeatedly. However, the survival probability no longer increased. The only thing that went up was Yericas shoulders. In thergest lecture hall at the academy, 75 students gathered. They were all students taking the Understanding the Sword Path ss. I thought he wasnt doing it. I was surprised because I didnt expect him to go straight into the Parent Observation ss without any practice. For other sses, there was only one thing to match. But did the teachers n it together? It seems like theyve already chosen who will present. Teacher udies ss is the same asst year. They say he only pushes talented students. As they discussed the Parent Observation ss, Ethan entered the ssroom. Unlike the usual ssroom, the one borrowed for the Parent Observation ss could amodate more than 200 people. Despite the increased distance between them, the students felt that Ethan looked even more imposing. Youre all here. Ethan surveyed the ssroom, and after activating the artifacts on the podium, the desks and chairs disappeared with a whooshing sound. Is everyone ready? Yes! The students replied with various expressionscuriosity, concern, anticipation, and more. Although most believed in Ethan, they couldnt trust their recent deration. After all, they thought it was impossible for Ethan to spar with 75 people. The ss duration is two hours. Considering there are 75 participants, the time for each of you to showcase your honed skills wont be very long. Ethan spoke while surveying the students. But dont worry. Even if we go slightly over the time, the parents will understand. Two hours will feel very short. After saying that, he drew his longsword. Equip your gear. Upon Ethansmand, students simultaneously drew their respective weapons. Ill determine the order. Each of you has a set time ording to the order. Addressing the attentive students, Ethan continued, But you dont need to worry about the time. Just remember the order of the person in front of you. Flow with that order. Flow with it, and unleash the swordsmanship Ive modified for you. Gulp. Someone swallowed nervously. Now, for the first round. Ron Bears stepped forward. Show your swordsmanship. If you have anything you want to demonstrate, show it all. Ill handle the interruptions. Wooong-. Rons momentum increased. Since receiving proper training from Ethan, Ron Bears tirelessly honed his body. During this process, he envisioned an image where mana was not dependent on, but assisted his bodys movements. At some point, he understood what Ethan had said. He realized that he had been exerting strength in futile ces throughout this time. Focusing on his body, Rons swordsmanship became more fierce. Although it was a simple swordsmanship, he could use his strength to unleash his own style. Ron remembered Ethans words. In this Understanding the Sword Path ss, Ethan promised to bring out the individual swordsmanship of each student. No need to think about anything else. Just unfold your unique swordsmanship. With a determined posture, Ron swung his longsword. The reason Ron was chosen first was to create an impact. Swish-! Rons swordsmanship was a blend of Revinade Swordsmanship with his rogue-like style, mainly emphasizing attacks. Absorbing the improved posture Ethan had provided, Ron continued his fierce attacks. Thunk-! Ethan raised his sword. That was the signal. I wont say the word next. Read the signal naturally. Were not engaging in a typical sparring. Consider it a kind of performance. Using me, you all be the protagonists. Its a short time, but during that time, more than 100 people will be watching you. The students shivered at his words but couldnt help but smile. Come. The day of the parents observation ss. Despite the earlier schedule, Marquis Rond promptly responded to the academys event. The carriages areing! Wee them! Parents began to arrive at Ivecar Academy which was located at the Marquis Rond territory. This parents observation ss was a significant event not only for the academy but also for the Marquis Rond territory. Ensure everything is under control! Clear the way over there! Quickly tell the count not to park the carriage there! The parentsing to the Marquiss territory were numerous nobles gathered from across the continent. Starting from Barons, even among the Counts, there were many nobles with varying degrees of power and influence. Nobles who could not be casually treated, even if they were of the same Count rank, also attended. Since they were not nobles that Marquis Rond could handle internally, he had to be quite cautious as Marquis. A few years ago, there had been actual fights among nobles, causing Marquis Rond much trouble. Once a fight started, the mediation would inevitably fall on Marquis Rond. Since it was an incident within the Marquiss territory, he had no choice but to handle it. That was why the Marquis took extensive measures and paid considerable attention to prevent such troublesome and risky situations. Thus, the knights of Marquis Rond weed the nobles. Long time no see, Marquis. Wee. Your expression has improved a lot sincest year! I heard your son is doing quite well at the academy. Is that the reason? Hahaha! My son takes after me a bit, you know, so he has some skills! At the center of control was Marquis Rond. Since it wasnt always the same nobles visiting, revealing oneself to new nobles was a small benefit and amusement for the Marquis. Furthermore, when Marquis Rond personally came forward to greet or control, even nobles whose emotions could be easily disturbed by each other had to endure it at least once. Observing the arriving parents, Marquis Rond sighed. While it was advantageous for Marquis Rond to be active when they visited Marquiss territory, there was always tension about what might happen. Many havee this time too. The love for their children is impressive. Marquis spoke as he observed the parents. You were the same, Marquis. A nearby aide responded with a subtle smile. Still, I didnt bring such a golden carriage. Quite several parents had brought extremely extravagant carriages. There were carriages with golden butterfly or undting wave patterns, and there were carriages with golden wheels like Marquis had seen. Isnt it like going to war the moment we enter the academy? Many eyes are watching. If youre ignored here, youll be ignored at the academy, so deliberately making it more morous is to prevent the children from being intimidated. Isnt that right? But being too shy might backfire. Still better than being in or ordinary. Thats true. I understand it, but I might not like it if I were in their shoes. Marquis Rond moved to another entrance. Since there were four entrances to enter the Marquis territory, the Marquis had to keep moving around to personally check the situation. I heard an extraordinary teacher hase this time? Ah, yes. Youre talking about Ethan Whiskers, right? Thats correct. Theres quite a buzz about Teacher Ethan within the academy. Hmm, Im curious. If I have the time, I must visit at least once. Oh, of course, Ill take a look at udies ss first. Im looking forward to seeing how much theyve grownpared tost year!Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 89: Parent Observation Class (2) Chapter 89: Parent Observation ss (2) At the same time, Ivecar Academy Grand za. Numerous carriages gathered in the za. During the parent observation ss, the square was always crowded with people, and there was never enough space for carriages. As a result, the za had be a temporary ce for parking carriages. Ahem. Hmm. Dressed in attire that unmistakably revealed their high noble status, nobles exited their splendid carriages. The descending nobles nced around to see who had arrived. Isnt this Marquis Stendhal? Hehehe. Count Rnd, its been a while. You look much younger than before. Did you eat something good? If you have, lets share it! Hahaha! There have been many good things happening in my territorytely, so it seems that way! Nobles who knew each other exchanged greetings, and even those who didnt took advantage of this opportunity to open the door to conversations. It seemed like a social gathering among parents, but the time for socializing would notst long. As they attended the ss, observing their respective children, variousplex emotions would undoubtedly arise. Parents, pleasee this way! You can receive information about todays observation ss over here! At these words, each parents apanying attendants moved quickly. Count Garcia, Teacher Chens ss will be held in Wing A, Room 3005. Hmm, Im worried. Since he was scolded severely once before, he will work hard in this ss. Garcia, the father of Chen Garcia, recalled the recent incident. In his opinion, Chen, his second son, still seemed dazed. Well, now that the teacher has been properly disciplined. Im very curious about Teacher Ethans ss! Having had a brief taste of Ethans education, Garcia was looking forward to Ethan Whiskers public ss. I heard that not a single student has left the ss since the beginning? Yes, it is said that a new teacher receives excellent reviews even if only half of the students attend the entire ss. Back in my day, it was the same. When Count Garcia attended the academy, new teachers were full of enthusiasm but rarely taught something substantial. Even teachers who came from outside with a good reputation would initially struggle. I can actually see the teacher that Count praised, Ethan, in person. Im really looking forward to it. Surprised? I was too when I found out. Right away, I checked the Whiskers family and found out he has a brother, Nathan Whiskers. Oh, Nathan Whiskers Saw himst year? A promising mage we saw at Freya Academy. Count Garcia made an expression that said, If you say so. They may not be famous now, but the Whiskers family will likely grow significantly thanks to the two of them. When that happens, our Chen will also benefit. No matter how much of a troublemaker his son might be, he was still his son. I would like to bring the eldest one and put him back in the academy, but Arent you making too much of an expectation? Just go and see. Whether my words are exaggerated or not. Count Garciaughed heartily. A little ahead, there was a prominent noble from the continent. Duke Yeld. Are those his sons beside him? Even with mana constraints, why is there such a sharp aura? Among the Twelve Houses, the most challenging opponent to find, was Duke Yeld, wielder of the sharpest sword in the Holy Empire. Duke Yeld and his two sons also participated in this observation ss. Among the twelve essential families that could be considered the core of the continent, Duke Yeld, one of the Twelve Families, boasted the most powerful influence in the Holy Empire. To make it worthwhile for the head of the family toe, the youngest one must do well. Hes already in the third year. Last year was really beyond words. At a young age, he inherited the title from the previous head of the family and solidified the position of Duke Yeld as one of the Twelve Families. Next to him were two sons of the Duke. The two were receiving quite favorable evaluations as heirs. As the sessors, they were managing the knight and magic corps, the main force of the Yeld Duchy, maintaining a prominent position within the empire. This is thest year. There wont be a need toe next year. When Duke Yeld said so, the expressions of his two sons subtly brightened. With this, the session issue was almost settled. Even though they hade for the observation ssst year and the year before, Mason, the youngest brother, did not show grades befitting the name of Yeld. This opportunity was the end. Anyway, today would be the same. Karlson, have you looked into the teacher who is instructing Mason? Ah, yes. He was once a well-known examiner called the Sickly Count in the Whiskers family in the western region. Besides that, there is nothing special, and even though he was called a sword genius, that was just a local affair. Theres no proven achievement. Jason. When the Duke called, his second son, Jason Yeld, began to speak about Ethan. Yes, recently, he has been running a workshop through coboration with the David Merchant Guild. It is a workshop specializing in lightweight craftsmanship, and thanks to this, the Whiskers territory is said to be growing most rapidly in the West. Ethan Whiskers led all of this, so there is certainly some merit. However, there is no proof in his swordsmanship. The only achievement is his position as a teacher at the Ivecar Academy. What do you think? Do you see him as a talent worth considering, even if it means giving up a position? His abilities seem fine, but the background is the issue. He has innate talent. If we recruit him, it might be eptable to create a position in our Merchant Guild and utilize his talents. After Karlson, Jason spoke. I disagree. There are no long-term achievements, and the current merits we see are also greatly influenced by the support of the David Merchant Guild. Are you just opposing because your brother approves, Jason? No! Then speak up. Is the David Merchant Guild just a charitable business, huh? . Thats right. Pathetic fools. Duke Yeld clicked his tongue. iming to be the sessors, they didnt even know the basics of the Yeld. Both had decent swordsmanship and magical abilities, but their abilities as the heads of the family werecking. If they have talent, use them. What do you know about innate talent? If someone is embraced by Yeld, they be Yelds sword and shield. Whether its a local sword genius or an outstanding merit, if they have talent, they should be embraced. If you want to lead Yeld, you should have such thoughts. Currently, half of those working in Yeld Duchy did not have an impressive background. They secured their positions with their abilities alone and continued to work for the Yeld family. I apologize, my lord. I apologize. What are you apologizing for? You should feel sorry for yourselves, not me. If you have my blood running through your veins, your brain should apologize to your body for making such judgments! Although it was harsh, the two sons couldnt offer any excuses. Lets go, its time for the final disappointment. Anyway, there was no one among the three sons worth expecting. In the lecture hall where 75 people gathered. Students had gathered here early before the ss. The students were nervous. Especially the freshmen were even more so. It was their first parent observation ss since entering, and despite pretending otherwise, their pupils kept shaking. This wasnt an exception for the enrolled students either. Among them, many students had experienced parent observation sses several times, but they, too, kept wiping their hands full of sweat on their pants. They seem excessively tense. Some level of tension was good. There should be some tension in the body to naturally exhibit swordsmanship. However, excessive tension could lead to a nk mind, and such a rigid state could soon lead to idents. Concentrate for a moment. Ethan said loud enough for everyone to hear. It doesnt matter if you mess up today. Whats important in todays ss is showing what youve learned at the academy. All your strengths and weaknesses. Think about it. You are students, and the parents who came to see you are already aplished individuals. Everyones standards are high. No matter how perfectly you perform, it may not be enough in their eyes. This asion was about seeing potential. Since it was a chance to see thetent potential of the student, no one expected perfection. So, the emphasis was on strengths rather than weaknesses. Weaknesses could always be improved, but strengths that didnt exist couldnt suddenly appear. No matter how perfect you are, it may seem insufficient to them. So, abandon the idea of hiding your weaknesses. Focus solely on maximizing your strengths. When Ethan, who had been cold, offered words of encouragement, his sincerity was even more felt. He also smiled at the students and made eye contact with them one by one. Of course, those who perform immaturely wont be epted from the next ss onwards. What!? You said its okay to fail! It was a joke. Oh, no, such a stern joke Is your tension a bit relieved now? No Students felt that they had unknowingly released some tension. Before long, people started to enter the room. I finally get to watch. The first to enter the ssroom were the teachers. Teachers generally couldnt attend each others sses unless there was an opportunity like this. Therefore, they were quite curious about Ethans teaching style. How did he conduct lectures to generate such explosive reactions? How does a new teacher manage to fill the 75-seat ss? Isnt it Teacher Ethans first time? Whats the secret to satisfying the students? Im so curious. What teaching method is he using? Normally, the students here dont even blink an eye. Huh, well, I cant ignore this. Several teachers with simr thoughts sought out Ethans ssroom. There were especially many Swordsmanship Department teachers. Teachers who had sses at the same time as Ethan couldnt attend, but those who didnt were all there, to say the least. Of course, it wasnt just teachers who were curious about Ethans ss. Following them, students who were eager to see Ethan Whiskers ss starteding in. Wow, why are there so many people? Its the first time so many people havee for a parent observation ss. How many people exactly came to see this? Students were buzzing with excitement. Not only students but also teachers seemed to be quite numerous. Even though the parents havent arrived yet, this number? Wow, Ive never seen anything like this. Isnt this more thanst year during Teacher udies observation ss? Oh,e to think of it, its Teacher udies ss time now. Ironically, Ethan and udie conducted parent observation sses at the same time. Of course, since udie conducted parent observation sses for all four sses he currently taught, this was his third ss this time. Is it right next door? Teacher udies ss also has a considerable number of people, so I guess it makes sense. Many people wille to see it. There will be a lot of parents too. As they chattered, parents arrived. While teachers and students were naturally part of Ivecar Academy, parents were different. Seeing powerful figures gathered in one ce was not a sight easily seen. Marquis. Oh, isnt it Count Libre? Thunderbird! Students sent admiring nces while calling out the nicknames of each noble. The well-known nobles emitted an overwhelming aura, just like their nicknames. Calmly surveying the surroundings, the noble figures sat in the parents seats. Some nobles, even though they were parents, were the first to confirm where their children were. After checking the familiar back of the head, they sat down directly. There are really a lot of students. When I first heard about the new teacher, I didnt have high expectations. Looks like, aside from us parents, there are other teachers and students, so everyone must be expecting a lot from the ss, right? Im really looking forward to it. Me too, mydy. Shortly after, thest noble arrived. Its Duke. Its Duke Yeld. As the parents of the students took their seats, the enormous ssroom was now filled. At that moment, Ethan, who had been waiting at the back of the ssroom, opened the door and entered. All eyes were on Ethan. Perhaps an unimaginable level of anticipation and pressure was directed toward Ethan. However, Ethan stepped lightly to the podium. We will begin the ss.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 90: Parent Observation Class (3) Chapter 90: Parent Observation ss (3) Count Garcia. Oh, isnt it Count Spencer? Did you find some time this time? I couldnt attend the previous observation sses consecutively, so I made time for it. Hahaha, youvee at a good time. The gaze of numerous nobles was focused on Ethan, including Count Spencer. I heard that this teacher ranked first among the new teachers this time. He defeated Ciron Ramsdale and took the top spot, right? From what I saw, I dont think he earned it through skill. Hmm? Then why do you think he got the top spot? Well, wouldnt it be to restrain the Principal, the Sword Saint? No, rather than restraint, you could say its a battle of pride. Werent they rivals back in the day? Giving the top spot to the grandson of that Sword Saint Doesnt his pride allow that? Thats right. I think he got the top spot because he was lucky. Hmm, I heard that Paquetas granddaughter is also here. If shes the Archmages granddaughter, she should be considered for the top spot, right? Their rtionship isnt that bad, and her skill is outstanding. Whats the Principals reputation? Isnt it the Ghost Sword, not a mage? Its natural for a swordsman to be attracted to a swordsman rather than a mage. Anyway, a teacher pushed by the Principal must have the skill, but I dont think its that remarkable. Count Garcia looked at Count Spencer. Actually, this wasnt just Count Spencers own thoughts. Among the nobles gathered here, no one didnt know how the academy worked. A new teacher leading 75 students until the end of the semester? Thats an impossible task. Moreover, Ethan, being a neer, was said to be in charge of other sses as well. Leading one ss was not an ordinary task, and he was handling two sses shortly after bing a teacher. No matter how one looked at it, it was not a normal situation. It could only be thought of as receiving preferential treatment. Other parents were looking at Ethan, but they didnt seem particrly focused. There werent high expectations like the previous observation ss. Of course, some parents were still observing how well Ethan was doing. The content of the ss is vaguely conveyed, so its hard to tell whether hes doing well or not. Then Count Spencer must think that Teacher Ethan Whiskers is an unremarkable teacher. Its not that hes unremarkable; he must have some ability. Its just that its been exaggerated. If he were a real genius teacher, he should be at least on the level of Teacher udie Hyde, right? Count Spencer shrugged his shoulders and replied. Count Garcia nodded slightly in response. From what he had seen, Ethan was definitely not on that level. That makes sense. However, I believe Teacher Ethan Whiskers will show something. Oh, then Count Spencer chuckled. How about a bet, Count? A bet? Yes, a bet. If I win well, how about Count giving me one of those cherished swords of yours? Count Garcias sword was a famous masterpiece crafted by a renowned cksmith. Although it was a highly valuable item for such a bet, Count Garcia revealed a smile, seemingly pleased by the proposal. A substantial wager. Well, if I win, how about you giving me that dagger you favor, Count Spencer? Count Spencers dagger had a rare gem embedded in its handle, said to be exclusive to the Magic Empire. It was a high-priced dagger with no practicalbat use but was remarkably beautiful. Count Spencer nodded confidently as if he thought he would undoubtedly win the bet. Agreed. Im looking forward to it! Hm! He then clenched his fist and exhaled forcefully. In his mind, the elegant sword of Count Garcia was already there. Imagining himself proudly showcasing the sword while visiting the territories of various nobles seemed to bring him great joy. Count Garcia was also in a good mood, much like Count Spencer. While harboring different intentions, Ethan spoke as the atmosphere unfolded. Some students were breathless in this situation. It was a lecture that attracted attention not only from ordinary nobles but also from high-ranking nobles of the Holy Empire. If they were in Ethans ce, they might have fainted at the thought. With such reflections, the students focused on Ethans words. This ss will be conducted in a sparring format. The students will demonstrate what theyve learned from me in a short time through training during this ss. As Ethan activated the artifacts, all obstacles disappeared except for the parent seats. In response, students stepped forward. Ethan stood in the center, and the students surrounded him. Despite some nervousness, their eyes were alive. Swords. Swish! 75 students simultaneously raised their swords. It was perfectly timed. With their convincing postures and sound, the parents showed expressions of admiration. Considering how well they timed that, it seems like he taught them well. But is something like that important? It seems more like a showy gesture. If they join the Imperial Army, such formalities are crucial. Hm. At least to this extent, he might be worthy of the top rank. Hahaha, still a bit amusing. Theyre just students. Dont they look like knights? Some parents chuckled, finding it amusing. Well, Ivecars teachers should naturally be able to do this much. It doesnt look particrly special, though. Karlson Yeld murmured next to Duke Yeld. Indeed, the control just disyed was a teacher-like aspect of Ivecar. The apanying students were precisely pointing their swords at Ethan, presenting a usible appearance. Although looking impressive was important, substance mattered most. Smirking with one side of his mouth, Karlson clenched his fist. Now, Karlson was curious about how Ethan would conduct the sparring. Pathetic. Cant even stand out among 75 students. Shouldnt you at least stand out among the students? Suddenly, seeing Mason naturally mixed among the students, a harsh remark escaped Karlson. Mason, as a Duke Yelds descendant, was seemingly quiet, even to the point where he didnt stand out among the 75 students. If he were truly of Duke blood, he should have amanding presence among those students. Even Max Jurod seems to be absent? Probably attending udies ss. Originally, theres no reason for him to attend this new teachers ss, right? Duke Yeld was also not pleased with the situation unfolding before him. He initially thought of making a quick observation and leaving. There was a thought of leaving midway, but he decided not to do so for the sake of the other parents. Hmm. There doesnt seem to be much more to see, Father. It might be better to watch a little more to see how Teacher Ethan conducts the ss. Like DukeYeld, other parents also didnt have high expectations. Some even ridiculed the situation. Perhaps because he was a new teacher, they thought he was given too much credit for the first parent observation ss. Why is he standing there so meekly? Did he teach them wrong? If theyre supposed to spar, why is he killing the students spirit? Some wore ufortable expressions, and someughed in disbelief. It seemed like they didnt appreciate their children extinguishing their spirit and blending in like ordinary students. Ethan nced at the parents who were observing him. Laugh as much as you want now. No one would beughing from now on. A thump, a small sound of a rolling foot, and Ron Bears rushed towards Ethan. Crash! The sh of the neck swords created a sound akin to an explosion. Huh! With the first collision, the noise from the parents disappeared. This was because the force emanating from Ron Bears was tremendous. Until just now, there was no noticeable force from the students. Starting with Ron, the students moved naturally. Thunk! Thunk! Ron Bears disyed his characteristic intense swordsmanship. Ethan, in response, met him with a force almost as powerful. Crash! Crash! A powerful blow, to the extent that shockwaves spread around them, unfolded between their wooden swords. The wooden swords that withstood such force looked impressive, highlighting the extraordinary strength of both Ethan and Ron. Why is the strength so immense? Rough but powerful enough to cover that drawback. The sparring that showcased Ron Bears powerful strength, which could be considered his strength, stood out. Parents who had quickly be immersed in the sparring after just a few shes of swords now shifted their focus to the students who followed Ron, as they leaped forward in quick, almost invisible strikes. It was a rapier so swift that it seemed exhratingly quick. A rapier with every ounce of force poured into a single strike showered upon Ethan. ng! ng! ng! Ethans sword, which had been withstanding the force, had somehow be faster. ! This time, it was about speed. sh! sh! Ethans sword, which had been solid in response to the students swordsmanship, gradually increased its speed. Light and fast. Although the sound seemed to repeat several times, there were only two visible movements. However, everyone present was highly skilled. They were clearly witnessing Ethan and the student engage in a battle of significant speed. They found the sparring quite enjoyable due to its high level. Meanwhile, kwak-! Ethan suddenly swung his sword, and at the same time, a new student attacked him. The third participant was Yuna Ga. Ethan intended to reveal the meaning of this sparring through the initial three students. In the third sparring, Yuna Ga demonstrated a swordsmanship that was unparalleled in the Swordsmanship Department. As Yuna Ga assumed a stance, she effortlessly swung her sword. Immediately, as if Yunas hands had multiplied, five swords simultaneously targeted Ethan. Among them, only one was real. However, it was challenging to distinguish which one was real because all five appeared identical. It was not a level of swordsmanship that a student could normally disy. To create five swords that looked identical, one would need to spend at least twenty years honing the Illusion Sword. Exceptional talent. Against Yunas five illusions, five illusions also unfolded from Ethans sword. Crash! And soon after, the real and the real collided. Yunas disyed swordsmanship was a spectacle in itself. Concealing illusions within brilliance and concealing brilliance within illusions, Yunas swordsmanship left a significant impression on the observing parents. Yuna Ga exited as she copsed with thest illusionary sword. Subsequently, students continued to step forward, showcasing their own swordsmanship. Initially, parents focused on the students swordsmanship, but as the performances continued, they became increasingly astonished by different aspects. Is that even possible? This is already the fifteenth one. Hes parrying all the students swordsmanship with the same technique. Its unbelievable. Even if the skill is good, to withstand to this extent, you would need two bodies, at the very least. Engaging in consecutive sparring with fifteen students, even for an aplished swordsman, was a challenging feat. Simultaneously, it went without saying that it entuated the students swordsmanship. This is unbelievable. Simr discussions were taking ce on the Yeld side, just like with other nobles. They observed Ethan Whiskers with a dignified posture, wondering how exactly he would conduct the ss. By the time they went through the three stages of power, speed, and variability, starting with Ron Bears, they were already deeply engrossed in the sparring. The students poured out all their strength as if they were willing to die at this moment. They demonstrated passion for the short duration they had, swinging their swords until they could no longer. Observing them, Jason, who was close in age to the students, continued to shake his shoulders and legs. Watching them wield their swords with all their might, he felt a strong desire to do the same. Simrly, the spectators couldnt look away, shaking their legs while trying to contain their excitement. The immersion was that intense. But suddenly, Jason snapped out of it. He didnte here to y. He came to check on Ethan and witnessed the pathetic sight of his youngest sibling. It was to confirm Masonsplete withdrawal from the session battle and officially beginpeting with his older brother. However, an unexpected turn of events was unfolding. This is amusing, quite amusing. At that moment, the Dukes voice echoed. Duke Yeld, who always wore aposed expression, was showing an intriguing look. ! ! Both sons showed expressions of surprise. The world is vast indeed. Who would have thought that such talent was hidden in the nobility of a mere countryside? Was he hiding behind frailty? Growing such untold talent secretly, perhaps because the world couldnt handle it? The Duke observed every move of Ethan. Ethan, who constantly adapted to the changing students, seemed easy at first nce, but he was executing highly challenging maneuvers. Because Ethan was fundamentally on a higher level, any exertion of force toward the students would redirect the focus back to Ethan instead of the students. It seemed like the Duke was well aware of this. He thoroughly directs the audiences attention to the students. Yes Indeed. Finally realizing this, both sons nodded. To concentrate the audiences attention on the students, Ethan had to perfectly control his strength and disy swordsmanship tailored to each student. This way, the students swordsmanship would stand out even more. In other words, Ethan remembered and was familiar with every swordsmanship the students used. If he responded after the student swung the sword, the first move would inevitably make Ethan stand out momentarily. Those steps, nothing has been overlooked. With the appearance of the student, Ethan made himself the protagonist of this sparring. At that moment, Duke Yelds expression changed drastically. Karlson. Yes, my lord. Watch closely. Havent I always said something about your swordsmanship while watching you? Duke Yeld spoke as he observed Ethans downward cut. That right there is the downward cut Ive been expecting from you.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 91: Parent Observation Class (4) Chapter 91: Parent Observation ss (4) Ruya von Tiana, the top freshman in the Swordsmanship Department, filled her schedule for this semester with udies major sses. Before enrolling, she had thoroughly checked which teachers ss was good and entered ordingly. Therefore, as a new teacher, Ethan Whiskers, and the sses of other mid-level teachers were not on her schedule. Even before enrolling, she had heard every bit of information about which teachers ss was good, except for udies, which was the reason she did not apply for any other sses, including those of the mid-level teachers. Hence, her goal was solely udies ss, and she paid no attention to other sses. The level of the sses was indeed high. Despite having invited numerous private tutors from her family, there was much to learn anew. However, from one day on, strange rumors started circting. The rumor was that the ss of the new teacher, Ethan Whiskers, was more remarkable than any ss the student had taken before. At first, she thought someone was spreading groundless rumors. Hearing that there were poorly performing students in that ss, she even thought that this malicious rumor might have been spread to lower Ethans reputation. However, as the sses progressed each week, the rumor continued to grow. Furthermore, as if to prove the rumor, Ethan took charge of the sses in the Magic Department. Something was amiss. It must be an unreasonable rumor. Theres no way theres a ss better than the one taught by Teacher udie. It definitely should be. How on earth does he teach to have such a good reputation? No matter how much she asked, no friend could provide detailed information. They merely repeated that you have to experience it for yourself. Moreover, whenever she went to ss, she wouldnte out of the practice room like a madman, fueling her curiosity. As a result, she had no choice but to seek out an observation ss. Am I a bitte? It seemed like the observation ss had already begun. As Ruya entered through the back door, she immediately heard a loud sound. The ssroom was arranged in a tiered fashion, allowing her to see Ethan Whiskers and the students moving from top to bottom. Consequently, she could observe their actions closely. Huh? Ethan and the students were engaged in a sparring match. However, the sparring seemed unusual. She instinctively looked at the parents sitting in the back row. The parents were already deeply engrossed in the sparring. The atmosphere inside the ssroom was strangely tense. As soon as Ruya entered, she could feel the palpable tension. Bang! Another loud sound echoed. This time it was a different student than before. The student unleashed their swordsmanship just as it was, raw and unfiltered. It was a swordsmanship that seemed to spit out everything learned at the academy. Ethan seamlessly absorbed and countered the technique. And as the first student gracefully stepped back, another student rushed forward. Each student disyed a different style of swordsmanship. While they showcased their techniques, the spotlight was on the student performing, making their every move vividly apparent in the sparring. This kind of ss Is this really happening? Ruya couldnt take her eyes off it. Ive never heard or seen anything like this before. Ruyas amazement peaked well into the middle of the ss, over an hour after it started. Could it be with all 75 of them? That would be truly unbelievable. Karlsons face stiffened at the Dukes words. To be honest, in his eyes, there wasnt much difference between his downward cut and Ethans. If anything, Karlson, who had polished Duke Yelds Vision swordsmanship, considered himself to be at a higher level. However, his father held this particr teacher in higher regard. Is that what Father envisions for a downward cut? Not just a downward cut. Its that challenging attitude. Do you all remember what Teacher Ethan Whiskers said before starting? He mentioned borrowing the format of sparring for this ss. Then Teacher Ethan said he would spar with all 75 students? No, its not like that. He just borrowed the format of sparring. Perhaps he discussed it with the students, saying that since there are limitations on who can spar, it will be decided based on skill. Hell probably stop soon. No matter how much stamina he has, there must be limits. Look, hes sweating a lot now. Ethan, who until recently had shown rxed movements, was now sweating profusely. It seemed that Jasons earlier prediction that he would stop soon was urate. However, the Duke shook his head. He wont stop. That cant be possible. He wontst! He might not be able to block the students attacks due to exhaustion and could get hurt. Hell definitely stop. There are 75 students, after all. Hes not just teaching; hes showcasing their swordsmanship through sparring. Didnt Father mention it? Hes paying attention to every detail. He has to handle all 75 students. Thats impossible. Upon hearing the two sons words, Duke Yeld let out a small sigh. Hell go until the end. Look, this ss was nned from the beginning. Its to allow all 75 students to showcase their swordsmanship. He said this and crossed his arms as if signaling to watch closely. Like Karlson and Jason, other parents now thought that the sparring would soone to an end. Having sparred for more than half, it was already impressive enough. Mason still hasnte out until the end. He didnt even make it to the list. That pathetic guy, I knew it from when his reputation was bad within the academy. His talent blossomed too early. Thats why he couldnt properly ovee even an ordinary obstacle. The two sons subtly awaited the Dukes words. They thought the Duke would answer that they wouldnt expect anything more from Mason. Then, bang-! there was another loud sound. Huh? The sparring, which was thought to stop, continued. Ethan continued to showcase his swordsmanship as if he had no intention of stopping. Thats unreasonable. Weve seen enough, so its okay to stop now. The parents were generally satisfied. Of course, parents of students still waiting for their turn knew it was practically challenging for their children to have a chance. However, just witnessing how incredible the teacher was already brought satisfaction. Learning from such an extraordinary teacher would undoubtedly lead to significant growth. But Ethan didnt stop. No, the quality of the sparring seemed to be increasing. Bang! Bang! He surpassed 40 and now exceeded 50 students. No way? Can it really be possible? The parents, who had been staring nkly, hadnt noticed that over an hour had passed. Is he not going to stop? He isnt trying to spar with all 75, is he? That cant be possible, right? The limits of his stamina should have already been reached. Its not easy just to endure, and hes actively facing the swordsmanship of each student. Even if it was called sparring, in reality, it could be seen as far beyond the limits. However, Ethan shattered all the predictions of the parents. ! This was an undeniable shock. As everyone predicted, Ethan was hitting the limits of his stamina. As expected, starting from surpassing 25, his stamina began to decrease rapidly. Exerting rough movements like this, even when surpassing the limits, reduced stamina. Bang! Ethans sword forced another student to step back. The new student poured out their swordsmanship with a tense expression. But Ive already prepared for this. Originally, his stamina would have fallen below 10% by now. If that had happened, when sparring around 25, the trait, Unfading Stamina, would have activated. Then, with around 50 remaining, I would have fully recovered to 100% stamina, and I would have inevitably stopped. It would have ended with about 50, or a little more, remaining. In that case, he wouldnt be able to showcase all 75 students in the ss. The rest would essentially be left out. Of course, even in that case, the evaluation of the observation ss would be good. The ss aimed at the previous 50 students would have seemed high-level and perfect in the eyes of the parents. However, at this level, the remaining 25 would be forgotten. He did well to spar with 50. People will probably say that. But Ethan was not satisfied with that level. Just one more. Certainly, all of this was for Ethans benefit. However, it was not only for his own benefit. Students in the academy dont have as many chances to prove themselves as one might think. Opportunities for failure or sess are not as plentiful. Ivecar Academy certainly admitted talented students, but not everyone could fully realize that talent. Either they didnt get the chance or, even if they did, they didnt unfold it properly. They possessed potential, not already perfected strength. Thats why they were immature. They didnt have many chances for that one decisive leap, or to fall into ruin. In this ce, that one absolute opportunity wascking. Everyone in the academy wanted to show themselves sessfully, but not every student could seed. Therefore, Ethan wanted to provide opportunities regardless of failure or sess. So, within the limits of what I can do, Ill grant them those opportunities. While securing his benefit, he also wanted to create space for the students. A chance to unleash everything they had learned sinceing to the academy. If possible, showing that in front of their parents would be the best. Any academy student wanted to be recognized. Of course, there were undoubtedly those who valued self-recognition more than someone elses approval. Still, receiving recognition was undeniably a gratifying and meaningful experience. Among them, receiving approval from parents is truly something special. Thunk! Ethans wooden sword shed with the sturdy yet powerful wooden sword of a student. At the same time, all the strength drained from Ethans body. Even the strength to swing the wooden sword was gone. Thats when the trait activated. -Unfading Stamina trait has been activated. Once again, vitality started surging through Ethans entire body. With this, half of the participants remained. My stamina is sufficient. Dont stop. Ethan spoke to the student. Keep swinging. Continue the flow. The sparring had already be a massive river flowing. This is your chance to show yourself. Ethans words reached all the students.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 92: Perfect Observation Class Chapter 92: Perfect Observation ss Heuk, heuk. Tsk. udie Hydes parents observation ss. udie finished the parents observation ss, clicking his tongue. Numerous parents apuded him. It was truly an outstanding lecture. It was a ss that exined why udie Hyde, the youngest master-level teacher in Ivecar, was so well-known. That was excellent. Well, with teachers like udie, you can trust Ivecar, right? It was a bit intense, but to walk the right path, you have to endure that much. Although it was a rough and aggressive ss, the parents were satisfied. However, someone was watching that scene with a cold expression. It was Marquis Rond, the owner of Rond territory, the lord of Rond. After finishing controlling the parents, he and his aide went to observe udie Hydes ss. The Marquis had special authority granted by the academy, so despite not being a parent, he could watch the observation ss. Doesnt seem to please you, Marquis? The aide had the same expression as the other parents. It was a truly remarkable lecture. Listening to the ss, it felt like you could reach a higher level, just as Teacher udie said. But for some reason, the Marquis didnt seem to be in a good mood. Born an elite, lived as an elite, and became an elite teacher. Thats the problem. What? He only teaches those who can make it. If they cant keep up with his ss, he doesnt help them catch up; he just abandons them. He only takes those who can keep up. Marquis Rond clicked his tongue. The ancestors would probably be angry if they saw this. The most outstanding and excellent teacher at the current Ivecar Academy is going against the founding philosophy of Ivecar and making it mainstream. . Certainly, udie was an aggressive teacher. But even so, his teaching ability was considerable. Isnt that originally not the case, Marquis? . The Marquis stared at his aide for a moment and shook his head. It was a waste of time. Last year, there was still conflict, but I thought udie would go that way. The Marquis stood up from his seat. As soon as he stepped out of the ssroom, he heard a loud noise. Hmm? This is the ce, Marquis. Currently, the new teacher Ethan Whiskers is conducting a ss. Oh, Ethan Whiskers is teaching right next to udies ssroom. Intrigued, the Marquis quietly entered the ssroom through the back door. A student was standing awkwardly, as if being sucked into the center, with a gaze fixed on the center. The Marquis and his aide moved slightly to the side to avoid her. Then, with a loud noise, they began to thoroughly observe Ethans ss. Oh, this is a sparring session. . The Marquis, who had been watching, widened his eyes. Hehehe. Then he chuckled. Suddenly, when the Marquisughed, his aide looked at Marquis. Thats the level I thought udie reached this year, as I expected. What? Students are the flowers, and teachers are the vessels that hold those flowers. The vessel should not stand out more than the flowers. Look at that sparring. Who stands out there? At the Marquiss words, the aide carefully observed the sparring. Ah. And soon, he grasped the meaning of the words. In this sparring, the only thing standing out was the swordsmanship that each student possessed. The teacher, Ethan Whiskers, who held and guided that swordsmanship, was not visible. The one closest to being a master in the Ivecar Swordsmanship Department right now is not Teacher udie but that rookie teacher. Marquis Rond stared at Ethan with intense eyes. As time passed without noticing, those who were watching the sparring saw thest student toe out as the final opponent. It was a student who stood inconspicuously among the others. However, as he stepped forward, his presence began to spread. Duke Yelds youngest, Mason Yeld, born as a predator, who grew up not knowing failure but had now fallen into a troublemaker. Ethan intentionally ced Mason at the very end. Unlike other students, Mason didnt move forward immediately. Rather, slowly. Each step stood out as he walked. In front of him was Ethan, drenched in sweat. He smiled as he looked at Mason. With this, Ill break through Masons walls. Make him follow perfectly. With this sparring, Mason would break down all the walls that had been blocking him until now. Once the walls were broken, Mason would be stronger rapidly. Now is the perfect moment to strike. Mason moved like lightning and swung his wooden sword. Even though he had seen the previous sparring, it hadnt caught his eye at some point. He didnt hear the surrounding sounds. It just felt silent. Amidst countless despair, he had given up everything on tasks he couldnt ovee alone. But he didnt want to live like this. Yet, Mason couldnt easily brush off this situation. Failure clung persistently to his ankles. It felt like sinking into a swamp, but then someone reached out a hand. Ethan Whiskers. The person who extended his hand to Mason, whom udie Hyde had given up on once. Mason recalled old memories. The time when everyone had high expectations for him. Before disappointment filled his fathers gaze. He thought he had forgotten it all, but he hadnt. He had always been someone others expected things from. Someone everyone needed. If that was the case, he just needed to live up to those expectations. Hoo. With a fierce breath, Masons Yeld swordsmanship unfolded in a deadly manner. In response, Ethan wielded his sword like a fierce beast. A sparring unfolded as if tearing apart with teeth. Mason showcased a level of swordsmanship iparable to the other students who had sparred earlier. It was exceptional swordsmanship, which was why he was entrusted with thest sparring. Huh, they said Mason waspletely ruined, but its not true? Did the Duke make a fuss for nothing? From the stories of the children and what he heard around, Mason Yeld had already been pushed out of the sessor selection fight. Unlike when he showed talent and flourished from a young age, he encountered a massive obstacle and copsed. However, Masons current appearance disyed excellent swordsmanship, to the point that saying he was ruined didnt fit. Seeing apletely different Mason from before, Duke Yeld unknowingly stood up from his seat. Did that new teacher make the youngest one like that? Today, Duke Yeld had nned to exclude his youngest from the sessorpetition. He didnt want unnecessary attention and noise in the family because of some trivial issue. However, now, hepletely abandoned that thought. He broke through the wall. How on earth. He wasnt like this until recently. In response to the Dukes reaction, the two brothers exchanged expressions of disbelief. Kwaaang! Simultaneously with the loudest noise heard so far, Mason stepped back. Heuk, heuk. His hand holding the wooden sword poured everything out in this short moment, to the point where it felt like it could copse and fall asleep right away. Rapid fatigue rushed over him. However, Mason slowly gathered his legs and stood facing Ethan. Thank you. Mason gracefully bowed, expressing his gratitude. It was the first time since entering the academy. Bowing and expressing thanks were unheard of until now. Well done. Ethan said nonchntly. After the ss ended, except for the students rough breaths, no other sounds could be heard. Everyone was speechless after witnessing such an extraordinary lecture. At that moment, apuse echoed from the center of the parents seats. It was Duke Yeld. As he pped, other parents, teachers, and students followed suit. p, p, p! Thunderous apuse continued, and Ethan stepped back, casting a subtle gaze at the students. The students, drenched in sweat, had exhausted their strength during their short sparring sessions, resulting in fatigued expressions. But they all looked refreshed. They slightly awkwardly bowed to the parents. The parents gaze towards these students was very warm. Taking a few deep breaths to replenish his stamina, Ethan was looking at numerous notifications popping up. -You sessfully conducted a perfect observation ss! -Youpleted the observation ss with the highest score. -Your reputation has increased significantly! -You achieved aplishments! -[First Full Seat] Obtained likes as an achievement. -Earned 10 likes! -Obtained likes as an achievement for [Continuous Sparring]. -Earned 7 likes. -You have cleared a hidden quest. -You received rewards for questpletion! -Perfect clearance! Additional rewards will be provided! Consecutive achievementpletions. Questpletion. And rewards poured in due to the perfect observation ss. With just one ss, he gained 17 likes and additional rewards, and on top of that, his reputation at the academy increased significantly. Trante these into English: With just one ss, I received 17 likes and additional rewards, and on top of that, my reputation at the academy has risen significantly. Huff Ethan wiped away the sweat and immediately checked the additional rewards. I dont know what it is, but it seems like I received and cleared a quest with this ss. The notification indicated the clearance of a hidden quest, and with a perfect clearance, enhanced rewards could be expected. -Please choose your questpletion reward! [Desired stat +3], [Snake Tail Shield (S)], [Mana Enhancement Rune], [Quivering me Rune] These were quite decent rewards, each having distinct advantages to the point that it was difficult to choose. Especially, items like the runes instantly granted traits when used. What I can use right now and what is for the future. Ethan currently didnt have the luxury to think too far ahead. -You have selected your reward. -You can increase the desired stat by 3! Without hesitation, Ethan raised his health stat by one more point. Whether in this recent sparring or future events, health remained the most crucial factor. Ethan, who was continuously weakening, needed an excessive amount of health. After receiving the rewards, Ethan sighed. But its worth the effort. Ethan smiled contently as he checked the rewards he gained. He then promptly created a needle. Puk, puk He stabbed the created needle into various parts of his body to quickly recover. -Treats a body reaching its limits. -Proficiency of Heos Acupuncture increases! Although the sparring ss itself was over, the day was not yet finished. There were still preparations to be made for what woulde next. Now its time for the nned performance. Ethan had already given instructions to Martynas Lane. While Ethan was briefly recovering, students headed toward their respective parents. Most of them had proud expressions. The students themselves were aware of what they had shown in this ss. Although it wasnt perfect, they had certainly demonstrated their swordsmanship. Now you know its not just a hobby, right, Dad? There were students proudly boasting to their parents, and others were asking if everything was okay with slightly embarrassed faces. Well done. I thought you were just ying around, but I guess not? I told you I was working hard. You definitely said that! Ethan smiled slyly as he looked at them. After parents and students exchanged various stories. The parents slowly descended and approached Ethan. It was an excellent ss, Teacher Ethan. We entrust our child to you. If its Teacher Ethan, we can trust and leave our child with you. Even though youre a new teacher, youre so excellent. Ivecar is certainly different! Those who shook hands with Ethan while greeting him. Those who slightly bowed their heads while discussing the ss. The nobles poured praise,pletely satisfied with Ethans capabilities. Lets have a mealter. I really want to treat you. If you ever think of quitting your position as an academy teacher, please contact me. Yes, if you say so. Ethan responded with a smile to those parents. With this, he took the first step towards bing a master. These nobles will vouch for me, paving the way for me to quickly be a master. After exchanging greetings with the nobles and receiving invitations for future meals, Ethan turned to the students. Well done. Once again, he left the ssroom with brief praise. Now, he had to move even busier. Are we hearingpliments right now? Yeah, this Despite the extreme fatigue, everyones expressions were good. They didnt expect that such simple praise would make them feel this good.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 93: How to Gain the Most Profit Chapter 93: How to Gain the Most Profit Ethans observation ss had ended, but other teachers observation sses were still continuing. Nobles who had to take a short break before attending observation sses due to the ambiguous schedule were taking a rest at the 2nd Square, prepared for parent rest. In the middle of the beautiful 2nd Square, designed like a splendid garden, there was arge pond. A beautiful scenery unfolded centering around that pond. Some parents were having meals there with their children. This 2nd Square was close to the east gate, which connected to the Grand Horn. The firmly locked east gate. Since it was connected to the Grand Horn, you might as well consider this east gate permanently closed. A hooded man was slinking by that east gate. He brought some devices to the artifacts installed on the gate. The artifacts immediately started corroding. At the same time, he threw a dagger, smashing the device and locking the gate. Thatpletes the preparations. As ordered, he had prepared to open the east gate. Exactly 10 minutester, the door would bepletely opened, and Dawn Councils operation would begin through the opened door. Martynas Lane didnt know the full picture of Dawn Council. But he considered it an honor to be given the core role in this event involving the Apostle, which could be opening the door. At least the Apostle knows who I am! Although the first meeting was the worst, he had still clearly been given an opportunity. If he made good use of this opportunity I have to make good use of it. So much had happened before he got here. He had made quite an effort to infiltrate the academy. I killed over a hundred for the councils trust and the n. Today was the time to receivepensation for all that suffering. He could even be the First Order of this academy, beyond the Second Order! Huff Martynas rushed to the 2nd Square where the n would soon unfold. There, Martynas would be a hero. Just move ording to the Apostles n I was clearly told! Rumble-! While rushing to the 2nd Square, a loud sound was heard. It was the sound of the east gate opening. Thud-! Thud-! The footsteps were so powerful they could be heard even here. Wow, a tremendous guy hase! As expected, the Dawn Councils power was mighty. To think they had such a high-ranking believer who could control such a monster! Do I have to face that monster? Guhhh, I will establish an important position in the Dawn Council by dealing with that monster! Kekeke! Grrrrrrr! It was a roar that seemed to split the heavens and earth. The nobles in the 2nd Square instantly showed perplexed and fearful expressions. They instinctively drew their weapons, but at the same time realized. Their restricted mana. They couldnt properly exhibit their power. Their bodies stiffened from the fear emitted by that gigantic White Tiger. The White Tigers eyes turned to the nobles in that spot. Before long, the White Tigers eyes stopped on one noble. Swish-! The White Tiger powerfully stomped the ground and charged through the air. Its gigantic front paws tried to crush the noble it had targeted. Damn it. The noble, Marquis Roentgen, cursed and swung his sword. He swung despite knowing it was futile. His daughter was behind him. If he dodged, his daughter would be ripped apart by those front paws. The moment those horrifying front paws tried to tear apart Marquis Roentgen. Crack! The White Tigers sharp ws collided with a sword. Someone had jumped between the ws and Marquiss sword before his sword touched the ws. ! T-Teacher Ethan Whiskers! Surrounding nobles who recognized Ethan shouted. Marquis Roentgen didnt know who he was, but he knew the name. After all, his daughter who took Potions Manufacturing had excitedly told him she was being taught by a tremendous teacher. Step back! At Ethans gruff voice, Marquis and his daughter stepped back. Are you all right? Thanks to you! Im really grateful! Ethan briefly exchanged nces with the Mountain King White Tiger. Their gazes precisely met. All this was an act. The White Tiger could hardly believe Ethan was a teacher at this academy. But he figured a descendant of the Goddess of the Moon could easily be a teacher at this great academy. Grrr-! Exchanging nces, the White Tiger who had been fighting swung a powerful blow. Ethan was pushed back and blood dripped from his mouth. Of course, that blood was from biting his lip. Damn it! It was an awkward act, but with Ethans appearance looking even more feeble covered in sweat just before, everyone showed expressions of pity. Someone had to help him. But with their mana restricted and each ones children beside them, no one dared to recklessly move. The Mountain King White Tiger briefly nced at Ethan then moved on to the next step. Ethan had said he didnt n to be at the center of this raid. And he had to gain something from this right now was the moment Ethan gained something. Not only saving Marquis Roentgen, the original assassination target, but also establishing an image as a true teacher to the many nobles watching this. He had gained from this. Next was distancing himself from the center of this monsters raid. Grrr! The White Tiger ran diagonally at a tremendous speed. His target was on the diagonal. The Mountain Kings paw was swung at Dricth, a staff at the academy and a member of the followers of the Moon. Gwaaaaah! Dricth was instantly killed by that blow. As Dricth copsed horribly, some nobles began fleeing. They had to call someone who could resolve this situation. Thats enough! You damned beast! Then Martynas Lane appeared. He was the final character in Ethansid n, and the protagonist. All eyes regarding this monster raid were supposed to go to Martynas Lane. Leaving it to Martynas Lane, I find the followers of the Moon guy with the Eye of Horus. Using Great Thiefs Mastery, Ethan quickly erased his presence and then scouted the vicinity. He had killed the followers of the Moon guy controlling the monster, but the fellow followers of the Moon who hadmanded that guy were still alive. He was definitely here. Even if he had changed his appearance or was hiding, he couldnt help but show something with the situation flowing differently than nned. Originally, Marquis Roentgen should have died from that movement. But Ethan had blocked that. And the Mountain King White Tiger was now facing the suddenly appeared Martynas Lane. Although the traitor Dricth died, the n has be quite a mess. Hell definitely try to find his fellow whos controlling the Mountain King White Tiger. But that fellow wasnt here. Also, the Mountain King White Tiger currently wasnt being manipted. Of course, he has no way of knowing that. Since that golden cor is around the White Tigers neck. Ethan activated the Eye of Horus. Meanwhile, Martynas Lane swung his sword at the Mountain King White Tiger. As if ying along, the White Tiger stretched out his front paw towards Martynass sword. Martynas Lane was quite a skilled swordsman, but not as strong as the Mountain King White Tiger. But seeming to get through to the White Tiger with his swordsmanship made him gain more confidence. Hyaah! Martynas swung his sword as if he absolutely wouldnt miss this opportunity. And Ethan suddenly noticed someone moving stealthily. To Ethan, they moved like the followers of the Moon. Seeing the n using the Mountain King White Tiger likely going awry, it was like they were trying to directly assassinate Marquis Roentgen. Ethan quietly went towards Marquis Roentgen. The closer the distance, the lower the chance of detection with Great Thiefs Mastery. In one breath. The man who had entered Marquiss blind spot was gripping a dagger and took a stance as if to stab Marquis in one breath. It looked like he would stab in one breath as well. At that timing of him catching his breath and tensing his legs, Ethan had also entered the mans blind spot. Swish-! The moment he powerfully kicked off the ground, Ethans Frost Sword was drawn. Shaaaak- Moonforce. Ethan cast his strongest current skill, Moonforce, on the followers of the Moon. Shhhhhhhh-! The followers of the Moon hurriedly looked back. But it was already toote. He couldnt change his stance poised to stab Marquis. Kwaang-! At the same time, Martynas and the White Tiger collided, making a loud sound. Everyones gaze turned to Martynas and the White Tiger. It meant no one had seen Ethan taking care of the followers of the Moon. Martynas had three long gashes, and the White Tiger also seemed heavily injured, dripping blood. While their attention was on them, Along with the sound of the followers of the Moon stabbed by Ethans sword rapidly freezing, he began freezing. You, you, h-how He didnt properly understand the situation. But there was no time to understand beforepletely freezing. You shouldnt have interrupted me. I have to live too. Ethan kicked the frozen follower. Crack-! The frozen followerpletely became an ice boulder and shattered to pieces, and at the same time, Ethan shot out like an arrow, shouting. How could this be! Teacher Martynas sacrificed himself to drive away the monster! Ethan shook the dead Martynas. Of course, dead Martynas did not get back up. The White Tiger was clearly escaping after decisively dealing with Martynas. He didnt forget to stumble as if heavily injured by Martynass sword.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 94: Follow-up Chapter 94: Follow-up Perfect. The n had proceeded perfectly. He had taken care of the followers of the Moon who led this incident. He had protected Marquis Roentgen and directed all eyes to Martynas Lane. It was all exactly as Ethan had wanted. Although it was tight, the result wasnt bad. The White Tiger is escaping! That damned White Tiger! We have to catch that White Tiger! It killed two people and escaped! Thud-! The nobles gritted their teeth in anger. With their mana restricted and children next to them, they couldnt move. In this unfamiliar powerlessness, their anger surged. At the nobles shouts, the knight corps and mage corps inside the academy soon appeared. The quickly arrived knight corps and mage corps tried to resolve the situation. Are you all right?! Where is the monster?! Well take care of it! The academy guardian knights quickly entered between the nobles and established a formation to protect the nobles. The academy mage corps also quickly deployed magic. The situation has already ended! The monster escaped that way! At a nobles words, the knights and mages quickly moved towards where the pursuer had indicated. But the White Tiger had already escaped far away. Then Ethan shouted. Help is needed here! Teacher Martynas Lane! The knights about to give chase immediately looked at Ethan. Cradled in Ethans arms was Martynas Lane. Bleeding Martynas Lane clearly seemed to need urgent care. Hurry! The mages approached Ethan and Martynas Lane. Martynas will be the hero of this monster raid incident. All eyes will turn to Martynas. And the followers of the Moon will think this incident was neither a sess nor failure, just a small ident. That was what Ethan was aiming for. Giving the followers of the Moon just the right amount of power in this Ivecar Academy. Neither too much nor too little. Keeping other variables from appearing until the downfall incidentter in the semester. Only then could he perfectly change the oue of that downfall incident. Rather than me, Martynas will clearly attract attention. Theyll be confused whether someone intentionally ruined their n this time, or someone intervened. And the followers of the Moon wouldnt suspect Ethan either. Looking at the copsed Martynas, Ethan began acting distressed. Ironically, Martynas obtained what he wanted by dying. This guy gets more than he deserves. If the people he killed saw this, how gratifying theyd feel. The mages checked Martynass condition and then shook their heads. He has passed away. Oh no, in the end Ethan closed his eyes and shook his shoulders as if sad. Inside the principals office were Ethan, the principal, and the vice principal. The principal was listening to Ethan, a witness of this incident, tell the details. I was heading to the 2nd Square for a break. As soon as he arrived at the 2nd Square, he encountered the White Tiger, and Martynas Lane had dealt with that White Tiger. He added that in the process, many parents had nearly been seriously injured. Teacher Martynas blocked the White Tiger. Without Teacher Martynas, there would have been greater harm. Teacher Martynas saved the countless parents and students in the square. Oh my! For something like this to happen This incident will make the parents doubt the safety of our Ivecar. This situation was a considerable blow to the academy. This Ivecar Academys motto was protecting the noble families children and Ivecars students through restricting mana. To think something like this happened on the very day of the parent observation ss, after establishing an image as a safe academy you could send your child to without worry. The principal and vice principals expressions stiffened. How to resolve this incident As they worried about that. The parents havee looking for you. The principal and vice principal clicked their tongues. With the parentsing before they had even decided how to handle this. It wasnt a good situation. Ethan, beside them, quietly observed the situation. Creak- The door opened and some parents from the 2nd Square entered. The parents including Marquis Roentgen did not have particrly good expressions. First, I wish to offer my apologies. As the principal moved to bow his head, Marquis Roentgen, representing them, raised his hand to stop him. No, we didnte to protest. Yes? Marquis Roentgen looked at Ethan and bowed his head. For a Marquis of a distinguished noble family to bow his head to a young, newly appointed teacher. Even the principal was shocked. But Ethan remainedposed. Teacher Ethan Whiskers, thank you for saving me. Thank you! The principal was extremely confused by the parents sudden actions. From Ethans story just before, he heard that the deceased Teacher Martynas Lane had resolved this incident. He just thought Ethan had witnessed the situationte. Because Ethan hadnt said anything about what he did. Yet the parents were bowing their heads to Ethan. That proud Marquis Roentgen was bowing his head and expressing his gratitude. The principal could not understand at all. Just what is this The Roentgen family had tightly gripped the central southern region for quite a long time. The words of the Marquis leading that family held strong power. I appreciate your words but I didnt really do anything. Without Teacher Martynas Lane stepping forward, I could not have defeated the White Tiger. I want to pass on the credit to Teacher Martynas who risked his life fighting the White Tiger. At Ethans words, Marquis Roentgen and the other parents smiled affectionately. To think he was this humble. If Ethan hadnt stepped up first, Martynas wouldnt have had the timing to face the White Tiger either. And he had directly saved Marquis Roentgens life, so it was understandable to expect some reciprocation or reward. Since Marquis had also just had his and his daughters lives saved, he was prepared to give any reward. I dont know what Teacher Ethans observation ss was like, but I think I know well what kind of teacher he is. Please take care of my daughter. Please teach my foolish son well! I will never forget this incident. If you ever need my help, pleasee to me without hesitation. The parents extended their hands to Ethan. And finally, Marquis Roentgen took something out and ced it in Ethans hand. That is The principal, watching from the side, looked surprised at the object Marquis had handed over. It was a kind of medallion engraved with the Marquis family crest. Made of the expensive mineral orichalcum, it signified that if the recipient showed this medallion of gratitude, the Marquis family wouldply with any request they made. Ethan briefly met Marquiss eyes then obediently epted the medallion. It would be discourteous of me to refuse. Excessive modesty can be poisonous, Teacher. Marquis Roentgen smiled. Seeing this, the principal subtly cut in. Then about this incident I heard there seems to be a problem at the Grand Horn, Principal. It could have truly been a major disaster, but well let it go for now after seeing Teacher Ethan. But it cant be treated as if nothing happened. Its our oversight. We will handle it firmly. The principals expression, which had been quite stiff, softened again. He hadnt expected to be able to brush over this incident so well. As Roentgen Marquis said, this incident truly could have been a major disaster. He would have had to ept any demands from the parents. Trust was hard to build but so easy to demolish. Yet they were able to move past this favorably, entirely thanks to Teacher Ethan Whiskers. The principal secretly gave Ethan a thumbs up, as if to say well done. It looked like this would flow better than expected. We will firmly resolve this incident and move on. Thank you again for trusting us. The principal politely bid them farewell. This observation ss ended shockingly in various ways. The first shock was naturally about the teachers who held observation sses. I was really surprised. To think lectures could be done like that. Its not the lecture quality a new teacher can deliver. 75 people. 75 people, in just barely over 1 minute. And not just casually sparring to practice swordsmanship. Intensely, to let them appreciate the beauty of swordsmanship. Not only parents and students, but fellow teachers had also attended Ethans lecture. Teachers who were curious about how Ethan taught were shocked seeing that lecture. And it reminded them of when they were new teachers. He was subtly correcting their posture while sparring? Is that even possible? The teachers were uniformly impressed with Ethans lecture. It was such an amazing lecture they didnt even feel jealousy. At the same time, talk of udie Hydes observation ss also came out. Most people gathered to Professor udies ssst year. I heard more gathered to Professor Ethans ss this year? To think a teacher as amazing as Professor udie appeared in the Swordsmanship Department. Should I transfer to the Swordsmanship Department? Students of other majors in the Knight Department seriously began considering transferring to the Swordsmanship Department. No one doubted Ethans sses anymore. Now that he had firmly proven himself, neither students nor teachers could help but acknowledge Ethan. As expected. Im proud to be his colleague. Iris Paqueta and Ciron Ramsdale smiled affectionately at this talk and nodded. We got quite a lot of benefits from being his colleague this time too. Including them, the new teachers who held observation sses made good use of the tips Ethan had given and taught their sses. Thanks to that, the parents reactions were very good. The students were also quite satisfied to be able to evenly show good aspects. I really want to have an afterparty. But with the situation, well have to do itter. I didnt expect something like that to happen. Those who heard about the 2nd Square monster raid incident showed expressions of disbelief that a monster raid would happen inside Ivecar Academy. For now, the fact that people died was controlled by the principal and vice principal, and the parent observation sses ended sessfully by saying the incident had been resolved. Academy meeting hall. All the teachers who participated in this parent observation ss were gathered here. Is everyone here? Yes, Principal. All the teachers have gathered. Then first, lets talk about this unfortunate incident. As you all heard, weve controlled it so the story of deaths from this raid doesnt spread further. We n to announce it at the memorial service tomorrow. We had to properly conclude the parent observation sses today. The principal spoke with an expression of grief. The teachers also bowed their heads. After a brief moment of silence, the principal pped once. They couldnt just remain gloomy. You all worked hard preparing and conducting these observation sses! The principal said. There was an unfortunate incident and sad results, but you each did your best in your positions, allowing us to conclude the parent observation sses sessfully. The principal spoke and met the teachers gazes. He held udie Hydes gaze for quite a while, and likewise held Ethans gaze. With even the new teachers doing well, I think we recruited very good new teachers this year. The teachers gazes instantly went to Ethan. Those had been gazes directed at udie untilst year. But udie had an unconcerned expression. Then I should talk about it again. Our Ivecar parent observation sses have a tradition. To signify they attended good sses and their children were taught well, parents donate. The principal spoke and signaled to the deans. The deans stepped back. And these donationse in the teachers names. After checking the donations, the two deans immediately announced which teacher received each donation. The amount of the donation determines the ranking. In a way, the amount of these donations can be an indicator of how well they taught. Of course, since it was concluding a traditional event, some seriousness wascking. But still, teachers who received a lot of donations were generally acknowledged. Ill just tell the #1 spot. Since the important thing isnt ranking them by money. Everyone made tense expressions. The two teachers talked about the most at todays parent observation ss were here. Ethan and udie. The new teacher and the veteran teacher leading the Swordsmanship Department. 1st ce is Everyone concentrated on the principals mouth. 15 million gold. Teacher Ethan Whiskers.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 95: A Good Offer Chapter 95: A Good Offer When they heard the words 1.5 million gold, the teachers looked at Ethan with surprised eyes. Even udie had a stiff expression. 1.5 million Thats 300,000 more than what Teacher udie receivedst year. I cant believe he received such a huge donation amount The teachers started murmuring. They couldnt understand what kind of lesson he gave to receive 1.5 million gold as a donation. However, the teachers who had directly observed Ethans demonstration lesson nodded their heads as if the amount was appropriate. With that kind of lesson, 1.5 million is the right amount of money. It would be absurd if he didnt receive at least that much. Congrattions, Teacher Ethan. Teacher Ethans 1.5 million gold is the highest donation our academy has ever received. At the principals words, they all started pping. udie also pped politely. Ethan slightly bowed his head towards the teachers. Thank you, teachers. The lesson was amazing, Teacher Ethan. Seeing it directly, it was really surprising. It was very helpful. I thought all my passion had disappeared, but thanks to you, teacher, its bubbling up again. Hahaha. The teachers chatted excitedly with Ethan. It was a distinctly different level of interest. Some teachers stealthily nced at udie. However, udie really looked unconcerned. Too bad I didnt get to see it, Teacher Ethan. He even smirked at Ethan. Ethan looked at udie like that. As expected, same as always. udie was just as Ethan knew him to be. You must all be tired. Go get some good rest after all that preparation. Lets all reflect on Teacher Martynas, who protected the students and parents until the end. The memorial service for Martynas Lane continued. If it wasnt for Teacher Martynas, the students there could have been badly injured or killed. Teacher Martynas protected the students like a teacher of Ivecar Academy should. Martynas parents, who had rushed over from the Lane family, had bewildered expressions. Martynas was from a side branch of the Lane family and was a quite talented noble who had entered Ivecar from a side branch. Of course, his parents didnt know he was a follower of the Moon. They didnt know the help of the Moons followers had been big in him entering the academy either. Or that he had killed countless people to get to that position. They were also unaware that countless pieces of information from Ivecar Academy had already been passed over to that side. After the memorial service. Waa, Martynas Martynas mother shed tears amidst the solemn atmosphere. His father was also in grief, butposed himself with the fact that his son had protected the students and parents in the end. Teacher Martynas will be remembered deeply in everyones hearts. And there were teachers and administrators stealthily observing this memorial service for Martynas. This administrator was a person on the side of the Moons followers who prepared ns within the academy. Somehow things had gone wrong. And they determined Martynas Lane was where all these problems started, that he had interfered with some purpose. They didnt expect he would die like this. Even if things went wrong, this was very wrong. The two Moon followers quietly withdrew, continuing to reflect as if nothing had happened. Next, a memorial for Dritch continued. Dritch, who had been a staff member, was a victim of the monsters, but since he had no family, the principal stood in his ce and conducted a memorial for him. The memorial service ended like that, and the demonstration lesson officially concluded. After the memorial service, there should have been a party to celebrate the sessfulpletion of the demonstration lesson, but of course, no party could be held when someone had died. For Ethan, that was rather advantageous. Grand Horn. Ethan went to Grand Horn using the Wind Cloud. He immediately entered the domain of the Mountain King White Tiger. Did things go well? Went very well, White Tiger. You were amazing. Ethan was impressed with the White Tigers acting skills. He acted as if he was fiercely fighting Martynas Lane and made it look like he sustained a fatal wound and fled at the end. Even those nobles felt the White Tiger had truly been injured and escaped. It was perfect acting. One wrong move there and I really could have died. The White Tiger growled as it spoke. But for repaying my life you saved, this matter was too trivial. Besides, wasnt Ethan the descendant of the Moon Goddess he had been protecting for so long? By the way, do you happen to know where any other temples of the Moon Goddess are? The Goddess told me to find her forgotten temples. Growl, I know one ce. The White Tiger spoke as if recalling an ancient memory. As the descendant says, the Moon Goddess has now be a forgotten god, and this temple is also called an ancient gods temple. Some dont even know this ce is a temple. Itmented as if grieving that the Moon Goddess had fallen to ruin, not knowing since when. There is a temple of the Goddess at the northernmost desert edge around this Grand Horn. Her followers gathered there and lived in a vige centered around the temple. I dont know about now, but I was there beforeing to this Grand Horn. Ting-. -You have received a quest.
  • <> Rank [A] [You have heard the location of an ancient temple from the White Tiger, the temple guardian of Moonforce. Find that ancient temple.] [Reward: Blessing of the Moon Goddess]
Ethan received the White Tigers quest. If you need my help with anything else Growl-! The White Tiger howled lowly. Come back to Grand Horn again. By the way. I was thinking this temple might need followers? It would be good to have followers. But the temple Im guarding is too dangerous for humans toe. They dont have to be human, do they? You, the temple guardian, arent human right now either. At Ethans words, the White Tiger had a confused expression. Then who? The golden wolves. I was thinking we could convert them into followers. Hmm. The Mountain King thought for a moment then shook its head. It had been fighting the golden wolves for a long time. They were only interested in taking the Tigersnd. Their pack leader can be a spirit like me and speak like humans. The other wolves cant speak human words but understand them. However, we have fought for a long time. All they want is to defeat me and take thisnd. Is there a reason they want to take it? Because of the fertileke here. Then how about taking the wolves as followers in exchange for thatke? At Ethans words, the White Tiger had a surprised expression. Thiske is it has the Goddess power imbued in it. I must protect it It blinked and looked at Ethan as it spoke. The reason it was protecting this ce was ultimately to guard the temple of the Moon Goddess. Because this ce belonged to the Goddess. Yet the descendant and agent of the Goddess was standing before it. I see. Thats how it is. Lets go, White Tiger. Yes, descendant. Half sess. Half? My apologies, Twelve Apostles. We did dispose of the traitor as originally nned, but failed to deal with Marquis Roentgen. Who noticed this n? Otherwise, there would have been no reason to fail. Ive lost contact with the two First Order members carrying out the n. They seem to have died during this matter. Died? Exin the details. Depending on your answer, we may have to change the ns for Ivecar Academy. One of the Twelve Apostles frowned. They had sent capable followers to the Ivecar Academy to manage it. It was an important ce but not to the extent of sending an Apostle. That was because there seemed to be no one who would notice or interfere with the Dawn Councils ns. But now they would have to modify the ns. An Apostle would have to be sent to handle the academy definitively. If this was someone from the academy intentionally interfering, then I will go. We investigated this matter in detail on our side, but The follower bowed his head and spoke. It doesnt seem like Martynas Lane intentionally interfered. I heard the n the two First Order members made went very wrong, and Martynas Lane tried to resolve the situation but this is how things turned out. Went very wrong? It seems a catastrophe happened while trying to tame the White Tiger in Grand Horn. We found the corpse of the one attacked by the White Tiger there. The Apostle looked at the follower with a stiff expression. Then whats with Martynas Lane? The Dawn Council had suspected Martynas was the one who noticed and tried to change this matter. He is one of our followers. What did you say? The Apostles expression changed to anger. All the followers we currently have infiltrated in the academy operate through a cell system so their identity cant be clearly identified, allowing things within the academy to proceed smoothly without suspicion. But Martynas Lane had also originally thoroughly hid his identity. However, to appeal himself to the Dawn Council, Martynas had abandoned some of that anonymity and gradually revealed his identity. That had been caught by the informationwork of the Dawn Council. So this stupid follower moved to get a little more attention from the Council and things turned out like this? Yes. As a Second Order, Martynas would have been unaware of all the ns for this matter. Who brought in this stupid guy? I will deal with it immediately. The Twelve Apostles held their forehead. Get one more proper one inserted. Failing to kill Marquis Roentgen is regrettable, but since we disposed of the traitor and achieved the goal of shaking up the targeted academy, that will do. The Apostle waved his hand as he spoke. Proceed as-is. Yes, Apostle! Golden Wolf Territory. Ethan and the Mountain King White Tiger intruded on their territory. Frighteningly, countless wolves appeared and Ethan and the White Tiger were instantly surrounded by wolves with golden fur. Awooo- The wolves walked around them howling. Soon, someone stepped forward from among them. Thud-. Thud-. It felt like the ground rumbled with each step. What came forward was a giant wolf. Lush, golden fur, and golden eyes. Its size was a bit smaller than the White Tigers. What is the meaning of this, White Tiger? The wolf spoke in a dignified voice. And the one who answered instead of the White Tiger was Ethan. Wevee to make a good offer.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 96: New Followers Chapter 96: New Followers Grand Horn was where their ancestors had lived. Their Father, their fathers father, and even his fathers father had lived on thisnd. Thisnd was very prosperous. There were countless fights with monsters, but with their sharp ws that could shred anything and teeth that could tear anything apart, they could achieve victory every day. They thought thisnd would remain prosperous forever. But as time passed, thend started drying up. Food sources disappeared, thend lost its strength, and the power it had maintained started weakening. Their golden power came from this Grand Hornnd. As thend weakened, their power could only weaken. As their power weakened, they would lose the power to protect their kind and even lead them. So a solution was needed. It looked difficult but the answer was simple. Anothernd that was nourishing them. Thend upied by the Mountain King White Tiger. They just had to get thatnd. Thatnd they had visited before was still abundant and beautiful. Moreover, they heard it could eternally maintain that prosperity as it had the Goddess blessing. So the Golden Wolves were determined to take thatnd. They used a very trivial reason. They started attacking the Mountain King White Tiger iming the entirend originally belonged to the wolves. When the wolves who were once neighbors started attacking, the White Tiger was flustered but dealt with it firmly. It knew their circumstances but this was the Goddessnd. Those who didnt believe in the Goddess could never enter thisnd. Time passed like that. The wolves of the newer generations came to believe that the White Tigersnd was originally theirs. Of course, the leaders knew the truth but the truth wasnt very important. Theirnd was dying and they desperately needed the White Tigersnd. A good offer? Does that mean youve decided to hand over thatnd?! Otherwise, I cant consider it a good offer. The golden wolf bared his teeth as he growled. As he did, the other wolves got ready to charge at any moment. It was the White Tigers first intrusion. Since they had always fought in the White Tigers territory, they thought they might have the advantage of fighting in their own territory for once. However, the White Tigers side didnt show any intention to fight at all. Thats right. At the golden wolfs words, Ethan nodded his head. Thats right? It was the golden wolves who were flustered instead. Im Ethan Whiskers. Im Gorden. Gorden the golden wolf leader looked at the Mountain King instead of Ethan. Its eyes asked for an exnation of what this meant. However, the White Tiger ignored that look. I dont understand. Why arent you talking and he is? Human, do you have some kind of authority? Are you controlling the Mountain King? Gorden growled as he asked Ethan. For the White Tiger, it was quite insulting but for some reason, the White Tiger continued to remain silent. But the other Golden Wolves were watching the White Tigers movements. They knew very well from fighting it how strong it was. You may not know this but thatnd was originally ours to begin with. Its currently upied by that Mountain King but still. If youre handing it over, the Mountain King should be the one to do it. If youve juste to joke around, Ill tear you apart and kill you. As Gorden spoke like that, the wolves howled as if to agree, saying Awooo Awooo Awooo. Ethan shuffled his feet a bit. Thud-! Gorden. Ethan looked at Gorden. Your currentnd is dying, isnt it? .. Gorden flinched but didnt show it. Thats probably why, right? You cant keep living on a dyingnd so youre after thisnd? Nonsense. We only want to reim what is ours! Then theres no need to talk. Forget everything I just said. Just keep intruding and invading the White Tigersnd, and keep losing every time. At those words, Gorden let out a loud growl. Youve already intruded on ournd! We wont just let you go back! Ethan looked at Gorden growling and roaring. [LV 75] Although it was very high level, strangely, its weaknesses were much more apparent than those of the Blue Wolves. Other wolves seem to be the same. Despite being monsters with higher levels and strength than the Blue Wolves, their weaknesses were clear andrge when using Monsters Cmity. It seems their strength is weakening. And that power clearly came from thisnd. Upon confirming with the Eye of Horus, it was evident that the power of thisnd itself was fading. They are interconnected. Thats why they were aiming for thend of the White Tiger. Ethan noticed that despite Gorden growling, it couldnt properly charge. Normally, it would have charged anyway. What I said is bothering them. When asked if he hade to hand over thend, it was probably very curious about Ethans response. Gorden, you know best that these Golden Wolves are weakening, right? As the strongest here, you would be weakening the fastest. At Ethans words, Gorden flinched again but stayed silent this time. This wasnt something that could be revealed. Ethan approached Gorden. The other Golden Wolves charged at him. Its fine! Gorden then roared for them to stop. The Golden Wolves charging came to a halt where they were. Theres something the other wolves cant know, huh? Lets talk a bit, Gorden. .What do you want to talk about? What I said about handing over thend was the truth. .Why? The White Tiger must have made many sacrifices to protect thatnd until now, right? Because Im the descendant of the owner of thatnd. Th-the descendant of the Moon Goddess? Gorden looked at Ethan with an rmed expression. Ethan looked over Gorden and the Golden Wolves with a very solemn expression. The Goddess awaits you. What is that Gorden looked back at the Mountain King behind Ethan. The Mountain King nodded firmly with a fierce look. If you believe in the goddess, I will give you thend. The fertile soil andkes you wanted. It had been a really long time. You seem to have practiced quite a lot. His fathers gaze had changed. It was a look he hadnt seen since he stood still in front of the giant wall. Expectation. Dont get your hopes up. After the observation ss yesterday, Mason had a brief conversation with his father, Duke Yeld. Duke Yelds face seemed to be quite pleased with the content of the observation ss. The expressions of the two brothers were also very satisfying. They tried not to even meet each others eyes, showing how shocking the ss had been. Mason was very pleased with that. It was like stepping back into the session battle that he thought was already over. And there was something very important. After Ethans provocation, Mason had promised himself to receive praise from Ethan. I did it. He had only experienced failures at the academy until now. This is the first sess. And it was a very meaningful sess. Now I have no choice but to trust. Those words of Ethans. Mountain King White Tigers territory. The wolves were very tense. They had nevere this deep into thend before. And toe here without fighting. They even thought it might be a huge trap set by Mountain King White Tiger. Gorden. Do you trust them? All of this could be a trap. Theres no way its attitude changes so suddenly. The Golden Wolves advised Gorden, the leader. Gorden also doubted whether this was a trap or not. No matter how one thought about it, it didnt make sense for the White Tiger attitude to change so suddenly. But before Gorden could make any decisions, they arrived at their destination. It was the ce they had always aimed for. A beautiful greenke. It was a hugeke that could be considered the center of thisnd. Many living beings were living around thiske. It was the fertileke that the Golden Wolves desired. The wolves stared nkly at theke. Theres no need to fight. What you want is thisnd, right? Ethan said. Take it. Instead Then the Mountain King roared loudly. It was such a loud roar that many mountain birds were startled and flew away, making a fluttering sound at the same time. Trust in Moonforce. Moonforce? Are you asking us to believe in the goddess of the moon, White Tiger? Yeah, if you swear to be her followers, you can live together in thisnd with me. There will be no more fighting. At those words, Gorden hesitated no longer. How do we be followers? It was Ethan who answered. Just change your mindset from now on. To which Ethan replied. Im not telling you to believe immediately. Just living here and slowly believing in the Moon Goddess is enough. How many could truly gain faith in a god if told to believe immediately? Ethan said deciding to believe in the god was most important. Deciding in your heart is most important. If you keep believing after deciding to believe, youlle to believe. .. Gorden looked at Ethan. I believe. As Gorden howled those words, the other wolves also howled. Blue light suddenly wrapped around the wolves golden fur. -The Golden Wolves have be new followers who believe in the Goddess! -You have greatly influenced the wolves conversion! -Moonforce the Moon Goddess praises you! -Moonforce has named the old temple which received new followers Grand Horn. -Moonforces Temple [Grand Horn] opens. Shaaa-! The surroundings started bing dyed in blue light. Then with a sounding from theke, something started emerging. A temple? A temple was rising from it. The temple that was on the cliff It had moved exactly here to theke. A path leading to the temple was also created. The wolves were stunned by the beautiful sight. Grand Horn Temple. Ethan spoke to the White Tiger and wolves. The temple granted by the Goddess. The wolves prostrated themselves where they were. The White Tiger also lowered its body below Ethan. Descendant. Descendant! Is this what it feels like to be a cult leader? Of course, Moonforce was a real god, so the term cult didnt quite fit but still. The Goddess will bless you. Ethan definitively concluded. -For creating new followers, the Goddess grants you a reward. -Go to the Grand Horn Temple to receive your reward.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 97: Gathering the cast Chapter 97: Gathering the cast Ohhh. Grand Horn Temple. The wolves who entered with him growled at the magnificent temple. White Tiger also had an expression of surprise at the change of the temple. The temple that was on the cliff seems to have moved here, thats for sure. She must have regained her power. Ethan thought that with the increase in believers, the goddesss power had returned slightly. So thats why shes trying to increase believers. Thats why I get rewards every time they increase. As the number of believers believing in the goddess increases, the goddesss power also rises. In other words, the power that Ethan, the descendant of the goddess, can get also bes stronger. The more believers there are, the more Ethan and the goddess benefit. It was a form that both Ethan and the goddess gained as the number of believers increased. The rewards that can be given will get better. While the Golden Wolves and White Tiger were looking around the temple, Ethan headed straight for the statue. -The goddess blesses you. Shaaaak-. A blessing descended on the altar, and a huge box appeared above it. When Ethan opened the box, a frosty blue chill burst out from within. The escaping frost swirled around once before suddenly stabbing into the area around Ethans heart. Shaaaak-. A cool feeling spread out around the heart. -You have learned a skill. -Skill [Frost Stacking] has been added. [Frost Stacking][S]
  • Maximizes the power of frost. If an attack seeds, the target receives the debuff effect of frost.
  • Frost can be stacked. As frost stacks, the target receives the debuff effect: Slowness.
The reward was the S-rank skill Frost Stacking. Do I have to seed in attacking? But if frost only stacks when an attack seeds, it seemedcking for an S-rank skill. Or does it stack even if I block attacks? Ill have to test it out. Anyway, a skill with an S-rank should have effects befitting of its rank. For now, he was satisfied with obtaining this third frost skill. Frost sh, Moon Force, and now Frost Stacking. With a technique to finish things in one blow and a versatile technique, I can now handle various situations. What Ethan valued most was the ability to handle diverse situations. In MePan, any situation could turn life-threatening in an instant. As such, being agile in responding to changing situations was extremely important. The more weapons I have, the more smooth my responses can be. Descendant. White Tiger approached Ethan. From now on, it will get quite difficult. Since you have epted the Golden Wolves, youll have to adapt to their ways as well. Im already well acquainted with them. Although weve fought many times, Ive gained just as much information about them through those fights. White Tiger didnt seem too worried. I thank you again. Rather, I should be thanking you. Thank you for protecting the temple well. He meant this sincerely. Thanks to White Tiger protecting the temple well, he was able to receive the goddesss blessings without much trouble. The rewards were the same. Ethan then saw the Golden Wolves who approached. Now you have fertilend. Your purpose has changed. From a fight to seize, to a fight to protect. From now on, youll have to fight those who try to take this fertilend. The Golden Wolves nodded at Ethans words. Thank you, descendant. We will surely protect thend. After the observation ss. Despite the turmoil due to the memorial service, lively chatter once again spread amongst the students. Most of it was about Ethan. This time Teacher Ethan took 1st ce for donations! Wow, crazy. He beat Teacher udie? And hes only been here a few months? Im going to attend his next ss no matter what. I think hell continue with Understanding the Sword Path. I wonder if hell take on another new ss? I was debating whether to take it or not, but I shouldve just taken it. Ahh. Please offer just one more ss so I can get a spot! It wasnt just about the observation ss. Among the students, word had gotten out that it wasnt just Martynas who had faced the monsters during the recent monster attack. I heard that if Teacher Ethan hadnt stopped them first, the marquis could have been seriously injured. There are people who saw it there. Then why didnt he say anything about it? So Teacher Ethan risked his life to protect too! Do you think he deliberately didnt reveal it? Since Teacher Martynas ended up passing away, to honor Teacher Martynas? Wow. The students had already concluded that Ethan had deliberately not revealed the facts to honor Martynas. It was certainly something boast-worthy, yet he was this humble about it. Teacher, is the talk about Ethan true? Dont pay attention to such rumors, the exams areing up soon, focus on that instead. Of course, all the teachers already knew the facts. As such, many teachers were already admiring Ethans humility. The protagonist Ethan was outside the academy. His destination was the coffee house. Ding-a-ling-. Coffee house, 2nd floor. Two students who had arrived before Ethan faced each other. Why are you here? Youre one to talk. I came because the teacher called. The teacher called you? Marquis Rond Territorys coffee house. Familiar faces who were ustomed to the various teas and coffees of this coffee house had gathered. They had expressions wondering why the other was here. Mason was the first to arrive, followed by Ron Bears. And thest to enter was Yuna Ga. It was an extremely unfamiliarbination, but these were quite famous figures within the Swordsmanship Department. The heir of Duke Yeld. The Swordsmanship Departments bottom ranker despite overwhelming power. And the heir of the Grand Merchant Guild. They knew each others faces but had never really conversed before. Yuna Ga, thest to enter, had the same puzzled expression. I didnt know you two were close. Its our first time talking to each other today, Ga. Me too. Were you called by the teacher too? When Ron asked, Yuna nodded. So you were called by the teacher too. Maybe it wasnt the same teacher. Theres a chance we were called by different teachers to the same ce. At Masons words, the two students had the same expression. But that hope was dashed by the next person to appear. You all came quickly. Ethan Whiskers was looking at the gathered three. Ethan looked at the gathered three. Theposition is great. These three students gathered by Ethan were ones whose futures he was certain of. Ones who would seed in the future. And ones he could nurture and utilize at the academy. Although Ive never met Ron directly. Of course, he had only heard of Ron Bearss name and had never actually met him, but he had met Mason and Yuna before. Each student had a coffee or tea they had ordered in front of them. Ethan slurped down his coffee. An extremely awkward atmosphere. The three students had no connection to each other, and with Ethan gathering them here but not saying anything, they could only sneak nces at each other awkwardly. Especially Ron, whose awkwardness was magnified by hisrge build. Teacher. Mason was the first to speak. Why did you call us? Because I think you three have the most potential in the Swordsmanship Department. At that, Yuna frowned slightly. Potential? Teacher, thanks to your ss I was able to grasp a bit about how to use my power, but even so, Im still at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department. Ron had a puzzled expression as he spoke. While Im maintaining high grades, Ive never once felt I had a talent for swordsmanship. Well, if it was someone like Mason here, I could understand you seeing potential. At that, Mason shot Ethan an ufortable look. These two and I are on different levels. While I may have potential, these two are While not untrue, having to say that himself Yuna shook her head at Mason. Wouldnt Max Jurod have more potential than Mason Yeld, Professor? At that, Mason shot her a fierce re, but Yuna paid it no mind. She had only stated facts. Thats possible. I already know Max Jurod is the 3rd years top ranker. Ethan looked each student in the eye as he continued. I know Mason and Yuna, you two 3rd years are maintaining top grades, and Ron, I know youre the Swordsmanship Department 2nd year bottom ranker. They all had puzzled expressions. Then why gather them like this? No one at the academy saw muchtent potential or possibility in them. But thats just how things currently stand. And the academy seeing you that way is just their opinion. Ethan locked eyes with the three. I disagree. You are all being greatly underestimated. I intend topletely change how you are evaluated. Why? At Yunas question, Ethan smiled wryly. The reason was simple. To make the Swordsmanship Department 1st ce again. And to win the overall victory at the academy exchange event in the 2nd semester. At that, Yunas mouth fell open slightly. Ethan had mentioned it at the party. That he would be a master. To be a master, overall victory in the academy exchange event he mentioned was absolutely necessary. However, that was impossible. So impossible that it could be said to be absolutely impossible. Are you serious? To make the Swordsmanship Department 1st again before the academy exchange event, youd have to win the department exchange battle first. And also- Let alone the exchange event, there were countless obstacles to just making the Swordsmanship Department 1st ce again. The first was udie Hyde. Max Jurod wille out as Teacher udies representative student. Since he lost oncest year, Teacher udie will also push Max as the representative for the department exchange battle. Max Jurod was a student chosen by udie Hyde. With outstanding potential, fast growth speed, and a swordsmanship-inclined disposition simr to udies, he absorbed udies teachings smoothly. As such, he was currently udies disciple and the most favored student amongst the Swordsmanship Department students. And the second obstacle was the golden age of the Magic Department. To be the Swordsmanship Department representative, you first have to win the internalpetition within the Swordsmanship Department. Only then can you participate in the department exchange battle. You had to be your departments representative to participate in the department exchange battle. Even if you win that department exchange battle, you can only be the academy representative eligible to participate in the academy exchange event. You know about the golden age in the Magic Department right now, right? While Grandel Torf was quite a skilled student, he was still just a promising top-ranked student. The real deal was the Magic Departments golden age. The golden age that had entered the Magic Department and elevated it to 1st ce was currently leading the Magic Department. Moreover, two of those leading the golden age were 3rd-year students this year, possessing abundant experience asplete students. And the student that could be considered the center of the golden age was the Magic Department 2nd year top ranker, as well as the overall top ranker of the Magic Department. In short, it meant the Swordsmanship Department would have topletely flip the academy upside down to beat the Magic Department. I heard the golden age all reached the 4th circle now. So like you said Teacher, for us three to be the representatives and beat them all Yuna Ga trailed off. It was a difficulty of nightmarish proportions. Seeing her give such a look, Ethan calmly opened his mouth. Its possible. As if in response, Mason eximed loudly. Nothings impossible. Like the teacher said. Quite the confidence you have there, Mason Yeld. If you were that confident, shouldnt you have already beaten Max Jurod and taken that spot? From now on, thats how itll be. You dont know, but Ive broken through the wall. Masons eyes were burning. Seeing such a Mason, Yuna frowned. The cynical and sarcastic attitude was gone, filled instead with passion. Yuna already knew Mason had been excluded from the sessor lineup. As such, she couldnt understand why Mason was suddenly showing such enthusiasm. No matter how hard he tried, there was nothing he could change. She didnt know, but Masons circumstances hadpletely changed. Thanks to her parents observation ss, he could now dive back into the battle for the sessor. So he couldnt help but be passionate. This is all thanks to Teacher Ethan. With the teacher, it might be possible. To be honest, when Mason first heard it, he also thought it was impossible. Maybe if Max Jurod wasnt involved, but with just these three, no way. But Ethan had just firmly stated it was possible. Unlike with other professors, Ethans words held a mysterious power. Hadnt he already smashed through the wall blocking him thanks to Ethan? He was now able to participate in the battle for sessor again and had ample room for further growth in swordsmanship. I believe in the teacher. Since he firmly stated its possible, I think he can make it so. And I also think the key to the judgment you made lies in us ourselves. The defiant gaze from earlier was gone, and Mason was looking at Ethan with eyes like Schudlens. He had already experienced Ethans greatness once before. Who thought it was possible to spar with 75 people during the parents observation ss? Yet Ethan had made it possible. Whats not possible is clearly impossible. But whats possible is possible. You must still be dreaming, Mason Yeld. I thought you were a bit more reasonable. Yuna stood up from her seat. Im sorry Teacher, but I dont think its possible. I have personal circumstances, and may even withdraw from the academy. At that moment, Mason and Ron looked at Yuna. They had surprised expressions, but Ethans expression was calm. Although Yuna left after saying that, Ethan didnt stop her. Shouldnt you be stopping her, Teacher? You must have had a reason for choosing her. At Masons words, Ethan shook his head. Its fine. For now, let me just exin to you two. Yuna has something upying her right now. Her head must be chaotic. The reason she wanted to quit the academy. Ethan already knew what that reason was.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 98: Yuna Garnet (1) Chapter 98: Yuna Ga (1) Yuna had siblings. Although called siblings, they were all half-siblings. Their mothers, apart from Yunas mother, were daughters of famous noble families. Phew, how can I live feeling so wronged here? The half-siblings were heavily suppressing Yuna, who had sharp senses, using the power of their maternal families. Because Yunas influence was greater than any of her other siblings. Before entering the academy, Yuna was the youngest branch leader of the Ga Merchant Guild and had seeded in various businesses. Thanks to that, everyone thought Yuna would be the sessor of the Merchant Guild. Therefore, her siblings tried to reduce Yunas influence and kick her out of the sessor position while she was at the academy. But that wouldnt be easy. Otherwise, Yuna wouldnt have been able to rise to that position. Since continued attempts had failed, they ended up bringing out what they shouldnt have. Sending an assassin? Yuna closed her eyes. Although she had arrogantly talked about qualification as a sessor to Mason, her situation wasnt much different. She had been attacked while briefly leaving the academy grounds. If she hadnt prepared guards in advance, she could have died or been seriously injured. This time, she fully realized something. That while she had a lot of money, she had no one trustworthy. But trust built with money isnt necessarily a bad thing. Trust built with money was usually thicker than most trust rtionships. But at the same time, she knew. That trust built with money could be shattered with even more money. That was also why she had entered the academy. To gain people she could mutually trust. I was thinking of making some friends too. Gaining friends. But it wasnt easy. Before she knew it, she had acted as she always did at the academy, and in the end only people bound by money remained by her side. But how would I know that they didnte for my money and background. Of course, since Ivecar Academy was a prestigious academy, many students didnt only care about money, but they too couldnt be unaffected by money. Besides, the name Ga Merchant Guild was a coveted one even among the students. Did they think they could attack me and just survive unscathed? I just dont know. I didnt think they would make such lukewarm moves. Yuna hadnt seeded in business through only legal means. She had seized things by force before, and hired people to steal as well. Whats with me doing this whole academy life thing. Yuna crumpled the parchment in her hand. As she was contemting revenge, Yuna suddenly thought of Ethan. Hes an interesting person. How can he be like that? Ethan was different from anyone she had seen before. Most teachers never disclosed their core techniques. From the students perspective, they mightin, Then why be a teacher? But Yuna understood. It was all worth its weight in gold. In other words, revealing it was no different from giving away money. But who would want to give to others when they themselves werecking? However, Ethan shared his core techniques with all the students. Yuna couldnt help but be shocked by his actions. She had never seen any other teacher behave like that before. -I will make Ivecar the best academy. -I will be the best teacher. -I will ensure that you do not regret taking this ss. Many teachers made grand speeches. But there was no one like Ethan, who demonstrated his actions and achievements. So, I wanted to spend a little more time with him. She felt quite nervous when he invited her to the coffee house. What could he want to talk to her about? She was very curious about what he had to say. And what she heard when they met was something that matched her excitement. But it was already toote for everything. She had already decided to drop out of the academy. Phew. She decided to let out all her emotions with a sigh. The academy was never right for her from the beginning. Things like trust were nothing but mirages. What was important was financial power. She had to have financial backing to gain everything. But something feels strange. Those two arent brave enough to take such drastic action, sending an assassin. As Yuna was thinking, she motioned. Pantera. The guard she had brought to the academy, Pantera, immediately appeared before her and bowed at the waist. Yes, Lady Yuna. Right now Yuna closed her mouth mid-sentence. For some reason, Pantera was fully armed. You! I apologize, Lady Yuna. Pantera struck the back of Yunas neck with icy eyes. Im just following orders. Yuna saw Panteras emotionless eyes amidst her darkening vision. Do you really think thats possible, Teacher? At Ron Bearss words, Ethan nodded firmly. Seeing that confidence, Ron felt like he might have sometent potential he didnt know of himself. After the parents observation ss, not only the 75 who had participated in that ss, but even students who had only heard about the ss hade to revere Ethan. You still dont know your own worth. Dont keep thinking youll be at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department forever. Youre continuously getting stronger. Because he had been at the bottom rank for so long, Roncked confidence. Although he had been growing quickly recently, he still seemed tock confidence. Ethan patted Rons back to encourage him. I believe you can do it. If you cant, then I was wrong in my judgment. No. At that, Ron firmly said, I understand, Teacher. I will prove that your judgment wasnt wrong. For Mason and Ron to participate in the department exchange battle, grades were important. While Mason was fine, Ron was currently in a dire situation grade-wise. But that was because he hadnt known the method until now. Now that he knew the method, he would be able to get proper grades starting next ss. It was the same for Mason. I think you know without me saying, Mason. Come to think of it, thats how it was. No one at the academy believed in me. Only you, Teacher, believed in me. Mason now trusted, no, revered Ethan. I dont know what you saw in me, but thanks to you, I received praise from my father. It really has been a while. And my two brothers expressions were great too. You should have seen it directly. He formed a rare, kind smile. But he quickly wiped the expression away and opened his mouth again. Since youve ced your expectations on me Mason continued in a confident tone. I will live up to those expectations. Definitely. A fire had been lit in Mason. That me would surely soar to the heavens without knowing limits. The one who had ignited that me was Ethan. -Survival probability increases! Now Ive properly ced the spoon. Including this parents observation ss, Ethans fame had reached 1,000. Of course, that still wasnt enough fame to meet the saint. The minimum was 10,000. Because she was wrapped so tightly in veils, without a minimum of 10,000 fame, he wouldnt even have the chance to meet her. But still, things were going ording to n. Since he had already raised the hard-to-raise fame to 1,000. Now there wont be anyone at the academy who doesnt know me, and talk of me will have spread through Marquis Rond Territory as well. Thanks to the 1,000 fame, talk would spread much more quickly. Even if they didnt recognize his face, if his name was mentioned, many would now recognize him. But the risks have also increased just as much. What he had to be most careful of were the followers of the Moon. The followers of the Moon had informants in many different areas and had alsoid out countless schemes for their goal. As I be more famous, theyll start digging for information about me as well. Ethan intended to get involved as little as possible in the followers of the Moons schemes. However, if the followers of the Moon got entangled in the ns he hadid out, he would inevitably have to interfere. The more my fame rises, the stronger the followers of the Moons wariness towards me will also be. Then instead of sending First Order, they might send an Apostle. Until now, with his fame not that high yet, Ethan had been able to move freely without his identity being exposed. Thanks to that, he had been able to obscure their vision and respond when the monster attack happened. But now, if he recklessly intervened, things could go greatly awry. They are the main viins of MePan, after all. The might of that main viin group couldnt be ignored. Ill have to actively use [New World]. Ethan intended to use the trait he had obtained, [Double Caster]. Double Caster was a rare trait that allowed obtaining two sses that could normally only be obtained once. Ill obtain the most aggressive ss from the sses Ive obtained so far. Moonforces descendant was Defense. And offense with the ss he would newly obtain. Although this is also quite difficult to obtain like Moonforce He had already obtained this before. Because he already had the strategy guide, Ethan wasnt too worried. But he couldnt help but worry about other things. Because Ive changed many futures while moving around. Thats the biggest problem. To control that variable, he needed to grow much stronger than now. For now, I need to control the variable with the skills and stats I currently have. Anything insufficient has to be obtained through [New World] subscriptions or by growing and obtaining it. Currently, Ethan possessed a variety of skills. Starting with Heos Acupuncture, there was also Heros Breathing, Heos Decoction skills, and the Bone Muscle Control he had learned while disciplining Chen Garcia. And theres Eye of Horus, Wind Cloud, and Great Thiefs Mastery too. And he was also raising the proficiency of various other skills. First I need to master Heos Acupuncture. Excluding Whiskers Swordsmanship, he didnt have any skills at 100% proficiency yet. In other words, there were no skills he could bring out 100% of the power of. Its not just obtaining skills, but also maximizing proficiency. Itll be better to do it efficiently in [New World] rather than just practicing. Ethan turned on New World and went to find Heo Juns channel after a long time. After Ethan had left a subscription review, Heo Juns channel, which had greatly surged in poprity, had surged once more thanks to Ethan bing even more famous. The shabby channel he had first seen had now be a semi-major channel. -Youre a premium subscriber of the Eastern Physician of All Things [Heo Jun]! As if to prove he was a premium subscriber, flower petals burst out wherever Ethan looked. Oh, the treatment is no joke. When Ethan had first subscribed to Heo Jun, there were only two videos, but now Heo Juns channel had a total of seven videos. -Premium subscriber service! -All of Heo Juns videos are provided for free! Huh? Even Heo Juns new videos were free, only for Ethan. For a moment, Ethan felt as if he could see Heo Juns benevolent smile.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 99: Yuna Garnet (2) Chapter 99: Yuna Ga (2) This is what supporting each other is. Ethan smiled broadly. Thetest video from Heo Juns channel was, as before, a premium subscriber-only video that only Ethan could watch. Oh-hoh. -[NEW!] How to fully make acupuncture and decoction your own It was a title that seemed to scratch where Ethan was currently struggling. In various ways, Heo Jun seemed to grasp Ethans state. As expected, just because I left a subscription review, the channel wouldnt grow this big. To be a major channel, you cant just teach skills. There need to be videos like this that can help ensure the learned skills are firmly trained and utilized. No matter how much water flows in, if you cant row the oar properly, youll just stagnate there. But Heo Jun had plenty of skill to row the oar. What Ethan currently needed the most was presented in the video. He probably made it in advance. Ethan had already raised his proficiency in Heos Acupuncture and Heos Decoction quite a bit. But now that his proficiency was quite high, to master them, he needed topletely understand and embrace acupuncture and decoction. In various situations, in various ways. Thats how you can master it. Ethan immediately clicked on the video. -About acupuncture. The more you know, the more differently you see it. Depending on how well you know acupuncture, you can get to firmly know the patient and give them the right needles. But you have to be careful about that. Pride is forbidden. Even if it looks like youre sticking them in the same spots, slight differences can produce different effects. In the video, Heo Jun showed using acupuncture in various ways. It was him raising his proficiency by using acupuncture in various situations, just as Ethan had been doing so far. Ive been doing well so far. Even without Heo Jun teaching him, Ethan had grown remarkably in Heo Juns way. -Now, the most important part. Once your proficiency exceeds 70%, senses alone arent enough. You need to be able to induce both vitality recovery and physical function improvement at the same time. Precisely and quickly, relying not on senses but on sight. Heo Jun pointed at his eyes with his index and middle fingers. -Premium subscribers. Since Ethan was currently Heo Juns only premium subscriber, this was effectively addressed to Ethan. -With the likes I got this time, I purchased a new function. A function to hold subscriber events for subscribers. This subscriber event can help you master this Heos Acupuncture and decoction a bit more securely. Its name is Heo Jun took a breath before continuing. -The sponsor function. With this sponsor function, you can help me, and I can help you in return. Of course, not just anyone can sponsor. Only premium subscribers can sponsor. Heo Jun in the video snickered. -What I will sponsor are quests. Clear the quests, and you will be able topletely master this Heos Acupuncture and decoction. 100% proficiency. You will be able to use that powerpletely like me. Heo Jun gestured with a cackle. -You premium subscribers watching this video, please sponsor. Wield this power to influence countless people. After the video ended, a quest window popped up in front of Ethans eyes. -[Eastern Physician of All Things] [Heo Jun] has sent you, [Only subscribed to the right gods], a sponsorship! -Sponsorship contents: Received the Proficiency Raising Quest! <> Rank [?] [Perform acupuncture that can simultaneously induce vitality recovery and physical function improvement 1000 times.] [Reward: Heos Acupuncture [MASTER]] <> Grade [?] [Make 10 S-grade decoctions] [Reward: Heos Decoction [MASTER]] Oh, so gods can give quests as sponsorships. Ethan was newly amazed by the various functions of [New World]. Certainly, being made by the god of gods, it was decidedly different. Getting clear numbers like this is much better than vaguely mastering. Way better than before. Of course, the quest contents were not exactly easy. Until now, Ethan had used acupuncture while distinguishing between recovery and buffs. And he had only made an S-grade decoction once. Its natural for the difficulty to be like this since its forpletely mastering. If anything, Ethan was curious about the effects of the Heos Acupuncture and Heos Decoction Mastery he could earn by clearing these difficult quests. First I should watch the other videos too. They were videos that didnt exceed the scope of the Heos Acupuncture and decoction Ethan learned early on, but Ethan was currently Heo Juns premium subscriber. He could watch all of Heo Juns videos for free without using likes. Oh. The videos were also provided to other subscribers, dealing with ways to raise acupuncture and decoction proficiency. They also exined in detail how to use acupuncture to induce not only vitality recovery but also physical ability improvement. Extremely difficult. While it would probably be hard to understand with low acupuncture and decoction proficiency, current Ethan could understand it rtively easily. It was in thetter half of the video that Ethan was reminded of what Heo Jun said in the beginning. The more you know, the more difficult it is. Now he understood what Heo Jun had said. The more you know, the more differently you see. Thats what the video exined. -Now youre prepared. If you know, youll learn, and if you dont, you wont. Right after Heo Jun finished speaking, a notification popped up in front of Ethans eyes. -Based on your Heos Acupuncture and Heos Decoction proficiency, you have learned a skill. -Skill added: [Pulse Diagnosis][S] The learned skill was pulse diagnosis. Come to think of it, thats right. Nothings as difficult as pulse diagnosis. Before treating a patient, the most important thing is grasping the patients condition. So pulse diagnosis could be seen as a fundamental skill for diagnosing a patients condition, yet ironically it was a considerably difficult skill. Because not knowing makes you a quack while knowing makes you a master physician, pulse diagnosis was a skill where the more you knew, the more different the world you saw was. You can only learn it when youve reached the most skilled state for the fundamental skill. Ethan snickered. Is this all I can learn with it? What remained was only proficiency. Itll be useful in many ways. As expected. He felt Heo Jun had plenty of ability to be a major god. When I almost died in the beginning, I received a lot of help too. Seeing Heo Jun grow this much with his subscription review, he didnt feel too bad. After exiting [New World], Ethan nned how to clear these master quests. First I should focus on using Heos Acupuncture. To induce vitality recovery and physical buffs at the same time. But decoction is different. Without backing from ingredients, its absolutely impossible to reach S-grade with decoction. Whether using brle or whatever, that was inevitable. To make S-grade, you had to unconditionally use good ingredients. But Ethan instead snickered. Thats why I earned money. Since it was difficult because it required backing from ingredients, for Ethan, this Heos Decoction Master was virtually the easiest thing. Because he already had plenty of money to purchase expensive ingredients. Ill start by buying ingredients. For that ingredient purchase, there was a Merchant Guild more suitable than the David Merchant Guild. A Merchant Guild that handled all kinds of ingredients and could easily obtain rare ingredients. To find Yuna. Hmmm. Ethan stroked his chin. Yuna should have been here. But Yuna was not here. Shell definitelye here when her mind isplicated. This was the ce with the best scenery in the academy. Being the tallest building in the academy, the view overlooking from here was simply sublime. For her, gazing at this sublime view would be the onlyfort. By now she would have noticed that incident. Originally it would happen eventer, but with the future twisting little by little like now, Yuna would have definitely noticed that incident. The incident rted to her mothers death. The fact that her mother, who she thought had grown frail and died, had actually been killed by her stepmothers. The fact that her half-siblings had even sent assassins to kill Yuna. And the fact that her father, the head of the Ga Merchant Guild, knew all this but kept silent. Hit with these shocking incidents in session, Yuna would quit the academy and dive into Merchant Guild affairs in earnest. In the end, she pushes out Cromwell, the head of the Ga Merchant Guild. Bing the head of the Merchant Guild was the conclusion to this story. At this point in time, Yuna woulde to know about such incidents and eventually have to quit the academy. To roughly match the timeline. Because Ethan knew that, he guessed things had begun when he saw her troubled expression. However, something was off. I already checked shes not in her room either. Then this ce should be the only possibility, but Yuna was not here. She must be somewhere else. Ethan looked around for ces Yuna could be. But no matter how he searched, Yuna was nowhere to be found. Somethings weird. When she should absolutely be here yet isnt, that meant things had gone awry. If things had gone awry, he had to figure out how. By now, she should be worrying. Since the end of worrying was quitting the academy, she had to be within the academy to submit a withdrawal notice. Locating her position is urgent. He couldnt give up on Yuna here. One way or another, abandoning Yuna who would be the Merchant Guild head meant huge losses. Her bing the Merchant Guild leader is a definite future. I need to be part of it in that confirmed future. Ethan was considering moving even more aggressively than he was now. No matter how exceptional Ethan was, continuing with radical actions would inevitably create resistance. People would begin to oppose him, and there would be those who would align with them. Then the radicalism would end there. Someone was needed to pull off this radical move and change the flow. The connections Yuna Ga has made, I need that. Yuna Gas connections influencing various teachers, and her power as the future Merchant Guild head of the Ga Merchant Guild would clearly greatly help Ethan. Besides, it was just that she wasnt focused on swordsmanship because of Merchant Guild affairs, her swordsmanship skill was surely excellent. Ethan thought for a moment. If things had gone awry, there would surely be a trigger. Could it be the followers of the Moon side. Martynas Lane and Hassen Rittle who were the followers of the Moon were dead. What they were in charge of could have been Yuna Gas information. They could have been giving Yuna Ga information and trying to influence the Ga Merchant Guild with that information. But they died by Ethans hand. With the people who should be there gone, it was highly likely the situation had been distorted. Then. Ethan bolted out of the academy. Who are you looking for? Ethan visited the three mercenary guilds in Marquis Ronds territory. Mercenary guilds that took various requests would do pretty much anything if you had money. And their most frequent request was tracking people. Though they were originally troops deployed as guards or for wars, with things quite peaceful recently, they were putting a lot of effort into tracking people too. So in this Marquis Rond territory, these mercenary guilds handled the work of simr other guilds. An academy student from Ivecar Academy. A girl, appearance like this. Ethan swiftly sketched Yuna Gas appearance there. Seeing that, the receptionist was impressed. Im looking for this student. Hmm, before hearing the full story, Ill have to collect a deposit first. Before he could even finish speaking, Ethan ced down a money pouch full of gold with a thud. Just looking, it seemed pretty hefty. The yellow gold peeked out from the opening, visibly filling the pouch. A pouch full of gold pieces. Please, within 5 minutes. Top priority request. The receptionist made a face. A total neer yet requesting top priority? Top priority requests were not something you could casually grant just because money was offered That service isnt something we do just because you pay. Before he could finish speaking, another money pouch came up. No, let me finish. Thud-. Thud-. Thud-. As money pouches piled up, the receptionists eyes grew huge. Each pouch was visibly full, the yellow gold peeking out. Pouches full of gold pieces. Ill call the person in charge right away.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 100: Yuna Garnet (3) Chapter 100: Yuna Ga (3) The receptionist who grasped the situation immediately went inside with the pouches. Then a man who looked to have a higher position came out. The scar drawn straight across his forehead was striking. You requested top priority service? Even though its your first time here, how did you know about it? Are there mercenary guilds without top-priority mercenaries? At Ethans confident words, the man looked at him briefly before nodding. Your identity seems certain, so well get started first. Please do so, guild leader. Then the man blinked at Ethan before bursting intoughter. I took a blind guess, and seems I was right. This is your first time using our guild, no? Yes, first time. Ethan said. Here. Each mercenary guild had top-priority mercenary services provided only to VIP customers. Originally, you had to continue transactions for over a year and your payments over that year had to exceed a certain amount before they would slyly let you know about this service. Since skilled mercenaries carried out the requests, regr customers often sought this expensive service. So it was a service not permitted for first-time visitors like Ethan. But in the end, mercenary guilds had to have money to operate too. If this much money was offered, it was hard to refuse. Since it was a core service of the guild and brought in big, steady money, customer management was quite important. Having done business here for a long time, no matter how much money it was, they could refuse if they didnt feel like it. Thats when you offer a suitable amount of money. Ethan was very reassured by the money he had put in his inventory. Afterward, Ethan went around to other mercenary guilds and repeated the same thing. There were things money couldnt aplish. But that happened when there was not enough money. We will get started right away. Lots of money made many things easy and fast. This was exactly why Ethan had started a business and secured a lot of money first. Use it properly since I earned it. Ethan waited in the market of the Marquis territory. First I need to confirm where Yuna Ga is. He didnt think there would be obvious traces of whether Yuna was plotting something or got caught up in it. Shes not inexperienced enough to leave traces. Whoever was behind it wouldnt carry it out clumsily. Though he paid a lot of money and hired top-priority mercenaries, in the end, they were still just mercenaries. If there were no traces left, even legendary mercenaries wouldnt be able to find anything. But Ethan didnt request them thinking theyd be able to find Yuna Ga in the first ce. Its to quickly gather information. Rather than directly scouring around the Marquis Rond territory on foot, hiring them and paying money allowed him to obtain far more information. There were quite a lot of them, and they had time-specific information on all over the territory after all. Ethan nned to get clues from them. The tiniest clue would do. With that clue, he could reach the whole story of this incident. After waiting about 10 minutes, contact came from the first mercenary guild. Esteemed client. The masked mercenary from the first guild started rying traces rted to Yuna Ga and information close to traces. About 30 seconds after he appeared, a new masked mercenary showed up. The two masked didnt look at each other but were aware of the other. They were each top-priority mercenaries from different mercenary groups. They had no choice but to pretend not to know each other. And 15 secondster, another mercenary arrived. Ethan received intel sheets from the three top-priority mercenaries. The intel sheets briefly contained credentials that could verify the mercenary guild. The opposite, huh. In effect, for this incident, the ce he visited first could be considered to have a considerable advantage. Because there was the distance to move to other guilds and time to make requests. Its natural the ce I requested first arrives first, but the other two guilds arrived close to the first guild I requested. And of the requests, the fastest to arrive was from the Wandering Mercenary Guild. Just in case it might be different. But as expected, its here. Ethan swiftly skimmed through the intel sheets. While Ethan skimmed through the sheets, the mercenary exined parts needing exnation. First we started from the entrance of Ivecar Academy. We couldnt examine inside the academy, so we assumed when she came outside. The academy only had two entrances mainly used. Of those, one was blocked after the monster attack incident, so only one was open now. We have an informant there. They watch who goes in and out there every day, checking what is supplied and taken out. As expected, they gathered and stored information in that way. While Ethan nodded, the man continued speaking. There were no traces of the girl whose picture you drew, but three more carriages entered today, so we investigated whether she left in those carriages. As soon as talk of the carriages entered the market, the story disappeared, as if evaporating. He shook his head as if frustrated. We tried somehow to find traces but failed. The carriages disappeared from the market? Yes, they vanished without a trace from the market. Three carriages disappeared from the market. The second top-priority mercenary to arrive also ryed the same contents as the first, but more details were added here. But having more details didnt mean they knew where the carriages had disappeared to. Were very sorry. We alsopletely failed to find traces of that female student. If you give us a little more time, we will surely figure out where the carriages went. Were currently listening to the merchants in the market. With as many as three carriages, well soon know where they went. Ethans gaze naturally turned to thest top-priority mercenary. He was from the Wandering Mercenary Guild. But that mercenary also lowered his head. In truth, its the same for us. But there was one more piece of information. A scent lingered from those carriages. What scent do you mean? Lc scent. So were tracking that scent. Lc, carriage. Ethan was certain from these two points. Yuna Ga was inside the carriage. Lc was Yuna Gas unique scent. Carriages that disappeared from the market, lc scent. If the followers of the Moon had kidnapped her, there was no way lc scent would linger. There must have been a fight and someone would have gotten hurt. Yuna wouldnt have gone along easily, so either side would have been injured. Then the scent of blood couldnt have not lingered. It would have been noticed right away then. If you erase the scent of blood, the lc scent is erased too. But the lingering lc scent meant she had been kidnapped very naturally. Quickly, without her even realizing. By someone she least expected. For example, a guard she trusted. A scenario started flowing in Ethans head. What if things had gotten tangled. The target to handle came to know something they shouldnt. Here, something that shouldnt be known was that Yuna Ga knew the truth. With Yuna approaching the truth, there was only one person she had to handle. Cromwell Ga made a move. The father kidnapped his daughter. By fathers order. Pantera was a guard her father had assigned to her. He had been very useful so she had forgotten that fact as she kept him by her side for a long time. Huh. Yuna checked her current situation. First, her eyes were covered. Her mouth was also blocked so she couldnt see where here was and couldnt speak either. Likewise, her hands and feet were tied tightly. Yuna then moved the mana within her body. Its outside the academy. But dont know where. She didnt feel the academys unique mana constraints. The academy really isnt a safe ce, like with the monster attack incident too. Yuna calmly grasped the situation. She had been kidnapped from right in the middle of the academy. I was too careless. Yuna clicked her tongue to herself. She didnt expect her father would kidnap her. He didnt think Id know, but found out I learned of that information and was preparing something. She had always harbored one question. It was rted to her father, the head of the Ga Merchant Guild, and at the same time, to her deceased mother. I was always curious about Mothers death. They said she grew frail and passed away, but I didnt know anything about her life before that. So she gathered information. She was curious about what kind of life her mother had lived. She was told her mother was amoner. She caught the Ga Merchant Guilds heads eye with her beauty, but due to poor health, she died after giving birth to Yuna, announced officially. But it was all lies. The fact that Mother was amoner and that she passed away after giving birth to me, it was all! Her mother didnt die after giving birth to her and growing frail. She had been murdered by someone. My stepmothers, no, those women! Her stepmothers were the culprits. Her father knew yet left it be. Because he didnt marry her mother out of love. Because Mother was an illegitimate child of the head of the Horei Merchant Guild. The head of the Horei Merchant Guild had once been called the Merchant King, but he declined due to his excessive greed. When swallowing up the Horei Merchant Guild, Cromwell Ga discovered Yunas mother who was the Merchant Kings illegitimate daughter. A child with both his merchant talents and the Merchant Kings bloodline would surely be the greatest merchant. Wanting the Merchant Kings bloodline was a natural step for Cromwell Ga. Yuna came to know everything and couldnt stand this disgusting truth. Wasnt it no different from viewing people merely as objects to satisfy ones own greed and ideals? Her stepmothers realized her fathers n and feared it. Fearing Yunas talents would exceed those of the sons they bore and their sons would be cast out. So they killed her. They killed because they worried she might bear a second child. They killed because she could influence Yunas growth. Cromwell Ga didnt care what became of the mother after obtaining the child he aimed for. Rather, he tried to prevent the other wives deeds from bing known, as noble housewives. Such rumors spreading wouldnt be good for the Merchant Guild. That man knew everything. Her father was aposed merchant. A merchant chases only profit. He would have weighed Yunas mother and stepmothers, and this was the result. Until now, Yuna had lived without knowing any of this. She came to learn these facts recently. Dont know who, but it could have all been a trap since the time someone ryed me that information. An anonymous informant. While giving information, they told her to go to a certain ce if she wanted to know more. She didnt trust it of course. But after confirming, it was definite information, and Yuna came to know the whole story behind these events. I didnt go to that ce for some reason though. Yuna wavered briefly but her choices were already set anyway. Bing a merchant surpassing Cromwell Ga as he desired and taking everything he had. I was found out. But that was found out. This situation was quite unfavorable for Yuna. She racked her brains. Getting out of here was the urgent priority. Someone who woulde save me. How much money had she splurged until now? How much money had she used to build trust through money? Then there had to be at least one person who would notice her absence and make a move. But at the same time, another thought urred to her. That they had always only moved when she gave orders or made requests. Unless she directly asked them toe help her even if they knew of this situation, they wouldnt budge. No one on my side. Not a single one. She knew it. She knew, but being in this situation made her feel it even more clearly. Not one person who would notice my absence ande find me on their own. A bitterugh escaped as she became disillusioned with her life so far. Bang-! Then a loud noise was heard and her surroundings started shaking. Crash-! What the, who the hell are you?! Whered youe from?! Crack-! Along with a dreadful sound like bones breaking, heavy thuds sounded as something copsed. And footsteps were heard in time with the copsing sounds. Whats happening? Could it be someone who came to save her? Who? No one came to mind no matter how much she thought. Crash-! With a sound of something shattering, something flew towards her, likely the door. The person who entered slowly walked over and sat before her. With her nose unblocked, a scent lingered. A scent that couldnt be here. Are you unharmed? Her eyes lit up. Though it was clearly a dark room, it felt brightly lit. .Teacher. The one person trying to pull her up in a world trying to drag her down. He was the only one trying to lift her up in that world. Are you okay? Yes. The only person who told her that she was needed. Yuna shyly smiled at Ethan.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 101: Yuna Garnet (4) Chapter 101: Yuna Ga (4) How did you find me? No, more than that, how did you get here? Yuna was following Ethan out of the Ga Merchant Guild branch in the Marquis Ronde territory. The Ga Merchant Guild had branches in most territories, so the Marquis Ronde territory where Ivecar Academy was located was no exception. I spent some money. Didnt I tell you? I have a lot of money. Yuna, as you know, money can really do a lot of things. Of course, in this case, he didnt get his moneys worth. Thats why Ethan had clearly told the top mercenaries that if this matter wasnt resolved properly, they should consider it so. They will understand that well. From now on, the mercenary guilds will definitely ept Ethans next request and resolve it to a satisfactory level by any means necessary. They have professional pride. I will definitely pay you back, Teacher. As I said, I have a lot of money. No need to pay me back with money. Ethan looked at Yuna. Then. I need you to make the Swordsmanship Department number one. Are you really sincere about that? Is that why you came to save me? Seeing Ethans expression, as if to say Why else would I havee to save you, Yuna couldnt help but open her mouth wide and make a foolish expression. Did he really need her to make the Swordsmanship Department number one, so he came to save her? You didnte here knowing everything, right? I dont know. But theres one thing I do know. My students in Understanding the Sword Path ss cannot drop out, not even one person. Especially if its not by their own will. Yunas pupils shook at those words. This person really was different from any teacher or person she had met before. He had more sincerity than anyone. So Im essential to you. Yes, I dont n on abandoning any of my students. Of course, Ethan was focused on the fame he would gain by leading 75 students until the end of the semester. If even one left, he would miss out on additional fame. But this was an issue Yuna could not know without reading Ethans mind, so she naturally melted under that intense gaze. First we have to get back to the academy. Its gettingte. I could get demerits. Ethan and Yuna quickly exited the market to use a shortcut that led directly to Ivecar Academys front gate. Just as they were about to exit the alley, a carriage blocked their way. ! The carriage had no markings. But Yuna recognized its shape immediately. It was a Ga Merchant Guild carriage, abat carriage that the Merchant Guild used to quietly conduct business. Inside this carriage was Drrrr-! The door opened and five heavily armed knights got out. Miss Yuna. Its been a while. Yunas expression hardened. Those guys were dogs her father used often. They looked rather old-fashioned like knights, but in reality, they were problem solvers who took money to handle any job. In their case, their role was to handle Cromwell Gas work. The Guild master wishes to see you. Come with us. Yuna immediately turned around. Teacher, we have to run away. Yuna knew how strong those knights were. Right now, Yuna had no troops she could use. First, they had to retreat to the academy and thene up with a new n. However, Ethan did not move from there. The flustered Yuna shouted. Now was the time they really had to run away. Teacher! The shortcut is over there. Ethan gestured to where the knights were blocking, the fastest path to Ivecar Academy. No need to go around. Hearing that, the knights looked at Ethan amusingly. They say only elites can enter Ivecar Academy as teachers. But even if you get in there, wont you just end up being a crippled teacher or join the bottom ranks of a knighthood? Its quite funny how he seems to think hes something just because hes been among the big shots. The knights were actually used to this kind of situation. Of course, capturing Yuna was a given, and they were hoping for some amusement along the way. So when Ethan came out just as they expected, they couldnt help but be delighted. Shing- The list said that any teacher not on it can be neatly taken care of. It wont be udie Hyde or Iris Paqueta, nor Ciron Ramsdale, right? Could it be! No, its not the Principal Ghost Sword either. Then it means hes just an ordinary teacher we can handle. Two knights stepped forward. Since the alley was narrow, three moved back topletely block the exit of the alley. I dont want to step aside, so what will you do? Ethan drew his sword. With a swoosh, the Beast Kings w Sword came out. In response, the two knights in front also drew their swords. It was a tense situation that could erupt at any moment. Ethan looked at the knights. There was a set saying for those who block the way. Move. Shaaack-! The Whiskers Swordsmanship was unleashed. The knight to Ethans left moved forward one step and parried Ethans jabbing sword head-on straight at him. ng-! ! How on earth did this sturdy body have such strength. In an instant, the knight was pushed back by that strength, unable to stand his ground. However, he soon frowned. Youve got some strength there! The knights raised their mana as high as possible. Then, as if to repay the humiliation of being pushed back earlier, they brandished their swords full of mana. Shiiinggg-! The Eye of Horus pierced straight through the movements of the two knights. The knight on the left was aiming for Ethans arm. From the beginning, it didnt look like he intended to kill, only to inflict a long gash. And the knight next to him had the same idea, aiming for Ethans leg. As soon as Ethan deflected the sword of the knight on the left, he turned to the right and blocked the path of the knight there. Because the alley was very narrow, they needed good timing tounch abined attack of two people. I wont give it to them. Ethan had no intention of giving them that timing. As the knight was about to swing his sword, it was suddenly blocked, so he simply retreated back. He seemed to have judged that fighting one-on-one would be better than fighting two-on-one in this narrow alley. Leave my share. I wonder if Ill be able to leave it for you. The knight grinned slyly at Ethan. Now that they didnt have to worry about hurting an ally, this was actually a more preferable situation in this quite suitable space. Teacher Behind them, Yuna, who was watching, had an anxious expression. Those knights focused only on carrying out orders, no matter what the situation. They did not adhere to the Knights Code and fought only to win, taking all kinds of irregr moves. On the other hand, Ethan was a nobleman. While he would be fine in a one-on-one duel, he was at a disadvantage in a fight like this. And the Cromwell Merchant Guildmasters knights knew that fact very well. But no one knew that to survive and be victorious in various situations, Ethan had built up his skills. Huuuu. Ethan took a deep breath and focused his eyes. Using the Eye of Horus, he pierced through the irregr, sword-swinging movement of the knight taking one step toward him. The important thing now was impact. In one blow. He was going to concentrate all his umted achievements into this one blow. Ethan had steadily increased his survival rate and raised his stats. Stats and traits. Understanding of the Whiskers Swordsmanship Department and Heos Acupuncture. Heob-! Ethan inhaled deeply and swung his sword with all his might as if to smash it. The knights sword and Ethans met together as predicted. ng-! Suddenly, there was the sound of a sword breaking. As Ethan broke the opponents sword, he rode that momentum and spun around once. As he spun, he urately struck the knights temple with the handle of his sword, and the knights body flew up spinning and mmed into the ground. Thud-! This whole process happened in the blink of an eye. Wha.! Yuna behind blinked. She saw Ethan sh swords with the quickly swinging knight. But the next moment, the knight floated up and spun around where he stood, ending uppletely mmed against the ground. Since he was wearing armor, there was only his face exposed to attack, but she never imagined he would take down a knight in just one exchange. The other knights seemed to feel the same way. How could he take down Urek so easily! Why cant I! Ethan took one step toward those knights. Since four were still blocking the path, he had to say one more thing. Move. This bastard! One agitated knight rushed straight at him. His sword contained dense mana. Sword energy. Their level was at least 4-star. On the other hand, because of Extinction, Ethan couldnt even properly fill his body with mana. He was technically a 1-star. And a 1-star who would have difficulty growing at that. But through the fight with the knight just now, Ethan was able to objectively grasp his current condition. Fighting a 4-star knight. Its more decent than I thought. While Ethan wascking in mana now, what he had built up was so solid that it wasnt difficult fighting them. He expected it, but didnt think it would be this easy. Lets check if I can maintain that against fighting all four knights in a row. The knight lifted his sword high and charged toward Ethans front to attack. Ethans eyes shone. With the Eye of Horus, he didnt even need to look to know it was a simple feint attack. That guy over there saw hisrade get taken down by Ethan in one blow. They were not stupid enough to ignore a fight they saw with their own eyes. Ethan was judged to be stronger than expected, so they had no intention of fighting him one-on-one from the beginning. Only appears so. Taking advantage of the opponents carelessness was the most important factor in a fight. Hes faking an attack to deceive me, then he will lower his sword and move behind me. To Ethans surprise, just as he predicted, the knight made a motion as if to sh down with his sword, then hunched down deeply and moved toward Ethans open side as if to pierce through and quickly get behind. Thwack-! However, the knight who tried to quickly stab into Ethans side also got solidly struck by the sword handle like the previous knight. Youon purpose Only then did he realize it. That Ethan had deliberately shown an opening on his side. Ethan looked downposedly at the falling knight. He already knew they would desperately try to break through somehow to take advantage of their numerical superiority. Thats why he opened up. To let them pierce through. You are far less experienced than I.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 102: Before the Midterm Exam Chapter 102: Before the Midterm Exam Ethan stepped forward, stepping on the fainted knight. Now there were three left. It was three against one, but as long as they kept fighting in this narrow alley, the knights couldnt take advantage of their numerical superiority. At the same time, they couldnt run away either. One person made five knights copse? This was something their pride would not allow. It wasnt a worn-out top mercenary they lost to, nor another knight. Losing to a mere teacher from an academy was uneptable. Above all, this was a task the Ga Merchant Guild master had specifically ordered them to take care of. To bring Yuna Ga in a very respectful manner. If they couldnt keep that, their lives were as good as gone. One knight stepped forward. He had just seen how the other two knights were handled. It seemed the opponent had no intention of killing them. But it was different for him. He had orders that killing was fine. If he charged recklessly with the determination to kill, that Ivecar Academy teacher wouldnt be able to judge properly for sure. Kwaaak-! Stepping heavily on the ground, the knight charged forward. Unlike the knights from earlier, it was a decisive blow focused solely on attacking,pletely giving up defense. The knight thought it was his trump card. This attack could not be blocked. To stop it, one would have to give up defense and attack the charging knight with his body wide open. With a half-hearted attack, one absolutely could not stop a heavily armed knight. With the determination to kill. One had to be resolved to inflict a major wound in order to win. But he wont do that! The knight swung his sword straight down. Seeing Ethan remain still as if at a loss, he thought he had won. Yes, thats how you shoulde at me. At that moment, Ethan grinned Seeing that smile, the knight realized it. Could it be That this whole thing was a trap? Earlier, he appealed that he had no intention of killing the two people he handled. And he used that appeal to induce their strategy. And now he had forced this kind of movement. He waspletely defeated in psychological warfare. And the price was too high. Swish-! Ethans sword sliced through the knights armor and all. Blood sprayed out from the huge diagonal gash from his shoulder to his side. Dont worry. Im an academy teacher. Im only swinging my sword to protect my student. I wont kill you. Not like you thought. Ethan pointed his sword at the remaining two. You wont die. Three knights were taken down in an instant. Not even a full minute had passed. If they had fought noisily, onlookers would have gathered around hearing themotion. But there was no sign of that at all. . The two knights looked at each other. They had no choice. More than blindly charging in and losing like moths to a me, it was better to retreat for now. Pak-! Suddenly, the knights fled in opposite directions. But that was already within Ethans expectations as well. From the moment they first made eye contact with these five knights, everything had been in Ethans hands. Yuna. As Yuna hurriedly approached from behind, she swung at the back of the knights head as he tried to run away. Ethan smashed the crown of the knight trying to escape in the opposite direction. Bang-! Huu Huu! Swinging the sword hilt with all her might at full speed ording to Ethans signal, Yuna panted roughly. Did you know from the beginning that the fight would turn out like this? At those words, Ethan simply smiled slyly. Then he dragged the copsed knights further into the alley. At first, it seemed he was trying to hide them, but Ethan slightly smashed the knights armor and started taking them off one by one. Teacher? Ethan grabbed the knights wrist. -Taking a pulse. -The opponents condition flows in through mana. -He has a fracture. Normally it was a symptom that could not be cured with acupuncture. However, with increased proficiency of Heos Acupuncture, Ethan was able to alleviate various symptoms. Swish swish swish-. Ethan stabbed needles here and there. Then the knight who had fainted and couldnt get a grip on himself, woke up. -Heos Acupuncture 1 / 1000 My body is overflowing with strength! The bewildered knight looked at Ethan. In his shaking pupils was reflected Ethan holding a sword. Ethan did a pulse diagnosis like that for about 15 minutes there. By taking pulses, treating, knocking down, and repeating, Ethan was able to use Heos Acupuncture a whopping fifteen times. The five knights hadpletely fainted, no longer having a grasp on their minds. After using the knights to his fill, Ethan gathered them in a pile like luggage and nted their swords in front like trophies. . Yuna didnt know exactly what Ethan was doing, but one thing she strongly felt was that those knights would be traumatized by this moment, probably suffering for the rest of their lives. She never imagined there was a way topletely finish someone without killing them like this. After tidying up the situation, Ethan looked at Yuna. Lets go. Take the shortcut. Yes! Had anyones back ever been such a relief before? Following behind Ethan, Yuna headed toward the academy. Yuna was not one to be intimidated. Ill quickly go take care of everything ande back. Dont worry. Ill definitely handle it properly this time ande back. Her mentality had been shaken due toplicated feelings and various shocking things. That was why she ended up like this. But she was originallyposed and calm. And she was not the type to just powerlessly get hit like this either. If she got hit, she had to pay it back tenfold. One week will do it. Will you be back before the midterm exam? Yes, of course. Yuna spoke. You said you needed me, Teacher. Then Ill give you homework. While you quickly go ande back, be sure to properly carry out the homework as well. With apletely softened expression, Yuna replied. Then she immediately turned around. Yes, Teacher. Ill be back soon. Despite that earlier soft expression, the expression she made now was frightening enough to render it meaningless. The atrocities of the Ga Merchant Guild master. The atrocities of the Ga Merchant Guild master, stepmothers, and brothers that she had endured, were not because they shared blood ties. I was just waiting for the timing. She had already been building up her power from long ago. There were a few reasons she entered the academy, like wanting to find someone reliable as she said in the beginning, but at the same time, it was also an excuse to make it seem like she had stepped down from the front lines. While she was on the front lines, Ga Merchant Guild Master had supervised Yuna so strictly that she couldnt properly grow. Thats why she used the excuse of attending the academy to step back from the front lines, and afterward, Yuna was able to escape Cromwells gaze. After that, she had slowly increased her influence within the Merchant Guild under the surface. She had also scattered bait to gradually make the power and stakes the Ga Merchant Guild Master had held be blurred. Simple methods, since he has outstanding business insight. The Ga Merchant Guild Master had very keen eyes. Thats why he could instantly grasp any business opportunity to make money and even finish calcting profits and margins in his head. She took advantage of that and set up traps for the businesses, causing the Ga Merchant Guild Masters businesses to fail. After all, countless businesses failed by nature, and if just one seeded among those, it would offset all the failures up till now. But what if failures repeat? In addition, if she simultaneously burst the businesses she herself had saved up, the influence within the Merchant Guild could inevitably shake. That was how Yuna had been swallowing up the Ga Merchant Guild under the surface while attending the academy. There were currently five executives in the current Ga Merchant Guild. They were merchant guild masters of mid-sized merchant guilds who greatly assisted when the Ga Merchant Guild swallowed up the Horei Merchant Guild. Strictly speaking, it was no different from the Ga Merchant Guild having six owners. For now, Cromwell Ga was firmly holding his position so he couldnt properly put on the air of an owner. Since they each wanted to be the head, there were bound to be fierce collisions within the Merchant Guild. Yuna took advantage of that greed as well. The total number of executives who had currently agreed to join Yuna was three. While Cromwell Ga was suppressing his daughter Yuna and not properly utilizing her, the other executives wanted to make good use of Yuna as a merchant, unlike Cromwell. Yuna agreed with those executives opinions and gathered them in one ce, right before raising the anti-Cromwell g. Theres no need to hesitate now. As she was about to leave, Yuna secretly nced back at Ethan. Seemingly believing Yuna woulde back, Ethan headed elsewhere without hesitation. Watching Ethans back, Yuna murmured. Ill be right back. Then she smiled slightly. At the same time, Ethan heard an alert sound. -Survival rate increases! After Mason, he had made Yuna firmly his student as well. Now, these twos trust in him probably wouldnt waver easily. Additionally, he had shattered the conflicts and walls they held, leaving only explosive growth remaining. Preparations areplete now. He would rearrange the board of the academy centered around these three. The midterm exam ising up soon, and after finishing that, there are ns to conduct the inter-department exchange battle as scheduled. In the academys conference room. The teachers focused on the Principals words. The inter-department exchange battle that could be considered the finale of the semester was an event as important as the sses observed by parents. The winning department of the inter-department exchange battle earns the right to represent the academy as the representative in the inter-academy exchange battle. Thats why this inter-department exchange battle was actually a venue for selecting the academys representative. Based on grades, the Swordsmanship Department will represent the Knight Department as the representative, and the Magic Department will have the Magic Department represent them in the inter-department exchange battle. The rules are the same asst year. Even if they dont have the grades, if there are any students you want to specially rmend, please rmend them along with participation. (+)[1]TLN: The first Magic Department is , and the second one is , which if the two of them are tranted itll be Magic Department (roughly). However, if there are some suggestions on what to call those two, Id appreciate it. At the Principals words, it momentarily became quiet. The new teachers nced around at the atmosphere, while the teachers with seniority simply observed the situation. It went without saying, but among the new teachers, not one person raised their hand. And it was understandable. The inter-department exchange battle was the venue for selecting the academys representative. If something went even a little awry, it could end up damaging the academys dignity. One could have to hear tremendous criticism, as well as the parentsints, and even receive the Principals re. It was a position with heavy responsibility. The career they had built up so well until now coulde crashing down in an instant. That was why only two people raised their hands. It was the same asst year. Teacher udie Hyde. The Principal called on udie who had his hand raised. And next, he pointed to the only other man who had raised his hand from the Magic Department. Arge build, bright gold hair, and dispirited eyes behind sses. Professor Duty Von Niedern. Hahaha, is it still just us two again? As expected, representing the department isnt an easy matter. Teacher Duty smiled gently. Despite just looking kind and benevolent, his nickname within the academy was Whip Duty. The reason was simple. There were no carrots in his sses, only whips. He whipped students like crazy, but because getting hit with that whip made distracted minds disappear, it brought tremendous acim for some students. It doesnt look like anyone else. Then the representatives for this inter-department exchange battle will be Teacher udie from the Swordsmanship Department and Before the Principal could finish speaking, someone raised their hand. Someone raised their hand despite there clearly being no one who should. The teachers gazes turned toward the teacher who had their hand raised. Huh? Teacher Ethan? Ethan had his hand raised high. I would also like to participate in the grand battle in preparation for this inter-department exchange, Principal. The Principals eyebrows twitched.
  • 1. TLN: The first Magic Department is , and the second one is , which if the two of them are tranted itll be Magic Department (roughly). However, if there are some suggestions on what to call those two, Id appreciate it.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 103: In My Eyes, Hes Just Chapter 103: In My Eyes, He''s Just He had suspicions. Since he had been doing unprecedented things ever since bing a new teacher here. He wondered if he would also challenge the departmentpetition. But he dismissed that thought when entering the meeting today. It was obvious. The significance this departmentpetition carried was so heavy. Up until now, there hadnt been a single new teacher who tried to challenge this departmentpetition. No matter how ambitious, no one wanted to ruin their career right after joining. That was why he thought even Ethan, who had been walking an unprecedented path so far, would refrain this year and challenge it next year. However, the Principals thoughts werepletely shattered. Teacher Ethan, you surely understand what kind of meaning this departmentpetition holds? Yes, I know very well, Principal. Yet you want to challenge it? The other teachers buzzed, looking at Ethan with various expressions. Although Teacher Ethan has shown good results so far, isnt challenging the departmentpetition as a representative too early? Bing thepetitions representative means bing the academys representative. Isnt it too frivolous for a teacher who has just joined? But given the results Teacher Ethan has shown so far, can we really say its because hes new? Still, experience is important. No matter how excellent Ethan is, the experience thates from career cant be ignored. But if he has the skills! The teachers all shared their own opinions. Especially the Jeans or the New Wave Socials that Ethan belonged to strongly took his side, arguing that his skills made up for hisck of experience. Just then the Principal banged his desk a couple of times. Quiet down. The teachers saw the Principals stern expression. It seemed like he also thought it was too early. After all, this wasnt an issue that could be settled through morale alone. I want to hear your thoughts a bit, Teacher Ethan. Although the parent observation sses have ended, youve only seen the students for one semester so far. Yet who are you going to name as the representative? Everyone nodded at the Principals words. Ethans abilities were certainly outstanding. But the departmentpetition was about naming student representatives, not teacher representatives. The teachers role was to lead and guide the students through the process. After all, the students had to be at the center for both the department and academypetitions. We know very well that your skills are excellent. But this departmentpetition isnt an event you can participate in just because your skills are outstanding. As you know, students are the masters of this academy. They must be at the center of the departmentpetition. Im well aware. Thats why from the beginning of the semester until now, I have been guiding students and observing which students have the potential to be the departments representatives. Ethan spoke. Then answer me. Who are those students? All the teachers here knew Teacher udie and Teacher Dutys students. Teacher udies disciple so to speak, Max Jurod the #1 ranked swordsmanship student, plus the two other elites of the Swordsmanship Department. As for Teacher Duty, there was Roanna the #1 ranked magic student, plus the Magic Departments golden generation. They were formidable rivals. So the teachers were eager to see who Ethan would pick as his representative student for thepetition. Could it beChen Garcia? I dont think thats the case, Teacher. Everyone looked at Ethan expectantly as he opened his mouth. The students Ive chosen for this departmentpetition representatives are Mason Yeld, Ron Bears, and Yuna Ga. .Mason? Ron Bears? The worst ranked in the Swordsmanship Department? Other than Yuna, theyre all problematic. Shh, quiet down. As one teacher said, apart from Yuna Ga, they were certainly problematic students. Hearing Ethans nominated roster, Duty subtly lifted the corners of his mouth. udie looked ufortable and red at Ethan. Martynass words floated up in his mind. About how Ethan wanted to lead and guide Mason, the student that udie himself had excluded. And now he wants to make Mason the grand battle opponent for the representative selection. Could he really be trying to make Mason the departments representative? Mason Yeld is a problem student, Teacher Ethan. udie said towards Ethan. Is that so? To my eyes, he merely looked like an immature student who hasnt found his footing. Ethans words had meaning. Students were immature. And teachers existed to guide such students. Of course that was idealism. But since it concerned Mason, udie couldnt help but frown. He had the experience of reaching out to Mason, only to withdraw his handter. So Ethans words felt like he was admonishing udie for that. The teachers who roughly understood the context opened their mouths in disbelief. Uhhh Hmmm The Swordsmanship Department teachers coughed awkwardly or made bewildered noises. Of course, the Magic Department teachers had very interested expressions. In the Magic Department, Teacher Duty stood alone. His abilities were beyond doubt, and the other teachers firmly supported him because of their faith in his nurtured golden generation. First of all, the goal wasntpetition within the same department but continual supremacy over the Knight Department. Theres already this kind of trouble For our department, it would actually be good if Teacher Ethan represented us but Because of the Magic Departments golden generation studentsst year, udie lost in the departmentpetition and failed to be the representative teacher for the academypetition. On top of that, Duty who was the representative ended up losing to Freya Academy. So it was doubly disappointing. The other teachers and students even said that if udie had been the representative, they might have defeated Freya Academy and taken first ce. So this years udie was quite a formidable opponent for the Magic Department. Plus the fact that Max Jurod, the #1 Swordsmanship student this year, was receiving good evaluations, which also contributed. He had been outstanding across all of his sses so far, and achieved superb grades onst years final exams. So the Magic Department side had no choice but to be wary of Max. In this situation, if the representative teacher was Ethan instead of udie, and the grand battle opponent was Mason rather than Max? From the Magic Departments standpoint, things couldnt have turned out better. Thats why the Magic Department watched the discord between the two with great interest. Nows not the time for emotional fights, you two. At the Principals low voice, the teachers buzzing stopped. udie also heaved a short sigh, calming his emotions. As for Ethan, he had no emotional agitation from the start, so he pretended nothing was wrong as he adjusted his cor. As you know, only one teacher per department can participate in the departmentpetition. The Magic Department has already decided on Teacher Duty, so that doesnt matter. And two people have stepped up from the Knight Department, so only one can be the representative. In cases like these, one of the two teachers would be selected throughpetition. In the past, four to six people stepped up from each department. But recently, Teacher udie has been showing great results in the Knight Department so he became the representative. Ever sinceing to Ivecar, udie had been the representative multiple times. Of course, that was because he kept winning thepetitions. He even had a record of winning the academypetition once. As udie dominated the Knight Department, it became natural for people to see him as the face of both the Knight Department and Swordsmanship Department representatives. This will be quite disadvantageous for Teacher Ethan. Well hes a new teacher challenging it, so it cant be helped! Representing the department is serious business. You need absolute skill. Thats right. Its not easy bing the departments representative teacher. The Principal looked back and forth between Ethan and udie. No matter who it is, Im sure theyll be reliable. As far as the Principal was concerned, morepetition was better. They needed strong, notcent minds to achieve victory in the departmentpetition, andter the academypetition. Withoutpetition, there would be no victory. And so it seemed the decision for the Knight Departments representative would be settled through apetition between Ethan and udie. Right as the meeting was about to conclude, Ethan opened his mouth. Principal, is it eptable if only two people participate? What do you mean, Teacher Ethan? The rules for deciding the representative were simple. The three student representatives wouldpete against each other in a battle to demonstrate their skills. Along with their midterm exam scores, thepetition would be decided from that. For our side, there are only two students right now. Yuna is temporarily away for personal reasons. Shell be back before the midterms but it looks like she wont be able to attend the representative selection battle. That wont work. The Principal immediately refused. Im not trying to change the rules. Ethan said. Ill take one automatic loss. Hahahahaha! The Principalughed gleefully. One automatic loss he says. So it wouldnt vite the rules. Fine. One win by default for one student then. The assessments of Yuna Ga amongst the teachers werent bad. The problems were Ron Bears and Mason Yeld. The Principal immediately saw through why Ethan had made this choice. And so did udie. Fury filled his eyes. How funny does he find this? Its to end after a single loss. So that there would be no more bacsh. Then please take care of things. Ethan said with a smile. udie knew very well his methods were aggressive. But this was how he did things. If you teach while living in ideals and dreams, being a teacher bes mere self-satisfaction. Rather than lessons for the students sake, they be lessons for the sake of pursuing the ideal teacher image he dreamed of. Thats why when he saw Ethan, his mood soured. Does he think I ran away? It frustrated him. Dont worry Teacher. This time Ill definitely be the representative. On top of that, they already have one automatic loss right from the start right? If I beat Mason, thats the end. The student with short, parted hair that suited his sharp features and tall frame. While not seeming very gentle, from his gait alone one could tell he had a robust body. This was Max Jurod, the student who spoke. Its toote for Mason. Unless it was in the past, he no longer has a chance to surpass me. The reason udie had reached out to Mason was because Mason had remarkabletent ability from his distinguished lineage. While histent ability alone was considerable, if Mason put his efforts into other pursuits, udie could have taught other students better instead. On top of that, Mason was already broken beyond repair. Rather than fix him, udie judged it was better to extend a hand to new students with potential instead. And so the student udie reached out for was Max Jurod. And as expected, Max rose to be the #1 rank in the Swordsmanship Department. From now on, Max would cement his position as the Swordsmanship Departments undisputed #1 until graduation. The imperial knights even came to observe Max, so radiant was Maxs future. Yet for some reason, udie couldnt stop thinking about his conversation with Ethan. -In my eyes, he just seemed like a young student who was lost.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 104: Appropriate Training Chapter 104: Appropriate Training I heard Teacher Ethan wants to make you the department representative. So youre working hard, huh Mason? The academys training grounds. Despite thete hour, the lights in the training grounds were brightly lit. The grounds are open until midnight, but you can apply to stay and train even after midnight. Mason and Max were there. Even as Max approached Mason to talk, Mason did not stop swinging his sword. But its toote, Mason. If it werest year I wouldnt have known, but the gap between you and me has already grown tremendously. Max smiled sinisterly. And you want to be Ivecars representative? Do you know how many teachers you drove outst year? And how many students you bullied? Max recalled the old memories. Even back then Max was a high-ranking student, but he was bullied by Mason who had an iron grip on power. Mason was vicious and merciless. What Max felt back then was anger. He wasnt angry because Mason bullied him. It was because despite training every day, Max lost due to skill to Mason who didnt even properly attend sses, let alone train. Seeing him look down on Max, Max came to think this was what azy genius was. But things are different now. In less than a year, Max brought out his talent. By taking Teacher udies extended hand and attending his sses, Max progressed in leaps and bounds. Now their positions werepletely reversed. Max was the undisputed #1 rank in the Swordsmanship Department. And Mason was still lingered at the top rank margins, same as back then. You absolutely cant. If you have any conscience, go tell Teacher Ethan. Max said. Say that someone like you has no qualifications to be the Swordsmanship Departments representative. That way Teacher Ethan wont be embarrassed during the departmentpetition. At Maxs words, Mason who was swinging his sword stopped. Yeah, you should say that. Or are you going to take a swing at me? Likest year? Or spew curses at me? Do as you wish. But let me make this clear. Just how different things arepared to back then. The sweat-drenched Mason approached Max. Max reflexively brought his hand to his waist. Im sorry. What? However, Mason did not point his sword at Max or spew curses at him. And Im sorry about before. I wasted my time like an idiot. As you said, I didnt train at all and just yed power games like some back alley punk. Max was bewildered. What was he hearing right now? Did he apologize? And frankly tell Max what kind of situation he was in? Wh-who are you Ive been a nuisance to countless people including you. As you said, Im not qualified to be Ivecar Academys representative. But Teacher Ethan reached out to someone like me. He said I have potential, that to bring the Swordsmanship Department to #1 again, Im needed. Max blurted out in shock. He doubted if the person before his eyes was really Mason Yeld. This must be an imposter. The Mason that Max knew would never be like this. Mason bowed his head to Max once more. I dont expect to be forgiven with just one apology. And I dont expect my reputation to change either. But still, I intend to do it. No matter what. Mason said. Since Ive wasted time until now. To make up for all that time condensed together. Suddenly Mason looked at Max. The man had changed. That change sent a chill down Maxs spine. I intend to properly give it my all, for once. Best of luck to you, Max. You, why? Why are you like this all of a sudden Until now, I thought people dont change unless theres some grand reason. But I was wrong. Mason swung his sword again. Swish! People can change over the most trivial reasons too. Its the same this time. For a petty reason, I intend to go all out in the uing department representative selection battle. Just like you said earlier, to make sure Teacher Ethan isnt embarrassed in the department representative battle. A wild horse that had never been tamed was now tamed. Buung-! Buung-! Seeing Mason swing his sword again, Max could only leave the training grounds. What change of heart did he have? Just how did Teacher Ethan make Mason end up like that? Max was suddenly curious about how Ethan had changed Mason so much. I should have watched the parent observation ss directly. With just the circting rumors, Max couldnt properly understand Ethan. But its toote now. Max was certain. With that swordsmanship, Mason would absolutely not be able to beat Max now. After thest parent observation ss, Ethan checked on how the followers of the Moon were viewing this incident. The order passed down from the First Order was status quo. As expected, it went over well. With just the order to maintain status quo and no additional orders, it meant the followers of the Moon side were satisfied with what had happened during thest parent observation ss. Not perfectly satisfied, that is. It seemed they wouldnt pay attention to his side for a while with this. After receiving reports from the Second and Third Orders, Ethan naturally used the followers of the Moon insignia to draft the First Orders opinion and disseminate the report. At least that worry has passed now. Returning home, Ethan immediately tended to the special golem. This special golem he would use for the next ss had the function topletely remember movements. It was called Complete Memory, a signature skill of special golems. It was a technique that showed why Archmage Hecate was called an Archmage. This will let them taste realbat experience. He nned to let the students attending the Understanding the Sword Path ss get a taste of this lesson before appealing to them about its necessity. That way, many students would apply for the new practical lessons he nned to establish. There wont be any more opposition against establishing new lessons after this. Just the parent observation ss was enough, andbined with winning the departmentpetition The department representative selection happens after midterms once the battle to decide department representatives concludes. It was a hectic schedule, so he had to allocate properly. We win the representative selection, and change their image during midterms. Yuna Gas reputation wasnt bad. Mason and Rons images are very poor. Itll be problematic even if they win the department representative selection. For now, Ron Bears was the worst rank in the Swordsmanship Department. And Mason was a troubled student who used his status as the Duke Houses sessor to stress relief on teachers. We just need high scores for midterms. With prior results, the midterm results will be decisive. All three of them were already taking Understanding the Sword Path lessons. I can provide small help without an issue. Ethan decided to first have the special golem memorize Max Jurods swordsmanship. Mason and Maxs swordsmanship styles are simr. Though in terms of skill itself, Max is superior to Mason at present. The golem will unconditionally stick to Maxs style against Mason, and Ron will face Slos Pallo. The student udie decided to pit was the Swordsmanship Departments 3rd ranked student with even better grades than Mason. The burly student utilized an efficient swordsmanship style that made use of the opponents strength. It could be said he was Rons nemesis. Swordsmanship styles that utilize the opponents strength be more powerful the greater the opponents strength. The only way Ron has the advantage is swordsmen focused on destruction like Ron does. But that wont work. While Ron had to win this fight, simply winning was not enough. Winning is just the basics. He has to prove that brute strength isnt everything. From that perspective, the opponent Ron met was a perfect match. If he beats his nemesis, people will recognize him even if they dont want to. The title of Swordsmanship Departments worst rank would disappear. Instead, the image of a student whose skills rapidly improved would be etched. Kkiiikkk. The special golem made an unpleasant noise. As the golems eyes shone, Ethan immediately stood before it. First, Maxs swordsmanship. Ethan took a posture and replicated Max Jurods swordsmanship on the spot. Even back when Ethan was actively ying MePan, Max was a famous guy. But he always lost out to Mason and was pushed back by other swordsmen, barely ranking in the top five. And the road to sess wasnt smooth at all. As they ran into each other many times, building a cordial rtionship was easy as well. So I know him well. The foundation of Max Jurods swordsmanship was stabbing. Fast stabbing. All sorts of sword techniques unfolded around this stabbing, but eventually, they were just build-ups for yet another stab. Its the simplest yet most powerful. Thats why its hard to cope with. He stabbed quickly but the route was not straightforward. Great variations, fast speed, powerful might. Ethan recalled that stabbing and mimicked it as is. Swish swish swish! Max Jurods swift stabbing that cuts through the wind was reproduced under Ethans lead. Kkikikikk. Observing Ethans stab, the special golem began remembering Max Jurods sword techniques. With all the techniques yed out, the special golem took on the posture Ethan had shown first mimicking Max Jurods. Next, Ethan had another golem memorizepletely different swordsmanship. Rather than directly remembering Slos Pallos swordsmanship. Taking a posture, Ethan revealed the flimsiest swordsmanship from memory. No matter what attack the opponent did, everything was redirected harmlessly. And the stronger the attack, the greater burden it ced on the attacker instead. Of course, Ethan did not actually learn the skill, but imitating it was not difficult. Kkikik. The golem went on to remember the flimsy swordsmanship as well. Despite thete hour, Ethan promptly summoned Ron and Mason who he knew would still be training. Ill be right back. Following orders, Schudlen called the two students over right away. Indeed, perhaps having trained overnight, their whole bodies were drenched in sweat and breathing ragged. Ron, Mason, its special training. What is this? A golem I see, Teacher. Is this training using this golem? Ron did not recognize it, but Mason quickly grasped what this lesson was about. Golem training was often used in lieu of actualbat practice anyway. Its not an ordinary golem. This golem will utilize the exact swordsmanship your opponent uses. Is that possible? Mason asked back in surprise. My escort made it specially for academy lessons. Huh. Mason looked at Ethan. How deeply was this teacher considering the students? Even his escorts deeply cared about students to this extent. Take these two golems and train with them. I n on using these golems for ss with Understanding the Sword Path next, so I will gauge your training then. Is this homework? Yes. It was quite a burdening homework, but Ron actually preferred having clear goals like this. It let him immerse much deeperpared to training alone without aim. The two students took the golems and returned to the academy. The night is still long. Ethan promptly prepared to head out. After assigning homework to students, it was time to handle his own homework next.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 105: Reviving and Reviving Again Chapter 105: Reviving and Reviving Again In addition to training his students, Ethan had another way. Heos Acupuncture, and Heos Decoction. He could use these two powers to help his students grow. Using buffs is not allowed originally. But it was a separate issue to gain proficiency by using buffs. I will master Heos Acupuncture. To master this Heos Acupuncture, suitable targets were needed. Theres a way I can increase the growth of other skills as well. Ethan didnt go far. I didnt expect to see you again so soon. I also didnt think Ide here so often. The ce he found was Grand Horn. The Golden Wolves seemed to be getting along well enough with the White Tiger, dividing up territory to guard the area. There will probably be more monsters. Yes, since the goddess temple revealed itself, the vitality of the surrounding area has started to recover. That influence has reached our originalnd as well, and the earths energy has been gradually strengthening. Gorden, leader of the Golden Wolves, said. The Golden Wolves could immediately sense thend recovering as they drew power from their originalnd. But monsters have appeared, as if they caught wind of that smell. Creatures that werent originally here havee from somewhere to Grand Horn Gorden growled in anger. We absolutely wont hand it over. Well show what we can properly do, since the goddess has given us this opportunity. Ill help you. Yes? How dare these arrogant monsters covet thisnd of the goddess. This is uneptable. You dont expect me to just stand by, right? Ill help you guys. As expected of you. You are her descendant after all. Gorden looked at Ethan with strong trust in its eyes. -The believers trust grows stronger. Is it good when trust grows stronger? Before Ethan could be puzzled, a notification popped up. -The power of the Moon Goddess grows stronger. -The power of frost has strengthened. -The proficiency of skills granted by the Moon Goddess has increased slightly. Oh ho, so proficiency can be raised this way too? The percentage didnt go up since it was just a slight increase, but he learned something new. Gathering believers also strengthened the goddess power, and the stronger the believers faith in the goddess, the more that power grew even more. And all of that is directly linked to my power. Not only skill proficiency, but the original power the skills possessed went up all at once. First, Ethan gathered all of the Golden Wolves together. Gorden, you stay here and guard this ce with White Tiger. The rest of the wolves wille hunt monsters with me to take care of them. Will you be alright without me? Is there a wolfmander who understands human speech? Yes. I will tell them to follow the sessors words. No, theres no need for that. He had to prove it himself. Yotan, Gordens right-hand man leading the Golden Wolves, believed in the goddess who gave them newnd, and believed in her descendants. But to be honest, it didnt know how strong the descendant really was. Itd be one thing if Gorden led, but since the Moon Goddess descendant was leading directly, it felt ufortable. I know you guys are ufortable following me. For wolves, following is only possible if the other is stronger. Ethan spoke bluntly. I will demonstrate. Watch that, then follow if you want, or dont follow if you dont want to. After saying that, Ethan leaped out in front of the growling wolves. Ethan, having said that, gathered the growling wolves together. But before that, Ill give you some nice gifts. Ethan was nning to actively use Heos Acupuncture on the Golden Wolves. Basically, the technique differed in how it was applied to humans and animals. So far, its mostly been used on humans. But Ethan realized once again while watching Heo Juns video. To master Heos Acupuncture, one needed to experience a variety of situations. Regardless of whether its human or animal. Ethan took out the needles and activated the Eye of Horus. Its simr to Monsters Cmity but different. While Monsters Cmity skill pierced monsters weak points, Heos Acupuncture bestowed beneficial effects. One wrong move and he could end up hunting monsters with Monsters Cmity. So, I have to be careful. Ethan used Heos Acupuncture to simultaneously restore the wolves health and provide them with buffs. Thuck-thuck-! Kyaang! It was the first time using it on animals, so the first attempt failed. However, the sessive use of Heos Acupuncture perfectly restored the wolves health and boosted their vitality. Grrrr! Mastery of Heos Acupuncture greatly increased! Heos Acupuncture 20 / 1000 It went up by 5 points in one go. Ethan continued to use Heos Acupuncture on the wolves. Initially tense, the wolves rxed as they realized Ethans peculiar actions were making them stronger. Mastery of Heos Acupuncture increased! Ethan quickly reached a hundred uses on the wolves. Everyone should be feeling better now. Ethan said. Now, Ill show you an example to follow. The decision is yours. At Ethans words, Yotan howled in agreement, and the wolves began howling simultaneously. Afterward, the advancing wolves spotted a goblin horde in the distance, and Ethan, at the forefront, leaped forward. Grrr- As if his earlier momentum disappeared, Ethan suddenly started pretending to be a lost human. And those observing him soon appeared. Die, hu-man! The goblin horde aimed at Ethan and swarmed forth. Ethan waspletely defenseless in that moment. Shocked, Yotan immediately tried to lead the wolves to charge forth, but Ethans words about demonstrating came to mind. Ethan, as the Moon Goddess sessor, surely knew the wolves ways. Kekekek! The goblin swung his weapon at Ethan. Thwack-! Smack-! -Swish! But Ethan didnt budge an inch. Supreme Resilience. The goblins were bewildered, backing away slightly. A sweet scent started wafting in Grand Horn. The source of this sweet scent was the fertileke where the Moon Goddess temple appeared. Smelling this, monsters from all around the area gathered and came. Kirik, sweet scent, this ce is nice to live in. But its dangerous. Dangerous enemies are here. Still, its worth the danger. If we win, kirik, we gain this goodnd. Green skin. And crimson eyes. Hundreds of goblins that looked much burlier than normal goblins hade to Grand Horn, following the scent. And in another part of Grand Horn was an orc horde. Chwik, chwik. These orcs had even brought a shaman with them. The hordes level was quite high, and especially the orc shaman was an incredible level 60-something. This ce, fertilend, we take. Take! Followmand! And so various monster hordes entered Grand Horn and started eyeing theke. Of those, the goblin horde advancing straight towards theke spotted a carelessly wandering human. A human. A human that looks weak! Small body. Looks weak! If the first hunt here seeds, everything will be good, kirik. The goblin warrior raised his spear high. Die, hu-man! Tens of goblins attacked Ethan simultaneously. The goblins each thrust their weapons to disable the human in one blow. Smack-! Thud-! But the sound was strange. It wasnt the sound that should happen when attacking a human with spears and clubs. Kirik? S-Strange! Hard indeed. The human they had clearly hit was unharmed and speaking normally. He didnt shed any blood and didnt seem injured at all. Sensing something off, the goblins backed away slightly. But when the goblin warrior raised its weapon again andmanded, the goblin horde attacked the exact same way again. It was the same this time too. Though the attack clearly seeded, the human was perfectly fine. Impossible. If the attack properlynded, this couldnt be. Supreme Resilience. Ethan fully activated Supreme Resiliences power. Kwaaaaang-! With a loud sound, the surrounding goblins were sted back. Kuk, kehek. Watching the goblins rolling painfully on the ground, Ethans expression twitched slightly. Swish-. Ethan took out Frost Sword and approached the goblins. The goblins no longer dared to recklessly attack Ethan. If you dont attack, you just die. Keekek! The goblins had no choice but to attack Ethan again. Ethan kept using Supreme Resilience, increasing its proficiency. Again! The goblins now had no idea what was going on. Just what was this human? Th-this isnt human. That thing isnt human! The goblins tried to flee outright. But Golden Wolves had surrounded them from all sides, forcing them to back away again. Backing away meant Do it again. The inhuman human was waiting. Kieeek! The goblins dreadful night continued. Ethan hunted Grand Horns monsters like crazy all night. Chwik-! Ru-run! Mad human! Hes a mad human! Everyone will die! The Golden Wolves following Ethan felt terrified at Ethans dreadful side. At the same time, as if sharing the same thought, a notification popped up before Ethan. Feeling afraid, the believer trusts the goddess descendant. The believers strongly believe in the goddess! Seeing that notification, Ethan grinned widely. Respectes from fear, they say. He didnt expect believers faith could be obtained this way. Next time I gather believers, I should consider this method too. Ethan used Heos Acupuncture on the fallen orcs once more. Orcs generally had arge, human-like physique that made using Heos Acupuncture convenient. Gururururk- Sto-stop. Stop, human. Dont worry. Ethan said. This is thest time. Gururururuk-! Thwack-! Thwack-! All the monsters attacks struck Ethan. Supreme Resilience. Only after repeating Supreme Resilience over ten times did Ethan start grasping how to use it well. As expected, since the difficulty level is extreme, its hard to utilize. The slightest mistake means not just no Supreme Resilience, but serious wounds from a single attack. Since it was practically taking attackspletely defenseless, he couldnt let his guard down for a moment. But Im getting the feel for it now. Supreme Resiliences proficiency rises! Thwack-! Thwack-! After continuously using Supreme Resilience, Ethan unleashed the umted damage all at once. Keuuuuuuk. Knocking down the orcs again, Ethan made some acupuncture needles this time. Chik chik chik chik-! He inserted every needle he made into the orcs. As the orcs bodies recovered, their muscles grew even bigger. You did well, orcs. Heos Acupuncture 1000 / 1000 Heos Acupunctures proficiency has reached 100 percent! Quest cleared! Heos Acupuncture isplete. True Heos Acupuncture [MASTER]Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 106: The Necessity of Practical Lessons Chapter 106: The Necessity of Practical Lessons -Achievement unlocked! -[Completion of Skill] Achievement unlocked, youve earned Likes! -Gained 3 Likes! With this, Ethan now surpassed twenty Likes after achieving the achievement. It seems I didnt get this achievement for Whiskers Swordsmanship since it was already at 100% from the beginning. Following Whiskers Swordsmanship, Heos Acupuncture has also beenpletely mastered at 100%. It was now fully his own. True Heos Acupuncture. When Heos Acupuncture waspleted, it transformed into a skill called True Heos Acupuncture. Where the proficiency used to be disyed, [MASTER] was now clearly written, indicating the skillspletion. It was a skill he had first obtained by subscribing to [New World], and only nowpleted it. He recalled when he first opened New World and obtained Heos Acupuncture in order to survive. Compared to then, his health was recovered considerably now, to the pointparisons were meaningless. With this, I can keep my health at peak condition. Survival probability continually decreases due to Extinction. But with True Heos Acupuncture, maintaining health would be perfect. Furthermore, he could aim for health recovery and enhancement. Heo Juns acupuncture technique was an incredible skill. I want to test the effects. First, Ethan tested the effects on himself. Chik-. Chik-. Chik-. Oh, the precision has improved. The basic precision when using acupuncture improved. Even if it was a little off, the needle urately pierced the right spot. Next, Ethan used the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique to apply buffs. Oh ho. The buffs from the original Five Elements Acupuncture Technique had time limits. The time limit increased. It was at least twice as long as before. The number of needles I can make is now fifteen. Ethan could now freely make, erase, and control a total of fifteen needles. And Ethan looked at his fingertips. The sensation has sharpened. This seems rted to Pulse Diagnosis too. Sensation at the fingertips was important to Pulse Diagnosis. Of course, it wasnt a real pulse diagnosis, just borrowing the skills power, but his fingertips bing more sensitive meant Pulse Diagnosis effects increased too. I can now do deeper, more certain Pulse Diagnoses. Ethan used Pulse Diagnosis to check his own pulse. Checking pulse. Due to the powerful curse, the pulse cannot be grasped clearly! Current status: fatigue, powerful curse As expected, even this can barely detect anything with the curse. He kept trying to figure out and find another way to detect his illness, but as expected, Extinction was a tremendous curse. But Pulse Diagnosis effects definitely increased after mastering Heos Acupuncture. There are benefits to mastering it. After bidding the Golden Wolves he fought with farewell, Ethan immediately used Wind Cloud. The war god Ares awaited a reply to his letter. However, no letter came the next day, or the day after that, or the day after the next. At first, he was angry, but now he didnt even feel anger anymore. Im thecking one. And suddenly realized. Just waiting will aplish nothing. With the passive attitude of just awaiting a reply, I can do nothing! What was one of the important things in war? Properly responding. One must respond to the opponents actions, or predict and respond ahead of them. But right now Ares was doing neither. This was defeat. A powerless defeat. I need to re-examine myself. So he can choose me! I must be a channel he wants! As if having an epiphany, Ares busily started moving. Athena watched Ares act like that and clicked her tongue in irritation. Lord Ares, youre acting like a girl in love. M-me? Saying you must re-examine yourself, be someone he chooses, be a better channel? Thats called one-sided love. That cant be. Ares pped. Thats it, Athena. Someone with one-sided love still actively appeals! One-sided love alone cannot elicit a response! His eyes zed like fire. He was called a warrior. Once lit, he nned to move properly. I cannot miss this chance! Before [Only subscribed to the right gods] showed up again, he had to make the other subscribe to him. Now he nned to seduce not with letters, but with video quality and introductory copy that would make the other want to subscribe. If it doesnt work, Ill keep at it until it does! Even Athena, who had looked at Ares with contempt, quietly started following Ares methods. The day of thest ss before midterms arrived. After todays ss, a fairly big event awaited the Swordsmanship Department. Through the principals notice, information circted that the inter-department representative battle of the Swordsmanship Department would be officially held, and students who heard were extremely excited. Especially those taking Understanding the Sword Path were even more so. Did you see the notice? It said Teacher udie and Teacher Ethan will battle for the Swordsmanship Department representative spot? Yeah, I checked it this morning. Looks like Teacher Ethan chose Mason and Ron Bears as reps, and even Yuna Ga. Teacher udies side has Max Jurod and Slos Pallo. Yuna Ga was left out this time, so Teacher udies side matched at two people too. Can the 3rd ranked really win against the 1st? Thats not the point. I heard Teacher Ethan said hell take one loss from the start instead of choosing a 3rd student? What!? Then its over after just one loss? Both Ron and Mason have high chances of losing. Why did the teacher do that? It was already a disadvantageous situation just holding the normal department representative battle, but to intentionally take a loss from the start too. The chances of winning were even lower. Impossible. But. Hmmm. Everyone thought it impossible, but at the same time, they somehow felt Ethan could make it happen. They were instinctive thoughts. So far, Teacher Ethan had something that made them expectant. Something thrilling. His bold actions like achieving the impossible left an impression. He was that kind of teacher. All the things Teacher Ethans done so far were impossible things too. Right, he seeded at them all. Hell make this work too, right? Masonspletely reformed recently too. At the parents observation ssst week, he was seriously awesome. I was surprised too. Mason Yeld was certainly a skilled delinquent in the upper ranks until recently. But after taking Ethans sses, he waspletely reformed. And Ron Bears was the worst ranked in Swordsmanship, unable to properly utilize his strength, but he was now gradually revealing his skills. Rumble-. The front door opened and Mason, who looked with sunken cheeks and sharp eyes, entered. Until just recently he still had decently chubby cheeks, but now even his cheeks were sunken in. Following after was Ron. This side went a step further, losing his bear-like appearance andpletely transforming into a sharp look. No way. Just how much did they train. The students looked at them, unable to believe it. As expected, Ethan had ns. Something.. is going to happen. Itll be intense if it does. While everyone stole nces at the two. Ethan entered the ssroom holding something, along with his two guards. ! Its new. What is that? A golem? The students eyes lit up. To be able to receive education with new teaching methods based on Understanding the Sword Path every week. How fortunate. And that thing was a golem. Using a golem for ss was basically set. Of course, there were clear limits to practical lessons using a golem, but Ethan surely knew that. That meant while simr, the lesson would definitely be different from before. But it was certain to be a far more efficient lesson. The students eagerly awaited what kind of lesson Ethan would give, eyes shining. As you can all tell, todays lesson is practical. Their prediction was correct. The students immediately concentrated on Ethans words. I believe the most effective method to understand the sword path is through practical experience. No matter how much you understand the sword path and make it your own, if you dont experience it practically, your swordsmanship has no life. Only practical experience could breathe life into the sword path. But as you know, practical lessons are far too dangerous. To have practical lessons, wed have to go up Grand Horn, and by the time we came back down, a few students from here might not make it back. Gulp. Chen Garcias eyes shook. Seeing that, Ethan smiled. So well have lessons safely using this special golem, with no risk of death. At Ethans words, the students curiously looked over the golem. Just then, as if realizing something strange in Ethans words, a student raised their hand. Ethan gestured for them to speak. Theres no injury? At that, Ethan spoke again. Practical lessons with no risk of death. Ethans words, as if asking how there could be no injuries during practical lessons, made everyone fall silent. Uhh.. Hrmm. The students quite pleasant anticipation instantly hardened. Seeing the students expressions, Ethan nodded satisfied. Yerica. Yes. The overseer Yerica activated the special golems. Rumble-! Schudlen wore quite thick armor today. Today he didnt need to give contemptuous looks and curses. His role was to jump in and stop the golems when things got dangerous. Come out in order, ten at a time. The lesson promptly began. The first ten students stood before the golem. Since todays lesson would likely be intense, they were spaced far apart. That golem is special. It will clearly be different from the golems youve experienced before. So do not think it an ordinary golem. Ethan said. Consider it a definite enemy trying to kill you, and swing your sword as such. Though they held wooden swords, bones could still be broken with them. Begin. Kwaaang-! The moment it began, a student who charged at the golem was smashed by the wooden sword and flung back, immediately losing consciousness after writhing about. ..Insane. Wha, what is this! As Ethan warned, it was not an ordinary golems movements. That can happen if youre careless. Ethan said with a smile.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 107: This part will be on the exam Chapter 107: This part will be on the exam The sword path is like a living being. Therefore, to utilize the sword path, you must continuously refine it and wield your sword ording to the situation. But how can you create those countless situations? Ultimately, to continue cultivating the sword path, realbat experience is absolutely necessary. Hearing Ethans words, the students nodded their heads. Ethan then gestured to the students who were standing in front of the special golems with confused expressions. Those golems have a spell cast on them to strike down anything thates near. If you get too close, they will swing their wooden swords at you. And they really look like theyre trying to kill you. They just saw it. With just one blow, it could knock you unconscious. It seemed like the special golems ruthlessly swung their swords at anything that came near them. They were the perfect enemy. An enemy that could provide endless realbat experience. Nobody here thought of them as ordinary golems anymore. In this ss, you will learn the active footwork that is essential for realbat. And centering on that footwork, you will be able to make your sword paths more flexible and adaptable to the situation. Ethan said. You will possess a living sword path. As soon as he finished speaking, the students charged towards the special golems. Wham! Bam! The students who challenged the special golems tumbled down one by one. The golems movements were extraordinary. Their relentless motions were fitting for realbat. If the things in the golems hands were real swords, the students would have died right there. The thought sent chills down their spines. It made them realize just how gentle the sses inside the safetys had been up until now. Let me reiterate. Every ss youve taken so far is fake. Ethan said. The real thing is in thisbat. Although you learn many things to prepare for realbat, you never actually experience it. So when you go into the field, you be bewildered, and often end up badly injured or dead on your first mission. Ethans words were realistic. Of course, among those present were nobles who didnt necessarily have to go into the field. But even they needed field experienceter on to be prepared. They needed experience to be able to take control of situations in realbat. This ss is entirely for that purpose. But since this is still an Understanding the Sword Path ss, we wont do any more lessons on realbat after today, except for this one time. What!? You wont do thisbat lesson again? I wont. Ethan spoke decisively. Then he folded his arms. Instead, Im thinking of creating another ss. Oh! A new ss!? The students eyes lit up. Are you taking on an additional existing ss, Teacher? Even for Teacher Ethan, creating a brand new ss from scratch seems difficult From their discussion, it sounded like he was nning to create an entirely new ss focused on providing realbat experience, not just taking on an existing ss. Adding difficulty to difficulty was like reiterating the saying that the impossible cannot be achieved. The ss I n to create will be called Introduction to Combat Studies. That orthodox name made the students eyes shine. And I will reduce the enrollment even further than now. I n to have a final 50 students. That meant 25 students here would not be able to take it. But thepetition was not just them. Ethan was currently regarded within the academy as a teacher whose sses were mandatory. If Ethan created a new ss, it was likely the entire Knight Department, or even some from the Magic Department, would try to register for Ethans ss. ..When will you create it, Teacher? When will you make the ss, Teacher! The students gazes became serious. Ethans sses were like blood and flesh to them. They were the truest of sses, unlike anything they had experienced before. They had to take this ss no matter what methods they used. Ill let you know about thatter. Whats important now is todays lesson. As you all know, the midterm exams areing up soon. I n to test you on the various things Ive taught. Ethan said. And this part now. He pointed at the special golems. Then he looked at the students again. Will be on the exam. The students who were sighing in fear of the special golems and reluctant just a moment ago changed their expressions. The midterm exam period was approaching soon. Ethan mentioning the midterm exam now surely had meaning. They thought he would reveal the timing of when he would open enrollment in the new ss to those who scored well on the midterm exam. And those students would certainly be able to take Ethans new ss. Some students had heard from a ssmate taking Ethans Potion Manufacturing ss in the Magic Department. Supposedly Ethan told them he would teach how to utilize brle to students who got high marks in that ss. Which meant something simr would happen in the Swordsmanship Department Ethan would personally take students with high midterm scores. Woosh- The next batch of students immediately came forward. Among them were Mason and the now slender Ron. The students nced at those two. Those two were practically confirmed already. So the rest of them had to appeal to Ethan now in whatever way they could. Haaah! One student charged forward, recalling the parent observation ss. He felt back then like he could do anything. He was able to demonstrate all the swordsmanship he had learned. For a moment, he even thought he could do anything. He believed his skills had greatly improved after taking Ethans sses. Of course, it was true his skills had improved. But at the same time, he realized it was because Ethan had amodated his swordsmanship. Wham! Crash! Although all the students showed motivation, in the end, they all got knocked down. Seeing the special golems calmly taking their stances again, Yerica smiled slightly. Now only Mason and Ron were left. Ill go first. The special golems for Ron and Mason had different movements programmedpared to the other golems. Ron approached his special golem. The moment the golem recognized Ron, it swung its sword. It was a swordsmanship Ethan had programmed into it. Swish! Swish! It was swift swordsmanship, difficult to discern what were real attacks, like the swordsmanship Yuna Ga had shown during the parent observation ss. Stab stab stab stab! Of it all, the thrusts stood out the most. They were tremendous thrusts that looked like they could pierce right through you. Despite being wooden swords, the thrusts were so fierce youd think they would puncture a hole somewhere in your body if theynded. Watching the golems movements, the students imagined what they would do if they were in that situation. It was already toote to strike it down. If they tried to strike it down immediately, their own wooden swords would get deflected by the fierce attack, and the golems thrust would urately target them instead. So the textbook response was to dodge first. But Ron did not dodge. Instead, he took a step forward and swung his wooden sword at the golems fierce thrust. Crash! My god. He smashed that just with brute strength? Not just Mason, Ron had also blossomed spectacrly after the parent observation ss. There was no wasted effort seen in Rons earlier movement. He had smashed the thrust head-on with all his might behind the wooden sword. With Rons overwhelming strength applied properly, there was no way the fierce thrust could withstand it, however fierce it was. Everyone now understood why Ethan had chosen Ron as the representative for the inter-departmentpetition. There was no longer a deadst in the Swordsmanship Department. There was only Ron Bears with his mighty strength. Phew. Ron gently breathed out as he touched the golem, immediately stopping its motions. You pass. The golems movements would stop if touched like that. Hearing Ethans words that he passed, several students minds started racing. That the midterm exam might consist of these special golems. If so, then like Ron just showed, the passing criteria would be to dismantle the special golems swordsmanship and touch them. The students concentration rose even higher. Next was Mason. Since Ron had raised their expectations so much, the students also anticipated Masons movements nervously. Both Ron and Mason had been taught by Ethan. Their strength demonstrated the excellence of Ethans teaching abilities. As Mason approached the special golem, it took on that unique stance Max Jurod had shown. Swish! Soon Max Jurods swordsmanship unfolded. Mason calmly began blocking each movement. Then he took a step forward and fully unfolded his Yeld swordsmanship. Students who had seen Mason unfold his Yeld swordsmanship before instantly got chills down their spines. It wasnt the same Yeld swordsmanship as before. It was also different from the Yeld swordsmanship they saw during the parent observation ss. Something had changed. That changed form felt like the true essence of Yeld swordsmanship. Ominous aura. It was a blow that clearly revealed the advantages of Yeld swordsmanship, a domineering swordsmanship. Slice! Along with a tearing attack, the special golem instantly retreated back. It was the golem that had flexibly responded even in the fight against Ron Bears. Yet it immediately retreated from Masons attack. Oh ho. Seeing that, Ethan smiled slightly. Yerica behind him was extremely angry. Phew. But thanks to the students movements, especially Ron and Mason, she was able to reconsider the special golems direction once more. Crash! Mason had no intention of touching and dragging the golem like Ron Bears did. He directly met the golems downward diagonal slice head-on, smashing his sword up from below. Crash! With enough force behind that upward smash, the special golems arm was severed and flew through the air. That upward slice just now was not original Yeld swordsmanship. It was the flexible sword path modified with Ethans advice. Flexibly.. So thats the flexible sword path Teacher was talking about. Mason had visually demonstrated what would happen if you properly followed Ethans lessons. Just do as you saw. This isnt because Mason is strong. As you all know, Mason wasnt at this level until just recently. Mason bowed his head after felling the golem. He did not forget to also bow his head to Yerica who had made the golem. It was conduct unbing of one with Dukes blood, but that humility now felt like a virtue. His image hadpletely changed. You can do it too. Since you took my ss. Ethan said. Look forward to the midterm exam. Those words made the students hearts race. There was nobody here who wanted to disappoint Ethans expectations.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 108: Preparations Chapter 108: Preparations Marquis Rond Territory Hot air spewed out from the busy cksmith workshop. Inside, there was an apprentice moving busily about. Geralt! Yes! Coming! Geralt, help out over here! Yes! This workshop was a massive workshop created bybining three major smithies. It was thergest workshop in Marquis Rond Territory, and had many skilled cksmiths gathered from the many workshops in the area. Therefore, it also had many apprentices, but among them there was one apprentice in particr sought after by the cksmiths. Geralt Lore. Despite being an apprentice, he already had a physique as burly as any cksmith, packed full of muscles. Many cksmiths wanted him as their own apprentice, but Geralt always declined, saying he was stillcking. Today as well, Geralt was busy responding to the cksmiths calls and taking care of workshop tasks. Geralt! Yes! What can I do for you? Theres someone here looking for you. Huh? For me? Someone hade to the workshop looking not for a cksmith but an apprentice? It was only natural to be puzzled. Did you lose a gambling debt or something? No, why would I have any gambling debts? After finishing work here I go straight home to sleep, thene straight to the workshop after waking up. A rather handsome gentleman hase looking for you. Go see him first. Yes. Geralt was very curious about who on earth hade looking for him. Could it be someone he knew? Hello there. Hello? I heard you were looking for me. But who are you? He wondered if he knew the person, but it turned out to be aplete stranger. He couldnt even guess where he might have seen him before. He was handsome, as the cksmith had described, so there was no way he wouldnt remember him. This seems to beour first meeting, may I ask who you are? My name is Ethan Whiskers. What!? Geralts eyes widened momentarily. If it was Ethan Whiskers, then he was the most outstanding among the new teachers at the Ivecar Academy these days. Unless something extraordinary happened, news from the academy rarely spread beyond its walls. Thats how remarkable Ethans reputation was. Why would a teacher from the Ivecar Academye to me? Geralt, even more bewildered, asked Ethan. What reason could there be for a teacher from the academy toe looking for him? Ivee to make a request. A request? To me? Yes, a request to the cksmith, Geralt Lore. . The word cksmithing from Ethans mouth touched Geralts heart. cksmith was the position every apprentice in a smithy aimed for and wanted to hear. But Im an apprentice here, not a cksmith. However, Geralt tly rejected it. Fundamentally, he was an assistant here. Taking requests and making items was the cksmiths job. The most outstanding apprentice among the apprentices. Someone said to already have the skills of a cksmith, is that correct? Well. those kinds of evaluations aremon chatter among us apprentices. Here in this smithy, they even sell items youve made, I heard. Uhm, thats because the cksmith sirs see me favorably and make considerations. I properly exin when selling items too, so its not like Im scamming. He made excuses. Rather than typical false modesty, he seemed to genuinely believe his skills werent that good. Geralt Lorecks confidence in his own abilities. The reason was because of his lowly birth. He wandered without even proper shelter under fugitive ve parents. So it was understandable he couldnt believe in himself. Geralts deceased parents had drilled into him to never step forward first, like hammering a nail in his ear. They told him to live as if invisible. How could he have confidence in his skills? Youck confidence in your own abilities. Im just a lowly apprentice. I appreciate you, an academy teacher, appraising me highly, but really Im. As Geralt slowly backed away, Ethan opened his spatial pouch while looking at him. The most intuitive and best way to assess value. The more of it there was, the harder it was for anyone to refuse. The very thing that could hold down Geralts hesitant feet right now money. Please make three swords. Ethan nned to gift swords to three students. So they could wield those swords and defeat the Magic Department in the inter-departmentpetition. Additionally, he nned to have armor made too. He had gathered quite a lot of materials up to now. On top of that, he had ample funds to progress the work. And starting this new business would naturally earn more moneyter. Dont spare the money. Wasnt that the best way to obtain top-quality items? Geralts eyes grew wide at the pouch full of gold. But he soon waved his hands as if to say he couldnt ept it. Yet his eyes kept sneaking nces at the yellow gleam from inside the pouch. Th, this is too much money. In my opinion, this amount matches the value of the swords and armor you would make. But Im not that amazing of a person. As Geralt denied while fidgeting, Ethan approached him. Geralt, Im a teacher from the academy. Im quite confident in my eye for people. In my eyes, youre more skilled than any cksmith here. Saying that, Ethan grasped Gerolts shoulder. It was said that the reason Gerolt Goldhand had gotten rid of his past doubts about himself in the past and became a renowned cksmith on the continent was due to a single line. The words of the first person who gave Geralt a request, those words were famous for changing Geralts life. Its fine if you fail. The doubts weighing him down were tremendous. He was afraid that if he revealed his skills, it would ruin everything he had built up until now. He hesitated, afraid he may never get up again if he failed. He didnt even think of challenging, afraid of failing. Its fine if you uselessly spend that money. Its fine if you fail. It will be entirely my choice. Is it really. fine if I fail? A cautious question. Ethans hand almost clenched reflexively. But he barely held it in and showed a gentle smile instead. Of course. Im seeing your potential. This isnt simply about buying swords or armor from you today. Of course, he couldnt fail. But fortunately, his thoughts and words changed very naturally. He wont be able to fail anyway at this point. Even now, Geralts skills were assured. All he needed was confidence in himself. Once Geralt with no burdens makes the swords and armor I requested, hell regain his confidence. And he would decide there was no longer a need to remain an apprentice, and attempt to open his own smithy. Thats when I can support him. That would allow Ethan to build a good rtionship with Geralt, who would be the youngest Goldhand. Do you really believe in me? Geralt asked once more. No more words were needed. Ethan promptly handed the materials and arge sum of money to Geralt. Im Ethan Whiskers. Once theyrepleted, pleasee to the academy to find me. Sir Ethan, I heard your story spread really widely? What kinds of achievements have you aplished at the academy to be called the best teacher this year? In a high-ss restaurant. Etting greeted Ethan as she entered. I just did as I always do. Just received a bit more good graces. Its not just a little good graces. Although she spoke casually, ever sinceing to Marquis Rond Territory, Etting had been continually shocked. Not long ago after getting Ethans proposal, Etting had promptly started preparing for the new business. And before properly starting the business, she hade to Marquis Rond Territory to have an in-depth discussion with Ethan. As soon as she entered, she came to know quite a lot of information. She didnt even have to look for it. Information about Ethan just poured in whether she listened for it or not. I keep hearing about you, Sir Ethan. I checked on how teachers at the academy are usually talked about, and was told no teacher had been this much of a topic since Teacher udie Hyde. Etting also knew a bit about udie Hyde. It wasmon knowledge he came from the Hyde House, one of the Twelve Saints Houses. Everyone knew he had be a teacher at Ivecar and was disying his outstanding talents. But he was from the Hyde House, one of the Twelve Stars Families. It was natural for a noble, moreover one from the Twelve Stars Families, to be an issue. On the other hand, Ethan was from the Whiskers House in the rural area. No matter how great his feats, it wouldnt be as big of an issue. Yet Ethans name was spreading this much. It meant Ethan was truly aplishing shocking results within the academy. I just worked hard. When achievements like these piled up, it was human nature to want to boast a little bit. Etting had also felt the itch to celebrate more than once in the past whenever Lightweight Workshop saw explosive sales growth and continued setting new records daily. She had actually held celebratory drinking parties multiple times. .Modesty bes a poison when taken too far. This much isnt excessive, so it wont be poisonous. I see. Were achievements of this level just minor to Ethan? Were the feats he aplished so insignificant he thought this level of ordinary modesty was sufficient? Suddenly, Etting grew a bit worried about the prototype Ethan had brought. It was the first time she had be anxious about someone elses business proposal. Dont be too nervous, Etting. With your abilities, it will definitely be feasible. And if anything iscking, I can introduce affiliated Merchant Guilds too. Affiliated Merchant Guilds? Im ted to form ties with the Ga Merchant Guild soon. If needed, you can further expand your scale with aid from the Ga Merchant Guild. Yo, youve formed connections with the Ga Merchant Guild? I thought you were focused on the academy? A merchants foundation wasposure. Although Etting was now a top executive of a Merchant Guild, there was a time she had been a peddler. When bringing goods to sell, sometimes she had to exaggerate the price despite it not matching her own valuation, and other times she had to raise the price greatly, iming the item couldnt be obtained anywhere else. At those times, the most important thing was her expression. To gain the optimal upper hand at the negotiating table, she had to maintain a calm expression no matter what to grasp control. Only then could she draw out the maximum profits. In short,posure and expression management could be said to be a merchants virtue and foundation. But right now, managing her expression was quite difficult. What kind of ce was the Ga Merchant Guild? The David Merchant Guild was called a Grand Merchant Guild for its enormous scale, yet the Ga Merchant Guild surpassed even that in scale. And he had made ties with such a ce? How. I came across a good connection. Anyway. Ethan smoothly changed the topic. Ive brought the prototypes. Since he had already exined about the special golems earlier, further exnation was unnecessary. Oh, so this is the prototype. As Ethan took out the special golem, Ettings eyes returned to a merchants eyes. Etting examined the special golem here and there, confirming whether it could be sold at high prices to nobles as Ethan had said. Hmm. After inspecting the golem for quite a while, Etting sat back down and looked at Ethan. She appearedposed, but the tips of her fingers were trembling minutely. It reeks of money. Very strongly.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 109: See You Next Time Chapter 109: See You Next Time It moves like you said, right? Much smoother than a normal golem? Ethan didnt bother exining and immediately activated the special golem. Guuung-. As soon as the magic was activated, the golem took a stance and started moving. Swish-! Shuuush-! And it performed the basic Revinade swordsmanship of the academy. Wow. Seeing the special golem move so naturally, Etting was impressed. This is powered by Yericas magic, my escort behind me. Etting saw the mage in robes standing obediently behind Ethan. The Lightweight Workshop, and this special golem, were all led by the mage over there. My most important business partner. At that remark, Yericas shoulders twitched slightly. What do you think? Etting smiled at Ethans question. The quality was much better than what she had heard exined. Most of all, she could quickly discern the areas Ethan had paid attention to. When selling a product, quality was the most important thing, but there was one more thing just as important. Sustainability of the sale. Selling too perfect of a product would get good reviews, but it was likely to end after just one sale. In other words, it wouldnt lead to re-purchases. All that would be left is the good review. Good reviews alone couldnt sustain a living. In that regard, this product was outstanding in terms of sustainability. You adjusted the durability on purpose, didnt you? As expected, you noticed. My partner went through quite a bit of effort. It wasnt easy to intentionally lower the durability since it was made by a skilled mage. At that, Etting looked at Yerica as if surprised. A rare mage indeed. A special mage. Ethan said with a smile. An amazing product for sure. I wouldnt be a merchant if I couldnt sell something like this. Etting, I didnt juste today to talk about this special golem. Ethan spoke in a serious tone. It was time to get to the main point now. He didnt arrange this meeting just to show her a prototype. It was to ask again about the resolve they had discussed before. My intention to give you the sales of this special golem isnt for any other reason. Like I saidst time, I believe your potential is much greater than now. You mean if my resolve is set? Yes. I will give you this special golem. Then you must use it to attain a higher position within the David Merchant Guild, Etting. No matter what. This special golem was worth that much. Regardless of high or low rank, it was a business item that could solidify her position within the Merchant Guild and help her climb to an even higher spot. Its not a question of whether you can or cant. You must do it. If not, I have no reason to give this to you in the first ce. He didnte to check on a half-hearted mindset. This kind of provocation is necessary to get her fired up. It was his intention to bring forward the n to take over the David Merchant Guild a bit faster. At Ethans words, Etting made a slightly surprised expression. But soon it returned to the face of the merchant nicknamed the Money Ghost. Ive been thinking toocently. The first time she met Ethan was at the Whiskers territory. The young heir of a local noble house who hit it big with the outstanding business idea of lightweighting. From their first meeting, she realized he was no ordinary person. Ethan, whose status had changed before she knew it, was gradually bing the incredible figure she had expected. Then she should be the same. She couldnt remain at a middling position with a middling mindset. With this special golem business. Etting spoke emphatically. I will be the Merchant Guild Master of the David Merchant Guild. Only then did Ethan smile and hold out his hand. To Etting, it felt like a passing grade. Next time we meet, youll be the Merchant Guild Master. The students in the Potion Manufacturing ss had dark circles under their eyes. They all had popped blood vessels, with dark circles going down to their chins, looking extremely tired. But even in their fatigue, most had satisfied smiles. Hehehe, I did it, I did it. Mages are like this. Once they gain interest in something, they pursue it day and night without discrimination. Of course, the same was true for the students of the Knight Department, but they could stop when exhausted from swinging their weapons, while the mages here could return to their original state after drinking just one mana potion even when tired, which was the difference. Since they didnt get physically exhausted, they could keep up the mad pace. These crazy bastards, were they up all night just researching brle? Ill be number one this time. No one here is faster at making potions than me! Look at my hard work, the brle! They all looked tired physically, but their eyes burned bright. Ethans tremendous application of using brle in potion manufacturing. Surely this exam would be about making potions utilizing brle. Plus, they were all looking forward to how Ethan would teach the brle application that only top-scoring students would receive. It was already an anticipated event, but Ethans feat at the parent observation ss was decisive. Added to that were talks of Ethan participating in the inter-departmental exchange, making expectations extremely high. Among the numerous geniuses at the academy, Ethan had already established himself as a genius teacher in the eyes of the Potion Manufacturing students. Creak. The door opened and Ethan entered the ssroom. As soon as Ethan came in, the students cheered and congratted him. Congrattions Teacher! Really congrattions on getting first ce in donations at the parent observation ss! To them, it no longer mattered that Ethan was from the Knight Department. Thank you. Im very pleased to see you all have dark circles under your eyes. Ethan smiled at the students who were clearly not in their normal state. Did you all practice well with the brle? Yes! Then today Ill teach you how to make potions utilizing that brle. If the previous ss was about improving proficiency with brle, this ss could be seen as a practical lesson utilizing that brle. How much they could produce utilizing this brle in actual potion production. Simply making potions using brle is not enough. Quickly making high-quality potions is the ultimate goal of this ss. At Ethans words, the students tensed up. He was right. Simply making them quickly was meaningless. Through practicing with brle, they had made a truly massive number of potions. They didnt let those potions go to waste and drank them all, and by experiencing each one they clearly realized that making quality potions utilizing brle was more difficult than they thought. There are no shortcuts when making potions with brle. Ethan made it clear. Repetition, repetition, and more repetition is most important. Ethan immediately took out ingredients and a sk and started making a potion. The brle-utilizing potion production that the Potion Manufacturing students repeated everyday unfolded swiftly from Ethans hands. The students watching the lesson knew well too. There really were no shortcuts in potion production. As Ethan said, repetition until it becamepletely your own could be seen as the only shortcut. As the students nodded in agreement at Ethans words, thinking this was when they would move on to the practical section. Ethan grinned and added on. But anyone could say that kind of obvious thing. While repetition is important, Ill teach you how to repeat more efficiently. The brle Ethan used was a spell with limitless applications. Especially in potion production, brle had several utilization methods. At first, youd have gotten caught up in the speed of this brle and recklessly made potions as fast as possible. And youd have seeded. As Ethan demonstrated, they could make potions quickly. So theyd have thought it was the right method. So Grandel Torf, what were the results like? Scratching his head, Grandel answered. Well What Teacher Ethan made definitely had quality, but what I made just had speed; the potions made didnt utilize the ingredients strengths so the quality was a bitcking. How about the other students? I just made those kinds of potions too! Me too, actually. They all could increase the speed tremendously. But the quality of the potions made decreased. You all knew that making them this quickly would just produce useless things, right? But since you achieved speed and made somewhat usable things, you probably thought it wasnt too bad. They likely felt it was a modicum of sess. The students eyes simultaneously grew wide. Could he really know their thoughts so well? To think that by altering the glyphs they could raise the potions quality while controlling the speed as they pleased. But I made them alone in a separate room. You werent right next to us? The students murmured. Ethan had described their psyche as if he had been watching right beside them. That trial and error was natural. Ethan once again put ingredients into a sk and started making a new potion. It was simr to before, but this time the speed from the brle decreased a little. Simply speed is not important. This brles speed can be adjusted, you see. It was an issue of how to inscribe the brle. Like this, using half of the brle. Ethan only drew half of the superior first-ss brle. The brle was then cast at half efficacy. Shaahk-. The potion in the sk boiled less than before. The half-efficacy brles heat was weaker than the first-ss brle. And inscribing brle like this? Look, it can even rotate. Whoa! The essence of brle was burning. Controlling the heat and form was about utilizing the brle glyphs in various ways. By doing so, they could focus more on the potion. I only use this brle for potion creation. But. Ethan grinned. Students of the Magic Department could apply it in diverse areas. The students curiosity was piqued. It was an application method they hadnt even imagined. Who wouldve thought that by simply altering the glyphs they could raise potion quality, control speed, and focus more on the potion itself. But you know. Contrary to the students expectation that they would now move on to the practical section, Ethan frowned slightly and pointed at a student. Who said you could casually use magic during my ss? At Ethans words, the students gazes simultaneously shifted. Magic? Who used magic! Using magic recklessly during ss was against etiquette. But to the students, not a single one seemed to be using magic. They didnt feel any mana ripples either, and nothing had happened despite the apparent spellcasting. Me, me? The one Ethan had singled out was a female student. She had thick brown hair and sses, looking extremely in and ordinary as a Magic Department student. This is clear cheating by proxy attendance. Im giving you demerits. Ethan stamped his foot and dered. The students were all flustered. Proxy attendance? Roanna du Prochet. Roanna? Teacher, shes not Roanna, shes. The murmuring students. In that instant, the female students expression noticeably stiffened. Then in the blink of an eye, her appearance started changing. Lush green hair. Big round eyes. She was a student at the center of making the current Magic Department the golden age, the top-ranked second year when the Magic Department took first ce at Ivecar. How did you know? Roanna looked at Ethan as if truly curious. The other students were watching her with shocked eyes. It was a perfect transformation spell. Without any hint of oddness. Thats why Roanna was curious. How Ethan realized it. Senses. Ethan answered briefly.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 110: Roanna Chapter 110: Roanna Roanna was also very flustered that her disguise was seen through for the first time, but Ethan was also quite taken aback internally as he looked at Roanna. What is she doing here? Roanna du Prochet, the top talent discovered by Teacher Duty and the core of the current Magic Departments golden age as a second-year student. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Roanna woulde to his ss first. Let alone sneak into his ss. I was going to try to contact her after the inter-departmental representative decision match. She was from the Prochet family. The Prochet family owned the famous Prochet Magic Tower, and her father was the master of Prochet Magic Tower. Because of that, Roanna was able to easily ess magic in the Magic Tower from a young age, and with her inherited talent she quickly began learning magic. Her interest was in analyzing magic and utilizing it in new ways. There were many such magics in the Magic Tower, and countless magics became Roannas subject matter. Absorbed in magic research, she entered the academy after graduation, and after quite some time had passed after graduating from the academy, she encountered an interesting magic. The magic glyphs, brle, that she had been interested in since childhood but gave up on because it was too difficult. These diverse utilization methods of brle came from Roanna. In fact, the brle Ethan was currently using could be seen as one of the countless utilization methods Roanna had created. The magic made to facilitate potion production had essentially been born from Roannas hands. It was natural that Roanna, who could be called the owner of brle, would be interested in Ethans ss. It makes sense that Roanna would be interested. In terms of setting, shed have known about this brle since she was young. Thats why Ethan was nning to use this brle to contact her. And afterwards, during the inter-departmental representative decision match, he was nning to recruit Roanna to his side. To definitively beat the Magic Department, that is. But since she came to him first. This could be an opportunity. If I went to Roanna first, it might look like Im asking for a favor. Since she came directly to him, it seemed he could draw a slightly better picture. Ethan opened his mouth while maintaining aposed expression. Roanna, stand up immediately. I will formally tell the Dean about this incident, and there will be disadvantages for you. Were you prepared to recklessly enter my ss knowing all that? .Yes. Roanna stood up from her seat. Her pupils looked calm, but in reality, that was far from the truth. Ever since entering the academy, this was the first time her disguise magic had been seen through. It wasnt just any ordinary disguise magic. It was the Roanna-style disguise magic that she had personally enhanced. Using this magic, she had been crashing various sses. Not just udies sses, but also thete Martynass sses, and even new teachers sses she snuck into secretly. In the process, she was never caught or even suspected. Her disguise magic was just that perfect. After sitting in on countless sses like that, she ended up going into sses almost everyday. As she kept using the disguise magic, she gradually became more proficient, and was now confident she could cast disguise magic that would bepletely undetectable. But that disguise magic had been seen through. First, Roanna stood up. Im sorry. Then she obediently went outside the ssroom. Before leaving, Roanna looked back at Ethan once. Ethan was continuing the lecture as if detecting Roannas disguise magic was nothing. Ha. Had her magic ever been dismantled to this extent before? Her father, the master of the Magic Tower, was amazed by her talent everyday. At the academy, she was touted as the golden age, and they sang her praises so much she almost couldnt get her bearings. It was natural. Roannas talent was extraordinarily outstanding after all. Thats why having her trusted magic seen through made her feel quite unhappy. But at the same time, her interest in Ethan grew fresher. I have to ask. She entered the ss due to the many rumors. He was currently the hottest teacher, and most of all she had heard he would participate in the uing inter-departmental exchange, so she couldnt help but be interested. Added to that was the shocking fact that a teacher from the Knight Department was teaching a Magic Department ss, and all the students were attentively following along well. There were several factors piquing Roannas curiosity, but the most interesting of all was the rumor about brle. When she was at the Magic Tower, she had researched methods to utilize brle. But upon entering the academy, she naturally ceased her research, so hearing that Ethan used brle in potion manufacturing made her unable to ignore it. I did consider it before too, but gave up thinking it had no practical use. Yet he seeded inbining brle with potion production. I have to ask about the brle too. A professor from the Knight Department yet well-versed in magic. She really wanted to personally confirm whether his skills were real or not. That concludes todays ss. The midterms will be on the brle utilization methods taught today. Study hard. As Ethan exited, as if waiting, Roanna discretely approached. She seemed to have been waiting outside the ssroom until ss ended. She must have been curious. In fact, Ethan was also curious why Roanna had snuck into ss. He guessed it was probably because of brle, but if so, there was no need to sneak into ss. She could have just asked to meet Ethan directly. Or maybe she was testing me. What Roanna used was no ordinary disguise magic. It was clearly enhanced, making it extremely difficult to discern. No mana ripples could be felt either, so he had to grasp it solely based on the sense of incongruity. But I have the Eye of Horus. Of course, it wasnt easy to notice even with the Eye of Horus. But Ethan was who he was. I sensed a strong feeling of incongruity. Just as he answered Roanna, he truly grasped it through his senses. Teacher, how did you know? Looks like people just kept doting on you, Roanna du Prochet. What you did today was quite rude. And vited school rules. Yet youre stepping forward to satisfy your meager intellectual curiosity. Dont you have something to say first? At Ethans cold words, Roanna was flustered and bowed her head deeply. Im sorry, teacher. I was so curious about your ss that I used disguise magic to sneak in. What about the student you switched with? It was Audrey. I forced her so for Audrey. Due to your actions, your friend Audrey will also receive demerits. 10 points each. And afterward, Audrey will be excluded from ss. Ethan spoke firmly. Roannasplexion paled at Ethans words. Exclude Audrey from ss? Audrey was one of Roannas few friends, and had often excitedly told her how great this ss was. She suddenly recalled how Audrey had said she wanted to learn about utilizing brle if she did well on this ss exam. Today too, when asking her to sub in, Audrey had told her to be sure to summarize the ss content for her afterward. But because of herself, Audrey was being kicked out of ss. Tea, teacher? Even after their brief exchange, she sensed Ethan would absolutely not retract this statement. She also felt this would not simply end with just this ss. The reflective Roanna bowed her head. It was all my fault. Audrey ispletely innocent. Im very sorry, teacher. I was wrong. So please let Audrey continue taking the ss. I will take full responsibility. However, Ethan shook his head. Your talent is surely outstanding, Roanna. Thats why other students and professors overlooked rude behavior like this and let it slide. But I will not let it slide. Ethan spoke. Im not your nanny. Roanna made a nk expression. You must take responsibility for what youve done. Audrey, who substituted for you upon your request, must pay the price for those actions. Ethan was right. Up until now, she had lived doing whatever she wanted within the academy. She didnt hesitate even if it vited rules or could be problematic. Since she wouldnt get caught anyway, or even if caught, she was often let off because Roanna was talented. Living like that, she naturally thought this time would be the same. Even if she did get caught, it would just blow over like an ident. But the Ethan Whiskers before her was different from the other teachers she had met so far. What should I do. Roanna couldnt properly control her expression due to the extremely shocking situation. And. Ethan looked at her as if incredulous. Who do you think you are to take responsibility? Do you think youre someone? Youre just a student. A young, talented student. Thats all you are. You cant take any responsibility. At the harsh words that felt like blows to her chest, Roannas lips quivered. Disregarding her like that, Ethans words continued. Audrey is excluded from ss. And given 10 demerits. Likewise, 10 demerits for Roanna du Prochet. This will not be reversed. Ethan left, leaving Roanna behind. Left alone, Roanna stood nkly in ce for some time after Ethan disappeared. Shelle to me today. Roanna was swept away by the winds of praise, as she was touted as the golden age here and there. Not only were her shoulders as high as the sky, she was even bing more and more arrogant. It was natural. No one casually treated her, and most wrongdoings were let slide. Thats why I have to discipline her more strictly. Currently, not a single person strictly treats Roanna, called the center of the golden age of the Magic Department. She was the future of the Magic Department, and would be one of the greatest mages produced by the academy, a magnificent mage to be counted among the top three fingers. Its definite shell be an Archmage. When that happens, shell of course be so arrogant that no one can control her. There was no one who could or would try to control her. Alone at the top, the end of arrogance. No one knew which way shedsh out so people really hated her. When she seemed to open up to someone and they tried to do something together, her attitude would suddenly change. And many died from crossing the line. The reason was right here. Her overflowing talent made her arrogant. The problem was people around her who kept egging her on, doting on her. Ill put a leash on her. If its before she bes a great mage, theres plenty of time to leash her. And Ethan had the diverse utilization methods of brle. He could sufficiently recruit Roanna using these methods as weapons. I have to wait for her toe. She wont be able to endure otherwise. Ethan was the only one at the academy who was strict with her.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 111: Sword Saint Chapter 111: Sword Saint First, the Principals office. Ethan headed quickly to the Principals office. He had been told toe see the Principal after ss. He probably wants to talk about the finalpetition between departments. sses were over for today, and there was about a week left now. Knock knock knock. Ethan knocked three times on the door. Principal, this is Ethan Whiskers. Wait there for a moment! Teacher Ethan! No,e on in. A different voice. Ethan was a little confused, but went ahead and opened the door to the Principals office a crack and entered. The Principal had a rather flustered look on his face. And there was another person in front of him. It was an old man with white hair and a long beard covering his entire chin. It must be you. When the old man stood up from his seat, Ethan suddenly felt like a mountain was rising up. Swishhh-. In an instant, an aura burst out from the old man, aimed precisely at Ethan. Zzziing-. It was an incredibly powerful aura, almost suffocating. Ugh. -Survival probability temporarily decreased! An intense mana that seemed to pierce Ethans whole body washed over him. At the same time, strength entered Ethans whole body. Pressure as if he had to draw a sword just to withstand it. However, Ethan calmly regted his breathing without showing it. These mana fluctuations came from the aura of that old man. A power that directly strikes the body and shakes the mind as well. So it could easily be offset with Heros Breathing. -Heros Breathing proficiency greatly increased! -Survival probability returned to normal. Seeing Ethan withstand it nonchntly, the old man looked at him with interested eyes. Ethan saw the old man casually put his body down. At the old mans waist was a sword sheath with no decorations. Activating the Eye of Horus, Ethan could see what would have happened if the old man had swung his sword. It was a kind of simtion. Checking how Ethan would have blocked it if the old man had swung his sword. -Eye of Horus proficiency greatly increased. His eyes burned as if on fire, but his proficiency increased. I know who he is now. Damn. He couldnt help but mutter to himself. I guess you know now? I didnt mean not to give it to you. Well, since you asked me for it, I probably would have given it to you if it was reasonable, but I dont just give this to anyone. The old man was called the Sword Saint. Ciron Ramsdales grandfather. Sword Saint Zed Ramsdale. Seeing Ethan withstand the Sword Saints aura without issue, the Principal, who had looked anxious, smiled as if relieved. To be honest, he thought Ethan wouldnt be able to take it. But Ethan withstood the Sword Saints intimidation. And he did it without seeming particrly disturbed. Intimidation that could even kill a person. It wasnt something a new teacher could withstand. But he withstood it wlessly. Sorry about that, Teacher Ethan. I suddenly had a guest visit, you see. He really just showed up out of the blue without notice. Of course, he figured the Sword Saint would visit at least once this year. Since the Sword Saint had strongly rmended his grandson, Ciron Ramsdale, who didnt get the top spot, and hadnt stood out much since being appointed teacher either. Someone else had gotten the top spot, and was also the most prominent of Ivecar Academys new teachers, not him. So of course the Sword Saint would be upset from his perspective. His grandson had entered, yet there was no talk of his grandson at all. Thats what he hade to protest today. And he was also curious about who exactly had gotten the top spot. Ethan Whiskers, the genius swordsman of the Whiskers family? Who the hell is he to push aside his grandson and take first ce? He said hede check for himself. That was what had been happening right before Ethan arrived. The Principal who didnt know the Sword Saint wasing had called for Ethan, so hed hurriedly told Ethan to wait. Ghost Sword, I wondered if youd done something shady. I wouldnt just do what someone asked because they requested it. Thats why I deliberately educated Ciron properly before sending him. Clearly, Ciron Ramsdales skills were outstanding. If Ethan hadnt been there, he definitely would have surpassed Iris Paqueta and securely taken the top spot. Even if the Principal didnt want to give it to him, he would have had no choice. Seeing you in person, its clearly different. Youve got some sincerity, Ill give you that. Just bracing yourself as if its nothing? From what I hear, you seem to be the Sword Saint. Thats right, this white-haired old man is the Sword Saint known by that grand nickname. No matter how great a Sword Saint you are, I dont think its appropriate to release your aura at someone you just met. Ethans voice contained deep displeasure. The Sword Saints eyes widened noticeably. After bracing that incredible aura wlessly, he was unharmed and even looking at the Sword Saint with displeased eyes. Such a case was so rare for the Sword Saint. Oh-ho. The Sword Saint was a symbolic figure for swordsmen. The highest ce among those who made a name for themselves with the sword belonged to the Sword Saint. While there may have been those stronger than the Sword Saint, none could match his depth of the sword. Thats why being tested by the Sword Saint, or bracing his aura, was considered a great honor by those who did so. As a result, the Sword Saint found Ethans reaction very refreshing. For a child of a provincial noble house from the Whiskers territory, youve got quite the momentum. Sword Saint. Ethan cut off the Sword Saints words. The Sword Saints eyebrows twitched in an instant. You havent apologized yet. Ethan knew. This Sword Saint was as obsessed with the strong as Freya Academys crazy Principal. Ethan was certain. Having seen him brace the aura without issue just now, even if he was a little cheeky the Sword Saint wouldnt immediately draw his sword. But I cant just let this slide. The Sword Saint was mighty. And most of the time, when dealing with the Sword Saint, you had no choice but to get caught in his pace. Thats why Ethan went strongly. Seeing Ethan suddenly take a firm stance, the one more surprised than the Sword Saint was actually the Principal. Uh, Teacher Ethan? Certainly, the Sword Saint had breached etiquette with his actions. But no one could point out the Sword Saints mistake. Because the Sword Saint was mighty. Not being able to recklessly deal with the mighty was natural, but that rationale didnt apply to Ethan. Seeing Ethan waiting for the Sword Saints words, the Principal stepped forward. Then, after the Sword Saint had been staring at Ethan for a while, he opened his mouth. My apologies. I went a bit too far. I was quite curious about how great your skills are. In my eyes, they always seemcking, but still, that worthless grandson shouldnt fall behind his peer swordsmen. Then he sincerely apologized. The Principals eyes widened. Could the Sword Saint really be apologizing? I had to test you. I understand, Sword Saint. Ethan, who had just shown signs of difort, responded with a slight smile. Sword Saints lips twitched at his attitude. Having received the apology, Ethans behavior seemed to imply that there was no need for a stubborn attitude anymore. You seem more shrewd than I thought, despite being quite young. Saying so, Sword Saint nced at the Principal. The Principal, too, chuckled while looking at the Sword Saint. Ethan is certainly different from ordinary teachers. Understanding Principals gaze as if saying, Do you understand now? Sword Saintughed deeply again. Ethan, child. Then, with a truly apologetic expression and spreading his arms, he opened his mouth. I was rude to you, so youre in a position to ask me for something if you want. As a gesture of apology, Ill grant you one wish. Principal looked at Sword Saint with astonished eyes. The face as if this old man had gone mad. The Sword Saint, whose pride reached to the heavens, not only apologizing but even offeringpensation? Old man, what are you doing to our teacher? What are you talking about, old man this and that. Were both old. What does it look like Im doing? Im going topensate that Ethan you cherish so much. As an apology. The Principal immediately grasped the Sword Saints intention. When young swordsmen met the Sword Saint, there was only one thing they would request. To be shown a move. Having the Sword Saint demonstrate swordsmanship held unimaginable significance. The Sword Saint was an incredible swordsman, praised as having reached the pinnacle of the sword. To demonstrate swordsmanship to such a swordsman and receive evaluation? It was more than a simple evaluation. Naturally, the Sword Saints advice woulde along with it. How his current swordsmanship was, and if there were any deficiencies, what they were, so he could receive corrections and supplements together. And above all, the most important thing was being able to perceive the Sword Saints swordsmanship. Seeing high-level swordsmanship held meaning just in itself. As a result, some young swordsmen would pay millions just to be shown a move by the Sword Saint. The Principal immediately grasped the Sword Saints intention. To get Ethan to request to be shown a move this way, and properly assess Ethans skill. He wanted to see how skilled Ethan was, having effortlessly braced his aura and even forced an apology out of the Sword Saint. It was a very pure desire swordsmen held. How strong is he!? What kind of swordsmanship does he wield!? Moreover, didnt Ethan push aside Ciron Ramsdale and take first ce? From the Sword Saints position, it was only natural to be curious. Teacher Ethan, theres no need to feel undue pressure. I called you because I had something to discuss, unrted to the Sword Saint. This old man suddenly showing up was an ident. Dont worry about the Ghost Swords business. If theres something you want, speak up. If its something I can grant, Ill surely grant it. Saying so, the Sword Saint subtly touched the sword sheath at his waist. It was an extremely obvious, overt signal. Ethans eyes met the Sword Saints. With that, the Sword Saint seemed to think Ethan would know what to request. Since youre offering to grant a request, I have no reason to refuse. Go ahead and speak. The Principal sighed. It was already toote. He should have firmly handled this so Ethan wouldnt get hurt, just in case. The Sword Saint whose eyes had gone wild after seeing Ethans talent might end up hurting Teacher Ethan, Ivecars newfound treasure. If Ethan got hurt now, it would cause tremendous disruption to future events. Pleasee give a guest lecture for my ss. Of course I can do that, naturally Ill go right to the training grounds and Huh? Let me say it again. Pleasee give a guest lecture for my ss. For a moment, the Sword Saint was visibly confused. The Principal was the same. He wondered if he had misheard, but when Ethan repeated it he knew he had heard correctly. Hahahahaha-! The Principal couldnt hold in hisughter. Meanwhile, the Sword Saint could only blink nkly.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 80: Celebrity Author: Dawn -You have entered the subscribermunity. -Here, you can discuss the gods you have subscribed to. -There are a total of 3munity boards. ¡°This is a realmunity.¡± [Free Board] [Question Board] [Administrator Communication Board] There were a total of three boards. ¡°I understand the Free Board and Question Board, but what¡¯s the Administrator Communication Board?¡± Ethan clicked on the Administrator Communication Board. -This is a board where you canmunicate with the administrators of [New World]. -If the subscribed god is engaged in activities that vite the terms, you can submit suggestions to the administrators. ¡®So far, I¡¯ve chosen gods that are fine. But now that I think about it, Hercules wasn¡¯t such a good god.¡¯ The abilities he gained through subscription were remarkable, but understanding the videos was quite challenging. ¡®If I can¡¯t understand the videos, it¡¯s difficult to make proper use of the abilities.¡¯ Ethan could only properly use Hero¡¯s Breathing after interpreting the videos and maximizing its power. ¡®It¡¯s somewhat like an AS.¡¯ (+) [1] The Administrator Communication Board seemed like an after-service board where you could suggest things if the subscribed god was faulty. Ethan then clicked on the Free Board. ¡®I¡¯m getting curious about various things. I wonder what stories these New World subscribers are sharing.¡¯ Shrrrr¡ª Numerous posts unfolded. Ethan started checking them one by one. -Is there a way to quickly get likes? I can¡¯t use the question board since it doesn¡¯t have likes. -Any quick tips to be a Sword Saint? -I subscribed to Thor today. Does he really sell Mjolnir? -I heard Archmage Merlin¡¯s potions are a rip-off. Does Merlin normally talk this much? There were so many that I ended up paying extra gold to skip them. ¡°No, it really feels like amunity.¡± Ethan found himself smiling without realizing it. People were chatting, discussing their subscribed gods, and so much more. Many subscribers were engaged in conversations. ¡®I don¡¯t really know if they¡¯re real people.¡¯ Ethan clicked on one of the posts and looked at thements that followed. -Yes, it¡¯s the Mjolnir. Don¡¯t ever buy it. He hasn¡¯t been doing welltely. -You might be better off subscribing to Indra if you¡¯re into the same lightning type. ¡®Quite helpful.¡¯ Looking at the posts, there didn¡¯t seem to be many bad people. Come to think of it, even in the god review section, there wereints, but no overly harsh criticism or personal attacks. People with ill intentions might not be able to ess this New World, Ethan thought. While browsing the posts, Ethan suddenly became curious. Through Horus¡¯ subscription, Ethan realized that his influence was greater than he initially thought. Therefore, he discreetly searched for his own username. Then, quite a number of posts appeared. -[Divine King]: Does anyone know [Only subscribed to the right gods]? -[Great Tree Guardian]: [Only subscribed to the right gods] writes subscription reviews really well. -[Revived 3423 Times]: I also saw it and fell for it. But major gods seem to be rarely subscribed to. -[Great Tree Guardian]: Seeing people who mainly subscribe to unknown gods and Eastern gods seems to have a unique taste. I heard that the gods are all hanging on to [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscribers. -[Omniscient Subscriber Perspective]: The Eastern Physician of All Things, who used to be a minor god, skyrocketed in an instant. Other minor or average gods probably have no choice but to hang on. -[Great Tree Guardian]: With this level, we might as well call them game changers. -[Revived 3423]: Still, it¡¯s a bit early. They suddenly appeared, and since they¡¯re not visible in themunity yet, they might be new to this New World. Isn¡¯t that a bit hasty? ¡°They¡¯re sharing interesting stories.¡± It seemed that the subscribers here had been using [New World] for quite a while. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because New World itself is a battleground for gods so the scale isrge?¡± It appeared that [New World] had been active for quite some time. -[Sunday]: Ugh¡­ Hercules¡¯ subscription review is seriously awesome. Thanks to it, Hercules is on the rise, and I really like that. Besides, to create something like this, you have to understand everything. At this point, the proficiency is probably around 100 percent. The posts about Ethan were full of praise. Everyone liked the fact that they encountered good gods thanks to Ethan¡¯s subscription reviews. They expressed deep gratitude to Ethan for interpreting Hercules¡¯ videos like amentary. Ethan felt a sense of achievement on the Free Board. ¡°It¡¯s nothing special, but I feel good.¡± Then he checked the Question Board. As the name suggested, the Question Board was a ce where subscribers could ask questions to themunity. ¡°It¡¯s definitely a good idea to ask if you don¡¯t know. Since everyone here has gained various abilities in [New World] and would have used them.¡± On the Question Board, there were quite a few questions about how to use abilities or how to increase proficiency. -[The World Tree is Just a Big Tree]: I subscribed to Robin Hood, but how can I effectively use wind archery? I lost to a who-knows elf and lost a million gold. -[Youngest Son of Namgung n]: In Siegfried¡¯s swordsmanship, the Lightning Sword Style 8, how can I trigger explosions? There were really diverse questions, but among them was a question that caught Ethan¡¯s attention. -I subscribed to Heo Jun. It¡¯s difficult to urately insert the acupuncture needle when using acupuncture. How can I do it? ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a subscriber of Heo Jun.¡± Thanks to Ethan¡¯s subscription review, the number of Heo Jun¡¯s subscribers had significantly increased. Considering the order of the posts, it was highly likely that this person had recently subscribed to Heo Jun after reading Ethan¡¯s review. ¡°Then I should dly provide the answers.¡± -To post on the Question Board, you need ¡®1¡¯ Like. -If the questioner epts your answer, you can earn contribution points. ¡°One Like for each question. If your answer is epted, you get contribution points.¡± -Contribution points can be used in the Contribution Store! ¡°A positive cycle, indeed.¡± It wasn¡¯t just about giving answers, but also providing rewards. This way, answering questions could be enjoyable. Ethan promptly replied to the subscriber who asked the question about Heo Jun. Currently, Ethan¡¯s proficiency in Heo¡¯s Acupuncture was quite high. Since he could use the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique, he left some sweet tips about acupuncture as well. -Your answer has been epted! ¡°Oh. Did they check it right away?¡± -You¡¯ve earned contribution points. -Current contribution points: [1] ¡°This is quite fun.¡± It was just like writing subscriber reviews. Ethan¡¯s exnations were generally easy to understand. In this manner, Ethan responded to posts on the Question Board, focusing on the gods he was currently subscribed to. He had umted five contribution points over time. He had given more answers, but only five had been epted. ¡°I can even convert these contribution points into Likes. If that¡¯s the case, I can¡¯t ignore question posts that I can answer.¡± He had been striving to achieve achievements to earn Likes, so discovering a new method was quite exciting. Ethan then opened the Contribution Store. -Wee to the Contribution Store. -Your current contribution points: 5 [1 Like: 4 contribution points] [Question Board Writing Rights: 4 contribution points] ¡­ ¡­ [Algorithm Enhancement Ticket: 200 contribution points] ¡®A bit disappointing. I wondered if there might be something helpful for lifting curses.¡¯ But he soon cast aside his disappointment. ¡®It¡¯s an illness that even Heo Jun couldn¡¯t cure. At least in this [New World], there are no goods or abilities that could lift my curse.¡¯ Extinction was a disease that only one person within the game could heal. Ultimately, there was no way other than the legitimate method. ¡®Even if the method is legitimate, I don¡¯t necessarily need to stick to it until the goal is achieved.¡¯ By subscribing to numerous gods in this [New World] and gaining their abilities, he could eventually find a way to cure Extinction. There was no need to be disappointed by theck of solutions. Then, something caught his eye. ¡°By the way, what¡¯s this Algorithm Enhancement Ticket that costs 200 contribution points?¡± One contribution point for each question and answer. That meant he would need to answer 200 questions, have them all epted, and convert them to obtain this item. This time, not all of Ethan¡¯s answers had been epted. Various New World users were diligently converting their contribution points to Likes through the Question Board, and responses were being posted one after another. Even in Ethan¡¯s opinion, there were quite a few excellent answers. To oupete these rivals and get 200 eptances, he needed to gather 200 contribution points. It wasn¡¯t an easy feat. ¡°It seems to be about algorithm enhancement. Does this mean that even originally high-performance algorithms can be improved?¡± The algorithm of [New World] was quite high-performing. From the very beginning, it was good enough to rmend Heo Jun to Ethan, making it evident that [New World] could provide good god rmendations based on the needs of its subscribers. ¡®But this algorithm isn¡¯t all-powerful either. There are too many gods.¡¯ Perhaps this algorithm enhancement served to strengthen the performance of an algorithm that wasn¡¯t perfect. ¡®It finds more suitable gods for you. Injecting something into it.¡¯ Thinking like that, umting 200 contribution points didn¡¯t seem like much of a task. It actually seemed quite natural. ¡®Subscribing to gods that are a perfect match for me is better than subscribing to various mediocre ones. If the enhanced algorithm can rmend that, then it¡¯s trustworthy.¡¯ Anyway, he didn¡¯t need this function immediately. Using the contribution points he had gathered, Ethan purchased Likes. -You bought 1 Like with 4 contribution points. -Remaining contribution points: [1] Currently, Ethan had a total of 16 Likes, including the ones he had purchased. ¡°First, I should check if the gods I subscribed to have uploaded any new videos.¡± Heo Jun and Hercules were such great gods that he could watch their videos immediately after they were uploaded. ¡°No new updates.¡± What Ethan needed right now was defensive abilities. ¡®Enhancing the body is covered by Hero¡¯s Breathing.¡¯ Strengthening the body wouldn¡¯t be of much use against Extinction; it would be like pouring water into a leaking bucket. So, he needed powers that could block attacks, like Moonlight Defense. -[Defense] keyword has been entered. -The algorithm is searching for a suitable god for you¡­ -Search isplete. [King of Seocho] [Difficulty: Extreme] ¡°King of Seocho?¡± Ethan looked at the rmended god with a slightly surprised expression. King of Seocho. And there was a difficulty level. The difficulties of the gods he had subscribed to so far hadn¡¯t been particrly high. The acupuncture difficulty of Heo Jun, which he learned first, was the highest, and the rest were all moderate. But Extreme difficulty? ¡°King of Seocho¡­¡± An individual immediately came to mind. An ancient hero known for transcending humanity with unparalleled strength. ¡°Hang Woo.¡± (+) [2] If it was the Hang Woo he knew, he should be a god specialized in offense, not defense. Ethan clicked on Hang Woo for now. There must be a clear reason why the algorithm rmended him. Although Hang Woo was also a major god, he was limited to the Eastern world, so his number of subscribers and Likes wasn¡¯t as high as those of other major gods. In a way, he was the most major among the minors and the most minor among the majors. ¡°Ah.¡± Ethan couldn¡¯t help but let out a bitter chuckle. It was because the thumbnail of the video Hang Woo had uploaded was written inrge letters like this: The Best Defense is a Good Offense! ¡°Oh, well.¡± 1. TLN: I have no idea about what this is. Sorry. 2. TLN: Xiang Yu, called ¡°Hang Woo¡± in Korean, was a skilled ancient Chinese warrior and leader. He¡¯s known for his rivalry with Liu Bang and his bold military tactics. The phrase ¡°The Best Defense is a Good Offense¡± reflects his aggressive approach to fighting. However, there was something strange. Chapter 112: Shortest Period Again Chapter 112: Shortest Period Again You definitely said youd grant anything, right? I believe youll keep your promise, my friend. Principal looked at Sword Saint and said. Sword Saint let out a small groan, as if he hadnt expected Ethan to make this kind of request. Clearly, Ethan was a skilled swordsman. If he was that skilled, he would have asked to be shown his swordsmanship. In fact, Sword Saint had told some young swordsmen before that he would grant their requests. When they heard that, every single swordsman wanted him to observe their swordsmanship. There were no exceptions. So this was a definite opportunity to see Ethans skills. Seeing Sword Saints lukewarm reaction, Ethan opened his mouth with aposed expression. You said youd grant anything you could, but if its something you cant do, thats fine. It could be a difficult request. His attitude seemed to say forget it if you cant do it and he didnt look regretful at all. The Sword Saint of the world said hed grant a request, yet he was reacting so half-heartedly, and Ethan didnt have a shred of regret? Suddenly, the Sword Saints eyes lit up. This was a matter of his pride. Moreover, he could feel the others sincerity in his reaction, making him even more frustrated. Ill do it. Sword Saint nodded and answered. For your ss. As a guest lecturer. Ill go when you want. If you do that, Ill be incredibly grateful. The students will love it so much if you, Sword Saint,e give a lecture. The Swordsmanship Department students will be even more passionate about training, and be able to contribute to Ivecar Academy. Only then did the Sword Saint recall again that Ethan was a teacher. Seeing him brace his aura and act rather boldly made the Sword Saint briefly forget he was a teacher. Ethan was a swordsman, but also a teacher. His first wish wasnt to be stronger himself, but for the students to receive proper education and be stronger. Very good. Its a splendid idea. Thinking that, the Sword Saint looked at Ethan again. My worthless grandson has met too great a rival. Im maintaining a good rtionship with Teacher Ciron Ramsdale. For Ivecar Academys development. Hmm, I almost want to tell him to go to another academy, but he can still develop greatly by your side. Well met. Saying so, the Sword Saint handed Ethan a small blue gem with a faint smile. Seeing that, the Principal asked in surprise. Youre giving away something so precious? Ill take it back anyway. I could just promise verbally and go back on it. So I should give something like this. Receiving the gem, Ethan smiled slightly. A verbal promise would have been enough. Hes not the sort whod break it. But still, giving me this means He wants to continue the connection. This blue gem was a fragment of the giant blue gem embedded in the head of a dragon the Sword Saint had in. I think theres a little over ten known ones. He had given one to Ethan. Although he said hed take it back, the important thing was that he had given it for now. See you again, talented junior. -Survival probability slightly increased! An unexpected gain. After Sword Saint left, Principal let out a big sigh. Sorry about that, Teacher Ethan. The Sword Saint suddenly visiting, you see. The Principal smiled wryly and apologized to Ethan, then invited him to sit. Its alright. Thanks to this, I got to experience a bit of Sword Saints strength, and I received this too. Ethan sat across from the Principal and put the blue gem in his breast pocket. Itlle in handy next semester. Its the Sword Saint of the world. Even if you ask, he said he wouldnte to our Ivecar. Hes never done anything like a lecture anywhere else until now. Then this is the first time. The first time! Right, who knew that prickly old man would give a lecture here. Hahahaha! Thinking about it again, the Principalughed heartily. I dyed too much time. Anyway, Teacher Ethan, I called you to talk about the inter-departmentpetition. Principal coughed a few times, then got to the main point. Teacher udie is a quite promising professor at Ivecar. He already has 7 years of experience, and theres talk hell be Ivecars youngest master. Since Teacher udie came to Ivecar, hes won against Freya Academy several times. Meanwhile, Ethan had just be a new teacher. But as you know well, right? If we just go by that, theres no need forpetition. The Principal said with a grin. Since youve decided topete. Also, you currently have two sses, and a new ss youre trying to open, right? Then it was fine to see it as him being in charge of a total of three sses. Having three sses was simr to the number udie had. It was far more than other professors with 3+ years of experience. The number of students you teach has already exceeded 100, and the students should be able toe find you. Ethan realized the Principal wasnt trying to have an in-depth talk about the inter-departmentpetition. Hes already going to give it to me. The conditions are met, I knew Id get it after first semester ends. Ethan smiled slightly at the Principal. Youre trying to give me something good. There may be some bacsh, but considering your aplishments so far, the bacsh shouldnt be too big. If theres any bacsh, I have no reason to care about it. Since Im the Principal, right? The Principal rummaged through a drawer and took out a silver key, handing it to Ethan. Congrattions, Teacher Ethan. You will now have your own office. Ivecars professors were assigned offices after some time passed. Years of experience were important, but they first had to meet the standards the academy had set. If they didnt meet the conditions, even if they were assigned an office, it would be a very small office. Not a single teacher with the new teacherbel has received one. Teacher udie included. Youre the first. There was no precedent of new teachers at Ivecar being assigned an office in their first year. Ethan was the first. Ethan smiled and bowed his head. Thank you, Principal. -Youve received a personal office in the shortest time period! -Youve acquired your own exclusive space at the academy. -Achievement aplished! -Gained Likes for aplishing the [My Own Space] achievement. -Obtained 2 Likes! -Your reputation has increased! Ill be relying on you, Teacher Ethan. Ethan immediately headed to his new office. Ethans office was in an area with several teachers offices clustered together. Theres a shared office space, and personal offices you can use alone. Ivecar had an area just for teachers, divided into offices and shared offices. The shared offices were called department-shared offices, used jointly by the teachers of each department. In contrast, the personal offices were independent spaces assigned to individual teachers. Number 5002. Ethan headed to Sky Building 5002. He went up the building with quite an excited heart. After all, he was curious about the size of the office. Teachers who met the conditions were all assigned offices, but the size of the office assigned varied based on results and position. For instance, udie Hydes office was extremelyrge. The size of a personal office indirectly indicated what position they held and how much influence they had within the academy. [5002] Ethan opened the door and went inside. Oh. What met his eyes was a fairly spacious area. With this much, its obvious what the Principal thinks of me. Giving an office to a new teacher is one thing, but with this size, isnt this bigger than udies office? It was understandable for the Principal to quietly call Ethan in to give him an office. If he had openly given an office of this size to a new teacher, the bacsh would have been considerable. It was that big of an office. As Ethan stepped into the office, a notification appeared right away. [Housing System] -You can decorate your office. -Current office aesthetics score: 1 -Default state. Its been a while. The housing system. Also called My Home, this system was literally a decorate-your-home feature. In a way, it was a cutesy element, so some people didnt like it, but Ethan enjoyed this system. He hadnt decorated his actual home, but livedvishly decorating his in-game home. I kinda like this housing in secret. Plus, you can stack up a good number of achievements. The office was simple. There was a chair and desk, along with a small sofa andrge bookshelf, seemingly the basic furniture provided. It had the basic furniture, but it felt spacious because of howrge it was. Lets try what Ive been thinking about. Ethan immediately opened New World. When he first received the Eye of Horus merchandise in the New World, he had thought of something. Originally, most merchandise was just collection items. Meaning items you collect. Used more to cherish and appreciate than use. Of course, there was merchandise like clothes and essories too, but he didnt need that now. Ethan was thinking of buying merchandise from New World to decorate his office. -The gods youre subscribed to have new notifications. Ethan immediately checked the new notifications. He couldnt help butugh. -Hong Gil-dong has registered new merchandise. -Horus has registered new merchandise. -Heracles has uploaded a new video! Of course, theyd have merchandise. They wouldnt have been able to properly make merchandise without Likes, but now they have plenty of Likes thanks to me. Rather than looking at the merchandise right away, Ethan decided to leave a subscription review for Hang Woo first. When practicing Supreme Resilience this time, he was able to produce a video of fairly high quality. Hang Woo is already a god many subscribers are subscribed to. Amon subscription video has no meaning. What could be gained from subscribing to Hang Woo was tremendous power. That power was very simple, and unlike Heracles, he intuitively exined that power. Of course, even if it was intuitive, if you didnt understand the subtlety exined in the video, you would only gain a superficial grasp of the power and be unable to properly raise your proficiency. But it cant be denied that its easy. However, Ethan had subscribed to Hang Woo with the keyword defense. Looking at it, theres nothing. Among Hang Woos subscription reviews or posts in the subscribermunity, there was no mention of Hang Woo being a god specialized in defense. Most were filled with talk of using that mighty power to destroy a castle, or lifting and moving a mountain 300 meters. So I just need to dig where others arent thinking about. Offense and defense as one. That was Hang Woos identity. Properly conveying that would let him gain far more subscribers and Likes than now. First, Ethan left a message in the subscription review section that only Hang Woo could see. -I will leave a subscription review.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 113: Choosing Merchandise Chapter 113: Choosing Merchandise Hang Woo crossed his arms and looked at the number of his subscribers and likes. Its stagnated. There was a time when Hang Woo was chosen by numerous subscribers as the antithesis of Heracles. It was because he was the most straightforward among the gods known for their power. Although the difficulty was high, if you could thoroughly understand it, you could exert power that was superior to other gods in that it was more definitive. This made him stand out. However, that was only for a while. At some point, the growth of Hang Woos channel stagnated. Hang Woo soon realized why. Is it because I cant teach various abilities? There were so many gods that could rece Hang Woos abilities. There were plenty of gods who appealed with power. There were Heracles, and above Hang Woos rank was a god called Chuck, known as the swordmaster of the Orient. (+)[1]TLN: For now, Im not sure if the god called Chuck here is a known god/mythological figure. Well just have to wait for further information. The author literally wrote it like + their title which is the swordmaster of the Orient only. As a result, the assessment that it would be better to subscribe to gods who provide various additional abilities rather than Hang Woo began to emerge. Thinking about this made him sigh. Heracles used to be below me. Whats worse, Heracles, who used to be below Hang Woo, was rising above him, causing Hang Woo trouble in many ways. At this rate, I could be pushed down to the bottom among the gods known for their power. The fight in the New World was a long battle. So among the gods who charged up at the beginning, there were quite a few cases like Hang Woo who were on a downward trend and struggling. The influx decreases, and subscriptions and likes decrease too. If he left it alone like this, a situation could arise where no onees in. I need to analyze this. I have to check how Heracles did it to rise up. There wasnt much to analyze for long. There was only one reason why Heracles now had so many subscribers. Subscription reviews. Just with subscription reviews? Hmm, reviews are certainly important, but still, they are subscription reviews. Hang Woo also had the same thoughts as other gods. After all, werent subscription reviews something like impression pieces written after subscribing to a god? How could such impression pieces turn the minds of demanding subscribers How could Of course, they could. Hang Woo was surprised. Gods do not know exactly what abilities other gods possess. No, they werent even interested enough to care in the first ce. There was nothing so curious about it. Heracles breathing grants immunity to countless psychic attacks With this, he would be able to resist attacks that shake the mind like fascination or charm. He could pretend to be hit and then counterattack. The hero Heracles envisioned was an unshakable existence that overcame countless trials and transcended even the mind, undisturbed by anything. Perhaps because he had a history of being hit by psychic magic himself, Heros Breathing, which he taught, was an ability that allowed one to maintainposure in any situation. If one built up proficiency properly, it was definitely the power to be the ideal hero Heracles spoke of. I can tell all this by watching the video. Hang Woo watched the subscription review. He thought about what influence could one impression piece have, but as he watched the video, the judgment that his thoughts were wrong came naturally. What ability can I gain by subscribing to this god? How can I utilize the gained ability? Then my power is At that moment, a notification rang for Hang Woo. [Only subscribed to the right gods]? It was the famous nickname of that subscriber. He already subscribed to me? The first line of thement said he wanted to write a subscription review. But the surprise onlysted a moment, and Hang Woo felt a strong difort. You want to write a subscription review? It felt like the nuance was that he was graciously doing him a favor. He was certainly a good subscriber who wrote good subscription reviews, but from the first sentence, Hang Woo felt irritated. However, the following content was not in that nuance at all. The next sentence first scratched Hang Woos itchy spot refreshingly. Not many know this, but Hang Woo is not just someone who cares only about power. You couldnt have been called a supreme king with just strong power Hmm! He can discern that. Other subscribers couldnt even discern it. In fact, Hang Woo had manyints. He couldnt be happy that subscribers thought of him as a god specialized only in attack. He didnt like it that they didnt subscribe because they thought he relied solely on power, and he didnt like it that they did subscribe for that same reason. But this [Only subscribed to the right gods] was clearly piercing Hang Woos essence. The best defense is offense and the best offense is defense. I was deeply impressed by that ultimate unity of offense and defense. Thinking that this subscriber recognized the subtlety of his abilities, the end of the path of power he had cultivated, Hang Woo unconsciously choked up. To understand me this much Hang Woos intentions were fully contained in the videos he made with various meanings. This subscriber was praising and enumerating one by one the meanings Hang Woo put into the videos. This moved Hang Woo deeply. There was a saying, a gentleman dies for those who understand him. Hang Woo was already in the midst of being moved. So I want to write a subscription review, but Of course! By all means! With his heart already softened, Hang Woo kept reading. If you designate me as a premium subscriber, I will write a review with all my heart Even before finishing reading to the end, Hang Woo immediately designated [Only subscribed to the right gods] as a premium subscriber. The benefit of being a premium subscriber was that he could watch all of Hang Woos uploaded videos for free. You are already my premium subscriber. Hang Wooughed loudly as if lifting up a mountain. Ethan, who left a message for Hang Woo, checked that Hong Gil Dong had uploaded new merchandise. Hong Gil Dongs merchandise is avable! Warning! All of Hong Gil Dongs merchandise are stolen goods. Even the channel owner does not fully know their effects, as they are stolen items. View Hong Gil Dongs merchandise. Ha. Ethanughed in disbelief. He couldnt help butugh. Certainly, Hong Gil Dong was a righteous thief who stole riches from corrupt officials and distributed them to the poor. But essentially, he could certainly be called a thief. Wind Cloud and Great Thiefs Mastery. Since he taught such great skills, Ethan expected there would be quite tremendous items among the merchandise. For example, his stylish hat or clothes, wouldnt it be okay to sell such things as merchandise? Since Horus sold the outstanding Eye of Horus merchandise, expectations for Hong Gil Dongs merchandise were unavoidable. But stolen goods He never imagined merchandise would be sold stolen goods. Let me check first. Since it looked like Horus also uploaded new merchandise, it seemed he could look there too. Hong Gil Dongs safe [an absolutely unbreakable safe] Hong Gil Dongs dagger [a stolen item] Hong Gil Dongs excellent silk [stolen from a corrupt official] Hong Gil Dongs spellbook [requires video connection] It was absurd. He couldnt help butugh out loud. Wow, they really are all stolen items. Among the numerous merchandise, there were only two that werent stolen. One was Hong Gil Dongs safe, and the other was Hong Gil Dongs spellbook. Since the spellbook requires video connection, if you buy it after watching the video, you can probably use it properly. In other words, there was only one decent item. Hong Gil Dongs safe. The safe is definitely not stolen goods. His own that he used? In addition, there was an indication on the safe. Provided for free to premium subscribers! Did they make some kind of agreement? The premium subscriber benefits are no joke. Continuously securing likes was not an easy task. But since he would need [New World]s help a lot in the future, when opportunities like this to save likes arose, they were always wee. With luck, he might be able to receive one for free. Ethan chose the safe with a smile. When its free, its best to receive it first and check it outter. You have selected Hong Gil Dongs safe. You have purchased merchandise! Premium subscriber benefit! Hong Gil Dongs safe is provided for free! The merchandise has been immediately issued. After receiving the safe, Ethan immediately checked out the new merchandise Horus had posted. Whats this again? It wasnt a directly usable item like the goods Horus had previously uploaded, which was the culmination of his abilities, the Eye of Horus. Hawk Head Crown [Cannot be worn, forms a barrier within a certain range. Allows for deeper insight into the movements of subjects within the barrier.] It was quite a splendid crown. It cant be worn? Hmm, seems to be an instation-type artifact since it can form a barrier. It seemed to synergize with the Eye of Horus. If I use the Eye of Horus to see through and then use the ability of this Hawk Head Crown, practically theres no room for failure. However, this Hawk Head Crown seemed tock practicality as it needed to be installed beforehand and retrieved separately. Unless Im designing a battlefield. And like the others, this was provided to Ethan for free as a premium subscriber. Ethan also acquired the Hawk Head Crown. After that, Ethan also checked to see if other gods had uploaded merchandise, but other gods still seemed to have no thoughts about merchandise. Heo Juns merchandise would probably be good. Hello Heo Jun. Ethan immediately left Heo Jun a message. If possible, he wanted to have at least one piece of Heo Juns merchandise in this office. Likewise, he left Heracles a separate message as well. Lion fur merchandise or something might be good too. Merchandise was also an element that helped increase subscribers, so it would be good to make it if possible, was the advice he was thinking of giving. If he got lucky, he might be able to receive one for free. Tuduk-. When he exited New World, a quiterge Hawk Head Crown and Hong Gil Dongs safe appeared in front of Ethan. This safe is bigger than I expected. Ethan first ced the safe in one area. But looking at this Somehow the shape was very familiar. Ethan immediately took out Frost Sword Leas. I wonder if itll work. Then he gathered strength in the Frost Sword. Shaaaa-. Cold air began to spread throughout the entire office. If he injected a bit more mana here, this cold air would freeze as it was. Ethan concentrated the cold air on the safe. Then the safe, which had been lukewarm, quickly turned white. Hup. He exerted even more strength and spewed cold air at the safe with the Frost Sword. When he felt like enough cold air had filled up, he stopped, and frost remained adhered to the safe. A great safe. With this much, anything I put in should be safely protected. But Ethan had no intention of using this safe for its original purpose. After properly cing the cold air-filled safe in one area and opening the door Shaaaah- The inside of the safe was filled with cold air. Hmm! Ethan took out a sk from his inventory space with a satisfied look. Inside this sk was a drink. It was tea sold at the coffee house, which tasted very good when drank cold. Fridgeplete. Aesthetic score rises!
  • 1. TLN: For now, Im not sure if the god called Chuck here is a known god/mythological figure. Well just have to wait for further information. The author literally wrote it like + their title which is the swordmaster of the Orient only.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 114: Lure Chapter 114: Lure Roanna looked for Ethan. Ethan was not in the school building where his office was located. Of course, new teachers were not provided with offices. She started from the faculty office and kept looking inside the academy, but Ethan was nowhere to be seen. ¡°This won¡¯t do¡­¡± Roanna unconsciously nibbled on her nails with an anxious face. She closed her eyes in that spot. ¡°Wind¡¯s tracking.¡± Even with limited mana, if she used mana efficiently, she could still use intermediate magic. Of course, it wasn¡¯t easy, but it wasn¡¯t too difficult for Roanna either.The wind blew once, and Roanna, opening her eyes, ran quickly. The magic began to reveal Ethan¡¯s location. She tracked Ethan¡¯s footsteps here and there with the tracking spell. How much time had passed? ¡°Found him.¡± She seeded in definitively tracking Ethan¡¯s location. But the problem was that the ce was somewhere she never could have imagined. ¡°Why is he there?¡± Strangely, Ethan was near the Knight Department¡¯s office. Ethan was a new teacher, so he shouldn¡¯t have an office yet. Thinking that, Roanna arrived in front of Room 5002 as the magic led her. The tightly closed door. She knocked. Normally, the teachers¡¯ nametes would be attached to the office, but here, nothing was attached. ¡®It seems like an empty office.¡¯ But Ethan¡¯s voice came from inside. ¡°Come in.¡± When Roanna opened the door and went inside, Ethan was sitting there. She didn¡¯t say her name when knocking, but his expression was as if he knew she woulde. ¡°Roanna du Prochet, what brings you here?¡± With the instation of Hong Gil-dong¡¯s safe, now called a fridge, and the Hawk Head Crown, the total aesthetic score rose by 2 points each. Ethan¡¯s current office aesthetic score was 5 points. Thanks to that, he could also achieve an achievement. -Achievement aplished! -[The Beginning of Housing] Achievement acquired Likes. -Acquired ¡®1¡¯ Likes! It was a small amount, but since it was likes that could be earned by cing a few items in the office, the cost-effectiveness could be considered very good. Ethan sat in a chair and waited for Roanna. With her skills, she would definitely be able to track and find his location. After waiting about 10 minutes, a knock immediately sounded. Since there was no namete, she probably thought it was an empty room. She didn¡¯t introduce herself separately. ¡°Come in.¡± When Ethan spoke, the door opened right away. Soon, Roanna came in hesitantly. ¡®Come to think of it, there are no extra chairs.¡¯ He would probably need to equip sofas and chairs. Ethan first brought the Hawk Head Crown and ced it in front of the desk. ¡°Sit, Roanna.¡± Roanna was surprised and looked at the Hawk Head Crown. Sit here? No matter how you looked at it, it was a huge crown, not a chair. At least the decorated hawk shape was t enough to sit on. ¡°I-Is this Teacher¡¯s office?¡± ¡°Starting today, it became my office. It¡¯s a bit empty for that reason.¡± Roanna looked at the white frosted safe in the corner. Ethan went in front of the safe and opened the door. Shaaa- Surprisingly, cold air spewed out from inside the safe. Ethan took out two sks with tea inside from the safe and handed one to Roanna before sitting in a chair. ¡°So, what brings you here? You¡¯re the first guest toe to my office coincidentally.¡± ¡°That safe¡­ What is it, just now?¡± Roanna looked at the safe in confusion. At a nce, it was clearly a safe. But cold air flowed out from inside the safe, and Ethan casually took out sks from it. Furthermore, the tea in the sks was ice cold. Extremely! ¡°Roanna.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Teacher. But that¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but ask.¡± Of course, Ethan understood. But now was not the time to be wishy-washy. ¡°I came to apologize for that incident.¡± She stood up and bowed at the waist. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Teacher. Please forgive my rude behavior.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough. I¡¯ve already finished your rudeness with demerits, so don¡¯t dwell on it anymore.¡± At those words, Roanna could clearly feel it. This teacher does not give anyone special treatment. And he doesn¡¯t seem to take things to heart either. ¡°What¡¯s decided cannot be changed. You know that, right?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°But if you simply came to apologize, well, I could not refuse to give you a chance.¡± ¡°A chance?¡± At that moment her expression brightened as she looked at Ethan. ¡°Reason.¡± Ethan asked briefly. ¡°What was your reason for trying to take my ss?¡± Roanna took a deep breath and opened her mouth. ¡°Because I felt Teacher¡¯s ss was different.¡± ¡°Different?¡± ¡°There were rumors. As Teacher has probably heard already, that, unlike other teachers, you teach sses that are helpful in the real world and practical.¡± ¡°The other teachers also teach sses that are helpful in the real world and practical. My ss is not that special.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s different. Completely.¡± She raised her voice a little as she spoke. She strongly exined to Ethan how his sses were different from those of other teachers, and how the rumors were spreading. While talking, she seemed to get excited as her cheeks flushed. ¡°¡­That¡¯s how tremendous Teacher¡¯s sses are. Among students, some even say it¡¯s absolutely mandatory, that there¡¯s no need to attend Ivecar if you don¡¯t take it, and you should take time off or aim for readmission if you miss the timing.¡± Ethan felt delighted inside at the embarrassingpliments. It seemed his sses were receiving very good evaluations among students, as he intended. There was a feeling it was a bit excessive, but from the position of a teacher pursuing unconventional methods, he felt very good about these evaluations. Of course, his outward expression did not change at all. Seeing there was no change in expression even after praising him this much, Roanna nodded thinking as expected, Teacher Ethan is different. To be able to say his outstanding abilities are nothing special¡­ She felt like the values she had built up until now were crumbling. The biggest thing that crumbled was thepliments she had received. Even with less impressivepliments, she had often been unable to manage her expression and gotten happy. There were times she had been arrogant. I¡¯m good enough, this much is good enough. It wasn¡¯t just once or twice she had thought that way. But seeing Ethan, she could tell how arrogant that was. ¡°So you listened in on the ss secretly?¡± Ethan gestured for her to get to the point. ¡°Yes, I was curious about br¨¹le.¡± She nodded and continued. What she had been most curious about was br¨¹le. ¡°I did some research on br¨¹le before entering the academy. It¡¯s one of the equations for fireballs, but it seemed so underutilized. So I researched it, but at that time my skills werecking, so I eventually gave up. But Teacher Ethan¡­¡± Roanna talked about the br¨¹le that Ethan had made lecture material. ¡°I didn¡¯t know it could be utilized in that kind of way.¡± Then she started talking on and on about br¨¹le. She talked nonstop about Ethan¡¯s lecture, and what kinds of things she had thought of with that utilization method. ¡°Roanna.¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry. I was talking to myself again.¡± Ethan silently showed Roanna the br¨¹le. Roanna¡¯s eyes grew wide at the beautiful line drawn before her eyes. Ethan showed her br¨¹le in various ways. He showed her basic br¨¹le as well as various deformed br¨¹les, and demonstrated applications of br¨¹le using the tea in the sks. The tea, which had been cool enough to make her teeth hurt just before, was now bubbling and boiling. Normally, the sk should have exploded outward. ¡°You intentionally left the equation iplete. By leaving it iplete, you changed the effect in a different direction!¡± Roanna was staring at Ethan¡¯s br¨¹le with sparkling eyes. It was tremendous concentration. As if addicted, she examined the magical inscription, then raised her own hand and mimicked the br¨¹le Ethan had created. ¡®As expected.¡¯ The real thing was different. Just showing her for a bit, and this was the level¡­ ¡°Roanna.¡± Ethan spoke looking at Roanna. The light in Roanna¡¯s eyes, who had been concentrated, returned. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I arbitrarily mimicked Teacher¡¯s br¨¹le¡­¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°Would you like to learn it?¡± Now was the timing to lure her. ¡°The br¨¹le just now. I exined it quite thoroughly during lecture time. The students couldn¡¯tprehend it at once. That¡¯s natural. But you made it your own right away.¡± Roanna smiled sheepishly. ¡°For you¡­¡± Ethan had no intention of saying obvious things. ¡°You seem to have some talent.¡± When was thest time she heard the word ¡®some¡¯ talent? As soon as she heard those words, Roanna¡¯s emotions shot up. ¡°Please teach me a little more.¡± But Ethan spoke in a tone as if he was amused and continued imparting br¨¹le to her. ¡°Oh ho, then what about this?¡± He threw utilization methods at her one by one to check her current level. ¡®She¡¯s at a level where she canpletely absorb br¨¹le right now?¡¯ There was a reason it was called the golden age. Her magical talent was nothing short of shocking. ¡®Just showing her is enough for her to analyze it herself and absorb it. There¡¯s nothing left for the teacher to teach.¡¯ And he realized for certain. ¡®If she gains even a little experience, she absorbs it as is and grows immediately.¡¯ If Roanna participated in the department representative decisive battle, the possibility of the Swordsmanship Department taking 1st ce would be markedly lowered. ¡®If there was a little more time, I could make Mason, Yuna, and Ron grow to be superior to Roanna.¡¯ But that wasn¡¯t the case right now. ¡®Then the only choice is to lure her over.¡¯ ¡°Hmm!¡± Ethan looked at Roanna with a satisfied expression. Roanna realized once again that Ethan was an incredible mage. The teachers she had learned from so far were notcking in skills either, but Ethan was on a different level. Moreover, wasn¡¯t this person a Swordsmanship Department teacher in the Knight Department? Roanna said in an exasperated voice. ¡°To think your magic skills are this outstanding. But Teacher is a Knight Department teacher¡­¡± Ethan answered as if it were no big deal. ¡°Magic is a hobby.¡± ¡°A hobby, and you¡¯re at this level?¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t I be good at a hobby? I have no intention of doing hobbies carelessly.¡± Ethan smiled slightly. ¡°Rather, you have quite the skills, Roanna. Aside from me, you¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve seen who immediately understood and followed the br¨¹le.¡± The words ¡®quite the skills¡¯ pierced Roanna¡¯s heart. She had certainly received this kind ofpliment countless times. But for some reason, the feeling was strange. Surely it was the samepliment, but just the person being different could make her feel this happy? Her face felt hot as if blood was rushing to it. It felt like that time when she first received apliment about magic. ¡°Haha¡­ Hehe, thank you for thepliment.¡± So she ended up reacting like a fool, flustered. ¡°So there¡¯s one proposal I¡¯d like to make.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 115: Department Representative Decision Battle (1) Chapter 115: Department Representative Decision Battle (1) ¡°A proposal¡­?¡± Ethan was in no hurry. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to take my ss?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, that¡¯s right.¡± After seeing that br¨¹le, Roanna was convinced. She absolutely had to take Teacher Ethan¡¯s ss. A longing to learn more from him bubbled up. More than anything, for some reason she wanted recognition from him. ¡°I¡¯m nning to continue teaching Potion Manufacturing next semester. I¡¯m still nning to exin about this br¨¹le. Even now, few Magic Department students make good use of this br¨¹le or think its usage is particrly important.¡±Ethan continued his exnation. ¡°But that will change. This br¨¹le will be a very basic, elementary, and effective magic that anyone should use.¡± Roanna nodded at Ethan¡¯s words. Ethan was right. Once you understood this br¨¹le, its usage was endless, so it was enough to be essential magic that every mage had to learn. ¡°But as you can see, no one understands it easily except you. Grandel Torf? He¡¯s an excellent student but he seems a littlecentpared to you.¡± Ethan spoke while looking at Roanna. For some reason, Roanna felt like she could guess what kind of proposal Ethan was about to make. Since entering the academy, Roanna had received various proposals. Teachers who saw her talent all wanted to make her their disciple. Offers to pass down their magic if she became their disciple. But those didn¡¯t really interest her. What was important to her was magic. That was why she had refused all those requests so far. Teacher Duty had made the same offer, but she said she would think about bing a representative student but not a disciple. But what if Ethan made that kind of offer? Ethan was certainly an amazing teacher, but Roanna intended to refuse. ¡°I¡¯d like you to be my teaching assistant.¡± However, Ethan¡¯s words were different from what she expected. No, it was a proposal she hadn¡¯t even considered. ¡°Teaching assistant?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like you to take the position of teaching assistant for my Potion Manufacturing ss.¡± Not a disciple but a teaching assistant? Hadn¡¯t he just seen her talent with his own two eyes? ¡°If not, I can¡¯t help it.¡± Ethan quickly assumed a disinterested expression. He nned to lure her in bit by bit. ¡®Roanna is like a cat.¡¯ If you show interest too easily, she¡¯ll run away. He had to maintain a certain distance while drawing her in little by little. That was the only way to grow her into his excellent student for sure. ¡®It¡¯ll be badter if she bes spoiled.¡¯ With Ethan¡¯s request for her to be a teaching assistant, Roanna didn¡¯t think about it long. If she hesitated any more here, it seemed like Ethan would just pretend it never happened. ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± ¡°Good, then I¡¯ll take it that way.¡± Ethan smiled slyly. ¡°Then, since you¡¯ve agreed to be my assistant, I should give you fairpensation. I¡¯ll forget about the demerits and the proxy attendance.¡± At those words, Roanna immediately stroked her own chest. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be going.¡± As she left the room, Roanna let out a small sigh. It felt like she had beenpletely swept away, but she didn¡¯t feel bad. Mason and Ron trained in the same space. Using the special golems given by Ethan, they focused on training as if the battle to decide the department representative was happening right now. ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡± Both immersed themselves in training until their clothes were drenched in sweat. If either of them lost with Yuna gone, it would be over. ¡°I absolutely can¡¯t lose¡­¡± Both looked gaunt but their eyes were alive. Behind them, Ethan watched the two students. After seeing the students take down the special golems, he was convinced. ¡®Their level increased significantly in a short time.¡¯ They had passed the final stage Ethan had set. ¡®This should be enough.¡¯ Ron could now perfectly deal with stabbing attacks, and Mason had also greatly improved his swordsmanship. ¡®They can win with this.¡¯ And so the day of the decisive battle. The department representative¡¯s decisive battle was held on a small scale. Fundamentally, the main event wasn¡¯t the department representative¡¯s decisive battle, but the inter-department battle between the department representatives. Even though it was small-scale, the Directors of the Knight Department and Magic Department were in attendance, as well as the teachers of each department, in case there was any bacsh. As the teachers took their seats, the main actors of this department representative decisive battle soon entered. ¡°Teacher udie Hyde.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± udie Hyde entered first, followed by Max Jurod and Slos Pallo. ¡°Both of their conditions look very good.¡± The Principal smiled as he looked at the two Swordsmanship Department students. ¡°Teacher Ethan Whiskers.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ethan, Mason, and Ron entered. Seeing thepletely changed Mason and Ron in this short time, udie frowned slightly. Max and Slos were equally surprised. Especially Max, he was surprised to feel an aura from Mason that he had never sensed before. ¡®This is not the Mason I knew.¡¯ It seemed like Mason had be apletely different person since the day he apologized. Slos Pallo was also clicking his tongue as he looked at his opponent, Ron Bears. Originally, Ron Bears was bear-like as his name suggested. But now Ron Bears did not look bear-like at all. Rather, with his tall height and agile impression, he gave off the feeling of a wild beast. While this was a battle to select the department representative, it was basically a friendly match. But what was with that intimidating aura and killing intent? It was as if he intended to kill. udie was also surprised to see the aura the two students were exuding. He didn¡¯t know Mason could give off such an imposing aura. And what about Ron, the worst in the Swordsmanship Department? Objectively by rank, there was a big difference with Slos Pallo, but it seemed Slos was being overwhelmed by Ron¡¯s aura instead. ¡°What kind of education did you give them?¡± udie couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°I only taught them the right path.¡± ¡°Who decides what¡¯s right?¡± udie gritted her teeth at Ethan¡¯s words, then pointed at the two students. ¡°It¡¯s certainly not decided by the teacher.¡± udie¡¯s brows furrowed. It was certainly frustrating. But his mind was clearly set on helping Ivecar and its students. ¡°Tsk.¡± udie quickly lost interest in Ethan. The important thing was the match. In any case, it would be difficult for the other side to win this match. No matter how much they improved their skills in a short period, there was still a big difference in original ability. Especially for Ron and Slos, the gap was quiterge. Same for Max and Mason. ¡°To improve their skills this much in such a short time.¡± ¡°I thought it would be a one-sided match, but it might turn into an interesting match unexpectedly.¡± The Magic Department teachers were fully enjoying this match. From their perspective, it looked like a good oue was possible. Because of the intimidating aura and killing intent emanating from the two students, Ron Bears and Mason Yeld. To express it, it was like a freshly sharpened sword. ¡°I didn¡¯t think he could make the students change this much just by scolding them. Amazing.¡± The Magic Department teachers didn¡¯t know Ethan well. They had only heard rumors, and had not sat in on his sses to see for themselves, so they had no way of knowing what kind of education he gave the students or how he motivated them. Fundamentally, it was difficult to drastically change these Ivecar students just by threatening or enticing them. ¡°Is everyone ready?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Four students answered simultaneously. ¡°From now on, we will begin the duel to select the representative of the Swordsmanship Department.¡± With the Principal¡¯s words, thepetition to select the representative of the Swordsmanship Department began. ¡°First, Ron Bears and Slos Pallo will duel. If Ron Bears loses here, udie and three students will immediately be the representatives of the Swordsmanship Department with a record of two losses. The winners will be given the opportunity to represent the department in the uing interdepartmental exchange.¡± Currently, Ethan¡¯s side was carrying one loss. So if Ron Bears at the forefront lost, it was over. Watching teachers shook their heads anxiously. Objectively, Ron Bears was the least skilled among them. He had been consistently at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department since the beginning of the semester. ¡°Even if he has improved his skills, I wonder how much he has really improved.¡± ¡°Slos might be quite skilled.¡± As students could take sses from the Magic Department despite being in the Swordsmanship Department, the teachers who knew Slos thought that this duel might not even make it to Mason and Max¡¯s turns. ¡°Carrying that one loss is too big of a burden.¡± ¡°Tsk, no matter how important it is to change the image of those two over Yuna Ga first, it¡¯ll all be meaningless if they lose, right?¡± ¡°Teacher Ethan has to win this.¡± They talked quietly among themselves but Ethan could hear them clearly. But he didn¡¯t care much. Rather, he focused on the two students. ¡®They¡¯re burning.¡¯ Standing in front of Slos, Ron was quite nervous. But he wasn¡¯t overly nervous, just the right amount. Ethan approached Ron. ¡°Ready for the match!¡± As soon as the Principal¡¯s words fell, he lowered his voice so only Ron could hear. ¡°You heard that just now, right? Right now you¡¯re the weakest one here. People are still only seeing you as the worst in the Swordsmanship Department.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Show them. How strong you are now.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡± Like the right-hand man of an underworld boss, Ron slowly stepped forward. Seeing that, Ethan snorted withughter. ¡®He feels like he¡¯s the boss now.¡¯ Slos Pallo stood facing Ron. Ron was very big and still looked even bigger even though he had lost weight. But Slos was 3rd in the Swordsmanship Department. Mind control wasn¡¯t that difficult. ¡°Don¡¯t expect me to hold back. Since the representative position is on the line, I can¡¯t go easy on you.¡± ¡°Yeah, do that.¡± Ron said. ¡°That¡¯s how I practiced.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± The Principal raised his hand and shouted loudly. ¡°Begin match!¡± As soon as the words left his mouth, Slos instantly drew his sword. At the same time, Slos¡¯s signature stabbing attack powered with all his might surged forward. Shwing! Anyway, he didn¡¯t n to drag this out. Since the Magic Department side was watching too, his goal was to secure victory while suppressing power leakage as much as possible. ¡®I¡¯ll go just as the teacher said!¡¯ Slos stabbed forcefully with his sword, thinking he had won. The timing was very good. He could feel the amplification of power through his legs, waist, and shoulders. It was a perfectly executed stab. Since it was a wooden sword, he nned to stab all the way through without stopping. ¡°Hup.¡± But with a short breath, Ron swung his sword. He strongly struck the side of Slos¡¯ stabbing wooden sword, disturbing its momentum, and mmed it into the ground. Thunk! In an instant, Slos¡¯s posture copsed and his sword was pushed back. The flustered Slos raised his sword again but it was toote. Faster than that, Ron¡¯s sword struck down on Slos¡¯ shoulder. Crack! Along with the sound of bone cracking, Slos screamed. ¡°Gyaaaaah!¡± As the excited Ron tried to swing his sword again, the Principal, who had appeared at some point, lightly pushed Ron down. ¡°It¡¯s over, student Ron Bears.¡± The Principal spoke as if he had done well. ¡°Winner, Ron Bears!¡± At those words, Ron roared like a bear.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 116: Department Representative Decision Battle (2) Chapter 116: Department Representative Decision Battle (2) In terms of overall grades, it was only natural for Ron to fall behind Slos. Ron had just started getting stronger, while Slos had been an outstanding student from the beginning. Slos had the upper hand in every area. No matter how much Ethan was being called a master lecturer and a great teacher, he couldn¡¯t make Ron a top student in such a short period of time. ¡®So I focused on just one thing. It¡¯s fair to say I specialized him.¡¯ Ethan had trained Ron solely with this duel in mind. Ethan had already predicted Slos Pallo¡¯s moves. He would try to end the duel instantly with an overwhelming thrust. That much was obvious. ¡®Since udie would have instructed him that way.¡¯There were teachers from the Magic Department present here. Although the head of the Magic Department, Professor Duty, was absent, they were essentially acting as Duty¡¯s eyes. ¡®There were many watching eyes. So he wouldn¡¯t want to reveal his strategy, especially after losingst year.¡¯ To ensure victory this time, he absolutely couldn¡¯t expose the strategies of the students he had trained. To conceal his full strength, it would be better to end it quickly. So it was easy to predict that Slos would attempt a rapid thrust. ¡®His most confident thrust, that is.¡¯ Any Magic Department teacher knew that thrusting was the core of Slos¡¯s swordsmanship. So he probably intended to end it with the thrust everyone knew about. ¡®An easy prediction leading to certain victory¡­ Although it was tough. Ron¡¯s potential turned out to be greater than I thought. I didn¡¯t expect him to handle the thrust so well and counterattack like that.¡¯ Ron¡¯s potential far exceeded what Ethan had imagined. He didn¡¯t expect him to be able to shatter Slos¡¯s shoulder with such overwhelming power. Slos seemed to share the same thought, clutching his shoulder and staggering as he stood up. Despite the evident pain, he looked straight at Ron. ¡°Damn it!¡± Slos cursed roughly. He was angrier about the humiliation than the pain. Especially thatst move. ¡°Ron Bears! You didn¡¯t see my swording, did you!¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± Ron answered briefly. As he said, Ron hadn¡¯t seen Slos¡¯s sword. But he knew a thrust wasing. He had already seen it before. ¡°I was already practiced for it.¡± Compared to Slos¡¯s thrust, the thrust from the special golem Ethan had created was far more vicious. That thrust was likely directly inputted by Ethan himself. ¡°I¡¯ve experienced a real thrust. So it was easy to predict.¡± ¡°Easy, you say? You damn bastard!¡± Despite Slos¡¯s rough reaction, Ron remained calm. He had sparred with Ethan and defeated Ethan¡¯s special golem. So how could he not predict Slos¡¯s thrust? Ronughed roughly as he caught his breath. ¡°Come at me properly. Fight me properly!¡± Slos stomped his foot loudly. He had lost to the deadst. That fact excited Slos. Thrusting wasn¡¯t his entire repertoire. If he was at his normal self, he wouldn¡¯t have immediately gone for a thrust but built up to a perfect thrust. This wasn¡¯t a loss due to his true ability! Thinking that, Slos gripped his sword again and tried to charge at Ron. But then udie shouted. ¡°Slos Pallo!¡± Hearing that voice, the excited Slos regained his senses. ¡°My apologies, Teacher¡­¡± ¡°Come here. This duel is a friendly match. Greet the peer who faced you. And the teachers who watched.¡± udie said. ¡°Mind your manners.¡± ¡°My apologies¡­¡± Slos stood in ce. Then the Principal gestured for them to greet each other. Slos also greeted the Magic Department teachers who had watched the duel. The Magic Department teachers apuded. Gone were their evaluating or mocking expressions from before the duel started. All of their faces were stiff. They had clearly hoped for Ethan to win. It would be better to face Ethan¡¯s seemingly mediocre students than udie¡¯s elite students. Of course, they hadn¡¯t expected those mediocre students to actually beat udie¡¯s. They had only assumed udie would win. But when they actually saw it, it waspletely different. Thatst move. It wasn¡¯t something that could be easily dealt with. Slos had surely cried out because he felt wronged. He said he didn¡¯t see iting, just blocked it. How had Ethan raised the ability of Ron Bears, the deadst of the Swordsmanship Department, to this level? As the Magic Department teachers were stunned, Slos Pallo also greeted Ethan. The only reason Ron, who had been deadst until recently, had be like this was thanks to Ethan. It was unknown how he did it, but it was certain Ron was different from before. With eyes that seemed unable to understand, Slos bowed to Ethan. In any case, it was clear the opponent was an extraordinary person, unlike a new teacher. ¡°I will definitely take your ss next time, Teacher.¡± ¡°Even upperssmen can benefit from my ss. You¡¯re wee to attend, Slos Pallo.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Slos stepped back. The next duel was effectively the main event of this representative decision match. The current Swordsmanship Department number one, Max Jurod. And Mason Yeld, who had been expected to be the Swordsmanship Department¡¯s number one in the past but failed to meet those expectations. Mason approached Ron. ¡°Leave it to me now.¡± ¡°Surely¡­ you won¡¯t lose, right?¡± Ron smiled slightly despite his exhaustion. ¡°If I lose, I¡¯ll quit.¡± ¡°¡­You won¡¯t, though.¡± ¡°That means I won¡¯t lose.¡± Max stepped onto the dueling tform. Then Mason joined him on the tform, and the previously noisy Magic Department teachers fell silent, focusing on the two. Their level was beyond that of mere students. Additionally, the Magic Department¡¯s opponent would change depending on the oue of this duel. The Principal standing between Max and Mason raised his hand. ¡°Begin the duel.¡± And without hesitation, he announced the start of the duel. The moment he uttered ¡°begin¡±, the two swordsmen forcefully stomped the ground. Thunk. Explosively leaping from strongly stomping the ground, Max and Mason¡¯s swords shed directly. Crack! The first collision shattered their wooden swords. With both Max and Mason¡¯s swords broken, the Principal immediately halted the duel. ¡°You¡­¡± Max couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. In contrast, Mason showed no particr change in expression. ¡°Let¡¯s start over.¡± New wooden swords were readied, and the duel promptly resumed. It was the same opening strike as before, their swords shing in the center. The only difference was that Max was noticeably wary of Mason¡¯s movements this time. ¡°Max!¡± udie shouted loudly. He had clearly instructed Max to overwhelm Mason early on. Yet for some reason, Max was unable to follow up with proper attacks, instead remaining cautious of Mason. Rather, it was Mason taking the offensive initiative. He forcefully swung his sword, relentlessly pressuring Max as if trying to tear him apart. Thwack! Crack! Furthermore, with each swing, the force behind his swings grew stronger. ¡°Use your true ability!¡± udie shouted again. There was no longer any point in concealing their abilities. What was the meaning in hiding their strength to avoid revealing it, only to lose in the end? There was no greater embarrassment than that. ¡°Kuh¡­!¡± Max regained his senses. His wrist and shoulder were numb from constantly defending. But it was fine. From now on, he would unleash his true ability. ¡°You¡¯ve improved quite a bit. But until now, it hasn¡¯t been the real thing.¡± ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I intended to end it before then.¡± Mason readjusted his grip on his sword. ¡°I guess I don¡¯t need to hide it either.¡± Max could only let out a wryugh. He had held back to give Mason a chance, only for him to catch up to this extent? udie had already given his permission too. He intended to unleash his true ability and thoroughly crush Mason. ¡°You can¡¯t beat me.¡± Max Jurod began disying his signature swordsmanship. His swordsmanship, far faster and sharper thanst year, was elegant enough to make onlookers gasp in admiration. Whack! In an instant, their positions reversed, and Max continued his relentless assault. Mason was helplessly pushed back by Max¡¯s overwhelming offensive. Shoulder, side, shoulder again. Missing a single opening allowed the hits to umte bit by bit. If they had been real swords, it could have led to severe bleeding and a dire situation. udie, who had been observing with his arms crossed, finally showed a slightly more rxed expression. Then he nced at Ethan. The situation had already shifted in Max¡¯s favor. Contrary to the original n, the Magic Department had exposed some of their strength, but this ensured he and his students would be the representatives. However, Ethan himself maintained a calm expression. ¡®Has he already given up?¡¯ But a person who had given up wouldn¡¯t look that calm. Crack! Then a loud noise apanied Max¡¯s groan. udie frowned and looked back at the dueling tform. The situation had clearly been Max dominating, but somehow Mason was now taking control. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± udie immediately recognized it. Something was different. Apletely revised sword path. While continuing his offensive, Mason was deflecting every single one of Max¡¯s sword strikes. It was something beyond a student¡¯s level. One would need to thoroughly understand the trajectories and sword paths through realbat experience¡­ In an instant, udie found himself looking at Ethan again. The ss Ethan was teaching had once been udie¡¯s ss. Understanding the Sword Path. udie had thought it was impossible for students to perfectly understand the sword path at their level. Moreover, with so many students, it was difficult to get each individual student to grasp the core sword path, so he eventually had to teach in a different way. Even that had earned high praise from students, far exceeding other teachers. That¡¯s why he could tell. Ethan Whiskers had used apletely different approach, and taught more effectively than him. The swordsmanship Mason Yeld was disying now was swordsmanship that perfectly understood the sword path. ¡°You made him understand it?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t respond to udie¡¯s question. Thwack! Crack! As everyone watched the increasingly intense duel with bated breath, Mason¡¯s sword precisely struck Max¡¯s sr plexus. ¡°Kuheh.¡± Max copsed to the ground, wheezing harshly. The winded Mason slowly looked at the Principal. No one could open their mouth at the shocking result. Mason enjoyed the silence. Only one thought upied his mind. ¡°Did I do as you expected, Teacher?¡± As he asked while looking at Ethan, Ethan gave a thumbs up. ¡°The winner, Mason!¡± The Principal shouted loudly. ¡°The Swordsmanship Department representatives this time are:¡± Ron, who had been sitting, stood up. ¡°Swordsmanship Department Professor Ethan Whiskers, Swordsmanship Department Mason Yeld, Swordsmanship Department Ron Bears, Swordsmanship Department Yuna Ga.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 117: Tidying the Office Chapter 117: Tidying the Office ¡°Did you hear the news?¡± ¡°Who doesn¡¯t know about it by now?¡± ¡°Wow, I can¡¯t believe Max and Slos actually lost. That¡¯s crazy. I know Mason is skilled, but he hasn¡¯t trained for a long time, right? And Max is already the number one in the Swordsmanship Department.¡± ¡°Not to mention Ron Bears was the deadst. His grades must be at the absolute bottom?¡± ¡°Max and Slos were trained intensively by Teacher udie. They were his star pupils.¡± ¡°Then¡­ does that mean Teacher Ethan is more skilled than Teacher udie?¡± ¡°Hey! What are you saying? Teacher udie is still better for now!¡± ¡°But he lost, didn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s true but¡­¡± News of this incident rapidly spread throughout the academy. That Teacher Ethan Whiskers, not udie Hyde, had be the winner of this department representative decision match was a huge issue among the students. Who was udie? He was the teacher who had a firm grip on the Swordsmanship Department until now. Moreover, he was the pride of Ivecar, hailed as udie Hyde. He must have been utterly determined to avengest year¡¯s humiliation this time around. That udie Hyde had lost the department representative decision match caused a massive uproar within the academy. And the fact that he was defeated by the neer Teacher Ethan Whiskers was a major contributing factor to the issue¡¯s widespread attention. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he actually lost to a new teacher.¡± ¡°No, but still, how did it turn out like this?¡± ¡°Could the Principal have intervened? This doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡± Teachers who weren¡¯t present whispered among themselves, and likewise, students seemed doubtful that Max and Slos could have lost to Mason and Ron. ¡°Was Teacher udie¡¯s skill just hype?¡± ¡°How could the number one and number three lose? Ron was even the deadst!¡± ¡°Are Mason, Ron, and Yuna really our representatives now?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t ept that.¡± ¡°Me neither. How can they represent the Swordsmanship Department?¡± The students¡¯ reactions were quite severe. While they could ept Max bing the representative since he was the number one in the Swordsmanship Department and participating in the exchange with the Magic Department, epting Mason was another matter entirely. ¡°Mason¡¯s just a delinquent!¡± ¡°How can a delinquent who managed to get in the teacher¡¯s good graces a bit be a representative?¡± Students who had previously been tormented by Mason could hardly ept him as the department representative so easily. At that moment, Mason, who had suddenly appeared among the gossiping students, shot them a nce. Seeing Mason¡¯s gaze, the students who had been gleefully gossiping immediately fell silent. But Mason approached as if he had heard everything. This was bad. Thinking that, the students tried to immediately leave. However, Mason was faster and stood before them. ¡°M-Mason¡­?¡± The approaching Mason immediately bowed his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t make excuses. I apologize for acting like a delinquent towards you all.¡± The students were greatly taken aback. If this were the usual Mason, it wouldn¡¯t be strange for him to immediately call his gang and harass them. ¡°D-Did you just apologize?¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll forgive me just because of this, but at least I want to take responsibility for what I¡¯ve done.¡± ¡°What¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Why are you suddenly acting like this?¡± One student asked. ¡°I want to live properly from now on.¡± Mason gave a brief answer. It was a short response, but his peers sensed sincerity in those words. ¡°I¡¯ve only just realized how shamelessly I¡¯ve been living until now. You may think it¡¯s pointless for me to say this now, but I¡¯m sorry.¡± The peers couldn¡¯t immediately forgive Mason on the spot. But they could sense his sincerity. Afterward, Mason went around and apologized to every student he could remember. And finally, he gathered all his former gang members. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for until now.¡± At those words of apology, even his gang showed strange expressions. ¡°Mason, you¡¯ve really changed.¡± ¡°Is this all because of that Teacher Ethan?¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t need to exin it to you guys in detail since you¡¯re taking the same ss.¡± They too were well aware of just how remarkable a teacher Ethan was, the one who had changed Mason, since they were taking the same ss. It wasn¡¯t just Mason who had changed. They had changed too. It was simply that Mason had changed the most drastically. Next, Mason bowed to Chen Garcia. ¡°The things I said back then crossed a line. I¡¯ll properly apologize, Chen.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve already forgotten about it. I know you didn¡¯t mean what you said back then.¡± Chen had also changed quite a bit. Of course, Teacher Ethan was a frightening person, but at least by taking his ss, Chen felt he could change too. He felt like he could be a better person than he was now. Perhaps everyone here felt the same way. ¡°Let¡¯s stop hanging around together so unproductively¡­¡± Mason said. It was a rather heartwarming scene, but then an unexpected visitor arrived. ¡°Mason, let¡¯s talk.¡± It was Max Jurod, who had lost to Mason in the department representative decision match. ¡°Oh! This must be Ethan¡¯s private office!¡± ¡°As expected from Young Master Ethan. It¡¯s incredibly spacious!¡± Schudlen set down the items he was carrying. He had been carrying a sofa and chairs over his shoulders. With a thud, he set down his load, and Ethan immediately took charge. ¡°The sofa goes over here, so we can rest here. And the chairs go here, for the students to sit.¡± Ethan moved the Hawk Head Crown he had been using as a substitute chair to one side and neatly arranged it as decoration. ¡°Where should I put this?¡± What Yerica had levitated over with magic were dumbbells and barbells. ¡°With all these things filling the space, it looks more like a training ground than an office.¡± ¡°It serves a dual purpose. Hmm, put that slightly over there, I¡¯m going to separate the spaces. If I set this up here¡­¡± Ethan meticulously arranged the room with a serious expression. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to take it this seriously. I thought you¡¯d just set things up haphazardly.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my office, you know. Many students will be visiting, and you two will being as well. More importantly, I¡¯ll be spending the most time here, so I should arrange it to my satisfaction.¡± Ethan continued adjusting the positions of the furniture with gestures. After about an hour of tidying the office: ¡°Done.¡± Ethan folded his arms with a satisfied expression. The previously empty room was now quite decently filled with various items.
  • Aesthetic score increased!
  • Aesthetic score has reached 15.
  • You have achieved an achievement!
  • For achieving the [Sentimental Interior Design] achievement, you have gained a like.
  • You gained ¡®1¡¯ like!
On top of that, he even secured a like through the housing system¡¯s achievement. ¡®Raising the aesthetic score is quite satisfying.¡¯ It felt almost like his aesthetic sense was being acknowledged, which was subtly gratifying. It was no wonder so many people got hooked on the housing system. ¡°It seems we¡¯ve decorated it well. What do you guys think?¡± ¡°Should I speak frankly?¡± ¡°Go ahead, frankly.¡± Just as Yerica was about to speak, Schudlen opened his mouth first. ¡°I think you¡¯ve decorated it extremely well. Look, here is the office space, here is the exercise space. Great teachers like the Young Master need to get everything done in one ce since they¡¯re so busy. From that perspective, this is a very efficient and excellent office.¡± Schudlen actively praised Ethan¡¯s aesthetic sense. ¡°Schudlen, let¡¯s eat some expensive meatter.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master!¡± ¡°¡­Is this really okay? There are no curtains or decent artifacts, not even dimly lit artifacts¡­¡± ¡°Yerica, you can have some stale bread with it.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Yerica looked at Ethan as if dumbfounded. In the midst of this, she discovered a box that she had missed while decorating the office. ¡°Ethan, it looks like there¡¯s a gift here?¡± ¡°A gift?¡± There couldn¡¯t be many people who knew that Ethan had been assigned this office yet. Ethan immediately opened the box. Inside were a few fragrant herb roots and a few potion bottles. -This ispensation for the recent rudeness of the Sword Saint. These are ones I¡¯ve been saving, so enjoy them. ¡°It¡¯s a gift from the Principal. Oh, this is so expensive.¡± It was a gift from the Principal as an apology for the incident that had urred previously. They were all expensive herbs that could be used to brew potions to increase one¡¯s mana to some degree. Of course, they wouldn¡¯t be as effective for Ethan, but it wasn¡¯t a bad thing to have them nheless. ¡°As expected! The Principal must bepletely enamored with the Young Master. If I were the Principal, I would be too. You have the talent to be Ivecar¡¯s representative teacher.¡± Schudlen had a proud look on his face, as if he had received the gift himself. Knock, knock, knock. Then someone knocked on the door. ¡°Teacher, it¡¯s Chen Garcia!¡± ¡®Chen Garcia? What brings him here suddenly?¡¯ ¡°Come in.¡± Chen opened the door and entered. After entering, Chen nced around the office and greeted Ethan and his two guards. ¡°I heard from the Principal that you¡¯ve received your own office this time! You¡¯ve decorated it so beautifully, Teacher!¡± Chen had changed greatly, to the point where he seemed like a different person from when they had first met. The once mischievous brat had transformed like this. After being properly educated by Ethan once, Chen hadpletely turned over a new leaf while attending his sses. He spared no effort in his training, trying to keep up with the Understanding the Sword Path ss. In particr, he studied hard to master the sword path that Ethan had revised. As his father had said, Ethan was truly a good teacher. ¡°Please ept this. Um, my father asked me to bring it to you.¡± ¡°Originally, I shouldn¡¯t be epting things from parents.¡± Chen blinked his eyes at Ethan. He was so incorruptible. As far as Chen knew, most of the teachers were receiving various items from parents, openly or discreetly. Not only that, they even received financial support, and in return, they paid extra attention to those students. Such things had be like an unwritten rule, so some parents naturally offered various items under the guise of sponsorship. Of course, there were parents among the nobles who disliked such practices and never engaged in them. Count Garcia was one of those nobles. Nevertheless, he had told Chen to deliver this to Ethan. ¡°My father said he enjoyed the parent observation ss. He made a bet on whether Teacher Ethan would do well or not at the observation ss.¡± ¡°Interesting bet he made. I can probably guess which side he bet on and enjoyed.¡± Chen chuckled. Chen had also been the protagonist during the observation ss. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Chen Garcia.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I can see you¡¯re making an effort.¡± Ethan said. ¡°Keep it up like this.¡± Chen was the ck sheep of the Garcia family. But he didn¡¯t be one because he wanted to. Like Mason had changed, Chen had tried to change too. He also wanted to be acknowledged by his father, after all. So he had worked hard on his own. He had thought that no one would notice his diligent efforts. But Ethan knew. For a moment, Chen¡¯s eyes reddened, and he nodded his head. Who knew that having someone acknowledge you could give you such strength? ¡°¡­Yes!¡± After the door closed, Yerica looked at Ethan. ¡°That student will never forget today, will he?¡± Schudlen also nodded in agreement.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 118: Counter-Radiance Chapter 118: Counter-Radiance ¡°What¡¯s going on? You¡¯re not asking for another fight, are you? Sorry, but I don¡¯t have much time. Midterms areing up. I have to study.¡± Mason mentioning having to study for exams came as a surprise to Max, who still wasn¡¯t used to it. However, Mason had changed. He had to ept that fact. He had clearly lost in that duel. ¡°Studying for exams, that¡¯s really an odd thing for you to say. Well, as the loser, I have nothing more to say.¡± ¡°It was just luck. If we fought again now, the chances of me losing would be high.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve even be humble.¡± Max took a step closer to Mason. ¡°Mason.¡± With an aura as if he was about to pounce, Max asked Mason with a serious expression. ¡°Do you know when the registration for Teacher Ethan¡¯s next ss will open?¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°¡­The registration date, I¡¯m asking.¡± Mason looked at Max with a bewildered expression. He thought Max had called him for something else. ¡°You called me to ask about the registration date? With that look on your face?¡± ¡°It¡¯s important. I want to attend Teacher Ethan¡¯s ss. From what I¡¯ve heard, thepetition will be fierce. You must have insider information, right?¡± He said with an awkward expression. ¡°Aren¡¯t you Teacher udie¡¯s disciple?¡± He was curious if Max had discussed this with Teacher udie. ¡°Of course, I have to attend Teacher udie¡¯s ss. But there¡¯s no rule that says I can¡¯t also attend Teacher Ethan¡¯s ss. Teacher udie himself told me that since Teacher Ethan¡¯s ¡®Understanding the Sword Path¡¯ ss teaches in a different way from him, I should definitely take it.¡± ¡°Teacher udie said that¡­?¡± Mason asked with a surprised look. Max clicked his tongue briefly. ¡°You probably don¡¯t have many good memories of Teacher udie, so it¡¯s understandable that you see him negatively. But Teacher udie cares a lot about his students. He works hard for the development of his students and Ivecar Academy.¡± ¡°But there are too many excessive parts about him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s just Teacher udie¡¯s style.¡± Max sighed. He also knew that Teacher udie¡¯s style was highly divisive among students. But that was udie¡¯s style. Max had received a lot of help from udie and made it this far, so he didn¡¯t think his teaching methods were bad. ¡°So, Mason.¡± Max folded his arms and asked again. ¡°If you know the registration date for Teacher Ethan¡¯s ss, could you tell me?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± While it felt good that Ethan was gaining recognition, for some reason, he didn¡¯t want to share the information with Max. At the same time, he was quite curious about how Max would react to attending Ethan¡¯s ss. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Thepetition for the department representative was already over. So he could consider Max an ally now, not apetitor. ¡°I¡¯ll repay the favor.¡± Max smiled as he said that. After finishing organizing his office, Ethan immediately logged into [New World]. ¡®I left a message for Horus, and he replied right away, but¡­¡¯ Apparently, since Hang Woo is a bigger god than Horus, he needed more time to think about it. ¡®Well, he might refuse.¡¯ If that happens, he could just watch Hang Woo¡¯s videos with the likes he had umted. Or he could subscribe to another god. He had collected quite a few likes after the observation ss. -You have be a new premium subscriber to Hang Woo! As soon as Ethan entered New World, a notification popped up. It said he had be a new premium subscriber to Hang Woo. ¡°This is how it should be.¡± As a premium subscriber, it was his turn to post the promised subscription review. Ethan uploaded the subscription review video he had prepared. The video mainly covered the application and utilization of Supreme Resilience. Supreme Resilience, with its extremely high difficulty, could provide an absolute advantage in battles against multiple opponents. Ethan immediately posted a subscription review centered on the application of Supreme Resilience. ¡°This one is quite difficult, so who knows how well they¡¯ll like it.¡± But the high difficulty was something the subscribers could figure out themselves. Ethan saw his sparkling mailbox. Upon checking, he had received replies from Heo Jun and Hercules, to whom he had previously left messages. ¡°Looks like positive messages saying they¡¯ll consider it.¡± -Thanks for the good suggestion, premium subscriber. I was actually quite interested in merchandise too, and I was thinking about what to make into merchandise¡­ -Subscriber! I was thinking the same thing! So I was nning to make a list of merchandise! I¡¯ll send it to you once it¡¯s done, so take a look! Both gods had apparently been thinking about merchandise as well, and had sent quite lengthy replies. In summary, both gods were nning to start selling merchandise soon. ¡°I¡¯ll have to buy them as soon as they start selling.¡± He was especially nning to purchase any instable merchandise that could be ced in his office. Ethan first entered Hang Woo¡¯s channel. -You are now a [Premium Subscriber]. -You can now watch videos provided exclusively to [Premium Subscribers]! As Ethan had proposed to Hang Woo, he could now watch all of Hang Woo¡¯s videos for free. ¡°After meeting the Sword Saint, I clearly realized that my current state has too many dangerous factors.¡± What if the one there wasn¡¯t the Sword Saint, but the followers of the Moon? Or what if there was someone else who hade to kill Ethan? That would have been the end. With the Eye of Horus, he could see through all of the Sword Saint¡¯s movements, but that was all he could do ¨C just see through them. He had no way to deal with it. ¡®I might not have been able to block him even once and could have just died.¡¯ He needed to be stronger. Since it was difficult to umte mana with Extinction, he had to be stronger by increasing his skills, traits, or stats. Currently, he was supplementing hisck of mana with Hero¡¯s Breathing and Giant¡¯s Strength. If Hang Woo¡¯s power was added to that, he could expect a definite synergy between the three. ¡®Thebination of those three traits will create an even greater synergy.¡¯ Of course, Ethan hadn¡¯t given up on mana. If he couldn¡¯t umte mana due to Extinction, he would use another method. ¡®Whether that will work or not, I don¡¯t know.¡¯ After the midterms, he had to take action for his growth. ¡®By the time of the departmental exchange event, I¡¯ll definitely raise my specs.¡¯ Ethan immediately clicked on the first video in Hang Woo¡¯s channel. It was a video teaching Counter-Radiance, the power representing Hang Woo. -Greetings, subscribers. I am the god called Hang Woo, the Sleeping Great Spirit. Ethan quickly skipped through the video to grasp its core. While Hercules¡¯ power umtes through breathing, Hang Woo¡¯s power umtes through training. -Innate strength certainly exists. But if you train that innate strength, you can gain endless power. Lifting a mountain starts with a single step. Train your body. Once this Counter-Radiance settles within your body, you can break through the limits of your body and lift a colossus! Ding! -Learned Counter-Radiance. -Skill Added: Counter-Radiance (S) Ethan learned a new skill. It was the second of Hang Woo¡¯s skills he learned after Supreme Resilience. -This Counter-Radiance can uproot even mountains. It starts off weak but the more you train, the stronger the power bes. So you must be wondering what kind of training method is required? Hang Woo said that and then smiled. ¡°End the video here?¡± As expected of a major god, he was quite skilled at leading viewers to purchase the next video. ¡°Well, it¡¯s free for me anyway.¡± Ethan chuckled and moved on to the next video. -You have to push your body to its limits. It¡¯s a bit of an extreme method, but you have to keep using your body, using it, and using it again. There was a reason the difficulty was extremely high. ¡®Even Supreme Resilience was like that.¡¯ This Counter-Radiance was even more intense. Push your body to its limits? ¡®It won¡¯t be easy to master, but if I do master it, I¡¯ll be able to exert overwhelming power.¡¯ Ethan checked through the rest of the videos as well. They were basically about Counter-Radiance, and afterwards covered exnations on how to properly use Counter-Radiance. ¡°The training method is too difficult. That¡¯s why the difficulty is extremely high.¡± Many of the existing reviews for Hang Woo mentioned the difficulty. It granted immense power, but to properly wield that immense power, one had to train endlessly. ¡®It seems Counter-Radiance is even more difficult than Supreme Resilience.¡¯ While Supreme Resilience was a difficult skill to utilize, once you got used to utilizing it properly, it wasn¡¯t too hard to increase your proficiency. But Counter-Radiance was the opposite. Using it wasn¡¯t too difficult, but increasing your proficiency with it was challenging. ¡°I should try using it right away.¡± Ethan exited New World. Conveniently, there was a special golem in one corner of his office. Standing in front of it, Ethan first clenched his fist. Shaaaaaack-. As he exerted his strength, the force of Counter-Radiance began to gather. It was an immense power he had never felt before. -The power of Counter-Radiance settles into your hand. An enormous power capable of uprooting mountains. ¡°Counter-Radiance.¡± Ethan used Counter-Radiance against the special golem. Kok-. Kwaaaaaack-! Instantly, the special golem¡¯s body shook violently and flew back a great distance. ¡°Hmm.¡± He definitely felt something. But since he had just learned it, the force seemed a bitcking. ¡°Then.¡± Whooooosh-. Ethan took a deep breath. Hero¡¯s Breathing activated, filling his entire body with vitality. On top of that, he exerted his strength again to activate Counter-Radiance as well. Counter-Radiancebined with Hero¡¯s Breathing. It was the moment the powers of the strength-famous Hercules and Hang Woo¡¯s Counter-Radiance merged. Shaaaaaaaaack-! ¡°Oh.¡± An astonishingly immense power gathered, enough to slightly surprise Ethan. Stepping forward, Ethan once again thrust his fist toward the special golem. Kwang-! This time, the special golem was utterly shattered amidst a thunderous boom. ¡°As expected, the synergy is good.¡± The constantly active Giant¡¯s Strength,bined with the Hero¡¯s Breathing and Counter-Radiance. Ethan¡¯s strength had increased considerably, enough to shatter the special golem. ¡°I haven¡¯t even built up any proficiency with Counter-Radiance yet.¡± Once he mastered Counter-Radiance and Hero¡¯s Breathing, he would be able to use this immense power stably. ¡°There is one issue, though.¡± Ethan looked at his fist that had just expelled that force. The skin was torn and blood was dripping down. His body couldn¡¯t withstand that immense power. ¡°Improvements are needed.¡± To exert such powerful strength, he would also need to build a body capable of enduring it. Ethan drank a decoction to heal his wounds and sat at his desk. ¡°With two sses, I¡¯ll need to prepare doubly for the midterms.¡± From now on, he had to prepare for the midterm exams.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 119: Midterm Exams Chapter 119: Midterm Exams The exam period at Ivecar was a considerable source of stress not only for students but also for teachers. It was because of the exam questions. ¡°I trust that everyone has thoroughly prepared the exam questions. As this marks the end of the semester and is the most important task for the students, let¡¯s give it a bit more effort!¡± The Principal left after giving some words of encouragement. It was not the Principal but rather the deans of each department who oversaw the midterm exams. All the exam questions set by the teachers required approval from the deans, and only approved questions could officially be used for the midterm exams. This was possible because most exams consisted of written essay responses and practical questions simr to skill tests. ¡°Last year, we let some leniency pass for the exam questions, but not this year. If you don¡¯t submit exam questions appropriate for your respective sses, they will not be approved, so be aware of that.¡± The deans couldn¡¯t help but be sensitive about the exam questions as well.If the questions were too easy, they wouldck discernibility and fail to satisfy the students. Simply receiving good scores on the exams was not enough. While some students greatly preferred exams with easy difficulties, others would immediatelyin to their parents if the exams were too easy. It wouldn¡¯t end with just students¡¯ints. If parents protested that easy questions were being asked at Ivecar, an academy renowned as one of the best, the academy would have no excuse. Many parents wouldin, saying there was no need to send their children to an academy just for such exams, so Ivecar had to put in great effort for the midterm exam preparations. Therefore, under the supervision of the deans, teachers had to set exam questions with appropriate difficulties and receive approval. If they failed to get approval, they had toe up with new questions. And if they couldn¡¯t get the dean¡¯s approval by the exam date? They would be immediately dismissed from their teaching position. Such cases weren¡¯t frequent, but they did happen. It wasn¡¯t just about getting the dean¡¯s approval, though. Would theypromise to get approval and set questions with appropriate difficulties? Or would they insist on higher difficulties to match the students¡¯ levels? The entire process of contemting this gap was the difficulty teachers faced with midterm exams. ¡°I hope to pass on the first try this time.¡± ¡°The deans must find it tough as well, having to be so meticulous.¡± The deans didn¡¯t reject questions because they disliked them. Considering the academy¡¯s standards and potentialints from parents, it was inevitable for the deans to preemptively reject questions to protect the teachers and the academy. ¡°The new teachers are the real problem.¡± ¡°Even I got rejected nearly a dozen times when I was a new teacher. I remember staying up for several nights.¡± While experienced teachers could pass within a few tries, teachers without a good sense of exam difficulty had a harder time. ¡°Teacher Ciron.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± However, there were exceptions. Ciron Ramsdale, who would have been the top teacher if not for Ethan, confidently submitted his exam questions to the Knight Department Dean and passed without issue. ¡°Approved. As expected, since you were a student until recently, you have an excellent grasp of setting appropriate difficulties.¡± The other teachers looked at Ciron with envious and admiring gazes. ¡°Teacher Ethan is getting a lot of attention, but Teacher Ciron also entered with gradesparable to the top teacher.¡± ¡°And he¡¯s an Ivecar alumnus.¡± It was understandable that Ciron drew attention since new teachers rarely passed on the first try. Ciron Ramsdale proudly looked at the midterm exam questions he had set. ¡®This time, I should give a tip to the social gathering members.¡¯ Until now, he had only been receiving from Ethan. But now, it seemed he could return the favor. He was the first among the new teachers to pass. As Ciron hurriedly walked, he noticed Iris. ¡°Teacher Iris!¡± ¡°With that beaming smile, did you perhaps pass the midterm exam question approval?¡± ¡°Is it that obvious? Hahaha! But I was an Ivecar student until recently, so I know the appropriate difficulty levels and what kinds of questions to ask.¡± Ciron said with a cheerfulugh. ¡°This time, it¡¯s my turn to help the social gathering, isn¡¯t it? I should quickly let the other teachers know the appropriate difficulty level for this exam!¡± Ciron tried to share a tip with Iris. But Iris shook her head. ¡°I also passed the exam questions.¡± ¡°What?¡± Surely there couldn¡¯t be another new teacher besides himself who had finished setting the exam questions this quickly. He was briefly surprised but soon regained hisposure. Well, the bloodline of an Archmage couldn¡¯t be underestimated. If not for Ethan, those two would have drawn attention as his rivals. ¡°Oh? What are you two doing here?¡± ¡°Teacher Nadia.¡± The cheerful expression returned to Ciron¡¯s face as he opened his mouth. But Iris spoke first. ¡°Teacher Nadia, you must be struggling with setting the midterm exam questions, right? I heard if you fail to pass, you could get dismissed from your teaching position. I passed, you know. The social gathering¡¯s great, but what¡¯s the point? I¡¯ll give you a tip!¡± ¡°Ah, no, I¡¯ll give you a tip, Teacher Nadia.¡± ¡°Ah, huh? But I also passed¡­¡± They couldn¡¯t believe that Teacher Nadia was also passed. His fellow new teachers were indeed impressive. While Ethan overshadowed them, they were no pushovers either. But there was still a chance. ¡°What about Teacher Ethan!¡± ¡°He¡¯s teaching two sses, so he must not have passed yet, right?¡± Until now, they had only been receiving help. This time, they were determined to provide assistance. ¡°Ah, but I asked, and he already passed both sses? Apparently, he was the fastest among the teachers. Then it was Teacher udie.¡± ¡°Ah, no, the fastest?¡± ¡°He¡¯s teaching two sses, right? And even Teacher udie was second? Doesn¡¯t he teach three sses?¡± It was unbelievable. Just when had those two prepared their exam questions to have passed already? Nadia rified their doubts. ¡°I heard Teacher udie submitted ten midterm exam questions? He asked them to just pick three good ones. He¡¯s really a great teacher. The Magic Department Dean must have felt pressured since he subtly hinted that he expects the same from us.¡± Even though they were in the same Magic Department, Iris hadn¡¯t caught on at all. ¡°Then when did you pass, Teacher Nadia?¡± ¡°I was the fifth in the entire department.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± It didn¡¯t seem like the right time for their little rivalry game. -Wow, I only thought of Hang Woo as a god with an aggressive disposition. But defense? I¡¯ll learn Hang Woo¡¯s defensive skills from [Only subscribed to the right gods]¡¯s subscription review. -[Only subscribed to the right gods] is a god¡­! -I already knew about the saying ¡°the best defense is a good offense¡±, but I didn¡¯t know Hang Woo had skills like that. I¡¯ll learn them properly. -Thanks to [Only subscribed to the right gods], I¡¯ll get Hang Woo¡¯s defensive skills. This seems extremely easypared to Hang Woo¡¯s Counter-Radiance though. -Not knowing about this Supreme Resilience skill until now, I¡¯ve wasted half my life. -I won a fight against twelve wives using Supreme Resilience. Thank you. ¡°Hahaha-!¡± Hang Woo let out a heartyugh. Not long after granting the premium subscriber position as requested, the distinctive subscription review from the [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber was posted. The subscription review systematically covered what one could gain by subscribing to Hang Woo, centered around Supreme Resilience. ¡°So this is it. That famous one! Yes, the taste of sess, is it?¡± Hang Woo looked at the flood ofments under the subscription review written by [Only subscribed to the right gods]. As expected, others still didn¡¯t understand the true essence of the power that Hang Woo pursued. However, after reading the subscription review, the subscribers realized that the essence of Hang Woo¡¯s power wasn¡¯t just offense, but also epassed defense. They were surprised once again that Hang Woo, who they had thought possessed only offensive skills, also had skills that could be utilized in various ways. ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s right. There is no god as versatile as me when ites tobat.¡± Hang Woo read through thements proudly. ¡°Oh?¡± While checking, he came across the final part of the premium subscriber¡¯s subscription review. ¡°Merchandise!¡± It stated that if there was merchandise, there would be no hesitation in subscribing to Hang Woo. ¡°Not bad. As expected of a great subscriber. They really understand how [New World] operates.¡± A precious subscriber had given him advice, so why hesitate? Hang Woo immediately began working on merchandise production. Having passed all the midterm exam question approvals, Ethan nned to train in his office while the students were taking their exams. This time, he had learned Hang Woo¡¯s Counter-Radiance. To train in Counter-Radiance, he had to push his body to its limits. ¡°There are various ways to push your body to its limits, but basically, my body reaches its limit quite quickly.¡± Ethan¡¯s physical body was exceptionally frail due to Extinction. ¡°For me, Counter-Radiance might actually be easier to train in.¡± Topensate for his frailty, he had been continuously raising his stamina stat. Thanks to that, his stamina had increased considerably, but he likely had the lowest stamina among [New World] subscribers. ¡®The stronger your body bes as your stamina increases.¡¯ In other words, it would be difficult to build proficiency in Counter-Radiance with an already strong body. If one¡¯s body is robust, it would be harder to push it to its limits. ¡°I might have the easiest time.¡± Compared to them, Ethan could rtively easily push his body to its limits. Ethan looked at the exercise equipment in one corner of his office. ¡°Through physical training.¡± He then ced a barbell on his trapezius muscles. It was the squat exercise he had his students do in the Understanding the Sword Path ss. After getting into position with his feet shoulder-width apart, he slowly lowered himself. He felt the force entering his thighs, and on the way up, he pushed through with his hips, properly executing the hip drive. After performing a single textbook squat, he felt a reaction in his thighs. ¡°Adding more weight.¡± Ethan gradually increased the weight on the barbell as he continued squatting. After warming up, it was time for the main sets. ¡°Huff!¡± For the main sets, he performed 10 squats with a weight of up to 200 kilograms. It felt like his thighs were burning. A weightpletely unsuitable for his frail body. Of course, he had used Giant¡¯s Strength, but for pure physical training, he didn¡¯t use any mana at all. ¡°This is it.¡± Ethan added even more weight. After increasing the weight to his limit, he then performed squats while using Counter-Radiance. An immense weight that caused the bar on his shoulders to bend was loaded. Ethan used Counter-Radiance with all his might as he performed the squats. ¡°Ugh!¡± The tremendous weight made Ethan feel like his thighs were going to snap. One, two, three. As he continuously repeated the squats, his body gradually approached its limit. -The Unfading Stamina trait is activated. ¡®Oh no.¡¯ For now, it wasn¡¯t a wee trait activation. But Ethan didn¡¯t care and pushed his body to its limit again. ¡®I can¡¯t do this anymore.¡¯ But he had to. One more time. As Ethan stood up after one more squat, the notification he had been waiting for popped up. -Your body is pushed to its limit! -Counter-Radiance proficiency increases! ¡°¡­This is it!¡± A method to increase Counter-Radiance proficiency while also physically training his body. ¡°This is the answer.¡± Ethan continued the squats. With each repetition, his entire body felt stimted. His body quickly fatigued, and his Counter-Radiance proficiency was steadily increasing as well. ¡°Is physical training the only way to increase Counter-Radiance proficiency?¡± If so, it was worth trying other methods. He put down the barbell and generated needles. Then, he used the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique to stack buffs. ¡°Ugh.¡± Over time, the debuff from overusing the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique set in. Ethan picked up the barbell again, though with less weight than before. ¡°Counter-Radiance.¡± Shaaaaaack-. Immense power settled into his body, and Ethan used that power to perform squats. ¡°Huff.¡± He nearly fell and got crushed by the barbell. But he managed toplete one with great difficulty. -Counter-Radiance proficiency increases! ¡°So this is how it is?¡± He had found two methods. ¡°Being frail is helping me in many ways.¡± Ethan smiled wryly as he grabbed a dumbbell. ¡°I should build Counter-Radiance proficiency up to 5 percent.¡± Just as he was about to resume training, there was a knock at the door. Knock, knock, knock. ¡°Teacher Ethan, are you in?¡± A familiar voice. ¡°Come in, Teacher udie.¡± udie Hyde opened the door and entered.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 120: The Second Class Chapter 120: The Second ss It was a sudden visit from udie, but Ethan was not flustered. He had predicted that udie woulde to see him at some point. Since udie had lost in the battle to decide the department representative, he would certainly want to discuss it with Ethan. Of course, Ethan had not expected him toe to his office. As soon as he entered, udie looked around Ethan¡¯s office and frowned. ¡®Could it be because the size is simr to his own office?¡¯ Ethan wondered if that was the reason. It was an office of a size not befitting a new teacher. ¡°You¡¯ve decorated your office too crudely. Don¡¯t you know an office should have a calm atmosphere?¡± However, udie was not dissatisfied with the size of the office, but rather with the interior decoration.¡°It¡¯s my style.¡± ¡°As expected, it doesn¡¯t match with me at all.¡± udie muttered quietly. Ethan smiled faintly and offered him a chair. ¡°Please have a seat, Teacher udie. What brings you to my office?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯te to your office for any particr reason. When I asked the Principal, he said you had been given an office, so I came to find it.¡± Even though he said that, Ethan did not respond. ¡°Congrattions. The battle to decide the department representative was quite impressive. I didn¡¯t expect you to have trained those two students to the point where they could beat Max and Slos.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t train them. Those two students trained themselves. I just helped them a bit.¡± ¡°Sure, sure. But isn¡¯t anything provided in this office?¡± Ethan took out a sk from the safe refrigerator and handed it to him. The tea inside the sk was extremely refreshing. Unlike Roanna, udie did not show a surprised reaction. He simply raised his eyebrows slightly and drank from the sk as is. ¡°Did you get it from a coffee house inside the Marquis territory?¡± ¡°You recognize it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the best one in the Marquis territory.¡± udie frowned slightly, as if he didn¡¯t like that Ethan knew his favorite ce. ¡°So, what was the reason for you to visit me?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± After a brief pause, udie opened his mouth. ¡°We may havepeted for the position of department representative, but in the end, it¡¯s for the sake of the Swordsmanship Department, isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s only right that the teacher who guides students better bes the representative.¡± udie admitted gracefully. Ethan had already known that udie would say that. ¡®He may seem like aposed teacher at first nce.¡¯ But in fact, he was a teacher who cared about Ivecar Academy and its students. As far as Ethan knew, udie Hyde wouldter be a representative teacher of Ivecar and a proper master. ¡®Even if he appearsposed, his essence is someone who cares for the academy and its students.¡¯ That¡¯s why Ethan didn¡¯t bother trying to keep udie in check in any other way. Everything udie did was simply his way of fulfilling his role as a teacher. ¡°So you came to offer your help? Putting your words together.¡± ¡°Yes, that Teacher Duty is not someone to be taken lightly.¡± udie exined about Duty. ording to him, Teacher Duty was an ambitious teacher in the Magic Department, a 5th-year teacher. He had a good eye for talent, and he was the one who discovered all three of the Magic Department¡¯s students called the ¡®golden age¡¯. ¡°He¡¯s also an excellent teacher. With his good eye for talent, he teaches each student the magic he thinks they can absorb well. You could call it customized lectures.¡± ¡°You seem to know quite a bit about him.¡± ¡°It¡¯s basic to understand the teachers. It helps when teaching students.¡± udie took out a few sheets of parchment and handed them to Ethan. ¡°Information on the Magic Department¡¯s golden age. And this is¡­¡± Ethan immediately looked at the parchments udie had given him. ¡°Hopefully you don¡¯t take offense.¡± udie had not only been watching his own students during their battle that day. Although Ethan had officially appointed them as representatives, in a broader sense, they were students of the Swordsmanship Department. The parchments contained detailed information about the two students, including udie¡¯s own analysis on how they could be improved. Particrly, the content about Mason was much longer than that of Ron. ¡®Mason would be pleased to see this.¡¯ udie had been sincere about Mason. ¡°Since you took the representative position from me, Teacher Ethan, you¡¯ll naturally have to reim the top spot for the Swordsmanship Department, right?¡± udie said. ¡°You must do that. If you lose to me and the Magic Department¡­¡± For a moment, emotion disappeared from udie¡¯s expression. ¡°¡­expect something to happen.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious what you might do.¡± Ethan smiled as he spoke. ¡°But I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll get to see it.¡± udie gave a rare faint smile at Ethan¡¯s response. Then he immediately stood up and left the office without hesitation. ¡°He really is an interesting person.¡± In Duty¡¯s office. Seated in a chair, Duty began organizing his thoughts one by one. ¡°I had thought Teacher udie would naturally be the representative.¡± The result of this Knight Department representative selection battle was one Duty found difficult to ept. Currently, the ace of the Knight Department was undoubtedly udie. In fact, udie was an excellent teacher who could have been selected as the representative of the entire academy. Though he had not observed other teachers¡¯ sses, he had seen udie¡¯s demonstration ss. From that ss, he realized: As a teacher, he could never surpass udie. He could never lecture as well as udie. ¡°So I changed my approach. And it worked out really well.¡± He took apletely different tack. If he couldn¡¯t be the best at the academy through his teaching skills, he would be the best at discovering students. And that strategy worked precisely. He discovered the current golden age of the Magic Department and was able to bring the Magic Department to the top. The academy still considers udie as the representative. But if he wins the uing department exchange and then performs excellently at the academy exchange in the winter. ¡°Everything will change.¡± His name will spread far and wide, and his family will once again gain attention. ¡°It will be a great help in making a new challenge for the Twelve Stars Families.¡± Duty will be the trailzer for that role. Furthermore, he will be properly recognized by his family and receive their full support. ¡°Ethan Whiskers, huh.¡± If udie had won, Duty would have devised a proper counterstrategy to decisively suppress him. The Swordsmanship Department has outstanding students like Max Jurod and Slos Pallo, but the golden age of the Magic Department is so exceptionally skilled that no one can defeat them. Roanna was at the center of it all. Roanna was a genius. More so than any student Duty had seen before. No, she was far more talented than any mage. ¡°She does have the w of being scatterbrained, but as long as she¡¯s interested in this, she¡¯ll function well as the center of the golden age.¡± However, one problem arose. Contrary to expectations, the new teacher Ethan had be the representative of the Swordsmanship Department. Coincidentally, there was almost no information on Ethan. There was also no information on Mason Yeld, Ron Bears, or Yuna Ga. Initially, these three were not outstanding students to the degree of bing department representatives. ¡°They were apparently those kinds of students, but it seemed like they becamepletely different people?¡± The Magic Department teachers talked about how Mason and Ron hadpletely changed. They said that until recently, those two did not have such skills, but their abilities demonstrated in the battle were not to be taken lightly. All the teachers unanimously said that Ethan Whiskers was at the center of this transformation. That Teacher Ethan had changed everything. ¡°Hmm.¡± This made things difficult. But Duty did not dwell on it for long. Instead, he decided to think that the situation was working in his favor. ¡°There¡¯s no way Teacher Ethan is more formidable than Teacher udie. But he probably didn¡¯t just win by luck alone.¡± If that¡¯s the case, then there was no need for special preparations. If Duty just prepared more diligently as usual, there would be no problems. ¡°If I just proceed as I have been, I shouldn¡¯t have any trouble winning.¡± Duty grinned. With this, he would surely win the department exchange and bask in that glory. Ethan was walking northward, out of the Marquis¡¯s territory. His destination was the deste valley to the north. ¡°So, why are you going there?¡± ¡°I heard there¡¯s a shrine there.¡± ¡°A shrine?¡± Yerica asked with a puzzled expression, as if she didn¡¯t understand what he was talking about. ¡°You know I have a deity I believe in, right?¡± ¡°Ah, yes. You¡¯re a descendant of the Moon Goddess.¡± Yerica recalled the events in the Spirit Forest. Back then, Ethan had gotten entangled in trouble with the spirits and ultimately defeated the Poison King who had intoxicated the forest. Yerica learned at that time that Ethan was a legitimate descendant of the Moon Goddess. ¡®Of course, I¡¯m not actually going to find a real shrine.¡¯ The ce Ethan was heading to was the deste Titi Valley, where there was a clue to obtaining the second ss through the trait [Double Caster]. Moreover, not far from Titi Valley was the desert that the Mountain King White Tiger had mentioned. The real shrine was there, but it seemed difficult to handle everything at once since it would take a lot of time. ¡®I¡¯ll first register it in Wind Cloud, and thene back here again when the academy¡¯s vacation starts.¡¯ He nned to take care of all the misceneous tasks then. ¡°A shrine in Titi Valley? No matter how much you search, I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll find one.¡± ¡°As you know, the Moon Goddess is now treated as an ancient deity, and even her name has been forgotten. Of course, her shrine would have to be in a ce like this.¡± The deste Titi Valley had once been a valley full of greenery. ¡°This ce was once filled with green, like the Spirit Forest I saw before. And it was a very prosperous ce.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like that at all. Look over there. There are only the remains ofpletely copsed houses, and this whole ce is just a world of yellow soil.¡± Yerica spoke as if she couldn¡¯t believe it. Even Ethan wouldn¡¯t have believed it if he didn¡¯t have the information. ¡®This ce ended up like this because it incurred the wrath of the Thunder God.¡¯ The second ss Ethan was trying to obtain. That ss was one that could be obtained from the one who incurred the Thunder God¡¯s wrath and ruined this valley. ¡®The Lightning Guardian. In terms of offensive power, it¡¯s a ss without equal.¡¯ Surely there was a clue somewhere in this valley that connected to that ss. ¡®If I can obtain the Lightning Guardian, it will definitely be a great help.¡¯ Ethan scanned the valley and found a small glimmer of light, so faint it was almost invisible. Focusing his eyes and activating the Eye of Horus, he spoke to Yerica while running toward it. ¡°Follow me.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ethan firmly stepped on the ground.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 121: Lightning Guardian (1) Chapter 121: Lightning Guardian (1) As you progress through MePan, you¡¯ll have many opportunities to realize how important sses are. With a regr ss, you can easily clear quests that were impossible before. Even high-difficulty quests be significantly easier just by having the right ss. There are even quests that only specific sses can ept. Decisively, the way people look at you also changes. That¡¯s why Ethan has obtained various sses. If Ethan were asked to choose the best ss among all the ones he¡¯s obtained so far? He would unhesitatingly choose the Lightning Guardian. Without a doubt, the Lightning Guardian was the most excellent ss Ethan had ever obtained. ¡®The problem was that obtaining this ss was insanely difficult.¡¯But despite the high difficulty, Ethan had managed to obtain the Lightning Guardian. Unlike the heir of the Moon Goddess that he couldn¡¯t obtain when ying MePan. ¡®I have it all in my head.¡¯ ¡°What is that? What are we chasing right now!?¡± Yerica asked urgently, gasping for breath. ¡°You see that light? That¡¯s a spirit. There¡¯s a mage hiding in this Titi Valley. We¡¯re going to find that mage.¡± Yerica focused her eyes and saw the light. Sensing the fluctuation of mana, which she normally wouldn¡¯t be able to see, Yerica quickly understood what Ethan meant. ¡°Really!¡± ¡°Finding that mage is our top priority for now, Yerica.¡± The light suddenly shot upwards before stopping. Ethan and Yerica moved a bit to the side, waiting for the light to move again. ¡°It fell into the valley below!¡± ¡°Yerica!¡± As Ethan unhesitatingly went forward, Yerica immediately understood his intention. ¡°Fly.¡± She then cast the fly spell on Ethan as he leaped, and cast it on herself as well, jumping down into the valley below. ¡®As expected.¡¯ Yerica¡¯s fly spell had a high degree ofpletion. It¡¯s not for nothing that she¡¯s Hecate¡¯s granddaughter. Thanks to the fly spell that allowed for free movement, Ethan was able to quickly chase after the light. More skilled with the fly spell, Yerica flew alongside Ethan while keeping some distance, in case of any surprise attacks. And sure enough, something soon came flying at them. Intense mes, and sharp spears made of wind. The spells wereing at Ethan and Yerica as if to tear them apart. ¡°Perfect Protect.¡± As Yerica sped her hands together as if in prayer, a barrier formed around her, precisely enveloping Ethan as well. Bababang! The fast and sharp spells collided against Yerica¡¯s Perfect Protect and simply vanished. The barrage of spells continued until they descended into the valley below. But Yerica, who had risen to the asion, did not allow a single spell to prate her barrier throughout the barrage. Tap. Having safely reached the bottom of the valley, Ethan ran again. ¡°How much further do we have to go?¡± ¡°We¡¯re already there.¡± As Ethan said, the light had stopped in front of a certain cave, before abruptly vanishing without a trace. ¡°It seems there¡¯s something inside that cave.¡± ¡°Yerica, be careful.¡± Ethan said so as he drew out Frost Sword ¨C Lea¡¯s. Shaaaa¡­ An intense chill spread outwards. Simultaneously, monsters began emerging from the surrounding forest. ¡°So that¡¯s what it was. Go into the cave, Ethan. I¡¯ll take care of things out here.¡± Yerica raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Mana began undting like waves. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Yerica said so, gesturing toward the cave. Her words and gesture felt extremely reassuring to Ethan. As the saying goes, one well-raised guardian is worth ten, and Yerica truly lived up to that. ¡°Clean things up, thene in after me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ethan left the outside to her and entered the cave. Drip. Drip. Inside the cave was extremely damp. Ethan used the Eye of Horus to quickly dash through the cave. He already knew the way. Left, left, right, left. He hade here countless times when he yed MePan, so he was familiar with the path. He arrived at a prison barred by iron grates. Inside was a person. ¡°The spirits told me. That someone wasing. Since humans rarely visit this destednd, I thought they must have seen something else. But it really was a human.¡± Inside the iron grates was an extremely emaciated man, like a mummy. White wispy hair and a skeletal body with only bones remaining. His ankles were bound by shackles. ¡°What business do you have in this destend?¡± This was the turning point. Either speak to him, or run away. If you speak to him, you can receive a quest. ¡°I heard there is a treasure here.¡± ¡°A treasure? Aha, a treasure hunter, I see. There is certainly a treasure here. But that treasure cannot be obtained. The one who turned this valley into this state has it. I¡¯m imprisoned here because of that person too. Do you see my condition? I¡¯m dying. No, perhaps I¡¯m already dead and just pretending to be alive.¡± ¡°It seems you know about the treasure.¡± ¡°Curious? But I cannot simply tell you.¡± ¨C Quest Received ¨C ¨C <> Rank [A] [Havinge to find the valley¡¯s treasure, you heard the story of the valley from the man imprisoned within the iron grates. The man seems to know something about the treasure. Listen to his story.] [Reward: Information about the treasure] ¡°As you can see, I¡¯m in this state. My body has already be as weak as it can be. Do you see this too?¡± The man slightly moved the shackles bound to his ankles. The chains rattled, showcasing the weight of the shackles. ¡°All I can do is check the situation of this valley through the spirits. But even that is ending now. My energy is draining away.¡± He let out a deep sigh. Even someone who knew nothing could sense that there must be some story behind this, instinctively feeling curious. It was only natural to want to know what circumstances led to this. ¡°I¡¯d like to tell you more, but I don¡¯t have the energy. If you could revive me, then there would be no reason I couldn¡¯t tell you more.¡± ¨C Revive the man¡¯s condition! ¨C If you revive the man¡¯s condition, you can hear the story from him. Outside this cave were countless monsters. But throughout the rustling forest beside those monsters, there were abundant medicinal herbs. ¡®The original quest was to make potions using the monster materials and the herbs in the forest, and feed them to him.¡¯ When he was still ying MePan, when Ethan received and cleared this quest, it was really difficult. The man¡¯s condition was no ordinary matter. His physical state was so poor that it was surprising he was even alive, requiring numerous elixirs and potions to be offered to improve his condition. Moreover, the monsters here were quite powerful. There were even some rather troublesome monsters to deal with. ¡®At first, I thought feeding him just one would be enough.¡¯ But he had to be fed more than a dozen elixirs before he could move on to the next quest. ¡®Moreover.¡¯
  • The man¡¯s condition is deteriorating by the minute.
  • There is a time limit.
  • 72:00
The time limit was 72 hours. 3 days. He had to recover this man¡¯s health within 3 days. At a nce, it seemed simple, but in reality, it was an extremely difficult quest. Once the quest started, the 3 days given didn¡¯t feel like a long time at all. ¡°Cough cough!¡± As the man coughed, ck phlegm spattered out. ¡°¡­Hueeek.¡± He made a pained sound and gestured for Ethan to hurry back. Seeing this, Ethan smiled. Back then, he had thought 3 days would be plenty of time. But as time passed, he grew increasingly anxious, and only at the very end was he barely able to meet the questpletion condition to improve the man¡¯s condition. ¡®But I¡¯m not the same as I was back then.¡¯ Who is Ethan? He is someone who has long since surpassed the limits of frailty. 3 days? When he had just be Ethan, a single cough was a near-death experience. Ethan focused his power into the Frost Sword he was holding. Shaaak¡­ He then swung it toward the iron grates. Chaeng! Chaeng!
  • Frost stacks are applied.
Frost descended upon the sturdy iron grates. Once, twice, three times. The stacked frostpletely shattered the iron grates. Screech! Having cut through the grates, Ethan entered inside. ¡°You¡¯re stronger than I thought, friend!¡± The man looked at Ethan in admiration. ¡°Do you already have medicine? But it won¡¯t work. I didn¡¯t just sit idly either. I tried various methods by borrowing the power of spirits. But ordinary medicines don¡¯t work on me.¡± The man clicked his tongue regretfully. ¡°Instead of wasting time like this, you¡¯d be better off quickly leaving this cave and bringing something that can revive me.¡± Instead of responding, Ethan took out medicinal herbs from his interspatial pocket. The man¡¯s expression changed to one of surprise. ¡°This scent¡­¡± As a spirit and a mage, the man could tell. The herbs Ethan had taken out were all precious. And it wasn¡¯t just one or two. ¡°Just how much¡­¡± Precious herbs kept emerging, more than could be seen at a nce. Ethan put the herbs into a sk and began making a decoction.
  • The effects of the magic book: Donguibogam are activated.
Holding the magic book: Donguibogam in one hand, he swiftly made the decoction with the other. Having taught students, Ethan was able to focus even more on Heo¡¯s Decoction technique. This Heo¡¯s Decoction technique was an incredible skill that surpassed the efficiency of the br¨¹le technique Ethan had previously used. ¡®In fact, br¨¹le has clear limits. The average is a B+ grade, with a maximum of A grade, but it can¡¯t go beyond that.¡¯ On the other hand, Heo¡¯s Decoction had no limits. Especially with the skill providing definite assistance, it helped Ethan pour all his effort into decoction brewing. ¡®If I can properly focus, if I can properly use it.¡¯ Add in good ingredients, and he could even make an S-grade decoction. ¡®Now is the time to focus.¡¯ Ethan first loosened his hands. ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Right before his eyes, a potion was being made in an instant. It was a situation iprehensible not just with his knowledge, but withmon sense as well. ¡°Are you not a knight? Then how can you so perfectly brew potions? And that speed, it¡¯s abnormal. Handling such precious ingredients at that speed would ruin them all!¡± Seeing the astonished man, Ethan directly fed him thepleted decoction, shoving it into his mouth. Gulp¡­ Gulp¡­ The man gulped down the decoction, then was even more surprised than before. ¡°Th-the effect¡­¡± Despite being a potion made at such a rapid pace, the reaction came immediately after drinking it. His upper body, which could only twitch before, now gradually felt life returning to it. In the meantime, Ethan had newly made another decoction. And once again, he fed it to the man. ¡®This is like refueling or something.¡¯ Ethan continued to make decoctions and repeatedly fed them to him. The man, who had only been drinking the decoctions like a baby bird, suddenly shuddered violently. ¡®It¡¯s done.¡¯ Heo Jun had said he wanted to save as many people as possible with this acupuncture and decoction technique. Without thinking of anything else, only focusing on the patient in front of him. Setting aside whether it was possible or impossible, believing he could treat them without fearing failure. ¡®There¡¯s no need to think of anything else.¡¯ Forget about good ingredients or good grades. The only important thing is that this decoction being made right now can cure the patient in front of him. ¡®A doctor is not a god.¡¯ But in the face of the ailing, one must be infinitely close to a god.
  • You have made Arunda Chrysanthemum Decoction!
  • Grading in progress¡­¡­
  • Arunda Chrysanthemum Decoction [S Grade]
  • Heo¡¯s Decoction Skill 1/10
The S-grade decoction shone brightly in Ethan¡¯s hands.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 122: Lightning Guardian (2) Chapter 122: Lightning Guardian (2) The man drank thepleted S-grade decoction. Gulp gulp. And before long, the man who had been lying down started to slowly rise from his spot. It seemed the effect of the decoction was so astounding that even he himself was surprised.
  • You have cleared the quest!
  • You cleared the quest in the shortest time!
  • Time remaining: 71:40
  • The man¡¯s condition has beenpletely improved.
Ethan cleared the quest in precisely 20 minutes.
  • Overwhelming result!
  • Your reputation has increased!
  • You have achieved an achievement!
  • For achieving the [A Piece of Cake] achievement, you have gained likes.
  • You have gained ¡®5¡¯ likes!
Ethan took a deep breath and smiled. ¡®It¡¯s fortunate the S-grade came out right away.¡¯ With this, the man¡¯s illness was cured. ¡®I even increased my reputation and achieved an achievement.¡¯Moreover, the man¡¯s expression was unusual. From his past experiences, Ethan knew that the rewards differed greatly depending on how one cleared the quest. ¡°How could this¡­ I never thought I¡¯d be able to get up like this.¡± He looked over his restored body. ¡°You¡¯re incredible, friend! Truly incredible!¡± The manughed as if he were about to cry. Then, with a snap of his fingers, the shackles binding his ankles instantly shattered with a nking sound. ¡°Now you can tell me the story.¡± ¡°Of course. But I received too much for just telling a story. I¡¯ll give the change back to you.¡±
  • You can choose a reward.
¡°A life that was once dead. Since you revived me, I¡¯ll give you the most precious things I have. Choose one.¡±
  • [Anisida¡¯s Bracelet], [Anisida¡¯s Robe], [Anisida¡¯s Ring], [Anisida¡¯s Ne]
Anisida was the man¡¯s name. ¡®Anisida is offering these rewards.¡¯ ¡°They may look humble, but they¡¯re all highly effective. I should have introduced myself earlier. I am a spirit mage named Anisida.¡± The spirit mage Anisida. Though he exined it briefly, he was one of the most renowned spirit mages on this continent. ¡®He was a great spirit mage who left his mark on the history of the continent.¡¯ He had contracts with more than five high-ranking spirits, and even a contract with the Spirit King. In terms of skill alone, he was an exceptional spirit mage unmatched anywhere ¨C this was Anisida. ¡®Although he is quite old now.¡¯ His mana must have deepened that much more. Ethan decided to first find out the effects of Anisida¡¯s items. ¡°Could you tell me the effects of those items?¡± ¡°First, this bracelet¡­¡± Anisida exined about the rewards. The bracelet was an artifact that could store mana, and the ring had the effect of increasing mana. The robe and ne had resistance attached to various types of magic. ¡®This is the most suitable for me right now.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll take the bracelet.¡± Besides the bracelet, the other items were not something Ethan could use. If he stored mana in the bracelet, it would definitely be a great help someday.
  • You have received Anisida¡¯s Bracelet.
[Anisida¡¯s Bracelet] [S-grade] A bracelet used by the great spirit mage Anisida. Mana can be stored and withdrawn for use when needed. Mana Storage: 1,000 It was an S-grade piece of equipment, no less. Ethan received Anisida¡¯s Bracelet with a satisfied expression. ¡®As expected, there are rewards for overwhelmingly clearing the quest.¡¯ ¡°Now then, let me tell you about the treasure you¡¯re looking for. It¡¯s that lightning, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Just as the story was about to begin, a loud bang echoed through the cave. And shortly after, someone came walking this way. Anisida frowned and raised his hand, but Ethan nced at him, reassuring him with his eyes. ¡°Did you find what you were looking for?¡± Ethan smiled at Yerica, whose clothes were stained with blood here and there. ¡°I¡¯m d you weren¡¯t hurt.¡± For it was not her own blood. ¡°After sending you in, it would be embarrassing if I got hurt.¡± She snapped her fingers, and immediately used a clean spell to remove the blood stains from her clothes. ¡°But why didn¡¯t you use the clean spell when you came in?¡± ¡°I wanted to look a little cool.¡± She grinned. ¡°Is she yourpanion?¡± ¡°Yes, she is my escort.¡± ¡°Then we can continue the story.¡± At Ethan¡¯s gesture, Yerica also entered inside the iron grates and began listening to Anisida¡¯s story together. ¡°This deste valley was originally a city. A city full of green¡­¡± In front of this Titi Valley, there had been a city. Not a deste ce like now, but a city full of greenery, called the Silk Valley. ¡°It was thend I ruled, the Silk Valley.¡± The owner of the Silk Valley was the spirit mage Anisida before them. Utilizing his unique talent, Anisida had turned the Silk Valley into a city specialized in spirits, and numerous spirit mages had gathered there. As the spirits gathered, the area around the Silk Valley was further enveloped in greenery under their influence. That was the start of the cmity. ¡°The scale of the Silk Valley continued to grow, and more and more skilled spirit mages flocked there. But among the spirit mages who gathered, there was one who dealt with dark spirits.¡± Dark spirits were different from ordinary spirits. They were spirits that fed on life force and were banished from the Spirit Realm. ¡°I tried to step in, but I was overwhelmed with the affairs of my territory and the influx of spirit mages¡­ So his younger sister decided to take care of that matter instead.¡± Anisida spoke of his sister. Having lost their parents at a young age, Anisida and his younger sister had relied on each other and lived together. Being twelve years older, Anisida had raised his younger sister almost like a parent. His younger sister had always strived to lessen her brother¡¯s burden. ¨C It¡¯s supposed to be good for your body! But it turned out to be an herb that caused stomach aches. ¨C This will really help you, big brother. I saved up four months¡¯ worth of my sry to buy this. The robe whose effects were fake was bought by his little sister with her sry that she had saved up while resisting her favorite snacks. Still, the little sister always wanted to help her brother, thinking that her brother was sacrificing himself for her all the time. ¡°But I told you I¡¯m fine now.¡± Even after Anisida used his talent to be the lord of Silk Valley, his little sister still wanted to help Anisida. Knowing her heart, Anisida entrusted the matter of the dark spirit to her. ¡°I wanted to lighten the burden on her heart.¡± However, the situation took a turn for the worse. ¡°My sister was chosen by a special lightning spirit. The spirit mage who made a pact with the spirit of darkness had been targeting that from the start. Through the dark spirit, they¡­ tainted my sister and took the lightning spirit, even reaching the Lightning Spirit King.¡± The Lightning Spirit King became enraged. The Thunder God and king of all lightning spirits cast a curse. ¡°My sister, who took that curse head-on¡­ started rampaging while wielding the lightning that the lightning spirit had once gifted her. And because of that rampage, Silk Valley was destroyed¡­ and I was imprisoned in this state while trying to stop her.¡± ¡°So your sister still had some sanity left at that time.¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± ¨C I¡¯m sorry, big brother. I just wanted to help this time. Anisida recalled his sister from that time. Yerica¡¯s eyes were red after hearing the whole story. Crack! Crackle crackle! Then, the sound of lightning striking came from the forest outside the cave. ¡°It¡¯s better to give up. I know you are so talented that you can heal me. I can see you have some skill in swordsmanship too. But¡­ it will be too much for you to handle.¡± Anisida spoke with a resolved expression. ¡°And all of this¡­ is a problem I have to solve. Even if you got involved, it was my little sister who did this. As her older brother, I have to take care of everything.¡± ¡®Normally, Anisida would not be this healthy.¡¯ No matter what healthy medicines he was given, he would not be healthy. ¡®He would not recover to the point of being able to walk around like this, so all you could do was give him advice.¡¯ Ethan had cleared this quest multiple times, but had never seen Anisida able to stand and move. As a result, he had to clear this quest entirely on his own. All Anisida could do was give advice. ¡®At most, he could provide a bit more help by using spirits. Just that much.¡¯ But now it was different. ¡®It¡¯s because he drank an S-grade decoction.¡¯ Additionally, since he had cleared the quest with a three-day time limit in just 20 minutes, he could be considered to have fully recovered his health. ¡®I could even fight alongside him.¡¯ If that happened, he would be able to clear the quest much more easily. With Anisida¡¯s spirit abilities helping, it would not be difficult to defeat the boss. ¡°I absolutely must obtain that treasure. And¡­ don¡¯t we have to restore this valley to its original state?¡± ¡°¡­Why?¡± ¡°I am a descendant of the Moon Goddess. I came thinking there would be a shrine here, but since there isn¡¯t, I want to build a new shrine myself this time.¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me to rebuild Silk Valley?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know? There are still people who used to live in Silk Valley building viges and living in this area. This ce is their hometown. They want to reim it, but can¡¯t.¡± Ethan utilized his knowledge and information. Having cleared the quest multiple times, he was well-versed in the detailed information. ¡°I will help you.¡± Ethan said. ¡°To rebuild Silk Valley, to stop your sister. In exchange.¡± Ethan took firm control of the quest. ¡°Allow me to build a shrine to the Moon Goddess here. And help me gather worshippers of that goddess.¡± ¡°I set out boldly, but I lost even then.¡± Anisida said that, and talked about the power held by the lightning and dark spirits. ¡°That lightning is a sword. A sword that is also lightning. And that sword is brimming with the power of the dark spirit, so ordinary weapons can¡¯t match it.¡± He also said that his sister, who had beenpletely driven mad by the curse, had all her potential going berserk, so a head-on battle was absolutely impossible. ¡®He¡¯s right. In my current state, I absolutely can¡¯t fight head-on.¡¯ When he had cleared this quest before, he had prepared thoroughly. The fallen Lightning Guardian was a boss boasting tremendous attack power. As a result, equipment with high lightning resistance or skills and high stats to withstand that attack power were essential. Especially armor with high lightning resistance was a must. On top of that, additional means to somehow block that tremendous attack power were needed to endure the attacks and clear it. ¡®Back then, my body wasn¡¯t weakened like now. So a head-on battle wasn¡¯t impossible.¡¯ He had brought everything necessary, so a head-on battle was possible. But now it was difficult. In his current state, even using Supreme Resilience could get him killed. ¡®But that doesn¡¯t mean there¡¯s no way.¡¯ He had already thought it all out beforeing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There is a way.¡± Ethan said. ¡°No matter how strong the attack is, if it doesn¡¯t hit, it¡¯s meaningless.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 123: Lightning Guardian (3) Chapter 123: Lightning Guardian (3) ¡°That¡¯s an absurd method. It¡¯s really absurd. Do you think it¡¯s possible?¡± Anisida eximed in seeming bewilderment after hearing Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°We won¡¯t know unless we try.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to try to know that. Do you really think arrows can reach from that distance?¡± ¡°Spirit mage.¡± Yerica looked at Anisida. ¡°It will work. I¡¯m here, and we have you here too, spirit mage.¡± ¡°But, even so¡­¡± Anisida could not trust Ethan¡¯s words.The method Ethan had proposed was to shoot the Lightning Guardian from a distance. It involved attacking with a bow from outside the range of the Lightning Guardian¡¯s powerful attacks to incapacitate it. ¡°To make that possible, your archery skills would have to be almost godlike.¡± Anisida had indeed confirmed that Ethan had various talents. But was archery really one of them at that level? ¡°Don¡¯t you not even have a bow in the first ce?¡± ¡°Just wait for a bit.¡± Ethan first separated himself from the two of them. Then he immediately opened [New World]. ¡®I¡¯ve secured quite a lot of likes.¡¯ Having achieved various feats, he had already earned over 30 likes. ¡®I should definitely be able to subscribe to at least one more god.¡¯ Come to think of it, he did need long-range attacks. To deal with various situations, long-range attacks were essential, and the bow was undoubtedly the best for long-range attacks. ¡®There may be many other unique options, but for long-range attacks, the bow is the best.¡¯ Ding! -Hang Woo has registered a new item. ¡®Oh, already?¡¯ Ethan ignored the notification for now and started searching first. The search keyword was [archery]. -You have entered the keyword [archery]. -The algorithm is finding a suitable god for you¡­ -Searchpleted. [Hood the Archer][Difficulty: High] The god that appeared was Hood the Archer. He had a moderate number of subscribers and likes, not too high or low. Ethan was certain he could afford this one. ¡°Who is this?¡± Since the algorithm had rmended it, this god must be perfect for Ethan right now. Ethan immediately went to Hood the Archer¡¯s channel. He first checked the subscription reviews, and that¡¯s when he learned who Hood was. ¡°Robin Hood.¡± It was the famous Robin Hood, renowned for archery. However, there was a difference between this Hood the Archer¡¯s channel and other gods¡¯ channels. -The [Hood the Archer] channel is co-hosted with a guest. ¡°A guest?¡± Ethan tilted his head and looked around. Then he found information about this guest in the subscription reviews. -[Hit in the Head Instead of an Apple]: I was a bit uneasy because there was no information about the guest. But I trusted Robin Hood and subscribed and watched the videos. And wow, they¡¯re incredible. I can see why they were invited as a guest. I highly rmend the guest, Lord Jumong! ¡°Lord Jumong?¡± Who was Jumong? Ethan didn¡¯t know the details either, but Jumong was a king famous for archery in Korean history. ¡®Wasn¡¯t he the founding king of Goguryeo?¡¯ ¡°So this channel has two hosts? The main host Robin Hood, and the guest Lord Jumong?¡± They were both undoubtedly archery masters worthy of being recorded in history. Ethan then looked at the other subscription reviews. -There are many other gods famous for archery, but truthfully I couldn¡¯t feel much difference from them. However, with the guest god, I could subscribe to two gods with one subscription, so to speak a buy-one-get-one-free feel, which made me subscribe. -I subscribed because I could learn from two gods with one subscription. I¡¯m satisfied! It seemed that what one could learn from gods rted to archery was more or less the same. ¡°So this Hood is the most efficient among them?¡± One subscription for two gods at once. ¡°Clever.¡± This was also a strategy to secure victory in this New World. Without much hesitation, Ethan immediately subscribed to Hood. -Would you like to subscribe to [Hood the Archer]? -The number of likes required for subscription is ¡¯20¡¯. When he had subscribed to Hang Woo before, the number of likes required was 15. ¡®It has increased by 5 to 20.¡¯ It was a considerable number of likes, but he had saved them up for times like this. If he could acquire the skills he needed right away, he could use them without hesitation. Ethan promptly subscribed to Hood the Archer. -You have subscribed to [Hood the Archer]! -Likes used! As soon as he subscribed, the screen transitioned with a burst of fireworks, and Hood the Archer¡¯s videos were made avable. There were a total of three videos, all featuring both Hood the Archer and Jumong. ¡°The number of likes is quite high.¡± The videos had more likes than he expected. ¡®Almost all the subscribers must have used likes to purchase the videos.¡¯ ¡°The free videos must be that good.¡± Ethan immediately checked Hood the Archer¡¯s first video. The video was titled Perfect uracy. -Greetings. -Greetings, gentlemen! One was a man with thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, and a thin armor suit. Next to him was a man in a green outfit with a long mustache. -First, let me express my gratitude to the subscriber. I am Jumong. You all probably don¡¯t know me, so let me exin ¨C this name Jumong means a person skilled with the bow. How¡¯s that? Don¡¯t you trust me just from the name? -Frankly, I haven¡¯t seen a god better with the bow than this friend. Of course, I¡¯m better in some areas, but this friend is truly an exceptional archer. This friend wasn¡¯t interested in New World, so he didn¡¯t have a channel, but I persuaded him. So this channel was created by the two of us. The introduction was quite long, perhaps because there were two gods. However, Ethan was quite happy to see Jumong, who adorned a page of Korean history, so he skipped appropriately while watching the video. -There are important elements in archery. First, the eyes. You must see clearly to shoot urately. Nothing is as important as seeing the target precisely. Watch closely. Jumong nocked an arrow in an instant and shot it immediately. Thwack! The arrow stuck precisely in the center of the target. Next was Robin Hood. He too lightly nocked an arrow and shot it. Thwack! Their archery styles were simr yet different. ¡®Speed is Jumong¡¯s strength, while power is Hood¡¯s.¡¯ -My archery focuses on speed, while Hood¡¯s focuses on power. The archery we¡¯ve created anewbines both our strengths. Jumong said that as he covered his eyes. -Fast and powerful anytime, anywhere. Archery that can hit the mark even with my eyes covered. Thwack! The arrow struck the target again. And the arrow Robin Hood shot immediately after prated Jumong¡¯s arrow and stuck in the target. -This is the archery we will teach you. Ethan started watching Robin Hood and Jumong¡¯s video intently. Apart from the introduction, the two archery masters¡¯ video had almost no parts to skip. Ethan himself often used archery for long-range attacks while ying MePan, so he could fully understand the various points they were making. ¡®So that¡¯s what it felt like.¡¯ With their excellent exnations too, Ethan could understand the two gods¡¯ archery as if the knowledge was being directly imparted into his mind. ¡®Now I see why everyone used likes to purchase the next videos.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s all for now. This was just the beginner¡¯s level. If you liked it, please watch the intermediate and advanced levels next.¡± Ding! -You have learned Divine Archery! -Divine Archery [A] The name of the archery he had newly learned was Divine Archery. ¡®The video quality is so good that you can¡¯t help but go for the intermediate and advanced levels next.¡¯ Ethan instinctively realized this. This channel run by Hood the Archer and Jumong. ¡®If I write a subscription review, it will be a huge hit.¡¯ It just wasn¡¯t famous yet. But if it gained fame, there was a high chance it would surpass any of the gods Ethan had written subscription reviews for so far. Ethan immediately watched the intermediate and advanced levels next. ¡®At this rate, I¡¯ll run out of likes.¡¯ But he couldn¡¯t skip the next videos. ¡®The quality is excellent.¡¯ Seeing this made him want to write a subscription review. ¡®There¡¯s nothing but praise to give.¡¯ -Our people, from the king above to themoners, have honed archery like a game since ancient times. It¡¯s fair to call us the archery people. That¡¯s why various techniques developed. The most representative is this curved shooting. Ding! -You have learned Curved Shooting! In the intermediate level, he learned Curved Shooting. -Shooting is important, but what¡¯s crucial is hitting the mark for sure? My archery is powerful enough to prate even the sturdy armor of knights. In the advanced level, he learned Robin Hood¡¯s Pration. After watching the intermediate and advanced levels, he was able to learn a total of three skills. Sublime Archery, Curved Shooting, Pration. -The three separate skills are merging into one skill. ¡°So they had divided them into three.¡± Beginner, intermediate, advanced. These three skills seemed to bebining into one. -Skillplete. -Divine Archery [S] -Lastly, let me tell you about the right mindset. You could say this is the most important part. Jumong spoke with a smile. -Free yourself from the obsession of having to hit the mark. Robin Hood nodded at those words. ¡®Free myself from the obsession of having to hit the mark?¡¯ An archer with a hundred percent uracy. Weren¡¯t nicknames like divine archer or master archer derived from urately hitting the mark with arrows? -That¡¯s all. ¡®For now, it¡¯s just advice, but I should keep it in mind.¡¯ It seemed to be saying not to be burdened. After learning archery, Ethan checked Hang Woo¡¯s items on the off chance they could be helpful. -You are a premium subscriber! If Hang Woo considered him a premium subscriber, he might even provide items for free. -You can view Hang Woo¡¯s merchandise. -Beleaguerment [An item that ys the song of the Chu] -Hang Woo¡¯s Conqueror Armor [Replica] -Hang Woo¡¯s Sword [Replica] -Ochuma [You can summon Hang Woo¡¯s beloved horse Ochuma and ride it.] ¡®Wasn¡¯t the Beleaguerment the parable that appeared when Hang Woo was defeated?¡¯ To sell that as an item. Does it mean he doesn¡¯t want to forget his defeat? And most of the items were replicas. In other words, they were imitations, not the real thing. But one item stood out the most. ¡®Ochuma?¡¯ Ochuma was the horse Hang Woo used to ride. ¡®This could be good.¡¯ As Hang Woo¡¯s beloved horse, it must be strong enough to withstand his immense power. Not only could it run, but it seemed it could also be used as a summon. -Premium subscribers receive one free item! Ethan immediately chose Ochuma. -Ochuma has been awarded! After obtaining Hang Woo¡¯s item as well, Ethan exited New World. ¡°Divine Archery.¡± The advantage of this archery was that it didn¡¯t require a bow. Shaaack¡ª A bow that seemed to be made of mana materialized in Ethan¡¯s hand. ¡®No need for a bow or arrows.¡¯ They were created instantly if desired. It seemed to be one of the powers of Sublime Archery. ¡®Other archery gods probably can¡¯t do this. They would need a bow and arrows.¡¯ But Hood and Jumong were different. ¡°Hoooo.¡± Ethan took a deep breath. Thanks to Hero¡¯s Breathing, his breathing settled instantly. Then, the Eye of Horus locked onto the target precisely, making it essentially a coboration of four New World gods. ¡®Hercules, Horus, and now Robin Hood and Jumong too.¡¯ The skills of four gods hadbined. Shwaaack¡ª Ethan shot an arrow right away. Thwack! The arrow flew in a straight line and embedded itself in a tree. No, it prated that tree and the one behind it too. ¡°Excellent.¡± With this, he should be able to defeat it.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 124: Lightning Guardian (4) Chapter 124: Lightning Guardian (4) ¡°Are you already fully prepared?¡± Anisida had an anxious expression. ¡°What we¡¯re about to face is the very culprit who destroyed Silk Valley. She was once my younger sister, but now she¡¯s merely a¡­ monster that repeats destruction.¡± How much agony and suffering must there have been for him to call his own younger sister a monster? That¡¯s why they had to be all the more cautious. She was no easy opponent. ¡°We need more preparation. If we go like this, it¡¯ll just be a dog¡¯s death.¡± ¡°The preparations are alreadyplete.¡± Rumble!The sound of thunder grew even more intense. It meant they were heading in the right direction. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time left.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that about¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m a teacher at the academy. There¡¯s an important eventing up.¡± ¡°Huh? A teacher at the academy? An important event?¡± Anisida grew even more flustered. Since there was no time for further exnation, Ethan quickly continued speaking. ¡°Anisida, please guide my arrows with the wind spirits and add their power.¡± ¡°You¡¯re preparing here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll shoot from here.¡± ¡°But she¡¯s not even visible yet¡­ The distance is incredibly far.¡± ¡°That¡¯s how it has to be. If we can see the Lightning Guardian, she can also see us.¡± The Lightning Guardian¡¯s perception range and attack range were enormously wide. Even if we couldn¡¯t see the Lightning Guardian, her attacks could still reach us. So they had to be careful. Ethan stared northwest with his Eye of Horus. As Anisida said, the distance was incredibly far, but the Lightning Guardian was definitely there. In her hand was a sword. ¡®That¡¯s lightning.¡¯ It was the treasure Ethan sought to obtain. ¡®Anisida said his sister received a special spirit¡¯s blessing. That spirit must be the Thunder God.¡¯ That ¡®lightning¡¯ was the item bestowed by the Thunder God. Whoever possessed that lightning would be granted power from the Thunder God and be the Lightning Guardian. ¡®That¡¯s the ss I¡¯m trying to get.¡¯ The Thunder God was enraged at Silk Valley and cursed it, and the Lightning Guardian fell into depravity by misusing that curse. ¡®Originally, I could obtain the ss by defeating this Lightning Guardian.¡¯ But this time, he didn¡¯t n to do that. ¡®The rewards differ depending on how youplete the quest. Simply defeating her is not the perfect way to clear this quest.¡¯ The essence of this quest was to quell the Thunder God¡¯s anger. To do that, he couldn¡¯t just kill the Lightning Guardian directly, but had to help her seek forgiveness from the Thunder God. Only then would the god¡¯s wrath subside. ¡®First, I need to subdue her and then restore her sanity.¡¯ He had to return the depraved, insane Lightning Guardian to her right mind. Ethan quietly took a breath. -Hero¡¯s Breathing is activated. -Using Divine Archery. After closing and reopening his eyes, his view through the Eye of Horus became even wider and clearer. ¡®I see movement.¡¯ The depraved Lightning Guardian was moving without any fixed pattern. But the Eye of Horus began predicting her erratic movements. One, two, three. Ethan counted the numbers and immediately pulled back his bowstring. Kwaaaak! -The power of Counter-Radiance is imbued. Shaaaaaak! Ethan focused all his power into this one shot. As immense power momentarily gathered around Ethan, Anisida looked stunned. He had seen swordsmanship that could cleave iron armor in a single strike and skills that could create incredibly potent potions. On top of that, to have archery skills of this level as well¡­ ¡°Even archery¡­!¡± As Anisida marveled, Yerica nonchntly shrugged, feeling rather proud. Of course, this was her first time seeing Ethan¡¯s archery skills too, but she was well aware that the Ethan she served was highly capable in many areas. ¡°Yerica! Cast a destruction spell on the arrow when I fire.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Sir Anisida, please use the wind spirits to elerate the arrow¡¯s speed.¡± Shaaaaaak! The tautly drawn bowstring proved just how much force Ethan was exerting. ¡°Hup.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll put all my power into this one shot!¡¯ ¡°Fluxion of Destroy.¡± ¡°Spirits of the wind.¡± Shwaaaak! As the mages cast their spells on the arrow, Ethan released his grip. The arrow enhanced by Ethan¡¯s Counter-Radiance, Hero¡¯s Breathing, and Divine Archery, plus Yerica¡¯s destruction magic and Anisida¡¯s eleration magic, shot straight toward the Lightning Guardian. ¡®Ugh.¡¯ A sharp pain struck his eyes. Even with the Eye of Horus, it was barely possible to track that incredibly fast and urate shot. Thwack! The moment he released his grip, the arrow reached the distant Lightning Guardian with astonishing speed. Kwaaaaak! A thunderous boom resounded from far away. Rumble! Along with the rumbling of thunder, the sound of thend crumbling echoed, followed by the cries of mountain birds piercing the silence. ¡°What happened?!¡± Anisida cried out urgently. Since they couldn¡¯t see, they had no way of knowing the situation. ¡°Ethan?¡± In response to Yerica¡¯s question, Ethan hurriedly took something out. With a strained expression, Ethan poured his energy into the item. ¡°I hit her dead center and knocked her down, but she got back up.¡± Hihihihng! What Ethan summoned was the beautiful and majestic ck horse Ochuma, Hang Woo¡¯s beloved mount and Ethan¡¯s mount item. Ethan immediately gestured for Yerica to get on Ochuma¡¯s back, then signaled to Anisida. ¡°Fall back for now! I¡¯ll lure her away!¡± With Yerica riding behind him, Ethan grabbed Ochuma¡¯s reins and charged forward. At the same time, something burst out from the opposite side. It was the Lightning Guardian, who had already closed the distance. Her sky-blue hair was disheveled with crackling blue lightning all over her body, and her eyes were blood-red, likely from the curse. Her tattered clothes hung in shreds, and she was barefoot. In her hand was a blue lightning sword. ¡°It¡¯s not Ymir¡¯s fault. Ymir tried to do well. It¡¯s not Ymir¡¯s fault. Ymir tried to do well. Ymir tried¡­¡± At that horrific sight, Anisida clenched his teeth tightly. He had no more tears left to shed. The depraved Lightning Guardian kept mumbling while staring at the fleeing Ethan, seeming to recognize that he was the one who shot her. ¡°Ymir tried¡­¡± Muttering, she aimed her lightning sword, and in an instant, a bolt of lightning shot toward Ethan from a distance. Crack! ¡°Yerica!¡± If Yerica hadn¡¯t already cast a defensive spell, they would have been instantly prated and charred ck by that lightning strike. ¡°Th-this is too dangerous!¡± Even with her confidence soaring after breaking through to the second level of the curse, Yerica realized just how weak she was after that single lightning attack. If Ethan hadn¡¯t told her to cast defensive magic in advance, she wouldn¡¯t have even been able to react and would have been struck defenseless. Cold sweat drenched her back. Realizing that a single mistake or misjudgment could cost their life, her hands trembled uncontrobly. Ethan grasped Yerica¡¯s trembling hand. ¡°Yerica, you can do it.¡± ¡°¡­Can I really block it?¡± ¡°You can. I believe in you. If you doubt yourself, then believe in me, who believes in you.¡± With those words, Ethan produced some needles. -Using Five Elements Acupuncture Technique. After administering the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique on himself and Yerica to grant them buffs, he immediately pulled back his bowstring again. It seemed he was truly leaving everything in Yerica¡¯s hands. Complete trust. Yerica stared intently at Ethan for a brief moment. ¡°¡­Alright.¡± While trust can sometimes be a heavy burden, other times it acts as a powerful self-suggestion. Since Ethan said he believed in her, she decided to believe in that Ethan too. Kwaaak! Shhh! Ethan fired another arrow. The effects of Divine Archery were tremendous, with each of Ethan¡¯s shots hitting the Lightning Guardian. Once again, Ethan¡¯s arrow struck the Lightning Guardian¡¯s center. Arrows consecutively struck her forehead and sr plexus area as well. ¡®Not enough.¡¯ But it feltcking somehow. As Ethan thought, while his arrows hit the Lightning Guardian, she endured all those attacks. ¡®It¡¯s different from the video I saw.¡¯ It was only natural, since he had just started using it. Crackle! The Lightning Guardian¡¯s lightning grazed Ethan¡¯s elbow. They were clearly running at full speed on Ochuma, so the distance should have been considerable, yet the Lightning Guardian¡¯s attacks didn¡¯t seem constrained by distance at all. -Moonlight Defense is activated! If not for Moonlight Defense, this attack could have immediately triggered his Unfading Stamina trait. ¡®Next time I¡¯ll block it with Supreme Resilience.¡¯ He couldn¡¯tin to Yerica. She was already doing her utmost to block that overwhelming lightning attack. That¡¯s why he couldn¡¯t even ask if she was okay after he got grazed, as she had expended all her concentration solely on defense. ¡°A little more.¡± Ethan pulled back his bowstring again. Shwaaak! Shwak! His arrows struck the Lightning Guardian in session. But now the Lightning Guardian seemed ustomed to it and simply deflected hisst shot. ¡°Damn it.¡± The n was to incapacitate the Lightning Guardian first, and then restore her sanity. ¡®But like this, it¡¯s impossible.¡¯ Instead, their own lives were in danger now. Dadagdak! Dadagdak! Ethan spurred Ochuma on. As an exceptional horse, Ochuma naturally moved wherever and at whatever speed Ethan wanted. ¡°Prrrr!¡± Ochuma whinnied, as if encouraging Ethan to believe in him too. ¡°Yeah, I believe in you too, Ochu.¡± Spinning around, Ethan fired more arrows. The Lightning Guardian swung her lightning to deflect Ethan¡¯s arrows, but failed to block a few, causing her to stagger. ¡®Got it.¡¯ Crackle! But Ochuma was grazed by the lightning. ¡°Hihihing!¡± As Ochuma stumbled as if about to copse, Yerica¡¯s magic also faltered. ¡°Ah, no!¡± The Lightning Guardian¡¯s lightning seized the opening and rushed toward them at tremendous speed. Yerica couldn¡¯t block it. Seeing this, Ethan immediately stepped forward. ¡°Supreme Resilience.¡± Ethan used Supreme Resilience to block the lightning. At the same time, Yerica fell off Ochuma and rolled on the ground. Thud! Thud! ¡°Ethan!¡± Yerica urgently got up, covered in dirt. Fortunately, Ethan was unharmed. -Absorbing damage! -Damage exceeded limit. Kwaang! Ethan couldn¡¯t even think about using the absorbed damage and had to simply release it. Tuk. Tuk. The Lightning Guardian had already closed in on Ethan. She was just walking, yet her speed was like lightning itself. ¡°It¡¯s not Ymir¡¯s fault. It¡¯s not Ymir¡¯s fault¡­¡± Muttering, the approaching Lightning Guardian stared straight at Ethan. It was a chilling gaze. ¡®I know the pattern.¡¯ But if he dodged her attack here, Yerica behind him could be put in danger. Ethan hurriedly fell back and remounted Ochuma. ¡®The aggro is already on me. She¡¯ll chase after me.¡¯ As expected, the Lightning Guardian targeted Ethan. She sheathed the lightning sword at her waist, taking a stance reminiscent of Iai. ¡®Iai!¡¯ She unleashed it. While the stance resembled drawing a sword, the speed and power utterly transcended ordinary swordsmanship. The highly condensed lightning maintained the speed of light, but its destructive force was iparable to before. Crackle! The earth-rending lightning rushed at Ethan as if to cleave him in two. Ethan urgently changed directions by pulling Ochuma¡¯s reins. He could respond like this because he was already familiar with the pattern. If she hadn¡¯t taken that Iai-like stance unlike what he saw in MePan, he would have been skewered by the lightning. ¡°Ethan!¡± ¡°We have to retreat!¡± Anisida, who had run up from behind, shouted. Their preparations were indeedcking. Dadagdak! Dadagdak! ¡°Phew.¡± ¡®I still can¡¯t fully control Divine Archery.¡¯ He recalled the videos of Hood and Jumong in his mind. The archery teachings they imparted became ingrained in Ethan¡¯s body motions. There shouldn¡¯t be any deficiency. Then Ethan remembered Jumong¡¯s parting words: -Free yourself from the obsession of having to hit the mark. Kwaaaak! Come to think of it, that¡¯s how it was. The gods truly emphasized one¡¯s mindset. Hercules had said to believe you could cleave whatever stood before you, be it the Dragon or a gigantic lion. If you made up your mind to cut, you would cut. That way, you could cut through anything in your path. ¡®To free yourself from the obsession of having to hit the mark.¡¯ Ethan grabbed the reins again. Then, spinning around, he charged straight at the Lightning Guardian. The Lightning Guardian took a stance and began preparing her kick technique pattern once more. Ethan aimed at the Lightning Guardian like that and pulled his bowstring. Shwaaaak! The Lightning Guardian¡¯s lightning came even faster than when he released the bowstring. For a moment, time seemed to slow for Ethan. ¡°To have the conviction that you¡¯ve already hit the mark the moment you release the shot.¡± To move with utmost confidence and conviction in every action. Shwaaak! With the Lightning Guardian¡¯s lightning iing, Ethan fired his bow. ¡°I understand now.¡± -Divine Archery proficiency increases by arge amount!Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 125: Ymir Chapter 125: Ymir Anisida summoned the fastest and most agile spirit he could summon from among the wind spirits. It was the swiftest child among the wind spirits. ¡°You called me?¡± A spirit shaped like a cloud materialized before Anisida. ¡°Save that young man, save him!¡± Anisida cried out urgently. He had to save Ethan. If this continued, another person would die at his younger sister¡¯s hands. ¡°Yes, I under¡­ Hiek!¡± The summoned spirit was instantly dispelled, unable to withstand the intense lightning energy.The Lightning Guardian was exerting even greater power than usual in her fight with Ethan, overwhelming the wind spirit. ¡°Damn it!¡± It was urgent. Ethan and the Lightning Guardian were moments away from shing. ¡°What are you doing?! Your master is about to die! Weren¡¯t you supposed to guard him?¡± Unable to use spirits anymore, Anisida turned to berate Yerica instead. Yerica was undoubtedly Ethan¡¯s guard. For a guard to simply watch as her master faced peril¡­ Had she frozen in fear from that earlier shock? If so, she had no qualifications as a guard. Before Anisida could say anything more, Yerica shook her head. ¡°No.¡± Yerica spoke. Her voice held not a trace of fear. ¡°He hasn¡¯t ordered us to retreat yet. Ethan hasn¡¯t given up.¡± ¡°Even after seeing that¡­!¡± The Lightning Guardian¡¯s lightning had nearly charred Ethan to a crisp. If not for his exceptional horse, he would have died right then and there. Desperate, Anisida resolved to summon the strongest spirit among his contracts. While his body had recovered, he was not fully healed internally. It would be straining himself, but to save Ethan, he had no choice but to endure. ¡°Hear me, Spirit King.¡± As he tried summoning the Spirit King, Ethan spun around and charged straight at the Lightning Guardian. ¡°H-He¡¯s insane!¡± To charge head-on at the Lightning Guardian when they should be retreating? Moreover, it didn¡¯t seem like he was drawing his sword, but attempting to shoot another arrow instead. Flustered, Anisida raised both hands, but in that moment, the lightning in the Lightning Guardian¡¯s grasp moved first. Ethan simply held his drawn bow. Crack! Crackle! A blinding blue lightning burst forth. Anisida instinctively shut his eyes, but strained to peek through the slits. And what he saw was¡­ ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Dadagdak. Dadagdak. The Ochuma carrying Ethan slowed to a stop right there. While he had been in mortal danger of being skewered by the lightning, apart from a singed scarlet wound on his chest, he waspletely unharmed. ¡°Kuk. Kuheuk.¡± In contrast, the Lightning Guardian, struck precisely by Ethan¡¯s arrow, could only drop the lightning she had been holding. It was Ethan¡¯s perfect victory. *** ¡°Ymir!¡± Anisida inadvertently called out his younger sister¡¯s name. But that was no longer his sister. Just the depraved, insane Lightning Guardian. And yet, to Anisida¡¯s eyes, she still looked like his sister from back then. That young sister who always wanted to be helpful to her older brother. ¡°Whew.¡± Ethan slowly exhaled and dismounted from Ochuma. He had inflicted a fatal wound on the depraved Lightning Guardian. With this, she waspletely incapacitated. ¡®Since Monsters¡¯ Cmity doesn¡¯t work, I couldn¡¯t see her weaknesses.¡¯ But he had an overabundance of information on her. Which is why he knew her weaknesses clearly. -Quest cleared! -Deliver the lightning to the Thunder God! -Achievement unlocked! -Gained Likes from the [Bullseye] achievement! -Gained 3 Likes! -Stamina stat increases! It had really been dangerous this time. ¡®If I hadn¡¯t realized it at thest moment, I would have had to flee with a fatal wound.¡¯ But thanks to Hood and Jumong¡¯s teachings, he was able to clear the quest. ¡°Good work, Ochu.¡± Ochuma whinnied a few times, as if to say it was nothing, then disappeared. With this, the quest was over. By offering that lightning to the Thunder God, Ethan could seek the Thunder God¡¯s forgiveness, and as the one who led that effort, he could be the new Lightning Guardian. ¡®This deste Titi Valley will be a ce life can inhabit again, and Silk Valley will be rebuilt.¡¯ Until now, that was how he had beenpleting quests. But Ethan believed there was a way to perfectly clear this ss quest, just as he had with his first ss. There was still something unsettling, somethingcking. ¡®There¡¯s more. There has to be a way toplete the quest even more perfectly.¡¯ Ethan immediately took out a sk and began making a decoction by adding the remaining ingredients. Seeing that Ethan seemed to be doing something for Ymir, Anisida hurried over. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I¡­ send her off onest time?¡± ¡°Anisida.¡± Anisida looked at Ethan with an expression like he was about to cry. Ethan spoke to him calmly. ¡°If you have any hidden ingredients, bring them out now.¡± ¡°Surely not¡­¡± ¡°Healing is difficult. But isn¡¯t it also wrong to send your younger sister off like this? This will be thest time. Shouldn¡¯t there be a final farewell?¡± ¡°Did you¡­ think of me?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t have a biological younger sister, but I did have a close one. She passed away from illness at a young age, and I never got to say goodbye. It¡¯s been weighing on my mind ever since.¡± It wasn¡¯t Ethan¡¯s own story. It was from when he was Yedam. ¡°All the more so for an actual younger sister, I¡¯d imagine.¡± ¡°I still don¡¯t even know your name¡­ yet why are you¡­¡± Ethan had cleared this quest multiple times before, but never once had he empathized with Anisida. To Ethan, this was merely a ss quest to quickly obtain a ss and maximize efficiency. But now, it was different. ¡®While it¡¯s for the quest.¡¯ He wanted to at least give him a chance for a final farewell. ¡°I have some ingredients. Remember when we hunted those monsters before entering the cave? I fully processed them back then.¡± Yerica handed Ethan the monster byproducts. And then Anisida approached. ¡°Add this too.¡± What he handed over was a shard. ¡°It¡¯s my mana crystallized. I made these little by little, thinking I would be trapped and die inside.¡± Ethan epted the shard he gave him. ¡°Really¡­ is it possible? For me to bid my younger sister a final farewell, for me to¡­¡± ¡°I cannot give a definite answer. Whether possible or not, I will simply focus on treating the patient before me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s what my teacher taught me.¡± Ethan began making the decoction. ¡®I just need to suppress her madness.¡¯ She was currently afflicted by the madness of a dark spirit. So if he gave her a detoxifying decoction to resolve that, it would be enough. However, it needed to be a decoction potent enough to ovee the darkness. Ethan focused. He thought of the madness-afflicted patient before him, Ymir. Ding! -You¡¯ve made Madness Detoxifying Decoction! -Evaluating grade¡­ -Madness Detoxifying Decoction [S-Grade] -Heo¡¯s Decoction Mastery 2/10 It was the second S-grade he had achieved since receiving the Master Quest. Ethan immediately had Ymir drink the decoction. Ymir¡¯s body convulsed greatly, then she opened her eyes. The eyes that had been bloodshot from madness just moments ago had returned to their original green hue. ¡°Ymir, Ymir. It¡¯s me, your useless older brother.¡± ¡°¡­Older brother?¡± Ymir looked at Anisida. Anisida¡¯s tears flowed freely. As if all her memories returned, Ymir had a pained expression. ¡°I tried to do well.¡± Ymir said. ¡°But I didn¡¯t do well. I¡¯m sorry, brother. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Anisida had a lot she wanted to say. He wanted tosh out words of resentment at her. Why did you do that? Why did you make that choice? Don¡¯t you know how dangerous the spirit of darkness is? Why did you make a deal with that thing? But all those words were swallowed back. Anisida simply hugged Ymir. That was enough. Ding! [The Thunder God is satisfied with your good deeds.] [The Thunder God bestows upon you the blessing of lightning!] [You have perfectly cleared the quest!] [Rewards will be enhanced!] -The side quest [Anisida¡¯s Regret] has been cleared as well. -Additional rewards have been obtained. As Ethan had thought, there was an even better way to clear this ss quest. To remove Anisida¡¯s regret, the owner of the quest. And to resolve the Thunder God¡¯s anger not by killing the Lightning Guardian, but by another method. ¡®The Thunder God may have been angry, but it wasn¡¯t something that happened of its own will.¡¯ The Lightning Guardian was the person the Thunder God had chosen as its protector. So instead of killing her, the best choice to resolve the Thunder God¡¯s anger was to incapacitate her by another method. [You have gained the ss.] -Survival probability has increased! -With the increased survival probability, your trait is enhanced. [Survival Instinct] Whenever your survival probability increases, all your stats receive additional bonuses. <> Thanks to the Double Caster trait, Ethan was now able to officially gain the second ss of Lightning Guardian. ¡®Done.¡¯ He now had a bnce of offense and defense. All that was left was to obtain the additional rewards. ¡®It will be an enjoyable task.¡¯ ¡°You have saved me.¡± Ymir looked at Ethan and stood up unsteadily. Her life force was still fading. She needed to spend a bit more time with her brother. ¡°Don¡¯t get up. At least a little more time with your brother.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. If it weren¡¯t for your kindness, I wouldn¡¯t be able to talk to my brother with a clear mind like this. So I will repay your favor in my own way.¡± Ymir picked up a fallen lightning bolt. The lightning that had raged in her rage-filled hands had now calmed down, and as soon as Ymir took it, it immediately transformed into the shape of aplete sword. ¡°To the one who will be the next Lightning Guardian after me. I will pass down the Lightning Guardian¡¯s sword techniques. The Thunder God would want that too.¡± Ymir took a stance. She sheathed the sword and demonstrated the first skill, the Thunder Shockwave Strike. This was the same sword technique she had used to attack Ethan and Yerica earlier. Simr to martial arts strikes but with the speed of lightning strikes, and the lightning imbued in each strike far surpassed the realm of sword techniques. Moreover, the Thunder Shockwave Strike she demonstrated after being freed from her rage, returning to her original state, even possessed a momentary beauty of drawing arcs in the air. ¡°Including this Thunder Shockwave Strike, I will pass down four techniques to you.¡± ¡®Four?¡¯ Ethan¡¯s expression changed slightly. Up until now, the only skills he had learned upon gaining this ss were just two. The Thunder Shockwave Strike and the Thunder Frenzy. Both skills imbued with the power of the Thunder God. But she was going to pass down four techniques? ¡®Is this the additional reward?¡¯ Ethan smiled contentedly. ¡°And this.¡± Reward obtained. [Thunder Sword ¨C Ymir] has been acquired. ¡°It is the emblem of the Lightning Guardian. This sword now belongs to you, the new Lightning Guardian.¡± Ethan hadpleted his transition to the second ss, Lightning Guardian.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 126: Preparing for the Inter-Department Exchange Tournament Chapter 126: Preparing for the Inter-Department Exchange Tournament ¡°Thunder Shockwave Kick.¡± He quickly drew his sword and wielded it at a speed invisible to the naked eye. -You¡¯ve ;earned Thunder Shockwave Strike. Thunder Shockwave Kick [S] ¡°Thunder Frenzy.¡± -You¡¯ve learned Thunder Frenzy. Thunder Frenzy [S] Up until this point, these were the Lightning Guardian techniques Ethan had learned before. These two skills had tremendous attack power, enough for Ethan to secure sufficient offensive strength with just these alone. ¡°Now, these are the deadly techniques.¡±¡®Indeed, techniques I haven¡¯t learned before. And if she calls them deadly techniques, their power must be considerable.¡¯ Even though Ymir had already handed the sword over to Ethan and was now empty-handed, from her stance, Ethan could see an invisible sword in her hands. Bzzt! Yellow lightning began to crackle all over her body. ¡°First, you need to gather the lightning. This is the third technique, Charge Up.¡± The yellow lightning eventually enveloped her like a barrier. ¡°It can be used for defense as well, but also to gather lightning like this. It can deflect or burn most attacks.¡± Once enough lightning had gathered, she took a stance. ¡°Thunder sh de.¡± Her words about it being a deadly technique were no exaggeration. It was a strike focused entirely on destructive power. Speed, destructive force. A thousand bolts of lightning shed and sliced through the target like a de. -You¡¯ve learned Thunder sh de. -Thunder sh de [S] After demonstrating the Thunder sh de, Ymir knelt down on the spot. ¡°Ymir.¡± ¡°Please take care, new Lightning Guardian.¡± With that, Ymir slowly closed her eyes. Soon after, her body hardened and then turned to dust, scattering into the wind. Anisida watched her until the very end without closing his eyes. *** ¡°Sir Ethan, I¡¯m really grateful.¡± Anisida bowed his head. Then, he gave Yerica a slight nod, bowing his head once more, seemingly apologizing for his earlier suspicion. ¡°You told me to rebuild Silk Valley, didn¡¯t you? I will definitely do that. I¡¯ll gather the scattered ones and rebuild their homnd. And in this Titi Valley where the curse has been lifted, and in Silk Valley, I¡¯ll build a shrine for the Moon Goddess in each ce. I promise! To the Moon Goddess as well.¡± Anisida said so and sped his hands together. Ding! -Anisida has be a new believer in the Goddess! -You have had a great influence on Anisida¡¯s conversion! -The Moon Goddess Moonforce is amazed by your capabilities. -The Goddess bestows her blessings upon Silk Valley and Titi Valley. -If shrines are built, crops will grow quickly for a limited time due to the blessing. Praying at the shrines will grant the Goddess¡¯s blessing of enhanced physical abilities. ¡°The Goddess says to quickly build the shrines. She wees the new believer, Anisida.¡± Ethan made a show of extending his hands this way and that, as if a king knighting a knight. ¡®I may not fully understand, but¡­¡¯ The feeling was overwhelming. ¡°Lastly, thank you for allowing me to bid farewell to Ymir. This is a personal gift from me.¡± Anisida handed over a ne and a ring. -You¡¯ve received Anisida¡¯s Ne. -You¡¯ve received Anisida¡¯s Ring. ¡°I¡¯m truly grateful. Really.¡± *** Ethan now had three swords at his waist. ¡®I¡¯ve unintentionally be a triple sword wielder.¡¯ If he put one in his mouth, he could use all three swords, but that might cause him to lose all his teeth. ¡®I should put the w sword in my subspace pocket.¡¯ With the Thunder Sword and Frost Sword at his waist, he felt incredibly secure. Before leaving Silk Valley, Ethan registered the ce where the new city would be built in the Wind Cloud. -Silk Valley has been registered in the Wind Cloud. It would be interesting toe backter and witness its development. ¡®I should open a Lightweight Workshop branch too.¡¯ ¡°You worked hard, Yerica.¡± ¡°Did things turn out as you wanted this time?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t find the shrine, but since I got a promise to build one, it¡¯s a great sess. Plus, I obtained many necessary things too.¡± Ethan smiled as he spoke, then handed her the ne and ring. These two items held little meaning for Ethan currently, but if Yerica used them, they would have quite an effect. ¡°A reward for this mission.¡± Yerica blinked her eyes, as if she hadn¡¯t expected to receive a ne and ring from him. ¡°As the future Archmage, you should have some artifacts. Even though Anisida was imprisoned, he was an exceptional spirit mage. You saw it, right? These are items that great spirit mage used. Their effects are guaranteed.¡± By now, Yerica could barely hear Ethan¡¯s words. All that mattered to her was that she had directly received the ne and ring from Ethan. ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± She smiled faintly and immediately put on the ne and ring. ¡°Oh.¡± Then she made an expression of surprise at the effects of the two artifacts. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°This was quite difficult, but I feel a sense of aplishment!¡± While she had been quite emotional when receiving the artifacts, she was still a mage by nature. It was only natural for her to be excited by such excellent artifacts. Ethan could have returned directly to the academy using Wind Cloud, but he wanted to test out the Thunder Sword he had obtained first. ¡°I have something to test out briefly.¡± From this quest, Ethan had gained the Lightning Guardian ss. And he had additionally learned new techniques he hadn¡¯t been taught before. If he returned to the academy, he wouldn¡¯t be able to properly test them out, so he wanted to give them a try before going back. ¡®There are plenty of monsters around here too.¡¯ The Thunder Sword techniques, the main skills of the Thunder God, were based on explosive power. ¡®Right now, I¡¯m using the Sword Saint as my benchmark.¡¯ Not long ago, when he had met the Sword Saint in the Principal¡¯s office, he had used the Eye of Horus to analyze the Sword Saint¡¯s movements and simte a fight against him. And he had realized that with his current Whiskers sword techniques, he could never defeat the Sword Saint. Of course, that was only natural. The Sword Saint was one of the strongest fighters on the continent. To be able to fight him, Ethan would need to be at least in thete game stages, even in perfect health. ¡®And Moonforce and Frost sh are one-hit kill techniques.¡¯ Two or three attacks might momentarily overwhelm the Sword Saint, but that¡¯s it. The Sword Saint would block his attacks and wield his sword, and Ethan would eventually be defeated while enduring it. Of course, he had no intention of ming Extinction for this. If Extinction was a weakness, he would simply cover it with strengths. ¡®This Thunder Sword technique, in that regard, is more akin to relentless waves crashing down rather than one-hit kills. But that was before learning the Thunder sh de. Now, I can also use one-hit kill power.¡¯ It was faster in terms of speed and better in terms of destructive powerpared to the Whiskers sword techniques Ethan had learned. ¡®I¡¯ll mix it with the Whiskers sword techniques.¡¯ Ethan nned tobine these Thunder Sword techniques, which could be considered a higher-level sword art, with the Whiskers sword techniques that formed his base. In other words, he would merge the Whiskers Swordsmanship with the Thunder Sword techniques. ¡®Whenbining sword techniques from different swordsmanship, the system usuallypensates for it.¡¯ Ethan first demonstrated the Whiskers sword techniques. Currently, his proficiency in the Whiskers sword techniques was at 100%, allowing him to perform them perfectly. In contrast, his proficiency in the Thunder Sword techniques was extremely low since he had just learned them. ¡®If I mix the Whiskers Swordsmanship with the Thunder Sword techniques, the proficiency of the Whiskers sword techniques will carry over to the Thunder Sword techniques. The 100% proficiency won¡¯t be fully inherited, but a certain level of proficiency will transfer over.¡¯ Ethan, who had been demonstrating the Whiskers sword techniques, proceeded to unleash the Thunder Sword techniques. The first skill, the Thunder Shockwave Strike. Bzzt! Lightning crackled around Ethan¡¯s sword. While a straight line of yellow lightning extended out, this time the lightning also spread out in a radial pattern like spider webs. Watching this, Yerica sat down on the spot to observe. At first, Ethan seemed to be using his signature Whiskers sword techniques, but suddenly he started demonstrating the Thunder Sword techniques he had just learned. ¡°Huh?¡± Yerica, who had been watching Ethan mix his newly acquired skills with the Whiskers sword techniques, involuntarily opened her mouth in surprise. ¡°Snow.¡± Snow and frost began spreading around the area. Lightning, snow, and frost simultaneously gathered on Ethan¡¯s sword, scattering in all directions. ¡°Is he¡­bining two sword techniques? No, if it¡¯s like this, is he merging three techniques?¡± As the lightning and frostbined, yellow lightning and pale blue frost swirled around Ethan¡¯s sword. Ethan spun around once, then thrust forward, unleashing the force of his sword. Crackle! Shaaaa! This was not Ethan¡¯s intention. As he integrated and mentallybined the sword techniques, he had inadvertently started demonstrating the Frost sh as well. Going beyond simply mixing sword techniques, Ethan was fusing three sword techniques together. ¡°Ethan, you¡¯re amazing!¡± There was no response. Ethan had already entered a state ofplete focus, unable to hear any sounds. He simply continued to demonstrate the sword techniques. -The sword techniques are being fused. -The Whiskers sword techniques, Frost sh, and Thunder Sword techniques are being fused. -A new sword technique is born! -Frost Thunder Sword Technique [S] -Proficiency is carried over. -The proficiency of the Whiskers sword techniques has been carried over. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have gained likes for achieving the [Sword Technique Fusion] achievement. -You have gained ¡®5¡¯ likes! Suddenly, Ethan came to a stop. He took a deep breath, then in an instant drew both swords simultaneously, swung them, and sheathed them again. ¡°Frost Thunder sh de.¡± It was an attackbining frost with the Thunder sh de, the deadly technique of the Thunder Sword techniques. Afterpleting the attack, Ethan exhaled the breath he had taken in. ¡°This¡­ is something.¡± Through this outing, Ethan had obtained the strength he desired. ¡®Around 20 percent of the proficiency has been carried over too.¡¯ As Ethan made a satisfied expression, Yerica apuded. ¡°Congrattions. Seems like you had an epiphany of sorts.¡± ¡°I did realize something. Thank you, Yerica.¡± Rumble! No sooner had Ethan fused the sword techniques than the surrounding ground began to shake, and a massive lizard burst through the ground. [LV 70] It was a monster with a level of 70. ¡°Ethan! Fall back!¡± Yerica immediately stepped in front of Ethan, but he gently pushed her aside. ¡°Perfect for testing.¡± ¡°Kek, kyarrr, kek!¡± The lizard spewed fire from its mouth. With a level of 70 and this size, it could be considered a named monster. Not an easy target to hunt. ¡®Normally, I would have to use Monsters¡¯ Cmity to definitely subdue a monster like this.¡¯ But Ethan was currently brimming with confidence. ¡°Counter-Radiance.¡± Channeling Counter-Radiance into the hand holding his sword, he proceeded to use the most powerful technique of the fused sword art. ¡°Frost Thunder sh de.¡± Lightning struck down. A chill spread out. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Yerica, watching from behind, was amazed. She hadn¡¯t expected this massive monster to be subdued in an instant. ¡°Ohh¡­¡± And this was something even Ethan hadn¡¯t anticipated.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 127: If You Cant Win Chapter 127: If You Can''t Win Ethan closed his eyes and reyed his battle with the Sword Saint. The newly formed swordsmanship, archery, and the new sword and bracelet he obtained. The scattered frost and lightning. ¡®Just once.¡¯ Out of countless simtions, just once. Realizing this, Ethan opened his eyes. ¡°I can win.¡± A wry smile. Ethan smirked.Until now, the simtions showed Ethan having a 0 percent chance of beating the Sword Saint. Impossible. But now, those odds had increased. ¡®Whether it¡¯s 10 percent or 20 percent, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡¯ Even a 0.1 percent chance was significant. ¡®Going from impossible to a low possibility of winning is meaningful in itself.¡¯ Ethan immediately used Wind Cloud to return with Yerica. He still had two swords at his waist, but they were different from before. *** ¡°Yuna, forgive me. But I¡¯m still your father¡­¡± ¡°Shut your trap.¡± Yuna Ga trampled on the leader of the Ga Merchant Guild, Cromwell. Then she looked around. ¡°From now on, the management of the Ga Merchant Guild will be handled by Lord Rokvar here!¡± At Yuna¡¯s deration, the new Merchant Guild leader Rokvar, his subordinates, and the executives who had schemed to overthrow the Merchant Guild roared in approval. A new era had begun. ¡°I will serve as an officer to fully assist Lord Rokvar.¡± Though her title was officer, Yuna effectively hadmand over the Ga Merchant Guild. Yuna had learned the importance of trust through Ethan. Of course, she didn¡¯t blindly trust anyone. It would be foolish to naively trust others in this cunning Merchant Guild if she wanted to survive. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you, Lord Rokvar of the Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°Hahaha, with our Officer Yuna congratting me like this, it really feels real now. Don¡¯t worry and just focus on finishing your studies at the academy.¡± Rokvar said. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about the Merchant Guild. Everyone here is well aware of Officer Yuna¡¯s abilities.¡± The executives had seen Yuna¡¯s true colors while working with her on this operation. The daughter of a Merchant Guild leader. They had thought she was just privileged from birth and spoiled. Talented, but only by birthright. But they were wrong. Yuna was born to rule from the very beginning. She had exceptional talent, especially in managing a massive Merchant Guild like Ga. Quick decision-making and judgment. The Cromwell Merchant Guild leader was no pushover, yet he was swiftly crushed before Yuna like a leaf in the wind. She only gave him the slightest opening. But she exploited that opening to utterly destroy him. They had all witnessed it firsthand. There was no denying Yuna¡¯s ability. ¡°I believe you¡¯ll lead us well.¡± Yuna was certainly smiling. But for some reason, it sent chills down their spines. ¡°I won¡¯t give you any cause for worry.¡± *** ¡°Wow, what on earth happened while I was gone?¡± In Ethan¡¯s office. Ethan, along with the drenched-in-sweat Mason and Ron, were present. The two students looked utterly exhausted from their intense training. Before them stood Ethan, his cold gaze fixed on the students. ¡°What happened to you two?¡± Yuna hadn¡¯t been gone for very long. Even while handling the Ga Merchant Guild situation, she had been receiving reports on the academy¡¯s affairs. Thanks to that, she had heard about Mason and Ron defeating Max Jurod and Slos Pallo to im the representative position of the Swordsmanship Department. So Yuna had brought a delicious cake to celebrate. ¡°A lot happened.¡± In that short period, Ethan had brought about many changes. ¡°I heard new teachers don¡¯t usually get offices.¡± Yuna was surprised again by the spacious office. ¡°And even if they do get an office, it¡¯s not usually this big.¡± ¡°The Principal made an exception for me. Since I teach multiple sses, having an office makes it easier for students toe talk to me about what they need.¡± Thinking about it, it made sense. Ethan had achieved countless aplishments at the academy, even before the semester had ended. On top of that, he would now be teaching three sses. For someone like Ethan, such formalities weren¡¯t that important. Yuna turned to look at thepletely transformed Mason and Ron. They had lost a significant amount of weight. Like sharpened des ready to be drawn. ¡°Now that all three of you are here, let me exin properly. You won¡¯t be able to win the uing interdepartmental exchange.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Yuna asked in bewilderment. Mason and Ron were equally stunned. Until now, Ethan had never lied. If he said something was possible, it was possible. If it was impossible, he said so. And now Ethan was saying they couldn¡¯t win. Ethan calmly exined. ¡°You all know that the interdepartmental exchange isn¡¯t just settled through one-on-one battles, right?¡± ¡°Yes, we know. Due to the traits of each department, mages are at a disadvantage in closebat, so one-on-one battles would favor swordsmen.¡± In direct shes, mages were at a clear disadvantage. By nature, swordsmen specialized in close-quartersbat, while mages excelled at long-range. So in one-on-one battles between swordsmen and mages, the swordsmen would have a significant advantage. That¡¯s why the interdepartmental exchange didn¡¯t determine the winner solely through one-on-one battles. ¡°The swordsmen demonstrate their swordsmanship, and the mages demonstrate their magic. They showcase their respective talents to be evaluated.¡± It wasn¡¯t an interdepartmental battle, but an interdepartmental exchange. An exchange meant disying one¡¯s strengths while fostering camaraderie and pushing each other to improve. So unlike the previous tournament to select departmental representatives, the interdepartmental exchange didn¡¯t decide a winner through one-on-one battles. The Swordsmanship Department would showcase their swordsmanship, and the Magic Department would showcase their magic. They would each demonstrate their skills to be evaluated ¨C that was the interdepartmental exchange. ¡®So the evaluator is crucial in the interdepartmental exchange.¡¯ If there were multiple evaluators, their assessments would inevitably differ. ¡®Swordsmen only know swordsmanship, and mages only know magic.¡¯ The evaluator needed to be a master of both fields. But there were very few people on the continent who had reached the master level in both swordsmanship and magic. ¡°The Principal invited an expert as an evaluator proficient in both swordsmanship and magic.¡± Being proficient in both, they could urately assess their levels. ¡°It¡¯s Master Jeryd, the Sky Swordmage.¡± ¡°!¡± ¡°The Sky Swordmage themselves will be evaluating?¡± Mason and Yuna¡¯s expressions changed. Ron wasn¡¯t too familiar with the so-called Sky Swordmage. All he knew were famous figures like the Sword Saint. The Sky Swordmage was a renowned swordmage of the Holy Empire, nicknamed such because their swordsmanship evoked the image of a blue sky. They were a generation below the Sword Saint but counted among the top three strongest swordmages who wielded both swords and magic. Inviting the Sky Swordmage as an evaluator could be seen as overkill for the interdepartmental exchange. But they were the most suitable person to judge and score them. ¡®It must be thanks to the Principal¡¯s connections.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you. You absolutely cannot win the exchange.¡± Mason and Yuna gritted their teeth at Ethan¡¯s definitive statement. Ron, brimming with confidence after defeating Slos Pallo, also felt his pride severely wounded. ¡°We can do it, Teacher. As you saw in the representative selection, if you guide us¡­¡± Ethan shook his head at Ron¡¯s words. ¡°Then did you help us win the representative selection just so we could lose the exchange?¡± Mason asked. Ron also wondered why Ethan had helped them win if they were destined to lose the exchange. ¡°You cannot win. Because of one person.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re talking about one person¡­¡± ¡°Roanna du Prochet.¡± They all froze at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°Roanna is an exceptional student. Her skills already surpass her teacher, Duty. If the Sky Swordmage themselves evaluates, you won¡¯t be able to beat Roanna.¡± Ethan then made eye contact with each of the three students. ¡°Even if all three of you faced Roanna together in battle, you wouldn¡¯t be able to win.¡± ¡°Even in battle?¡± Mason asked in astonishment. Ethan wouldn¡¯t joke about something like this. So it meant Roanna was significantly stronger than all three of thembined. Unbelievable that they would lose even in a battle favoring swordsmen. Just how powerful was Roanna? ¡°You¡¯ve all grown quickly by following my teachings well. But Roanna is different. I realized it when I briefly taught her a while ago.¡± ¡°You taught her?¡± Yuna¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°In the Potion Manufacturing ss. There was a long story behind it. But I saw her abilities then. The Roanna I saw far surpassed your current levels.¡± Of course, Ethan had known about Roanna even before that. He had simply realized her talents more clearly after meeting her in person. ¡°Then¡­ is it already over?¡± Yuna asked with a dejected expression. She regretted leaving her post. She should have worked harder during the representative selection tournament. If this was the case, what was the point? She had wanted to win the interdepartmental exchange and represent the academy at other academies. Of course, even if they weren¡¯t representatives, they would still go together. But the representatives had special privileges they wouldn¡¯t have ess to. ¡°It¡¯s not a guaranteed loss, but it won¡¯t be easy.¡± The three deted students refocused on Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°There¡¯s a saying: If you can¡¯t beat them, join them. If you can¡¯t beat Roanna, bring her to our side.¡± ¡°¡­Huh!?¡± ¡°And that¡¯s already in progress.¡± Sometimes, the direct approach isn¡¯t the only solution. *** ¡°What do you mean by that, Roanna?¡± ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, but my condition is so poor that I don¡¯t think I can participate in this interdepartmental exchange.¡± ¡°But the Sky Swordmage themselves ising as an evaluator! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! To miss the chance to be evaluated directly by the Sky Swordmage themselves? And this time, our victory is assured! It¡¯s not Teacher udie, but Teacher Ethan representing the Swordsmanship Department! He¡¯s just a new teacher! He¡¯s skilled for a neer, but you guys in your golden age should be able to¡­¡± At Duty¡¯s words belittling Ethan, Roanna¡¯s brow twitched, but she quicklyposed herself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Teacher. But the interdepartmental exchange isn¡¯t over after this. The two senior students can participate with you. They¡¯re both highly skilled, so you should be able to win.¡± ¡°Are you really in that poor condition?¡± Roanna nodded at Duty¡¯s question. It wasn¡¯t a lie. Ever since receiving the br¨¹le technique from Ethan, her heart had been constantly racing, making daily life difficult. ¡°Huuu, I see. Alright then. But making such a sudden student swap will incur penalties. We might even end up losing.¡± Duty said, tantly shifting the me. But Roanna didn¡¯t seem bothered. The interdepartmental exchange wasn¡¯t that important to her. They had wonst year and participated in the academy exchange anyway. The Nathan Whiskers she met there was a formidable mage, but Roanna was now solely focused on the br¨¹le. Ethan¡¯s br¨¹le. It was truly a charming magical technique. ¡°We¡¯ll just have to ept losing.¡± So Roanna simply shrugged. Next semester, she would be Ethan¡¯s Potion Manufacturing teaching assistant and attend his sses to her heart¡¯s content. No need to struggle with course registration. Knowing her spot was secured brought Roanna a sense of stability. Grunt. Roanna¡¯s nonchnt attitude despite his words slightly angered Duty, but he took a deep breath to calm down. ¡°Get well soon, Roanna. You¡¯re the hope of the Magic Department.¡± ¡°Thank you, Teacher.¡± Even as she responded, Roanna¡¯s mind was solely upied by the br¨¹le. With this, her position as Ethan¡¯s teaching assistant was confirmed.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 128: Midterm Exams Chapter 128: Midterm Exams ¡°We finally made it through.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The teachers¡¯ cheers could be heard. With the exam questions finalized, the midterm exam period had officially begun. But this midterm seemed different. In previous semesters, the midterm period would create a sudden studious atmosphere as students scrambled to cram at thest minute. However, this semester was different. ¡°There are no ckers trying to wing it this time. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Those kids are the ones taking Teacher Ethan¡¯s sses, right? From the first lesson until now, they probably haven¡¯t neglected studying while keeping up.¡±¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be relieved then? Why are they studying so hard?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Did he say he was making the midterms extremely difficult?¡± This time, everyone kept their mouths shut. It made sense. Now that everyone at the academy wanted to take Ethan¡¯s sses next semester, they had to do well on these midterms to increase their chances of registration. Just 50 spots. Everyone was studying and training like madmen to secure one of those ces. The same was true for the Magic Department¡¯s Potion Manufacturing ss. ¡°If we can¡¯t get meaningful midterm scores¡­¡± ¡°The teacher might not teach Potion Manufacturing anymore.¡± ¡°This was originally Teacher Hassen Rittle¡¯s ss after all. Teacher Ethan might have just temporarily subbed in.¡± Everyone was anxious. They feared that if they messed up the midterms, a disappointed Ethan might give up teaching the Magic Department ss. Since Ethan was originally a Knight Department teacher, that fear only grew. ¡°We haven¡¯t learned everything yet!¡± ¡°There¡¯s still so much more for you to teach us! Ughh!¡± A rumor had spread among the students that if they failed the midterms, Ethan might abandon the Potion Manufacturing ss in disappointment. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll definitely keep teaching. Teacher Ethan is a very responsible teacher!¡± The Magic Department students steeled their resolve and dove into exam prep. Then, on the long-awaited midterm exam day. The Potion Manufacturing exam was scheduled before the Understanding the Sword Path exam. ¡°Phew, phew.¡± The students taking the Potion Manufacturing ss had gathered in the lecture hall. Today was the first day of midterms. How much time had they spent studying for this day? They had studied every possible topic that could be covered. Unlike other sses, Ethan¡¯s ss had no textbook, so all the questions would surely be about the br¨¹le. In other words, essay questions would dominate. Creak. The lecture hall door opened at that moment. ¡°Judging by those dark circles, you all studied through the night. Since you¡¯ve all prepared so diligently, your hard work should pay off on this exam.¡± In Ethan¡¯s hands were sheets of parchment. Ethan handed those parchments to Yerica, who had entered with him as a teaching assistant. Yerica then lightly tossed them upward and used magic to distribute individual exam papers to each student. ¡°The exam consists of three essay questions. You may use any materials you¡¯ve brought. This will be an open-book exam.¡± An open-book exam. Most exams at Ivecar Academy were open-book by default. One might think it would be easy since they could simply look up and write down the answers. But in reality, open-book exams were much harder. It was as if the instructor was challenging them: ¡®If you can find it, then find it and write it down.¡¯ ¡°Cheating is allowed.¡± Then Ethan made a shocking statement. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t get caught by me. You can cheat as long as you don¡¯t get caught.¡± But none of the students had any intention of cheating. They all knew well how Ethan had conducted his Understanding the Sword Path lessons in the Swordsmanship Department. Teacher Ethan has sharp eyes. There were no students brave enough to try to deceive those eyes and cheat. Ethan sat down and observed the students. Only the sounds of students working on the exam questions filled the lecture hall. ¡®Three essay questions. I asked about applications of the br¨¹le. If they focused in ss, it should be solvable.¡¯ Two hours was ample time. Enough to properly assess their abilities. ¡®I¡¯m looking forward to some interesting answers.¡¯ *** At that moment, in the Principal¡¯s office. The heads of each department reported on the exams being held that day. ¡°Principal, here are the details.¡± ¡°Let me review them right away. Which sses have exams starting today, and who are the teachers?¡± ¡°First, there¡¯s Teacher Ciron Ramsdale, and¡­¡± The deans listed the teachers scheduled for exams that day. The Principal reviewed the exam contents prepared by each teacher as the deans reported. ¡°Hmm, they set quite challenging questions. They managed an appropriate difficulty level for this exam too. The deans must have worked hard reviewing the questions.¡± The Principal flipped through the parchments, praising the deans¡¯ efforts. Then he paused on one parchment. ¡°Teacher Ethan¡¯s Potion Manufacturing exam is also today.¡± -Ethan Whiskers [Potion Manufacturing] Exam Questions. The Principal held the exam questions Ethan had prepared for the Potion Manufacturing ss. ¡°You¡¯ll also find his Understanding the Sword Path exam questions next to it.¡± The two deans had marveled at the exam questions from each department. ¡°Truly befitting a Swordsmanship Department teacher.¡± ¡°And truly befitting a Magic Department teacher as well.¡± For a moment, the two deans made eye contact. ¡°He is clearly a Knight Department teacher, Magic Department Dean.¡± ¡°Yet he is also teaching our department¡¯s ss, Knight Department Dean.¡± As the two deans sized each other up, the Principal carefully read through the parchments. ¡°By structuring the questions this way, you can clearly distinguish between students who fully understood the lessons, those who only partially understood, and those who merely grasped the surface level. The score distribution is perfect. The best part is his intention to bring up even the struggling students. Rather than giving them zero points, he awards partial points of at least one point. That¡¯s great.¡± The Principal marveled. Ethan¡¯s exam questions showed consideration for the students. While other teachers simply divided answers into right or wrong, Ethan deliberately allowed for multiple answers and awarded partial scores ordingly. ¡°In many ways, Teacher Ethan seems to value providing opportunities. No wonder the students are so devoted to him.¡± At the Principal¡¯s words, the bickering deans nodded in unison. The deans were well aware. At this elite Ivecar Academy teeming with exceptional individuals, average abilities simply couldn¡¯t stand out. Those who couldn¡¯t stand out were denied opportunities. That¡¯s why even students who struggled to gain admission often ended up dropping out. Ethan¡¯s exam gave those students a chance too, allowing them to earn at least partial points instead of zero. It was an exam brimming with such thoughtfulness. The Principal smiled contentedly as he reviewed Ethan¡¯s exam and moved on to the next. ¡°Hmm, Teacher udie has an exam today too?¡± udie¡¯s exams were always excellent, cleverly designed to be truly enjoyable to solve. ¡°Huh?¡± But something seemed different from his usual approach. Up until now, udie¡¯s questions were designed to brutally cull the students. Either right or wrong. Only the precisely correct answer would earn points. But this time was different. It was clearly structured to award partial points. To give the struggling students a chance, just once. A chance for them to catch up, even if just once. ¡°Has he been influenced¡­?¡± The Principal quickly realized whose influence this was. He wouldn¡¯t have expected to see this side of udie. But this wasn¡¯t a bad thing. It addressed a shoring in Instructor udie¡¯s approach. ¡°Teacher Ethan really is our blessing.¡± ¡°A blessing for our Knight Department. Hahaha.¡± ¡°But also a blessing for the Magic Department as a teacher.¡± Regardless, the Principal smiled. With this, Ivecar could advance to new heights. *** After the midterm exams. Ethan separately called for Mason. Mason trusted Ethan¡¯s n to recruit Roanna. He didn¡¯t know Roanna was that strong, but he was disappointed they couldn¡¯tpete against her. Still, if the Sky Swordmage themselves evaluated him, he wanted to receive the highest score possible. So he had studied through the night for today¡¯s exam and was able to solve the questions based on what he had learned. He expected to score very close to a perfect score. ¡°You called for me, Teacher.¡± ¡°Nothing major, just something to give you. And I also wanted to discuss the interdepartmental exchange. Sorry for calling you during the exam period.¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± ¡°Here, take this.¡± ¡°¡­What is this?¡± What Ethan handed over was a sheet of parchment. ¡°It¡¯s aprehensive evaluation of you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Mason quickly read through the parchment. As Ethan said, it was filled with an evaluation of himself. [Mason Yeld] -Observed since his freshman year, Mason Yeld employs a domineering swordsmanship style that allows him to control situations. However, he seems to have barely experienced defeat. There is much to learn from losing. If I could teach him that aspect¡­ The parchment contained a detailed evaluation of Mason, just as Ethan said. What swordsmanship style he used. The strengths and weaknesses of that style. It included details one could only know by closely observing Mason. ¡°Huh? Teacher, this¡­¡± But the contents dated back to Mason¡¯s freshman year. ¡°I didn¡¯t write this.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°After we won the representative selection tournament, Teacher udie visited my office. Since we won that match, he told me to make sure we definitely won the interdepartmental exchange too as the Swordsmanship Department representatives. And he gave me this, saying it would help.¡± ¡°Teacher udie¡­¡± Mason suddenly recalled what Max had said about udie not being as cold-blooded as he thought. Mason¡¯s fingers trembled. ¡°And he also offered to provide further assistance.¡± Thump. Thump. The sound of footsteps approached. The person who entered the spacious training hall was someone Mason never expected. udie Hyde was entering the training hall. ¡°I¡¯ve decided to help you achieve victory in the interdepartmental exchange. As an instructor of the Swordsmanship Department, it¡¯s only natural.¡± Ethan immediately sensed his difort. ¡®Not his preference.¡¯ Ethan had read theprehensive student evaluation he had written. The level of detail was astonishing, demonstrating his ability to conduct such thorough evaluations despite his busy teaching schedule. He had sincerely intended to make Mason his student. But circumstances didn¡¯t align, leading to this situation. ¡°So.¡± udie looked at Mason. ¡°Did you do well on the exam, Mason Yeld?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, Teacher.¡± Mason smiled and responded to udie.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 129: New Weapon (1) Chapter 129: New Weapon (1) The midterm exams that both students and teachers put their heart and soul into havee to an end. The students looked relieved and anticipated the uing vacation. The teachers only had grading left, so they were already making ns for what to do during the break. ¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to this department exchange event.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a shame that Teacher udie isn¡¯t the representative, but Teacher Ethan is no joke either.¡± ¡°I only heard stories, but apparently the students really stood out during the demonstration ss. The parents praised them a lot too?¡± ¡°They said it felt like they were the main characters. It was the first time at the academy.¡± ¡°I wish Teacher Ethan would open about ten sses. We¡¯d all attend.¡± ¡°If Teacher Ethan heard you say that, he¡¯d try to kill you.¡± All the students were feeling refreshed and anticipating the department exchange event to wrap up the semester.However, there were still some who couldn¡¯t ept Ron and Mason. ¡°I¡¯m not going to this department exchange event. Students who can¡¯t even get good grades as representatives¡­¡­¡± They were even considering boycotting the event in a small way. ¡°Huh? The grades are out already?¡± ¡°Who got first ce in Understanding the Sword Path ss?¡± ¡°Um¡­?¡± ¡°Mason is first? And Ron is second?¡± ¡°Crazy.¡± The two students were ranked first and second respectively. And below them at fifth ce was Yuna Ga. ¡°Wow¡­ with grades like this, even those who criticized can¡¯t say anything.¡± ¡°At this level, they could represent for this semester at least?¡± ¡°Impressive. Mason is in the top ranks for other sses besides Teacher Ethan¡¯s too? What did Teacher Ethan even do?¡± If they clearly demonstrated their abilities at the department exchange event, there would be no more bacsh against making Mason and Ron the representatives. *** Principal¡¯s Office. ¡°Roanna can¡¯t participate?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Principal. Given Roanna¡¯s poor physical condition, I thought it would be better for her to rest rather than force her to participate and risk making it worse.¡± ¡°Hmm, what a pity. Then, are the other two in good health?¡± ¡°Yes, they¡¯re fine. And as Roanna¡¯s recement, I¡¯ve brought in a skilled student I had my eye on.¡± ¡°Very well. Be sure to inform Teacher Ethan as well. We need his permission for the department exchange event to proceed.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± As he spoke, Duty gritted his teeth inwardly. Teacher Ethan would definitely give permission. He might even dance with joy. Their most powerful asset, Roanna, couldn¡¯t participate in the department exchange event ¨C what reason would he have to refuse? ¡®Dammit, if the Sky Swordmage shows up, Roanna¡¯s evaluation would soar even higher.¡¯ In that case, victory in the department exchange event would bepletely theirs. ¡®But it¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not over yet. Even without Roanna, two from the golden age remain.¡¯ Though not as strong as Roanna, those two were also exceptional, worthy of being called the golden age. ¡°We¡¯ll win no matter what.¡± In a way, it was better this way. He knew there were teachers whispering behind his back. There were even rumors among students that Roanna¡¯s talent was exceptional, but Duty was just riding on her coattails. This was a good opportunity to prove them wrong. To show that the Magic Department could win the department exchange event even without Roanna. That the prime contributor in making the Magic Department number one was none other than Duty himself. *** ¡°Excellent. As expected, the level at Ivecar is high.¡± Ethan had finished grading thest parchment,pleting the midterm exam grading. Certainly, the students of Ivecar had outstanding basic abilities and a thirst for improvement. ¡®Even students whose names I¡¯m seeing for the first time had their own concerns and grew through taking the exam.¡¯ Looking at their answer sheets, it seemed all they needed was a bit more attention, teaching, and opportunity. ¡°At this point, Mason and Ron can represent the Swordsmanship Department without issue.¡± The two students performed well not just in Understanding the Sword Path, but other sses¡¯ exams too. This was because Ethan had threatened that something terrible would happen if they failed. ¡°Guess my expectations weren¡¯t too high after all.¡± Ethan chuckled as he organized the parchments. ¡®Once the department exchange event ends, summer vacation begins. That¡¯s when the events I¡¯m familiar with will unfold.¡¯ Summer vacation. This was essentially the peak period when the events Ethan knew about would ur. ¡®Though it¡¯s still not the beginning of MePan.¡¯ The start of MePan was after the fall of this Ivecar Academy. Timewise, it would be next year, as the copse would begin thising winter. ¡®Until now, it¡¯s been the past, so I couldn¡¯t act too aggressively.¡¯ With the uncertainty of iplete information mixed in, he could only passively act on definitive parts of the past he knew. But now it¡¯s different. ¡®From now on, events I¡¯m familiar with will unfold. So I can actively engage with them.¡¯ The war between the Holy Empire and the Demon Empire. And the Followers of the Moon moving amidst it all. ¡®The biggest summer vacation event is the sh between the Inquisition and the Followers of the Moon.¡¯ Ethan thought the Sky Swordmage wasn¡¯t simply visiting as a judge at the Principal¡¯s request. ¡®They keep losing. The Followers of the Moon are too strong.¡¯ It seemed the Inquisition side wanted to scout usable talents to take with them. ¡°I need to prepare.¡± Having gained a second ss to bnce offense and defense, he was still in the process of surviving as Ethan Whiskers. *** [New World] Several gods frowned as they looked at the ranking list. With just a single subscription review, the choices of the subscribers were dividing ¨C many gods were clinging to a single subscriber. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± The higher-ranking gods did not particrly worry about this situation. It was the mid-ranking gods who were concerned. ¡°Heo Jun.¡± The once unknown Eastern god had now be a famous deity that few subscribers in the New World did not know. Matching his reputation, Heo Jun¡¯s influence was rapidly growing stronger. Even some gods in the middle ranks now had solid subscribers and likes. The ranking list, which seemed long set in stone without changes, was shaken up because of a single subscriber. ¡°It won¡¯tst long. Look, there are already other subscribers imitating that subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods].¡± Just as the god said, after [Only subscribed to the right gods] became famous for the subscription review, other subscribers began following suit. ¡°They¡¯ll eventuallye back. It¡¯s certainly an impressive subscription review, but it can¡¯t go on forever. The subscribers and the gods aren¡¯t fools.¡± The effect of the subscription review would not strengthen further. The gods must have verified the effect of the subscription review in their own ways, so they would gather simr subscribers and have them create usable subscription reviews. Ultimately, that subscriber¡¯s influence would wane. ¡°Of course, thanks to that, the New World has be more interesting. Remarkable gods who were buried have been newly discovered.¡± ¡°It may be good for the subscribers. But from our perspective, it¡¯s not such a good thing.¡± A change in the middle ranking order. That meant mid-ranking gods could fall to the lower ranks. *** ¡°The training method for Counter-Radiance is tricky, but doing it this way allows me to properly utilize Counter-Radiance in many ways. It¡¯s more efficient than just heading to the ground.¡± Ethan visited the New Worldmunity board to replenish therge number of likes he had used this time. He nned to find questions rted to Hang Woo on the Question Board, answer them to earn contribution points, and exchange those for likes. ¡®A good number of likes were spent subscribing to Hood the Archer.¡¯ In the process, Ethan saw subscribers on themunity talking about him. -It seems many subscribers are imitating [Only subscribed to the right gods]. -Thanks to that, there are more quality subscription reviews which is nice. I learned about a lot of new gods too. -Then we don¡¯t necessarily need [Only subscribed to the right gods]¡¯s subscription reviews. -Others seem to write pretty good subscription reviews too, so we can use those as a reference! ¡®The atmosphere has changed a bit.¡¯ At one point, everyone sought out Ethan. By simply following Ethan¡¯s subscription reviews, one could subscribe to great gods without fail. Additionally, they could also cherry-pick the advantages of the gods they had already subscribed to and learn from them. However, recently, several subscribers had started writing high-quality subscription reviews. By benchmarking Ethan¡¯s subscription reviews, they managed to produce quite good reviews of their own, so subscribers no longer had to solely rely on Ethan¡¯s reviews. And the same was true for the gods. ¡®That became the norm.¡¯ In fact, when Ethan thought about it, he hadn¡¯t written particrly impressive subscription reviews. That¡¯s why he had verified the power of his reviews multiple times. ¡®I just worked diligently enough. It¡¯s more surprising that I became so popr.¡¯ Even Ethan¡¯s once shy mailbox had gone quiet at some point. From the beginning, Ethan had expected this to happen. ¡®There was nothing that remarkable about it.¡¯ So he had prepared a way to ovee this situation. He thought this method would give him an advantage over the existing subscription reviews when negotiating with the gods. ¡®The timing is perfect.¡¯ Ethan had put considerable effort into making the subscription review video for Hood the Archer this time. The experience of making videos while writing subscription reviews had be Ethan¡¯s asset. With his improved video production skills, he was able to produce a high-quality video. ¡®In a slightly different way.¡¯ Previously, he had literally written subscription reviews summarizing the abilities of the subscribed gods. But now, other subscribers could easily follow suit. So Ethan added editing to the videos instead. ¡®It¡¯s no longer just about writing good subscription reviews. If the subscription review led subscribers to subscribe, then the video should keep them hooked.¡¯ While everyone was still focused on just subscription reviews. Ethan had thought one step further from the beginning ¨C video editing. ¡®The gods¡¯ videos are inadequate. Hood the Archer¡¯s video had pretty good content, but in terms of the video aspect, it was just average.¡¯ Not a single god Ethan had subscribed to had made a proper video. Most of the deities simply showed their abilities as is. There were detailed exnations, but they were long-winded and hard to understand. Ethan¡¯s subscription reviews were well-received because they summarized and briefly exined the video contents of such gods. ¡®They just upload raw, unedited videos.¡¯ Most of them upload their videos raw, with no editing involved. That¡¯s why Ethan had immediately bought the skip function as soon as he had the money. In short, Ethan¡¯s subscription reviews were essentially edited videos. ¡®What if I upload these edited videos not as subscription reviews, but just as videos?¡¯ Through making multiple subscription review videos, Ethan had gained a sense of editing and thought about how to have a greater impact on the gods. ¡®What subscribers want is simple. As a subscriber myself, I can better understand.¡¯ If he made videos tightly focused on just those elements? ¡®Word will spread again. That [Only subscribed to the right gods] directly edited videos that were posted on the gods¡¯ channels. Just by watching those videos, people will understand everything.¡¯ Ethan grinned. ¡°I should give it a try. See how sharp this new weapon is.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 130: New Weapon (2) Chapter 130: New Weapon (2) ¡°Jumong, you know of that subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods] too, right?¡± ¡°You mean the one who writes good subscription reviews? Why bring up that subscriber suddenly?¡± ¡°That subscriber left a subscription review.¡± ¡°Oh, did he subscribe to us? Hmm, did he perhaps ask for something in return for the review?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a different kind of proposal.¡± The two didn¡¯t seem too surprised. The Hood the Archer channel wasn¡¯t small enough to be swayed by a single subscription review. Robin Hood was quite famous, and since he ran the channel with Jumong, they had more subscribers than even the semi-major Hang Woo. ¡°Hm? He¡¯s offering to edit our videos?¡±[Only subscribed to the right gods] didn¡¯t exin at length. They simply showed their edited version of the Intermediate: Curved Shooting video from Hood¡¯s channel. At first, the two gods didn¡¯t expect much. But as they watched the video, their expressions gradually changed oddly. ¡°Umm¡­¡± ¡°This¡­ looks like they directly edited what he learned from our videos?¡± The edited video Ethan showed was quite short, around 25 minutes long. Yet it contained everything from the original video. The unnecessary parts were cut, and the needed parts were all spliced together into a definitive ¡®edited¡¯ version. ¡°Hepressed just the essential parts from the videos we spent hours filming into this.¡± ¡°All the necessary parts are included. He watched our videos from start to finish. You can¡¯t make an edited video like this without understanding the core.¡± ¡°To condense a 5-hour video into 25 minutes, is that even possible?¡± The two gods couldn¡¯t hide their astonished expressions. They were naturally in awe. ¡°Didn¡¯t other gods say the same? That subscription reviews don¡¯t work that well from the mid-ranks and up.¡± ¡°No, not at all. Haha.¡± There had been a lot of talk among the gods recently about [Only subscribed to the right gods]. The subscriber¡¯s subscription reviews that first sparked discussion, and the beneficiary Heo Jun¡¯s meteoric rise, were nothing short of revolutionary. Surprised by this, all the gods had tried to receive at least one of the subscriber¡¯s reviews. The lower-ranking gods or those whose growth had stagnated were especially keen. It was only natural, as receiving a review meant the potential for a meteoric rise. However, the ambiguously positioned gods and the rest didn¡¯t ce much importance on [Only subscribed to the right gods]¡¯s subscription reviews. They had leeway. They were big enough not to be swayed by a single subscription review. So they didn¡¯t pay it much mind. Robin Hood and Jumong were the same. But this was different. Just watching this 25-minute video was enough to understand. The skill to condense 5 hours into 25 minutes. ¡°This will appeal to subscribers. We might be able to rake in likes with it.¡± ¡°This is huge.¡± They could tell right away. There had never been a subscriber like this before, which made it all the more impactful. The tides would turn. This was different from the previous subscription reviews. ¡°It will be difficult to imitate this.¡± Subscription reviews could be imitated. But this kind of editing couldn¡¯t be imitated. [Only subscribed to the right gods]¡¯s unique perspective was thoroughly reflected in the video. ¡°Even if imitated, the name value would be different from the start. That subscriber has already built considerable recognition through subscription reviews.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different if it¡¯s the [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber¡­¡± Jumong nodded at Robin Hood¡¯s words. They could instinctively tell. With this perfect edited video. If attached or substituted for existing videos, it would definitely attract subscribers¡¯ likes. ¡°If ites to this¡­¡± Jumong was convinced the New World would be in an uproar again once this edited video went up. The gods would appeal to Ethan more actively than before. Not just the lower-ranking gods, but the mid-ranking ones and above as well. ¡°The gods will want [Only subscribed to the right gods] again.¡± ¡°He¡¯s be unique. Again.¡± Robin Hood let out a heartyugh. Then he immediately left a message for [Only subscribed to the right gods]. That he had watched the edited video well, and they should discuss the details by letter. *** ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Senior.¡± ¡°Jeryd! Thank you for making time despite being so busy these days.¡± In the Principal¡¯s office. Sky Swordmage Jeryd politely bowed his head. He was a quite handsome man in his early 40s. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to show off, but I had a hard time making time. You know, those heretics who believe in the evil gods. The ones who follow the Moon and call it Mother have been constantly causing troubletely.¡± ¡°You mean the ones who shout ¡®For Mother Moon¡¯ and im Mother Moon must purify the world? They¡¯re still around?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than that. They¡¯ve grown to a scale the Demon Empire side can¡¯t even handle. What¡¯s more, they¡¯re secretly operating in the shadows on our Holy Empire side as well. Just this year, we¡¯ve already dealt with dozens of them.¡± The dedicated Inquisition of the Holy Empire. The Sky Swordmage was the director of that Inquisition. ¡°Quite a number of inquisitors have died because of those heretics. Since there are so many of them, we also recruited a lot of inquisitors on our side, but umm, they¡¯re all rookies so it¡¯s difficult to deploy them.¡± ¡°Dozens of ces?¡± ¡°Yes, it seems they¡¯ve established secret branches all over the Holy Empire and are gathering something. On top of that¡­ we received information that one of the princes of the Holy Empire is trying to collude with them.¡± ¡°Surely not, we do have a prince at our academy though.¡± Though he kept it hidden from everyone, the Principal was aware of Oliveira. ¡°We don¡¯t know which prince yet, but the princes have information on the Holy Empire. If that information leaks to the Demon Empire side, it would be a huge problem.¡± Jeryd let out a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m really grateful you came despite being so busy.¡± ¡°No, Senior. Given the situation, it seems I was being petnt. Please think of it as the foolishness of an inept junior.¡± Jeryd bowed his head and continued with a smile. ¡°But this department exchange event is really interesting. I heard Teacher udie Hyde isn¡¯t participating.¡± ¡°Hahaha-. The Teacher Ethan Whiskers you see here is an amazing teacher. Where should I start the story?¡± Like a parent boasting about their child, the Principal began recounting stories from Ethan¡¯s hiring exam onwards. The story of him dering he would be a master at the celebration party. And up to the parent observation ss. ¡°Setting such high expectations, I¡¯ll have no choice but to observe with utmostposure.¡± Just from listening, it was clear. The Principal seemed eager to promote Ethan, who had achieved tremendous results, no, feats at Ivecar that could be considered outstanding as a teacher. Thus, Jeryd had to interject. No matter that Ghost Sword was his senior, he couldn¡¯t ept the request. However, upon seeing Jeryd¡¯s reaction, the Principal shook his head. ¡°Observe with utmostposure. Infinitely.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°In fact, I¡¯d like to ask you to forget everything. Me being a senior, and the information about him surpassing Teacher udie Hyde. Just evaluate as is.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The Principal smiled and said, ¡°That way, the boastful words I said wille back to mind. And then, I hope you¡¯ll manage your expression well.¡± *** The department exchange event. The annual exchange event between the Knight Department and Magic Department was one of Ivecar Academy¡¯s major events. ¡°The strongest-! Knight Department!¡± The Knight Department and Magic Department were traditional rivals within the academy. As such, students belonging to each department could cheer with a sense of belonging. Of course, the academy also provided matching t-shirts for each department. Red for the Knight Department, blue for the Magic Department. ¡°Vanguard-! Magic Department!¡± The cheering from the two departments was quite intense as well. While the Knight Department¡¯s Swordsmanship and Spear Technique Departments put on a shy cheer, that shiness paled inparison to the Magic Department¡¯s. With the Magic and Alchemy Departments determined to cheer shily, they easily outshone the others visually. ¡°That¡¯s nothing! Our Magic Department will take first ce again this year, right?¡± The cheer leaders of each department continued hyping up the atmosphere. ¡°We will now begin the department exchange event!¡± The Dean of the Knight Department used mana, while the Dean of the Magic Department used an amplification spell, their booming voices announcing the start of the exchange event. The Principal came out, followed by Sky Swordmage Jeryd who would be judging. Jeryd smiled warmly and waved to the cheering students. ¡°Let me introduce the teachers representing each department.¡± ¡°For the Knight Department, Teacher Ethan Whiskers. He is a new teacher who just joined!¡± Along with Ethan, three students entered one by one. Mason Yeld. Ron Bears. Yuna Ga. As the three entered together, the students began to stir. While Yuna Ga was fine, those two seemed to have changed appearance every time they were seen. Their outward appearance and the aura they exuded were different. ¡°Oh¡­¡± ¡°They must have really worked hard.¡± ¡°Is that really Ron? That Ron Bears?¡± The Magic Department students in particr looked stunned. The Magic Department students asionally saw the massive Ron Bears during Knight Department sses, but his current appearance seemedpletely different from then. The three students lined up, with Ethan taking his ce behind them. Who could call him a new teacher seeing that poise? There was not a hint of nervousness. ¡°For the Magic Department, Teacher Duty Von Niedern. A solid mid-career teacher of the Magic Department!¡± Following Duty were three students. The first two were Serana and Vilcas, members of the golden age, and thest was Ingerd, Roanna¡¯s recement. Ingerd was a second-year like Roanna and a quite talented mage. ¡°Roanna isn¡¯t here?¡± ¡°Huh? Roanna¡¯s not here?¡± ¡°Why isn¡¯t Roanna here?¡± Fierce reactions erupted when Ingerd came out instead of Roanna. Roanna was the core of the Magic Department, so having Ingerd there instead made them seemcking in weight. ¡°Student Roanna will not be participating in this exchange event due to personal circumstances!¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s true.¡± Seeing Roanna¡¯s absence, Ethan¡¯s three students looked stunned, ncing back and forth between the Magic Department students and Ethan. Ethan had said he would take measures regarding Roanna, and indeed, Roanna didn¡¯t show up. ¡°Could it be¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t kidnap her. How do you see me?¡± At Yuna¡¯s question, Ethan frowned. Yunaughed awkwardly, ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡°Roanna withdrew of her own ord.¡± ¡°Why¡­ did she withdraw?¡± ¡°I promised her a teaching assistant position.¡± ¡°!¡± Ethan¡¯s teaching assistant position. The three students nodded simultaneously. If promised the teaching assistant position, her voluntary withdrawal made sense. If Ethan asked them to give something up in exchange for promising a teaching assistant role, they would ept without even hearing the details. ¡°The odds are now fifty-fifty. Roanna may be absent, but two of them are members of the golden age. It depends on how you perform. This is as far as I can go. Teaching you and increasing your chances of winning. Achieving the result is now your responsibility. If you win, you might be called the golden age too, you know?¡± Ethan spoke, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the same thing as before. It¡¯s fine to lose. As long as you gain something.¡± ¡°But we really can¡¯t lose, right?¡± At Ron¡¯s words, Ethan pped his back hard. ¡°Ron.¡± ¡°Yes, teacher.¡± ¡°Try it if you¡¯re curious.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Ron thought he absolutely must not lose. And inwardly resolved, ¡®I¡¯ll drop out if I lose.¡¯ Mason and Yuna next to him also had serious expressions. ¡°You¡¯re finally looking tense. Don¡¯t worry. Just do as you¡¯ve been doing.¡± Ethan stepped back. From now on was the students¡¯ time. ¡°Everyone, the department exchange event will now begin.¡± The Principal continued. ¡°At our Ivecar, ranks are assigned based on grades. So the friend next to you can also be apetitor. But remember. You don¡¯t have topete against others. It doesn¡¯t really matter how strong the friend next to you is.¡± The Principal paused briefly and looked around. As if trying to make eye contact with each student one by one. ¡°Competing against yourself. That¡¯s the most important thing. This exchange event carries that meaning. It¡¯s not a contest against each other, but a showcase of your strengths. The Swordsmanship Department shows swordsmanship, the Magic Department shows magic. We score it to make the exchange event more interesting. But students, always set your own standards and strive to reach them. Don¡¯tpare yourselves to others.¡± The Principal said, ¡°Only you can satisfy yourself. So work hard.¡± p, p, p. Starting with Sky Swordmage Jeryd, apuse and cheers filled the arena. ¡°We will now begin the department exchange event.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 131: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (1) Chapter 131: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (1) ¡°As you all know, the exchange event is about showcasing your strengths. The scores will be given by the Sky Swordmage Jeryd here, who will be judging.¡± ¡°Hello, students. I¡¯m Jeryd, undeservingly called by such an honorable title. At Principal¡¯s invitation, I¡¯ve been tasked with judging this prestigious department exchange event of the esteemed Ivecar Academy. I look forward to your performances!¡± ¡°Mr. Jeryd!¡± ¡°Hello, Mr. Jeryd!¡± Jeryd was quite popr. Not only was his appearance refreshingly handsome, but his position as the head of the Inquisition, which judged heresies, contributed greatly. The Inquisition was a quite powerful independent organization within the Holy Empire. The head¡¯s only superior was the emperor, the sole ruler of the empire. In other words, it could be seen as the emperor¡¯s direct organization, his iron fist. Of course, that was just nominally so ¨C in reality, their orders came from someone other than the emperor.Because the Holy Knights belonged directly under the emperor. In any case, Jeryd was the director of such an Inquisition, so impressing him meant potentially joining the Inquisition. More than anything, the Inquisition uniform was hugely popr among the youth. The exquisitely designed Inquisition uniform was a masterpiece created by Shamarziel, the empire¡¯s renowned tailor. This outfit that exuded style at a nce was loved by all, regardless of age or gender. As such, quite a few students wished to join the Inquisition solely for the chance to wear the stylish uniform, putting aside all other reasons. ¡°Mr. Jeryd possesses outstanding skills in both the sword and magic, allowing him to evaluate without bias or leaning towards either side. You need not worry about his assessment.¡± The vice-principal shouted loudly. ¡°Now then, from the Knight Department¡¯s Swordsmanship Department! Ms. Yuna Ga will take the vanguard. Her opponent from the Magic Department¡¯s Magic Department is Ms. Ingerd!¡± At the vice-principal¡¯s call, Yuna and Ingerd stepped forward. ¡°Ms. Yuna Ga will showcase her transformation-focused swordsmanship. And Ms. Ingerd will disy technique magic.¡± The vice-principal¡¯s words caused a stir among the students. ¡°But with only Roanna absent, isn¡¯t this actually advantageous for the Magic Department?¡± ¡°There are still two golden age members, and Yuna Ga didn¡¯t even participate in the department representative selection.¡± ¡°They said personal circumstances, so she probably couldn¡¯t train.¡± ¡°While Ingerd being Roanna¡¯s recementcks weight¡­¡± ¡°This seems like a mistake by Teacher Ethan. The vanguard is so important. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to put Ron up front instead?¡± ¡°I think so too. It has to be either Mason or Ron. The vanguard needs to secure the first win.¡± ¡°Not Yuna.¡± The other teachers were also looking at Ethan with the same viewpoint. Yuna Ga was certainly skilled. But it was difficult topare her to Ron or Mason, whose abilities had rapidly grown recently. It was hard to picture Yuna winning as the vanguard. Especially Ron. While Mason¡¯s innate potential had exploded thanks to Ethan¡¯s teachings, Ron waspletely different. Ron used to be the absolute worst in the Swordsmanship Department. Yet that former deadst had surpassed top students. All thanks to Ethan¡¯s teachings. If Ron had been the vanguard, he would have surely carried that momentum to secure the first win. ¡°If it were me, I would have sent Ron as the vanguard.¡± ¡°This is his first time, so he must have been nervous.¡± ¡°If I had gone out¡­¡± Ciron Ramsdale was watching the teachers with a look of distaste. ¡°If you had gone out? You don¡¯t even have the ability to¡­ Ugh.¡± ¡°Be quiet, Teacher Ciron. Everyone can hear you.¡± Iris covered Ciron¡¯s mouth. ¡°I understand you¡¯re upset too.¡± The Magic Department side was also clearly dismissing Ethan. Of course, the teachers who had witnessed the department representative selection firsthand remained quietly reserved. ¡°There must be a reason Teacher Ethan chose Ms. Yuna Ga as the vanguard, not out of thoughtlessness. The vanguard has the crucial opportunity to set the tone. Especially since they need to win two out of three exchange events, it¡¯s very important. He definitely had a reason for choosing Yuna over Ron or Mason!¡± However, even Ciron, who spoke those words, couldn¡¯t help but understand the other teachers¡¯ thoughts. Recently, Ron and Mason had been in excellent condition. He had produced outstanding results in the midterm exams, surprising the students, and could be considered at their peak, having defeated higher-scoring students in the department representative selection. In contrast, Yuna hadn¡¯t shown much. Of course, everyone knew Yuna Ga¡¯s skills were top-tier. But the Magic Department¡¯s vanguard Ingerd was the student Teacher Duty had brought in as Roanna¡¯s recement. In other words, she was undoubtedly skilled. If she were merely average, Teacher Duty would not have sent Ingerd as the vanguard. He would have secured two wins with the definite golden age duo, and not fielded Ingerd. While Ciron and Iris thought Ethan must have had a solid reason for choosing Yuna as the vanguard, they didn¡¯t know what it was. They weren¡¯t the only ones questioning the situation. At the highest point of the arena. The Principal apanying Jeryd was also tilting his head quizzically. ¡°Ms. Yuna is the vanguard.¡± ¡°A student of lower skillpared to the other two?¡± ¡°Originally, Ms. Yuna Ga had the highest grades and evaluations among those three, but things changed recently. Those two did well on the midterm exams. And the department representative selection was also decided by their victories.¡± ¡°Hmm, then you¡¯re saying he should have sent one of those two as the vanguard.¡± While everyone thought Yuna shouldn¡¯t go, but rather Ron or Mason, Ethan stubbornly insisted on Yuna. ¡®How interesting.¡¯ Jeryd began to focus intently on the two students. ¡°First, Miss Ingerd will start.¡± Jeryd liked this style of exchange battle. He especially enjoyed the fact that they didn¡¯t simply decide the winner by fighting. ¡®It¡¯s like they¡¯re showing off their beauty to each other. It¡¯s a chance to disy how well they¡¯ve honed their weapons.¡¯ No one gets hurt. Having spent every day smashing heretics, he couldn¡¯t help but appreciate such a peaceful event. ¡°I¡¯ll begin.¡± Ingerd spread her two hands, then instantly created a technique by raising her thumb and index finger. ¡°Oh.¡± With both hands, she deployed different techniques and ovepped them with magic. Her specialty was theposite deployment of techniques. While ordinary magic uses a singlepleted technique, Ingerd was extremely skilled at breaking down techniques and introducing variations into the same magic. She was also skilled at separating andbining techniques. She mixed a 1st circle light technique with a 3rd circle firene technique. Then, light began to spread like rain from her two hands. ¡°Ooooh!¡± Exmations burst out from among the students. Particrly loud were the voices of the Magic Department students. It¡¯s originally difficult to tamper with techniques. Especially separating apleted technique and attaching it to another magic¡¯s technique was even harder. If the control slipped even a little, it could explode ¨C the risk was there. Yet Ingerd did it so naturally and calmly. Watching her, Duty grinned wryly. ¡®Just watch. That¡¯s Ingerd. The Ingerd I discovered. She has an innate talent for magical control.¡¯ Duty checked the faces of the Magic Department teachers. ¡®It¡¯s not at a level that even a teacher can easily do.¡¯ Ingerd thenbined a 3rd circle Magic Department spell with a 4th circle spell. And she continued to elegantly deploy them. Without pause, she showed off the extent of her abilities, her specialty ofposite techniques. ¡°So Miss Ingerd¡¯s skill was to this degree.¡± ¡°Hmm, it seems our department will win the first opening bout.¡± ¡°Our department won.¡± ¡°It¡¯s over, no need to watch further.¡± Duty turned his gaze to the one he most anticipated. Ethan Whiskers. He never dreamed he would send Yuna Ga out as the opening fighter. Contrary to expectations, Ethan¡¯s expression seemed quite rxed instead of strained. Even Yuna Ga in front of him was watching Ingerd¡¯s beautiful magic deployment as if observing. ¡®Hah, have they given up already?¡¯ If so, even better. If their real aces were Ron and Mason, then this side could just finish it with their golden age. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Waaaaaah!¡± ¡°Incredible! Ingerd¡¯s skill was that good!?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s what¡­ but it seems incredible!¡± Ingerd¡¯s shyposite technique magic drew a huge response from the Magic Department students. The students apuded and praised her. ¡°Excellent work, Student Ingerd.¡± Jeryd also apuded and praised her. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Moving right along, Miss Yuna Ga, you¡¯re up.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yuna responded brightly and drew out a wispy chain whip-like weapon. This chain whip could bend with force but stiffen when infused with mana. Before she had left the academy for personal reasons, Ethan had given her one assignment. He didn¡¯t assign her the full 100 percent. Just 80 percent of the load ¨C Ethan¡¯s assignments were that intense. -The assignment? Of course, I finished it all! She said this as she showed Ethan the results of the assignment. More diligent than she appeared, she hadpleted Ethan¡¯s assignment 100 percent. ¡°Are you anxious?¡± ¡°¡­To be honest, yes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s certain that Ingerd¡¯s skill is far below Roanna¡¯s, right?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Mason had some mastery of magic too. Even to him, Ingerd¡¯s skill looked outstanding. ¡°You two, watch closely. Not a single person here thinks I made the right choice. Everyone thinks I made a mistake. Look over there especially. The Magic Department already thinks they¡¯ve won. They think Yuna is the sacrifice pawn.¡± Ethan said this. Yuna, having drawn her sword, took a stance. It was the first stance of her ever-changing sword art, her specialty. ¡°I made the right choice.¡± Yuna¡¯s sword unfurled. ¡°And now everyone will see that my choice was correct.¡± Shlick ¨C Hundreds of thin lines bloomed from Yuna¡¯s sword like a flowering blossom.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 132: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (2) Chapter 132: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (2) The first thought that came to mind was how beautiful it was. And the next was that if you were enraptured by such splendor, you could die without realizing your neck was cut. Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship had such an impact that it silenced the previously noisy arena. While Ingerd¡¯s magic slowly unveiled its beauty through simple, low-circle magic spells, Yuna made an immediate impactful burst of hundreds of blossoming sword streams from the start. ¡®She did it on purpose.¡¯ And this was certainly intentional. ¡®It¡¯s not something one could think of alone. She must have discussed it with her teacher beforehand.¡¯ In other words, the instructor already knew how the opponent would perform. Swish!Shaaak! Choosing the chain whip was also a good choice. Whenever she swung her sword, transformations urred, and over ten illusions beautifully unfurled like real swords, rippling. ¡°Wow¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s so pretty¡­..¡± Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship drew admiration from the Magic Department, Swordsmanship Department, and all onlookers.Even the swordsmanship novices in the Magic Department, Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship was both beautiful and dangerous. Particrly chilling was how it bloomed like a flower before stretching out like a snake. Just when its wavering made one doubt it was a real sword, it would solidify firmly like a familiar de. Seeing Yuna manipting the chain whip freely, the Magic Department teachers frowned. ¡°She wasn¡¯t a sacrifice pawn after all¡­..¡± She wasn¡¯t a mistaken opener nor a sacrifice pawn. Ethan had sent Yuna out to definitively suppress the opener. Those who had loudly imed Ethan was mistaken could only silence themselves and focus on Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Even Ron and Mason, who had been slightly anxious, watched Yuna in admiration. As swordsmen themselves, they were even more impacted. ¡°What kind of assignment did you give her to allow this?¡± ¡°Curious?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m curious. Ah, no. I¡¯m not curious.¡± Ron shook his head vigorously. Ethan continued to appreciate Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship, lookingpletely rxed as Yuna demonstrated exactly what she had shown him. Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship swiftly passed the midpoint and entered thetter half. Ethan had drawn out Yuna¡¯s full potential of her ever-changing swordsmanship. What she was unveiling now was her limit. ¡®She must keep reaching her limit. Only then can she verify and break through it.¡¯ It was one lesson learned from clearing MaPan. If you don¡¯t challenge your limits, you can¡¯t surpass them. ¡®You must keep knocking on your limits to grow.¡¯ Right now, she was continually knocking on her limits. Even in the moment of unveiling her swordsmanship, she was growing. Shyaaaak! Yuna, who had been rapidly swinging her sword, briefly caught her breath. Everyone held their breath in anticipation, knowing she was preparing her final move. ¡®Though Miss Ingerd¡¯s magic also exceeded student level, this exceeds even further.¡¯ The evaluator Jeryd was catching every one of Yuna Ga¡¯s movements, his quill constantly moving to score her. Scratch scratch scratch. There was so much to write about her swordsmanship. Most of them werepliments. ¡®Not student level, not something a student could unveil, not something to be viewed as a student.¡¯ Such phrases preceded most of the descriptions. He didn¡¯t mean to write them, but they wrote themselves. And his gaze naturally turned to Ethan. It was that rxed-looking teacher, Ethan Whiskers, who prompted such descriptions. ¡®Just how did he teach this student?¡¯ As he thought this, the words of his senior Ghost Sword came to mind. ¡®So this is why.¡¯ Ghost Sword¡¯s praise of Ethan Whiskers surfaced ¨C all of his praise. ¡®Is this why he told me to evaluate with utmostposure?¡¯ Evaluating with utmostposure ended up giving Ethan Whiskers an even higher evaluation than if Ghost Sword had pushed for a favorable review, or if bonus points were given under the assumption he was Ghost Sword¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. ¡®If the Inquisition¡¯s fledglings learn from Teacher Ethan¡­¡­¡¯ If he could teach students this well, how much better could he teach the Inquisition¡¯s fledglings? Then Yuna, who had been catching her breath, moved. Shaaak ¨C Yuna spun around once, unveiling a sword illusion like a lotus flower. Yuna nted her feet firmly as she maintained the beautiful lotus flower, appearing to loosely dangle her sword while actually swinging it with extreme speed and stability. ¡°Insane.¡± ¡°That, that! How is she even maintaining that?¡± Swordsmanship Department students rose from their seats without realizing it. Jeryd also identally snapped his scoring quill from gripping it too tightly. ¡®Ethan Whiskers.¡¯ To raise a student¡¯s level to this extent¡­ Jeryd stared intently at Ethan. ¡°Thank you.¡± The hall fell silent. When it had been Ingerd, it was filled with cheers and apuse. Now everyone seemed spellbound by Yuna Ga¡¯s swordsmanship they had just witnessed. ¡°That was Miss Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship!¡± Only after the vice-principal btedly announced it did cheers and apuse finally erupt. ¡°Jeryd.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, senior. My apologies. I got too focused.¡± The flustered Jeryd took back his quill and began the final scoring. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to manage your expressions a bit?¡± The Principal chuckled lightly as he spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t know how he did it. Is that Ethan Whiskers really a new teacher?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± The Principal nodded. ¡°To be honest, I can hardly believe it myself.¡± He thenughed heartily. Jeryd quickly stood up. ¡°That was really excellent swordsmanship and magic! As a magic swordsman myself, it¡¯s truly gratifying to see such high-level students. Although the winner isn¡¯t that important, I scored earnestly for the sake of the experience. This is solely my evaluation, so there¡¯s no need to despair too much.¡± Jeryd spoke loudly. Everyone tensely awaited his words. ¡°To my eyes, Miss Yuna Ga¡¯s swordsmanship was slightly more beautiful.¡± With those words, the Swordsmanship Department students cheered raucously. *** Swordsmanship Department 1 win. If the Swordsmanship Department secured another win in the second exchange, the Interdepartmental Exchange Event would be over. ¡®Damn it, damn it!¡¯ Duty inwardly cursed. ¡®Yuna Ga¡¯s skill was that good? That¡¯s ridiculous! Surely it couldn¡¯t be¡­¡¯ He didn¡¯t want to admit it. He wanted to say Ingerd¡¯s magic was more impressive. But Duty had directly witnessed Yuna¡¯s swordsmanship. Even to him, her skill was no less than Ingerd¡¯s. As a Sky Swordmage proficient in both magic and swordsmanship, he judged that Yuna could definitely win. ¡®He really did send Yuna Ga out as the opener to win. But how? Yuna Ga had taken a leave for a while.¡¯ Could it be that during that leave, Ethan had assigned her some task? Duty wanted to quickly settle this situation. If they lost the next bout, it would be over. ¡°Vilkas.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Don¡¯t worry. I saw it too. Mason will likely go next. I¡¯ll properly crush him.¡± Vilkas, the only male of the golden age and a free wielder of fire magic, stepped forward. Though Serana was also present, Duty chose Vilkas. The reason was Mason. The other side would surely send Mason out to finish it. Between Ron and Mason, Mason was far superior. Moreover, Mason¡¯s swordsmanship was famous for being reckless. In contrast, Serana used graceful, beautiful water magic. In terms of impact, Mason¡¯s side would inevitably have more. Hence, Vilkas. Vilkas¡¯s fire magic could counter Mason¡¯s reckless swordsmanship with strong impact. Like the swordsmanship Yuna Ga had shown, he could start with a big impact. That way, he could capture Jeryd¡¯s eye and draw him in even further. ¡°We¡¯ll begin the second exchange bout.¡± At the vice-principal¡¯s words, Vilkas stepped forward. ¡°From the Magic Department, Vilkas Genin.¡± Vilkas red fiercely at Mason, fired up withpetitiveness. He would defeat Mason and pass the finale to Serana. As Duty expected, everyone present assumed Mason woulde out. But Mason remained seated with his arms crossed. ¡°From the Swordsmanship Department, Ron Bears.¡± Ethan nced at Duty¡¯s side with a grin. It wasn¡¯t Mason. Ron strode into the arena exuding overwhelming presence. Duty¡¯s expression instantly froze. Why send out Ron instead of Mason? What was he thinking? ¡®What? Why?¡¯ Why Ron Bears? Duty wasn¡¯t the only one flustered. The representative Vilkas also looked bewildered at the approaching Ron. Reading the confusion and dismay in Vilkas¡¯s gaze, Ron amusedly smiled. ¡°Why, were you expecting Mason?¡± He drew his sword as he said this. ¡°Did I seem that harmless?¡± Ron exhaled deeply. ¡°The second exchange bout will start with Ron Bears!¡± If he seemed harmless, he intended to dispel that notion in this second bout. ¡°Mason won¡¯t being out. I¡¯ll end it right here.¡± Woosh! Ron swung his sword. *** All the students had expected Mason toe out. So when Ron appeared instead, the students¡¯ eyes once again turned to Ethan. Shouldn¡¯t Mason have been sent out here to try and win? But that bewilderment was short-lived. As Ron swung his sword, all the students¡¯ attention was drawn to it. Ron was a rare swordsman at the academy who used a greatsword. Most of the Swordsmanship Department¡¯s figures preferred regr-sized swords like Mason¡¯s. Greatswords were less favored as they were quite difficult to wield despite their overwhelming power, and wereparatively slow. Moreover, it was extremely rare for noble houses to teach greatsword techniques. The prestigious noble houses no longer used greatswords. Even if there were greatsword techniques, they were usually excluded from the curriculum as they were considered barbaric. So everyone was instantly immersed. Because Ron was wielding that difficult greatsword as if it were a dagger. Destructive movements emanating from his characteristic brawn. Ron fully demonstrated his greatest strength ¨C his power. ¡°Oho, a greatsword! You didn¡¯t have him corrected, senior?¡± Since it¡¯s a disfavored weapon, when students enter the academy they¡¯re given a chance to change swords, to grow more efficiently. ¡°Teacher Ethan is good at bringing out a student¡¯s traits.¡± ¡°But is that student really the one who was at the very bottom of the Swordsmanship Department?¡± Not only was Yuna Ga¡¯s skill shocking earlier, but Ron¡¯s skill was even more astonishing. Rumor had it that Ron was a student who hadn¡¯t shone much in the Swordsmanship Department. ¡°If he¡¯s a special admission student, isn¡¯t he one of the troubled students you often mentioned, senior?¡± ¡°Indeed, Ron was also considering dropping out. To be honest, we at Ivecar can¡¯t teach freely and creatively. We only teach by the curriculum.¡± There was a set curriculum, and they could only teach ording to that curriculum. Students also tended to only adapt and learn what they could get from that curriculum. But the special admission students struggled with that. They failed to properly adapt, and that failure led to dropping out. As an academy aspiring to be the best, Ivecar should provide excellent education even for such special admission students. ¡°So he raised a special admission student ted for dropout to this level?¡± It surely wasn¡¯t easy. If teaching was that simple, the Principal wouldn¡¯t have agonized over it. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± The Principal smiled wryly. It was one of his long-standing concerns. Moreover, solving it was essential for bing the top academy. And the answer was found through Ethan. ¡°So the senior had no choice but to give him special treatment.¡± ¡°Actually, ¡®special treatment¡¯ isn¡¯t quite urate. Compared to Teacher Ethan¡¯s aplishments in such a short time, I¡¯ve given him less consideration.¡± Ethan had achieved so much that for special treatment, the Principal would have to provide several times more advantages than he currently was. Only then could it barely be called special treatment. ¡°It¡¯s the first time a teacher has been so difficult to give special treatment to.¡± At the Principal¡¯s words, Jeryd couldn¡¯t help butugh. Even as he conversed with the Principal, Jeryd couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Ron¡¯s movements. While the previous two students showed dynamic movements, Ron disyed a static form. Focusing on power, he unveiled each sword technique move by move, the force palpably reaching even distant students. ¡°Huh.¡± Jeryd suddenly opened his eyes wide as if surprised. ¡°That¡­was the Revinade sword technique? And tailored to that student¡­he even modified it. My, my.¡± Shyaaaak! Finally, thest move. As Ron¡¯s swordsmanship ended, apuse and cheers immediately followed. ¡°¡­Right after this, there should be magic that can make one forget what they just saw.¡± Jeryd¡¯s eyes gleamed.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 133: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (3) Chapter 133: Interdepartmental Exchange Event (3) Woosh! Like Yuna had done, Vilkas also unveiled his most powerful magic from the start. re Dragon. An orange ze took the shape of a dragon from Vilkas¡¯s hands. Casting speed. Magic technique. And efficiency of channeled mana. Befitting a golden age member, Vilkas¡¯s magic was shy and mighty. ¡°Hmm.¡±Observing Jeryd furrowed his brow slightly. ¡®So this is the golden age I¡¯ve heard of.¡¯ Their skills were certainly outstanding. But only outstanding by student standards. Seeming to notice his puzzlement, the Principal whispered to him. ¡°The center of the golden age is Miss Roanna. Miss Roanna anchors them and elevates their level. There¡¯s a big gap between those two students and Miss Roanna.¡± ¡°I see, that¡¯s why.¡± He nodded his head. They were undoubtedly exceptional for students, top-tier even. But fell short of being called the golden age. ¡®They¡¯re clearly different from the students Ethan taught.¡¯ Yuna and Ron had surpassed student level. The remarkably skilled golden age students. And the two who transcended student level. ¡®A difference in educators.¡¯ All the students at this Ivecar Academy are talented. How that talent is nurtured is the measure of an educator¡¯s ability. ¡®It may be presumptuous, but I believe the academy¡¯s teachers should receive aposed evaluation.¡¯ Jeryd thought the gap in ability between Ethan and Duty was immense. As Ron¡¯s case showed, Ethan did not confine a student¡¯s talents. If a student specialized in the greatsword, he would teach tailored to that. ¡®In terms of efficiency, Duty¡¯s approach is probably correct.¡¯ There is one teacher but many students. To teach them efficiently, he must instruct in areas all can learn and grow together. ¡®Time is limited, after all.¡¯ But this is Ivecar Academy. The students have already found their own efficiencies, either through their noble houses or self-discovery. ¡®Then their individual talents should be cultivated. Ivecar must do so to live up to being the top academy.¡¯ By that criteria, Ethan Whiskers is far ahead of Duty, beyondparison. ¡®An educator looking to the future and taking that extra step.¡¯ Versus an educator teaching just to get good grades at the academy. Woosh! Anyone can guess which educator would receive higher evaluation. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Waaaaaah!¡± ¡°As expected from Vilkas!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell how this situation will unfold!¡± Vilkas¡¯s outstanding magic, like Yuna¡¯s, was enough to elicit cheers from both sides. Witnessing high-level magic brings joy to the eyes and quickens the heart. Jeryd also apuded. They were magics deserving of ample apuse. But his mind was already leaning. ¡®The students are not to me.¡¯ Beyond a certain level, students can no longer be faulted. They merely followed their teacher¡¯s instruction. ¡°I can¡¯t tell who will win.¡± ¡°Vilkas will probably win. That magic earlier looked no joke just from watching.¡± ¡°Ron was good too, but unfortunately being a greatsword user, he couldn¡¯t even swing much.¡± ¡°The impact was immense, though.¡± Everyone favored Vilkas¡¯s edge. If Vilkas won here, the third match would be Mason and Serana¡¯s turn. Both were certainly strong students, so the observing students already anticipated the third match. ¡°I¡¯ll announce the results shortly. First, I want tomend both students for their efforts. Excellent swordsmanship, excellent magic.¡± At Jeryd¡¯s words, Ron and Vilkas simultaneously bowed. After exhaling deeply, Jeryd discreetly spoke to the Principal. ¡°Senior, I aim to say something presumptuous, if I may.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I called you here. Ivecar needs reform. And it¡¯s better to be critiqued by an outside party rather than me, an insider.¡± Jeryd realized he wasn¡¯t here solely as an evaluator. And he keenly felt his senior was truly determined to reform Ivecar. ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility, so speak your mind.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± With permission granted, Jeryd immediately continued. ¡°Mr. Ron¡¯s swordsmanship well brought out the greatsword¡¯s unique style. I could feel the power. Likewise, Mr. Vilkas, your magic was excellent. The rugged feel inherent to fire magic would normally be a w, but it was impressive how you sublimated that into a strength instead. With that level of magical control, you would certainly receive good grades at the academy.¡± Jeryd briefly paused. ¡°However.¡± All attention was on his mouth. ¡°This may be presumptuous, but I believe academy grades are supplementary. Those attending the academy mustn¡¯t aim solely for high grades.¡± Jeryd forcefully continued as he looked around. ¡°The academy is a ce for growth, not just getting good grades. Mr. Vilkas¡¯s magic was excellent, but such magics, while graded well within the academy, will not be outside of it.¡± Jeryd¡¯s words seemed to shock everyone. ¡°In contrast, Mr. Ron¡¯s swordsmanship may not be highly graded at the academy, but it can receive good evaluation outside. If deployed in actualbat, he could surely take the vanguard with that powerful strength. Greatsword wielders are quite rare, after all.¡± Jeryd shrugged. ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t expect many of the students here to actually seebat.¡± It was only natural,ing from high noble families. ¡°But as someone who experiences realbat daily, Mr. Ron¡¯s swordsmanship appeals to me more. If I were choosing an adjutant, I would pick Mr. Ron.¡± Saying this, Jeryd gestured toward Ron. The vice-principal below took Ron¡¯s hand and raised it. ¡°The winner of the second exchange bout is Mr. Ron Bears!¡± ¡°Waaaaaaaaah!¡± ¡°Ron Bears!¡± ¡°I knew he¡¯d win! I knew it!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry I doubted you! I¡¯m sorry!¡± The Swordsmanship Department students were tremendously excited. ¡°In this exchange event, the Swordsmanship Department is victorious!¡± 2:0. Despite not sending out their full force, Mason, the Swordsmanship Department had achievedplete victory. ¡°Teacher Ethan!¡± ¡°I definitely want to take your ss next time!¡± ¡°Hurrah for the Swordsmanship Department!¡± The Swordsmanship Department¡¯s cheering squad led the students in a festive atmosphere. ¡°Damn it.¡± The Magic Department side was utterly gloomy. Duty in particr was trembling. The gazes he felt on his back were piercing. But more unsettling than those gazes were Jeryd¡¯s words. Undoubtedly, Jeryd was right. What he had taught was merely how to get good grades at the academy. ¡®But that¡¯s not wrong. I just did what I could.¡¯ Of course, he knew it wasn¡¯t wholly good for the students either. Yet he had no choice. He had to produce results. If he churned out students with outstanding grades, that would be the teacher¡¯s aplishment. From the start, Duty never intended to stay long as a teacher at this academy. This was just a stepping stone. That¡¯s why he lost. He had the right perspective on students, butcked the matching teaching methods. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Vilkas, returning in defeat, grit his teeth. Though trying to endure, tears streamed from his eyes. Seeing this, Duty¡¯s mind went nk. What had he been doing until now? Watching Vilkas bitterly crying made him feel struck hard on the head. ¡°Vilkas.¡± Duty wasn¡¯t always like this. The sense of inferiority from witnessing udie¡¯s ss had made him this way. ¡°You did well. The problem was¡­me. I did you all a disservice.¡± ¡°No, sir. If you hadn¡¯t maximized my strengths, I would still be unaware of my talents. I¡¯m really sorry for failing to meet expectations.¡± ¡°No, no¡­¡­¡± Jeryd¡¯s words stung deeply. Academy grades are a visible metric of effort. But the true essence the academy should pursue is student growth. There is unseen growth beyond just grades. Teachers have an obligation to nurture students¡¯ growth. Duty had neglected that duty. ¡°It was my fault. Let¡¯s do better next time.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll do better.¡± Vilkas wiped his tears. ¡°Both teachers and students, pleasee up to the stage!¡± The Interdepartmental Exchange Event. While there were winners and losers, its essence was disying abilities and interacting. Six students and two teachers stood on the stage. The previously noisy hall gradually quieted. ¡°Greetings!¡± The students who showed good form greeted each other. The two teachers also approached and shook hands. ¡°To be honest, I had underestimated you a bit. But there was definitely a reason you defeated udie to be the representative. Yuna and Ron were truly excellent students who received excellent education.¡± ¡°Teacher Duty, you have a genuine eye for students. In contrast, Ick that ability.¡± Completely unexpected words. Duty could only be surprised. He never expected to be praised. ¡°That remarkable ability is something no other teacher at this academy can match. Even I, fortunate to win today, cannot.¡± Normally it might sound mocking, but somehow Ethan¡¯s words rang as sincere praise. ¡°Today wepeted, but are we not teachers of Ivecar? Today ends today. I look forward to the year-end. With a superb teacher like yourself, Sir Duty, and teachers like Sir udie on the same team, we could even beat Freya Academy.¡± Today was the only day they faced as foes. At Ethan¡¯s words, Duty blinked. His feelings toward Ethan had been immenselyplex after today¡¯s defeat. But thoseplicated thoughts vanished with this remark. Ethan was not a foe, but an ally ¨C a fellow teacher for future academy exchanges. The swirling emotions in his mind simply dissipated. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Duty smiled faintly, then let out a small sigh. With that sigh, he expelled all his previous thoughts. His mindset changed. udie and Ethan, who he had seen as rivals. Now he would be on the same team with these two for the academy exchange. That thought felt reassuringly solid. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± As Ethan smiled again, Duty firmly gripped the joined hands. ¡°Yes, Teacher Ethan.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 134: Now Its Vacation Time Chapter 134: Now It''s Vacation Time Ethan took the three students to a high-end restaurant within the Marquis Rond territory. Of course, the two escorts also apanied them. The two escorts took separate seats at a table behind Ethan. ¡°It¡¯s thanks to me that you¡¯vee here today. I did a good job protecting Ethan not too long ago.¡± ¡°Really? As expected of Lady Yerica. Thanks to you, we get to eat meat.¡± Schudlen said this while not taking his eyes off the meat. ¡°Please go ahead and eat first.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll start eating.¡± He looked like someone who had been starving for days. However, Schudlen had been eating his fill of meat ever since bing Ethan¡¯s dedicated escort. ¡°Eat in moderation. I worked hard to get this meat, so leave some for me.¡±¡°Gulp, sorry, gulp.¡± ¡°Oh,e on.¡± Yerica shook her head disapprovingly. ¡°Well, in the knight order, meat didn¡¯te around often.¡± Schudlen exined awkwardly. ¡°Ever since bing Lord Ethan¡¯s dedicated escort, I¡¯ve really been eating well.¡± ¡°Of course, the same goes for me too.¡± Yerica was also living apletely different life after leaving her fugitive existence behind. She could leisurely perform her duties as an escort and had enough time for training. Day by day, she practiced the magic left behind by Hecate, pondering how she could be of help to Ethan. Schudlen was probably doing the same. ¡°No, leave some for me.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we order one more?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll report to Ethan to deduct it from Schudlen¡¯s pay.¡± Even as she said this, Yerica remained vignt, scanning her surroundings. Ever sinceing to the academy, Ethan had been rapidly umting achievements day by day. As a result, he had gained quite a reputation and had now be rather famous even within the Marquis territory. ¡°Ethan¡¯s fame has been spreading more and moretely. We need to be more cautious.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. Evil ones may try to harm him, so I¡¯ll be more vignt.¡± Leaving Yerica and Schudlen to focus on their escort duties, Ethan looked at the three students with a stern expression. ¡°I¡¯m d the situation has unfolded as I expected, teacher. I was observing quietly, and there were definitely some with different looks in their eyes.¡± ¡°I noticed it too. There were several students taking notes at that event.¡± ¡°As expected of our teacher.¡± Just as Ethan had predicted, Ron and Yuna were greatly surprised when the Interdepartmental Exchange Event ended. Mason also looked slightly excited as he gazed at Ethan. Mason had not been able to shine much in this exchange event. He could have felt disappointed about that. However, Ethan¡¯s n was to hold Mason back. ¡°I was able to keep you in reserve, Mason. The other academies probably don¡¯t know how much you¡¯ve changed. You¡¯re now our academy¡¯s secret weapon.¡± ¡°Secret weapon¡­¡± Mason muttered those words and trembled slightly. He was delighted that Ethan valued him highly, but more than anything, he was overjoyed to have expectations ced on him again like before. The reason Mason didn¡¯t participate this time was to firmly conceal his abilities. In the previous departmental representative selection, it was conducted privately, excluding major figures, so information could be blocked. But that wasn¡¯t the case for the Interdepartmental Exchange Event. There were many eyes watching. And among those watching, there were informants leaking information to other academies. Therefore, Ethan had no intention of fielding Mason. ¡®If one of the two were to lose, then I would have had no choice but to bring out Mason. But in that case, I would have tried to disrupt the information as much as possible through Yuna¡¯s connections.¡¯ The primary goal was to win the Interdepartmental Exchange Event with just Yuna and Ron. That way, at the end-of-year academy exchange event, he could bring out Mason, whose true abilities no one knew about. ¡®There are six months left. In six months, I can make Mason grow explosively.¡¯ He could greatly enhance Mason¡¯s swordsmanship and provide him with realbat experience. ¡®I¡¯veid the foundation.¡¯ Having sessfully concealed Mason, all that remained was to facilitate his growth. ¡®Winning the academy exchange event. That will make me a master.¡¯ His n was to gain even greater fame by bing a master in the shortest time possible. ¡°Eat up. So, what did you all n to do during the vacation?¡± ¡°Ah, I was going to focus a bit on Merchant Guild work. That way, I can concentrate on the academy during the second semester.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll return to my hometown for a short while. But of course, I¡¯ll be back soon to train, teacher.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a family gathering.¡± Yuna, Ron, and Mason each had their own schedules. ¡°I¡¯ll give you all a vacation assignment.¡± Ethan grinned as he spoke. ¡°If youplete the assignments properly, I¡¯ll teach each of you a deadly technique.¡± Of course, these deadly techniques were the swordsmanship skills they would eventually awaken to in the future. ¡®Since their growth rate is faster than usual, it won¡¯t hurt to teach them in advance.¡¯ At the mention of being taught deadly techniques, the three students¡¯ eyes instantly shone intensely. ¡°Give us as many as you want!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll definitelyplete them all.¡± As expected, a clear reward was needed to motivate them. After some minor celebrations, Ethan called Yuna aside separately. ¡°Do you have a special assignment just for me? I did stay away for quite a while.¡± ¡°I wanted to discuss business with you, Yuna.¡± Currently, Ethan had two business ventures. One was the Lightweight workshop, and the other was the special golem that would beunched in coboration with the David Merchant Guild. But there was one more. Ethan was nning to seriously kick his business into gear. In fact, those two ventures were merely for securing funds, not for earning money. ¡°I want to work with the Ga Merchant Guild, Yuna.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Yuna asked in a surprised tone, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden business talk. But it wasn¡¯t just the business talk that shocked her. It was Ethan¡¯s confident words that greatly surprised her. ¡°I just told you that I handled things well.¡± ¡°Saying you handled things well means you firmly took control of the Ga Merchant Guild, Yuna. If not, you wouldn¡¯t have said you handled it well.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Yuna found herself grinning without realizing it. As expected, he was different. If someone else had said that, she might have thought it was just empty ttery to impress her. But when Ethan said it, she felt it was a sober assessment. And for Yuna, that was a source of joy in many ways. Thus, she couldn¡¯t hide her reddening ears. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Then we can proceed with a business through the Ga Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°Yes, we could. But our Ga Merchant Guild is bigger than you might think. Of course, if you have a good business idea, teacher, I can definitely push it through!¡± The scale of the Ga Merchant Guild was among thergest on the continent. So if Yuna was determined to support Ethan¡¯s business idea, even an ordinary item could be grown significantly. ¡°Of course, it would be difficult to continue if the results aren¡¯t good. What kind of help would you like from me?¡± She was clearly a seasoned merchant. But in front of Ethan, it was hard for her to unt that experience. So without realizing it, she ended up saying she could do anything. ¡°I¡¯m currently dealing with the David Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°The David Merchant Guild?¡± For a moment, Yuna looked at Ethan, wondering if she had heard incorrectly. ¡°Yes, the David Merchant Guild.¡± Ethan exined his current business situation. As he talked about the two ventures, Yuna looked genuinely surprised, as if she had no idea. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Yuna couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. In fact, she had thought Ethan¡¯s im of having a lot of money was partly a joke. ¡°So you didn¡¯t believe me.¡± ¡°I thought you were someone detached from money.¡± ¡°The more money, the better.¡± At those words, Yuna looked at Ethan with fresh amazement. ¡°That¡¯s true, though.¡± After hearing the full story, Yuna was even more in awe of Ethan. It was a well-known fact that Ethan was a local nobleman. Local nobles generally had little power. So no matter how good an item they found, it was highly likely to be taken away. There was even a saying that with such business ideas, the first to take it bes the owner. ¡°A good item alone can¡¯t make a good business flourish, but as expected of Teacher Ethan. You¡¯re able to protect your business ideas from greedy power holders, and on top of that, you have real authority when dealing with the David Merchant Guild.¡± In business, one had to be wary of everyone except oneself. Especially if onecked the power to protect the business itself. ¡°I was too focused on the academy. I didn¡¯t even notice something this big.¡± Yuna shook her head disapprovingly. ¡°So, are you saying you want me to help with that David Merchant Guild business simultaneously? Certainly, if our Ga lends its power, we could grow the Lightweight workshop business or the special golem business bigger than they are now.¡± ¡°No.¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°I need the Ga Merchant Guild¡¯s power, including that. I¡¯m nning to do something impossible with just the David Merchant Guild¡¯s power.¡± Those words immediately pleased Yuna. ¡°Certainly, the David Merchant Guild is a good one, but there¡¯s a big differencepared to our Ga.¡± ¡°I n to go to the Magic Association and register a magic.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s the center of the business.¡± Yuna¡¯s eyes sparkled. The Magic Association was an officially authorized imperial institution that registered magic. Registering magic meant officially recognizing the origin of a magic. Once certified by the Magic Association, one would officially own the rights to that magic. ¡®But magic certification is tricky. There are already countless existing magics, and plenty of derived variant magics from those.¡¯ Even for an original magic, getting the certification mark was quite difficult. From the Magic Association¡¯s perspective, carelessly certifying magic could cause chaos if problems arose. ¡®If it was just a matter of being difficult, there would be no need to borrow the Ga Merchant Guild¡¯s power.¡¯ Yerica¡¯s magic was excellent. The tedious certification mark from the strict Magic Association could be obtained without too much trouble. The real problem was that the Magic Association itself was not a very fair group. ¡®It¡¯s full of trash. The Magic Association is a perfect example of what happens when stubborn, arrogant mages reach the top by being twisted up.¡¯ So power was needed to prevent the Magic Association¡¯s mischief. But they wouldn¡¯t submit to ordinary power. ¡®They have tremendous pride in their magic. Their philosophy is that mages must not submit to anything and must be free.¡¯ That¡¯s why Ethan had always shed with the Magic Association whenever he yed. There were times when he had outright destroyed it. ¡®Butpletely destroying it is not the answer.¡¯ There was a much better way than physically destroying it. ¡®Putting a leash on it.¡¯ Ethan nned to use the Ga Merchant Guild¡¯s power to put that leash on them. The Ga Merchant Guild was a merchant guild that periodically supplied various materials to the Magic Association. ¡®It¡¯s not just a matter of supplying them. There are materials they have an exclusive supply of. If the Ga Merchant Guild takes a dislike to them, the supply of those materials could be cut off.¡¯ That¡¯s how tremendous the Ga Merchant Guild¡¯s influence was. ¡®Of course, it¡¯s supposed to be a mutually cooperative rtionship.¡¯ But it was clear that having the backing of the Ga Merchant Guild would make magic registration much smoother. ¡®They can¡¯t just arbitrarily mess with someone as powerful as Ga.¡¯ ¡°Certainly, since you are skilled in magic, Teacher Ethan. Is this perhaps a business rted to potions?¡± ¡°No.¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°A business usingundry magic.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 135: Laundry Magic Chapter 135: Laundry Magic Laundry magic. Also called Clean Magic, this magic was used to make dirty things clean. At first nce, it seemed simple, but in reality, it was one of the most difficult andplex types of magic. Additionally, it was a magic with definite demand. Adventurers and mercenaries. For people performing various harsh tasks like dungeon raids, hunting, or suppression operations, Clean Magic was one of the most important elements. ¡®Clean Magic isn¡¯t just about making clothes neat and tidy.¡¯ Monsters have a far keener sense of smell than humans. Entering a dungeon without preparing for body odor would greatly increase the chances of being ambushed.Especially since monster blood was quite pungent, failing to deal with it afterbat heightened the risk of exposure to other monsters that could smell it. ¡®It erases smells and traces. That¡¯s the greatest effect of Clean Magic. For dungeon raids or monster hunting, Clean Magic is essentially a necessity.¡¯ It could also thoroughly maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. ¡®However, the Clean Magic currently in use has varying effects.¡¯ Clean Magic was a verymon magic. As a result, mages did not focus on it or research it further. That was the reason for the varying effects. ¡®For mages, this kind of magic is considered low-grade, so it¡¯s often ignored.¡¯ Some Clean Magic could remove monster blood but not other contaminants. Conversely, some could remove other things but not monster blood. ¡®There are also many Clean Magics that can¡¯t remove stubborn stains. With such varying effects, one has to use several different Clean Magics, which is a hassle.¡¯ Clean Magic to remove monster blood. Clean Magic to remove other contaminants. Clean Magic to remove monster saliva or foul odors. Although inconvenient, different Clean Magics had to be used separately as needed. ¡®Something like that should not be called Clean Magic if the effects vary so much.¡¯ This business venture stemmed from that realization. ¡®With only subpar Clean Magics avable, people must be longing for a Clean Magic that can remove all contaminants. If such a Clean Magic was avable, even at a higher price, they would definitely buy it.¡¯ If a single magic could remove all contaminants? If it could erase smells and traces, maintaining a pristine state? ¡®If a perfect Clean Magic appeared in an unsystematized market, it would be a literal game-changer.¡¯ ¡°There is definite demand for Clean Magic. Currently, Clean Magic is used through scrolls, but since the effects vary, one has to carry multiple scrolls. On top of that, the effects aren¡¯t that great either.¡± ¡°Indeed, I¡¯ve heard that. That¡¯s why I heard they hire mages, but the cost of hiring those mages is also said to be excessively expensive.¡± Mages¡¯ asking prices were higher than expected. Additionally, hiring a dedicated mage just for using Clean Magic was a significant expenditure. Moreover, mages didn¡¯t necessarily possess better Clean Magic than scrolls. ¡®It¡¯s simr to the case with Lightweight magic or the special golem.¡¯ Skilled mages do not invest time in magics they deem subpar. Hadn¡¯t he seen this firsthand at the Magic Tower? ¡®They neglect practically useful magics, deeming them useless.¡¯ Ethan nned to exploit this blind spot and turn it into a solid business item. ¡°So I¡¯m thinking of registering a proper Clean Magic and creating scrolls. There¡¯s definite demand but no satisfactory product. This Clean Magic scroll will be a game-changer for Clean Magic.¡± If high-quality Clean Magic scrolls hit the market, they would undoubtedly sell like hotcakes. ¡°Certainly a good idea, teacher. But it seems difficult. To create those Clean Magic scrolls, you¡¯d first need a Clean Magic far superior to existing ones. But no mage capable of using high-level Clean Magic would ever lend a hand formercial purposes.¡± Yuna well knew how arrogant mages could be. Thus, she took a negative stance with an apologetic expression. She intended to do her utmost to help Ethan but acquiring a mage from the start would be difficult. Then suddenly, Yuna made a foolish expression. ¡°Oh, but you already have a mage, don¡¯t you? No, wait, are you nning to personally research this Clean Magic yourself, Teacher Ethan?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not a mage, Yuna.¡± Ethan stated firmly. ¡°Both Lightweight magic and the special golem began from the hands of my business partner. And you already know who that partner is.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Quickly realizing who it was, Yuna uttered the name. ¡°Could it be, Assistant Teacher Yerica?¡± ¡°Yes, my escort and assistant teacher Yerica is the owner of all these magics. And there¡¯s no need for further research. The Clean Magic is alreadyplete.¡± Not long ago, when he went to obtain his second ss, the Lightning Guardian, Ethan witnessed Yerica¡¯s Clean Magic and thought the time hade. Countless contaminants had soiled her robe, but Yerica used Clean Magic to wipe them away perfectly. ¡®Thanks to breaking the second seal.¡¯ A Clean Magic of this level would definitely sell in the market. ¡®I should confirm the effects a bit more, but it can remove most contaminants. There¡¯s sufficient demand for such a Clean Magic.¡¯ ¡°Then if we officially register that magic with the association¡­¡± ¡°I n to create and sell scrolls.¡± Yuna¡¯s expression changedpletely. If it was a Clean Magic far surpassing the effects of existing Clean Magics, it would certainly bepetitive. By highlighting the shorings of current Clean Magics while advertising this one as different, it could definitely shake up the market. Just by tearing a scroll, any contamination could be removed? This would definitely appeal to those who have been thirsting for such a Clean Magic. They would think it¡¯s better to pay a bit more for a proper Clean Magicundry service rather than risking equipment damage from subpar Clean Magic. ¡°It¡¯s a business that smells of money. But most merchant guilds would have a hard time handling it.¡± This was actually the real problem. Other parties could easily replicate this Clean Magic surpassing existing ones in effect. It was far easier to copy than Lightweight Magic. Therefore, it had to be registered with the Magic Association that recognizes magic copyrights in order to secure exclusive rights. ¡°It¡¯s not just about the money smell! The demand is already secured here. If our Ga really pushes for it¡­ market dominance might even be possible!¡± However, there was something Yuna needed to confirm. ¡°It¡¯s not that I doubt Assistant Teacher Yerica¡¯s abilities. But for us to properly advertise, that Clean Magic has to be perfect. If we exaggerate in our advertising, it will severely damage the Merchant Guild¡¯s reputation.¡± ¡°If we get it registered with the association, the effects would certainly be proven, right? And there wouldn¡¯t be anyone who could replicate it.¡± ¡°Yes, certainly.¡± ¡°Then get it certified during the vacation period. After that, we can immediately start the business.¡± After hearing everything, Yuna took a deep breath. ¡°You said you wanted to work with the Ga Merchant Guild? But this isn¡¯t something you should be asking of us. Rather, I should be the one asking you, Teacher Ethan Whiskers. Would you like to walk the path of money with our Ga Merchant Guild?¡± Yuna extended her hand. Ethan naturally took it and shook it. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you, Yuna.¡± Yuna firmly grasped the hand. ¡°Yes, teacher.¡± *** ¡°Yes, the Clean Magic is almost perfect. I¡¯m most concerned about hygiene, after all. I can¡¯t stand anything dirty.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Yerica looked confident. ¡°What about things it can¡¯t remove?¡± ¡°It can remove most things. Even oil stains. Of course, rust is a bit difficult.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough then. Perfect.¡± Being able to remove even oil stains meant it was the ultimate Clean Magic. ¡°Yerica, I n to register this magic with the association.¡± ¡°¡­The Magic Association?¡± Yerica¡¯s eyes narrowed. The Magic Association. This ce was highly symbolic for Yerica, though in an entirely negative way. Yerica¡¯s grandfather, Hecate, had once been a mage belonging to this Magic Association. But when suspicions arose about Hecate, instead of defending him, the head of the association swiftly expelled him, as if waiting for the chance. ¡°Excessive magic research, magic addiction leading to madness. That¡¯s what the Magic Association announced publicly, right?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± It was practically a stigma. It was from that point that Hecate, who had only been under suspicion, truly became cornered. Hecate insisted it wasn¡¯t true, that he had simply delved deeper into magic research, but once the Magic Association made an official announcement, his objections carried no weight. That¡¯s why Yerica hated the Magic Association. No, she didn¡¯t even want to be associated with them. ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t want to be involved with a despicable ce like the Magic Association. If I could, I¡¯d burn the whole thing down.¡± Ethan understood her anger. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why it¡¯s the Magic Association, Yerica.¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± She looked puzzled for a moment, but soon her eyes widened as if she understood Ethan¡¯s meaning. ¡°Just like how we sold the special golem to those damned nobles who called grandfather insane, you¡¯re going to re-register grandfather¡¯s magic with the Magic Association.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your magic too, as the one who inherited grandfather¡¯s will.¡± Yerica looked at Ethan. Ethan exined this matter in more detail. ¡°We¡¯ll register the Clean Magic with the association and get it certified. I n to turn that very Clean Magic into a business.¡± As he exined the Clean Magic scroll business, Yerica¡¯s expression changed again. ¡°Are you sure that will make money?¡± Unlike other mages, Yericapletely trusted Ethan¡¯s words, from the Lightweight workshop and special golem to now the Clean Magic scrolls. ¡°But I don¡¯t n to just stop at registering the magic with the association. You know, Yerica? I¡¯m not aiming for a petty revenge.¡± Ever since Yerica first made her escort contract with Ethan, she had a goal in mind. Revenge. Revenge against the nobles who trampled on her grandfather¡¯s honor and turned her mother and herself into fugitives. Her goal was to take revenge on everyone associated with them. ¡°If we¡¯re going to do it, we have to do it properly.¡± Yerica¡¯s heart pounded fiercely. ¡°We¡¯ll take over the Magic Association first. With your grandfather Hecate¡¯s magic, the magic of the one who inherited his will.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 136: The Magic Association (1) Chapter 136: The Magic Association (1) Yerica¡¯s targets for revenge were immensely powerful and formidable. The three noble families belonging to the Twelve Families. The assassins hired by those three families. And the Magic Association that had branded Hecate as a madman. ¡°They are huge and mighty. Those families are at the very center of this Holy Empire.¡± As such, she couldn¡¯t carelessly provoke them. A direct confrontation would be like throwing eggs at a rock. So Ethan intended to stop being the egg and be the rock instead. ¡°That¡¯s why we need to bulk up as well.¡±¡°But the Magic Association is full of vicious people. They won¡¯t just let us register the magic. They¡¯lle up with all sorts of excuses to try and take it away.¡± ¡°That¡¯s precisely it.¡± Ethan said. ¡°They¡¯ll make up the justifications themselves. We¡¯ll approach the association with the Ga Merchant Guild, but there are bound to be mages who will still look down on the Ga Merchant Guild ande after us.¡± Ethan had a lot of information about the mages of the Magic Tower. Among them were those who would cause trouble even with the Ga Merchant Guild involved. ¡®I¡¯ve been on the receiving end of those bastards enough times.¡¯ Even if he tried not to remember, the memories inevitably came back. ¡°¡­So you¡¯ve been thinking about my revenge from the very beginning.¡± Yerica¡¯s eyes turned red. It seemed she could burst into tears at the slightest provocation. ¡°Even with the academy work and the Moon Goddess¡¯s tasks keeping you so busy¡­¡± ¡°Yerica, you¡¯re my person. I¡¯m just doing what I should for my person.¡± ¡®For the sake of improving my chances of survival.¡¯ As Ethan gently patted her, Yerica couldn¡¯t hold back her tears any longer. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely get revenge on that damned Magic Association. First, I¡¯ll immediately organize the Clean Magic so it can be made into scrolls.¡± *** On thest day of the semester. Ethan entered the final Understanding the Sword Path ss of the first semester. Creak. As the door opened, the 75 densely seated students came into view. Not a single one had dropped out throughout the semester, and they had all diligently attended ss. Ethan smiled at the students. ¡°You¡¯ve all worked hard. For the top-scoring students, I¡¯ll separately mention a reward for their midterm exam grades, so pleasee see me after ss.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Ethan told the top students, excluding the first-ce Mason and second-ce Ron, when he would open his next ss. He also offered them special privileges for the new ss he would be teaching. Comints could have arisen, but everyone knew this wasn¡¯t the time for that. ¡°As I mentioned earlier, only 50 students can take the next ss. That means 25 of you won¡¯t be able to take it. But don¡¯t worry. I n to open another ss.¡± Gulp. Someone audibly swallowed. By the end of the Understanding the Sword Path ss, the students had experienced the special golem. If they could directly practice swordsmanship on the spot with the special golem, in addition to Ethan¡¯s guidance and posture corrections? They could grow much faster. And Ethan would correct any shorings, so it was essentially an opportunity for rapid growth. Having directly experienced the special golem, these students were all the more determined to take the Introduction to Combat Studies ss. ¡°I hope to see you all again next time.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the students vigorously nodded. They, too, wanted to meet Ethan again and take his ss once more. ¡°Thank you for the semester!¡± ¡°Thank you, teacher!¡± The students rose from their seats and bowed. Their expressions were filled with sincerity. Ethan watched their orderly movements with satisfaction. Ding! -You havepleted the departmental ss. -All students havepleted the departmental ss! -You have achieved an achievement! -[All Together Now] You have gained Likes for achieving this achievement. -You have gained 5 Likes! -You have achieved an achievement! -[Captain, Oh My Captain] You have gained Likes for achieving this achievement. -You have gained 5 Likes! -Your reputation has increased! Ethan had achieved the achievements he had set as goals when he first took on teaching the ss. ¡®The second achievement requires all students¡¯ grades to exceed a certain level.¡¯ He had perfectly achieved both achievements, earning a significant 10 Likes. ¡®On top of that, my reputation increased quite a bit too.¡¯ This reputation increase varied based on the number of students. Since he had led all 75 students to the end, the reputation increase was quite satisfactory. ¡°You¡¯ve all worked hard.¡± Leaving them behind, Ethan headed to the Potion Manufacturing ss. Simrly, he had led all 50 students in the Potion Manufacturing ss without exception. At one point, he could have excluded one student because of Roanna, but figured it was better to keep them all, and so he ultimately took all 50 students to the end of that ss as well. ¡°From your expressions, I can tell right away who did well.¡± Ethan spoke as he looked at Grandel Torf. Grandel¡¯s expression was noticeably better than the other students¡¯. ¡°Hahaha! Did I give it away, teacher! You¡¯re right! I¡¯m the top student in this Potion Manufacturing ss!¡± Grandel Torf proudly announced. Next, Ethan met eyes with Audrey, the student Roanna had previously disguised herself as. ¡®She made it into the top ranks.¡¯ As Roanna had said, Audrey had been fully dedicated to Ethan¡¯s ss, and the result was a high score. However, the remaining students didn¡¯t look too pleased. Ethan addressed them. ¡°Everyone¡¯s exam scores were quite good. I could feel how hard you all studied. It made me want to teach you all again if given the chance. So I n to speak with the Principal. I want to continue teaching sses in the Magic Department. I also intend to speak separately with the Dean of the Magic Department.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the students brightened up. Did this mean he had been inspired by their passion and would continue teaching the ss? ¡°Teacher, does that mean you¡¯ll be taking our Magic Department sses again next time¡­?¡± Grandel Torf voiced the question everyone was wondering. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s thanks to you all listening diligently that I¡¯vee to feel this way. Next time, I n to continue the Potion Manufacturing ss. By changing the curriculum and the name, that is. Your grades were that good. So cheer up.¡± ¡°Teacher¡­¡­¡± Of course, Ethan had no intention of simply continuing the Potion Manufacturing ss. ¡®From the start, what I was aiming for was a major course.¡¯ Just like the Understanding the Sword Path ss, the students¡¯ average scores in the Potion Manufacturing ss were also far higher than in other sses. It meant that all the students had been upwardly equalized. ¡®If I negotiate with the Principal, I¡¯ll be able to change this Potion Manufacturing ss from a general education course to a major course.¡¯ Major courses were different in terms of weight, but they allowed for earning far more prestige. ¡®Likewise, I¡¯ll modify the Understanding the Sword Path ss slightly and turn it into a major course as well.¡¯ The newly created Introduction to Combat Studies will have to start as a general education course, but since he¡¯s definitely produced results in these two sses, it will be enough to negotiate with the Principal. Ding! -You have achieved the achievement [Breaking the Seal]! -You have gained likes for achieving the achievement. -You have gained ¡®3¡¯ Likes! -Your reputation has increased! There was the satisfaction of havingpleted the Potion Manufacturing ss well until the end. ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to give you what you¡¯re expecting. Those who ranked at the top,e forward.¡± Ethan distributed parchments he had prepared in advance to them. ¡°This is the information on the uses of br¨¹le that Ipiled. I promised to share it with you.¡± The students who came forward were very excited at Ethan¡¯s words. Especially Grandel Torf, who even had sweat on his forehead. ¡°Read it and then burn it. If I find out it¡¯s been leaked¡­¡­¡± ¡°That won¡¯t happen!¡± Grandel Torf read the entire parchment right there and then burned it. ¡°I¡¯ve memorized it all.¡± The other students also quickly crammed the contents into their heads before burning the parchments on the spot. Ethan smiled wryly as he watched them. They were indeed different, being Ivecar students. ¡°Let¡¯s meet again next time.¡± *** An edited video by Ethan was uploaded to the channels of Robin Hood and Jumong. And precisely one dayter. Rapidly rising popr video #8 ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Jumong! What on earth is this? What is this?¡± Robin Hood looked at Jumong with a surprised expression. Jumong was equally astonished. As gods famous for their archery skills, their eyesight was extremely keen. Yet the two gods, renowned for their eyesight, were now squinting their eyes and reading the text, as if they couldn¡¯t believe what they were seeing. It was aical situation, but the expressions on the two gods¡¯ faces were utterly serious. ¡°Huh.¡± ¡°Jumong, what is this? Am I seeing this right? A rapidly rising popr video? Our video, or rather, a video edited by the subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods] has made it to number 8 on the rapidly rising popr videos?¡± ¡°If we¡¯re seeing this wrong, we might as well give up archery. It would mean our eyesight has gone bad.¡± Jumongughed loudly. ¡°This is real, all right. I said the tides would change, but I didn¡¯t think it would happen this quickly, within a single day.¡± This had never happened before. Rapidly rising popr video? He had heard of such a feature, but he never thought their video would end up there. But that¡¯s exactly what happened. ¡°Hood.¡± Jumong called out to Robin Hood quietly. ¡°We¡¯ve racked up a ton of likes with this one video.¡± By making it onto the rapidly rising popr videos, this single video had earned them an enormous number of likes. ¡°This subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods] is something else. He brought up Heo Jun and even subscribed to a new god called Hong Gil-dong. Could he be a subscriber from the same ce as you?¡± Hood said. ¡°Could he be one of your descendants?¡± ¡°Ahem! Does it really matter where the subscriberse from or what kind of beings they are?¡± Despite saying that, Jumong¡¯s expression looked extremely pleased. *** ¡°I hereby officially dere the start of the vacation period for Ivecar Academy!¡± ¡°Vacation!¡± The vacation period at Ivecar Academy had begun. The vacationsted 2 months. It was a period that was long enough to allow for a thorough recharge, for both students and teachers alike. Especially for the students, it was a time when they could fully internalize what they had learned in the first semester. The students who took Ethan¡¯s sses would be quite busy reviewing the lessons from the first semester during this time. And they would also be strategizing in preparation for the hell of course registration that would follow. As soon as the vacation started, Ethan left the academy along with Yerica and Schudlen. Drihi Magic Tower. That was their destination. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a little tense.¡± The Drihi Magic Tower was located in thends governed by Count Lecandra. As soon as they entered the territory, people came out to wee Ethan. ¡°You must be Sir Ethan Whiskers. I am Mirhak from the Ga Merchant Guild.¡± A merchant from the Ga Merchant Guild greeted Ethan. ¡°I¡¯ve been given overall authority by Officer Yuna regarding this magic registration.¡± Yuna was currently busy preparing for the Clean Magic Scroll business. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± Ethan slightly bowed in greeting. The three of them followed Mirhak and headed straight for the Magic Tower, where the Magic Association was located. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite noisy, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s always like this. As you know, those Magic Tower folks are all rotten to the core.¡± Mirhak shook his head as he spoke. ¡°But, but that magic is mine!¡± ¡°Yours? You were simply not allowed to register an existing magic.¡± ¡°You guys stole my magic!¡± A mage with deep blue hair. Dark circles extending down to the bottom of his eyes. A small-built mage was protesting and sobbing. ¡®That¡¯s¡­.¡¯ He was certainly one of the mages Ethan was well acquainted with.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 137: The Magic Association (2) Chapter 137: The Magic Association (2) Scarlet Saint Pierre. She was one of the top mages known by the nickname ¡°the Color Mage.¡± ¡®Was she here?¡¯ Scarlet was a character frequently encountered from the middle portion of MePan onwards. Of course, Ethan had seen her directly as well. But what was moremon to see were not her herself, but the items sold at the magic shop she ran. The massive magic shop Saint Pierre that she operated was widespread throughout both the Holy Empire and the Demon Empire. Befitting her nickname ¡°the Color Mage,¡± the main products sold at her shop were color-dyeing magic scrolls. ¡®She had created numerous color-dyeing magics.¡¯Color. It was one of the important factors for any equipment. Even the magic enhancements additionally sold at Ethan¡¯s Lightweight Workshop ultimately boiled down to a matter of color. ¡®Effects that looked like coldness and effects that looked like heat. Of course, it¡¯s not just color, but fundamentally, color is an important factor in choosing equipment.¡¯ The color-dyeing magic scrolls that Scarlet sold perfectly satisfied such desires of people. ¡®There were countless color-dyeing magic scrolls. As time went on, more and more diverse colors became avable.¡¯ Since scrolls allowed for easy and convenient dyeing, they sold like hotcakes. Moreover, they were exclusively sold at her magic shop, so it was essentially one of the best shops in MePan. ¡®Originally, I had nned to separate the attribute enhancements currently offered by the Lightweight Workshop and turn it into a business if the Lightweight Workshop grewrger.¡¯ The n was to keep the Lightweight Workshop as is, and gather mages to create another business under the name ¡°Customization Workshop.¡± And at the center of that business would be these color-dyeing magics. ¡®But to think the person herself is here.¡¯ However, the current Scarlet did not appear to be the owner of a massive magic shop that Ethan knew. ¡®She just said it was taken away, didn¡¯t she?¡¯ It seemed she had not yet be an Archmage of color-dyeing magic. Her appearance was quite in, but her clothes were certainly colorful. ¡®Primary colors.¡¯ Befitting her nickname ¡°the Color Mage,¡± she gave different names even to the same colors. ¡®To me, they look like the same color, but¡­¡¯ Even if they were the same color, they were not the same color. ¡°Ethan? Do you know her?¡± Seeing Ethan staring at Scarlet, Yerica immediately asked, having noticed it. At the same time, Schudlen immediately prepared to move. ¡°I don¡¯t know her. But it seems like we¡¯ll have to get to know her from now on.¡± When Ethan gave Mirhak a signal with his eyes, Mirhak nodded. It meant he could handle whatever needed to be done. ¡°Why? Why is this happening! I just came here to register, you know? All you need to do is let me register, so why did this happen?¡± Scarlet shook her head. Her hands were trembling, but that was it. What could she possibly do against this massive Magic Association? ¡°Hello.¡± At that moment, Schudlen approached the distraught Scarlet. ¡°My name is Schudlen. The person over there is my master. If I may, my master wishes to have a conversation with you, the mage. Would you be able to apany us?¡± Caught off guard by the sudden request, Scarlet was flustered. Suddenly wanting to talk to her? Could it be that they were trying to quietly deal with her for causing a ruckus at the Magic Tower? ¡°Why me¡­?¡± Scarlet asked back with a voice full of wariness. ¡°We came to visit the Magic Association of the Magic Tower, but seeing that you seem to be in trouble, my master wished to help you.¡± Scarlet looked at Ethan standing behind. Upon seeing his characteristic wistful gaze, her warinesspletely disappeared. Scarlet slowly rose from her spot. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯d be happy to.¡± She then immediately approached Ethan. *** Tea House. After changing locations, Ethan listened to her situation. ¡°My name is Scarlet Saint Pierre. As you can see, I¡¯m a mage specializing in colors. I research color-dyeing magic for equipment and clothing alike.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers. A teacher at Ivecar Academy.¡± While she didn¡¯t seem to recognize Ethan¡¯s name, the name of Ivecar Academy and his high prestige definitely registered. ¡°You must be a great person! A teacher at that prestigious academy!¡± When Ethan carefully asked her about the details, she eagerly exined her situation. ¡°So you see!¡± As soon as she started her story, she couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. Her hands were trembling with how upset and angry she was. Like Ethan, Scarlet had alsoe to register her magic with this Magic Association. Registering magic with the association would allow for official recognition. Additionally, there were various benefits to be gained. ¡°My color-dyeing magic is clearly different from the regr Color Magic. It¡¯s magic that contains colors that could turn the world upside down.¡± Scarlet spoke about colors as she said this. ¡°I can produce far more colors than what the basic color-dyeing magic can. It¡¯s magic that¡¯s more than enough to register with the association. But as soon as the Magic Association examined the value of my magic, they kicked me out.¡± Scarlet sighed. The association had rejected her attempt to register her magic, iming there were already simr existing magics, and kicked her out. Scarlet refused to ept this and gathered evidence to challenge it, but the result she received was the worst possible. ¡°There were many rumors about the Magic Association, so I had some apprehensions. But I thought they wouldn¡¯t stoop to the level of back-alley thugs. But¡­ huh.¡± After kicking Scarlet out, the Magic Association brought forth one mage to register a magic identical to the one she had tried to register. ¡°What else could they be but a gang of thugs? So I got angry and protested, but I was just kicked out again.¡± Scarlet sighed. Hearing the story, Yerica wore an expression mixed with doubt. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t it just a magic to change colors?¡± At Yerica¡¯s question, Scarlet wore an angry expression. Especially since Yerica seemed like a skilled mage, her anger red up even more. ¡°Yes. But does that make it a shoddy magic?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was a shoddy magic.¡± However, as if she had touched a nerve, Scarlet snapped sharply. ¡°Are there only attack magics? Are attack magics the best? I¡¯m saying that not only 7th-circle, 8th-circle, or 9th-circle magics are great magics! You know nothing about color! Look at this cloth! Do you think this color and this color are the same?¡± What she showed were two pieces of red cloth. ¡°Aren¡¯t they both red?¡± ¡°Ha! No, they are not.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Yerica crossed her arms. She was recalling her time at the Magic Tower. The current mages running the Lightweight Workshop who performed attribute enhancements. The attribute enhancements they did were just magics that ¡®pretended¡¯ to be attribute enhancements. The Scarlet in front of her gave her a simr feeling to those mages. Of course, that wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing, but to Yerica, they were still iprehensible. ¡°Please calm down.¡± Ethan spoke to Scarlet with a smile. ¡°Did you also dye the clothes you¡¯re wearing with your color-dyeing magic?¡± ¡°Yes, you can tell.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just red. There¡¯s a slight cherry tint mixed with gray. If I were to name it, it would be something like gray cherry.¡± Yerica suddenly stared intently at Ethan, wondering what he was talking about. Gray cherry? She thought Scarlet mightsh out at Ethan just as she had done to her. But the reaction waspletely different. Her alreadyrge eyes grew evenrger. Scarlet carefully asked Ethan. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°I¡¯m also a little interested in colors. So I know a bit about colors. You really have an exquisite color arrangement. A magic that can create such subtle differences between seemingly simr colors.¡± Ethan spoke as he looked at Scarlet. ¡°There may not be a mage on the continent who can match you in color-dyeing magic.¡± At those words, Scarlet gulped down a dry swallow for a moment. ¡°¡­Do you really think so?¡± ¡°Others might have said they¡¯re the same color, but to me, there¡¯s a clear difference. A subtle difference. With these subtle differences, you can create countless variations on the base red color. If there are a hundred people in the world, there would be a hundred different tastes. Every red is red while not being red.¡± He then examined the two pieces of cloth she had handed over even more closely. ¡°At the moment, you may be the only one who can ssify colors to this degree with color-dyeing magic.¡± At Ethan¡¯s praise, Scarlet simply blinked in seeming bewilderment. Until now, she had never received recognition from anyone. She had been mocked for researching useless magic, and mocked for iming different colors were different despite being the same color. It wasmon for her to be told that a mage like her had no value whatsoever. She had even been told that her magic was nothing more than giarism of another magic. Her life had been suffering itself. And yet, she did not stop creating colors. She had started researching because she fell in love with the beauty of colors, and she didn¡¯t want to give up until this magic was recognized. She wished everyone would recognize the beauty of colors. Of course, there were many times when this resolve nearly broke. There were many times when those she trusted mocked her behind her back. More than anything, there were times when she wasn¡¯t treated as a mage. They told Scarlet to research normal magic like other mages. What was normal? Did this color magic not fall within the realm of normal magic? Scarlet¡¯s self-esteem could not ept their ims. She considered herself a mage. But when she was vilified and kicked out by the Magic Association, she felt like giving up entirely. And she began to doubt. Was the path she had walked a dead end? But it wasn¡¯t. This person she met for the first time today, this person who understood color as well as she did, was recognizing her. ¡°The sense of handling colors. If I may dare to give you a nickname, Miss Scarlet, yes, the Color Mage. A mage who can handle all colors.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, tears fell from Scarlet¡¯s bewildered eyes. ¡®She must have suffered greatly.¡¯ Like the mages of the Magic Tower, the mages of the world had such lofty egos that they naturally discriminated tremendously. Ethan gave Yerica a signal. It seemed like an indication that now was the chance to apologize. ¡°Miss Scarlet, I¡¯m sorry. I unintentionally offended you.¡± ¡°Waaahh¡­¡± As Yerica apologized, Scarlet clung to her as if she had been waiting for it. With Yerica¡¯s tall stature, it looked like a big sister hugging her little sister. Flustered, Yerica didn¡¯t know what to do but slowly patted Scarlet¡¯s back to console her. Yerica could understand Scarlet, if only a little. Meanwhile, Mirhak from the Ga Merchant Guild, who had witnessed this entire process, couldn¡¯t help but be amazed inwardly. To earn that level of trust from someone he had just met today. His superior Yuna was always a thorough person, and she would evaluate people in detail. But when she talked about this Ethan, she simply described him as an incredible person. Mirhak felt he understood why Yuna had said that. ¡°Miss Scarlet.¡± Ethan extended his hand to Scarlet, who had calmed down somewhat. Now was the perfect timing. ¡°I will help you get your stolen magic back. In return¡­¡± Ethan said. ¡°How about making a contract with me?¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 138: Magic Association (3) Chapter 138: Magic Association (3) Magic Association (3) ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Scarlet nodded her head vigorously as she spoke. Yerica, who was standing next to her, thought that Scarlet would ept without even hearing the terms of the contract. After all, Ethan had already created a situation where she had no choice. As always, Yerica would have done the same if she were in Scarlet¡¯s position. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to¡­ hear the terms of the contract?¡± Mirhak chimed in without realizing it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sir Ethan.¡±¡°You¡¯re a merchant, after all.¡± Ethan nodded as if he understood. In fact, Ethan agreed. The terms of the contract should be heard. ¡°You should hear the contract I¡¯m proposing, Miss Scarlet.¡± ¡°As long as it¡¯s not a ve contract, it¡¯s fine.¡± Scarlet smiled brightly. There were still tears in her eyes, but she was in a refreshing mood. ¡°It could be a ve contract.¡± Yerica muttered in passing. Fortunately, Scarlet didn¡¯t seem to hear. ¡°I¡¯ll listen anyway.¡± ¡°I will restore your magic. I will erase the name of the other mage registered with the Magic Association and have your name, Scarlet, registered for the dyeing magic.¡± ¡°And the conditions?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do business with that magic together.¡± Ethan said. Mirhak frowned without realizing it. There¡¯s a mistake that novice merchants make most often. That¡¯s bringing up business to mages. ¡®It¡¯s something you can barely bring up after building numerous connections with that mage and entertaining them multiple times.¡¯ To say such a thing to a mage you¡¯ve met for the first time today? The good atmosphere wouldpletely disappear, and an ufortable one would be created. No, if it were just an ufortable atmosphere, it could beughed off. It was not umon for rtionships to bepletely severed, going beyond just an ufortable atmosphere. After painstakingly entertaining a mage and generating familiarity, that one word couldpletely change the situation. That¡¯s how much pride mages took in their magic. ¡°Um, Sir Ethan.¡± Mirhak immediately opened his mouth to calm the situation. But something about the atmosphere was strange. It wasn¡¯t the atmosphere he was expecting. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll do that.¡± Scarlet, who had tremendous pride in her dyeing magic. Even from their brief conversation, it was clear how much effort she put into her dyeing magic. But she nods so easily? A mage? Mirhak looked back and forth between Ethan and Scarlet in confusion. Schudlen put his hand on Mirhak¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Would you like a drink, Sir Mirhak?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, thank you.¡± Ethan already knew that Scarlet would ept. ¡®After all, the reason she came to register with the Magic Association wasn¡¯t simply to have the value of her magic recognized.¡¯ She was different from other mages. She¡¯s someone who has abandoned everything that mages think in order to prove that the path she¡¯s walking is right. ¡®That¡¯s why she became rich by creating the continent¡¯s leading dyeing magic workshop.¡¯ She had originally nned to register her magic here at the Magic Association and start a business. In such a situation, when Ethan proposed business, she immediately nodded. ¡®She has no choice but to take it positively.¡¯ ¡°But Sir Ethan. Is my magic really valuable? When you said we¡¯d do business. Can it really be sessful?¡± Although she reacted positively, she didn¡¯t seem to havepletely eliminated her anxiety. It¡¯s understandable. Until now, her magic had only been treated as useless. Could such magic really have business value? ¡®It¡¯s natural to be anxious. So I¡¯ll give her confidence here.¡¯ Ethan already knows. That this business will definitely seed. But she knows nothing. She¡¯s just a mage walking in darkness where she can¡¯t see an inch ahead. ¡°Miss Scarlet¡¯s dyeing magic will definitely catch on in the market. First, let me tell you how I¡¯m doing business.¡± Ethan told Scarlet about selling Lightweight Workshop and attribute-granting magic. ¡°What?!¡± She was surprised once at Lightweight Workshop and then greatly surprised again at the mention of attribute-granting magic. The mages at the Magic Tower who were researching attribute-granting magic were simr to Scarlet. They were people who believed that their research direction was not wrong while studying non-mainstream magic. Of course, since Scarlet had alreadypleted her dyeing magic, it could be said that she had developed more than them. ¡°And special golem magic on top of that. All the businesses using magic have been sessful so far.¡± Scarlet felt proud at Ethan¡¯s words. Because such a person highly evaluated her color. It felt like she was finally being properly recognized. ¡°To think that Miss Yerica here was in charge of Lightweight Workshop and special golems.¡± Scarlet looked at Yerica. ¡°Earlier, when you said my dyeing magic was just changing colors, I thought you had no knowledge in this area at all.¡± ¡°¡­To be honest, I don¡¯t know much.¡± ¡°But her skills are amazing. Among the mages I¡¯ve seen, no one is as good as Yerica. In fact, today we came to register Yerica¡¯s new magic with the Magic Association.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ You must be very skilled!¡± ¡°Um¡­ well, haha.¡± Yerica said sheepishly. It felt ticklish to be praised by someone other than Ethan, which didn¡¯t happen often. ¡°You should get used to it, Yerica.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m satisfied with just you praising me, Ethan.¡± Yerica replied with a sheepish smile. *** Scarlet continued to talk about colors with Ethan as they went to the Magic Association. Until now, she had never met someone who understood colors so well, so she never had the opportunity to discuss colors with anyone else. ¡°You see, I paid a lot of attention to this part. People don¡¯t really understand. They think all red is the same red¡­ How do you have such deep knowledge about colors?¡± Ethan knew so much about colors that even Scarlet, who had been researching colors for 10 years, was amazed. Above all, his eye for judging colors was exceptional. ¡°Other people can¡¯t even distinguish them at all.¡± Ethan smiled as he looked at the astonished Scarlet. ¡®Color is an essential element in creating a look.¡¯ Ethan had paid a great deal of attention to his look throughout his MePan experience. It was a kind of concept y, but almost everyone who did MePan engaged in concept y. ¡®I bought so much from Scarlet¡¯s store. As a result, my eye for color improved.¡¯ At first, Ethan also had times when he wondered why they set different names for what seemed to be the same color. But as he got used to seeing them, he began to notice those subtle differences. ¡®Even among red dyes, there are some with an orange tinge. If you use that orange-tinged dye on a sword and add attributes to it.¡¯ Then a perfect fire-flowing me sword is created. Of course, there¡¯s no real fire attribute there. It just looks that way on the outside. Yerica probably wouldn¡¯t understand the value of this me sword. She would ask what the point is. ¡®The meaning isn¡¯t important.¡¯ What¡¯s important is the style. ¡®Because it looks cool.¡¯ That¡¯s the only reason for doing it. ¡°I also paid a lot of attention to colors. As I looked at them often, I started to see the differences in colors.¡± Scarlet was deeply moved by these words. It was natural for her to be speechless with emotion, as the only person who understood her life of researching color magic had appeared. Ethan naturally listened to her words as they moved. ¡°Huh? Weren¡¯t we going to the Magic Association?¡± ¡°Mister Mirhak.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir Ethan.¡± Ethan approached Mirhak and whispered. -Please put out a search for one person. He intended to quickly collect one piece of evidence before going to the Magic Association. ¡®They must have been profiting a lot already.¡¯ The name Ethan gave was that of someone who handled various tasks for the Magic Association certification examiner. ¡°I¡¯ll put out the search right away.¡± ¡°You may need to use force to bring him in. He¡¯s not a good guy. There¡¯s no need to be polite in bringing him.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± Mirhak immediately ran off and soon returned. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for him to be brought to the association.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± Magic Association. As soon as Ethan¡¯s group entered the building, Mirhak took the lead. ¡°I¡¯m Mirhak from the Ga Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°Oh, Mister Mirhak. Have youe to deliver the materials I mentioned before?¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯ll handle that separately. We¡¯re not here for that reason today. Today we¡¯vee to register magic certification.¡± ¡°I see the guests are the people behind you.¡± The association¡¯s mage greeted them politely. ¡°You can go straight up to the 15th floor. When you get there, a mage from our Magic Tower will kindly guide you.¡± Magic Tower 15th floor. This was the ce in charge of all magic registrations. Before entering, Ethan spoke with Yerica. It was better to use an alias here rather than her real name. ¡°Let¡¯s go with Yekaterina.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Ethan casually gave Yerica an alias. As they reached the 15th floor, Mirhak confidently said to Ethan. ¡°I heard the person in charge is picky. But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°It probably won¡¯t go well.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°If the person I know is the certification examiner, it probably won¡¯t go well even if you mention the Ga Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°Ah, no. That can¡¯t be. Ga currently supplies dozens of items to the Magic Association. And most of them are essential for this association! This is a magic registration for someone directly vouched for by our Ga Merchant Guild. Unless there¡¯s a really valid reason, they¡¯ll definitely approve it.¡± Mirhak said emphatically. ¡°And I¡¯vee representing the Ga Merchant Guild. I¡¯vee to exercise all the rights that Ga can exert over the Magic Association.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fortunate. Then I¡¯ll leave the aftermath to you.¡± ¡°The aftermath?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t give a detailed exnation. ¡°Wee!¡± Scarlet¡¯s expression hardened as she returned to the 15th floor. The mages who had stolen her magic and driven her out were still sitting there. Ethan followed Scarlet¡¯s gaze. ¡®As expected, that guy is the person in charge.¡¯ It was a mage with a ponytail and arrow-like beard. He looked quite intelligent wearing a monocle, but Ethan knew his true nature. ¡®A thief.¡¯ He was a guy who stole numerous magics and took bribes while sitting in that position. Ethan smiled at him. ¡°Ha, this is something. How did you get in this time? I¡¯ve chased you away so many times. No, I told you! Your magic is already existing magic, right? It¡¯s already registered magic and the level is low, so what did we steal from you?¡± The pony tailed mage sighed and looked at Scarlet. Scarlet, who was about to burst out in excitement, held back and stepped back. This was because Ethan had said he would handle everything after entering the association. ¡°Did you bring her in just listening to that mage¡¯s nonsense? Get out right now! We never register magic unless it¡¯s absolutely certain.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers.¡± Normally, this pony tailed mage would have snorted and kicked out Ethan, an unknown nobleman. But as if something had urred to him, he suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Ethan. ¡°Are you that Ethan Whiskers?¡± Ethan¡¯s high reputation came into y. Thanks to the reputation he had built up at the academy, the pony tailed mage quickly recognized Ethan. Ethan briefly introduced himself and then introduced Mirhak. ¡°This is a representative from the Ga Merchant Guild.¡± ¡°Oh, someone from the Ga Merchant Guild. Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Tresis, the certification examiner in charge of magic registration at the Magic Association.¡± His expression softened when Mirhak was introduced. Mirhak smiled, finally recalling Ethan¡¯s words that it probably wouldn¡¯t go well. ¡°Our Ga¡¯s guest hase to register a magic with the association.¡± ¡°Then you have nothing to do with that young mage, right?¡± ¡°We came to hear the circumstances, as we heard her magic was stolen.¡± ¡°Come on, this is the Magic Association, the Magic Association. It¡¯s an association of numerous Magic Towers, and our association chairman is a 7th Circle Archmage. We were at the forefront when punishing that crazy mage Hecate, how can you view us like this!¡± At those words, Yerica¡¯s eyebrows twitched. She looked like she wanted to throw a punch right away. ¡°So you¡¯re saying it¡¯s a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s a misunderstanding. Sigh, since you¡¯ve brought them in, I won¡¯t chase them out right away. But don¡¯t get involved with such low-quality people.¡± Tresis sighed and said. ¡°So what kind of magic are you trying to register? Did you bring all the documents?¡± ¡°Here they are.¡± Ethan immediately handed over a parchment. It was a parchment with Clean Magic detailed on it. Tresis read the parchment Ethan handed over in detail. ¡°Huh? It erases all pollutants¡­?¡± Tresis¡¯s eyes shone. It was a look thoroughly drenched in greed. ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll conduct the certification examination for now. But don¡¯t expect too much. This level of magic is everywhere, especially Clean Magic is toomon. It might not get certified.¡± ¡°Take your time.¡± Ethan could be certain from that look in his eyes. ¡®He¡¯s going to steal it.¡¯ It was obvious at a nce. ¡°Please wait in the waiting room.¡± The magic certification examination is divided into two processes. The first is a document review and the second is a practical examination. The documents submitted for the document review had to detail the content and technique of the magic, so if one had bad intentions, it was naturally easy to steal. ¡®I look forward to it.¡¯ *** ¡°Hehehe, dyeing magic and Clean Magic. It¡¯s only a matter of time before I¡¯m sitting on a pile of money if I have the copyright to such good magic. And if I sell these magics properly¡­ I can be promised a higher position in the association.¡± Tresisughed vilely as he daydreamed. ¡°But I might still be suspected.¡± He had deliberately rejected Scarlet Saint Pierre¡¯s excellent dyeing magic just before. And hepleted the copyright registration of that magic by bringing in a new mage. The mage who registered the magic was one Tresis could trust. Because they had been doing this kind of thing together for quite a long time, the other side also made a lot of money from this work. ¡°The Ga Merchant Guild is a bit concerning, but¡­¡± The Ga Merchant Guild had quite a close rtionship with the Magic Association. But the association was still the superior party. Since the Ga Merchant Guild gained quite a lot through connections with the association, they wouldn¡¯t be able toin much about this matter unless it went seriously wrong. ¡°It¡¯s just Clean Magic anyway. It¡¯s somon.¡± Isn¡¯t Clean Magic all the same anyway? ¡°Besides, I can¡¯t trust these documents. She¡¯s not even affiliated with any Magic Tower, just an escort mage. Yekaterina? I¡¯ve never heard that name before.¡± Of course, this escort mage was guarding Ethan Whiskers. A renowned swordsman and teacher at the prestigious Ivecar Academy. It could be troublesome if the matter grewrger. ¡®But it¡¯s just Clean Magic after all.¡¯ Only mages know the value of magic. Although Ethan Whiskers has a high reputation, isn¡¯t he just a swordsman in the end? You can tell just by the two swords hanging at his waist. With that, Tresis stamped [Failed] on the certification mark and immediately started working. He was nning to cleanly steal Clean Magic by preparing documents. Having spent quite a long time as the association¡¯s certification examiner, it was very easy for him to hijack the copyright of magic. ¡°Is the examination result out?¡± At that moment, Ethan came in. Tresis shook his head with a regretful expression. Then he handed over the parchment and said. ¡°Here¡¯s the examination result. Clean Magic is toomon to be certified. Well, if it were an extraordinary magic, certification would be possible, but this level of magic is too abundant¡­¡± ¡°Abundant? Are you sure you read it properly?¡± When Ethan raised his voice, Tresis waved his hand. ¡°Please calm down. It¡¯s unbing for a renowned knight to raise his voice. This is the Magic Association.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying it can¡¯t be registered because it¡¯s toomon?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Tresis put on an artificial expression as if he was regretful. ¡°Then goodbye.¡± Ethan¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t good, but Tresis didn¡¯t even snort. Whatever that swordsman could do, it was nothing. Surely he wouldn¡¯t cause a scene and demand evidence¡­ ¡°You¡¯re quite the thief.¡± Ethan grinned. It was as if he knew this would happen from the beginning. ¡°Wh-what? What did you just say¡­?¡± ¡°Schudlen!¡± ¡°Yes, Lord Ethan.¡± Ethan called for Schudlen who was waiting behind. Schudlen brought in the group. As Scarlet entered, Schudlen naturally closed and locked the door of the 15th floor magic certification center. Click-! ¡°Please instill some manners into this rascal of a mage. He says Yekaterina¡¯s Clean Magic is ordinary. He must surely have a good eye for magic, having seen countless magics. Especially focus on the eyes.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Schudlen approached Tresis without even drawing a weapon. ¡°I am Schudlen, the manners instructor of Whiskers territory.¡± ¡°Y-yes, manners instructor? Who gave you such a nick-!¡± ¡°I just made it up, right now.¡± Schudlen smiled and cracked his neck from side to side. Feeling that the situation was turning strange, Tresis immediately grabbed the staff at his waist. He tried to activate a defensive magic, but Schudlen was faster. Tresis, who was grabbed by the cor in an instant, shouted urgently. ¡°Wh-where do you think this is! This is the Magic Association! Do you think you¡¯ll be safe after doing this!¡± ¡°Mister Mirhak.¡± Ethan looked at Mirhak. Mirhak blinked his eyes as if he didn¡¯t know this was the kind of aftermath Ethan had asked him to handle. But he soon nodded. The association wouldn¡¯t want to fall out with Ga over just one mage. After all, the rtionship between the Ga Merchant Guild and the association isn¡¯t that light. ¡°Our Ga Merchant Guild will take responsibility.¡± ¡°Yekaterina, you heard that?¡± ¡°Yes, I heard.¡± Yerica had been angry since earlier. ¡°Schudlen, Yekaterina. Just to the point where he doesn¡¯t die, only instill some manners.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Okay.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 139: I Know Everything Chapter 139: I Know Everything I Know Everything An enraged Yerica was terrifying. Schudlen merely held Tresis down so he couldn¡¯t move. It was entirely Yerica who dealt with Tresis. ¡°You piece of trash, how dare you in front of me.¡± ¡°Urk, gack.¡± Yerica actively used the magic she inherited from Hecate. How dare he insult her grandfather in front of her. She thought that indeed, all the association bastards should be killed. As she attacked Tresis with numerous spells as if to kill him, the mages who were working with Tresis became terrified. They weren¡¯t fully grasping the current situation.It was truly a sudden and unprecedented event. Even though at least one of them wanted to go out and report this situation, they couldn¡¯t move properly because Ethan was blocking the way. ¡°Why, why are you doing this?¡± ¡°Do you really not know?¡± Ethan coldly said while looking at them. ¡°You mages should know better. How despicable the things you¡¯ve been doing are.¡± ¡°We just¡­!¡± ¡°You¡¯re only in charge of the overall magic registration for the rights and interests of mages. But you¡¯re evaluating and criticizing as if you were archmages. Do you think that¡¯s right?¡± If he had gotten angry, they could have at least made excuses. The mages shut their mouths at Ethan¡¯s icy voice. They felt that if they made any excuses here, their necks would be cut right away. ¡®The reason they could do such trashy things without any trouble is because, after all, the association has authority.¡¯ It¡¯s certain that even though the Magic Association is trash, it¡¯s a ce with tremendous authority. That¡¯s why even as the number of victims suffering from the association increased, numerous mages continued toe to the association. After all, they properly registered the magic of high-circle mages that was really difficult for magic department circles to handle. ¡®It¡¯s also rted to the Twelve Families, and above all, the Magic Tower owner is a 7th circle Archmage.¡¯ Ethan looked at Tresis. Tresis was in a mess due to Yerica. ¡®Basically, I¡¯ve aimed to y in a way that doesn¡¯t make enemies.¡¯ But as you move, you inevitably end up making enemies. ¡®If you make an enemy, you must thoroughly crush that enemy.¡¯ That¡¯s how to avoid troubleter. Scarlet, who was watching the scene, was just blinking her eyes. Her expression seemed to ask if this was really okay. ¡°Yekaterina.¡± ¡°Yes, Ethan. This much¡­¡± Having sufficiently vented her anger, Yerica took rough breaths. Tresis was already a mess and kept begging to be spared. Ethan approached such a Tresis. ¡°How many mages must have said such words to you? This magic is my magic. Please don¡¯t take it away. Even our Miss Scarlet here said so just now. You said absolutely not, didn¡¯t you?¡± Ethan picked up the parchment ced on Tresis¡¯s desk. When he unfolded the parchment, the content of Scarlet¡¯s magic registered with only the name changed was fully visible. ¡°But here¡¯s the evidence?¡± ¡°Urghhhh¡­¡± Tresis groaned. ¡°Yekaterina, make it more certain. So he can never do this kind of thing again.¡± When Ethan, who Yerica thought would tell her to stop, told her to make it certain, Yerica gritted her teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll make it certain! Miss Scarlet, would you like to join?¡± She didn¡¯t want to stop here anyway. When Yerica asked, Scarlet hesitated but soon nodded. ¡°Schudlen, wait by the door. The association¡¯s executives will being down soon.¡± Since they¡¯ve caused such amotion, the association¡¯s executives wille to see what¡¯s happening. Until now, there probably hasn¡¯t been anyone who dared to cause a disturbance in the association, but Ethan was different. ¡°Mister Mirhak.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Mirhak was calcting in his head. The association will definitely not let this incident slide. Even if it¡¯s the association¡¯s fault, they will demand responsibility for attacking a mage like this in the Magic Association. But Ethan looked at Mirhak as if to say not to worry. ¡°Because we have definitive evidence. The person I asked you to put out a wanted notice for is evidence of Tresis¡¯s wrongdoings.¡± ¡°You already had evidence?¡± Since Mirhak still didn¡¯t know Ethan well, he thought he had acted out of anger. ¡°Yes.¡± If there¡¯s definitive evidence, it can be overlooked even if an association-affiliated mage is beaten to a pulp. Rather, Ga¡¯s side could make a fuss and talk aboutpensation. ¡®Did he knows from the beginning that it would turn out like this?¡¯ Mirhak couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in admiration. Despite clearly saying it was a person vouched for by Ga, to embezzle like this. How corrupt is the association? Ethan sat in a chair and waited, looking towards the door. Bang bang bang-! As soon as he sat down, the mages outside knocked on the door. ¡°Let them in.¡± When Schudlen opened the door, the displeased expressions of the mages were visible. The mages who were about to enter immediately looked at Ethan sitting there. The mages flinched momentarily at the aura emanating from Ethan. It felt like they shouldn¡¯t go inside for some reason. But the mage at the very back came straight in. ¡°What is the meaning of this!¡± ¡°You ask what this is?¡± Ethan looked at the mage while sitting in his ce. ¡®6th circle, Metheus, head of the association¡¯s disciplinary unit.¡¯ He looked slightly younger than the face he knew, but his skills seemed simr then and now. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the head of the disciplinary unit!¡± Mirhak stepped forward. ¡°¡­Mirhak Mirhak, what on earth is this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I want to ask! I never thought you wouldmit such rudeness to a mage vouched for by our Ga Merchant Guild!¡± ¡°Rudeness? What rudeness? Our mage has been beaten to a pulp, and you call it rudeness?¡± ¡°Urghhhh¡­¡± Tresis spat out his broken teeth. He had already lost two front teeth, and his eyes were swollen from how much he had been hit. ¡°Stop this!¡± Even though the disciplinary unit in charge of the association¡¯s dirty work and force had entered, Yerica and Scarlet didn¡¯t stop. What Yerica had been ordered by Ethan was to deal with him so he could never do such a thing again. Of course, while sparing his life. The angry head of the disciplinary unit reached out his hand. But the head of the disciplinary unit, who was about to cast a spell, had to stop. It was because Ethan had drawn his sword. Crackle-. His lightning sword scattered yellow lightning around. ¡°You seem to be the head of the disciplinary unit, but we are meting out punishment on behalf of the association to a troublesome employee. Shouldn¡¯t you not interfere then?¡± At the academy, he naturally had to act like a teacher. But there was no need to act like a teacher outside the academy. ¡°Meting out punishment on our behalf, what nonsense! This is one-sided violence!¡± ¡°Violence, you say. Do you see the mage over there meting out punishment along with our escort mage? She tried to register a dyeing magic but had that magic stolen. Me too. My business partner¡¯s magic was rejected as is.¡± Ethan said this and threw the parchment of Clean Magic. The head of the disciplinary unit who caught it immediately looked at the parchment. It was a parchment with a clear fail mark stamped on it. ¡°What is this¡­¡± The expression of the head of the disciplinary unit, who was reading the contents, hardened. The Clean Magic written on the parchment Ethan gave was not ordinary Clean Magic. Existing Clean Magic is divided into several branches. This is because they can each remove different types of contamination magic. However, this Clean Magic was different. It could remove all types of contaminants and had many additional effects. In short, it was superior to any Clean Magic that hade out so far. If you were an association mage, no, at least a certification examiner, it wasn¡¯t a magic that you would fail. Yet it had a fail certification mark stamped on it. ¡°From this, we can know two things. If the fail was given by mistake, it¡¯s the association¡¯s fault for putting an unqualified person as an examiner. If they gave a fail knowing this, there must be some reason, so it¡¯s the association¡¯s fault for putting such a person as an examiner.¡± For whatever reason, the association couldn¡¯t be free from me. Before the head of the disciplinary unit coulde to his senses, Ethan¡¯s words continued. ¡°And there¡¯s one more thing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s more? Like this?¡± ¡°The magic I mentioned earlier that was stolen.¡± Ethan handed over the parchment with the content and form of the dyeing magic he had received from Scarlet. It also had a fail certification mark stamped on it. Moreover, in this case, Tresis had quickly registered a simr magic. ¡°He saw this parchment and copied it to register a simr magic¡± ¡°What on earth is this¡­¡± The head of the disciplinary unit, who read the parchment next, couldn¡¯t help but tremble. It was perfect evidence. Evidence of all the wrongdoingsmitted by Tresis, the examiner. It was to the extent that he couldn¡¯t even make an excuse. ¡°Is this still one-sided violence? Or have we meted out punishment on your behalf? It seems the association should give up its name at this rate. Instead of protecting the public interest of mages, you¡¯re thoroughly pursuing private interests.¡± ¡°Kuk¡­¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the head of the disciplinary unit had no choice but to keep his mouth shut like a mute who had eaten honey. ¡°Please tell us clearly, head of the disciplinary unit. We can¡¯t just let this slide!¡± With most opponents, even if they were in the wrong, they could suppress them with power and authority. But the opponent was the Ga Merchant Guild, and a person vouched for by that Merchant Guild. Moreover, Ethan¡¯s high reputation definitely affected the head of the disciplinary unit. ¡®There are certainly advantages to having a high reputation like this.¡¯ Even without explicitly revealing that he was a teacher at the academy, thanks to his high reputation, the other side couldn¡¯t move recklessly. ¡°For now, it¡¯s certainly wrong regarding this case, but the evidence that Tresis did such a thing¡­¡± At that moment, the sound of someone running urgently was heard. ¡°Mister Mirhak!¡± Hearing the voice calling for him, Mirhak smiled and looked at the head of the disciplinary unit. ¡°We have definitive evidence.¡± *** ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ I registered the name instead and gave all the profits that could be obtained from there to Mister Tresis. Sob.¡± It was definitive evidence. The head of the disciplinary unit could no longer deny it. ¡°It¡¯s our side¡¯s fault. We¡¯re truly sorry.¡± The head of the disciplinary unit¡¯s tone hadpletely changed. ¡°That¡¯s not enough. We need to talk with the Magic Tower owner.¡± Mirhak and the head of the disciplinary unit were surprised by Ethan¡¯s blunt words. Mirhak thought they would roughly end it at the level of the head of the disciplinary unit. But the Magic Tower owner? ¡®We need to escte this further.¡¯ Ethan intended to definitely escte the situation. Only by going up to the Magic Tower owner could they receive properpensation. The reason was simple. This incident was rted all the way up to the Magic Tower owner. The head of the disciplinary unit made a troubled expression but soon nodded. It wasn¡¯t something he could handle at his level. ¡°I¡¯ll inform the tower owner for now.¡± And not long after, the head of the disciplinary unit returned. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The head of the disciplinary unit guided the group to the Magic Tower owner¡¯s room. Finally arriving and opening the door, a huge Magic Tower owner¡¯s room greeted the group. ¡°Wee. I heard our magemitted a discourtesy.¡± There was a mage wearing a pointed hat with a long gray beard. The head of the Magic Association and the owner of the Magic Tower. It was Munin Decale. ¡°From what I hear, it seems we¡¯ve been discourteous in many ways due to the magic certification issue. Let¡¯s sit down and talk first.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do that.¡± Ethan smiled and entered for now. ¡®Keep allies close.¡¯ And enemies even closer. So that the other side doesn¡¯t think of you as an enemy. *** ¡°A problem has urred. So how¡¯s Tresis¡¯s condition?¡± ¡°He¡¯s severely injured. He¡¯s not dead, but¡­¡± ¡°Stupid fool. He should have done it in moderation.¡± The Magic Tower owner sighed. In fact, the Magic Tower owner was also fully aware of the corruption Tresis was engaging in. The reason he left it alone was that the Magic Tower owner was receiving thergest share of the profits from Tresis¡¯s magic embezzlement. ¡°We¡¯ll have to give them somepensation and send them back. We can¡¯t afford to fall out with the Ga Merchant Guild right now.¡± The Magic Tower owner who greeted Ethan immediately sat him down. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this.¡± He was willing to grant anything as long as thepensation wasn¡¯t excessive. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely deal with the examiner. To think he was doing such things. So how should wepensate you?¡± ¡°Compensation isn¡¯t necessary.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Ethan said once more. ¡°I don¡¯t wantpensation.¡± And then he stared straight at the Magic Tower owner. The Magic Tower owner didn¡¯t avoid that gaze. ¡®What¡¯s with this guy? He doesn¡¯t want it? Suddenly? Didn¡¯t hee to me seekingpensation?¡¯ There was something strange about the look in his eyes. ¡°There¡¯s no need to make this a big issue. Of course, I agree with firing that examiner.¡± Ethan said this while tapping the table, tap, tap. The sound of tapping on the table slowly spread around. ¡°There must be quite a few people involved, wouldn¡¯t the association be turned upside down? I don¡¯t want it to go that far.¡± At those words, the Magic Tower owner¡¯s expressionpletely hardened. ¡®This guy.¡¯ He clearly knows something. ¡°No, no. I¡¯ll definitelypensate you. You should receivepensation for this!¡± The Magic Tower owner was quick-witted. Even though he said he didn¡¯t wantpensation, that wasn¡¯t the truth. ¡®He knows everything, so he¡¯s telling me to give properpensation as hush money!¡¯ ¡°If you¡¯re going to do that, I¡¯ll ept it for now.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll grant anything I can. I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± ¡°What I want is¡­¡± Unexpected words flowed from Ethan¡¯s mouth. ¡°Please give me the position of certification examiner.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 140: What You Want Chapter 140: What You Want What You Want ¡®It¡¯s certainly worth having built up a reputation.¡¯ Ethan inwardly smiled as he observed the Magic Tower owner¡¯s stern expression. ¡®Normally, even if I knew about the Magic Tower owner¡¯s corruption, he wouldn¡¯t adopt such a submissive attitude.¡¯ It was only natural. The Magic Tower owner had intentionally turned a blind eye to Tresis¡¯s corruption and was reaping numerous benefits behind the scenes. The Magic Tower owner wasn¡¯t foolish enough to not realize what could happen if his involvement in Tresis¡¯s corruption came to light. ¡®He must have made all the preparations.¡¯ He would have made arrangements to shake off any dirt on himself and pin it on someone else.If that happened, it would be useless for anyone who knew the truth to try and implicate the Magic Tower owner. However, the current Ethan had quite a high reputation built up at the academy. Reputation is power. ¡®With a high reputation, my words carry more weight. With my current high reputation, the Magic Tower owner can¡¯t ignore my words and sweep the corruption under the rug.¡¯ Ethan¡¯s high reputation was forcing the Magic Tower owner¡¯s hand. ¡®The possibility, however small, is what matters.¡¯ The higher the position, the more wary one had to be of equally powerful forces colliding with it. ¡°You¡¯re asking for the position of certification examiner?¡± The Magic Tower owner, who had been maintaining a submissive attitude, once again exuded his characteristic aura at Ethan¡¯s words. No matter how much Ethan knew about this corruption, this request was certainly not an easy one to grant. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m saying. Please give that position to my escort mage, Yekaterina. Aspensation for this incident.¡± Ethan paid no heed to the Magic Tower owner¡¯s strong pressure, which was enough to make one¡¯s skin prickle. Although his mana was significantly lower, Ethan had Hero¡¯s Breathing. -Hero¡¯s Breathing is activated. He could withstand the Magic Tower owner¡¯s pressure to any degree. ¡°No matter how much we¡¯ve wronged you and your escort mage, we can¡¯t give the certification examiner position aspensation. It¡¯s a position of great responsibility. It¡¯s not a position we can give to just anyone. Because it¡¯s in charge of the most important part of the association, we can only give this position to a mage who belongs to the association. I¡¯m sorry, but¡­¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll join the association.¡± Ethan said this and nodded to Yerica. Yerica handed over a parchment. It was a parchment of Clean Magic with arge failed certification mark stamped on it. The Magic Tower owner¡¯s expression hardened as he read the parchment he received. The Clean Magic written on the parchment was superior to any Clean Magic that had been revealed to the world so far. If one could devise and directly use such Clean Magic, they were more than qualified to enter the association. ¡°I think she¡¯s more than qualified to enter the association. So, that resolves the issue of being a mage belonging to the association that you mentioned, and her skills have been confirmed with this Clean Magic, right?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°You told me to state thepensation I wanted. So I did.¡± Ethan shrugged as if it was no big deal. ¡°If you say you can¡¯t give it, as I said before, I don¡¯t need anypensation.¡± The Magic Tower owner looked at Ethan. Ethan was wearing an expression that suggested he really didn¡¯t mind not receivingpensation. ¡°I came here to register magic in the first ce. If I can properly register the magic, that¡¯s fine.¡± Ethan added to that. ¡°But this incident will remain in my memory for quite a while.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t directly implicate the Magic Tower owner in the corruption. ¡®Then there¡¯s no need to create unnecessary trouble.¡¯ Ethan intended to thoroughly pretend not to know that the Magic Tower owner was at the center of this corruption. ¡®Pretending not to know is what¡¯s important.¡¯ It¡¯s not just about pretending not to know. It was important to pretend not to know despite knowing something. From the Magic Tower owner¡¯s perspective, this could be the turning point. Whether to givepensation to Ethan or not. ¡®If the Magic Tower owner gives mepensation, I might seem like an aplice. Because I¡¯d be burying this corruption.¡¯ That was also what Ethan wanted. The world isn¡¯t made up of just enemies and allies. Also, if you make enemies, you always have to watch your back. ¡®So.¡¯ Unless you¡¯re going topletely crush the opponent, it¡¯s better to be like an ally. It¡¯s good to maintain a cordial rtionship to the extent that they don¡¯t think of you as an enemy. ¡®Except when crushing the opponent, it¡¯s better to maintain a good rtionship.¡¯ Ethan smiled slightly. In response to Ethan¡¯s atmosphere, the Magic Tower owner could only frown, finding it difficult to predict the cards Ethan held. Ethan, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth again. The longer the time for deliberation, the more unnecessary thoughts could creep in. ¡®Swift decision.¡¯ ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t think Yekaterina, who has suddenly rolled in, will be able to handle the certification examiner duties well. So, you can select a mage who can assist Yekaterina and ce them beside her.¡± ¡°¡­What¡¯s the reason for wanting this kind ofpensation?¡± The position of certification examiner. It seemed as if he had nned this whole thing from the beginning to obtain this position. The Magic Tower owner had such a suspicion for a moment, but soon erased that thought. Because it didn¡¯t make sense. Controlling this entire situation just to get the position of certification examiner? It¡¯s impossible. Therefore, the Magic Tower owner set aside his suspicions and asked. ¡°It¡¯s because I want to give my escort various experiences. She has excellent magic skills, but since I¡¯m a swordsman, I can¡¯t give her diverse experiences. So I thought it would be good for her to build up her skills in the association.¡± The Magic Tower owner could only nod at Ethan¡¯s words, which flowed naturally and smoothly. ¡°Isn¡¯t the position of certification examiner one where you can see many different types of magic in various ways? It¡¯s a position where you can develop a discerning eye. It¡¯s quite an important position in the association, so it will also instill a sense of responsibility.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ That¡¯s true. Then let¡¯s do this. As you said, I¡¯ll appoint your escort, Miss Yekaterina, to the position of certification examiner. Instead, we¡¯ll ce a mage from the association who can assist with the certification examiner duties by her side.¡± The Magic Tower owner looked at Ethan. And then he was certain. Ethan already knew everything. He had made the optimal choice in a situation where he knew everything. Putting Ethan¡¯s escort in the position of certification examiner was too sudden, but on the other hand, it could be a great benefit to the Magic Tower owner. He could bring into the association a strong ally in Ethan, plus Yekaterina, a mage with boundless potential for growth. Having quickly done the calctions, the Magic Tower owner nodded and extended his hand. ¡°I look forward to working with you.¡± ¡°Thank you for epting my sudden request.¡± Ethan emphasized the word ¡®request¡¯. At those words, the Magic Tower owner¡¯s tense expression also rxed somewhat. ¡°Miss Scarlet Saint Pierre, I will certainly handle this matter. I¡¯m sorry for causing you concern.¡± ¡°Oh, no, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m d things worked out well.¡± Scarlet wore a puzzled expression. It seemed she hadn¡¯t expected the situation to unfold like this. Although it didn¡¯t proceed exactly as anticipated, she was able to achieve what she wanted. ¡°And Miss Yekaterina, I look forward to working with you as our Magic Association¡¯s new certification examiner from now on. There will be many difficult tasks, but those are problems that can be solved gradually.¡± What could have be a major issue ended up as a mere happening. Ding-! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [Unbelievable Deal] achievement. -You have gained ¡®5¡¯ likes! Ethan grinned as he checked the reward. A whole 5 likes. This incident was a kind of deal with the Magic Tower owner. The achievement was unlocked because it was a deal that was purely beneficial to Ethan. ¡®It was a good deal.¡¯ Behind the smiling Ethan, Mirhak, who had witnessed this entire scene, felt a shiver. As a merchant, he could understand Ethan¡¯s ability to set up the game even better. Setting up a game is something any merchant can do. But setting up a game at this level was unheard of. Just where had this man, Ethan Whiskers, been setting up his game from? What part of it was nned, and what part was improvisation? Clearly, the reason Ethan visited the Magic Association was to get a magic certified. But a variable urred. From Mirhak¡¯s perspective, it seemed that Ethan had recklessly assaulted the certification examiner to prevent that variable. And the aftermath of that was supposed to end with Mirhak handling it. But the result was strange. Ethan actively took control of the situation and eventually stood before the Magic Tower owner. And then he managed to get everything he wanted in front of the Magic Tower owner. He even managed to get the certification for the magic he wanted to get certified, which was his original goal. This wasn¡¯t just a matter of good luck. If one could gain this much benefit from luck alone, the merchant guilds would gather lucky people when recruiting merchants. As they left the Magic Tower owner¡¯s room, Mirhak quietly asked Ethan. ¡°Did you n all this from the beginning?¡± Ethan just smiled at Mirhak. ¡°Mister Mirhak, please handle the aftermath well. Make sure to deal with Tresis thoroughly.¡± If they left the cleanup to the Magic Tower, they would surely handle it half-heartedly. So he intended to entrust the thorough cleanup to the Ga. Seeing his resolute attitude, Mirhak responded promptly. ¡°¡­Yes!¡± Mirhak could be certain of this now. Yuna Ga¡¯s eye for people is never wrong. *** Clean Magic was officially registered with the Magic Association. Now, Yerica¡¯s Clean Magic belonged to her under the name Yekaterina. -[Clean Magic] Mage Yekaterina¡¯s unique magic. Yerica smiled at the parchment stamped with the Magic Association¡¯s seal. ¡°You¡¯ve taken a step, Yerica. Now your capabilities are important.¡± Ethan said. ¡°Do you think I can do well?¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about. I believe in you.¡± Within this Magic Association, traces of Archmage Hecate remain. ording to the original quest, the core of the quest was to find Hecate¡¯s traces and prevent Yerica¡¯s rampage. ¡®If Yerica finds Hecate¡¯s traces, she¡¯ll be able to fully understand magic.¡¯ Furthermore, she¡¯ll be able to know in more detail how her grandfather met his unjust death. ¡®Her skills will improve much more than now. Plus, being in the position of certification examiner will be a great help when I continue my businesster.¡¯ Although he¡¯s now a continental criminal and his honor is tarnished even after death, there were still quite a few people in the association who recognized the magic Hecate had achieved. ¡°Find Hecate¡¯s traces. And find out exactly who your enemy is. In the meantime, I¡¯ll prepare to unlock your third-stage curse.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll trust in you, Ethan, who trusts in me.¡± *** After entrusting Yerica with a big task. Ethan handed the Clean Magic certification to Mirhak. Now, the Clean Magic business will officially start through Yuna. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯ll report to Miss Yuna right away so we can start the business immediately.¡± After Mirhak left, only Schudlen and Scarlet remained. Schudlen looked cheerful. He seemed even more motivated as he would have to guard alone while Yerica was away temporarily. ¡°Thank you so much, Sir Ethan.¡± Scarlet looked at the parchment with a moved expression. Her dyeing magic had received official certification from the association. It was as good as dering that this dyeing magic was a definite magic. ¡°This is just the beginning, Miss Scarlet. Now that we¡¯ve been certified by the association.¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s time to get certification across the entire continent.¡± ¡®It¡¯s time to sit on a pile of money.¡¯Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 141: Full-Scale Business Chapter 141: Full-Scale Business Solomon, the god of wisdom, once called a wise king. He, who was quite renowned and fluctuated in the upper-middle ranks in [New World], was currently frowning deeply. ¡°What is this?¡± Before his eyes was a list of trending videos. Usually, only simr gods appeared here. They were all major gods. But for the past few days, this ranking started to fluctuate. Hood the Archer. It was extremely rare for a semi-major god to enter the trending video list.¡°Hood the Archer. I heard he¡¯s the god of archery who runs a channel with Jumong.¡± Their uploaded videos had never been an issue before. It was natural since they weren¡¯t particrly special videos. Then why was it suddenly on the trending video list? Solomon pondered for a moment. To watch that video, he needed to subscribe to Hood the Archer. ¡°I guess I have no choice but to check it out.¡± Solomon immediately subscribed to Hood¡¯s channel and watched the video. ¡°It¡¯s this short?¡± The video was extremely short. It was a very short videopared to the typically long videos of gods. Solomon slightly frowned and continued watching. His expression froze at the video that ended in an instant. It was a big shock. ¡°This, this doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± Why are gods¡¯ videos long? It¡¯s because they can¡¯t bepressed shortly. Gods pass on their abilities through New World. Therefore, they inevitably have to exin their respective abilities at length. ¡°If it¡¯s this short, there shouldn¡¯t be enough time to pass on abilities!¡± However, it wasn¡¯t the case at all. Solomon, who watched the video to the end, could understand all the abilities of Hood the Archer and Jumong. ¡°Impossible. How on earth?¡± The astonished Solomon frowned and was about to rey the video. And then. [Video editing and production: Only subscribed to the right gods] ¡°What, what?¡± Only subscribed to the right gods. It was the name of a subscriber famous for subscription reviews. ¡°Why is this subscriber appearing here?¡± The confused Solomon checked the video information. The brief information clearly stated that this video was edited by the subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods]. ¡°Entrusted with video editing along with reasonablepensation¡­ So this short video was edited by this subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods].¡± Solomon¡¯s hands trembled. When [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber first became an issue, he had scoffed. A single subscriber turning the tables? That¡¯s something you¡¯d say if you don¡¯t know New World. Only lower-ranked gods could be influenced by subscription reviews. One could go back and forth between lower and middle ranks as much as they wanted. The real deal was the upper ranks. These upper-ranked gods were so influential that their rankings had never changed, which was amazing. In fact, some gods said that the fortress built by these upper-ranked gods was so solid that there was no room to break through. They said the battle in New World was essentially over. ¡°My head is throbbing.¡± Solomon was the god of wisdom. That¡¯s why he could understand even better. ¡°A single subscriber¡­¡± Out of numerous subscribers, just one. ¡°Could turn the tables.¡± Other gods might say he¡¯s making a fuss if they heard this. But this isn¡¯t a fuss. Thump thump. ¡°The upper ranks could change.¡± It meant that something unprecedented could happen. Solomon took a deep breath and fell into thought. Suddenly, he remembered the time long ago when two women brought a child and each imed it was their own. It was time to make the right choice, just like back then. ¡°The god who moves quickly can grasp victory!¡± Solomon immediately wrote a letter. Meanwhile, in another ce, another god was watching this situation with shining eyes. ¡°I knew it would be like this. Oh, [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber!¡± Ares, the god of war. Ares was polishing his channel in various ways to be chosen by [Only subscribed to the right gods]. He was doing everything he could as the god of war, such as creating and uploading new videos or making goods. During this time, many people started to imitate the subscription reviews of [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber. But Ares snorted. He thought that if it was that subscriber he knew, they would surely take a step further from here. And that thought hit the mark. ¡°Kuhuhuh, it¡¯s skyrocketing, skyrocketing!¡± Athena frowned as she watched Aresughing like a mad god. ¡°This certainly seems to be on a different level from the subscription reviews so far. It¡¯s a perfect upgrade. But Ares, you still haven¡¯t received a subscription, have you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking of setting out water from today. Praying to the gods of heaven and earth.¡± ¡°The gods of heaven and earth? You¡¯re going to wish to fellow gods?¡± ¡°They might grant it because they¡¯re fellow gods.¡± Athena wore a surprised expression. ¡°But¡­ I smell incense from you.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Athena, you didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t pray to the gods of heaven and earth first or anything.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ares narrowed his eyes and looked at Athena. ¡°I¡¯ll be going now. Anyway, [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber has now caught the eye of upper-ranked gods too. Since they¡¯ve even made a trending video like that. A paradigm shift will ur¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re changing the subject, Athena.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going. Goodbye.¡± Athena ran away hurriedly. At the same time, she snapped her fingers to erase the incense smell. *** Whiskers Territory. ¡°Ohhh¡­¡± Schudlen, who returned to Whiskers territory after a long time, eximed in admiration. ¡°Is this really the Whiskers territory I knew? It seems like I¡¯vee to the wrong ce.¡± ¡°It must be the result of Father¡¯s hard work. You can¡¯t develop a territory this quickly just by earning a lot of money.¡± Ethan grinned. The territory had developed far more than he had thought. It waspletely different from before he left for the academy. ¡®At this rate, we might be able to increase the size of the territory itself.¡¯ It seemed that all the underdeveloped areas inside the castle were under development. If so, now they should turn their attention to external farnd or roads. Or expand the castle further. ¡®It will cost a huge amount of money, but.¡¯ If this work is sessfullypleted, Whiskers territory will be so powerful that there will be noparable territory in this area. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were from such arge noble family.¡± Scarlet admired the Whiskers territory. It had been a long time since she had seen such a vibrant territory. ¡°The floating poption is really on par with a big city.¡± ¡°It¡¯s thanks to the Lightweight Workshop. And that Lightweight Workshop was designed from start to finish by our master, Young Master Ethan Whiskers.¡± Schudlen exined quickly. Meanwhile, the group arrived at the Lightweight Workshop. ¡°¡­Will my dyeing magic work?¡± Scarlet, who arrived in front of the Lightweight Workshop, was overwhelmed by its enormous scale. Even Ethan was a bit surprised by the workshop that had grownrger than he had expected. ¡®I guess all it needed was an opportunity.¡¯ It seemed that his father, Count Whiskers, didn¡¯t have any grand abilities, but he did have the ability to reliably expand what was in his hands. ¡°If dyeing magic is added here, Whiskers territory will grow even bigger than it is now. And your dyeing magic will spread across the entire continent.¡± ¡°The, the entire continent? That¡¯s too grand¡­¡± Scarlet wore a very tense expression, as ifcking confidence. But Ethan knew. That this dyeing magic was already a guaranteed winning lottery ticket. ¡°If this fails, I¡¯ll give you all my wealth. Plus, I¡¯ll give you the two swords at my waist. But if it seeds.¡± ¡°If it seeds¡­¡± ¡°Please make a 100-year contract with me. You¡¯ll do business only with me.¡± Realizing that both options were extremely favorable to her given Ethan¡¯s tremendous confidence, Scarlet said, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll only do business with you, Sir Ethan, be it for 100 years or 1,000 years.¡± She closed her eyes and waved her hand as if praying. ¡°You¡¯ve promised.¡± Ethan smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s meet the lord first, Scarlet.¡± Since he had returned for the vacation, he intended to greet his father and the Steward as well. *** ¡°You¡¯ll see when you look at it. This is different from ordinary golems.¡± ¡°Even so, golems are all the same. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to invite promising teachers instead of golems? Teachers can teach, but golems can¡¯t.¡± ¡°That could be the case. I guess money isn¡¯t the issue.¡± Etting was negotiating with a count about the sale of special golems. The count before him was famous among the nobles in this area. He was quite influential, so when this count praised something, it would spread to the surrounding nobles. ¡®If I sell this special golem to the count¡­¡¯ The story of the special golem will naturally spread to other nobles in the area. ¡®Then it will definitely spread by word of mouth. No other advertising is needed. The functions of the special golem will continue to spread.¡¯ But the problem was that the count was showing a very lukewarm reaction to the special golem. It was understandable, as noble families were basically rich. Education with golems? They preferred to spend more money to hire people instead. That¡¯s why she had to properly appeal how great this special golem was. ¡®The preparation is already done.¡¯ Etting smiled. And once again, she realized how great Ethan was. ¡®To anticipate and deal with all of this.¡¯ Perhaps because Ethan himself was a noble, he urately understood the psychology of nobles. For them, price wasn¡¯t such an important issue. ¡°You don¡¯t like the idea of entrusting education to a mere golem, right?¡± From now on, it was Ethan¡¯s scenario. As Etting gestured, a special golem and an ordinary golem immediately entered. ¡°This is an ordinary golem.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The count shook his head as expected. The movements an ordinary golem could make were limited. ¡°And this is the special golem I exined to you.¡± Ethan had told Etting to emphasize the characteristics of this special golem. ¡°Certainly, nothing is as important in education as a teacher. But to build skills, you eventually need to practice. If you hire a teacher, Count, your child will practice based on the swordsmanship that teacher possesses. At least one, at most no more than ten styles.¡± Etting said. ¡°But this special golem is different. Various swordsmanship styles? That¡¯s nothing. It far surpasses the number of swordsmanship styles a single teacher can possess. This special golem has 50 styles of swordsmanship built in.¡± ¡°Wh-what did you say?¡± For a moment, the count wore a dumbfounded expression. Etting emphasized the number 50 once more. This was the characteristic of the special golem that Ethan had told her to emphasize. ¡°50 styles of swordsmanship. If you purchase this special golem, your son will be able to gain experience against a golem with 50 styles of swordsmanship. That¡¯s no different from the effect of inviting ten teachers.¡± ¡°Is that true?¡± The count was flustered. Talk about how great the special golem was didn¡¯t really resonate with him. But the statement that it had 50 styles of swordsmanship built in couldn¡¯t help but strike the count. Fifty styles wereparable to ten teachers. This was the power of numbers. ¡®Nobles value numbers as much as merchants do.¡¯ Ethan had seen right through that psychology. ¡°If it¡¯s not 50 styles, our David Merchant Guild will take 100% responsibility andpensate. 100 times the selling price of the special golem.¡± With Etting¡¯s confident words, the count could no longer disbelieve. ¡°I¡¯ll take a look and think about it.¡± Etting immediately moved the special golem. The special golem quickly took a stance and began to demonstrate swordsmanship. ¡°Oh¡­ Ohh!¡± The count eximed in admiration. It was really moving like a person, as she said. It even perfectly reproduced both smooth and powerful movements. ¡°Is this really a golem!?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a special golem.¡± Etting nodded with a smile. The count¡¯s eyes sparkled as he shouted, ¡°I¡¯ll buy it. Give me ten of them for now!¡± ¡°Thank you for your purchase, Count.¡± ¡®This is just the beginning.¡¯ It was the start of the scenario Ethan had created. Now Etting had to move as the perfect lead actor in that scenario. ¡°Are there any other nobles who might need this golem?¡± ¡°Hmm! There are. I¡¯ll introduce you.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 142: Great Success Chapter 142: Great Sess In the market within Whiskers¡¯ territory. ¡°Ahem.¡± Thanks to the Lightweight Workshop, Whiskers¡¯ territory developed rapidly. The underdeveloped areas were finally renovated, and neglected ces began to be developed. As the floating poption increased dramatically, the market was experiencing an unprecedented boom. A man in ordinary clothes was wandering around that market. It was Count Whiskers, the lord of Whiskers¡¯ territory. He had a dream that he had held since long ago. Today, he came to the market for that dream. ¡®Dressed so ordinarily like this, no one will recognize me.¡¯His dream was to disguise himself like this, go on a secret inspection, and hear about the situation in his territory. From the position of a lord, one cannot hear the raw voices. Because everything is filtered and screened from below when rying the stories of the territory¡¯s people, it¡¯s impossible to know what they want or if they are satisfied with the current situation in the territory. ¡®I¡¯ve always thought that way. That the people of the territory are satisfied. But you never know if they¡¯re really satisfied.¡¯ That¡¯s why he wanted to hear and see for himself. Count Whiskers first cleared his throat a couple of times and then entered a shop that dealt with various ingredients. ¡°Wee! What are you looking for?¡± ¡°Um, I¡¯m looking for some medicinal herbs.¡± ¡°Ah, the medicinal herbs are over here! If you want a wider variety of herbs, there¡¯s an alchemy workshop right next door!¡± ¡°No, I see what I¡¯m looking for here. By the way, the territory seems to be more lively than before.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, sir. The Whiskers territory is developing tremendously right now!¡± The merchant said with a big smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit noisy? It seems like it¡¯s getting too stirred up.¡± ¡°What are you saying? You shouldn¡¯t say such things. Thanks to this, my two sons were able to enter an academy that¡¯s too good for them, even if it¡¯s not that prestigious academy over there. That¡¯s how well money is being made.¡± The merchant said cheerfully. ¡°Hahaha, this is all thanks to the lord.¡± ¡°Come on, what has the lord done? It seems it¡¯s just because the Lightweight Workshop is doing well.¡± ¡°No, you shouldn¡¯t say it like that. No matter how great the Lightweight Workshop is, I hear that the lord has been rejecting various proposals and working solely for the territory. Tsk, be careful!¡± Count Whiskers smiled slightly and unnecessarily spoke once more. ¡°Then it¡¯s thanks to Young Master Ethan? The lord just has the benefit of having a good son, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°You old man! What are you saying?¡± The merchant shouted loudly. There was strong anger mixed in his voice. The count just blinked his eyes at the merchant¡¯s gesture, which seemed like he might even raise his hand. ¡°How dare you insult the lord who is like heaven to us!? Are you crazy!? I let it slide once, but now you have no respect!¡± ¡°Ah, no!¡± Count Whiskers was flustered. ¡°Watch your mouth! The current sess of Whiskers territory is thanks to Count Whiskers and his son, Young Master Ethan! Geez!¡± Count Whiskers knew that better than anyone. With an embarrassed expression, Count Whiskers, unsure whether to be happy or not, tried to back away. At that moment. ¡°What are you doing, Father?¡± ¡°Uh, oh.¡± The count looked at Ethan as if he had been caught doing something wrong. He should not have been recognizable with his disguise. ¡°Isn¡¯t it Young Master Ethan!¡± The merchant recognized Ethan and then, doubting his ears for a moment, looked at the person he had just yelled at. It seemed like he just called him father. ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong person!¡± The count quickly fled outside. *** ¡°How did you know?¡± Count Whiskers asked with an embarrassed expression. ¡°I, uh, have good eyes, Father.¡± It was natural since he had the Eye of Horus. ¡°No, more than that, what brings you here without notice?¡± Ethan had Wind Cloud, so there was no need to contact him. He could arrive at the territory even before the contact reached. ¡°I came to prepare for a new business. But what on earth were you doing?¡± Even as he asked, he had a rough idea. Count Whiskers sighed and honestly told him everything. After hearing it all, Scarlet almostughed without realizing it but managed to control her expression. ¡°As expected, you¡¯re truly a lord, Count!¡± Schudlen seemed quite impressed. ¡°¡­So did you confirm it for sure?¡± ¡°I almost got pped if I made a wrong move. I also got yelled at once. Ahem, I confirmed that the people of the territory think very highly of me.¡± Although the situation became a bit embarrassing, the count was relieved as he achieved his modest goal. Of course, the territory¡¯s people were following him in a more extreme direction than he had thought, but upon reflection, he felt quite good about it. ¡°The loyalty of the territory¡¯s people is certain. Far fromints, they like me too much.¡± Count Whiskersughed loudly, ¡°Wahaha.¡± ¡°So, what kind of new business preparation is it, Ethan? While you were away, we¡¯ve been expanding the scale of the Lightweight Workshop and continuing the territory¡¯s development. The Lightweight Workshop brings in so much money that there¡¯s plenty left even after spending.¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking of building another workshop next to the Lightweight Workshop. You know the existing lightweighting and attribute bestowal, right?¡± ¡°Quite a lot of customers are looking for attribute bestowal too. It seems that the subscription-based sales you mentioned are working quite well.¡± People who had a taste of attribute bestowal or lightweighting for a short period through the subscription system always revisited Whiskers territory. ¡°Because of that, quite a lot of people have moved to our territory. Especially mages. These mages purchase various materials from the market, creating a continuous virtuous cycle.¡± Count Whiskers was very proud of Ethan for creating and establishing such a cycle. ¡°Well done, Ethan.¡± ¡°It¡¯s you, Father, who nurtured it so well while I was away.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Count Whiskers proudly rubbed his nose with his index finger. ¡°Your way with words has improved since you¡¯ve been gone.¡± ¡°How do you view the attribute bestowal, Father?¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Count Whiskers answered immediately as if there was nothing to consider. ¡°It seems we could expand its scale. Apart from everything else, it has style.¡± Ethan smiled at those words. If a nobleman of Count Whiskers¡¯ caliber recognized its style, it seemed they could expand the business scale even more. ¡®In fact, it¡¯s the nobles who care about appearances that want attribute bestowal the most.¡¯ Especially nobles who are particrly concerned about style don¡¯t care about things like money. ¡°Actually, I did it too.¡± Count Whiskers drew the sword at his waist. As the sword was drawn from its scabbard, mes and frost simultaneously coated the de, emitting a brilliant light. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Scarlet and Schudlen gazed at the sword in admiration. The aura emanating from the sword was reminiscent of a legendary de. But there was no effect. It just radiated an aura and nothing more. However, Count Whiskers looked at Scarlet and Schudlen, who were admiring the sword, with a pleased expression. ¡®That¡¯s exactly the reaction.¡¯ This is why people get attribute bestowal. That¡¯s the style people want. ¡®Their skills have improved a lot.¡¯ At this level, their skills seemed good enough to start a separate business independently. ¡°Now that word of mouth has spread quite a bit, we¡¯ll be able to bring in some of the stubborn mages.¡± He had already instructed David Merchant Guild, which was connected with various Magic Towers, to consistently recruit mages. ¡®Once the special golem business is firmly established on Etting¡¯s side, I¡¯ll need to create a new merchant guild.¡¯ Ethan had no intention of ending his business by simply consigning goods to sell through arge merchant guild. He was only doing consignment sales now because there were many shortages. ¡®Doing everything directly yields the highest profit.¡¯ He nned to directly establish a Merchant Guild and merge Etting¡¯s David Merchant Guild, Yuna¡¯s Ga Merchant Guild, and the new Merchant Guild Ethan would create. ¡®Make the three Merchant Guilds move as if they were essentially one Merchant Guild.¡¯ If he became the owner of that huge Merchant Guild, he could also greatly increase his reputation. ¡®It¡¯s the most difficult method, but if it can be executed, there¡¯s nothing else that can raise reputation this much.¡¯ ¡°Are you thinking of creating a merchant guild, Ethan?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll put the Lightweight Workshop and Attribute Bestowal Workshop at the forefront. And there¡¯s an even bigger business item than these twobined.¡± ¡°An even bigger business item?¡± At that moment, Scarlet¡¯s body noticeably stiffened. ¡°It¡¯s dyeing magic, Father.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Count Whiskers¡¯ eyes widened at those words. He could anticipate how Ethan would make this business big. ¡°Does it produce colors like the clothes the mage here is wearing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just one color. We¡¯ll be able to dye equipment in countless different colors. Precisely the color the customer wants.¡± With such a vast range of colors, there wouldn¡¯t be any ovepping patterns. ¡°This¡­ I wonder if our territory can handle it. It¡¯s already packed as it is.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m thinking of expanding the territory.¡± ¡°You mean you¡¯re going to reinvest all the money we¡¯ve earned.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ambition gleamed in Count Whiskers¡¯ eyes. ¡°Then I¡¯ll do my best to help. Go ahead with the business without worry. At least this father won¡¯t hold you back.¡± *** [Dyeing Magic Begins!] Arge sign was newly attached to the Lightweight Workshop. ¡°Dyeing magic?¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Customers who came to the workshop for lightweighting and attribute bestowal looked intrigued by the phrase ¡°dyeing magic.¡± Recently, as more people started subscribing to both servicesbined, some picky customers had be hesitant to visit the workshop. That was because what they wanted was originality, not something anyone could imitate. With everyone getting attribute bestowal and lightweighting, it seemed like they were following trends rather than leading them, which these customers didn¡¯t like. ¡°Hmm.¡± In this situation, the newly offered dyeing magic was enough to pique their interest. ¡°What is dyeing magic?¡± Customers asked with sparkling eyes. ¡°It, it¡¯s a dyeing magic I created. On this scroll, there are numbers and color names written¡­¡± Scarlet exined about the dyeing magic with a rather nervous face. The customers looked around with shining eyes and chose the colors they wanted. ¡°Oh, then I¡¯ll take number 7, fluorescent pink, please.¡± ¡°An excellent choice.¡± As the dyeing magic scroll was sold, Scarlet smiled brightly. It was the moment her magic was first given value. Marakan, the mage in charge of the fire attribute bestowal magic, Fire Illusion, was watching Scarlet with a pleased expression. Marakan understood Scarlet¡¯s feelings better than anyone. He, too, had cried a lot when his attribute bestowal magic was first sold. So he quietly cheered for Scarlet. A week at the Lightweight Workshop¡­ ¡°Give me scroll number 3!¡± ¡°I want scroll number 2!¡± ¡°I said I wanted to buy scroll number 7, fluorescent pink, is it not ready yet!?¡± ¡°Please sell me a dyeing magic scroll!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pay double, no, triple, so please sell me scroll number 3!¡± The response to the dyeing magic began to explode. ¡°How, how is this possible.¡± Scarlet felt like she could fly with the customers¡¯ rave reviews. But that was only for a moment; Scarlet began to panic more and more. The demand was so high that they had already run out of prepared scrolls. Bang-! At that moment, Ethan came in through the back door. ¡°I¡¯ve brought materials and scrolls.¡± ¡°Sir Ethan!¡± ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? That it would seed.¡± ¡°I, I didn¡¯t expect it to seed this quickly¡­¡± ¡°You remember what you said then, right?¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s a 100-year contract, Miss Scarlet.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 143: Inquisition (1) Chapter 143: Inquisition (1) The poprity of dyeing magic soared faster than Ethan had anticipated. ¡°Are there no other colors?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you make the color a bit more vibrant?¡± The demand for dyeing was truly explosive. The biggest advantage of the dyeing workshop was its variety of colors. With enough colors to satisfy the different desires of consumers, everyone who purchased dyeing magic left satisfied. ¡°Is this a subscription system like the Lightweight Workshop?¡± ¡°Can you mix colors to create different ones?¡± Amidst the explosive response, Scarlet busily exined about dyeing magic.Until now, she had exined dyeing magic to numerous people, but none of them had asked Scarlet about colors first. But now it was different. Many people were interested in her magic. Ethan watched this with admiration. He knew it would seed, but he hadn¡¯t thought it would happen this quickly. ¡®I thought it would be fast since the Lightweight Workshop was already established, but this fast?¡¯ It was the result of Scarlet¡¯s excellent dyeing magic being added to the existing customer base of the Lightweight Workshop. After a few more days, Scarlet was selling dyeing magic scrolls almost in tears. Happy, tired, and busy. Her face was a mix of various emotions. Still, the predominant emotion was joy. Ethan was quite satisfied with Scarlet¡¯s appearance as well. ¡®I was thinking of creating and operating the merchant guild myself.¡¯ The territory¡¯s development speed exceeded Ethan¡¯s expectations. It was thanks to the excellent capabilities of Count Whiskers and the Steward. ¡®Actually, I didn¡¯t know the skills of these two people well.¡¯ Ethan didn¡¯t know the extent of Count Whiskers¡¯ abilities. That was because Count Whiskers was someone he had barely encountered during his time ying MePan. ¡®If I work with the Steward, creating a merchant guild won¡¯t be a problem.¡¯ If they create the Whiskers Merchant Guild and have that merchant guild sell the Lightweight Workshop, Attribute Bestowal Workshop, and even the Dyeing Workshop as their main products, they could quickly grow in size. Ethan immediately started creating the merchant guild. Launching a merchant guild was very simple. You just need to hire merchants and workers to handle misceneous tasks. Since it¡¯s the territory¡¯s merchant guild, they can use the territory¡¯s knights as escort knights. ¡®And the building.¡¯ Ethan decided on a building of suitable size among the ones being continuously built as the merchant guild headquarters. Ding-! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the achievement [Became a Merchant Guild Owner]. -You have gained ¡®1¡¯ like! After securing the Merchant Guild Owner achievement, Ethan immediately went to find the count. The count was extremely busy. Since the start of dyeing magic sales, the floating poption had increased even more, and with various construction projects starting, there was a mountain of work to handle. Especially the Steward, he heard, hadn¡¯t slept for three days already. ¡°Father, Steward.¡± Ethan handed them both a decoction. ¡°Please drink while you work.¡± ¡°Ethan, you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Young master, you¡¯vee.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a potion that¡¯s good for your body. Your fatigue will recover quickly.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, both of them gulped down the decoction simultaneously. ¡°And please rx your body for a moment.¡± Ethan then used Heo¡¯s Acupuncture. Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, which had reached master level proficiency, was now applied so quickly and urately that even the stinging sensation was gone. Tap tap tap-! Instantly, the expressions of the two who were hit by the needles brightened. ¡®The effect is better than I thought.¡¯ Heo¡¯s Acupuncture at its peak was surprisingly effective. ¡®It¡¯s excellent for fatigue recovery.¡¯ It had be just right for Ethan, who had a body that quickly became tired. ¡®It was worth mastering it.¡¯ ¡°Just a moment ago, it felt like dozens of steel blocks were on my shoulders.¡± ¡°My body feels light as if it could fly away.¡± Alertness returned to the eyes of the count and Steward as their fatigue disappeared. ¡°Father, Steward. I have a n.¡± If Yerica was Ethan¡¯s business partner, these two were the ones running the business. ¡°I¡¯m going to expand the market further and create a workshop street. We¡¯ll center it around the Lightweight Workshop, with the dyeing workshop and Attribute Bestowal Workshop around it.¡± The business will revolve around these three workshops. ¡°And through David Merchant Guild and Ga Merchant Guild, we¡¯ll open branches of these three workshops in other big cities. However, the branches in big cities are just a taste to attract people to the main shop. In the end, people will have toe to this Whiskers territory to buy proper goods.¡± Whether it¡¯s dyeing, lightweighting, or attribute bestowal. The n was to make them avable for purchase only at the main shop in Whiskers territory. Tension appeared on the count¡¯s face as he heard Ethan¡¯s n. ¡°It will be muchrger in scale than now.¡± ¡°Hasn¡¯t it always been like that? Haven¡¯t you always thought that our territory could never be a big city, setting a limit?¡± A great lord who has grasped a big city. Ambitious lords want to make thend they rule the best. ¡°The goal is to be a big city. We¡¯re going to make this Whiskers territory into a great territory.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, both of them couldn¡¯t hide their tension. In fact, even the current situation was far beyond their capabilities. Of course, thanks to this, they were growing every day despite their considerable age, but they were worried if they could handle it well when the scale became iparablyrger than now. Ethan looked at both of them. ¡°But you don¡¯t need to seed perfectly.¡± Then he smiled. ¡°It¡¯s okay to fail. We¡¯re not hanging on the edge of a cliff right now.¡± It¡¯s okay to fail. It¡¯s fine if there arecking parts. ¡°The reason I¡¯ve been doing business and making money until now is precisely for that. Money is opportunity. There¡¯s opportunity even if we fail.¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯ve grown up, my son.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve grown up splendidly, young master.¡± ¡°Of course, if you fail, my view of you, Father, might change a bit. I might unintentionally mention what happened in the market earlier.¡± Ethan said with an even deeper smile. The count flinched at that. ¡°Of course, my view of you, Steward, might change a bit too, but even if you fail, this is the only risk.¡± ¡°¡­Young master, your skill in handling people is extraordinary.¡± ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I worked as a teacher at the academy.¡± To the two who felt much less burdened now, Ethan continued to exin about the business. *** ¡°Then, I entrust the Whiskers Merchant Guild to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll use money so boldly that it will surprise you.¡± Leaving Count Whiskers¡¯ words behind, Ethan wrapped up all his remaining business in the territory. ¡°Schudlen, train for a while.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master. I¡¯ll be training.¡± Schudlen needed more personal training time. ¡®He won¡¯t want to fall behind Yerica, after all.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll give you this, Schudlen.¡± So Ethan gave Schudlen a special golem with 50 swordsmanship techniques built-in. The next ce he headed was the Lightweight Workshop. The workshop, which had entered a major expansion construction, was overflowing with people today as well. ¡°Don¡¯t push!¡± ¡°Please manage this area!¡± Ethan quickly entered the workshop, pushing through the crowd. There, Scarlet was selling scrolls with a smile. Timing it right, Ethan approached Scarlet and said, ¡°Keep up the good work, Miss Scarlet.¡± ¡°Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I-I¡¯ll work hard. As much as you¡¯ve trusted me.¡± After greeting Scarlet, Ethan immediately returned to Marquis Rond¡¯s territory. ¡®It should be about time for the materials I ordered through Ga Merchant Guild to arrive.¡¯ Ethan nned to purchase S-grade materials and master Heo¡¯s Decoction. ¡®After mastering Heo Jun¡¯s techniques, I should definitely master the Hero¡¯s Breathing techniques too.¡¯ While it was good to keep increasing skills, it was also important to raise the proficiency of previously learned skills. ¡®I understand now that I¡¯ve mastered Heo¡¯s Acupuncture. How much the effect increases when mastered, I mean.¡¯ The mastered Heo¡¯s Acupuncture now boasted such excellent effects that it could finally be recognized as Heo Jun¡¯s technique. Ethan immediately used Wind Cloud to move to Marquis Rond¡¯s territory. ¡°Hmm.¡± Arriving at his office in the academy, Ethan could check the items purchased from Ga Merchant Guild. ¡°As expected of Ga Merchant Guild.¡± True to its reputation as a Grand Merchant Guild, it had an incredible variety of items in stock. ¡°These are things that are hard to obtain even if you have a lot of money.¡± Ethan checked the condition of the herbs by smelling them. Seeing that they all retained their unique scents, the quality seemed quite good. The herbs purchased from Ga Merchant Guild totaled ten types. All of them were S-grade herbs, with a price approaching 100 million gold. It was an enormous sum, but Ethan didn¡¯t mind. Just like during his donation admission, and now too, money was merely a material for better growth. ¡®There¡¯s no need to skimp.¡¯ Ethan immediately organized the herbs. He was thinking of making them into a decoction right away. ¡°Hm?¡± At that moment, he noticed a parchment that had fallen to the ground, which he hadn¡¯t seen before. [I found this Interdepartmental Exchange Event extremely impressive. If it¡¯s not too presumptuous¡­] ¡°Seems like they¡¯re in a hurry.¡± The letter was sent by Sky Swordmage Jeryd. *** ¡°Hello, Sir Jeryd. So you hadn¡¯t left yet.¡± At a coffee house in Marquis Rond¡¯s territory. Sky Swordmage Jeryd, who was already seated, greeted Ethan with a friendly smile. ¡°You¡¯vee, Teacher Ethan! Please, sit here. I used to frequent this ce once. So I knew a ce with good taste. The tea here is no joke.¡± ¡°Ie here often too. Teacher udie said he frequents it as well.¡± ¡°So it really is a good restaurant. To even satisfy the tastes of such great teachers.¡± Ethan, seated, drank the tea Jeryd had ordered. It was ck tea boasting a unique vor. ¡°May I ask why you wanted to see me?¡± ¡°I found the Interdepartmental Exchange Event truly impressive. How well you taught the students. If there had been a teacher like you when I was attending the academy, I could have be much stronger than I am now.¡± Jeryd praised Ethan for a while, then lowered his voice. ¡°Actually. I didn¡¯te to the academy just to judge the Interdepartmental Exchange Event.¡± As Ethan had anticipated, Jeryd hadn¡¯te to the academy just for judging. ¡®Talent recruitment.¡¯ He must be thinking of recruiting talent suitable for the Inquisition and having them work temporarily at the Inquisition. ¡®It¡¯s like a kind of linked internship.¡¯ ¡°I guess you found a student you liked among my students.¡± It was natural, given their impressive performance. ¡°I really wanted to see student Mason Yeld¡¯s swordsmanship. It¡¯s a shame I couldn¡¯t, but still, Ron and Yuna who appeared earlier were extremely impressive.¡± ¡°They¡¯re both good kids.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s not those students I want to recruit this time.¡± Jeryd made his expression even more serious and slowly continued speaking. ¡°Teacher Ethan Whiskers, could you be a short-term instructor for our Inquisition?¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 144: Inquisition (2) Chapter 144: Inquisition (2) ¡°Me as an instructor?¡± Ethan¡¯s expression turned to surprise at Jeryd¡¯s proposal. He never imagined they would ask him to be an instructor. He had naturally assumed they would take the students as recruits for the Inquisition. After all, the Inquisition must be short-staffed in many ways due to the Followers of the Moon. If that was the reason, he had been nning to rmend other students instead of his three disciples. ¡®It¡¯s dangerous to fight the Followers of the Moon in their current state. It¡¯s not time yet.¡¯ While there¡¯s no better ce to gain practical experience, it¡¯s equally high in danger. The students, whose skills were still iplete and who were emotionally immature, were not ready to fight against the Followers of the Moon with their vicious methods. So he had nned to politely decline or rmend other talent to make them give up entirely.¡®This actually turns out better.¡¯ But this changes the situation. As Ethan showed a bewildered expression, Jeryd smiled. ¡°I know it¡¯s a sudden proposal, Teacher Ethan. But there¡¯s a reason I have to make this offer.¡± ¡°What reason is that?¡± Ethan feigned ignorance and asked back. ¡°The Inquisition is in a difficult situation in many ways right now, Teacher Ethan. You probably know roughly what we do. Currently, we¡¯re fighting against the so-called Followers of the Moon who follow Moon Mother. Unlike other cults, these Followers of the Moon came from the Demon Empire and are showing surprisingly strong influence. What we thought would be an easy fight at first has be prolonged, and many inquisitors are getting injured or retiring.¡± Jeryd exined the situation with a regretful expression. The Followers of the Moon from the Demon Empire. The story was that the Inquisition was struggling because the Followers of the Moon were stronger than expected. Currently, the Inquisition had many veterans, but due to the Followers of the Moon showing unexpected strength and obsession, they had be severely short-staffed. ¡°We¡¯ve lost quite a few colleagues too. Because of that, we¡¯ve been continuously recruiting new inquisitors, but¡­¡± Basically, inquisitors needed to be highly skilled. Especially since many of the Followers of the Moon attack in various ways, excellent skills were needed to deal with them. Therefore, the Inquisition filled their shortage by recruiting those who were renowned in various knightly orders and mercenary groups, choosing those with exceptional devotion and faith in religion. In addition, they also recruited those with strong hatred towards the Followers of the Moon. Even if their skills werecking, having a desire for revenge against the Followers of the Moon would make them useful in many ways. They were recruiting personnel like that, but a problem arose. There was no one to teach the newly recruited members. While they all had decent skills, fighting as an inquisitor was a different matter. ¡°Until a few years ago, we had a veteran instructor, but he retired due to old age. We¡¯ve been looking for a sessor since then, but¡­ it¡¯s not easy to find the right person.¡± In this state, they kept epting new inquisitors without being able to provide proper education. They tried deploying some greenhorns a few times, but perhaps because they hadn¡¯t learned from a proper instructor, they often got seriously injured. It would be troublesome if the hard-recruited greenhorns died. But if they didn¡¯t deploy them, they would be idle personnel, which was a big predicament for Jeryd. ¡°Although they¡¯re greenhorns, they have various experiences, so it¡¯s difficult to teach our inquisitor techniques with just rough training. They all have habits ingrained from their original fields.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why you¡¯re asking me.¡± ¡°Yes, I thought if it¡¯s Teacher Ethan who taught those two students, there would be no problem teaching our greenhorns as well. It¡¯s an impertinent request, but would you considering as a temporary instructor for our Inquisition?¡± Ethan pretended to contemte for a moment, keeping his mouth shut. ¡®It¡¯s an opportunity to create a debt with the Inquisition.¡¯ Even excluding fame and achievements, this offer was worth epting. ¡®The Inquisition is connected to the Saint after all.¡¯ Nevertheless, Ethan folded his arms for now. Although he was going to ept the offer anyway, maximizing the benefits was a given. ¡°Let¡¯s hear the conditions.¡± *** The state religion of the Holy Empire was a religion called Holylight. This Holylight religion worshipped Holylight, the goddess ofpassion. The Inquisition¡¯s purpose was to deal with heretics who went against the goddess¡¯spassion, based on the doctrines of Holylight. Therefore, the Inquisition was directly under the emperor while also being influenced by the Holylight Order. ¡®Creating a debt with the Inquisition is essentially the same as creating a debt with the Holylight Order.¡¯ Creating a debt with the Holylight Order also increases the possibility of meeting the Saint. ¡®It¡¯s not huge, but it¡¯s not something to be ignored either.¡¯ The priority is to increase the chance of meeting the Saint in any way possible. Ethan epted the temporary instructor position after receiving various conditions from Jeryd. Having confirmed Ethan¡¯s skills, the conditions offered were quite generous. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to refuse the money.¡± ¡°Please use that money for the Inquisition to deal with the Followers of the Moon.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to mention that Teacher Ethan donated it. And I¡¯ll process and provide the conditions you mentioned as soon as possible.¡± Ethan donated the money Jeryd offered as it was. He had more than enough money anyway. ¡®The goal is to create a debt after all.¡¯ Instead, he requested materials that could be obtained from the Inquisition. ¡®Holylight holy water.¡¯ Befitting their name as inquisitors, they were receiving quite a lot of holy water imbued with divine power through the Holylight Order. Ethan nned to use that holy water as an ingredient for decoctions. ¡®Basically, items imbued with divine power are of high grade. When used as ingredients, the probability of producing high-grade items increases.¡¯ This meant it had many useful aspects. After finishing their negotiation, the two immediately headed to the Inquisition¡¯s branch in the nearby territory. *** ¡°Wee, Teacher Ethan. This is the Erant branch of the Holy Empire¡¯s Inquisition.¡± The Inquisition¡¯s branch was located in the Erant territory, quite far from Marquis Rond¡¯s domain. Although not as grand as the Academy, the Inquisition¡¯s branch was also quite impressive. Right next to the branch was a church of the Holylight Order. Its sharp spire, seemingly piercing the sky, was striking. ¡°Pleasee in.¡± The two inquisitors guarding the main gate greeted Jeryd. ¡®It certainly has style.¡¯ The well-fitted uniforms and hats, along with the Inquisition badge on their chests. As the saying goes, ¡°the position makes the man,¡± their attire made them lookpletely different. ¡°Teacher Ethan, please turn these neers into proper people in your own way. All we want is for them to be able to pull their own weight.¡± Jeryd said. ¡°But you need to be careful. The neers we recruited this time are extremely rough. Since the Followers of the Moon attack in so many different ways, we deliberately recruited only rough individuals.¡± In fact, Jeryd was quite worried. Ethan certainly has ability. He¡¯s undoubtedly excellent at teaching someone. But the problem was that he was a teacher at the Academy. The ones recruited this time had been working in rough frontlines, so their level waspletely different from students. So if they were told that an Academy teacher would be teaching them, there might be a strong rejection. They might even refuse to be taught, ignoring the fact that Jeryd brought him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve been holding back a lot at the Academy. After all, I can¡¯t treat young students roughly.¡± ¡°Hearing that gives me some relief. Well then, please take this for now.¡± Jeryd took out a bundle of parchments from his chest and handed it to Ethan. It was quite a heavy bundle of parchments. ¡°This is a textbook recording the basic formations and attack methods of inquisitors. We primarily use maces as weapons, and basically aim for 3-person teams. Three inquisitorsplement each other¡­¡± Jeryd exined in detail while handing over more than ten pages of parchment to Ethan. ¡°You don¡¯t have to start the training right away. It will take quite a while to familiarize yourself with this.¡± The parchment Jeryd handed over described the overall attack patterns of inquisitors. As the Inquisition had a long history, the content was quite extensive. ¡°Since it was written by a veteran instructor, there might be many parts that are excessively abbreviated. As he was such a veteran, there might be parts that you find difficult to understand. I¡¯ll interpret those parts for you separately.¡± First, one needs to perfectly understand this voluminous inquisitor training manual to be able to train new inquisitors. Jeryd nned to introduce Ethan to the new inquisitors in advance during this period to eliminate any resistance. It¡¯s not just any academy, but a teacher from the prestigious Ivecar Academy. This should be enough to say that he can teach anyone. ¡°Hmm, when do you think you might be able to start the training?¡± Ethan was reading the parchment Jeryd had handed over carefully. He was so focused that his expression was quite fierce. Seeing Ethan¡¯s expression, Jeryd¡¯s mouth opened slightly. He felt that he had truly brought the right person. After skimming through the parchment, Ethan held up three fingers. ¡°Three weeks, I see. As I thought, I¡¯ve been observing since the Interdepartmental Exchange Event. Well then, let me guide you to your quarters first. Unpack your things roughly and let¡¯s have a meal!¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°Ah, I misunderstood. Three weeks is indeed a bit short. To teach, I need to thoroughly understand it. Thirty days. A month, that should be enough. For now, there are veteran inquisitors out on missions, so if we have them block the Followers of the Moon¡­¡± Ethan shook his head once more. ¡°Do you need more time? If not, then¡­¡± Jeryd, suddenly flustered, made an expression as if to say, ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡± ¡°Three days is enough for you!?¡± It¡¯s an impossible level. What¡¯s described in the textbook can be called the essence of the history built up by the Inquisition. In fact, even a month was quite a short period in Jeryd¡¯s opinion. But three days? Three days would be bragging. Definite bragging. ¡°There¡¯s plenty of time, Teacher Ethan. There¡¯s no need to rush¡­¡± However, Ethan shook his head even at the mention of three days. ¡°Give me 30 minutes. That¡¯s how much time I need to thoroughly understand it.¡± At those words, Jeryd gaped in astonishment. What he had brought wasn¡¯t a teacher, but a monster.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 145: Proof Chapter 145: Proof ¡°Uh, did you really understand it all? You don¡¯t need to feel too pressured! We have plenty of time!¡± A flustered Jeryd waved his hands. As the head of the Inquisition who personally brought Ethan, he thought Ethan might be feelingpelled to show something worthy of those expectations. 30 minutes? It was an impossible feat. It would be difficult just to read it all in that time. However, Ethan smiled and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s enough.¡± He made such a bold im because it truly was enough. ¡®It¡¯s the Inquisition¡¯s manual. I already know a lot of it.¡¯When he yed MePan as part of the Followers of the Moon, he had shed with the Inquisition countless times. In the process, he had obtained the Inquisition¡¯s manual and even experienced stealing an inquisitor¡¯s uniform. ¡®Of course, this manual will be more urate and detailed than that.¡¯ So 30 minutes was sufficient. It was hard for Jeryd to believe, but seeing Ethan¡¯s expression, he couldn¡¯t say anything more and just nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be back in 30 minutes.¡± *** ¡°You¡¯ve arrived, Director.¡± ¡°Benjamin.¡± Benjamin Rewrite, the deputy director of the Inquisition, greeted Jeryd. ¡°Were there any results?¡± ¡°Results? They were overflowing. There were many excellent students.¡± ¡°You seem quite satisfied. So, did you make an offer to Sir udie?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°I guess seeing them in person wasn¡¯t impressive. But aren¡¯t we in a hurry right now?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it. I asked someone else instead of Sir udie.¡± Jeryd exined about the Interdepartmental Exchange Event and Ethan. ¡°Ohhh.¡± Benjamin¡¯s face lit up after hearing the whole story. ording to Jeryd¡¯s exnation, Ethan Whiskers was an excellent educator, more than capable of teaching new inquisitors. ¡°However¡­¡± As soon as Benjamin finished eximing, Jeryd¡¯s expression stiffened slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He should have been relieved to have brought such a skilled teacher, even if the education hadn¡¯t started yet. Nevertheless, Jeryd¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t very good. Was there some problem in the process of bringing him? ¡°Well¡­¡± Jeryd exined what had just happened. He told him how when he gave Ethan the Inquisition¡¯s manual and asked when he could start teaching, Ethan said he could do it in 30 minutes. ¡°What? 30 minutes?¡± Benjamin also looked bewildered at those unbelievable words. ¡°Yes, at first I thought he would ask for 3 weeks, no, a month.¡± ¡°Of course, at least a month is needed. It takes quite a while just to read that thick manual. And it¡¯s not enough to understand and memorize it in a month. Didn¡¯t the previous instructor take 3 months to teach the basics to new recruits?¡± Benjamin said incredulously. Three months to teach the basics to new inquisitors. If so, it wouldn¡¯t be strange if it took even longer to perfectly master this manual. If this teacher Ethan Whiskers had an exceptional ability to understand, it might be possible in about a month, but¡­ ¡°30 minutes is a bit¡­ I understand why your expression hardened like that.¡± ¡°Right? 30 minutes, it¡¯s just impossible.¡± Benjamin nodded at Jeryd¡¯s words. ¡°He might just skim through the manual roughly and try to assess the state of the new inquisitors before starting the actual education.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably it. I already told him the new inquisitors are rough.¡± ¡°Since you personally brought him, Director, it¡¯s probably strategic. Don¡¯t worry too much. I¡¯m sure this Sir Ethan has his own n.¡± ¡°I suppose so. We agreed to meet againter, so let¡¯s move on for now. How are their movements?¡± Benjamin began reporting in detail to Jeryd¡¯s question. ¡°Three teams have been deployed now. The cleanup is mostly finished, we just need to flush out and deal with those still holding out in the forest.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there that they keep holding out for?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something called the Moon Fragment, a kind of magic stone.¡± ¡°Moon Fragment?¡± ¡°Yes, it seems to be a magic stone with quite condensed mana, with a special energy called the moon¡¯s aura, ording to the n from the nearby forest.¡± ¡°Are they trying to obtain this Moon Fragment?¡± ¡°Yes, those holding out now have it.¡± ¡°We need to retrieve it. If we get that, we can track the movements and goals of those Followers of the Moon bastards.¡± As they received reports and discussed future ns, the 30 minutes quickly passed. ¡°Let¡¯s go together, Deputy Director Benjamin. If possible, try to kindly tell Sir Ethan not to feel too pressured.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, understood.¡± Benjamin was also quite curious about this Ethan Whiskers. If he was someone the Director was impressed by his skills and brought instead of udie, he must be truly exceptional. Of course, the im that he only needed 30 minutes was a bit strange, but they would find out when they met him in person. *** ¡°I¡¯m all prepared.¡± The room prepared for Ethan was quite neat and spacious. ¡°You say you¡¯re all prepared?¡± Jeryd wore a puzzled expression. ¡°Ah, let me first introduce my colleague here. This is my deputy and current deputy director of the Inquisition, Benjamin Rewrite.¡± ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Benjamin Rewrite, the deputy director of the Inquisition. I¡¯m pleased to meet you, Sir Ethan, who will be working as our instructor for a while.¡± Benjamin extended his hand with a smiling face. The first impression he got was that Ethan Whiskers was quite a handsome young man, more than he had expected. Especially those hazy eyes. He gave off a somewhat weak impression. Of course, he could sense the strength hidden in those eyes, but he didn¡¯t look as special as he had imagined. ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers. It will be a short period, but I look forward to working with you.¡± As the two shook hands, Jeryd asked again. ¡°What do you mean by saying you¡¯re all prepared?¡± ¡°I mean I¡¯m ready to teach the new inquisitors.¡± ¡°It has indeed been 30 minutes as you said, but¡­¡± Even though Jeryd had personally brought him, this needed to be rified. ¡°I want to teach our new inquisitors thoroughly and urately. If I was going to teach them half-heartedly, I wouldn¡¯t have personally invited you, Sir Ethan.¡± Jeryd said. Ethan grinned at those words. ¡°Then let me demonstrate by teaching the Director first. That way, you¡¯ll know whether I¡¯ve mastered this manual and am ready to teach the new inquisitors, right?¡± Ethan then looked at the deputy director. ¡°Deputy Director, please join us as well.¡± *** In a spacious training ground. Ethan, Jeryd, and Benjamin stood on the sparring arena. To be honest, the Director and Deputy Director were perplexed. They both clearly thought Ethan couldn¡¯t have perfectly mastered the manual. It was natural. How could anyone master that in just 30 minutes? 30 minutes wasn¡¯t even enough time to simply read it. And to im he could teach it to someone else to that extent? He must be either a genius or a braggart full of bluster. In Jeryd¡¯s view, Ethan was clearly the former. That¡¯s why he entrusted him with the instructor position. However, on this matter, he slightly suspected Ethan might be thetter. -What should we do? The Deputy Director asked in a quiet voice. -Since we¡¯ve already invited him as an instructor, we have no choice but to entrust this education matter to him entirely. But if he hasn¡¯t properly mastered it and is just being overly enthusiastic, we¡¯ll unfortunately have to find a new instructor. Wrong is wrong. Even if it meant embarrassing him, teaching the new inquisitors was currently a very important matter for the Inquisition. Jeryd steeled his resolve. ¡°I¡¯ll teach as if you were new inquisitors.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, go ahead.¡± ¡°Recruit, from now on, all responses will be ¡®Ack¡¯.¡± ¡°What?¡± Bang-! Suddenly, a powerful force spread out from the center of the sparring ground. Both Jeryd and Benjamin were surprised by the strong force that spread just from stomping on the ground. ¡°Without using mana¡­¡± ¡°Response.¡± Ethan spoke emotionlessly. As if he was a different person, the atmosphere hadpletely changed. Finally grasping the situation, both shouted loudly. ¡°Ack!¡± ¡°Ack-!¡± For some reason, it felt like they had to respond that way. ¡°Take up the mace and demonstrate your skills.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Jeryd picked up the mace. Then he demonstrated the basic blunt weapon techniques written in the Inquisition manual. The mace used in blunt weapon techniques was heavy, unleashing powerful force with each strike. Therefore, these blunt weapon techniques were designed to urately target vital points to maximize that power. Whoosh-! It started with the back of the hand. Jeryd deliberately swung the mace like a novice inquisitor. Originally, he should have used his shoulder to make one big rotation for an urate strike. That was how to maximize the attack power. But just now, instead of rotating the shoulder in a circr motion, he just swung the blunt weapon using only arm strength. Seeing Jeryd¡¯s movement, Ethan grabbed a wooden sword ced in the corner of the sparring ground. ¡°Again.¡± As Jeryd swung the mace in exactly the same way as before, Ethan¡¯s wooden sword moved to match that speed. Tap-. Tap-. As Heo¡¯s Acupuncture had been mastered, Ethan¡¯s correction ability had also greatly improved. Therefore, it didn¡¯t matter if the opponent didn¡¯t rx their strength. He would automatically strike the problematic areas, inevitably correcting the posture urately. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Jeryd wore a puzzled expression for a moment at that correction. That movement just now was a perfect swing as written in the manual. It delivered an urate strike to the desired spot by fully utilizing the centrifugal force of the shoulder. ¡°What, what is this.¡± Jeryd didn¡¯t know. How Ethan educated. He only knew that Ethan was an exceptionally good educator based on what his senior Ghost Sword had said and seeing the students Ethan had trained at the Interdepartmental Exchange Event. That¡¯s why he was surprised. Could education be done in this way? ¡°Concentrate.¡± The blunt weapon technique in the manual. Its first movement was being urately reproduced in his body. ¡°And continue. Don¡¯t stop.¡± Jeryd continued to demonstrate the blunt weapon technique as if possessed. This time, corrections were made precisely as he performed the technique. ¡°Im-impossible.¡± The Deputy Director was shocked as he watched Ethan correcting Jeryd¡¯s posture. He knew this too, having received countless training sessions. ¡°The manual¡­¡± Did he really master the entire manual? In just 30 minutes? If not, there¡¯s no way he could make someone take such a perfect stance! Benjamin suspected that maybe Jeryd was deliberately taking the stance to support Ethan. Benjamin looked at Jeryd. Jeryd was even more surprised than Benjamin. His pupils kept shaking, and if this was acting, he could be ranked among the continent¡¯s best actors. ¡°You really memorized the entire manual.¡± It wasn¡¯t just memorization, but precise understanding. Otherwise, he couldn¡¯t correct it so urately. Jeryd, who received Ethan¡¯s education, felt that the most. Jeryd, unable to hide his surprise, stood in ce. He looked at his own hand holding the mace, then at Ethan. ¡°¡­I was foolish. I personally brought you, Sir Ethan, believing in your skills, yet I doubted you like this. I¡¯vemitted a great disrespect.¡± Jeryd immediately bowed his head. Benjamin, who had been dazed, also bowed his head together. ¡°If you could forgive such rudeness, I would like to ask once again.¡± ¡°Please, we ask you!¡± In their minds, they saw the new inquisitors who had greatly improved after receiving Ethan¡¯s education. If Ethan properly educated them, they could be immediately deployed in this fight against the Followers of the Moon. Ethan gestured to them to raise their heads, saying it was alright. ¡°I¡¯ll make them properly.¡± Ethan said. ¡°Into people.¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 146: All of You, Come At Me Chapter 146: All of You, Come At Me Inquisition Erant territory branch. 32 inquisitors were gathered in a huge sparring arena. These were the new inquisitors recruited in the recent inquisitor selection. There had been a couple of deployments since joining the Inquisition, but they still hadn¡¯t shed their rookie status. This was because they were deployed without proper training and couldn¡¯t pull their own weight. As if to prove this, over half of the 32 were bandaged. Nevertheless, their eyes were all fierce. Quite a few of them looked ready to throw away their lives to tear apart those Followers of the Moon bastards if given the chance. ¡°They said there wouldn¡¯t be any deployments for a while.¡±¡°There are still a lot of injured ones too.¡± ¡°Maybe they¡¯re nning to gather only the good ones and deploy them again?¡± ¡°I hope so. Damn it, I joined to get revenge. I need to send at least one more of those bastards to hell.¡± The new inquisitors gathered in groups, specting on the reason for the assembly. But no one really knew. Just then, a veteran inquisitor entered. His hair was snow white, but his face looked to be in his 40s. Retoma. He was a veteran who had dealt with countless heretics, upying a unique position within the Inquisition. ¡°Everyone quiet. Greenhorns, d to see you all still alive. I called you here today because there¡¯s very good news for you.¡± ¡°Good news, you say?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve found the Followers of the Moon¡¯s base! Are we deploying?¡± ¡°Half of you are injured, and you want to be deployed right now? Do you all want to die?¡± Retoma looked at the rookies incredulously. ¡°I understand your enthusiasm, but rushing in with only conviction and no strength is suicidal.¡± ¡°But we¡¯re short on manpower! We¡¯ll go and tear them apart. We don¡¯t care if we die in the process!¡± Retoma shook his head at their moth-to-a-me attitude. It was good that they weren¡¯t afraid, but they were too eager. The fundamental principle of an inquisitor was to not die. Their mission was not to be martyred in the process of dealing with heretics, but to somehow return alive and spread the teachings of the Holy Light Goddess. ¡®This makes it difficult to use them properly.¡¯ They didn¡¯t need people who wanted to be cannon fodder. They needed to recruit those who could survive for a long time like himself and eventually exert influence in the Inquisition. ¡°You¡¯re all stillcking. Originally, you should have received training from an education instructor, but unfortunately the instructor retired, so you didn¡¯t get proper training.¡± They were hastily recruited and hastily deployed. The result was as everyone knew. ¡°So this time, the director has brought in a proper instructor.¡± Retoma said, frowning slightly. ¡®I had a bad feeling about this ever since he said he was going to the academy.¡¯ Jeryd had fewer years than Retoma, but he had risen to the position of director thanks to his skills and fame. Of course, his abilities weren¡¯t insufficient for the director role, but in veteran Retoma¡¯s eyes, he had too manycking areas. ¡®Can someone who teaches young kids at the academy really serve as an Inquisition instructor?¡¯ Retoma was extremely skeptical. ¡®He said he wanted to bring academy students, make a good impression, and turn them into future inquisitors.¡¯ Why on earth did he bring an academy teacher as an instructor? ¡°A new instructor¡­?¡± ¡°Does this mean we can now receive proper training?¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯ll be able to receive proper training.¡± Of course, Retoma didn¡¯t think that this academy teacher could provide proper training, but he thought it would at least be better than nothing. ¡°Ohhh¡­!¡± ¡°Who¡¯sing?¡± ¡°Could it be the famous ck Panther?¡± ¡°Or maybe Sir Holy Sword?¡± ¡°It could be the White Reaper. He¡¯s the most famous in our empire these days.¡± ¡°If they¡¯reing as an Inquisition instructor, it must be someone with an amazing reputation. But can we receive training right away?¡± Everyone started getting excited about the news of a new instructoring. ¡°We know from our own experience. The Inquisition manual is thick and difficult. They¡¯ll need to understand it all and be able to perform it perfectly to teach us.¡± ¡°Hmm, then it could be a retired senioring back.¡± ¡°It really could be a senioring.¡± Everyone made predictions and looked forward to the new iing instructor. ¡°Do you know who¡¯sing, Sir Retoma?¡± Retoma was silent for a moment. ¡°The Director will being soon with the new instructor. I hear it¡¯s a current teacher at the famous Ivecar Academy. Someone called Ethan Whiskers.¡± The excited expressions of the inquisitors hardened at Retoma¡¯s words. ¡°An academy teacher?¡± ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°Ethan Whiskers? Never heard of him.¡± ¡°Come on, this isn¡¯t right.¡± ¡°What¡¯s an academy teacher doinging as our Inquisition instructor?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not little kids.¡± ¡°A person who teaches children is going to teach us? Even if he¡¯s a teacher from a prestigious academy, still.¡± The new inquisitors clicked their tongues, disapproving of the newly iing instructor. It was understandable. Most students attending prestigious academies are children of noble families. Most of them don¡¯t go to dangerous front lines. Their education is just superficial. They don¡¯t receive proper practical training. There¡¯s absolutely no education on situations where one mistake could lead to your death or yourrade¡¯s death. Hothouse flowers. (+)[1]TLN: A person who is very fragile and vulnerable as a result of having been sheltered. That description fit academy students perfectly. In contrast, the Inquisition was the wild. To survive in the wild, they needed thorough, practical-oriented training that matched it. What was just an experience for academy students was a life-or-death reality for the Inquisition. And now an academy teacher with excellent skills in teaching those hothouse flowers wasing as an Inquisition instructor? This made no sense. ¡°Even if he¡¯s a teacher from a prestigious academy, it doesn¡¯t seem right for him toe as our Inquisition instructor.¡± An inquisitor with a scar on his face spoke. He looked the youngest among the gathered new inquisitors but had the most vicious gaze. ¡°Alendre, this is the director¡¯s choice.¡± Retoma said to the scarred inquisitor, Alendre. In fact, there was little he could say. This was all already decided by the Director. Just as discontent seemed about to explode. ¡°The director is entering.¡± An inquisitor entered first with the deputy director, and then Jeryd, the director of the Inquisition, stepped into the sparring arena. Retoma and the new inquisitors focused on the person following behind rather than the entering director. ¡®Damn it.¡¯ As feared, worry became reality. Retoma inwardly cursed as soon as he saw Ethan¡¯s face. He had hoped for at least a tough person. Since he was already brought, they couldn¡¯t send him back. If so, he should at least be able to train these rough inquisitors a little. For that, toughness was essential. But Ethan showed no signs of toughness at all. ¡°None of you look very happy. Have your wounds not all healed yet?¡± Jeryd said, looking at the new inquisitors. Retoma hurriedly went to Jeryd and whispered in his ear. ¡°Are you sure you brought the right person?¡± To Retoma, Jeryd was a junior in the Inquisition before being the director. That¡¯s why he could speak a bit more freely. ¡°Please trust me, Retoma.¡± Jeryd put his hand on Retoma¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I brought the right person.¡± Jeryd formally introduced Ethan while looking at the new inquisitors who were openly showing their dissatisfaction. ¡°This is Sir Ethan Whiskers, whom I¡¯ve newly invited as an instructor. For a short period, Sir Ethan will be your instructor.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers.¡± Ethan greeted briefly. ¡°Instructor Ethan is a teacher at the prestigious Ivecar Academy that you all know well. He¡¯s a very professional educator.¡± ¡°Can a teacher who teaches kids raised in a protected greenhouse really teach us?¡± At that moment, Alendre raised his hand and spoke. ¡°You seem doubtful, Alendre. And I¡¯m sure it¡¯s not just Alendre¡¯s doubt.¡± The other new inquisitors felt the same way. ¡°We may be new to the Inquisition, but we¡¯re not new to the outside world.¡± Though called new, they were all experienced individuals who had umted various experiences outside. They had shed their rookie status long ago. Ethan looked at Jeryd briefly, seeing the inquisitors who looked ready to pounce at any moment. ¡°May I be a bit rough?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, I¡¯ll take responsibility. Please make it clear!¡± Ethan smiled at Jeryd¡¯s permission. Clearly, the new inquisitors were all experienced individuals who had experienced the field in their respective positions. In other words, there was no need to handle them gently like students. ¡®Much better.¡¯ Ethan stepped down from the tform and approached the inquisitor standing at the very front. ¡°It seems you¡¯re all unhappy that I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly that we¡¯re unhappy. It¡¯s an honor that an academy teacher hase to teach us, but just remember that we¡¯re not students. Do you really think you can teach us?¡± ¡®This attitude even with Jeryd here.¡¯ From the start, Ethan was someone Jeryd personally brought. Whether he was an academy lecturer or whatever, he was someone their superior personally brought to educate them. Yet there wasn¡¯t even a speck of politeness to be found. ¡®He must have had quite a headache.¡¯ He could fully understand how Jeryd felt when he shared his concerns. Ethan examined the inquisitors with the Eye of Horus. They certainly had the skills to enter the Inquisition. Compared to students, they definitely looked tougher. They all seemed to have quite a decent amount of mana as well. ¡®Normally, they would have been quite difficult to handle.¡¯ Mana is restricted within the academy. Thanks to that, even Ethan, who had almost no mana due to Extinction, could easily handle the students. But this wasn¡¯t the academy. The mana possessed by the new inquisitors before him was iparably more than Ethan¡¯s. If they tried to resist Ethan with that mana, they could resist as much as they wanted. Mana was that powerful a force. ¡®But that was before mastering Heo¡¯s Acupuncture.¡¯ Ethan, who had mastered Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, was in a much stronger state than before. He judged that he could control these rough rookies as much as he wanted. ¡°The reason you don¡¯t trust your instructor is because of skill, right?¡± Ethan spread both arms. Then he instantly reached out to the inquisitor standing in front. It was exactly where the acupoint was located. Whoosh-! Ethan urately struck the acupoint with a needle he instantly created. The new inquisitor, attacked without warning, copsed on the spot. ¡°What is this¡­!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t treat you guys like a student? That¡¯s exactly what I want to say. Don¡¯t ask meter to be as gentle as if I¡¯m teaching students.¡± Ethan said. ¡°All of you,e at me.¡±
  • 1. TLN: A person who is very fragile and vulnerable as a result of having been sheltered.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 147: I Dont Know Either Chapter 147: I Don''t Know Either Retoma frowned for a moment as he saw the new inquisitor copse. What on earth was happening all of a sudden? He never imagined such a thing would ur. Given the Academy teacher¡¯s seemingly weak appearance, Retoma thought he would either try to persuade them verbally somehow or be driven out as is. But to take down one of them without any exnation¡­ ¡®If it goes like this, things will get out of control.¡¯ They had already seen one of their own fall. Although they hadn¡¯t received proper training, they had developed a sense of camaraderie after going on several missions together. Now that arade had fallen, they would surely act roughly. ¡®They could get seriously hurt.¡¯ Retoma looked at Jeryd.He was curious if Jeryd had anticipated this. However, Jeryd¡¯s expression was strange. ¡®It looks like he¡¯s expecting something.¡¯ Tilting his head in confusion, Retoma turned his gaze to the deputy director. He, too, wore the same expression as Jeryd. ¡®What the hell? What are they expecting?¡¯ The two of them were expecting something from Ethan. ¡®No matter how new these inquisitors are, their skills aren¡¯t novice level. They¡¯re only new in terms of the Inquisition.¡¯ If they were determined to take Ethan down by force, Ethan wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand it. There were 32 of them. With one fallen, now 31. 31 new inquisitors. It was enough manpower to easily handle a small branch of the Followers of the Moon. As soon as Retoma made this prediction, one of the inquisitors rushed at Ethan. ¡°You damn bastard!¡± He charged at Ethan, cursing, with a mace in his hand. Ethan easily dodged the inquisitor¡¯s charge by simply shifting his body. Then he stuck three needles into the inquisitor¡¯s wrist. The inquisitor was taken aback by Ethan¡¯s lightning-fast speed. Due to the Frost Thunder Swordsmanship, all of Ethan¡¯s movements were imbued with the power of lightning and cold. ¡°Urgh-!¡± As the inquisitor dropped his mace due to the needles stuck in his wrist, Ethan approached and stuck a needle into a vital point on the back of his neck. Another inquisitor copsed to the floor. Ethan grabbed the mace he had dropped. ¡°Now there are exactly 30. That¡¯s about right.¡± Ethan took a deep breath and focused his eyes. As the Eye of Horus activated, he could see all the movements of the charging inquisitors. The Eye of Horus, now more advanced than before, made him feel as if time had stopped for that brief moment of concentration. ¡®Disorganized.¡¯ Properly trained inquisitors would never move like this. They were attacking recklessly, simply trying to take Ethan down without any strategy. ¡®They¡¯re not even maintaining groups of three, let alone forming any formation.¡¯ Ethan intended to thoroughly educate them on this right here and now. An inquisitor who instantly reached Ethan swung his mace. ¡®He¡¯s just thinking of it as a blunt weapon, not maximizing its power.¡¯ Ethan easily dodged the attack. Then he took a step forward. Although he should have retreated as much as possible to avoid being surrounded when fighting multiple opponents alone, Ethan instead deliberately moved forward to allow himself to be encircled. Whoosh-! ¡®Dispersion of power. By spreading the force across the entire mace instead of concentrating it at the tip, the destructive power is weakened.¡¯ Boom-! The mace struck the ground. If Ethan hadn¡¯t dodged, it would have hit him squarely on the head. ¡®It¡¯s quite usable. Rich in mana. But there are too many openings. Focusing only on destructive power leaves too many gaps after attacking. This way, you can¡¯t protect yourrades.¡¯ Ethan thoroughly analyzed the new inquisitors¡¯ problems based on the Inquisition manual in his mind. Seeing that Ethan wasn¡¯t counterattacking, the new inquisitors continued their attacks more fiercely. But they simply couldn¡¯t catch Ethan. It was nearly impossible for these anger-driven, destructive power-focused individuals to catch Ethan, who was moving with the subtleties of the Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. ¡®My eyes are starting to hurt.¡¯ He had now identified all of their shorings. Having identified the deficiencies, the next step was education. ¡°Damn it.¡± ¡°Just keeps dodging like a rat, what kind of Academy teacher is this? What are the Academy students supposed to learn from watching this?¡± Though the inquisitors tried to provoke him, Ethan wasn¡¯t drawn in at all. Rather, he showed a gentle smile. ¡®Their way with words is terrible too.¡¯ That¡¯s not how you provoke someone. ¡°What are they supposed to learn? You half-wit trash. If I were an invading Follower of the Moon, you¡¯d all be dead by now without having aplished anything. Drunk on your fancy uniforms, relying only on individual strength with no coordination with yourrades. You must have fought together on several missions, but what have you been doing all this time?¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the inquisitors¡¯ expressions suddenly red up. Some even turned red up to their ears and the napes of their necks. To agitate an opponent, you need to poke at their weak points. What these peoplecked now was preparation to fight the Followers of the Moon. Without proper training, they relied solely on individual strength. Ethan urately jabbed at this point. ¡®They get riled up easily. Their mental fortitude isn¡¯t great either.¡¯ Ethan knows well how despicable the Followers of the Moon are. They will use any means necessary to achieve their goals. Among those were many techniques to shake one¡¯s mental state. There were even cases of insulting the opponent like this to create an opening and then self-destructing with them. ¡®There¡¯s a lot to fix. I¡¯ll rack up some achievements.¡¯ The more deficient they were, the better. ¡°We¡¯ve been going easy on you since the director brought you here!¡± One inquisitor who couldn¡¯t hold back anymore stepped forward. He was thergest of the inquisitors. With a height well over 2 meters and a thick build to match, he was imposing. In his hands was a mace muchrger than those of the other inquisitors, befitting his size. Compared to Ethan¡¯s mace, it was like the difference between a toothpick and chopsticks. ¡°Let¡¯s see you dodge this!¡± Since Ethan had been constantly dodging without counterattacking, therge inquisitor thought Ethan would dodge this time too. But Ethan didn¡¯t dodge. Because now it was time for education. ¡°Counter-Radiance.¡± Ethan¡¯s mace shed directly with the giant mace of therge inquisitor. ¡°Wh-what!¡± Therge inquisitor who thought he would crush Ethan was momentarily stunned. Ethan¡¯s mace had pushed back his specialrge mace. ng-! ¡°Ugh!¡± It was such a powerful force that it felt like his wrist might break. Therge inquisitor¡¯s special mace was deflected upwards, sent flying. With his mace deflected away, therge inquisitor was leftpletely defenseless. If Ethan¡¯s mace swung one more time in this state, it would be over. However, Ethan didn¡¯t swing his mace and instead kicked him. Whoosh! At the same time, another mace came flying from a different direction. Ethan spun around quickly, assessed the one swinging the mace, and attacked his shoulder and waist with stabbing motions of his mace. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± The inquisitor stabbed by Ethan¡¯s mace stopped in his tracks, surprised by his changed movement. ¡°Out of the way!¡± Another inquisitor swung his mace at Ethan, pushing aside the stopped inquisitor. It was an attack infused with his unique mana. ¡°Gale Strike!¡± Wind gathered on the mace. The mace, utilizing that speed, aimed for Ethan¡¯s neck. It was a fast attack, but Ethan¡¯s eyes were following its speed. Frost Thunder Swordsmanship First Form. Thunder Shockwave Strike. Ethan immediately applied only the speed aspect of Thunder Shockwave Strike. Thud! Thud! Thud! As before, he stabbed at thepletely open areas. This caused the charging inquisitor¡¯s Gale Strike to dissipate, and he ended up in apletely different stance. Thud. Likewise, another inquisitor came to a stop right there. ¡°Keep your movements small. Big movements are meaningless. Be precise and concise.¡± As three werepletely neutralized, the inquisitors who had been charging recklessly came to a halt. ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s how it should be. When facing someone stronger than yourselves, you form a formation. A formation that allows you to concentrate your attacking power on one person as much as possible.¡± Ethan exuded his power. Crackle-! Bright yellow lightning and. Shaaaa-. Deep blue cold energy spread around. It didn¡¯t matter that what he held wasn¡¯t a sword. Even with a mace, he could fully exert that power. ¡°Now we begin the real education. This is the first lesson. From now on, I¡¯ll teach you how to form a formation against a powerful enemy.¡± *** ¡°¡­¡­¡± Ethan fought quite well. As expected of a teacher from a prestigious Academy, Retoma thought, but on the other hand, he found it somewhat strange that an Academy teacher would disy such rough movements. But there would be limits to his stamina, and seeing theirrades fall, the inquisitors would gradually learn to cope. Retoma thought that at that point, the director and deputy director would step in to resolve the situation. But that wasn¡¯t the case. ¡®Strange.¡¯ Retoma felt a sense of difort. As he focused his eyes, trying to figure out what was off, Retoma¡¯s body twitched. ¡®N-no way.¡¯ Ethan wasn¡¯t just fighting. ¡®He¡¯s correcting their postures. He clearly had opportunities to take them down, but he didn¡¯t.¡¯ Except for the first two, no one else had fallen after that. ¡®And¡­¡¯ He looked at Ethan in disbelief. ¡°Is this even possible¡­¡± It was a sight that left him gaping. ¡°He¡¯s forcing the neers into formation by driving them back?¡± Letting someone experience something physically once is far more effective than exining it verbally a hundred times. But that¡¯s not an easy thing to do. If it were easy to make someone learn through physical experience, who would bother exining things verbally? Yet that Academy teacher was aplishing this difficult task. And it was an Academy teacher who hade here for the first time today! ¡°Just who¡­ who is this person?¡± Retoma simply couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. The director had clearly brought Ethan here for the first time today. That meant there was no base for him to teach anything. To start proper education, one would need to perfectly familiarize oneself with the Inquisition manual first. That would take at least two months. Since he was an Academy teacher, he would only work during vacation periods, so out of three months, two would be spent studying the manual. Then the remaining month would be spent on a curriculum to educate the new inquisitors. ¡°How is this possible? Didn¡¯t you bring him here for the first time today? I heard he arrived not long ago, so how is he teaching the neers now?¡± This was education. wless education to create excellent inquisitors. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Looking at the thoroughly bewildered Retoma, Jeryd answered. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Jeryd¡¯s expression was filled with a bitter smile.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 148: Tectonic Shift Chapter 148: Tectonic Shift Even the veteran Retoma was once a neer. That¡¯s why he received training centered on the Inquisition manual. ¡®It¡¯s not something you can master overnight!¡¯ It¡¯s a manual for training new inquisitors. Can someone really familiarize themselves with that manual, which contains countless umted experiences, in less than a day and then teach it? ¡®The Inquisition manual isn¡¯t that easy!¡¯ ¡°Did you n and decide on this in advance?¡± Because of this, Retoma couldn¡¯t help but be suspicious. But Jeryd shook his head. If he had hidden Ethan like a secret weapon, he would have brought him in sooner.¡°How could I have done that? If I had such a talent on hand, I would have used him right away when the neers arrived.¡± ¡°¡­Then, really, truly.¡± Retoma emphasized each word. ¡°Did he really familiarize himself with the manual in that short time and is now teaching the neers?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s surprising, it¡¯s unbelievable. But that¡¯s correct, Retoma.¡± Jeryd answered briefly. This time, Retoma looked at Deputy Director Benjamin. ¡°Deputy Director.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Mr. Retoma. I saw it clearly too.¡± With both the director and deputy director confirming it was true, Retoma had no choice but to remain silent. If by any chance these two weren¡¯t joking with him, it meant that everything he was seeing now was real. Crackle-! At that moment, yellow lightning and deep blue cold energy began to flow from Ethan. ¡°!¡± He used tangible energy to restrict the neers¡¯ movements and force them into a kind of formation. ¡°To be able to force movements like that by applying pressure with energy flow.¡± It was a very advanced technique. Crackle-. As if sheathing a sword, Ethan smoothly slid the mace to his waist and took up a stance. Whoosh-! ¡°Perfect blunt weapon technique. It¡¯s the manual itself.¡± The manual describes in detail how to wield a mace. Of course, even though it¡¯s detailed, it was written based on the intuition of veteran instructors, so there was some intuitive aspect to it. Intuitive means it¡¯s difficult to understand. But Ethan perfectly reproduced those intuitive movements with his body. Whoosh-! Ethan swung the mace again and again. The mace didn¡¯t touch the new inquisitors, just cutting through the air. But after repeating this several times, even the excited new inquisitors couldn¡¯t help but grasp Ethan¡¯s movements. He meant for them to watch. Whoosh-! As if to say this is the perfect technique of an inquisitor. The new inquisitors fell into a state ofplete tension. Maintaining that tension quickly tired their bodies. Even though they hadn¡¯t been hit by Ethan¡¯s attacks, they all looked extremely exhausted. At that moment, Ethan rxed his body and dropped the mace. ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡± ¡°Gasp¡­ gasp¡­¡± Only when Ethan withdrew his energy did the new inquisitors finally let out the breaths they had been holding. Some even copsed on the spot. The copsed inquisitors looked up at Ethan from where they sat. His eyes, which they had initially thought looked gentle, now felt chillingly cold. ¡°This instructor¡¯s goal is to make you into proper human beings. That means the goal is to make you into inquisitors who can each do the work of one person.¡± It was clear that if these people fought the Followers of the Moon at their current level, they would all die before long. ¡®I need to educate them properly so they can pressure the Followers of the Moon bastards. That would kill two birds with one stone.¡¯ The first goal was to properly pressure the Followers of the Moon bastards to keep their attention away from the Academy, and the second was to spread Ethan¡¯s name within the Holylight Order. ¡®I¡¯m gradually building a foundation to meet the Saintess.¡¯ Making the new inquisitors into proper human beings would extend and strengthen the foundation for meeting the Saintess. ¡°From now on, all responses will be unified with ¡®Understood¡¯. Got it?¡± Even after Ethan¡¯s words, the surroundings remained quiet. When Ethan gripped the mace again in his hand, only then did someone shout loudly. ¡°Understood!¡± Starting with that, the other inquisitors also shouted at the top of their lungs. Now, there were no more new inquisitors who ignored or looked down on Ethan. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have gained Likes for achieving the [Instructor of the Inquisition] achievement. -You have gained ¡®3¡¯ Likes! *** ¡°That was amazing, hahaha. How old are you? Are you really a new teacher from the Academy?¡± That evening, a modest weing party was held for Ethan. Jeryd, Benjamin, and Retoma, a veteran inquisitor from the Erant branch, attended. Retoma, having heard Ethan¡¯s introduction, apuded and marveled. ¡°My, I wonder if I¡¯m looking at the youngest master. You¡¯ve been a new teacher for less than half a year and already have such skills? I was really surprised earlier. How were you able to educate like that?¡± Having heard that Ethan was a new teacher who just started this year, Retoma couldn¡¯t stop praising him. ¡°You tter me. There are still teachers like Teacher udie at the Academy, and many other excellent teachers. As you probably know, the Sword Saint¡¯s grandson is also a fellow new teacher who started with me.¡± ¡°Oh, with this year¡¯s Ivecar, could you beat Freya Academy? Anyway, I was really surprised.¡± Jeryd couldn¡¯t hide his astonishment as he watched Retoma. Retoma was aposed man. Back when Jeryd was a new inquisitor, Retoma, who was his senior, never once praised him during the five years they worked together as mentor and mentee. Simrly, even after bing director, Retoma was sparing with his praise. But the rare praises he did give were sincere, so Jeryd felt extremely good about those praises. For such a person to bevishing praise like this. Although he was praising Ethan, Jeryd felt good inside as if his own judgment in bringing Ethan was being recognized. ¡°I have a little talent.¡± Ethan said with a slight smile. ¡°Hahahahaha! If this is a little talent, then I must bepletely ipetent! You¡¯re really amazing.¡± It¡¯s an unbelievable talent. Someone with such talent would naturally have a kind of superiority about that talent. Especially someone who has already shown results. But Ethan was extremely humble. He wasn¡¯t humble because he didn¡¯t know the value of his abilities, but he was humble while knowing that value. Such people are rare. Retoma seemed to like Ethan¡¯s character very much, as he took a pleased swig of his drink. ¡°You¡¯re more amazing than me, Mr. Retoma. What I think is amazing is the consistency of talent.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been in that position for over 30 years. Over 30 years in this perilous position of an Inquisition inquisitor. It¡¯s impossible without maintaining excellent talent for decades. I think someone like that is far more amazing. My talent has just bloomed, but hasn¡¯t your talent already fully blossomed and continued for over 30 years?¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± At those words, Retoma¡¯s facepletely softened. If anyone in the Inquisition were to say they couldn¡¯t acknowledge Ethan from now on, he felt like giving them a good thrashing. Now Ethan and he were practically one and the same. Jeryd whispered to such a Retoma. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you, Retoma? That I brought in an amazing person.¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but have preconceptions.¡± Retoma replied to Jeryd with an embarrassed expression, clearing his throat. ¡°Anyway, there¡¯s nothing to worry about now.¡± This ayed his concerns about the new inquisitors. If left in Ethan¡¯s hands, they would surely be proper inquisitors capable of doing their share of work. The weing party, which had been so cordial, quickly turned to talk of work. ¡°It will take some time before the neers can be deployed. Then we don¡¯t need to deploy them against those Followers of the Moon bastards entrenched in that forest, right Director?¡± ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t n to deploy them. It¡¯s in the final stages, but it¡¯s not over yet. The resistance is fierce, and above all, since they¡¯ve secured the magic stone containing the moon¡¯s aura, the personnel we¡¯ve already deployed will finish it as is.¡± ¡°Magic stone containing the moon¡¯s aura, why are they trying to obtain that? Are those bastards trying to resurrect the Moon Mother?¡± ¡°That¡¯s possible. We don¡¯t know their exact goal yet. We¡¯re just understanding that they¡¯re trying to destroy the current world and create a new one.¡± ¡®Moon¡¯s aura?¡¯ Ethan, listening to the conversation, focused on a specific term. ¡®If it¡¯s moon¡¯s aura¡­ Ah, that¡¯s it.¡¯ The Followers of the Moon are collecting relics containing powerful forces for their purpose. The traces of those bastards found in the Moonforce temple were part of that effort. ¡®I guess there¡¯s a Moonforce temple in the forest?¡¯ At least judging by the name including ¡°moon,¡± it was likely to be an object containing Moonforce¡¯s power. ¡®It¡¯s an opportunity to secure another temple and create believers.¡¯ ¡°Would it be alright to deploy the new inquisitors there?¡± As Ethan picked up on Retoma¡¯s words, Jeryd answered with a bright expression, as if hearing something wee. ¡°We were considering deploying the neers for practical experience since it¡¯s almost over, but because the resistance has be so fierce at the end, there was a high possibility of the neers getting hurt, so we were nning to reject the idea. But if you, Sir Ethan, deploy them there as part of their education, then there¡¯s no harm in it.¡± Jeryd no longer intended to applymon sense to Ethan. He¡¯s someone whopletely mastered a manual that should take over a month to familiarize oneself with in just 30 minutes. It didn¡¯t make sense for him to start educating today, but he made it possible. ¡°However, there¡¯s a high possibility that the situation will be resolved within ten days. To deploy them and achieve meaningful results, you¡¯d have toplete their education within ten days. Is that possible, Sir Ethan?¡± If he says it¡¯s possible, then it¡¯s possible. Jeryd greatly trusted Ethan¡¯s words. And Benjamin felt the same way. He looked at Ethan with sparkling eyes. Neither of them would have ever thought they could trust someone they just met today this much. ¡°It¡¯s possible.¡± *** -Everyone, have you seen? Someone called Hood the Archer has entered the rankings. -Why did they suddenlye up? -It¡¯s because they¡¯ve risen to the top of the trending videos ranking. -Huh? Why suddenly a video? -I subscribed and watched, and wow. A really amazing video has been uploaded. -My, you¡¯re making me very curious. I¡¯m going to subscribe right away. As many gods had predicted, a tectonic shift was urring in the New World. ¡°Hood the Archer broke into the top 50?¡± ¡°Who is Hood the Archer?¡± ¡°That Robin Hood is in the top 50?¡± ¡°How did they break into the top 50?¡± The gods examined Hood the Archer¡¯s video with curiosity. The explosively growing number of subscribers and likes. What made this possible was a single video. Hood the Archer¡¯s video, which continues to update its ranking in the trending videos list even now. The gods checked that video. ¡°Th-this is.¡± ¡°This person¡­!¡± ¡°¡­[Only subscribed to the right gods]? Isn¡¯t this the subscriber famous for their subscription reviews!¡± The gods couldn¡¯t hide their surprised expressions.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 149: Just Me Here Chapter 149: Just Me Here ¡°Amazing!¡± Ethan¡¯s edited video was truly unparalleled. The gods who had seen it firsthand could feel that the most. ¡°I never knew his summarizing skills were this excellent. Surely when condensing this much, there would normally be parts that get missed.¡± The edited video Ethan made contained all the information the god wanted to convey, without missing a single thing. ¡°And it¡¯s not just crammed in there. He¡¯s arranged it so subscribers can understand easily.¡± Hood the Archer also felt that the original videos were somewhat difficult to understand in parts. That¡¯s because they weren¡¯t made with a prepared script, but rather by pouring out the knowledge in their heads. Most of the videos provided by the gods were made by spilling out the knowledge in their minds. At first, they would blurt out sensory words, and only towards the end of the video would they exin them, so viewers had to concentrate throughout the entire video to understand.And the order was also somewhat jumbled. ¡°To think such a video could be made by removing all the long-winded talk and keeping only the core parts.¡± Videos mixed with long-winded exnations and hard-to-understand content were a problem most gods had. This applied even to the higher-ranking gods. ¡°Even the top-ranking gods have the same problem. The reason their rankings are different despite that is because their abilities are extraordinary and rtively easy to learn.¡± But their videos aren¡¯t clean either. ¡°¡­It¡¯s apetitive edge.¡± It¡¯s apetitive edge that can propel one to the higher ranks. The higher-ranking gods who hadn¡¯t known about Ethan until now. Those gods have now started to take notice of Ethan. *** Upon entering New World, Ethan looked at his madly blinking mailbox. It seemed like there were far more letters than when he first became famous for writing subscription reviews. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s quite good.¡± Ethan grinned and checked themunity first, rather than the mailbox. As expected, themunity was filled with talk about [Only subscribed to the right gods]. -[Only subscribed to the right gods] always feels like they¡¯re a few steps ahead. -If [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber was in our world, they would definitely have be a hero. -Thanks to them, I subscribed to Hood the Archer. -It seems they¡¯re trying to continue making edited videos and coborate with the gods. If abilities can be understood this easily, I¡¯ll definitely follow along. -Until now, we had to buy skip buttons to understand roughly. Praises for Ethan filled themunity. Just then, a post at the very top of themunity caught his eye. ¡®So you can convert likes onmunity posts into contribution points.¡¯ A post being at the top of themunity meant it had received the most likes. The title was very simple. -[Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber¡¯s recent activities The content summarized what Ethan, who had be famous for his subscription reviews, was currently doing. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect a post about my recent activities to be up. I guess I¡¯ve be quite the celebrity.¡± Ethan immediately clicked on that post. It was a post summarizing the story from when he became famous for his subscription reviews until now, withments below. -Though they gained quite a bit of fame, I think it will die down soon. -I thought the same when simr subscription reviews started popping up. No matter how great a subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods] is, subscription reviews are easy to imitate. -Of course, the original [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber would have thepetitive edge in originality, but their influence was bound to decrease as simr subscription reviews increased. It seemed everyone thought Ethan¡¯s influence within New World would decrease. But all of their predictions were off the mark. From subscription reviews to edited videos. The story was that when other subscribers started imitating the advantages of subscription reviews, he moved to a field that couldn¡¯t be imitated even if they tried. -But what in the world is this? -I was surprised too. This changes things. I subscribed and watched it too, and the quality was no joke. -Come to think of it, wasn¡¯t that subscriber¡¯s review popr because they summarized well? Seems like they¡¯ve maximized that summarizing ability. They only realized after the lid was opened. Ethan chose a method that could maximize his existing strengths and moved quickly. -Seeing how quickly they moved, it seems they were already aware of the problem. -Yeah, they¡¯re really fast. And Hood the Archer, they picked just the right god. A mid-tier god now aiming for the upper-mid tier. They must have drawn in a lot of subscribers with just one video. ¡®Hmm.¡¯ Ethan read thements with satisfaction. In truth, he hadn¡¯t expected it to go this far. ¡®I was aiming for a reversal with edited videos as the impact of subscription reviews decreased.¡¯ The reversal was bigger than expected. Hood the Archer¡¯s video was rapidly climbing the trending video rankings, and now countless gods and subscribers in New World knew about the coboration between Hood the Archer and [Only subscribed to the right gods]. ¡®The blinking mailbox probably contains letters from upper-mid tier gods. The top-tier gods will likely try to contact me in other forms, not letters.¡¯ Once again, Ethan held the knife by the handle. The gods not chosen by Ethan would surely try to imitate this edited video through other subscribers. ¡®Because the gods I can choose are limited.¡¯ On the other hand, the gods would want the same impact as this edited video. ¡®But it¡¯s different from the subscription review era.¡¯ This edited video chosen by Ethan can fully utilize Ethan¡¯s unique summarizing ability. There are many parts that other subscribers can¡¯t imitate even if they try. ¡®It¡¯s hard to imitate even if they try.¡¯ In fact, it didn¡¯t matter if they imitated. This incident would have made upper-mid tier, and even top-tier gods aware of Ethan¡¯s abilities. ¡®That image is what¡¯s important.¡¯ It¡¯s only natural that a subscriber with originality is more desirable than one who imitates. The higher-ranking the god, the more this would be true. ¡®I know that psychology well.¡¯ Ethan grinned. The gods¡¯ sense of justice and desire for honor would ultimately force them to seek out Ethan. ¡°The next god I choose will be very important. Whether I show my abilities by picking a god about to jump from upper-mid tier to top tier, or choose a top-tier god.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t know well who the current top-tier gods were. But he could predict that there would be a big gap between top tier and the highest tier. ¡®Right now, I¡¯ve drawn my sword and swung it once. If the impact is minimal when I swing it once more here, the top-tier gods will lose interest in me.¡¯ Then, in the end, he wouldn¡¯t be able to draw the desired amount of ability from the desired god. ¡®I might not even be able to get free goods or premium subscriber benefits right away.¡¯ Ethan¡¯s goal was to get everything he could from each god. ¡®I should pick an upper-mid tier god.¡¯ Choose a god more famous than Hood the Archer with more subscribers and likes, and push them to be a top-tier god. ¡®I haven¡¯t thought of anyone yet though.¡¯ Ethan has the power of the algorithm. ¡°I¡¯ll subscribe ording to the situation.¡± *** The next day. The new inquisitors who had received proper education from Ethan were summoned to the training ground again. They seemed to have been hit hard all over, but for some reason, there were no wounds. ¡°Strangely, it doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± ¡°No, even the wounds from before don¡¯t hurt anymore.¡± ¡°Could it be that the instructor¡­¡± As soon as they spoke, Ethan entered. ¡°Did you sleep well?¡± They answered Ethan¡¯s words promptly. ¡°Yes sir!¡± (+)[1]TLN: This here, remember that when Ethan said they should answer everything Ethan ask with ¡°Understood¡±? Well, honestly it is not exactly ¡°Understood¡±, is this word ¡°?¡± (Ack/Ag). If I tranted as is, I feel like it doesn¡¯t really make sense, so I¡¯ll trante it as either ¡°Understood,¡± ¡°Yes sir,¡± or something simr to these. Just remember that they said the same thing when this kind of partes again. P.S: It¡¯s totally not because I¡¯mzy, not at all. All answers were ¡°Yes sir!¡± Ethan nced at them with a smile. Yesterday they had very strange feelings, but seeing Ethan today made them feel reassured first. Ethan was extremely strong. It wasn¡¯t something to be disregarded just because he taught young students at the academy. His skills were real. Since they had the chance to learn from such a great instructor, they would surely be much stronger than now. ¡°Instructor! What exactly will we be learning?¡± ¡°Good question.¡± The new inquisitors focused on Ethan¡¯s lips. Surely he would teach them powerful techniques to kill the followers of the Moon. For example, how to swing a mace quickly or how to instantly see through the enemy¡¯s vile tricks. But what came out of Ethan¡¯s mouth waspletely unexpected. ¡°How not to die.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Everyone showed bewilderment, as it wasn¡¯t the answer they were expecting. ¡°It¡¯s the most important thing. How not to die, how to return alive.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, some of the inquisitors flinched. ¡°I¡¯ll ask the trainee here who disagrees with my words the most.¡± Ethan asked a young inquisitor with a scar on his face. He was the youngest inquisitor here, the one who hadined to Retoma. ¡°Your name?¡± ¡°¡­Alendre, sir.¡± ¡°Trainee Alendre, looking at your eyes full of vengeance, it seems you just want to die. Your eyes say you¡¯d be fine dying if you could kill even one more follower of the Moon.¡± After pondering for a moment at Ethan¡¯s words, Alendre spoke with even more fierce eyes. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. Is that wrong? Isn¡¯t that how an inquisitor should be? Is my mindset of killing all followers of the Moon who go against the Holylight Order¡¯s doctrine wrong?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s wrong.¡± At Ethan¡¯s answer, Alendre red fiercely without a word. ¡°You must be curious. Everyone would agree with Alendre¡¯s opinion. But that¡¯s wrong. You need to be stronger solely to survive.¡± Be stronger to survive? ¡°Then are you saying we should prioritize survival even if it means letting followers of the Moon escape?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­¡± Ethan said, looking at Alendre. ¡°Because I taught you.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± ¡°For me, your goals don¡¯t really matter. Things like revenge against the followers of the Moon mean nothing to me.¡± Ethan looked from Alendre to the other new inquisitors. Most of the new inquisitors were older than Ethan. Except for the young Alendre, they were people with more experience. Therefore, they had much more experience than the new teacher Ethan and had established their own standards, but for some reason, they found themselves drawn into Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°I came here as an instructor. I¡¯m going to teach you to be full-fledged members. So among those who received my education, there shouldn¡¯t be anyone dying within 5 years.¡± Ethan said this while drawing the mace from his waist. ¡°I¡¯ll make it so. As I just said, your goals mean nothing to me. But it¡¯s a different matter if those who received my education die without achieving their goals.¡± Ethan said. ¡°For those who can¡¯t see long-term goals and are blinded by short-term goals, ready to die right away, I¡¯ll just kill you here myself.¡±
  • 1. TLN: This here, remember that when Ethan said they should answer everything Ethan ask with ¡°Understood¡±? Well, honestly it is not exactly ¡°Understood¡±, is this word ¡°?¡± (Ack/Ag). If I tranted as is, I feel like it doesn¡¯t really make sense, so I¡¯ll trante it as either ¡°Understood,¡± ¡°Yes sir,¡± or something simr to these. Just remember that they said the same thing when this kind of partes again. P.S: It¡¯s totally not because I¡¯mzy, not at all.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 150: Ethans Method Chapter 150: Ethan''s Method This was the first time they had encountered someone like this. They had heard he was from a prestigious academy, but looking at him now, he didn¡¯t give off the impression of a teacher from such an institution at all. Rather, he seemed like a veteran with over 10 years of experience on the front lines, causing the new inquisitors to be extremely tense. They had thought they would at least have the upper hand in terms of experience. ¡°From basics to advanced, one week. I¡¯llplete your training in just one week. And I¡¯ll make sure you can be deployed on the mission you¡¯ve been longing for.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the eyes of the new inquisitors sparkled. What they desired was to be deployed on a mission. ¡°Where to, sir?¡± ¡°The Misty Forest.¡±At Ethan¡¯s words, the expressions of the new inquisitors, including Alendre, changed. They knew that operations were taking ce in the Misty Forest. If they went there, there would surely be many things they could do. ¡°I heard the Followers of the Moon are holed up there. It¡¯s been quite some time, but the Inquisition hasn¡¯t been able to push through. What do you think that means?¡± ¡°That we have a chance to make a difference, sir.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s an opportunity for you neers to achieve merit. Moreover, you might be able to fulfill your individual goals there.¡± The new inquisitors looked excited. Ethan calmed them down. ¡°But as I said just now, I will teach you how to never die. If that doesn¡¯t be second nature to you, you will never be able to go on a mission.¡± Ethan stared at them intently, as if to say he wasn¡¯t lying. ¡°Ever.¡± *** Ethan¡¯s training was conducted in a way they had never experienced before. ¡°Focus.¡± Sixteen people move simultaneously and receive corrections from Ethan. Ethan¡¯s eyes, which were considered monstrous even within the academy, shone in the Inquisition as well. At first, they naturally doubted him. It¡¯s not easy to observe even one person at a time, let alone sixteen simultaneously? The first thing the new inquisitors had to discard was the habits ingrained in them until now. To turn them into proper inquisitors, they needed to be thoroughly trained ording to the manual. However, correcting previously ingrained habits before learning was a difficult task that would take a long time even on a one-on-one basis. In this situation, when the new inquisitors heard Ethan say he would observe sixteen people at once, they inwardly scoffed. They knew Ethan was a great teacher. But no matter how great, this seemed impossible. ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°Focus.¡± But that impossible thing was happening. Thwack-! Thwack-! Ethan used a wooden sword to urately poke the spots that needed correction. And for the neers who needed major corrections to their habits, he used his hands directly. Of course, while it looked like he was using his hands, there were needles at the tips. With a single gesture from Ethan, their postures were instantly corrected. The new inquisitors, who naturally assumed postures identical to the manual, felt awkward with Ethan¡¯s training method at first but soon adapted to it. Ethan¡¯s eyes moved ceaselessly. He should have been fatigued from constantly using his eyes, but Ethan didn¡¯t stop. -Eye of Horus proficiency increases! This was the perfect opportunity to build proficiency. He could endure any amount of pain. Ethan knew well that this level of pain wouldn¡¯t kill him. ¡®This kind of pain definitely won¡¯t kill me. I know because I¡¯ve experienced it a lot.¡¯ He was a self-proimed expert on death, after all. Having felt and ovee numerous near-death experiences, he couldn¡¯t help but know that boundary. -Eye of Horus proficiency increases! As the proficiency of Eye of Horus increased, he could see more things. Thwack-! ¡°Gasp!¡± Now that he could clearly see the habits of the new inquisitors that were invisible before, precise corrections were possible. ¡®Basically, they all have skill. So the corrections aren¡¯t that difficult.¡¯ Of course, that was ¡°not difficult¡± by Ethan¡¯s standards. -Eye of Horus proficiency increases! -Eye of Horus has reached a certain level of proficiency. -The goods have fully adapted to your body! Ethan¡¯s eyes shone, and a golden light settled in his pupils. It was a sign that he had perfectly adapted to the Eye of Horus, the goods purchased from Horus. It was simr to the color of his original eyes, but when he focused momentarily, a golden light settled in those eyes. ¡®The pain has decreased.¡¯ As the pain in his eyes decreased, what he wanted to see became much clearer. Ethan slightly strained his eyes. ¡®I can see much further than before.¡¯ And things nearby could be seen in more detail. -A special ability of Eye of Horus has been imbued. -Special Skill: Bullet Time acquired. ¡®Bullet Time?¡¯ Ethan strained his eyes even more. ¡®This is insane.¡¯ The effect of Bullet Time was so excellent that it made him swear involuntarily. ¡®It¡¯s slowing down.¡¯ The movements of the new inquisitors in front of him appeared slow. It wasn¡¯t that they were moving slowly. The Eye of Horus was breaking down their movements to make them appear slow. ¡®It¡¯s a kind of time eleration ability.¡¯ ¡°Whew¡­¡± But Bullet Time didn¡¯tst long. Moreover, as much as the pain from using Eye of Horus had decreased, using this Bullet Time brought stronger pain. ¡®But if I can use this properly¡­¡¯ Then this could be an incredible power. For Ethan, who was trying to secure defensive means along with offensive aspects, this ability was nothing short of the best for avoiding enemy attacks. ¡°Take a short break.¡± ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡± ¡°Uuuugh¡­!¡± Ethan ordered a break for the exhausted new inquisitors. He, too, needed a break after using Eye of Horus for a long time. Moreover, he needed to check Eye of Horus again. ¡®I gained a better ability than I thought.¡¯ As expected, the gods of New World never give useless abilities. *** The new inquisitors gulped down the water ced on one side. They were all drenched in sweat from the short but intense training. If they were to weigh themselves now, they would probably have lost about 5 kilos. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± In fact, Alendre was overflowing with confidence. The other inquisitors probably felt the same. Although they were a bit flustered on the first day, not a single one of themckedbat experience. They thought they could endure any harsh training Ethan might put them through. Moreover, they were confident that they could fully digest any education, given their sufficient base. Alendre, the youngest and most enthusiastic, was overconfident. However, all expectations were off the mark. Ethan¡¯s education waspletely different from what they had anticipated. It was an education they had never heard of or experienced before. It was enough to confuse the new inquisitors who had been so confident they could handle any kind of education. Alendre, breathing heavily,ined to another inquisitor. ¡°¡­Can it really be done like this?¡± Dividing 32 people into two teams of 16 each. Ethan observed the movements of 16 people in one team simultaneously and corrected their problems. The same was true for the second team. It should have been impossible to see them all at once, but Ethan did this impossible task effortlessly. As if this was a natural method for him. ¡°I can¡¯t understand it either, Alendre. To be honest, I thought he might just be pretending to watch. Watching 16 people at once, it¡¯s nonsense. It would be difficult to see perfectly even if focusing on individual movements.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s not easy to focus on and correct just one person¡¯s movements. Ah, I really don¡¯t know what kind of skill this is.¡± Even the inquisitor with the mostbat experience among the neers was perplexed by Ethan¡¯s teaching method. In hismon sense, such education was impossible. ¡°But it¡¯s also the first time I¡¯ve learned so easily. By correcting directly with the body, I can immediately understand which parts are wrong. It feels like he¡¯s moving my body for me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just controlling, it feels like he¡¯s imprinting it on us.¡± How to take a stance, how to use the mace, how to form formations ¨C all of these are urately injected with a single poke. For those experiencing this unprecedented education method firsthand, it felt as if they were possessed by a ghost. ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡± Five hours like that. After continuous training, all 32 werepletely exhausted. Today¡¯s training could essentially be considered over at this point. That¡¯s when Ethan grinned. ¡°Good work, everyone.¡± Alendre naturally thought today¡¯s training was over. However, Ethan pped his hands once. ¡°We¡¯ll start the next training right away.¡± ¡°¡­What!?¡± A startled Alendre made a strange sound. ¡°I know what you want to say. You¡¯re exhausted and can¡¯t train anymore. You think there¡¯s nothing to gain by training in this state, right?¡± Ethan raised all 32 people. ¡°That means you can do it again once you recover.¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°Don¡¯t we need to rest to recover?¡± ¡°You can recover without rest.¡± Normally, you couldn¡¯t train people all day like this. People have limits. However, Ethan had the power to break through those limits. Ethan lined up the 32 people and immediately used Heo¡¯s Acupuncture. Heo¡¯s Acupuncture instantly cleared away the fatigue of the inquisitors. ¡®It¡¯s not a perfect recovery, but.¡¯ ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Why is my body¡­¡± ¡°Why has the fatigue disappeared?¡± He could eliminate enough fatigue to repeat the training a few more times. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s start again.¡± Ethan intended to dramatically increase efficiency. Rather than rushing the training in a week, the goal was to fill that time efficiently with intense training. The confused new inquisitors started training again. They had been too tired to continue just a moment ago, but that fatigue hadpletely disappeared. ¡°Why are we fine?¡± ¡°Why can we do this?¡± Just a moment ago, various parts of their bodies were so stiff and tired that moving any further would have injured their muscles. As Ethan said, their bodies were fine now, so they had no choice but to train again. *** And so, one week passed. In reality, this was a very short time to train new inquisitors, and if following the curriculum of the manual, they would have just reached the beginning. However, the new inquisitors who received Ethan¡¯s education hadpletely changed. ¡°Who are these people?¡± ¡°They¡¯re the new inquisitors. Now, many of their amateurish aspects have disappeared.¡± ¡°No, this is more than just disappearing¡­¡± It felt like seeing a small puppy from your hometown greeting you as a formidable adult dog after a few months. While this was certainly a good thing from the Inquisition director¡¯s perspective, he couldn¡¯t help but feel dazed at this result. ¡°We greet the director!¡± They shouted in resounding voices. ¡°You even instilled manners in them¡­¡± Jeryd looked at Ethan with a surprised expression. One week. It truly was more than enough time, just as Ethan had said.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 151: Preparing to Go to the Forest Chapter 151: Preparing to Go to the Forest ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you verify their training in actual practice?¡± Jeryd replied to Ethan¡¯sment with a grim expression. ¡°The current situation is not good.¡± Today was not just about checking on the new inquisitors. ¡°It¡¯s a dangerous situation. I¡¯ll exin quickly.¡± Jeryd briefly exined the current situation. The Misty Forest operation should have ended quickly originally. Although resistance was fierce, many veterans had been deployed, and all that remained were those guarding the magic stones containing moon¡¯s aura. Jeryd had said he would deploy the new recruits if possible, but he had nned to assign them elsewhere, expecting the situation to be resolved before then.However, the situation changed drastically. ¡°Several of our mid-level inquisitors have been killed.¡± It was beyond mere fierce resistance. Jeryd was still in shock since receiving the report. ¡°How did this happen¡­?¡± ¡°It seems reinforcements arrived.¡± ¡°Reinforcements?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then have they all escaped from Misty Forest now?¡± ¡°Actually, that was the n. The inquisitors who were blocking them securely were broken through. But upon checking, they are still in the same ce. Even though we created an escape route for them, they didn¡¯t flee.¡± Jeryd sighed. ¡°It will be difficult to deploy the new recruits. Thank you for your hard work in training them, Sir Ethan. I ask for your continued efforts for the remaining period. Although I likely won¡¯t be able to check personally.¡± The Inquisition was currently in a state of emergency. Jeryd also nned to head straight to Misty Forest as soon as this schedule was finished. ¡°It seems you intend to go yourself.¡± ¡°Yes, the inquisitor who died this time¡­ was no ordinary inquisitor.¡± Kazinska. He was an inquisitor who had left quite a mark in the long history of the Inquisition. From his first day as a new recruit until now, he was a key inquisitor who had left countless marks and achievements, making the Inquisition worthy of being called the Emperor¡¯s Mace. His nickname was Heretic Destroyer. As the name suggests, he possessed overwhelming power and skill. And now he had died. For Jeryd, it was shocking. The fact that Kazinska, who seemed unlikely to die to anyone, had died meant that the Followers of the Moon had sent a powerful figure deliberately. Unable to send only subordinates in this situation, Jeryd decided to go to Misty Forest himself. ¡°They say the pointed mace he used was found stuck in his own body. Normally, he¡¯s not someone who would so easily have his weapon taken from him.¡± Jeryd¡¯s expression remained grim. The Heretic Destroyer Kazinska had his weapon taken and was killed? This meant that the Followers of the Moon figure who came as reinforcement clearly held a very high position. Moreover, they came as reinforcements but didn¡¯t flee. Jeryd needed to lead the inquisitors himself to handle this matter decisively. Otherwise, he would have nothing to say to not only the Order but also the Emperor. ¡°I apologize, but it seems I won¡¯t be able to provide practical training. If you have anything you wish to tell me, please ry the message to Retoma. Retoma will remain at this Erant branch.¡± ¡°Director.¡± Ethan stopped Jeryd as he was about to leave immediately. ¡®This is an opportunity.¡¯ The Followers of the Moon who didn¡¯t escape when they could. This meant there was certainly a Moonforce temple there. Additionally, there was only one reason why they wouldn¡¯t flee. ¡®There must be something even more extraordinary there.¡¯ Ethan briefly recalled his memories. Right now, the Followers of the Moon were essentially taking an extremely dangerous gamble. Even though they killed a veteran inquisitor, their opponent was the Inquisition. ¡®They could even borrow the power of the Holy Empire¡¯s Emperor. Yet they¡¯re taking such a risk right now.¡¯ This meant there was something there that they absolutely wanted to secure. ¡®The top priority would be a sacred artifact.¡¯ They needed sacred artifacts to strengthen the power of the Moon, their Moon Mother, and for their purposes. Objects containing the power of various gods existing on the continent ¨C securing these objects was their top priority. ¡®Ruins, tombs, caves. One of these three must be there. After all, things with powerful energy are ultimately their goal.¡¯ This meant that if he defeated them, such objects would be his. ¡®But it¡¯s dangerous. The fact that they gave up on escaping means there¡¯s something incredible there, which could mean the Followers of the Moon reinforcement might be Apostle-level.¡¯ It could mean one of the Twelve Apostles, the most powerful in the Followers of the Moon, hade as reinforcement. Nevertheless, Ethan thought he had to go. ¡®It¡¯s dangerous, but you have to take risks to gain big things.¡¯ What if the thing there was a sacred artifact of the Holylight Order? ¡®I could return it to the Order and receive their boundless gratitude.¡¯ In any case, this was an opportunity Ethan couldn¡¯t miss in his current situation. Furthermore, if he obtained aparable sacred artifact, it would help Ethan¡¯s survival in various ways. Paradoxically, to escape a deadly crisis, one must enter into crisis. ¡°If you need my help, don¡¯t hesitate. I came here as an instructor for the Inquisition. At this moment, I too am part of the Inquisition.¡± Jeryd¡¯s eyes widened. An expression that showed he never expected Ethan to say such a thing. Currently, Ethan was an instructor for the Inquisition, but this was essentially a contract position. In reality, he was in a state of having taken a step back from Inquisition affairs. Therefore, Ethan didn¡¯t need to participate in this matter. A very dangerous affair with lives at stake. As Ethan, with a bright future as an academy teacher, it was something he should naturally avoid. Jeryd was certain about one thing in this matter: that the reinforcement from the Followers of the Moon side was an Apostle. An Apostle is a master from the Followers of the Moon whose power limits are unknown. Even Jeryd couldn¡¯t guarantee whether he could defeat an Apostle or not. Ethan must have fully understood Jeryd¡¯s words. How dangerous this was. Nevertheless, Ethan said he would join. This sense of responsibility. This shining sense of duty stirred Jeryd¡¯s heart. ¡°I will never forget this favor. Please help us, Sir Ethan.¡± Jeryd said, grasping Ethan¡¯s hand. -Survival probability increases!* *** Before departure. ¡®I should prepare before going to Misty Forest.¡¯ Beforeing here, Ethan had purchased S-grade herbs through the Ga Merchant Guild. ¡®I should start by raising the proficiency of Heo¡¯s Decoction with that.¡¯ ¡°Hmm, high quality.¡± Ethan looked at the set of holy water before him. This set of holy water was promised as payment for working as an instructor for the Inquisition this time. A total of twelve bottles. It was the highest grade holy water made by the Holylight Order. Ethan opened his spatial pocket in front of the holy water and took out the herbs he had brought. ¡®The holy water is high quality, but these herbs are all S-grade too. At least I can¡¯t me the ingredients.¡¯ Just using S-grade ingredients doesn¡¯t mean you can make an S-grade decoction. At the S-grade level, Ethan¡¯s skill was more important. ¡°I need to approach this with the mindset of making all S-grade decoctions.¡± To do that, he needed a better understanding of the decoction technique, just like when he mastered Heo¡¯s Acupuncture. Ethan gained Pulse Diagnosis while mastering acupuncture, and through Pulse Diagnosis, he was able to greatly increase his proficiency and understanding of acupuncture. ¡®Thanks to that, I was able to master it.¡¯ Heo¡¯s Decoction technique was the same. He needed to upgrade the current decoction technique to the next level. ¡®Whatever it takes, I need to understand and develop the decoction technique a bit more.¡¯ Currently, Ethan had two types of knowledge. One was the decoction technique, and the other was the potion-making method for creating potions. ¡®I need tobine these two.¡¯ That way, he could gain even more definite skills. ¡°And one more thing.¡± In addition to that, mindset. ¡®I need a clear mindset.¡¯ Topletely make the gods¡¯ techniques his own, he needed the right mindset to properly receive the power bestowed by the gods. ¡®Understanding and mindset.¡¯ Ethan began making decoctions while focusing on these two things. First, he used holy water as a base. Simply mixing high-quality holy water and S-grade herbs doesn¡¯t guarantee a high-grade decoction, but it could increase the chances. Above all, this holy water contained the power of the gods. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ethan immediately used both potion-making skills and Heo¡¯s Decoction technique. The process of using two techniques simultaneously andbining them into one was soplex that it made him frown involuntarily, but it was worth trying. -You have created a Dooridle Decoction sprinkled with holy water! -Determining grade¡­ -Dooridle Decoction sprinkled with holy water [A+ grade] The first attempt was A+ grade. A+ grade was also a high grade, but what was needed now was only S grade. Ethan continued making attempts without minding. When mastering Heo¡¯s Acupuncture. Ethan had used Heo¡¯s Acupuncture on monsters to meet the required number of uses. At that time, the only thought filling his mind was that he had to save these monsters. ¡®Of course, I was saving them in order to kill them, but.¡¯ In that moment of inserting the needle, he became Heo Jun, called the Eastern Physician of All Things in the New World. ¡®It¡¯s the same with decoction. The foundation of potion-making is also the same.¡¯ Ethan raised his concentration to the maximum. As his consciousness slowly sank, a memory surfaced in his mind. A very old memory of Yedam. When he was in high school, he had a close younger friend. A friend just one year younger than him, whom he cherished like a real younger sibling. That child fell ill. By the time they found out about the illness, it was already at a stage where nothing could be done. -It¡¯s nothing serious. The child said it was nothing serious while crying. It wasn¡¯t nothing serious. -If you think it¡¯s nothing serious, it will surely be nothing serious. So that¡¯s what he said. -You¡¯ll get better. -I¡¯ll definitely get better. -You know that game that¡¯s supposed toe out? The one you¡¯re really looking forward to, oppa. I want to y it together too. We¡¯ll definitely y it together. ¡®Since we said we¡¯d y together, I cleared it to the end. I cleared it quickly and did it over and over again.¡¯ Wanting to teach various things when the day came to y together, he had mastered the game perfectly. But that day never came. A visit like any other day. Loud noises. Urgent voices. All Yedam could do at that moment was imagine. If he had the power to create a panacea right now, he would have cured them immediately. Back then, he had no ability and could only watch, but now he had the ability. Ethan poured such wishes into his work. He wanted only one thing. ¡®To not be in pain.¡¯ -You have created a Silver Sage Decoction dyed with holy water! -Determining grade¡­ -Beginner¡¯s Decoction [S grade] S grade. -You have created a Silver Bell Flower Decoction dyed with holy water! -Determining grade¡­ -Beginner¡¯s Decoction [S grade] S grade once again. Ethan didn¡¯t lose his focus. At this moment, he was an alchemist who believed he could cure all diseases himself. ¡°Haaah-¡° -Hero¡¯s Breathing activates. -Your body fills with vigor! -Your mind bes clear. -Hero¡¯s Breathing proficiency greatly increases! And Ethan continued to create decoctions. * <> quest cleared! -Heo¡¯s Decoction technique 10 / 10 -Heo¡¯s Decoction technique proficiency has reached 100%! -Heo¡¯s Decoction technique has beenpleted. -The technique has been perfected. -True Heo¡¯s Decoction technique [MASTER]Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 152: Misty Forest Chapter 152: Misty Forest Ethan looked at the decoctions before him. Except for the very first one, all were S-grade. Bybining them with holy water, he was able to draw out all the power of the herbs, and above all, there was a lot of it. ¡®At this rate, I could split one decoction into three doses.¡¯ First, he checked the effects of the decoctions. Since they were made with various herbs, each had different effects. -Silver Sage Decoction dyed with holy water [S-grade] Effect: Recovers all health and cures all status ailments. Gains resistance to all poisons for 5 minutes. The Silver Sage Decoction not only recovered health but also cured all status ailments and granted poison resistance for a certain time.¡®This is insane. Even though I made it, the effect is crazy.¡¯ It was an effect that not only recovered all health and status ailments but also made one invincible against poison for 5 minutes. And since he could use it three times, it was essentially fair to say he had absolute immunity to poison for 15 minutes. ¡®Of course, drinking it consecutively would be difficult.¡¯ There¡¯s a limit to how much decoction one can drink at once. Ethan checked the next decoction. -Silver Bell Flower Decoction dyed with holy water [S-grade] Effect: Recovers all health. Cures all status ailments. Greatly increases defense immediately after drinking. ¡®Thanks to mixing in holy water, the effect of curing all status ailments has be a basic feature.¡¯ He had expected to perfectly cure a few status ailments given the use of high-quality holy water. But he didn¡¯t expect to create a decoction that cured all status ailments. ¡®It seems the effect of Donguibogam has been applied as well.¡¯ Currently, Ethan¡¯s Donguibogam stored numerous poisons. It seemed to have had a big influence. ¡®The Silver Bell Flower Decoction has the effect of greatly increasing defense for 5 minutes.¡¯ The other decoctions were simr. They all had the basic effects of recovering all health and curing all status ailments, with one special effect added to each. These were truly S-grade worthy decoctions. Ethan smiled and put thepleted decoctions into his spatial pocket. With these, he could recover from anything short of instant death. ¡®As long as I can recover, I can deal with anything.¡¯ These decoctions would serve as a useful foundation for escaping urgent situations or counterattacking enemiester. Next, Ethan examined the mastered Heo¡¯s Decoction technique. After mastering Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, the Pulse Diagnosis skill was added, and the ability to recover health through needles greatly increased. The same should be true for Heo¡¯s Decoction technique. ¡°Oh.¡± -True Heo¡¯s Decoction technique [MASTER] -Material Combination: Combines materials to create higher grade materials. The master effect of True Heo¡¯s Decoction technique was materialbination. ¡°So itbines materials to create higher grade materials?¡± It even seemed to guarantee obtaining higher grade materials. Ethan immediately took out B-grade materials and attempted materialbination. -Combining Lukat Grass [B] and Javanisia [B]. -Combining¡­ -Heoryu Combination Grass [A] has been created. The Heoryu Combination Grass created through materialbination was A-grade. ¡°Combining B and B to make A, huh.¡± Ethan immediately tried making a decoction with the A-grade Heoryu Combination Grass. ¡°Oh ho.¡± Just like Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, Heo¡¯s Decoction technique, now with ¡®True¡¯ in its name, provided a distinctly different sensation. ¡®The skill correction has be much better than before.¡¯ The skill was perfectlypensating for areas that were normally impossible to control with human senses. -You have created a decoction! The created decoction was A+ grade, despite being made very casually. ¡°This is truly Heo Jun¡¯s technique.¡± Until now, what Ethan had been using was just a part of Heo Jun¡¯s technique. It was just scratching the surface of a watermelon. ¡®Now I can properly use Heo Jun¡¯s power.¡¯ Following Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, now with Heo¡¯s Decoction technique as well. He could finally properly use all the power of the god he first subscribed to. ¡®Next is Hero¡¯s Breathing.¡¯ Hero¡¯s Breathing had been quite helpful when using Heo¡¯s Decoction technique. If he could master this, he would be able to fully use Hercules¡¯ power. *** Misty Forest. The heretic inquisitors of the Holy Empire marched in step. There were about fifty in total, and excluding the new inquisitors, most were veterans with over 10 years of experience, including the director. Moving together with a standard-bearer holding a g with the Inquisition¡¯s emblem, all dressed in uniform, they exuded a majestic aura like a dragon-ying party. ¡®It¡¯s quite impressive. Just wearing this uniform changes one¡¯s mindset.¡¯ Ethan nned to definitely meet the artisan who designed this uniformter. He was certain that if he did business with this artisan, he could exert influence not only in the Holy Empire but also in the Demon Empire. Among the marching inquisitors in uniform, the new inquisitors who had received Ethan¡¯s training stood out. The new inquisitors were marching together, mixed in with the veteran inquisitors. The new inquisitors trained by Ethan moved confidently, despite looking quite tense. Now, none of them thought they should sacrifice themselves to kill even one more enemy. If they die, theirrades die too. They realized that to take down even one more Follower of the Moon, it was more efficient to retreat one step or hold the position with theirrades rather than throwing away their lives. That¡¯s how great Ethan¡¯s training method was. All 32 new inquisitors felt they had be stronger through Ethan¡¯s training. At the same time, there was one more thing they keenly felt. It was the bond with theirrades. Before, they just thought of their colleagues as fellow new inquisitors, but now it was different. One. They all felt that the 32 of them were one team, one unit. ¡°Who are they? Aren¡¯t they new recruits?¡± ¡°They are, but they feelpletely different.¡± ¡°Something is different, right?¡± Inquisitors who came as support from other branches were surprised to see the new inquisitors from Erant. Until recently, they had beencking in basics to the point of being difficult to use properly. Rather than heretic inquisitors, they looked more like mercenaries randomly recruited from here and there, with little sense of unity among them. But now they werepletely different. ¡°I heard they received training.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t it short? I heard it was just a week ago?¡± Someone pointed to a spot. ¡°That¡¯s him. That seems to be the instructor from the academy.¡± ¡°Ethan Whiskers, I¡¯ve never heard of him before.¡± ¡°But this unknown instructor raised these recruits to this level? I don¡¯t know if Ivecar Academy is amazing or if that teacher is amazing.¡± The inquisitors from other branches couldn¡¯t help but admire thepletely changed new inquisitors and Ethan, looking back and forth between them. ¡°To train them to this extent in such a short time.¡± ¡°Our director certainly has an eye for talent. It¡¯s natural for someone who rose from the bottom to the top.¡± While feeling their gazes, Ethan was thinking about how to move in Misty Forest. Basically, he would follow the Inquisition¡¯s operation, but once inside, there would be times when he had to move alone. ¡°Stop.¡± As they approached Misty Forest, the heretic inquisitors who were outside Misty Forest came running. ¡°Director, I¡¯m reporting the current situation.¡± ¡°In detail.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The heretic inquisitors guarding Misty Forest all looked unwell. Having gone through several battles, their uniforms were torn in many ces, and the te armor parts were shattered. ¡°As reported earlier, it seems the reinforcement that came is an Apostle from the Followers of the Moon side.¡± Someone next to the reporting inquisitor jumped forward and shouted. ¡°We, we must flee. We must flee, I say!¡± ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°They are from the forest tribe. They were helping us, but now they keep insisting we need to flee.¡± They were elves with pointed ears. An elven elder who looked quite old repeatedly said with a face stained with fear that they must flee. ¡°They are doing something that will incur the wrath of the god. Those bastards will nevere out alive. But the blind wrath of the god won¡¯t distinguish between friend and foe. So we must flee.¡± The elven elder spoke urgently. ¡°The wrath of the god?¡± ¡°Our tribe has lived in this forest for a long time.¡± The forest tribe had lived in this forest for a long time. There was a god overseeing this Misty Forest, allowing the elves to maintain peace without external invasion. The elves didn¡¯t believe in the god overseeing the forest, but out of gratitude, they asionally offered tributes and in return received the god¡¯s blessings. Then those Followers of the Moon bastards appeared at that temple. ¡°Star fragment. Not content with touching that object where the god stored power, they even invaded inside the temple. That ce has been forbidden for a long time.¡± ¡°You mean the god¡¯s wrath will fall because they entered the forbidden area?¡± ¡°Yes, the forest¡­ will burn. With the god¡¯s wrath.¡± Saying this, the elven elder shed tears. He didn¡¯t want to leave his homnd either. He wanted to repel the invaders and reim his homnd. But it was already toote. The god¡¯s wrath was approaching. ¡°Even if it¡¯s not just the god¡¯s wrath¡­ we should flee. The one who came as reinforcement for the invaders¡­¡± As if recalling the scene, he spoke with a trembling voice. ¡°Was stronger than anyone I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± Seeing this, Jeryd clicked his tongue. ¡°Take them to a safe ce.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You must flee¡­¡± At that moment, the elven elder shouted again. ¡°Those bastards are trying to destroy the temple and enter the god¡¯s bedchamber inside. We must flee as soon as possible!¡± Jeryd ignored those words and asked someone else. ¡°Do you know which number Apostle it is? They should express their power scale with numbers.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We couldn¡¯t confirm which number Apostle it is, but it¡¯s certainly one of the higher-numbered Apostles.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If we had wrapped things up a little faster¡­¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s toote for regrets now. This might be their strategy. A strategy to intentionally buy time and keep us tied down here.¡± Jeryd sighed deeply. He already knows it¡¯s dangerous. But even so, he can¡¯t back down. Kazinska, and several other precious inquisitors, each one valuable, have died. He can¡¯t just retreat after losing them. ¡°Hah.¡± Jeryd made the sign of the cross. The opponent is a higher-numbered Apostle. In that case, there was a risk of total annihtion on this side. ¡°Director, you must retreat.¡± ¡°This is not an opponent we can handle on our own.¡± Those who had directly witnessed the Apostle thought they should retreat, just as the elven elder had said. ¡°How strong was he? That Apostle, I mean.¡± ¡°¡­Sir Kazinska fell in ten exchanges.¡± ¡°Ten exchanges?¡± Jeryd exhaled in disbelief. ¡°That Kazinska¡­¡± Jeryd wasn¡¯t sitting in the director¡¯s seat because he was the strongest in this Inquisition. He ascended to this position because he was suitable for the director¡¯s role. There were others who were stronger. The Inquisition¡¯sbat special forces. The force inquisitors called Combat Specials. Now was the time when they were needed and should step forward. ¡°I don¡¯t want to push my inquisitors into a pit where they¡¯re certain to die.¡± ¡°¡­¡± It was an extremely humiliating thing. To retreat after unterally losing troops? And leaving behind the heretics they had almost caught? But he couldn¡¯t recklessly order a charge either. After long deliberation, Jeryd made a decision. ¡°For now, we¡¯ll regroup our forces and call in the Combat Specials inquisitors tounch a proper counterattack.¡± As the retreat order was given, all the inquisitors waiting in the forest began to fall back. But then. ¡°Sir Jeryd.¡± Ethan stepped out from the group. ¡°Could we have a private conversation?¡± *** ¡°¡­I¡¯ve shown an unsightly appearance.¡± Jeryd sighed. Havinge all the way to Misty Forest, only to end up giving a retreat order as the director. Ethan shook his head. ¡°You made the right choice. It¡¯s correct to retreat when the enemy¡¯s strength is unconfirmed.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°However.¡± Ethan continued. ¡°I have a good method.¡± Ethan had deliberately called Jeryd aside. He could have spoken there, but the one leading this had to be Jeryd, the director of the Inquisition. ¡®And that way, it¡¯s better for saving Jeryd¡¯s face too.¡¯ ¡°A method¡­ you say?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll lure them out. Then, prepare an ambush to greet them.¡± ¡°But they won¡¯t respond to the lure¡­¡± ¡°I have a way. Please prepare for the ambush. I¡¯ll definitely lure them out.¡± ¡°It¡¯s dangerous. If something goes wrong, we won¡¯t be able to easilye to rescue you, Sir Ethan.¡± It was a strategy that put too much burden on Ethan. But Ethan smiled. ¡°I once received help from the Holylight Order. It seems it¡¯s time to repay that favor.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Of course, no such thing had ever happened. But Jeryd looked at Ethan with sparkling eyes, as if he had seen a holy knight of the Order. So this was why he had called him aside. To save his face, and on top of that, to carry out a dangerous operation that could deal with the Followers of the Moon. ¡°If there¡¯s anything the Inquisition needs, please tell me. Whether it¡¯s the holy water I gave you before or anything else, I¡¯ll get it all for you.¡± Ethan grinned. ¡°For the goddess.¡± He needed nothing else. Just for the goddess. A tear rolled down Jeryd¡¯s cheek. Of course, the goddess Ethan referred to was not the Holylight goddess, but Moonforce.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 153: Receive the Palanquin Chapter 153: Receive the Pnquin ¡°Luring them out is impossible. They will nevere out of there.¡± The inquisitor who had been fighting against the Followers of the Moon in the Misty Forest said. ¡°We also tried our best to draw them out. Their stronghold is so narrow that even just entering caused a lot of damage. But we can¡¯t enter through other entrances. They¡¯re even narrower and magically sealed¡­¡± With luring them out essentially impossible, a head-on confrontation was the only answer. ¡°When Sir Kazinska was here, we kept pushing them back in frontal assaults, but the power of the star fragment they possess is so great¡­ After that, it¡¯s been a continuous war of attrition. But in this ongoing war of attrition, they gained powerful reinforcements, while we lost Sir Kazinska, who could be considered our core strength. Even if we got reinforcements on our side, it was questionable whether we could win. ¡°Realistically speaking, retreating now¡­ would be the right choice.¡± In fact, retreating was the correct answer now. There was no one who could handle an Apostle.Neither Director Jeryd nor the veteran inquisitors who came with him could guarantee victory against an Apostle. ¡°Do you think this operation will fail?¡± ¡°Yes, we probably won¡¯t be able to return. Let alone luring them out, it¡¯s difficult to be confident we can even hold out.¡± The inquisitors who were dispatched to the Misty Forest first didn¡¯t know in detail what Ethan had done as an instructor. But whatever results he achieved didn¡¯t matter. ¡°I heard he¡¯s an academy teacher¡­¡± The forest inquisitor shook his head. ¡°It will be difficult.¡± He thought it was a waste of time, and moreover, a waste of precious lives. Therefore, the forest inquisitors simply couldn¡¯t understand the director¡¯s decision. Weren¡¯t all the heresy inquisitors waiting here and setting traps looking only to Ethan? While wasting time like this, the Followers of the Moon would be steadily carrying out their objectives. If they couldn¡¯t even stop that, let alone escape, they would inevitably lose the initiative in future battles. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± However, the Erant branch inquisitors who had experienced Ethan over the past week weren¡¯t worried. ¡°Sir Ethan will surely lure them out.¡± The forest inquisitors looked at the director and the Erant branch inquisitors with bewildered eyes. ¡°I just don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°That¡¯s to be expected.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°It¡¯s natural that you don¡¯t understand.¡± At the director¡¯s words, the other inquisitors all nodded. Especially the new inquisitors trained by Ethan nodded more vigorously. *** Ethan was disguising himself very naturally. ¡®Of course it¡¯s natural. I¡¯m currently active as a First Order in the academy, and when I was still ying MePan, I went deep into the Followers of the Moon and carried out orders.¡¯ Although he didn¡¯t be an Apostle, he went right up to just below Apostle. Of course, he wasn¡¯t sure if that was really right below Apostle, but at least Ethan held a lot of information rted to the Followers of the Moon. ¡®First of all, the most important thing to consider is which numbered Apostle hase.¡¯ The Followers of the Moon continue their influence under the powerful Twelve Apostles. ¡®1st Apostle, 2nd Apostle, 3rd Apostle wouldn¡¯t be directly deployed for missions like this, so it must be one of the lower Apostles.¡¯ Even if it was a lower Apostle, their side was at a much greater disadvantage in terms ofbat strength. ¡®In the end, what¡¯s important is whether I can win or not.¡¯ It was difficult for Ethan to objectively assess his current strength. ¡®It¡¯s hard to gauge because the power of the New World has been added.¡¯ While Ethan was continuing his growth from MePan in his own way, he might as well be considered to have almost no mana due to Extinction. ¡®I¡¯ve grown without mana. I can¡¯t gauge if I can defeat an Apostle now.¡¯ That¡¯s why he needed to check his strength even more. Ethan didn¡¯t have much time. Extinction would threaten his life moment by moment, and the more actively he moved to treat it and build fame, the more enemies he would make. ¡®Ironically, to meet the Saintess, I have no choice but to risk danger.¡¯ Therefore, he had to be stronger even while bearing Extinction. ¡®I¡¯ll check how much stronger I¡¯ve be and what points arecking.¡¯ Ethan focused his eyes. Then he could see the Followers of the Moon standing guard in the distance. ¡®I can even see their expressions.¡¯ Although they were wearing ck robes, some had their hoods off. They were saying something, and Ethan could easily understand the content just by reading their lips from afar. -Since the Apostle has gone inside, we must absolutely defend this ce until hees out. -Yes! -Anyway, this is the only entrance. They can¡¯te in from anywhere else. It¡¯s so narrow, it¡¯s perfect for us to annihte them. As the Followers of the Moon said, there were several entrances to enter this ce. But the other entrances were too narrow for more than ten troops to move. ¡®Magic is cast widely around this area.¡¯ It was magic that would activate the moment someone approached. ¡®Great Thief¡¯s Mastery.¡¯ Ethan decided to test the power of Hong Gil-dong. Great Thief¡¯s Mastery was a skill specialized for stealthy infiltration. If so, it should not be affected by magic either. ¡°Huff.¡± Ethan took a deep breath and moved. The moment he entered the range where magic could detect him. ¡®As expected.¡¯ Great Thief¡¯s Mastery suppressed the magic. ¡®Hong Gil-dong isn¡¯t called a Great Thief for nothing.¡¯ He¡¯s a person who established a nation through thievery alone. Ethan quickly entered inside. ¡®I wondered what they were guarding.¡¯ What the Followers of the Moon were guarding was an earthen cer hidden in a corner. The Followers of the Moon were standing guard in formation near the earthen cer, with only its entrance slightly visible. ¡®There must be something inside.¡¯ And it was certain that an Apostle was inside. ¡®Well then, shall we begin.¡¯ If so, the priority was to deal with those Followers of the Moon before the Apostle came out. Ethan immediately drew his bow. ¡°Counter-Radiance.¡± Following drawing out powerful strength throughout his body, he imbued lightning power into his bow and arrows. Crackle-! He aimed at the Followers of the Moon clustered in front of the earthen cer. Swoosh-! Ethan¡¯s arrow struck the Followers of the Moon directly. Thunk-. Crackle-crackle-! The Followers of the Moon looked surprised at the lightning spreading from the arrow. Ethan continued to shoot arrows at them in session. ¡®I need to shoot at least several hundred.¡¯ Mana was needed for that. Ethan actively utilized Anisida¡¯s Bracelet. ¡®Since I can store mana in the bracelet.¡¯ Bang-bang-bang-bang-! After shooting almost several hundred arrows, even the mana stored in Anisida¡¯s Bracelet ran out. Ethan immediately took out a decoction from his spatial pouch and drank it. -You drank a Lucarage decoction stained with holy water! -Vitality fills your whole body! ¡°Hoooo.¡± Now was the beginning. Ethan immediately used Great Thief¡¯s Mastery and approached the bastards from the opposite side with all his might. ¡°Damn!¡± ¡°An ambush!¡± ¡°The magic didn¡¯t react at all! Did those heresy inquisitor bastards get in!?¡± The Followers of the Moon were thrown into confusion because of the arrows Ethan shot. Some were seriously injured and copsed on the ground, while those who weren¡¯t injured were checking the direction the arrows came from to figure out what happened. Taking advantage of thatmotion, Ethan naturally joined them. ¡°Check where they came from!¡± ¡°It¡¯s that way! They came from over there!¡± Ethan quickly recognized the First Order and stepped forward. ¡°First Order, I was watching that direction. The arrows definitely came from over there.¡± ¡°Damn it. Do they have the power to ignore our magic and enter?¡± Seeing as they haven¡¯t used it until now, reinforcements must have arrived on their side too. The First Order frowned as his thoughts reached that point. That¡¯s when Ethan quickly approached him and took on a characteristic posture. It was a posture of kneeling on one knee and raising both arms, a kind of reporting posture often taken by the Followers of the Moon. ¡°I will go scout immediately. Please allow me.¡± The Followers of the Moon have that unique coldness. That coldness could be easily imitated with the power of Moonforce. Moreover, with abundant knowledge, the First Order leading this group gave orders to Ethan without suspicion. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far. We must protect this earthen cer above all else.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ethan answered and brushed past the First Order. Then he naturally went to where he had just shot arrows from and came back. From now on was the most important part. ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­ B-big trouble.¡± When Ethan returned with an urgent expression, the First Order and other followers¡¯ expressions hardened. ¡°Th-they¡¯ve appeared! Those heresy inquisitor bastards came in through a side path! They¡¯re trying to surround us now!¡± ¡°So reinforcements came for them too. To think they could ignore the moon¡¯s magic and enter.¡± The First Order lowered his head as if thinking for a moment. That¡¯s when Ethan continued speaking. ¡°Now¡¯s our chance. From what I¡¯ve seen, it doesn¡¯t seem like arge number hase over.¡± ¡°Was shooting arge number of arrows meant to hide the number of troops?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. It seems reinforcements have arrived, but not many.¡± After pondering for a moment, the First Order seemed to make a decision and gave instructions. ¡°We can¡¯t be surrounded here. It would be better to lure them to a different area away from the earthen cer.¡± Then he looked down at his hand and said. ¡°Besides, we have this, so we should be able to hold out until the Apostle returns.¡± In the First Order¡¯s hand was a magic stone. That was the forest¡¯s treasure, the star fragment, that they were trying so desperately to protect. Whoosh-. A deep blue moon¡¯s aura flowed from the star fragment. It was so concentrated with powerful mana that it could be felt at a nce. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead.¡± Ethan took the lead immediately with a gloomy expression. ¡°Quickly subdue them and receive a reward from the Apostle. Understood?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Yes, First Order.¡± *** ¡°They¡¯reing!¡± Jeryd stared nkly at the inquisitor who had been consistently iming it was impossible. The inquisitor¡¯s eyes were shaking. No, it really shouldn¡¯t be possible. ¡°No, why is this¡­ This really shouldn¡¯t be possible¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± Seeing the flustered inquisitor, the director smiled slightly. ¡°It happens. But from now on, don¡¯t doubt.¡± It was the moment when trust in Ethan surpassed 100 percent. The director gestured, and the inquisitors stood ready with their maces. A calm anger arose. The forest inquisitor saw the Followers of the Moon that Ethan had lured out. Quickly counting their numbers, it seemed like all the followers who had been waiting inside hade out. ¡°How on earth¡­¡± ¡°Charge!¡± As soon as the director¡¯s order to charge fell, the heresy inquisitors pounced on the Followers of the Moon. ¡°Huh!¡± ¡°Why are all these bastards here?¡± ¡°Second Order!¡± But Ethan was already gone from there. ¡°Damn it! What the hell is this situation!¡± ¡°W-were they lying in ambush?¡± ¡°N-no way.¡± The First Order urgently searched for the follower who had led them, but that follower¡¯s figure was nowhere to be seen. ¡°You mean¡­ he wasn¡¯t a follower?¡± The First Order gritted his teeth. But it didn¡¯t matter. Rather, it was an opportunity to wipe out these bastards at once. He had the star fragment imbued with moon¡¯s aura. With this power, he could ovee even these heresy inquisitor bastards. ¡°Huh!? W-where did it go?¡± The First Order who was trying to take out the star fragment from his bosom was flustered. The star fragment that was definitely there until just now had disappeared. ¡°This can¡¯t be, this can¡¯t be happening.¡± ¡°First Order! The star fragment!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t hold out any longer!¡± ¡°N-no way.¡± Of course, it was that ¡®no way¡¯. The star fragment was already in the hands of someone who had learned the techniques of the Great Thief Hong Gil-dong. ¡°Don¡¯t let a single one escape!¡± Jeryd¡¯s mace rushed towards such a First Order.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 154: Apostle Chapter 154: Apostle -You have received a quest. -You have cleared the quest! -You have obtained a star fragment containing the power of the Moon Goddess Moonforce. -Your fame increases! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have gained likes for achieving the [Great Thief] achievement. -You have gained ¡®2¡¯ likes! Ethan, who stole the star fragment, received and cleared the quest simultaneously. Plus an achievement. He didn¡¯t expect to get an achievement that could only be obtained by perfectly stealing the target.¡®Hong Gil-dong¡¯s technique is certainly amazing. It¡¯s a technique that truly suits the nickname Great Thief.¡¯ Ethan recalled the feeling of stealing the star fragment. ¡°This might be a habit. I should be careful.¡± With perfect techniques for stealing and the thrill of it, he might develop a penchant for theft that wasn¡¯t in his nature. Ethan looked at the star fragment he stole from the First Order. This mineral, imbued with deep blue moon¡¯s aura, was clearly Moonforce¡¯s magic stone. ¡°This must have been taken from the temple the forest tribe mentioned.¡± Seeing the magic stone containing Moonforce¡¯s power, the temple in Misty Forest must surely be the temple of the Moon Goddess Moonforce. Ethan recalled again the words of the elder he met at the entrance of Misty Forest. They thought the temple was a ce to worship the god who ruled the forest, not knowing that the god was the Moon Goddess. ¡®They¡¯re not followers of Moonforce. Which means¡­¡¯ It meant they could be converted to this side at any time. ¡°I¡¯ve obtained a precious item.¡± This star fragment was of a different caliber from ordinary magic stones. Unlike ordinary magic stones imbued with mana, it contained the power of a god, and the difference was that one could use that divine power intact. ¡®With Moonforce¡¯s power, they must have been able to continuously resist the heresy inquisitors.¡¯ But now that the star fragment was in Ethan¡¯s hands, they wouldn¡¯t be able to ovee Jeryd and the other heresy inquisitors. ¡®And the new inquisitors I trained shouldn¡¯t die either.¡¯ Ethan immediately used the star fragment. -You can use the power of the Moon Goddess. -You have met the conditions. Crack-! The star fragment shattered and began to be absorbed into Ethan. ¡°It¡¯s originally the power of the Moon Goddess, after all.¡± It was natural that Ethan, a descendant of Moonforce, could absorb it. ¡®It¡¯s my first time absorbing Moonforce¡¯s magic stone though.¡¯ Ethan was quite excited. Shaaah-! Moonforce¡¯s power seeped into Ethan¡¯s body. -A new energy has been imbued in your body. -You have gained moon¡¯s aura. -Due to a powerful curse, moon¡¯s aura is being invaded! ¡°Damn it.¡± Something began to writhe inside Ethan¡¯s body. -You have absorbed half of the power. ¡°This is really something.¡± Since moon¡¯s aura could substitute for mana, it seemed that Extinction took effect immediately. But Ethan smiled instead. ¡°Getting even half is better than nothing, right? I can¡¯t umte mana at all.¡± Moon¡¯s aura is a power that can substitute for mana. ¡®I can use the techniques I learned in New World more actively.¡¯ Above all, he could use Frost Thunder Swordsmanship more efficiently. Moon Goddess Moonforce bestows her blessing upon you. Whoosh-. Ethan, who received another blessing, immediately headed towards the earthen cer. ¡°The Apostle must be in here.¡± Cold air was gushing out from the earthen cer. It was the unique chill of Moonforce¡¯s temple that Ethan knew very well. ¡°It¡¯s definitely Moonforce¡¯s temple.¡± If so, what the Apostle came to get must be relics containing Moonforce¡¯s power. Considering that the Apostle hasn¡¯t shown themselves yet, Moonforce¡¯s relics must still be sleeping intact inside the temple. There might even be more than that. Ethan slowly entered the earthen cer. *** The Followers of the Moon, having lost the star fragment, copsed miserably under the fierce attack of the heresy inquisitors. Jeryd fought while meticulously checking the condition of the inquisitors, determined not to lose a single one in this battle. ¡®Amazing.¡¯ Education and actualbat are different. Although Ethan had definitely trained them well, when ites to actualbat, neers tend to forget what they¡¯ve learned and move as they used to before. ¡®It¡¯s only been a week since they received training.¡¯ Given the trait of the Inquisition where experienced individuals join for their own reasons, this was an inevitable aspect. What¡¯s ingrained in the neers¡¯ instincts are things they¡¯ve learned throughout their lives. Mere week-long education is bound to fly out of their heads in such an urgent situation. Jeryd also had to focus on watching the new inquisitors throughout the battle, taking this into ount. But that worry soon disappearedpletely. ¡®Thoroughly in groups of three. Not recklessly taking down Followers of the Moon at the risk of danger, but safely to the extent that it doesn¡¯t affect the three-person team.¡¯ The new inquisitors generally acted calmly andposedly. Even though they had reason to be excited, they were calmly leading the fight. ¡®Can they change this much in just a week?¡¯ Jeryd looked at the new inquisitors with satisfaction. Could he still call them neers anymore? While he could alleviate his worry about the neers, another concern arose. Ethan had been out of sight since just now. ¡®The Apostle isn¡¯t here.¡¯ The reason they had avoided a head-on confrontation was precisely because of the Apostle. ¡®Did he go to fight directly?¡¯ If so, it would be no different from the Inquisition incurring another big debt. ¡®But it¡¯s too much alone.¡¯ At least a few more veteran inquisitors, including himself, needed to join to increase the possibility of taking down the Apostle. ¡°Finish them off thoroughly and advance!¡± *** Unlike other Moonforce temples, this ce was full of cold air. ¡®Something¡¯s strange.¡¯ As he went deeper inside, along with the cold air, another energy was mixing in, so his doubts gradually grew. ¡°Kieeek!¡± Suddenly, a monster jumped out in front of Ethan. [Lv 66] ¡®It¡¯s certain. Something is parasitizing the temple.¡¯ Suddenly, he recalled the magic circle in the Moonforce temple he had visited before. The Apostle must be the one parasitizing that something. Ethan gripped the handles of Frost Sword and Thunder Sword. ¡°Dual-wielding is efficient for ying monsters.¡± Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. Drawing the swords. In an instant, the two drawn swords shed the monster in a cross pattern. Crack-! Lightning and frost tore the monster apart in an instant. ¡®Moon¡¯s aura has been added.¡¯ The moon¡¯s aura absorbed from the star fragment added to Frost Thunder Swordsmanship, producing an even more powerful effect. ¡°The Moon Fragment enhances the power more than I expected.¡± Ethan continued to advance. How much further did he go inside? ¡°Kieeek!¡± ¡°Kyaeueueueurk!¡± The cries of monsters began to be heard. ¡°P-please spare me, please.¡± ¡°You must stop! If you proceed any further, it will truly be irreversible!¡± ¡°The wrath of the god will descend!¡± ¡°God?¡± Along with the voices of the forest tribe, a scratching voice was heard. ¡°Shall I reveal myself? I am a listener. I can hear what our mother, Moon Mother, says. Hmm, yes. Oh ho, she says no divine wrath or anything like that will descend?¡± ¡°What do you mean¡­!¡± ¡°An ancient god whose name is no longer remembered. All power is lost, and only the remnants remain. She says not even anything resembling divine wrath will descend, you forest trash.¡± ¡°Damn it¡­¡± The forest tribe couldn¡¯t refute even at these humiliating words. ¡®They¡¯re tied up.¡¯ The one who seemed to be the Apostle had his back turned. Ethan used Great Thief¡¯s Mastery. The guy didn¡¯t notice this side. If so, he should carefully attack and end it in one go. ¡®I have a technique that can kill in one shot.¡¯ A prolonged fight would be disadvantageous. Ethan slowly moved and stepped inside. And then. -Great Thief¡¯s Mastery has been broken! ¡°¡­!¡± Ethan frowned, momentarily flustered. Deep blue mes flickered on the Apostle¡¯s back. The Apostle, who had been showing his back, suddenly turned his head and looked at Ethan. -Great Thief¡¯s Mastery has been broken due to superhuman power. (+)[1]TLN: If you still remember,st time instead of using superhuman power, I used superpowers. Just wanted to tell you that I change the term a little bit. -Superhuman power is constricting you! The power that the Beast King had long ago was one of these superhuman powers. Ethan frowned as soon as he confirmed the Apostle. Twelve Apostles Luna Spirit. An Apostle with various superhuman powers and a huge body, he was an Apostle who crushed everything with the overwhelming power emitted by his tworge fists. ¡®I didn¡¯t expect Great Thief¡¯s Mastery to be broken by superhuman power.¡¯ ¡°To evade my senses while being so close? There shouldn¡¯t be such a guy among the heresy inquisitors. And the Combat Specials inquisitor shouldn¡¯t be able toe here now.¡± The Apostle asked while looking at Ethan. ¡°Who are you?¡± In an instant, the Apostle¡¯s figure disappeared. Zzzzt-! Ethan¡¯s instincts stirred. -Your survival probability temporarily decreases! -Your survival probability temporarily decreases! Messages saying that the survival probability was decreasing kept appearing. At the same time, intense pain rushed to Ethan¡¯s eyes. The Apostle¡¯s movements should be clearly visible due to the effect of Bullet Time. Even in the slowed time, the speed of Twelve Apostles Luna Spirit was overwhelming. His fist rushed straight towards Ethan. Kwaaang-! Ethan, who instinctively drew and swung the Thunder Sword, blocked Luna Spirit¡¯s fist. But the aftermath was tremendous. ¡°¡­!¡± Ethan frowned. The sword and fist had clearly collided, but. -Moonlight Defense has been cast. -Absorbing damage. -The absorbed damage has exceeded the limit. ¡®Moonlight Defense has been broken. At the same time, Supreme Resilience has reached its limit too.¡¯ ¡°Interesting technique.¡± The Apostle red at Ethan while rotating his wrist. ¡°Run away!¡± ¡°Th-that person is an Apostle! One of the twelve said to be the strongest among the Followers of the Moon¡­¡± ¡°Quiet.¡± When the Apostle swung his hand towards the elf, the elf copsed bleeding. ¡°Kuhek¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while since someone withstood my attack. I swung intending to kill in one blow.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡®Is the difference this big?¡¯ He realized anew how strong a curse Extinction was. Even after building up this much. However, Ethan didn¡¯t despair. He still had plenty of cards left to y. Crackle-. The sessor of the moon and the Lightning Guardian, the two powers that could be considered the best in MePan for offense and defense. Moreover, with the abilities of the gods gained from New World, even if there was a gap, there was enough power to overturn that gap. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s how you shoulde at me. You didn¡¯te this far with half-baked skills. Did youe knowing I was here in the first ce? Come at me till the end. Moon Mother would be pleased if I offer you as a sacrifice.¡± One of the Twelve Apostles extended his fist again. Ethan¡¯s eyes hurt, but he could clearly see the movement of the fist he had seen once before. ¡®Dodge and!¡¯ And he tried to move to counterattack immediately. But at that moment, faced with the Twelve Apostles¡¯ fist that bent like a snake, Ethan had no choice but to take a defensive stance again. Kwaaang-! -Your HP has fallen below 10%. -The trait of the undying flower activates! ¡®This is crazy!¡¯ If you take damage even when blocking, what¡¯s the point of blocking? ¡°Charge Up.¡± Ethan immediately used Charge Up. Lightning that seemed like it would burn everything enveloped Ethan¡¯s body. ¡°Ice and lightning. Abination I¡¯ve never experienced before.¡± The Apostle grinned and lowered his stance. ¡®All that¡¯s left is Charge Up.¡¯ He didn¡¯t think the defensive techniques he had built up until now would be broken so easily. -Your survival probability temporarily decreases. -Your survival probability temporarily decreases. ¡®Something big ising!¡¯ He can¡¯t dodge. And he takes damage even if he blocks. Ethan clicked his tongue. His mind was in chaos. No matter how much he thought, he couldn¡¯t think of a way to escape this crisis. There was only one option left. To use Wind Cloud to escape. But escaping here was a meaningless action. -Hero¡¯s Breathing activates. -Due to Chiron¡¯s teaching, you be immune to all mental attacks. ¡®Ah.¡¯ Suddenly, Ethan¡¯s mind cleared. As his breathing, which had been heightened by tension, returned to stability, he was able to calmly view the situation again. ¡®I knew it, but¡­ The superhuman power is certainly scary.¡¯ It was because of the pressure, one of the superhuman powers that the Twelve Apostles possessed, that he couldn¡¯t make proper judgments. Of course, just because his mind cleared doesn¡¯t mean the situation immediately changed. Swoosh-! A powerful strike from the Twelve Apostles flew in. It looked simr to the previous fist, but this one was even faster and had an aura wrapped around the fist. This would be the end even if he blocked. He had to dodge at all costs. ¡®First, dodge somehow!¡¯ Ethan tried with all his might to avoid the Apostle¡¯s fist. But at that moment, the Apostle twisted his upper body. Then, as if pulling out his shoulder, he extended his arm long,pletely blocking any possibility of dodging. ¡®No.¡¯ Ethan gritted his teeth. -A trial is bestowed upon you. -Trial: Twelve Apostles Luna Spirit. -Hero¡¯s Breathing exerts powerful strength limited to this trial. ¡®Trial?¡¯ Hercules became a hero through twelve trials. The Hero¡¯s Breathing learned from him seemed to have hidden power to counter trials. Feeling his body lighten in an instant, Ethan narrowly blocked the attack while simultaneously deflecting the shock and stepping back. ¡°To dodge like that! You still had something hidden.¡± The decrease in survival probability due to the Apostle was recognized as Ethan¡¯s trial. ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯vee too easily until now.¡± Ethan took a deep breath. This is a trial. A trial that can be advanced one step if ovee. Ethan raised his power in one breath along with his breathing while simultaneously awakening other powers he possessed. Counter-Radiance, and Willpower. Strength capable of uprooting mountains and powerful strength that could cover the world. The power of Hercules and the power of Hang Woo dwelled in Ethan¡¯s hands. Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. Frost Thunder sh de ¨C Moonforce. Ethan became a streak of lightning.
  • 1. TLN: If you still remember,st time instead of using superhuman power, I used superpowers. Just wanted to tell you that I change the term a little bit.
Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 155: A New God Chapter 155: A New God The elves captured by the Apostle and dragged to the temple were in despair. Just as they were about to give up, thinking everything was over, suddenly someone appeared inside the temple. It was a human with a slender build. He seemed too feeble to havee to stop the Apostle. Since he came alone, the elves couldn¡¯t have any hope. As expected, the human was no match for the Apostle. He was constantly on the defensive, and soon found himself in mortal danger, unable to withstand the Apostle¡¯s attacks. However, the result was the opposite. ¡°I-Impossible¡­¡± Though they couldn¡¯t understand what had happened, one thing was certain.¡°Kuk¡­!¡± The Apostle had taken severe damage. And it was that seemingly weak young man who had inflicted that damage. ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡± Ethan, having sessfully executed his technique with all his might, was breathing heavily. Thud-. The Apostle¡¯s severed arm fell to the ground, frozen. Soon after, the severed arm burst into mes from yellow lightning and disappeared into ashes. Now it couldn¡¯t even be reattached. ¡°Damn you, you bastard¡­!¡± ¡°Shit.¡± Ethan cursed. He thought he could kill him. ¡®He can still move his body.¡¯ With one arm gone, the other side wouldn¡¯t be able to move as before. But Ethan was also in a state of nearplete exhaustion. ¡°That power, you must be the descendant of this temple. So you came to kill me? But this is the end. You should have killed me with thatst strike.¡± The Twelve Apostles sneered. The characteristic aura began to flow from his body. ¡°I won¡¯t die easily. Since you took one of my arms¡­ I¡¯ll tear off all your limbs while barely keeping you alive.¡± Enduring the pain, the Twelve Apostles regained his posture and approached Ethan with bouncing steps. Baang-! Ethan¡¯s sword and the Apostle¡¯s fist collided again. The Apostle¡¯s power had certainly diminished, but Ethan¡¯s stamina was also significantly lowered. Unable to deflect the impact, Ethan coughed up blood and had to retreat. Gulp gulp. Ethan hurriedly took out a decoction from his spatial pocket and drank it. His stamina recovered a little, but since Ethan¡¯s maximum stamina was low, he couldn¡¯t expect much. If he allowed even one of those attacks, he would copse right there. Ethan put the remaining decoction back in his spatial pocket. ¡°Still, I can manage for now.¡± This time, Ethan wielded the Frost Sword. Shaaaak-. The Frost Sword, scattering cold air, shed with the Twelve Apostles¡¯ fist. Baang-! Frost Stacking. Baang-! Baang-! Each time the sword and fist collided, frost began to form on the Twelve Apostles¡¯ body due to the effect of Frost Stacking. Fundamentally, the power of frost was specialized for defense. ¡°My, my body¡­¡± The Apostle frowned as his body became heavy from the effect of Frost Stacking. ¡°Bleagh.¡± However, as a consequence, Ethan had to spill a considerable amount of blood. Gulp gulp. He took out the decoction and drank it again, but even that reached its limit. Now both attack and defense were impossible. ¡®Damn it. I was so close.¡¯ Anisida¡¯s Bracelet had also reached its limit, and he could no longer use Supreme Resilience or the abilities of other gods. ¡°Kuuuugh.¡± Baang-! While Ethan was catching his breath, the Twelve Apostles began to break the frost clinging to his body. At the same time, oveing the cold permeating his entire body, he approached Ethan one step at a time. ¡°Well done, you bastard. You¡¯re the first to push me this far. But it¡¯s over. I can clearly see from here that you have no strength left.¡± The Twelve Apostles¡¯ judgment was urate. Ethan was in such a state that even a slight touch would make him copse; he had squeezed out everyst bit of his power. ¡®Just one more step.¡¯ Really, just one more step. ¡®If I could take just one more step forward.¡¯ Then he could ovee this situation. Ethan turned on New World with an almost instinctive action. In the momentarily slowed time, he hurriedly activated New World. Ethan currently had quite a lot of likes. But what good were all those likes if he died here? ¡®I¡¯m willing to use them all.¡¯ If only he could ovee this situation. If only he could subscribe to a god that could resolve this situation! -New World confirms your situation. -The algorithm is reactivated ording to the situation. -Condition added: Rmending a god that can resolve the current situation on the condition of consuming all your likes¡­ -A new function has been activated! Numerous videos appeared before Ethan¡¯s eyes. But something was odd. All the videos were short, less than a minute long. ¡®Shorts¡­?¡¯ Though they were very short videos, they clearly contained content about gaining abilities. Ethan¡¯s eyes quickly scanned through the videos. And among them, he found a god that could help him ovee this crisis. [How to ¡®Pretend¡¯][Difficulty: Extreme] -Temporarily borrow the power of God Cheok Jun-gyeong by consuming likes. -This is a god who uses shorts. You can gain power through short videos. Ethan subscribed to Cheok Jun-gyeong without hesitation. -All your likes will be consumed. Cha-roo-roo-rook-. Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s extremely short video yed. It showed Cheok Jun-gyeong using powerful force to knock down enemies as if they were straw dolls. -It¡¯s an urgent situation. No need for long exnations. He grinned and said to Ethan. -Crisis is an opportunity. The worst situations allow for the greatest growth. As Ethan silently looked at him, Cheok Jun-kyung thrust his fist towards him. Bwoong-! -Ovee it with strength. With overwhelming power that shines brightest in times of crisis! With those words, everything disappeared. In that moment, Ethan saw the Apostle before his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Along with the Apostle¡¯s voice, Ethan heard a notification sound. -You have learned Reversal of Disadvantage. -Skill added: Reversal of Disadvantage (S) Reversal of Disadvantage was a very simple technique. -Your HP is below 5%. -Your strength increases by the amount of HP lost. As the name suggests. It was a power that could turn the tables in a disadvantageous situation. Swooosh-! Ethan easily dodged the Apostle¡¯s iing fist by slightly twisting his body. With this one movement, Ethan could gauge how much power had been imbued in him. Seeing Ethan, who was nearly dead, dodge his attack, the Apostle¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°How!¡± ¡®Now I can see properly.¡¯ Ethan regained his stance. The Apostle¡¯s movements werepletely exposed due to Bullet Time. ¡°Huff.¡± -Hero¡¯s Breathing is activated! Ethan put the sword he was holding back into its sheath. Then he ced his hands on the handles of the two swords and drew them. ¡®This is thest.¡¯ With this one swing. ¡®I¡¯ll cut down the Apostle.¡¯ A blue frost and lightning momentarily blurred the Apostle¡¯s vision. Swooosh-! Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. Frost Thunder Shockwave Strike. Ethan¡¯s sword moved, and the sound followed. Kwaduk-! Simultaneously, a cross-shaped scar appeared on the Apostle¡¯s body. The Apostle looked at Ethan in disbelief and then blood trickled from his mouth. Along with it, an enormous amount of blood began to gush out from the cross-shaped wound. The Apostle convulsed once and fell backward. -You have achieved a great feat! -The temple has been restored to its original state. -Moonforce bestows a blessing upon you! -Perfect clear! You have earned additional rewards! -You have perfectly cleared the trial. Hero¡¯s Breathing has reached its final stage. -You have received a hero¡¯s trial. -Trial: 1 / 12 Just like with Heo¡¯s Acupuncture, Ethan received a quest to master Hero¡¯s Breathing. Following that, -You have achieved an achievement! -You have gained likes for achieving the [Apostle Hunt] achievement. -You have gained ¡¯10¡¯ likes! He was even able to achieve an achievement. A whole 10 likes. ¡®I used up all the likes I had saved, but thanks to that, I was able to defeat him.¡¯ With the tension released, Ethan staggered as if he might copse at any moment. He hurriedly opened his spatial pocket and took out a decoction to drink. It was thest of the S-grade decoctions he had made. ¡°Phew.¡± He had defeated the Apostle. Only now did what he had done start to feel real. ¡®I really almost died.¡¯ If he had made even a slight misjudgment, he would have died right there. If he hadn¡¯t subscribed to Cheok Jun-gyeong in New World and quickly gained the ability, it would have been over. ¡°To think this is just Twelve Apostles, the weakest among the Apostles.¡± It was on apletely different level from what he experienced in MePan. ¡®I felt anew howcking I am.¡¯ After drinking the decoction and barely catching his breath, Ethan first organized what he had gained. ¡®The rewards are mountainous.¡¯ As the temple, which had been on the brink of corruption by the Apostle, returned to its original state, Ethan was able to receive rewards from Moonforce. -Your ss has grown! -All stats permanently increase by ¡¯10¡¯! The growth of the Moonforce descendant ss. Ethan¡¯s ss had grown one more level. Moreover, there was an additional reward. -Go to the temple altar to check your reward! Ethan headed to the temple altar behind the elves. A box was ced on the altar. When Ethan opened the box, the moonlight inside shone on him. ¡°No way.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes widened for a moment. -You have received Moonforce¡¯s Armor (S) as a reward! Shaaaak-. In an instant, moonlight gathered on Ethan¡¯s body and then transformed into the shape of armor. ¡°Moonforce¡¯s Armor. This is insane.¡± Despite his exhaustion, the corners of Ethan¡¯s mouth curved up slightly. This was an incredible reward. Originally, essories imbued with a god¡¯s power were surprisinglymon. But armors were extremely difficult to obtain. And this was an S-grade armor, no less. -The effect of the Goddess¡¯s Ring has been upgraded. -You can now use Moonlight Defense twice. ¡°Oh.¡± It seemed to be a kind of set item effect. ¡®If I gather all of Moonforce¡¯s equipment, can I expect other effects as well?¡¯ After collecting his reward, Ethan returned to the elves. ¡°Sob sob, thank you.¡± ¡°Thank you, our benefactor!¡± ¡°We saw everything. How you defeated the Apostle and protected the temple!¡± ¡°If I may ask¡­ who exactly are you, our benefactor?¡± The elves were shedding tears of gratitude. Though his whole body ached, Ethan straightened his back without showing it. Then he looked at them with a rxed smile. ¡°The goddess sent me. I am a descendant of Goddess Moonforce.¡± ¡°Ah¡­!¡± ¡°So you were the goddess¡¯s descendant!¡± Ding-. -The forest tribe is impressed by your achievement. -The forest tribe has be new believers in the goddess! -You have greatly influenced the forest tribe¡¯s conversion! -The Moon Goddess Moonforce praises you! -A name is bestowed upon the temple. -[Forest Temple] has been opened. Kuguuuung-! A loud noise sounded and the temple began to shake. ¡®It¡¯s rising up.¡¯ Originally, this temple was underground. The temple, which had only one cave-like entrance, began to return to its original state as soon as it was named. Kuung-! ¡°From now on, we will be followers of the goddess.¡± ¡°We are truly grateful.¡± Leaving behind the grateful greetings of the elves, Ethan approached the fallen Apostle to find the true reward. ¡®This is the real reward.¡¯ The Apostles had divine objects that proved their status. Objects that could prove one was an Apostle just by possessing them. Ethan searched the Apostle¡¯s belongings. ¡°¡­!¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°This is¡­¡± He was looking for the divine object, but. What Ethan held in his hand was something entirely different.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 156: To the Order Chapter 156: To the Order ¡°Parchment.¡± What Apostle had in his possession was parchment. Ethan immediately unfolded the parchment. Although it was full of all sorts of ciphers, Ethan could easily decipher its contents. ¡°This bastard, he was overseeing the Ivecar Academy?¡± He knew who the Twelve Apostles were, but didn¡¯t know exactly what duties they were in charge of. Who would have thought that one of the Twelve Apostles was in charge of Ivecar Academy. ¡®This order is to be delivered to the First Orders under the Twelve Apostles.¡¯ Basically, Followers of the Moon don¡¯t know the faces of the Apostles.¡®Only the core members among the First Order know.¡¯ Ethan also knew the faces of the Twelve Apostles because he had yed as a core First Order in MePan. However, he had never seen the faces of the three Apostles at the very top. The highest-ranking Apostles couldn¡¯t be met unless one was an Apostle themselves. At that moment, Ethan¡¯s mind began to work quickly. ¡°This will make things a bit easier.¡± Ethan searched the Twelve Apostles¡¯ possessions again and found the Apostle¡¯s divine object. A green jewel. It was the Dawn Council¡¯s divine object called green chalcedony. ¡°With this divine object, I can disguise myself as one of the Twelve Apostles.¡± For followers who don¡¯t know the face of Twelve Apostles Luna Spirit, this divine object is proof of being one of the Twelve Apostles. Grin. Ethan smiled. ¡°First Order and Twelve Apostles.¡± Ethan immediately froze the Twelve Apostles and then shattered him into pieces. Since he decided to disguise himself as one of the Twelve Apostles, there should be no trace of the real Twelve Apostles left in this world. ¡°Is everyone¡¯s condition alright?¡± Ethan distributed decoction to the elves. ¡°If you drink this, your strength will return.¡± ¡°Sob, thank you.¡± The elvespletely trusted Ethan. Moreover, they had even converted to be believers. ¡°From now on, we will believe in Moonforce. Since we received help from Moonforce, this time we will protect this temple.¡± The elves slowly stood up and bowed their heads to Ethan once more. Ethan smiled gently at them. ¡°The goddess will watch over you all.¡± *** As Ethan went outside the temple, the heresy inquisitors arrived in front of the temple just in time. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°There was clearly only a small cave entrance connected to the underground.¡± ¡°Ah, there¡¯s Sir Ethan!¡± Jeryd, looking bewildered at the temple, spotted Ethan and the elvesing out of the temple. ¡°Sir Ethan! Are you alright!¡± ¡°It was an incredible operation. I never thought you¡¯d execute the bait so perfectly.¡± ¡°How did this happen?¡± Despite still being tired, Ethan first checked on the new inquisitors. The new inquisitors unconsciously tensed up and stood at attention under Ethan¡¯s gaze. Ethan nodded while making eye contact with such inquisitors. It seemed like praise, as if to say they did well, so the new inquisitors unconsciously twitched the corners of their mouths into a smile. They maintained a firm three-person team ording to Ethan¡¯s training and prioritized not getting injured. As a result, even though they fought against clearly stronger enemies than before, not a single person was injured. ¡°¡­Did you see the Apostle?¡± When Jeryd mentioned the Apostle, the heresy inquisitors noticeably began to tense up. Ethan turned his head to look at Jeryd and answered. ¡°The Apostle is dead. I took care of him.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Jeryd made a confused expression at the words that the Apostle had been dealt with. Unable to believe what he heard, he asked again without realizing it. Before Ethan could say anything more, the elves who came out together rushed forward and shouted. ¡°Sir Ethan here dealt with the Apostle!¡± ¡°That powerful Apostle was trying to pollute this temple and destroy the forest! He was trying to steal all the power remaining in this temple of Moonforce!¡± ¡°Sir Ethan stopped him!¡± ¡°Is, is that true? The Apostle is dead?¡± The elves nodded vigorously at Jeryd¡¯s words. ¡°The Apostle is dead!¡± At those words, the forest inquisitors made expressions of disbelief. ¡°H-How.¡± Even Kazinska was no match for the Apostle. Having seen it directly, the forest inquisitors had a deeply ingrained fear stemming from that strength. ¡°No way. Did Sir Ethan¡­ defeat that Apostle¡­ alone?¡± ¡°Yes! The Apostle was truly terrifying, but.¡± ¡°Sir Ethan fought the Apostle risking his life. And he overcame him!¡± When Jeryd and the forest inquisitors looked at Ethan, Ethan nodded once. He wanted to answer directly, but he was so exhausted that he just nodded once. However, to Jeryd and the forest inquisitors, that gesture looked as if defeating an Apostle was no big deal. ¡°H-How did he defeat the Apostle¡­ that Apostle, alone¡­¡± The forest inquisitor lowered his head and muttered. Just what kind of person is he? Suddenly barging in and shattering all themon sense and knowledge the forest inquisitors had. At that moment, Jeryd raised his hand high. ¡°It¡¯s our victory! Sir Ethan killed the Apostle! It¡¯s ourplete victory!¡± As he shouted loudly like that, the inquisitors responded by shouting. As Jeryd said, it was a perfect victory for the Inquisition. *** ¡°You really worked hard. I wish you could stay longer, but that¡¯s just my selfishness.¡± Ethan just smiled at Jeryd¡¯s words. Deputy Director Benjamin also thought it would be great if Ethan could continue to be an instructor for the Inquisition. He was an excellent instructor. If he educated the neers while simultaneously training the inquisitors who felt their own inadequacies, the influence of the Inquisition would grow muchrger than it is now. The Holy Empire, called the King¡¯s Mace, but that was a thing of the past. He thought they might be able to regain their once nominal reputation. ¡°Sir Ethan, you have the power topletely change wherever you go. If you coulde back to our Inquisition headquarters againter and help us, we would be truly grateful. This is a small gift.¡± Ethan grinned at the Deputy Director¡¯s gift package. It seemed he had prepared holy water as a gift, which Ethan had requested as a reward. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Oh, and the talk with the Holylight Order that you mentioned earlier is finished. You can go see Bishop Vincent in Arien territory.¡± Arien territory was not too far from Erant territory. ¡®It¡¯s about time to start working on it.¡¯ ¡°We will never forget this incident. If you ever need anything, please visit our Inquisition headquarters.¡± The director bowed his head deeply. -Jerydpletely trusts you. -Your reputation has increased! -Your survival probability has increased! Ethan smiled and exchanged greetings with the two. Afterwards, before leaving the Inquisition, Ethan headed to the training ground to say his final goodbyes. There, the new inquisitors Ethan had taught were gathered. ¡°Sob sob.¡± ¡°Are, are you really leaving?¡± After the fight with the Apostle. Ethan taught the new inquisitors for about another week. The trained new inquisitors had grown to the point where they could no longer be called neers. ¡°I¡¯ve taught you everything in the textbook. You can now fully pull your own weight.¡± ¡°We, we are stillcking!¡± ¡°Now is the time to fill those gaps on your own. You are now proud heresy inquisitors.¡± ¡°Sob, we¡¯ll think of you as our eternal teacher.¡± ¡°Of course you should. I have good ears. So no matter where I am, if I hear anything rted to you, I can hear it.¡± Ethan began to call out the names of the 32 inquisitors one by one. ¡°Alendre.¡± Only after calling Alendrest did Ethan smile. The inquisitors¡¯ eyes turned red. They never thought he would have memorized all their names one by one. Those who were crying couldn¡¯t hold back their tears anymore. ¡°I remember all of you, so if I hear that any of you died, I¡¯lle find you, resurrect you, and then kill you again.¡± It was clearly said jokingly, but why didn¡¯t it sound like a joke? ¡°Don¡¯t you dare die to those Followers of the Moon bastards. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Yes! We absolutely won¡¯t die!¡± ¡°Good then.¡± Ethan grinned and raised his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s meet again.¡± *** Ethan registered the Erant branch in Wind Cloud and immediately set off for Arien territory. ¡°The holy water has increased to 24.¡± After checking the gift from the Inquisition, he put it in his spatial pouch. At the same time, he organized the items he needed to use right away while checking his spatial pouch here and there. Arien territory. It wasrger than Erant territory where the Inquisition branch existed, and here, the Holylight Order¡¯s church was built evenrger than the elite branch of the Inquisition. ¡®Because the Lord of Arien is a devout believer of the Holylight Order.¡¯ Ethan went straight into the Holylight church. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Bishop Vincent.¡± The reason for choosing Bishop Vincent among the many bishops was because Bishop Vincent was the most reasonable person to talk to. ¡®The bishops of the Holylight Order are much more rigid than mages. They don¡¯t ept any proposals and only try to maintain the current situation. Devoutly and diligently.¡¯ However, Vincent is different. Currently a bishop, but soon to be an archbishop and save many people, Vincent was a very reasonable person to talk to. ¡®It means he¡¯s someone I can talk business with too.¡¯ Of course, business was secondary, and Ethan sought out Bishop Vincent for another reason. ¡°Please wait a moment. I will inform the Bishop right away.¡± *** Bishop Vincent observed the appearance of the man who came to see him. He looked quite young. A stylish appearance, eyes full of excellence, two swords at his waist. At first nce, he seemed slender, but upon closer inspection, he had a solid impression. ¡°I heard from the director. You defeated the Followers of the Moon, didn¡¯t you? Moreover, you brought down an Apostle and rescued the elves! You¡¯ve truly done an amazing thing. The goddess will surely look down upon you and bless you. For what reason has such a persone to see me?¡± Ethan smiled and greeted in response to Vincent¡¯s question. ¡°My name is Ethan Whiskers, Bishop. I came because I wanted to make a donation to the Holylight Order.¡± ¡°A donation?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As soon as Ethan finished speaking, he took out money from his spatial pouch. One of the reasons he made a lot of money through business was to donate like this. ¡®You can form a good rtionship with the Holylight Order through donations.¡¯ Creating a good rtionship with the Order can increase the chances of meeting the Saintess. Moreover, there was something else to gain by making donations. ¡°Are you saying you¡¯re going to donate all this money?¡± ¡°There¡¯s still more.¡± As Ethan¡¯s money pouch continued toe out, the bishop asked in surprise. ¡°Why are you trying to donate so much money?¡± To the bishop¡¯s question, Ethan put his hands together as if in prayer. ¡°The reason is¡­¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 157: Donation Chapter 157: Donation Since his appointment to this Arien territory, Bishop Vincent had taken on various responsibilities. Among them, the one he paid the most attention to was helping the weak. The Holylight Order is a religion that considers spreading and practicing goodness as a virtue. Therefore, helping the weak was one of their main missions. There were quite a lot of poor people near Arien territory. The weak who were born in back alleys and only knew the harsh world. Those who are sick but can¡¯t afford treatment due tock of money. Most territory residents bring their newborns to the Holylight Order for baptism, and when they do, the order provides support items. But there were too many people who didn¡¯t even know this information.Although the lord was ruling well, he couldn¡¯t thoroughly examine every back alley and underdeveloped area, so there were inevitably ces that were neglected and left unattended. That¡¯s why Vincent paid even more attention to them. As he became in charge of the order in a territory, Vincent wanted to take care of all such people and do good. However, there were limitations. He had only one body, there was much to do, and the order¡¯s financial situation was alsocking. Although the Holylight Order was a ce that bestowed and practiced goodness, it wasn¡¯t a charity organization, nor did it have unlimited money. The order¡¯s budget was limited, so there were inevitably ces that the order¡¯s hand couldn¡¯t reach. Many businessmen had approached Vincent. Saying they wanted to help. But their words always came with conditions. ¡®It¡¯s obvious.¡¯ They made uneptable proposals in return for donations. It was often followed by ufortable content such as the exclusive right to sell holy water or secretly granting some of the authorities held by the order only to their side. ¡®I have no choice but to refuse.¡¯ These were proposals that could corrupt the church in the future. How could the church properly fulfill its role if it was swayed by capitalists? Later, they would probably abandon all unprofitable projects, swayed by that money. What meaning is there in goodness practiced with discrimination? Vincent thought Ethan would be the same as them. There must be a reason for donating such arge sum of money, and based on his experiences so far, those reasons were usually things that led the church and believers to corruption. ¡®This person will say the same thing.¡¯ Vincent focused on Ethan¡¯s mouth. Knowing what he was going to say, he was ready to refuse immediately. ¡°It¡¯s to help more people.¡± ¡°For such a reason¡­ Pardon?¡± Bishop Vincent blinked at Ethan¡¯s words. To help more people? Does this mean he¡¯s not asking for something in return for the donation or requesting secret benefits? ¡°Is that really the reason?¡± When such a devout reason came out of Ethan¡¯s mouth, Bishop Vincent couldn¡¯t help but ask with a puzzled expression. Among all the people who hade under the pretext of donation so far, not a single one had said they would donate purely for a good reason. So he couldn¡¯t help but be suspicious. ¡°I fully understand your concern.¡± Ethan smiled at Vincent. Seeing that smile, Vincent unknowingly felt embarrassed. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything.¡± Ethan calmly conveyed his intention. ¡°This money is nothing to me. I¡¯m earning a considerable amount of money even at this moment. It¡¯s because the business I started is doing well, thanks to various strokes of luck.¡± While saying this, Ethan took out another money pouch. ¡°But it won¡¯t be for the people down there. There are people dying even as I¡¯m making money. There must be people who want to firmly grasp the hand extended by the Holylight Order.¡± Bishop Vincent nodded at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°Truth can¡¯t be found in high ces. It can be found from down there, from the lowest of ces. At least that¡¯s what I think.¡± ¡°¡­Mr. Ethan.¡± At those words, Bishop Vincent¡¯s eyes wavered. Then his shoulders trembled, and the hand holding the teacup shook. ¡°Please ept the donation. And use it where you, Bishop Vincent, want to use it.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Vincent could no longer meet Ethan¡¯s eyes. It was because embarrassment continued to overwhelm him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m truly sorry. I was suspicious. Sinceing to this territory, I¡¯ve realized through various tasks that there are many people who need the order¡¯s help. But the order didn¡¯t have that much money. So I epted donations. But¡­¡± Vincent shook his head and said. ¡°Not a single person stated the same reason as Mr. Ethan.¡± Then he bowed his head deeply. ¡°Please forgive my rudeness.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± As Ethan waved his hand as if it was no big deal, Bishop Vincent¡¯s expression became even more moved. He¡¯s forgiving me like this even though he has every right to be upset. This person is a great man. ¡°Then I¡¯ll gratefully ept this donation. I¡¯ll make sure to use it for people in need, in ces where it¡¯s needed.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡± Ding-! At the same time, Ethan heard a notification sound. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [Beginning of Donation] achievement. -You have gained ¡®1¡¯ like! There were several reasons why Ethan made a donation. There¡¯s the reason of establishing a good rtionship with the Holylight Order, but of course, making a donation also achieves an achievement. No sooner had he achieved the first achievement than messages of achieving other achievements followed in session. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [Exciting Donation] achievement. -You have gained ¡®2¡¯ likes! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [Large Sum Donation] achievement. -You have gained ¡®5¡¯ likes! After achieving therge sum donation achievement, Ethan¡¯s donation amount far exceeded ten million gold. ¡®I can achieve donation achievements up to 1 billion gold.¡¯ Meaning there¡¯s still more to gain. ¡°Then you¡¯ve agreed to ept the donation.¡± Ethan took out another pouch containing ten million gold and handed it over. The amount to donate today was 100 million gold. ¡°And if possible, I¡¯d like to donate to other branches of the order as well.¡± ¡°You really are sincere. Then I¡¯ll contact the upper echelons of the order right away to ensure this donation reaches the branches that need help.¡± Bishop Vincent¡¯s suspicion waspletely resolved. With suspicion dissipated and trust established, his expression had rxed to the point where he could be described as almost ecstatic. -Bishop Vincent of the Holylight Order trusts you! -Your reputation increases! -Your reputation increases additionally ording to the donation amount. ¡°But this amount¡­ How much is it? It seems to me it¡¯s at least ten million gold¡­¡± Ethan grinned. Then he continued to take out pouches. What else is magic if not this? This was real magic. ¡°It¡¯s ten million gold.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lot¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s ten million gold per pouch.¡± As Ethan¡¯s words continued, Bishop Vincent¡¯s eyes widened to the point of tearing. ¡°And there are ten pouches in total.¡± ¡°O-One, one hundred million gold!?¡± Bishop Vincent even stuttered. 100 million gold was an enormous sum, but for the current Ethan, it wasn¡¯t that much money. ¡®You have to spend when it¡¯s time to spend. No matter howrge the amount.¡¯ Financial power doesn¡¯t end with just earning money. Only when you spend money appropriately for its purpose can you be said to have proper financial power. As Ethan grinned and extended his hand, Vincent grasped Ethan¡¯s hand with both of his. ¡°Thank you. The Holylight Order will never forget this grace.¡± ¡°So, Bishop. Does the order perhaps have a magic that bestows blessings?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, we do. Do you need a blessing? That¡¯s not difficult. However, this blessing doesn¡¯tst long. A day, or at most two days.¡± The bishop sped his hands together towards Ethan as if in prayer. Then, mana showered down like stars above Ethan¡¯s head. -You have received Bishop Vincent¡¯s blessing. -Your physical abilities are slightly enhanced for 24 hours. In fact, this blessing was such a basic buff that its effect was significantly lower than Ethan¡¯s acupuncture or decoction. ¡®But.¡¯ That effect that was just shown. That sparkling effect was important. That holy and sparkling appearance created an illusion for the recipient of the blessing that they were receiving an incredibly effective blessing. In short, to put it briefly. ¡®It overflows with style.¡¯ That sparkling effect continues throughout the duration of the blessing. Of course, it doesn¡¯t sparkle constantly, but it sparkled once every minute or when using mana. ¡®Right now it¡¯s sparkling above my head, but what if it sparkled on armor or weapons?¡¯ The effect of the blessing itself isn¡¯t important. What¡¯s important is that your weapons and armor sparkle as if they¡¯ve received a blessing. ¡®There¡¯s definitely a demand for this too.¡¯ The only problem is separating the sparkling effect from this blessing magic, but it wasn¡¯t much of a problem for Ethan. ¡®Because I have Yerica.¡¯ Yerica, the alpha and omega of the business Ethan had conceived. For her, modifying this blessing magic would be no big deal. ¡®By now, she¡¯s probably encountering various information at the Magic Tower and getting all fired up.¡¯ She would have learned why her grandfather, Hecate, was framed for some reason. ¡®She would have be even more certain about who the main culprit is.¡¯ While burning with revenge, she would have definitely learned the full story about her grandfather¡¯s death. On top of that, she would have read Hecate¡¯s hidden magic books still remaining in the Magic Tower. Since Ethan had told her all the hidden locations of the magic books before leaving, there¡¯s no way she hasn¡¯t read them by now. ¡®Originally, since people without Hecate¡¯s magical knowledge would be reading the books, it wouldn¡¯t be of much help.¡¯ But if the one reading those books is Yerica, who has inherited all of Hecate¡¯s magical knowledge, it¡¯s a different story. ¡®I don¡¯t even need to move directly.¡¯ The Magic Tower will fall into Yerica¡¯s hands in the near future. If he visits at that timing, she can easily modify this blessing magic as well. ¡°Is it possible for me to use this blessing magic?¡± ¡°Well, this is a basic blessing that anyone can use once they be a bishop of the order. Originally, you¡¯d have to be a bishop to learn it, but¡­¡± Vincent smiled brightly and said. ¡°For Mr. Ethan, I can teach it to you anytime.¡± -Your survival probability increases slightly!Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 158: The Right to Speak Boldly Chapter 158: The Right to Speak Boldly After that, Ethan continued to make donations while visiting various churches of the Holylight Order. ¡®As expected of Bishop Vincent.¡¯ Just as Bishop Vincent had initially been wary of Ethan, bishops of the Holylight Order at that level don¡¯t readily ept donations. This is because there are so many people who try to manipte the church using donations as a weapon. ¡®Being a renowned bishop, it¡¯s much easier elsewhere.¡¯ Thanks to winning over Vincent, persuading other bishops wasn¡¯t too difficult. While doing so, he didn¡¯t forget to acquire holy magic. Ethan achieved the feat of donating 100 million gold by visiting various churches in this manner. The total number of likes collected was 15. Including the likes he already had, he now possessed 25 likes. ¡®Indeed, having earned a lot of money makes achieving feats easier.¡¯¡°I heard you¡¯re a teacher at Ivecar Academy. For a teacher who educates students to make such arge donation¡­ I will certainly send a letter of appreciation to the academy. And since I happen to know the Principal, I¡¯ll make sure to put in a good word separately.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not necessary.¡± ¡°Haha. You truly are a rare nobleman in this day and age.¡± A humble nobleman who sincerely helps others. Ethan¡¯s demeanor couldn¡¯t help but appeal to the devout bishops of the church. ¡®After all, sincere humility works with anyone.¡¯ After making a few more donations, Ethan was able to achieve the donation feat and acquire the holy magic of the Holylight Order. The unique holy magic of the Holylight Order had quite impressive effects, so even on MePan, there were quite a few people who used it for show, like Bishop Vincent¡¯s blessing. ¡°If refined, this could be worth a lot of money.¡± Ethan nned to cycle through using that money for donations and gaining more profits. ¡®That way, I¡¯ll build reputation and maintain good rtions with the Holylight Order.¡¯ Step by step, steadily approaching the Saintess. ¡®Next is the position of honorary bishop.¡¯ Ethan smiled as he finished his greetings with thest bishop. *** Afterpleting the nned donations, Ethan stayed in rather luxurious amodation provided by the Holylight Church. The owner of this lodging was a devout believer, so he offered quite arge room at a cheap price. Ethan immediately unpacked and went out to the terrace. While the spacious room was nice, what he liked most was the quiterge terrace. Ethan plopped down on the terrace and closed his eyes, reviewing the recent fight with the Twelve Apostles. ¡®I was toocking.¡¯ The gap with the Apostle wasrger than he had thought. ¡®I thought I could handle it, so I engaged. But in the end, it turned out to be reckless.¡¯ Since then, Ethan keenly felt the need for greater power. ¡®I need to train.¡¯ Since gaining abilities by subscribing to gods in the New World, Ethan had been running non-stop until now. However, with Extinction holding him back and the powerful enemies he faced, it wasn¡¯t easy to ovee them in his current state. ¡®Especially the enemies.¡¯ The one Ethan fought was Luna Spirit of the Twelve Apostles. Considering the entire continent, Luna Spirit¡¯s strength didn¡¯t even rank in the top ten. ¡®Yet I almost died.¡¯ The fact that Ethan won wasn¡¯t important right now. ¡®I¡¯m toocking. In this state, it won¡¯t be easy to progress through the various quests I have in mind.¡¯ There are numerous strong individuals on this continent. To clear hidden quests and achieve feats, he needed to keep shing with these strong ones. ¡®There are so many hidden powerful beings. And among them, many have entric personalities.¡¯ Right now, he¡¯s mostly been around the Holy Empire so he hasn¡¯t met anyone truly bizarre, but things would be different if he turned his attention to the Demon Empire side. ¡®There are many who wield strong power far too casually.¡¯ While the Twelve Apostles were powerful, there were many who surpassed even them. ¡®This won¡¯t do.¡¯ Ethan pondered for a moment. ¡®I¡¯ve been giving up on mana because of Extinction, but that doesn¡¯t mean I should abandon mana entirely.¡¯ He needed to devise a way to umte and use mana separately, like with Anisida¡¯s Bracelet. Of course, there was a method. ¡®I still have the ¡°Surviving as Ethan Whiskers¡± quest.¡¯ Surviving as Ethan Whiskers -3. The contract with a being that could help with survival still remained. Ethan took out an item from his spatial pocket. It was the Spirit Stone received from Moonforce. ¡®I¡¯ll make a contract with a spirit.¡¯ An ordinary spirit wouldn¡¯t be helpful. What Ethan needed now was a spirit he had never obtained even on MePan. He had to solve the mana problem by contracting with that spirit. ¡®Whether it will work or not, I¡¯ll have to check.¡¯ If it doesn¡¯t work, he¡¯d have to keep trying until it does. ¡°First, the New World.¡± Without hesitation, Ethan immediately entered the New World. ¡®I used up all my likes to subscribe to Cheok Jun-gyeong, but it was a choice I don¡¯t regret.¡¯ Cheok Jun-gyeong had been a top-ranked god since Ethan first encountered the New World. ¡®Come to think of it, Cheok Jun-gyeong is an Oriental warrior and not that famous.¡¯ Yet being in the upper ranks means there must be something remarkable about him. ¡®The skill Reversal of Disadvantage was certainly a great help.¡¯ Hercules, Hang Woo, and now Cheok Jun-gyeong. ¡®Since I need to prepare for Extinction, the more abilities that strengthen physical capabilities, the better.¡¯ Gods that seem to have the same abilities at a nce. But their actual abilities are all different, helping in various situations. When facing the Twelve Apostles, the strength of Hercules and Hang Woo alone wasn¡¯t enough, but Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s ability solved the situation. Ethan immediately entered Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s channel. ¡°Wow.¡± He looked at Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s channel with a surprised expression. Cheok Jun-gyeong was a far more major god than Ethan had thought. ¡°How many subscribers? The number of likes is no joke either.¡± 500,000 subscribers. The number of likes was approaching 2.5 million. There were a total of five uploaded videos. Four of them were regr videos, and one was a short video, like the one he had seen recently. ¡°Each video has a ton of likes too. It seems the subscribers who subscribed to Cheok Jun-gyeong generally watched all the videos.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s main content was focused on strength. ¡°I can see why he has so many subscribers.¡± Like the power of Reversal of Disadvantage that Ethan learned from the shorts, the techniques Cheok Jun-gyeong teaches are incredibly simple. ¡°You can infer what you¡¯ll learn just from the title.¡± Indeed, there¡¯s a reason for a sessful god¡¯s sess. Ethan immediately clicked on a video titled ¡®How to Fight to the Death¡¯. -Consume 5 likes to unlock the video. A wide in spread out before his eyes. -Greetings. This warrior¡¯s name is Cheok Jun-gyeong. I imagine most of you are seeing or encountering me for the first time. It was the appearance of Cheok Jun-gyeong he had seen in the shorts. -I have won on countless battlefields, but not once have I fought on favorable ground. More enemies than allies. The battlefields I¡¯ve won have always been such disadvantageous ces. Cheok Jun-gyeong spoke briefly. ¡®The video is short.¡¯ It didn¡¯t seem to have any special editing, but the video was short. ¡®Excellent.¡¯ -The way to always win in disadvantageous ces. I intend to teach you that. Cheok Jun-gyeong, who only spoke about the exact points his subscribers wanted. There was certainly a reason he had hundreds of thousands of subscribers. ¡®The important thing is ability.¡¯ How is he in the upper ranks, surpassing formidable gods centered on physical enhancement abilities like Hercules or Hang Woo? Ethan continued watching the video. -I know of a god who is said to have the power to face ten thousand alone, but that¡¯s literally a defensive technique. Cheok Jun-gyeong said with a grin. ¡®Oh ho.¡¯ Ethan smiled along with those words. The various gods of the New World have their pride reaching the sky in many ways. Confidence in their own power. So they neither observe nor benchmark other gods. Even just looking at the New Worldmunity, you can see that such tendencies are strong. But Cheok Jun-gyeong was different. ¡®It seems he¡¯s talking about Hang Woo. Is he watching all the other gods?¡¯ If so, it¡¯s understandable why this god is a major one. ¡®Then he can draw out much morepetitiveness.¡¯ Originally, this is extremely natural. To win inpetition, it¡¯s natural to analyze and utilizepetitors. However, that¡¯s limited to humans. Gods don¡¯t try to behave that way. ¡®It¡¯s groundbreaking.¡¯ Ethan was very impressed with Cheok Jun-gyeong. -Fight to the Death. This is the name of my technique. The ability is very simple. This technique spreads a kind of barrier that considers everyone except me as an enemy. And the more enemies there are. Cheok Jun-gyeong has achieved countless victories on unfavorable battlefields. On a battlefield where there¡¯s not a single person to trust, allies mean only oneself. -It¡¯s a technique that makes you stronger. It was a technique specialized for facing many alone, literally. ¡®What does it mean to be stronger?¡¯ -How you be stronger is the key. All the things you have that can grow ¨C strength, stamina, etc. ¨C be temporarily stronger. ¡®Goodness.¡¯ Ethan was surprised but soon calmed his excitement. ¡®But the problem will be the difficulty.¡¯ Extremely high difficulty. Hercules¡¯ breathing wasn¡¯t that level of difficulty. As a result, the process of raising proficiency to a usable level was rtively easy. ¡®Of course, Hang Woo¡¯s Counter-Radiance is also extremely high difficulty, but.¡¯ Thanks to Ethan¡¯s Extinction, raising proficiency in Counter-Radiance was easier in many ways. Then how about this Fight to the Death of Cheok Jun-gyeong? -You have learned Fight to the Death. -Skill added: Fight to the Death (S) Fight to the Death following Reversal of Disadvantage. Both were S-rank techniques given their difficulty. -The focus of this Fight to the Death is ultimately the barrier spread by aura. How many enemies you can contain within this barrier is important. Always keep that in mind. That was the end of Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s video. ¡°It¡¯s as short as the videos I edit.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong probably doesn¡¯t need Ethan¡¯s edited videos. ¡®Just in case, should I check all the other videos?¡¯ Ethan looked at the remaining videos. ¡®It takes a lot of likes.¡¯ The next video was teaching a breathing technique like Hercules¡¯ Hero¡¯s Breathing. It required as many as 25 likes. ¡®And the rest are advanced?¡¯ They seemed to be videos progressing to advanced courses of learned techniques. Simrly, the likes were set quite high. And there was one most important thing left. ¡®Shorts.¡¯ The very video that saved Ethan¡¯s life. It was the shorts video that allowed him to quickly learn Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s power. Thanks to this shorts video, Ethan was able to create his own weapon that became even more powerful. ¡®I didn¡¯t expect there to be shorts videos in the New World. Seeing that other gods don¡¯t use it, it must be difficult to utilize shorts?¡¯ ¡°Huh?¡± Ethan made a surprised expression as he clicked to watch the shorts once more. -A gift has arrived for the subscriber who first used the shorts. -You have been granted the right to coborate with the god Cheok Jun-gyeong.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 159: How Is That Possible? Thump-. Thump-. Thump-. In an instant, everything Ethan had been looking at disappeared. Ethan suddenly found himself in a room. No, this was closer to a tent than a room. ¡®A temporarily erected tent.¡¯ It appeared to be a military tent used on battlefields. Ethan first surveyed his surroundings. As the tent wasn¡¯t veryrge, he quickly spotted someone. An overwhelming physique.Even though only the silhouette was visible, a man with such arge body that it exuded pressure walked towards Ethan. A presence so strong that it felt as if the earth trembled with each step. As the distance closed, his eyes glowed fiercely. Eventually, those intense eyes that seemed ready to devour his opponent turned towards Ethan. Ethan looked up at the man who had suddenly approached. History described him as a warrior sent by the gods, possessing inhuman martial prowess. One who could change the tide of battle with a single sword. It was Cheok Jun-gyeong, the Sword Saint of Goryeo. ¡°Greetings, subscriber.¡± The bushy beard and armor. And his characteristic sword looked quite impressive. ¡°Are you Cheok Jun-gyeong, sir?¡± ¡°Yes, I am Cheok Jun-gyeong, the Sword Master of Goryeo.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong smiled, showing his teeth. ¡°In the New World, they call me the Sword Master of Goryeo. I quite like that nickname. I introduce myself this way every time I coborate with a subscriber.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Thank you for subscribing to me. Quite a few subscribers chose me after watching the shorts. But there weren¡¯t many cases as urgent as yours. Death was right in front of you, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°You knew about my situation?¡± ¡°Of course. Seeing how much you borrowed my power, you must have used quite a lot of likes. So I couldn¡¯t help but know.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong said. ¡°You must have had various circumstances, but now that you¡¯ve subscribed to my channel, all your worries and concerns will be resolved. If you deeply master the two techniques, Reversal of Disadvantage and Fight to the Death, you¡¯ll be able to gain the upper hand on any battlefield. And once youpletely master these two, you can learn my ultimate technique. Of course, it won¡¯t be easy to use properly as it¡¯s difficult to masterpletely.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong was a swordsman. Unlike Hang Woo or Hercules, he was a god who primarily used a sword as his weapon, making him quite helpful to Ethan at present. ¡°You must be bewildered. Being suddenly pulled into this ce. But don¡¯t worry. This is entirely beneficial to you, a blessing from the New World. This is called a coboration, a dialogue between subscriber and god.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong said. ¡°It¡¯s a short time, but during this time, you can directly ask me questions.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong looked at Ethan. ¡°I¡¯ll answer just one question about anything you¡¯re curious about. This coboration isn¡¯t very long. As far as I know, it¡¯s about 15 minutes. If this coboration right were made into merchandise, it would be a bit longer, but this is free, you see.¡± He looked at Ethan. ¡°Subscriber, is there anything you want to ask me?¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong waited for Ethan after saying this. ¡®He seems to have had this experience countless times.¡¯ If so, obvious questions would never shake Cheok Jun-gyeong. After pondering for a moment, Ethan looked straight into Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to rise to an even higher rank than now?¡± ¡°¡­What did you say?¡± An unexpected question. As Ethan had anticipated, Cheok Jun-gyeong was clearly shaken. *** Cheok Jun-gyeong was currently a god ranked in the upper echelons of the New World. Originally, Eastern gods in this New Worldcked fame and recognition, failing to gain subscribers¡¯ acknowledgment. Basically, gods widely known among subscribers were mainly chosen, as their abilities were easily understood and clear from their names alone. As a result, Eastern godscking recognition and fame were often overlooked by subscribers, and Cheok Jun-gyeong initially failed to be chosen by subscribers as well. But Cheok Jun-gyeong didn¡¯t get discouraged. Rather, thinking it was natural, he observed other gods being chosen by subscribers. He analyzed which gods subscribers mainly chose and created videos based on that analysis. There were several trials and errors, but eventually, Cheok Jun-gyeong seeded. He firmly established himself at the top among Eastern gods. As a result, he became ambitious. Could he really win in this New World? However, rising higher was by no means easy. The gap with Zeus, currently ranked first, seemed insurmountable, and there was a considerable gap even with the gods just above him. Despite doing everything he could to the best of his ability, he had hit a limit. Cheok Jun-gyeong, who had ovee countless battlefields and unfavorable fights until now, foundpetition in the New World not easy. But he had no intention of giving up or settling. That would only leave him as a loser in the end. If he improved the quality of his videos, surely more subscribers would choose him. In addition, Cheok Jun-gyeong focused on this coboration right. He thought this coboration right, where he could directly talk with subscribers and give them the feedback they wanted, was a means to leap even higher. That¡¯s why he was well aware of subscribers¡¯ tendencies. ¡®The questions that wille are already set. They¡¯ll probably ask how to use my abilities well.¡¯ Cheok Jun-gyeong had met numerous subscribers in person and received questions. They were obvious but necessary questions, and Cheok Jun-gyeong had answered them sincerely. He thought this subscriber in front of him would be no different. He would ask the same obvious questions as the many subscribers he had met before. But the question that came out of this subscriber¡¯s mouth waspletely unexpected. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to rise to an even higher rank than now?¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s eyebrow raised at a question he had never heard before. ¡°What does that question mean now? Subscriber, you only have one chance to ask a question. If I answer here, that¡¯s the end of it.¡± ¡°I just want to hear Sir Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s thoughts. Whether you intend to rise higher, or if you¡¯re satisfied with this rank.¡± It was a statement that crossed a line. Clearly having touched a nerve, Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s expression hardened. Ethan, sensing this was the right timing, introduced himself. ¡°I¡¯m the subscriber who uses the nickname [Only subscribed to the right gods], Cheok Jun-gyeong sir.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong was well aware of that famous subscriber¡¯s name. ¡°You¡¯re saying you¡¯re the [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber!?¡± Wide-eyed, with a voice that had grown louder. At the expected reaction, Ethan grinned. ¡°Though I¡¯ve unintentionally gained fame, yes, I am that subscriber.¡± ¡°Huh, to think you were that amazing subscriber. I was your fan. Thanks to you, seeing Heo Jun rapidly rise, I wanted to meet you in person for various reasons.¡± Heo Jun was another Eastern god, and despite being from a different era, there was a sense of kinship, perhaps because he was from the same hometown. That¡¯s why he was quite moved seeing Heo Jun rise from the bottom, and was extremely grateful to the [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. I thought something like this might happen someday. To think you would subscribe to me!¡± The words that had crossed the line just moments ago were already forgotten in Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s mind. ¡°Cheok Jun-gyeong sir, I¡¯d like to hear your answer to my question first.¡± Ethan calmly asked again. Just because his reaction was good didn¡¯t mean the conversation was over. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Although Cheok Jun-gyeong had shown quite a positive reaction to Ethan, he was quite cautious about the question. ¡°I won¡¯t answer that now. Rather, I¡¯d like to express my gratitude for the Heo Jun matter.¡± Although he might have been anxious given the limited time for direct interaction, Ethan remained calm. Instead, he stepped back and waited for Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s words. Cheok Jun-gyeong thought for a moment and then opened his mouth. ¡°Originally, I don¡¯t give this out in this setting, but I¡¯ll give it to you specially.¡± As he said this, he created a book in his hand. ¡°This is my merchandise. My signature sword technique, the Cheok Shin Sword Technique, is written here. The most basic Forms 1 and 2 are written, so if you take this¡­¡± ¡°Is it possible for me to learn directly from you, Cheok Jun-gyeong sir?¡± ¡°Of course you can learn. But we only have, um, 13 minutes left. In 13 minutes, I can only lightly demonstrate and exin. The moment I finish exining, it will end. Is that okay?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± This subscriber was certainly different from others. He made choices that seemed to cross the line but didn¡¯t quite, choices that were iprehensible, yet somehow evoked a strange sense of expectation. ¡®Strange.¡¯ It was clear that this was a type of subscriber never before seen in the New World. ¡°Then I¡¯ll teach you.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong immediately began his lecture. ¡°Raise the sword high, but not simply extending it, like this. Focus on the energy within your body and in one breath¡­¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong was certainly skilled at exining. ¡®I wonder if this has any meaning. There¡¯s not nearly enough time to understand, let alone practice a few times.¡¯ Cheok Jun-gyeong demonstrated Forms 1 and 2 of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. Form 1 looked like simply shing downwards, and Form 2 was a sword technique that imbued the sword with explosive power to deliver a powerful strike. The interesting thing was that Forms 1 and 2 of this Cheok Shin Sword Technique looked very easy. Exceptional people make difficult things look easy. In other words, the difficulty of this Cheok Shin Sword Technique was much higher than it appeared. ¡°It might be difficult to understand. It might even be hard to follow along. When you return, in your world, you should train¡­¡± ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong frowned at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. You say you understood just by seeing this now? I know your eyes have a special power, but that alone isn¡¯t enough. You need to have basic skills¡­¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong clicked his tongue, speaking as if to say don¡¯t put on unnecessary airs. ¡°I can see you have talent, but¡­¡± Before Cheok Jun-gyeong could finish speaking, Ethan pulled out Frost Sword and swung it. Swish-! At that moment, Cheok Jun-gyeong, who had been speaking, closed his mouth. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll demonstrate Form 1 of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique as I understood it.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes shone as he continued to swing the sword. Swish-! Swish-! Then he immediately followed with Form 2. Certainly, it was difficult for the current Ethan to fully execute the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. Nevertheless, Cheok Jun-gyeong couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Ethan. Only his eyebrows moved. He closely observed Ethan¡¯s movements with a hardened face. It was a very rough sword, but its essence was clearly the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. As the creator of the technique, he had to acknowledge it even more. ¡°That is¡­ certainly Forms 1 and 2 of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique.¡± Ethan¡¯s im that he understood was not a lie. But Cheok Jun-gyeong couldn¡¯t understand such an Ethan. It should clearly be impossible. It should be impossible to understand and use in such a short time. ¡°How is that possible?¡±Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 160: Cheok Jun-gyeong Cheok Jun-gyeong, unconsciously making an incredulous expression, looked at Ethan with curious eyes. Until now, many subscribers had used their coboration rights to try and gain a little more from him. Cheok Jun-gyeong had given them the same warning he gave to Ethan. That they wouldn¡¯t be able to learn properly. But they all wanted to gain as much as possible, even if it meant pushing themselves too hard, and naturally, they all failed. They were subscribers with excellent skills, but the given time was too short. No matter how perfectly Cheok Jun-gyeong demonstrated, if they couldn¡¯t understand, they couldn¡¯t execute it. Cheok Jun-gyeong thought this was an extremely natural principle. But that natural principle was broken by the subscriber in front of him.¡°This usually doesn¡¯t work.¡± This was the first time such a thing had happened. Seeing Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s bewildered appearance, Ethan merely smiled. Cheok Jun-gyeong cleared his throat for a moment to hide his embarrassment, and this time showed a different posture. Because Ethan had grasped the essence of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique so quickly, there was quite a bit of time left. At the same time, he became greatly interested in this subscriber named Ethan. ¡°Then how about this?¡± As if testing Ethan, Cheok Jun-gyeong took on a different movement this time. It was a sword technique simr to the previous Cheok Shin Sword Technique, but on a different trajectory. A strike that properly utilized the subtleties of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique unfolded before Ethan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hup!¡± Sword techniques have characteristics. But the sword technique of Cheok Jun-gyeong, revered as a martial god, had no characteristics. To express it more urately, it contained the advantages of all sword techniques, so everything was a characteristic and nothing was a characteristic. That¡¯s why Cheok Jun-gyeong called his sword technique an ironic sword technique. Swoosh-! Cheok Jun-gyeong, having demonstrated the sword technique, looked at Ethan. ¡°You definitely won¡¯t be able to do this. Simply imitating won¡¯t let you understand the subtlety contained within. You need to understand its essence and emotion to be able to use it.¡± Ethan nodded. Indeed, as Cheok Jun-gyeong said, this wasn¡¯t something that could be easily imitated. ¡°It might be a bitcking.¡± Saying that, he immediately used the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. Swoosh-! While not quite at the level of Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s movement, it was a sword technique that certainly surpassed his expected standard. Of course, the sword didn¡¯t have as much power as Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s, and it seemed tock in details. But Cheok Jun-gyeong recognized at a nce. That this subscriber understood the essence of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. His understanding of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique was much higher now than when he had demonstrated the first and second forms earlier. To be able to understand the Cheok Shin Sword Technique so deeply in such a short time. Cheok Jun-gyeong unconsciously let out a short breath. Ethan, having executed the sword technique andposed his posture, looked at Cheok Jun-gyeong again. ¡°Why does it work?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it because the Cheok Shin Sword Technique itself is so excellent, and you exined it so well, Cheok Jun-gyeong sir? As the only high-ranking god among the Eastern gods, it¡¯s only natural.¡± At those words, Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s expression softened slightly. ¡°If the Cheok Shin Sword Technique was a sword technique that could be imitated simply by watching my exnation and demonstration, I would have be the highest god long ago.¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t youe very close to that? And if you hadn¡¯t exined and demonstrated so well, how could I have imitated the Cheok Shin Sword Technique?¡± When told that he had perfectly understood due to his excellent exnation and demonstration, Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s expression visibly improved. Perhaps because it was praise from Ethan, who had aplished an impossible feat in an instant, Cheok Jun-gyeong was quite pleased. ¡°I showed this much, and there¡¯s still a little time left. I didn¡¯t expect I¡¯d end up showing even this.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong rxed his armsfortably. Then he lightly swung his sword. It was a sword technique clearly different from the one he had shown just before. Zzt-! Though he was clearly moving slowly, Ethan¡¯s eyes ached severely as he watched the sword path. The pain was much worse than when watching the movements of the Twelve Apostles. But he could clearly feel it. This is the most solid essence of Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s Cheok Shin Sword Technique. ¡®It¡¯s harmonious.¡¯ Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s sword technique was harmonious. While the Frost Sword technique and Thunder Sword technique were also extremely powerful sword techniques, they didn¡¯t have as much uniqueness as the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. Cheok Jun-gyeong, having finished demonstrating the sword technique, let his sword hang down like his initial posture. ¡°How about it? Can you do it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible.¡± Ethan said firmly. This was intentionally demonstrated by Cheok Jun-gyeong to be impossible to imitate. Cheok Jun-gyeong couldn¡¯t help but smile at Ethan¡¯s answer, which had seen through his intention. ¡°Still, let me try.¡± Ethan¡¯s attitude of saying he would still try moved Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s heart. ¡°That¡¯s good confidence.¡± Indeed, if one is a subscriber of the New World. If one is a subscriber subscribing to himself, shouldn¡¯t they have such firm conviction? Putting aside the possibility and trying first. What divides sess and failure is entirely oneself. Ethan thought there was no failure. There is only sess, and the process of reaching sess. Humans have the power to turn everything they think of as failure into a process. Ethan executed the sword technique Cheok Jun-gyeong had shown. It couldn¡¯t help but be lessplete than the previous sword techniques. Nevertheless, the look in Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s eyes as he watched Ethan was unusual. As expected, he had grasped the most important element this time too. Of course, the sword technique itself was infinitelycking. But just being able to grasp and execute the essence was an amazing feat. ¡°Excellent, to see through the essence of the sword technique so urately. That¡¯s a great talent. My Cheok Shin Sword Technique is a sword technique of harmony. That harmony blends very well with other sword techniques too. Since you¡¯ve realized that essence on your own and learned directly from me, if you practice repeatedly, you¡¯ll be able to use it as skillfully as I do.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong, seemingly very pleased with Ethan, approached him closely and patted his back. ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯ve had a good show. All the thoughts I had have been pleasantly shattered. As expected of the New World. A ce overflowing with amazing gods and amazing subscribers.¡± Tick-. At that moment, the sound of the clock¡¯s second hand was heard. ¡°Time¡¯s up.¡± Although it was a very short coboration, Ethan was able to learn a lot from Cheok Jun-gyeong. It was a harvest that even Ethan himself hadn¡¯t expected at all. ¡°Now I understand. Why you were able to stand out among those numerous subscribers.¡± ¡°You tter me.¡± ¡°That rare modesty too.¡± Heughed heartily and then looked into Ethan¡¯s eyes with a serious expression. ¡°You asked if I wanted to raise my ranking higher? I do want to. I¡¯vee this far in my own way, but the top is still high and lofty. But my heart hasn¡¯t been broken.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong pointed upwards with his finger. ¡°Since you said such a thing to me, you must have some method? Let¡¯s have a serious talk about it on my channel.¡± With Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s words, Ethan¡¯s vision turned pitch ck. And then the screen of the New World came into view again. -You have be Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s new premium subscriber! -You receive the benefits of a premium subscriber! ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t expect to be designated as a premium subscriber.¡± Ethan grinned. Cheok Jun-gyeong had shown a positive response. That meant from now on, it all depended entirely on his own abilities. Ethan immediately checked the New Worldmunity board. There was very little content about shorts on the board. Moreover, what little content there was consisted only of negative opinions about shorts. -Shorts are too short to use. -It¡¯s good that they give coboration rights, but it¡¯s too short. It seems like they¡¯re trying to utilize the characteristics of shorts, but this is a bit¡­ ¡®As expected, there are no subscribers who seriously consider shorts. And even the gods don¡¯t consider shorts very important.¡¯ Just looking at the gods Ethan had subscribed to, it was clear. There was too little content that could be included in such a short time. It¡¯s not easy to properly convey their power even in existing long videos, let alone in short videos like shorts. Naturally, they have no choice but to exclude shorts and upload existing long videos. ¡®Most of the gods I¡¯ve subscribed to don¡¯t have shorts.¡¯ There must be a reason why they don¡¯t use shorts. But Ethan focused on the power and potential of these short videos. ¡®Subscribers don¡¯t necessarily want long videos.¡¯ But shorts have inherent limitations. Too short a time to convey abilities. ¡®It¡¯s content that everyone says has no hope. But that doesn¡¯t mean it has no value at all.¡¯ There¡¯s no point in following what everyone else is doing. You have to do what others don¡¯t do. Of course, you need to understand why they don¡¯t do it and know how to positively improve and use those problem points. Ethan had a n to utilize these shorts. ¡°Use them as bait products.¡± The shorts video bes a kind of trailer. ¡®I can use shorts as a trailer to draw people into the edited video I¡¯ll make. I can release the shorts for free, or if that¡¯s not possible, set the likes low and so on.¡¯ ¡°The higher-ranking gods require more likes to watch videos.¡± Basically, likes are hard to gather. And those hard-earned dozens of likes are used on the video. ¡®But they¡¯re using them on a video without really knowing what it is for sure.¡¯ They just watch it thinking it will help them, relying only on the name value of a major god. ¡®Hesitation is bound to arise.¡¯ It¡¯s difficult to infer all the contents of the video just from the title. That¡¯s why you let them know with shorts. Briefly, what content this video contains. ¡°Cheok Jun-gyeong has few videos for a top-ranking god. He probably focused on quality.¡± Currently, Cheok Jun-gyeong had very few videos. ¡®Right now, he has about the same number of videos as lower-ranking gods. Despite being a top-ranking god.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s not just a quality issue. There¡¯s also the possibility that when he makes a new video, subscribers won¡¯t watch it as much as expected.¡¯ So increasing that possibility was what Ethan was going to propose to Cheok Jun-gyeong. Shorts and edited videos. Using these two things to eliminate hesitation. ¡°If we can eliminate even a little hesitation, that¡¯s sess.¡± If you show a taste with shorts, subscribers will surely be more likely to watch the video. If that happens, Cheok Jun-gyeong will be able to gain far more subscribers and likes than now. ¡®Advancing to the top ranks is not just a dream.¡¯ Ethan immediately used his premium subscriber rights to leave a message for Cheok Jun-gyeong. -Edited videos, and the use of shorts videos, is the direction I¡¯m proposing this time. *** After leaving the message, Ethan immediately turned off New World. ¡°I¡¯ve acquired several things, so I should properly master them.¡± Two new techniques followed by the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. He was able to gain abundantly as much as he had spent all his umted likes. ¡®It was worth using up all my likes.¡¯ Especially with the Cheok Shin Sword Technique, which was originally supposed to be learned by watching videos, his understanding was outstanding thanks to learning directly from Cheok Jun-gyeong. The Cheok Shin Sword Technique of Cheok Jun-gyeong, called the Sword master of Goryeo, blended exceptionally well with the Frost Thunder Swordsmanship that Ethan already possessed. ¡°He even directly called it a sword technique of harmony.¡± A harmonious sword technique. Ethan immediately drew his sword. ¡°I¡¯llbine the Cheok Shin Sword Technique and Frost Thunder Swordsmanship.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong said it was easy tobine sword techniques harmoniously. ¡®That¡¯s only rtively easy by his standards.¡¯ Ifbining the Cheok Shin Sword Technique with other sword techniques was as easy as Cheok Jun-gyeong said, wouldn¡¯t it be strange for it to have an extremely high difficulty? ¡®Reversal of Disadvantage and Fight to the Death are easy to understand as abilities, but not easy to use.¡¯ Reversal of Disadvantage had the activation condition of infinitely low health, and Fight to the Death could only be used in situations with many enemies right away. ¡®I¡¯ll need to raise my proficiency to use them properly.¡¯ The Reversal of Disadvantage that Ethan used when fighting the Twelve Apostles was able to exert its power because he temporarily borrowed Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s strength and his health had fallen to its limit. ¡®You have to throw yourself into mortal danger to be safe.¡¯ It was an ironic situation in many ways. ¡°Phew.¡± Ethan took a deep breath and immediately extended his sword. ¡®Frost Sword technique and Thunder Sword technique, they¡¯re both certainly good sword techniques.¡¯ However, it was too much for the current Ethan to use them freely. In the end, these two sword techniques also put a strain on the body during execution. ¡®The Cheok Shin Sword Technique isn¡¯t that kind of sword technique.¡¯ Strangely, the Cheok Shin Sword Technique didn¡¯t put a strain on the body. ¡®It was an era with kings. The modifier ¡°best¡± couldn¡¯t be attached to just anyone.¡¯ Nevertheless, Cheok Jun-gyeong was called the best warrior, so the greatness of his sword technique goes without saying. Ethan executed the Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. Lightning and frost, two powers imbued in the sword, affected the surroundings every time Ethan swung it. ¡®To this.¡¯ He mixes in the Cheok Shin Sword Technique.Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 161: Training Chapter 161: Training ¡°This is almost scary.¡± Etting couldn¡¯t gather her thoughts due to the overwhelming influx of orders for the special golem. As a veteran, she could usually predict how well her products would sell. She certainly expected it to sell well. This special golem was an excellent product that was bound to sell if the target audience was urately identified. But the speed at which orders wereing in was fierce. The client introduced by that nobleman she met earlier had introduced another new client, and that client had introduced yet another person. And with each new client she met, the previous client would introduce another new client. This web-likework of connections resulted in tremendous sales.¡°Lord Ethan said it, didn¡¯t he? That money isn¡¯t the important thing.¡± Ethan¡¯s judgment was urate. From the start, the main trading partners were nobles. They have vast fortunes, enough to casually spend hundreds of thousands or millions of gold. Therefore, making money was so certain that it didn¡¯t need to be the focus. He had said to secure money as a given and definitely gain something else. ¡°The important things are the nobles¡¯ connections acquired through trading, and word of mouth.¡± Ethan had said that utilizing this word of mouth was entirely up to Etting. He had given Etting a definite weapon through this deal. ¡°I can put my name at the forefront now.¡± The nobles who have used the subscription-based special golem will continue to want to use this special golem. As that happens, word of mouth will spread further, and naturally, the name of the David Merchant Guild handling the special golem will spread. But that shouldn¡¯t happen. ¡®My name should be ahead of the Merchant Guild¡¯s name.¡¯ Etting Hunt. This name needs to be at the forefront for her to achieve her dream. Etting¡¯s eyes zed. The result Ethan had demanded didn¡¯t seem so far away now. At the time, she thought it was a vague demand, but at this rate, it¡¯s certainly achievable. ¡°Let¡¯s see this through to the end.¡± And at the same time. The Whiskers territory was also experiencing an explosive increase in poption flow. Because of this, they were focusing on developing the surrounding territories, but on top of that, there was one more thing they were doing in earnest. ¡°Thisnd here, we¡¯d like to buy it.¡± ¡°It¡¯snd that¡¯s been passed down through our family for generations, Count Whiskers. Do you think I¡¯d sell it?¡± Territory purchase. It was arge-scale project to buy nearbynd and greatly expand the overall size of the Whiskers territory. As it was on the level of vastly expanding the territory itself, it was a project that required enormous funds, but. ¡°H-how much is this¡­?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it will be insufficient.¡± The Whiskers territory was experiencing an unprecedented golden age, and money was overflowing right now. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to sell, we¡¯ll leave.¡± ¡°W-wait¡­!¡± As Count Whiskers was about to stand up, the lord across from him hurriedly raised his hand. ¡°I-I¡¯ll sell!¡± ¡°A good choice. I won¡¯t forget this.¡± Count Whiskers was already being treated as a great lord who controlled the surrounding territories in this area. The owners of small territories wanted to ride the coattails of the rapidly developing Whiskers territory. ¡®I¡¯m reaping the benefits of having a good son like this.¡¯ Count Whiskers, who could now hold his head high wherever he went and whoever he met thanks to his son, was happy every day. But there was still an important task left. ¡°Rather than thinking about whether I can do it or not, it¡¯s better to just do it first.¡± As Ethan said, even if he fails, he has the capacity to try a few more times. ¡°My lord.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, to conduct the most important negotiation.¡± Until recently, the Whiskers territory had received help from the Huntar territory, which had thergest market and specialty products among the nearby territories. But that was closer to consideration from a subordinate position rather than help from an equal standing. While Ethan had revitalized the market and cleared the ufortable support rtionship with the Huntar territory, allowing them to be independent, now they couldn¡¯t be satisfied with just independence. ¡°We¡¯ll make the Huntar territory an allied territory of our Whiskers territory.¡± And using that as a foothold, he nned to absorb other territories. ¡°Since when have you been thinking about this?¡± ¡°Actually, isn¡¯t this something we could only imagine? Absorbing other territories not through war, but through financial power. Creating a great territory like that, and our Whiskers bing the owner of that great territory ¨C it¡¯s something we only imagined, right?¡± Count Whiskers decided to turn this imagination into reality. ¡°Ethan gave me courage. It felt like he pushed me, who had never lived recklessly before, to live recklessly. To dream impossible dreams and imagine unreachable things.¡± That¡¯s why Count Whiskers moved even more boldly. ¡°Great Lord. Isn¡¯t it an exciting title just to hear? Then you¡¯ll be the right-hand man of the Great Lord and the steward of the great territory.¡± At those words, the steward grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Great Lord.¡± *** Swoosh-! Every time Ethan swung his sword, a sound of tearing through the air erupted. Spreading lightning. Falling frost. He executed these two difficult-to-control powers in a form where the Cheok Shin Sword Technique embraced them. Then he took a long breath. ¡®The remaining Apostles. And the powerful figures of the continent. I need to keep thinking of ways to defeat them while carrying Extinction.¡¯ Ethan has a huge weakness called Extinction. If he can¡¯t fix this weakness right now, he must somehow use other aspects to fill it. ¡®So that strengths canpletely cover weaknesses.¡¯ ¡°Huuft.¡± While using Hero¡¯s Breathing, he simultaneously imbued his hand with the power of Counter-Radiance. Swoosh-! Ethan, having swung his sword, slowly came to a stop in that ce. -You have learned Cheok Shin Sword Technique. -Skill added: Cheok Shin Sword Technique (S) ¡°Done.¡± With this, he had definitely acquired the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. ¡®I can execute Frost Thunder Swordsmanship based on Cheok Shin Sword Technique.¡¯ But there were still many awkward points. Combining Frost Sword technique and Thunder Sword technique was manageable, butbining these two sword techniques based on this Cheok Shin Sword Technique was indeed difficult. ¡®It¡¯s not easy to learn in many ways.¡¯ ¡°Hmm.¡± Ethan pondered for a moment. ¡°Should I use a coboration right one more time?¡± Ethan was currently subscribing to several gods. Moreover, as a premium subscriber directly chosen by the gods, he should be able to purchase coboration rights a bit more cheaply. ¡®I should ask the gods to help with training. It would be much better to receive help from the gods than to train alone.¡¯ Now that he knows about the attractive goods called coboration rights, it¡¯s right to actively use those goods. Among the gods Ethan currently subscribed to, Hang Woo and Hercules were worth using coboration rights on. Both were gods with aggressive and powerful strengths, who had ascended to godhood with just their physical bodies. ¡°Is there a need to choose just one of the two? It¡¯s necessary training anyway. I should receive all the help I can get without being picky.¡± *** ¡°Hahaha-! You know what, subscriber? You¡¯re the fastest subscriber I¡¯ve seen to reach coboration.¡± Hercules¡¯ coboration space was a prairie. In the middle of a vast prairie where the horizon could be seen, there was Hercules. An overwhelming physical beauty that wasn¡¯t hidden even though he was wearing a lion¡¯s skin. Holding a club in one hand, Hercules had an overwhelming impression just like Cheok Jun-gyeong. ¡°Originally, this coboration merchandise is very expensive. It needs at least 50 likes. But aren¡¯t you my premium subscriber? I must give definite benefits to premium subscribers!¡± ¡°How long is the coboration time, by any chance?¡± ¡°It¡¯s much longer than the coboration right you can receive for free, so don¡¯t worry! Moreover, with this official coboration, gods can create and use content.¡± Looking at Herculesughing heartily, Ethan inwardly smiled with satisfaction. ¡®As expected of an official coboration, it¡¯s definitely good.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯d like to receive training from you, Hercules sir.¡± ¡°Training, huh. Hmm, you want to receive training directly from me? But haven¡¯t you already learned my Hero¡¯s Breathing? There¡¯s actually nothing more I can teach about this breathing technique.¡± ¡°I¡¯m currently on the path topletion. So I requested coboration to see if I could get help from you, sir.¡± ¡°Huh? Completion?¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Hercules¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°Already? Alreadypletion?¡± Hercules frowned. Completion, he says. His breathing technique isn¡¯t something so easy. An ability that can awaken and strongly train the whole body just by breathing. At a nce, it might seem like an easy and quick path, but the reality wasn¡¯t so. You might be able to grow quickly in the early and middle stages, but as time passes, you soon hit a massive wall. If you painfully break through a massive wall, an even more massive wall lurks behind it. It was a thorny path where you had to keep breaking such massive walls until reachingpletion. It¡¯s such a difficult ability topletely master, yet he¡¯s already on the verge ofpletion? ¡°Yes.¡± When Ethan answered briefly, Hercules took a step closer to Ethan. ¡°Then tell me what¡¯s the final condition toplete Hero¡¯s Breathing.¡± ¡°Twelve trials.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± Hercules struck the ground with his club, making a ¡®thud¡¯ sound. To think he was really on the verge ofpleting Hero¡¯s Breathing. ¡°I thought you were just a subscriber with greatprehension, but you¡¯re an even more amazing subscriber than I thought? Uahahaha! Indeed, you¡¯re a subscriber worthy of bing a premium subscriber!¡± Herculesughed heartily. ¡°Good, then it¡¯s possible. You want to be stronger, right? Don¡¯t you want toplete that sword technique you mentioned before?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Then as you said, you need to ovee twelve trials. If youplete my Hero¡¯s Breathing, you¡¯ll be able to obtain a better body than now, and that body will be able to y a big role in coordinating your three sword techniques.¡± Saying that, Hercules made a hand gesture. Then, arge stone tablet was created in his hand. ¡°Gods can set content while doing coboration. You can think of it as a kind of coboration concept. I¡¯ve set this as the theme for coboration with subscribers.¡± Hercules handed the stone tablet to Ethan. -Coboration content with subscriber will proceed. -Content name: [Hercules¡¯ Twelve Trials] ¡°You¡¯ll face twelve trials here. You¡¯ll have to face twelve powerful monsters in this space. If you sessfully ovee the trials, not only will you be stronger, but you¡¯ll also be able toplete Hero¡¯s Breathing.¡± After saying that, Hercules handed a ticket to Ethan. ¡°I owed you a debt, right? So I¡¯ll give you one special piece of advice.¡± The moment Ethan received the stone tablet, he was enveloped by a sensation of falling into an abyss. ¡°Entrust your body to instinct and move with that flow. You look too rational right now.¡± Kuuung-! Ethan¡¯s body fell somewhere. ¡°You need to discard that rationality. Only then can you properly utilize rationality more.¡± *** It was a dark and damp ce. Drip. Drip. The sound of water dropping could be heard from somewhere. -The trial begins. -The number of attempts is ¡®1¡¯. -If you ovee the trial, you will move on to the next trial. -Remaining trials ¡¯11¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s too dark.¡¯ Even though his eyes were clearly open, nothing could be seen. Ethan remained still in that ce to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness. ¡®I¡¯ve already cleared one trial, so there are 11 left.¡¯ That meant he had to face eleven more monsters from now on. ¡®A simple trial.¡¯ Ethan tensed his body appropriately. Before entering this trial, Hercules had given him puzzling advice. ¡®Discard rationality and act instinctively.¡¯ Until now, Ethan had fought while maintaining rationality as much as possible. He always approached battles with the phrase ¡®hot heart, cool head¡¯ engraved in his mind. ¡®If I entrust my body to instinct, it¡¯ll be difficult to fight properly.¡¯ At least, Ethan wasn¡¯t the type to move ording to instinct. So he couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°Hmm.¡± While pondering Hercules¡¯ words like this. Sha-sha-shak-. The sound of something moving was heard. Ethan immediately turned his back. His heightened senses detected a monster pouncing from behind. Sha-ak-. As he drew the Frost Sword, cold air began to spread around. Simultaneously with the spread of cold air, something intense fell towards Ethan¡¯s head. Kwang-! Ethan blocked it by raising his sword upwards. And then he realized. ¡®I can¡¯t use other skills.¡¯ This was a trial forpleting Hero¡¯s Breathing. ¡°Huuu-uk-.¡± Ethan breathed deeply. Then the skill activated. -Hero¡¯s Breathing is activated! ¡°I see.¡± Ethan pointed his sword towards the monster still hidden by darkness. ¡°So I have to clear the trial using only Hero¡¯s Breathing.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes began to slowly adjust to the darkness. Thanks to this, the opponent that waspletely invisible began to appear faintly. ¡°¡­Damn.¡± As soon as he saw its identity, Ethan couldn¡¯t help but curse. It was a giant. One with its entire body filled with something sparkling like jewels. ¡°A thousand eyes¡­¡± A giant with a thousand eyes. -The first trial begins! -Defeat Argus, the giant with a thousand eyes!Author''s Thoughts Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!) Chapter 162: Hercules Training Whoosh-! The giant Argus¡¯s fist fell from above. That fist, filled with tremendous power, was not something Ethan could block head-on right now. Bang-! Ethan pulled his body back, avoiding Argus¡¯s attack. And simultaneously, he prepared to counterattack. But Argus hid his body in the darkness again. And covering the eyes that had adjusted to the darkness, he disrupted Ethan¡¯s senses. Crash-! At the same time, Argus¡¯s punches continued. ¡®I can¡¯t see.¡¯But it wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t see at all. Whenever his eyes slightly adapted to the darkness, he could see Argus¡¯s glinting eyes. ¡®Thanks to the eyes, I can roughly know where he is. But¡­¡¯ Ironically, those very eyes made it impossible to attack properly. sh-! Argus saw through Ethan¡¯s movements with his thousand eyes. As if knowing exactly what movements Ethan would make, he moved his massive body quickly and attacked. The attacks came from directions different from what was expected, making it almost impossible to dodgepletely. Thud-! Ethan twisted his sword with all his might to deflect the fist. ¡°Huff, huff.¡± Ethan breathed heavily. It was really close. He could have died from that single punch just now. Although he barely deflected it, Ethan¡¯s shoulder ached. His wrist, which had deflected the attack, was the same. Here, he could only use Hero¡¯s Breathing, so he couldn¡¯t expect defense or recovery through other abilities. A single mistake could lead directly to death. ¡®This is literally a trial, so I probably won¡¯t really die. But¡­¡¯ Ethan exhaled briefly. Hero¡¯s Breathing circted throughout his body, infusing vigor into his exhausted form. ¡°Hah.¡± Extinction. Tobat that disease, Ethan had acquired numerous skills. Starting with subscribing to the gods of the New World, he had made efforts to survive in various ways, such as obtaining good sses and equipment. But that was just an effort to survive, literally. ¡®I tried to be stronger, but survival was the priority. I took a safety-first approach.¡¯ It was correct that he was getting stronger, but there were aspects that werecking because the main purpose was to keep his body healthy and cure the disease. ¡®Itcked depth.¡¯ He needed to approach it more deeply. Learning many skills was important, but understanding and using the learned skills properly was also crucial. ¡®I should have taken risks. Without risk, there¡¯s no return. I knew that.¡¯ ¡°Hah.¡± Shh-. Once again, the surroundings darkened, and even Argus¡¯s eyes were no longer visible. Since he couldn¡¯t see anyway, Ethan just closed his eyes. ¡®Focus on other senses.¡¯ Ethan breathed deeply. He forgot about all the other skills he couldn¡¯t use anyway. Now, he focused solely on this breathing. Suddenly, the words Hercules had told him shed through Ethan¡¯s mind. The words he had said when he first subscribed to his channel. And the advice he had given before this trial. ¡°He said that there are always trials on a hero¡¯s path. He also said to abandon reason and act instinctively to ovee this trial.¡± Of course, Ethan wasn¡¯t a hero. But it was certain that he had to be close to a hero to meet the Saintess. Ethan breathed more deeply. As he focused on his breathing, all sorts of distracting thoughts gradually disappeared. He became a person trying to survive somehow from an unknown hostility. His body moved automatically, relying solely on senses and instinct. Crash-! Once again, Argus¡¯s fist shattered the ground. ¡°Hn?¡± Argus was puzzled when he didn¡¯t see Ethan, who should have been ttened by his fist. It was clearly a timing he shouldn¡¯t have been able to dodge. Squish-! At that moment, one of Argus¡¯s eyes burst open. ¡°Grrrgh!¡± Argus, his eye stabbed, exploded with rage and chased after Ethan. No matter where Ethan was, the numerous eyes tracked his movements, so Argus¡¯s fists should have hit urately. Crash-! But this time too, he missed. ¡°Whoosh.¡± A white breath poured out of Ethan¡¯s mouth. As he continued breathing, his movements became faster and faster. sh-! Ethan swung his sword again. He was focusing solely on his breathing, forgetting everything he had learned until now. ¡®Is this it?¡¯ Ethan¡¯s thoughts stirred within his instincts. He began to understand Hercules¡¯s advice. ¡°Grrrr!¡± Argus swung his fists indiscriminately in rage. With a thousand eyes, he predicted all of Ethan¡¯s movements and swung his fists to where Ethan might dodge. Crash-! Crash-! Crash-! But even faster than that. Argus¡¯s eyes were bursting open. Surely the darkness should be on his side. Argus continued to chase Ethan¡¯s movements. However, he kept losing track of Ethan in between. Pop-! Pop-! In contrast, Ethan kept stabbing and bursting Argus¡¯s eyes. Argus couldn¡¯t understand this situation. How could that small human move as well as himself in this darkness? Surely he shouldn¡¯t be able to see, so how could he move like that? ¡°Ugh.¡± For a moment, one of Argus¡¯s eyes caught Ethan¡¯s movement. He had his eyes closed. Does that mean he¡¯s urately stabbing the eyes by sensing his position solely through his senses? Argus flinched for a moment in confusion. Ethan didn¡¯t miss that opening and rushed in. ¡®So this is what it meant to properly use reason by abandoning reason.¡¯ There¡¯s no hesitation in instinct. On the other hand, rational thinking had hesitation. A very small, barely perceptible time, but it was definitely slowerpared to instinctive movement. In fights with strong opponents, that short time was crucial. That subtle difference divided victory and defeat, life and death. ¡®In the fight with the Twelve Apostles, I never moved instinctively even once.¡¯ Breaking away from the rational thinking he had adhered to until now, he entrusted his body to instinct. Ethan threw his whole body into the new horizon opened by the unfamiliar sensation of instinct. ¡®This might be good material for a lesson at the academy.¡¯ Ethan grinned and continued to attack Argus. Argus, no longer able to track Ethan¡¯s movements, was helplessly being beaten. Almost all of the thousand eyes had burst, with only ten remaining. ¡°It¡¯s over.¡± Ethan stabbed Argus¡¯s eyes in session. With all eyes burst, Argus fell forward and copsed. -You have cleared the first trial! -Shortest time clear! -Your score will be registered in the Hall of Gods! [Hercules¡¯ Twelve Trials] Ranking.
  1. [Only subscribed to the right gods] -156 points [NEW!]
  2. [Plum Blossom Sword Master] ¨C 150 points [1¡ý]
  3. [Herculean Strength] ¨C 139 points [2¡ý]
¡­¡­ ¡­¡­ ¡­¡­ ¡°There¡¯s even a ranking? I guess it¡¯s because it¡¯s a subscriber coboration, I didn¡¯t expect such an interesting thing.¡± Ethan pushed out the previous first-ce Plum Blossom Sword Master and newly settled in first ce. ¡°It seems other New World subscribers can see this too, it doesn¡¯t feel too bad.¡± Ethan smirked and sat down for a moment. ¡°Phew.¡± Argus with a thousand eyes approaching in the darkness. Ethan realized why this Argus was the first trial. It¡¯s a high difficulty for the first trial, but in the end, you need to be able to move instinctively here to move on to the next trial. ¡°Plus, this darkness stimtes survival instincts.¡± Thanks to the fear approaching in the darkness further stimting Ethan¡¯s survival instincts, he could move more easily ording to instinct. ¡°So this is how it felt.¡± There were some he couldn¡¯t understand during MePan. Users who yed only instinctively, abandoning reason, were the target. ¡°I thought they were foolish. What if you lose even the strength to run away doing that? Then it¡¯s all over there.¡± But trying it himself, he could realize there was a clear intention in that behavior. ¡°I could focus more.¡± Abandoning reason and moving instinctively didn¡¯t mean fighting mindlessly without thinking. It meant to momentarily draw outtent wildness and insert reason between that wildness to fight with more immersion. ¡®Like bing Hercules himself.¡¯ If you can have a strong conviction that you can win in battle, there¡¯s no problem in entrusting your body to instinct and fighting. ¡®If I use this well, I can be much stronger than now.¡¯ Not just survival, but now he can pursue strength together. ¡°I was missing something too simple.¡± Ethan calmly exhaled and regted his breathing. -The second trial will begin. -Prepare for the trial. Suddenly, the dark space brightened. And a cave appeared before his eyes. -Second Trial: The Man-Eating Lion of Nemean -Hunt the man-eating lion! ¡°It should be better than a giant with a thousand eyes.¡± Ethan entered the cave. *** Hercules was preparing something quite meticulously. ¡°Hmm, he is my premium subscriber after all. If hees back failing, I should give him tips to seed along with directly observing his movements.¡± Despite being a major god with fame, he only had 10,000 subscribers in New World. Then he got help from the subscriber [Only subscribed to the right gods], and thanks to that, he was able to grow more than tenfold. Moreover, that growth trend hadn¡¯t stopped yet. Hercules was continuously making videos containing various abilities he had and how to use those abilities for sure. ¡°I should ask him to edit my new videos too.¡± This Hercules¡¯ Twelve Trials was created based on the trials Hercules himself experienced. Therefore, the difficulty was terrifying. At least five times. Hercules thought it would take that many attempts to clear it. It was impossible to seed in one try. ¡°I gave advice, but just because you hear the advice doesn¡¯t mean you can do it right away. That subscriber is clearly rational. If you move thinking with your head like that, you can¡¯t win against beasts. They move instinctively first.¡± It meant that instinctive speed is much faster than the speed of thought. ¡°If you lose the speed of thought, it¡¯s over right there.¡± You have to deal with beasts in their own way. ¡°It would be best if you could act instinctively while adding rational thought moment by moment. It¡¯s one of the things you can gain if you pass this trial.¡± The [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber would surely clear it in three attempts, not even five. And by then, he would be able to move instinctively while thinking rationally. Rumble-. At that moment, the door opened and a quite exhausted-looking Ethan returned. ¡°You look quite tired. But my coboration content isn¡¯t easy. As the name suggests, it¡¯s a trial. But don¡¯t worry. You have more chances to challenge.¡± Looking at Hercules who was patting his own back andforting him, Ethan said. ¡°I cleared it.¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 163: Hang Woos Training (1) ¡°You cleared it? All twelve trials, you mean?¡± ¡°Yes, it was certainly difficult, but I cleared them well, using your advice as a guide, Hercules.¡± Starting with the thousand-eyed Argus, he hunted numerous monsters including the man-eating lion, the Hydra, and the golden-horned deer. The difficulty was extreme, but by firmly controlling his instinct and reason, he was able to ovee all trials. And as a result, Hero¡¯s Breathing becamepletely Ethan¡¯s technique. ¡®The Hero¡¯s Breathing I¡¯ve been using until now was actually less than half efficient.¡¯ What¡¯s half? In fact, it was at a level that didn¡¯t even reach 30%. He clearly realized through this trial that it had literally remained at a mere taste. ¡®It¡¯s not for nothing that it¡¯s Hercules¡¯ technique. Probably, there¡¯s a high chance I¡¯m not using other techniques properly either.¡¯Upon hearing Ethan¡¯s words that he had cleared all the trials, Hercules immediately checked the ranking system. This trial he created had a ranking system called the Hall of Gods, and by looking at that ranking system, he could see how the subscriber cleared the trials. After confirming the results, Hercules looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re human? Aren¡¯t you already a transcendent god?¡± It was an overwhelming performance that made even Hercules doubt. Among the existing subscribers, there were quite a few who had perfected this Hero¡¯s Breathing. They, too, had cleared the twelve trials. ¡°To break all the records of that Plum Blossom Sword Master. And with quite a gap too.¡± The one who was registered as 1st ce before Ethan was a subscriber with the nickname Plum Blossom Sword Master. That subscriber was the one who used Hero¡¯s Breathing best among Hercules¡¯ subscribers. But now that ranking had changed. ¡°Now you¡¯ve taken first ce!¡± Hercules raised his club towards Ethan. ¡°You¡¯ve admirably ovee all the trials. You¡¯ve earned the right to use Hero¡¯s Breathing perfectly.¡± With Hercules¡¯ words, numerous notification windows began to appear in front of Ethan. -You have perfectly cleared Hercules¡¯ Twelve Trials! -Your name will be engraved in the Hall of Gods. -Hero¡¯s Breathing proficiency has reached 100%! -Hero¡¯s Breathing has been perfected. -The technique has beenpleted. -Immortal [Hero¡¯s Breathing] [MASTER] ¡°I clearly understood your words, Sir Hercules, to maintain reason but follow instinct.¡± Hero¡¯s Breathing was originally a technique that gave a great sense of tion to the body. ¡®That¡¯s why I suppressed it even more.¡¯ He had suppressed it tightly because if he gave in to the tion, he might be captured by that wildness. ¡®But that might have been suppressing Hero¡¯s Breathing instead.¡¯ From Ethan¡¯s sparkling eyes, Hercules could see that he had definitely understood Hero¡¯s Breathing. ¡°It seems you can now fully control the wildness of Hero¡¯s Breathing. To draw it out or calm it as you wish.¡± Hercules grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a definite reward for passing the trials whilepletely overturning the Hall¡¯s records. Is there a reward you want?¡± -You can choose to learn one of Hercules¡¯ techniques. -Choose that technique from Hercules¡¯ legendary tales. Hercules¡¯ legends began to unfold before Ethan¡¯s eyes. ¡®There are three skills I can learn in total?¡¯ -1. In the war of the gods, Hercules defeated the enemy with archery that reached the sky. You can learn that archery. [Learn Hercules Archery (S).] -2. To help a friend, he subdued Thanatos, the god of death, with his bare hands and revived the dead. Even if you reach the brink of death, all physical abilities are maintained at their best. [Learn Death Contempt (S).] -3. Numerous beasts and monsters were hunted by Hercules. You can learn Hercules¡¯ perfect hunting skills. [Monsters¡¯ Cmity is upgraded and reced with Perfect Hunter (S).] ¡®Oh, the second skill could synergize with Cheok Jun-gyeong¡¯s Reversal of Disadvantage?¡¯ Ethan chose the second without hesitation. -You have learned Death Contempt! -Skill added: Death Contempt (S) It wasn¡¯t a skill thatpletely overcame death, but as described, it was undoubtedly a powerful skill that could seek a chance for reversal in the face of death. ¡°You¡¯ve chosen a good technique. It¡¯s a technique that allows you to fight with your best strength regardless of your body¡¯s condition. I created it inspired by when I subdued Thanatos, the god of death.¡± After exining Death Contempt, Hercules nced around and subtly spoke to Ethan. ¡°By the way, subscriber, I heard you¡¯re making something called edited videos.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Before Hercules could get to the point, Ethan beat him to it. ¡°I¡¯ll make it for you. Actually, Sir Hercules was the first one I wanted to make an edited video for.¡± ¡°Really!¡± Hercules brightened up at Ethan¡¯s words and said, ¡°I can¡¯t just take it for free! I¡¯ll give you one more coboration right. If you ever have something to ask me, feel free toe anytime!¡± *** After finishing the coboration with Hercules, Ethan recalled his experience from the trials. ¡®I didn¡¯t know Hero¡¯s Breathing was such an amazing technique.¡¯ While clearing the twelve trials, he learned more clearly about how to utilize Hero¡¯s Breathing. Basically, the trait of this Hero¡¯s Breathing was momentary physical enhancement. ¡®If you think about it, it¡¯s simr to Counter-Radiance, but the duration is much longer than Counter-Radiance.¡¯ Moreover, even the effect was different. While Counter-Radiance draws out powerful strength by exhaling, Hero¡¯s Breathing yed the role of hardening the entire body by inhaling. ¡°Thanks to the man-eating lion, I learned. Depending on how you inhale, you can strengthen the desired part as much as you want.¡± By inhaling briefly, he could strengthen the desired part. In other words, if the strength spread throughout the body was 100, and each part had 10, 20, etc., you could gather 100 strength in one ce through breathing. ¡°And.¡± Ethan grinned and drew his sword. ¡°I¡¯ve been able to harmonize the Cheok Shin Sword Technique.¡± Ethan swung his sword right there. Unlike before, the much more refined swordsmanship now felt even mysterious. On top of that, frost and lightning spread simultaneously. Of course, it couldn¡¯t be considered perfect swordsmanship. There were many rough parts, not to mention many areas that needed to be corrected through actualbat. But Ethan was definitely able to achieve the harmony of Cheok Shin Sword Technique and Frost Thunder Swordsmanship that he wanted. ¡®There¡¯s still a long way to go, but it feels like I¡¯ve advanced about three steps.¡¯ ¡°As expected, people grow in times of crisis.¡± Especially if it¡¯s a crisis of death. Ethan put away the sword he was swinging and pondered for a moment. He wanted to name this newly created swordsmanship. ¡°Frost Thunder Swordsmanship was actually a bit long.¡± There¡¯s no need for it to be a long name. ¡°It¡¯s better to keep it simple.¡± It was Ethan himself whobined the three sword techniques. ¡°Ethan Swordsmanship.¡± It was the birth of Ethan Swordsmanship, whichbined only the advantages of Cheok Shin Sword Technique and Frost Thunder Swordsmanship. -Cheok Shin Swordsmanship and Frost Thunder Swordsmanship is fusing! -A new swordsmanship is born! -Ethan Swordsmanship [S] -Proficiency is carried over. Ethan grinned as he looked at the notification window. In fact, Sword Technique Fusion isn¡¯t easy, but Ethan had already done this difficult task twice. ¡°I should get it checked.¡± Ethan immediately requested a subscriber coboration with Hang Woo. As a premium subscriber, it wasn¡¯t too difficult to receive coboration rights. -God Hang Woo¡¯s coboration right is granted. Boom-! As soon as he used Hang Woo¡¯s coboration right, a thunderous sound was heard, and then the surrounding scenery changed. Hang Woo¡¯s space was a castle. It was a huge castle with an extremely high ceiling, and Hang Woo was sitting on the throne of that castle. ¡°Nice to meet you, [Only subscribed to the right gods] subscriber.¡± Hang Woo was a man with a bushy beard and a generally reddish tinge. He had simr features to Cheok Jun-gyeong and Hercules, whom he had met earlier, but his build was much smaller than those two. However, the aura emanating from his entire body seemed even more intense than the two gods. ¡®It¡¯s hard to move properly because of the aura.¡¯ Since the gods he had met before were incredibly strong in their own ways, Ethan thought he had made the right choice in subscribing to them. On top of that, Hang Woo showed an aura surpassing the two gods, so Ethan expected that this god in front of him would also lead him to a higher level. ¡°I was quite pleased when you requested a coboration right from me. Actually.¡± Hang Woo grinned and said. ¡°I wanted to fight.¡± ¡°Perhaps the coboration content is¡­¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a duel. Simple. All the teachings I can give can be learned through dueling. There¡¯s a saying, right? About engraving it on your body. I can do exactly that.¡± Hang Woo clenched his fists tightly. Then, intense energy swirled around his hands. It was in the form of red lightning, and its appearance was quite overwhelming. In that state, he asked. ¡°Do you want something else?¡± It meant that if Ethan wanted a different method, he could amodate it. But Ethan raised the corners of his mouth and shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I wanted, Sir Hang Woo.¡± Swish-! Suddenly, a spear appeared in Hang Woo¡¯s hand. It was a very simple long spear. But the end wasn¡¯t sharp, it was blunt. ¡°Then shall we begin? Ah, don¡¯t feel insulted that it¡¯s a training spear. This is enough. And this isn¡¯t just a simple duel.¡± ¡°It¡¯s education and training, right?¡± Hang Woo nodded at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°That¡¯s right. Now, tell me. What did you want when you requested the coboration? What did youe to train? Is it Counter-Radiance that you learned from me? Or Supreme Resilience? Or¡­¡± Hang Woo took his stance. ¡°All of the above?¡± ¡°I¡¯vebined all the sword techniques I¡¯ve learned to create a new sword technique. It¡¯s a sword technique that fits me perfectly. I¡¯d like you to take a look at it, Sir Hang Woo.¡± ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re curious about how strong it is, howplete it is?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Hang Woo nodded and then flourished his long spear magnificently. The sight of the long spear moving like another limb was enough to make anyone¡¯s spirit falter just by looking at it. However, in Ethan¡¯s mind, there was only Ethan Swordsmanship. How effective would his swordsmanship be against Hang Woo? If it doesn¡¯t work, what more can he fix here? How should he fix it? Ethan¡¯s mind was full of thepleteness and points for improvement of Ethan Swordsmanship. ¡°Impressive concentration. Alright, I¡¯ll take a look. I¡¯ll do it as thoroughly as the gratitude I¡¯ve received from you. Come at me with all your might.¡± -The coboration content with the subscriber begins. -Content name: [Duel with Hang Woo]Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 164: Hang Woos Training (2) As the joint content began, Hang Woo¡¯s aura started to seriously pierce Ethan. Until just now, his aura had been spreading in all directions, but as it suddenly focused on him, Ethan unconsciously took a step back. ¡®This is on apletely different level from the monsters I faced in Hercules¡¯ trials.¡¯ Ethan frowned. Unlike during Hercules¡¯ trials, in this joint content, he could use all of his abilities. ¡®That¡¯s why I can see it better.¡¯ With the Eye of Horus,bined with Ethan¡¯s original experience, he naturally couldn¡¯t help but know. ¡®There are no openings.¡¯ No matter how hard he looked, he couldn¡¯t find any gaps. But he couldn¡¯t just keep observing like this.He had to do something. ¡®Quickly draw the sword, centering on the left foot.¡¯ It was clearly a bad move. In that case, the long spear would instantlye into the center, causing great damage to Ethan. On the other hand, Ethan couldn¡¯t properly attack due to the awkward distance. ¡®That distance is the problem. The reach of the spear is longer than my sword.¡¯ But there was a way to break through. Bam-! Ethan stomped on the ground hard and swung his sword. Ethan Swordsmanship First Form Frost Lightning He swung frost and lightning as if they were the de of his sword. That single strike contained the essence of the Cheok Shin Sword Technique. ¡°Hmm!¡± Feeling the power in Ethan¡¯s sword, Hang Woo smiled and swung his long spear. Kwang-! As the sword and spear shed, Hang Woo moved. The fierce spear moved to pierce Ethan¡¯s vital points. The seemingly solid spear bent flexibly, like a snake lunging with its mouth wide open. ng-! Kkaang-! There was no opening for counterattack in Hang Woo¡¯s offensive. Ethan tried to deflect the attacks while spinning to counterattack Hang Woo, but it wasn¡¯t easy to find an opportunity for a counterattack. ¡®I can¡¯t believe he can move the spear so flexibly.¡¯ It waspletely different from the spear techniques Ethan knew. ¡°Hold it a bit more firmly.¡± Kkaang-! Even while unleashing fierce attacks, Hang Woo seemed rxed. He advised Ethan while swinging his spear even more violently. The spear that had been bending like a snake now surged in like a wave. ¡®Damn it!¡¯ Ethan had no choice but to allow some attacks to get through against the rapid spear strikes. If the spear Hang Woo was wielding had been a real spear instead of a practice one, he would have suffered great damage from this. Ethan had no choice but to take a step back. Pak-! Hang Woo¡¯s figure disappeared for a moment. ¡°!¡± Ethan was slightly taken aback by Hang Woo¡¯s footwork as he closed the distance in an instant. But Ethan also had confidence that no one could match his speed. Hang Woo¡¯s red lightning and Ethan¡¯s yellow lightning shed violently. Kaang-! It was such a powerful attack that the ground was cratered. Ethan also swung his sword in response but had to retreat two steps. ¡®I used the power of frost and lightning topensate for the advantage of Hang Woo¡¯s spear. Now it¡¯s a battle of the techniques I possess!¡¯ Hang Woo nced at Ethan and pulled his spear back once. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve warmed up, let¡¯s get serious.¡± Shaaaaak-. Red lightning imbued Hang Woo¡¯s spear. ¡°Use all your strength. If you hold back, it could end in an instant.¡± As soon as those words ended, Hang Woo extended his spear. It looked simr to his previous attack, but its essence was different. Rotating spear. At the tip of the spear, along with the subtlety of rotation, immense power could be felt. ¡®Counter-Radiance!¡¯ Hang Woo¡¯s own power, Counter-Radiance, extended directly from the spear tip. He hadn¡¯t said to use full strength for nothing. The Counter-Radiance used by Hang Woo himself was on apletely different level from what Ethan had used. An aura that seemed like it could crush everything in its path. Hang Woo¡¯s original Counter-Radiance was so tremendous that it made sense why people said it could uproot mountains with strength alone. ¡®Damn it!¡¯ Ethan bit his lip and summoned all the strength in his body. Counter-Radiance. But he could never defeat Hang Woo with the same Counter-Radiance. That¡¯s why he mixed Counter-Radiance with Hero¡¯s Breathing and swordsmanship. ¡®I have to sh with full power! There¡¯s no room for even the slightest mistake!¡¯ Ethan Swordsmanship Second Form Moonforce Kwaaaaaang-! With an explosive sound, Ethan¡¯s body staggered backward. But he was able to block Hang Woo¡¯s Counter-Radiance with minimal damage. Although Ethan staggered, he didn¡¯t fall and managed to withstand it, causing Hang Woo¡¯s eyes to change with interest. ¡°Oh.¡± It wasn¡¯t an attack using full power, but it wasn¡¯t one that could be blocked with so little damage either. ¡°To be able to exert such strength in that physical condition. I can see how hard you¡¯ve been working until now.¡± Hang Woo seemed to have already seen through Ethan¡¯s physical condition. However, knowing the situation didn¡¯t mean he was going to go easy, as he magnificently twirled his spear. Swoosh! Along with the spear that instantly closed the distance and aimed for vital points, Hang Woo¡¯s words struck Ethan. ¡°Now, let me show you what you¡¯recking.¡± Sook-! It was such a fast spear technique that it created the illusion of the spear elongating. The spear hit Ethan¡¯s shoulder and then consecutively struck his waist and legs. It was like the training Ethan had given to the academy students. ¡°You seem to have created your own swordsmanship quite well, but it still feels superficial. Of course, ¡®superficial¡¯ is only by my standards. It might work well enough against those below me. But at least against me, it doesn¡¯t work.¡± It might work against the upper ranks, but to a top-tier expert like Hang Woo, there were stillcking points. ¡°But that¡¯s probably because you¡¯re not familiar with it yet? The more you wield it, the more that swordsmanship of yours will bepleted in your own way.¡± Bbaak-! ¡°But right now, it¡¯scking. Infinitely so, from my perspective.¡± Ethan clicked his tongue. He felt it himself. There were certainly many rough aspects to Ethan Swordsmanship. ¡®But that roughness will be resolved with familiarity. First¡­¡¯ Ethan utilized the subtlety of Heo Jin¡¯s Acupuncture. Swoooosh-! Then he unleashed the special ability of the Eye of Horus, Bullet Time, to its limit. ¡®Ugh!¡¯ Tremendous pain surged, but its effect was excellent. ¡®Unbelievable.¡¯ Because of the excellent effect, Ethan could see Hang Woo¡¯s movements more urately than before. ¡®How can he move like this? This fast?¡¯ Surely with the Bullet Time ability, he should be able to see all of Hang Woo¡¯s movements broken down. Even in slowed time, Hang Woo¡¯s movements were unparalleled. ¡®I can¡¯t grasp it!¡¯ The biggest wall he had faced before, the Twelve Apostles Luna Spirit. And the twelve trials of Hercules he experienced after that. This skill level was beyondparison to those. They had long been erased from his mind. Kwang-! Once again, Ethan¡¯s sword and Hang Woo¡¯s spear shed. If he hadn¡¯t used Bullet Time, he might have been helplessly struck and knocked unconscious by this attack. It was that much faster and more ferocious a strike. Moreover, such attacks kepting at Ethan consecutively. Kaang-! Kaang-! He tried to block them somehow, but eventually had to allow some attacks through. ¡°Ugh.¡± Ethan, who had been properly hit by the attack, coughed up blood. He had gained some confidence after passing Hercules¡¯ twelvebors and gaining various powers. But that confidence crumbled before Hang Woo. ¡°Good eyes, good senses, good instincts. Plus, lots of experience. At a nce, it seems perfect, but that¡¯s the pitfall.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°All that experience is actually bing a poison. You, you¡¯re already thinking you can¡¯t beat me, right? You¡¯re not thinking about winning this sparring match, but rather focusing on showing all the powers you have and receiving my evaluation first? Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Hang Woo continued to push Ethan without needing an answer. The subtlety of Counter-Radiance was alive in every attack. Not only that, but the spear technique itself was ineffably mysterious, perfectly executing feint attacks that seemed to flow aura towards the shoulder but actually struck the abdomen. The aura was so fierce that when it felt like an attack wasing, one had no choice but to defend reflexively before even realizing it was a feint. ¡®Damn. It¡¯s hard to block. At this rate, I¡¯ll copse without aplishing anything.¡¯ This feint attack was particrly troublesome because it emitted an aura that made it seem like a real attack wasing. Stab-! At that moment, Hang Woo¡¯s spear urately struck Ethan¡¯s wrist. Even though it clearly wasn¡¯t a big impact, Ethan ended up dropping his sword. Ethan¡¯s sword fell at Hang Woo¡¯s feet. Dropping a weapon was nothing short of a huge humiliation. For those who wield weapons, dropping one meant there was a huge difference in skill level. ¡°You¡¯ve stopped now, right? That¡¯sing from your experience. You can already see it. How this sparring match will end, and what you need to gain from it. Look, even now you¡¯re focusing on my mouth, not my movements.¡± Hang Woo smirked. ¡°That infinitely cold-minded spirit ismendable. But sometimes there are times when you need to challenge even knowing you can¡¯t win.¡± Hang Woo kicked the sword at his feet towards Ethan. ¡°Pick it up.¡± As he said this, Hang Woo continued. ¡°If you don¡¯t understand what I just said, it will be difficult for you to be stronger.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Ethan closed his eyes for a moment. ¡®Certainly, Hang Woo¡¯s words are right. I thought I had left everything behind in Hercules¡¯ trials.¡¯ It seemed that Ethan¡¯s problems were still clearly visible to Hang Woo¡¯s eyes. ¡®Actually, winning is difficult.¡¯ Beating a god? Unless the god allows it, it¡¯s impossible. That¡¯s why he had no thoughts of winning from the start. But that was the problem. ¡®I¡¯ve ended up giving up.¡¯ A bitter smile appeared. But he couldn¡¯t give up here. Ethan opened his eyes and grinned. ¡°I understand what you¡¯re saying, Sir Hang Woo.¡± ¡®If I give up, 0 percent will always remain 0 percent.¡¯ To create something from nothing. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the attitude.¡± To increase the probability even from 0 percent to 0.1 percent, one must never give up. Kkaang-! Ethan picked up the fallen sword and swung it. It waspletely different from the movements shown earlier. It was a bold movement that no longer showed any hesitation. ¡®The habit I¡¯ve had all along is hard to break right away.¡¯ Then he could change it slowly. Ethan had always fought with some reserve and instinctively avoided using his full power due to the obsessive idea that he must not die. He needed to control that. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t die, but I shouldn¡¯t save my strength either.¡¯ It was difficult to express in words or with the body, but Ethan had to aplish this difficult task. ¡®That¡¯s how I survive.¡¯ Wasn¡¯t there a saying by Ethan¡¯s favorite hero? If you want to live, you will die; if you want to die, you will live. Kkaang-! In the midst of Ethan¡¯s rough swordsmanship using his full strength, Hang Woo¡¯s spear fell straight to the ground. It was an attack imbued with the subtlety of weapon disarming that Hang Woo had just used on Ethan earlier. Hang Woo¡¯s eyebrows raised. He had only shown the subtlety of weapon disarming once. Yet he had recreated it perfectly after seeing it just once? And even used it against him? Hang Woo had expected an immediate counterattack, but Ethan didn¡¯t move. Ethan was just looking at the spear that had fallen at his feet. Ethan pushed the long spear towards Hang Woo with his Frost Sword. ¡°Pick it up.¡± At those words, Hang Woo smiled deeply.Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 165: It Wont End as a Funny Story Kkaang-! The longer the sparring went on, the more overwhelmed Ethan became by Hang Woo¡¯s strength. ¡®He¡¯s be one with the spear.¡¯ Just like the unity of sword and man in divine swordsmanship, Hang Woo had reached the state of unity with his divine spear. The spear technique showed ever-changing movements. What was most problematic was the range of Hang Woo¡¯s spear. Even when Ethan thought the spear couldn¡¯t reach, it would suddenly elongate, leaving him constantly at the mercy of Hang Woo¡¯s spear technique. ¡®But.¡¯ Ethan¡¯s body was in aplete mess. A deep wound on his shoulder rendered one arm useless, and an injury to his thigh prevented him from moving as quickly as before. ¡®I can¡¯t end it like this.¡¯He needed tounch at least one proper counterattack. ¡®This isn¡¯t giving up.¡¯ It¡¯s just setting a clear goal. ¡°This should be enough. Persevering any further would just be reckless. You know it too, don¡¯t you, Subscriber?¡± Hang Woo highly praised Ethan¡¯s skills. He had also gathered enough information to give advice as Ethan wanted. That¡¯s why he hoped Ethan would admit defeat on his own. But Ethan didn¡¯t give up. Kwak-! Thinking this might be his only chance, he concentrated all his strength on his injured foot. Bzzzt-! Yellow lightning wrapped around his foot. ¡®How far can I go?¡¯ Ethan sheathed his sword and used the highest technique of Ethan Swordsmanship. The ultimate move of Ethan Swordsmanship,bining Frost Thunder sh de with the instantaneous monstrous strength of Cheok Shin Sword Technique. Ethan Swordsmanship Third Form Ten Thousand Thunder Frost Strike Ethan¡¯s sword directly struck Hang Woo¡¯s spear. ¡°Huh!¡± Surprised, Hang Woo tried to retrieve his spear, but Ethan¡¯s strength was much greater than before. He had concentrated all his power into that single moment of swinging. Hang Woo¡¯s stance crumbled, leaving his chest wide open. Ethan didn¡¯t miss this opening. sh! But in that instant, Ethan¡¯s sword cut through empty air. Hang Woo had dodged backward, leaving an afterimage. Having evaded, Hang Woo stared intently at Ethan. Ethan was breathing heavily. One might expect a despairing expression after his killing blow failed to connect. Yet he was smiling as if relieved. Seeing this, Hang Wooughed brightly. ¡°Uhahahahat-!¡± Drip-! Though he thought he had dodged, Hang Woo hadn¡¯t escaped unscathed. A long wound appeared on Hang Woo¡¯s chest, blood seeping out. ¡°That was an excellent strike!¡± ¡°Is this enough to count as a win?¡± Ethan asked, gasping for breath as he sat down on the spot. Hang Woo approached Ethan and helped him up. ¡°There have been many subscribers who sparred with me through this joint content.¡± Hang Woo said. ¡°They all asked me to teach them something. So I did. I can¡¯t go easy, but since it was sparring, I gave it my all. What do you think happened?¡± ¡°I guess they all got crushed by you, Lord Hang Woo. Miserably.¡± (+)[1]TLN: I¡¯ll use Lord for the gods from now on. I¡¯m sorry for the inconsistency. ¡°That¡¯s right, not a single one could withstand it. Every single one of them, without exception, passed out and wasted their joint content time.¡± Saying this, he patted Ethan¡¯s back heavily. ¡°You¡¯re the only one. The only subscriber who maintained consciousness and didn¡¯t pass out after the sparring ended. And you even managed to wound me.¡± Hang Woo touched his chest. Though it had been quite a deep wound, Hang Woo¡¯s injury had already healedpletely. Shaaaak-. At the same time, all of Ethan¡¯s wounds disappeared as well. Ethan¡¯s body, which had been utterly exhausted just moments ago, recovered instantly. ¡°So, did you find what you were looking for in this sparring match?¡± ¡°Yes, thanks to you, I¡¯ve realized many things.¡± Cheok Jun-gyeong, Hercules, Hang Woo. He felt it was a good decision to have joint content with these three. Each god had passed on their beliefs and philosophies to Ethan. Before the joint content, Ethan was at a level where he couldn¡¯t be confident of victory even against Luna Spirit, said to be the weakest of the Twelve Apostles. But now it was different. After all, he was the only subscriber to have wounded Hang Woo. Ethan looked at his fist. Then he repeatedly clenched and unclenched it. ¡°I¡¯ve definitely gotten stronger.¡± A new swordsmanship. A new mindset. And he had managed to master the abilities he already possessed. ¡°You¡¯re still clumsy with Counter-Radiance and Supreme Resilience. But¡­ haven¡¯t you just learned them recently?¡± Though clumsy, he could use them to some extent in actualbat. ¡°Yes, my proficiency isn¡¯t high yet. Counter-Radiance is about 15 percent.¡± ¡°15 percent? No, already?¡± Hang Woo was greatly surprised by Ethan¡¯s words. All of Hang Woo¡¯s techniques are highly difficult. His signature technique, Counter-Radiance, is easy to learn and use, but difficult to increase proficiency in. Supreme Resilience also requires directly receiving the opponent¡¯s attacks with one¡¯s body, making it hard to get used to. Even if one grasps the concept, it takes daily, repeated training to reach just 10 percent proficiency. To increase proficiency, one must push their body to the limit. ¡°¡­If you had learned it through shortcuts, you couldn¡¯t use it to this extent. But mere vague training wouldn¡¯t allow you to properly use Counter-Radiance either.¡± This meant he must have trained through the proper method. He must have pushed his body to the limit, repeatedly surpassing those limits while using Counter-Radiance. If he trained like that, this abnormal speed of proficiency increase makes sense. Hang Woo stroked his chin and muttered, ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°That must be your own method too.¡± Ethan¡¯s swordsmanship was quite special. A subscriber trained to this extent must have found his own way to increase Counter-Radiance proficiency. ¡°Thank you for the praise.¡± ¡°This joint content was quite interesting. So, like other gods, I have a favor to ask of you. Of course, it¡¯s not just a simple favor.¡± ¡°You¡¯re also aiming higher, Lord Hang Woo.¡± Seeing Ethan quickly grasp his meaning, Hang Woo grinned. ¡°I¡¯m nning to create many new videos. I¡¯m thinking of letting go of some of my old stubbornness too. Do you know? Currently, the New World is in turmoil, centered around you.¡± The history of the New World is long. Throughout that long history, there hasn¡¯t been much change in the New World. But now, that New World was in upheaval. ¡°Since you appeared in this New World, the political situation has been greatly shaken. Unknown Eastern gods have grown rapidly and risen to the top. Gods in the middle ranks who had been stagnant for a long time can now look higher. The rankings that had been fixed for a long time have changed.¡± Additionally, subscribers stimted by Ethan have started to act like him. ¡°Themunity boards where subscribers talk to each other have be much more active too.¡± Ethan was the starting point of all these changes. ¡°Everyone talks about it jokingly. That you might be a game changer for the New World. They all say it half-jokingly, but somehow I feel like you¡¯ll achieve something.¡± Hang Woo said with a smile. ¡°It might be a funny story right now, certainly.¡± Ethan took a breath, then said with conviction. ¡°But it won¡¯t end as a funny story.¡± *** Through continuous joint content with the gods, Ethan achieved quite satisfactory results. Above all, the biggest achievement was that he had grown considerably mentally. ¡®Though that means I¡¯ve got a lot more homework too.¡¯ ¡°If I were to fight against someone as strong as Luna Spirit again, I wouldn¡¯t lose.¡± But there are always variables. ¡°I need topensate for the biggest weakness of Extinction.¡± Surviving as Ethan Whiskers starts now. *** After briefly stopping by the Whiskers territory using Wind Cloud, Ethan immediately headed towards the market. ¡®I need to fill up my spatial pocket with more funds.¡¯ The money he had filled up before was all spent on donations to the Holylight Order. But since he was earning money faster than he was spending it, now it was a matter of how to use that money. ¡°Huh?¡± Arriving at the market, Ethan spotted a familiar back of a head. ¡°Oh.¡± As Ethan saw him, that person who had been looking around also spotted Ethan and made a very embarrassed expression. ¡°Hahaha¡­ It¡¯s been a while, Ethan.¡± It was Letra Huntar. The eldest son of the Count Huntar family, who had sparred with Ethan when Count Huntar visited before, was right in front of Ethan¡¯s eyes. And not just standing there, but waiting in line. ¡°Are you here for attribute enchantment?¡± ¡°That attribute enchantment thing, it¡¯s really amazing.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to be embarrassed.¡± Ethan gave a thumbs up. ¡°It¡¯s a natural aspiration and romance, isn¡¯t it, Letra?¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s right!¡± Letra, who had been hesitating, smiled brightly. After chatting with Letra like this. Ethan immediately filled his spatial pocket with money. ¡°It feels like stocking up food in the fridge.¡± 1 billion gold. ¡®This should be enough for a few months.¡¯ Then he headed to the workshop. ¡°Everyone¡¯s working hard.¡± The mages from the Magic Tower who joined at the start of the business were alreadypletely familiar with their work. They applied magic as if they were machines, showing the skill of veterans. ¡°Lord Ethan! You¡¯re here!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve created a new method of attribute enchantment this time.¡± ¡°I can now apply different colors of me!¡± ¡°Now lightning attribute enchantment is possible too! Of course, there¡¯s no actual lightning attribute!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve developed a technique tobine two attribute enchantments into one. Please take a look!¡± Despite the enormous number of customers visiting daily, those dealing with these customers didn¡¯t look tired at all. Rather, when Ethan arrived, they eagerly talked about the new attribute enchantments they had researched, as if they had been waiting for him. ¡®How pure.¡¯ Pure passion, and the desire to be recognized. For them, dealing with numerous customers wasn¡¯t a difficult task. ¡®The more customers thate, the more they feel their magic is being recognized. It¡¯s not just a feeling. That¡¯s an urate indicator.¡¯ The long line stretching out. All the customers standing in this line want these mages¡¯ magic. ¡®With so many people wanting their magic, they can¡¯t help but research magic more. They¡¯ll want to show something new and be recognized even more.¡¯ That¡¯s why those dealing with many customers had greatly increased confidence in their magic. Their old appearance with slumped shoulders was nowhere to be seen now. ¡°Everyone, speak slowly. How do you like the houses and researchbs that were provided this time?¡± ¡°Sniff, to give such big houses and researchbs to all of us, it was really touching.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never even been inside such a big house before.¡± ¡°This is my first time having a specialized researchb just for my magic, Lord Ethan.¡± Ethan had given them definite rewards. For those who had lived in the Magic Tower¡¯s shared researchb and tiny rooms until recently, this must feel like apletely new world. ¡°Until now, you haven¡¯t received properpensation for your abilities. But that¡¯s different now. Those houses and researchbs are just the beginning. From now on, you¡¯ll receive proper rewards for your abilities.¡± At those words, the mages looked at Ethan with eyes full of reverence, as if seeing a god. ¡®A big house and researchb, it¡¯s a reward that feels very tangible.¡¯ ¡°Now, shall we see the results?¡± Now the mages didn¡¯t doubt Ethan¡¯s judgment. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ethan checked the new attribute enchantments that each mage had created. Ethan had various knowledge, so he knew well which methods could appeal more to customers. ¡°Oh.¡± Ethan looked at the attribute enchantment Marakan had created. ¡°You can change the color of the me as desired. Color mixing is possible too!¡± ¡°That¡¯s amazing. How many colors are possible?¡± ¡°In addition to the original red, blue and ck me colors have been added.¡± Marakan¡¯s expression was full of pride. Ethan stroked his chin and said, ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Is this color possible too?¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Marakan¡¯s eyes widened. The color Ethan described was one that Marakan had never even thought of before.
  • 1. TLN: I¡¯ll use Lord for the gods from now on. I¡¯m sorry for the inconsistency.
Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 166: Departure There was an attribute that Ethan was once deeply interested in. Green mes. Not bright green, but dark green mes, the color typically used by death knights and undead. ¡®I became obsessed with it after seeing the immortal death knight.¡¯ Pitch-ck armor with a spiral pattern on the shield. And dark green mes burning through the gaps in the helmet and on the sword. It could truly be seen as the embodiment of terror. ¡®In terms of style alone, it¡¯s a color that would rank among the top.¡¯ However, this green me was quite tricky to recreate. Even Ethan had searched far and wide for a mage who could grant this green me attribute.¡®And I spent a fortune too.¡¯ After all that, he finally found a mage. Needless to say, that mage also said it would be difficult to create the green me Ethan described. Of course, when Ethan offered 5 billion, the mage immediately began researching andpleted it. ¡®That was Marakan.¡¯ That mage was the Marakan standing before him now. ¡®The mage who made my dream a reality.¡¯ ¡°Hmm, green you say. The green you mentioned is mostly seen on death knights or living corpses.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy. In terms of possibility, it should be considered impossible.¡± ¡°But the fact that you¡¯re telling me this means you see a possibility in me, right?¡± Ethan nodded at Marakan¡¯s words. ¡°Marakan, no one else can do it but you.¡± Ethan recalled the past. When he entrusted the green me attribute enhancement for a huge sum. Marakan had said then: -Since I don¡¯t think anyone else can do it, I¡¯ll do it. ¡®Now that his confidence is back, I can see that boldness from back then.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try. Lord Ethan¡¯s eyes can¡¯t be wrong.¡± They¡¯re the kind of people who do well when given direction. Simrly, Ethan gave feedback and direction to other mages as well. Then he immediately sought out Scarlet from the dyeing magic workshop. ¡°You¡¯re here, Lord Ethan? I¡¯m sorry. I was too busy to greet you properly.¡± ¡°Miss Scarlet is the busiest in our workshop. The other mages might be fine due to their experience, but isn¡¯t this line the longest?¡± Ethan said with a pleased smile. Currently, the dyeing magic scrolls were the workshop¡¯s biggest source of revenue. It was selling so surprisingly well that despite startingter than attribute enhancement magic or lightweight magic, it was generatingparable profits. Scarlet smiled awkwardly at Ethan¡¯s praise. She was still not used to receivingpliments, but she could at least manage a slight smile now. ¡°Oh, this is a new color. The colorbination is bold. This will definitely bring out the originality. It¡¯s a color that people who want to stand out from others will buy a lot.¡± ¡°You can tell? That¡¯s right! I know the psychology of people whoe to buy dyeing magic scrolls well. It¡¯s simr to my own psychology.¡± As Ethan recognized the newly created color, she smiled broadly. It felt as if the fatigue from long hours of business was washed away. ¡°I can¡¯t not recognize this.¡± ¡°Right? But everyone just thinks of it as ck. This is moonlight ck.¡± The existing ck she had created was called real ck. Aplete ck. The color she created this time was moonlight ck, which added a blue tint to thatplete ck. A mage employee watching from the side tilted his head. ¡°Is that so? It looks simr to me¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a subtle difference. But people with discerning eyes and a sense for it will definitely be able to distinguish it.¡± ¡°Looking closely, I can see a faint blue tint, but will people be able to tell the difference?¡± No sooner had the mage said this than shouts erupted from the customers. ¡°Oh!?¡± ¡°Is this a new color!?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like the existing ck but with a subtle blue tint.¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s moonlight ck.¡± ¡°Quick, I¡¯d like the moonlight ck please!¡± ¡°Give me the moonlight ck!¡± But there were more people who could distinguish colors well than expected. They wanted their colors not to ovep with others, even if the difference was subtle. ¡®I know that feeling.¡¯ People who pursue style always focus on originality. They try to emphasize their own color even a little, and if their style is simr to someone else¡¯s, they immediately change their direction. ¡®So diverse colors are bound to sell well.¡¯ Scarlet understood all of these consumer feelings. ¡®Creating colors is just the beginning. There will be even more customers than now.¡¯ ¡°Scarlet, is it possible to make these dyeing magic scrolls so that customers can mix the colors themselves?¡± This is quite a future endeavor. ¡®Custom dyeing.¡¯ Scarlet eventually released a product that allowed customers buying dyeing magic to customize their own colorbinations. Some mages criticized using such an amazing magic merely for dyeing, but with that magic alone, Scarlet became a renowned businesswoman across the continent. Bing a mage who left her name in history was just a bonus. Scarlet¡¯s eyes changed at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°If they can customize it themselves, it will greatly expand their options. Then customers will try to bring out their own originality. The new colors they create will end up advertising our dyeing magic.¡± ¡°That¡¯s certainly true. Custom, custom¡­¡± ¡®Just throwing out ideas like this, they¡¯ll all figure it out on their own.¡¯ The things Ethan threw out were already what they would achieve in the future. After the busy business hours ended like that, a short break time came. ¡°Everyone gather for a moment.¡± Ethan called the mages together. The faces of the mages brought from the Magic Tower, including Scarlet, were visible. ¡®I¡¯m going to increase the scale a bit more. And that personnel will be recruited from the Magic Tower where Yerica is.¡¯ ¡°You¡¯ve all heard the story. Thanks to your tremendous achievements, this Whiskers territory is now growing.¡± Ethan had heard earlier that his father, Count Whiskers, was gradually swallowing up the surrounding territories. ¡®Actually, Letra Huntar shouldn¡¯t be here.¡¯ Count Whiskers¡¯ expansion target had now reached the Huntar territory. Of course, he wasn¡¯t forcibly swallowing up territories. Count Whiskers was steadily expanding his territory. As the territory expands like that, it naturally leads to aiming for even bigger goals. ¡°The scale of our territory will be muchrger than it is now. Maybe to the point where this current scale will feel small.¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°If you want, you can bring all your families to live here too. I¡¯ll cover everything. If there are good talents, feel free to rmend them. You are nowplete family members of our Whiskers territory.¡± It had been a difficult time. Ethan hade down as hope in their lives, which had been rejected until now. Their magic is recognized. That alone made them happy. ¡°Even if they¡¯re not family, you can bring people who are as good as family. They¡¯re people you cherish, so they must have always believed in you.¡± Bringing those who believed in them. ¡°Tell them. That their faith wasn¡¯t wrong, that you¡¯re thankful they believed in you.¡± ¡®There¡¯s nothing better than this for motivation.¡¯ Ethan didn¡¯t stop there and made one more proposal. ¡°And we can¡¯t just end with words, can we?¡± Ethan knew well the importance of words, but he also knew well that there was something even more important. ¡®We shouldn¡¯t just talk.¡¯ ¡°Everyone line up in a single file ande to me one by one. I¡¯ll remove all your fatigue.¡± Needles were already in Ethan¡¯s hand. -Using Pulse Diagnosis. -Excessive fatigue has umted. The mages were working solely motivated by the recognition of their magic. Everyone was focused on work without realizing how tired they were, but that fatigue was definitely continuing to umte. ¡°Drink this potion too.¡± ¡®Good welfare makes employees want to work.¡¯ A sense of ownership doesn¡¯te from elsewhere. Ites from definite rewards and treatment. Gulp gulp. The mages who drank the decoction after the needles looked surprised. ¡°My shoulders were so heavy, but now my body feels so light!¡± ¡°I felt like something was always refluxing inside me, but it¡¯s all gone!¡± ¡°Oh my¡­¡± ¡°This level of potion must be extremely expensive. Isn¡¯t it worth whatever price you name?¡± As mages, they knew well the value of potions that show immediate effects. In the Magic Tower where they were, only the tower master could make potions this effective. Of course, even that tower master didn¡¯t find it easy to make such potions, so he would asionally make and sell them for the Magic Tower¡¯s finances. To give such potions to them. ¡°To give us something this precious.¡± ¡°Is, is it really okay to do this?¡± At those words, Ethan opened his spatial pouch. Then he took out half of the decoction he had made earlier and ced it on the spot. ¡°This potion will now be your fatigue recovery drink.¡± Everyone looked at Ethan with surprised expressions. ¡°I¡¯ll leave them periodically, so tell me immediately when they run out.¡± ¡®This, everyone looks like they¡¯re seeing a god.¡¯ If they were told to believe in the goddess, Moonforce, right now, they looked like they would lower their bodies and be believers on the spot. ¡®Because it¡¯s that precious.¡¯ Ethan intended to treat them well for sure. ¡®From now on is important.¡¯ ¡°L-Lord Ethan, this is too much.¡± ¡°Something this precious isn¡¯t worth just a penny or two, is it? We¡¯d be fine with something less effective than this.¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s burdensome.¡± Ethan said. ¡°But this isn¡¯t something you should feel burdened by. This is my expectation for you all.¡± ¡°Expectation¡­ you say?¡± The mages made puzzled expressions at Ethan¡¯s words. Scarlet was the same. She, too, was startled, having never tasted such a precious potion before. ¡°You¡¯ve all be famous in this region now. Probably almost no one in this region doesn¡¯t know about the workshop mages of Whiskers territory. Even looking at nearby territories, there¡¯s no one who doesn¡¯t do attribute enhancement and lightweighting.¡± As Ethan said, everyone came to the workshop street of this Whiskers territory to use magic. It wasn¡¯t a result achieved through force. It was a victory achieved purely through their own magic. ¡°Now the time hase. We¡¯re going to aim for the central region officially, not just this small province.¡± ¡°Are we opening a branch in the central region?¡± ¡°No.¡± Ethan¡¯s n was a bit more grand. The goal wasn¡¯t simply to swallow up the central region. ¡®The central region is only central because they call it central.¡¯ There¡¯s no need to fit their standards at all. ¡®You should always lead the situation. You should make the other party fit your standards.¡¯ And the Whiskers territory had enough power to set those standards. ¡°Thisnd we¡¯re standing on now. We¡¯re going to make this Whiskers territory the central region. With this workshop street as the center.¡± Ethan made eye contact with each mage in turn. ¡°From today, you all be the owners of Ethan¡¯s workshop.¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 167: Alliance ¡°We¡­ be owners?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± In response to Ethan¡¯s answer, Marakan cautiously said, ¡°But we¡­¡± ¡°Marakan, aren¡¯t you the best when ites to attribute enhancement?¡± ¡°¡­I have that confidence.¡± ¡°Scarlet, aren¡¯t you the best when ites to dyeing magic?¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Scarlet nodded vigorously. ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s a mage on the continent more proficient in color and dyeing magic than me.¡±Ethan asked the same question to the other mages. They all simrly answered with confidence. ¡°Then we have our answer. You should be the owners of Ethan¡¯s workshop. As workshop owners, all authority will be returned to you.¡± ¡°We¡­ be owners? Owners leading a workshop¡­?¡± They all had bewildered expressions. But soon, they nodded with determined looks in their eyes. ¡°So that¡¯s it. That¡¯s why you were expecting this from us.¡± The mages understood Ethan¡¯s intention. He wasn¡¯t satisfied with the current scale. From the perspective of individual mages, it was an incredible result, but from Ethan¡¯s standard, this was just the first step. And he wants to take the next step with them. ¡°We won¡¯t waste the opportunity you¡¯ve given us.¡± ¡°Leave the workshop to us!¡± The mages made their resolution. *** ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it that way.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve made a good choice, Count Huntar.¡± Count Whiskers and Count Huntar shook hands. The negotiations were quite long, but the result was sessful. Currently, the Whiskers territory was absorbing all the floating poption that should have spread to surrounding territories. As a result, the surrounding territories were each experiencing difficulties. While smaller territories could be incorporated into the Whiskers territory through Count Whiskers and the Steward¡¯s skills, it was difficult to do so withrger territories. Especially the Huntar territory. The Huntar territory was a territory that until recently was of higher rank than the Whiskers territory. Therefore, absorbing it like other small territories was impossible. That¡¯s why Count Whiskers proposed a deal. What they were worried about now was the continuously decreasing ie of the territory. So they agreed to distribute a certain profit on the condition of opening a branch of the Lightweight workshop within the territory. ¡®Since attribute enhancement and dyeing magic can only be done in Whiskers territory.¡¯ ¡°You must have been in a hurry. To give up all thends you had.¡± ¡°It¡¯s natural. Although Count Huntar didn¡¯t openly try to swallow us, he was prepared to absorb the territory at any time if we fell.¡± Therefore, Count Huntar had already purchased severalnds near the Whiskers territory. Through this deal, Count Whiskers acquired all thosends. Thanks to this, they could further increase the scale of the territory. Moreover, it became advantageous to proceed with what Count Huntar had been preparing. ¡°Ultimately, he was nning to open a road on thatnd to connect with Count Huntar¡¯s territory.¡± That was Count Huntar¡¯s ultimate goal. But the situation haspletely changed. The positions of the two territories havepletely reversed, so Count Huntar¡¯s long-standing n has be a stepping stone for the development of Count Whiskers¡¯ territory. ¡°Our territory will be connected to Count Huntar¡¯s territory. Then, before long, Count Huntar¡¯s territory wille under our Whiskers.¡± ¡°But if that happens, there will surely be checks from the surroundings.¡± There were two Great Lords around the Whiskers territory. Count Yurahan, who boasts enormous wealth. And Marquis Dren, a member of the Twelve Families. ¡°Even if we set aside Dren as they¡¯re already above us, if we absorb the Huntar territory, we¡¯ll be a scale no less than the Yurahan territory. There will surely be checks.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, so we need to prepare in advance. Let¡¯s talk as soon as we get back to the territory. About how to persuade Count Yurahan.¡± After returning to the territory, the two were greeted by a wee face. ¡°Ethan!¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Father, Steward.¡± ¡°When did you arrive? Hahaha! You¡¯vee just as we¡¯ve had some good news.¡± The steward smiled brightly and talked about this achievement. ¡°Then the scale of the territory will be asrge as the Yurahan territory. Count Yurahan won¡¯t just sit back and watch.¡± Count Whiskers nodded seriously at Ethan¡¯s words. Until now, they had grown very smoothly without any particr checks, but now it was different. The Great Lords with vested interests wouldn¡¯t simply give up their positions. Meanwhile, the steward was amazed at Ethan who immediately grasped the situation. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. From then on, it will be quite difficult. They¡¯re not an easy opponent. As a family that has maintained its past traditions and power until now, they won¡¯t just sit back and watch as apetitor like us emerges.¡± ¡°Yes, if that happens, it will be difficult to maintain the current growth rate, Ethan.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I stayed, Father.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve thought of a way?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ethan said with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s a simple method. We make an offer they can¡¯t refuse.¡± *** Yurahan territory. This was the ce ruled by Count Yurahan, who had shown his ws when Ethan had just started the Lightweight workshop business. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Count Yurahan.¡± ¡°It has indeed been a long time. My, my, you¡¯vepletely changed, Young Master Ethan!¡± Count Yurahan greeted Ethan warmly. ¡°Thank you for thepliment, Count.¡± ¡°To have raised the Whiskers territory so greatly in such a short time! The count¡¯s contribution must have been great, but your business acumen was extraordinary! Lightweight workshop, followed by attribute enhancement and dyeing magic! It couldn¡¯t have been easy, how do you manage your business so well! Hahaha-!¡± Count Yurahan was maintaining a perfect poker face. But inside, he was bitter. Ethan knew Count Yurahan¡¯s inner thoughts very well. ¡®It can¡¯t be helped. Like the Huntar territory, Count Yurahan¡¯s territory is also having its floating poption absorbed by our territory.¡¯ The taxes that should havee in were likely reduced by half, or even more. If that happens, a vicious cycle continues. ¡®Count Yurahan hopes to establish a good rtionship with the Marquis Dren family. But in this state, the Marquis Dren family wouldn¡¯t even nce at them.¡¯ Establishing a good rtionship with the Marquis Dren family, and further bing a member of the Twelve Families or a family equivalent to that. That was Count Yurahan¡¯s ambition. ¡®Then we just need to touch that ambition.¡¯ We just need to turn his ambition into hope. Because Ethan holds the string of that hope. ¡°Count Yurahan, you must be having a headache because of our territory, right?¡± When Ethan spoke directly, Count Yurahan¡¯s expression slightly hardened. It was quite awkward to answer. It would hurt his pride to say that taxes had decreased because of the Whiskers territory, but it was obvious if he said no. ¡°That¡¯s why I came.¡± Ethan said with a broad smile. Count Yurahan couldn¡¯t help but frown at that smile. The Whiskers territory has been growing rapidly recently, unprecedented in history. The main yer is Ethan Whiskers, right in front of him. It¡¯s not just a sh in the pan. Ethan¡¯s business continues to grow to the point ofpletely overturning thendscape of this region. In a little time, its size will be simr to the Yurahan territory. When that happens, the two territories will naturally be in apetitive structure. Count Yurahan wanted to solidify his position as the leader of this region and rise even higher. From Count Yurahan¡¯s perspective, a fight with the rapidly chasing Count Whiskers territory was inevitable. Yet hees directly, speaks bluntly, and smiles? Count Yurahan felt cold sweat on his back for a moment. ¡®What on earth is he thinking?¡¯ As he felt from their first meeting, Ethan was truly an unpredictable person. While Count Yurahan was thinkingplexly in front of him, Ethan was looking at the situation simply. Ethan¡¯s business is soaring like a sailboat in a favorable wind. However, in the process, it¡¯s indirectly affecting the revenues of surrounding territories. While Count Whiskers has been resolving issues with other territories well, the problem with Count Yurahan isn¡¯t something that can be easily resolved. But Ethan never intended to create such a situation in the first ce. ¡®It¡¯s foolish to have a head-on confrontation with Count Yurahan. No, fighting unnecessarily with anyone isn¡¯t profitable.¡¯ He knows from experience. Swallowing everything without fighting is much more profitable than fighting and seizing. Of course, even if they fought with the Count Yurahan family, the Whiskers territory wouldn¡¯t lose. ¡®Of course we¡¯d win. But winning through fighting gains too little.¡¯ Count Yurahan is not someone who will easily give up everything. If there¡¯s little to gain even in victory, there¡¯s no need to fight. ¡®I know that potential well.¡¯ The Count Yurahan family is one that remains intact even at the end of MePan. ¡®It¡¯s a characteristic of families that maintain long traditions.¡¯ That¡¯s why Ethan intended to pull Count Yurahan to their side. Not creating enemies is the wisest y, but if a neutral force shows signs of turning into an enemy, it¡¯s better to draw them in as allies. That¡¯s why Ethan hid everything with a smile. ¡°So you came? What does that mean, Lord Ethan?¡± ¡°Count Yurahan¡¯s territory boasts a long tradition. It has long been the center of this region. Even when monster invasions urred, even when wars broke out. Now, exchanges between territories have decreased, but at that time, wasn¡¯t it the Count Yurahan family that took the lead as the center? I still think the lord who rules the Yurahan territory is the leader of this region.¡± Even when Count Huntar, Count Whiskers, and several other families in this region united, the Yurahan family was always the leader. ¡°The Marquis Dren family isn¡¯t our orthodox, is it? They¡¯re a rolling stone.¡± Count Yurahan¡¯s eyebrows twitched at Ethan¡¯s words. He felt as if the phrase ¡®our orthodox¡¯ grouped the Count Yurahan family with other families. ¡°Since when did theye to represent this region? Wasn¡¯t it originally Yurahan?¡± ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t youe to talk about business?¡± ¡°Yes, this is an extension of that, Count Yurahan.¡± Count Whiskers and the steward, who were present, couldn¡¯t help but admire Ethan¡¯s bold rhetoric. It was an extremely sensitive topic. But as he led the conversation to the topic the count himself was most concerned about, Count Yurahan couldn¡¯t hastily get angry. Of course, Ethan¡¯s reputation for sessfully running various businesses had an influence, but more than that, the stage Ethan had set was quite excellent. ¡°Yes, as you say. But that¡¯s all in the past. The Marquis Dren family is a member of the Twelve Families.¡± ¡°But you don¡¯t want to bow your waist, do you?¡± Count Yurahan frowned deeply at Ethan¡¯s words. He was thinking of bowing. He was nning to endure the current humiliation somehow and build up strength. That¡¯s why Ethan¡¯s words felt even more like a dagger. There¡¯s nothing as shameful as having one¡¯s humiliation exposed by others. ¡°I¡¯ll make it so you don¡¯t have to bow.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯vee to propose an alliance, Count Yurahan.¡± Ethan extended his hand. In that moment, Count Yurahan¡¯s heart raced. ¡°The goal of our Whiskers isn¡¯t simply to grow big. Of course, we¡¯re not close, but at least when our region was attacked, we fought together as one. So let¡¯s go together.¡± ¡°Together¡­?¡± ¡°Yes, together.¡± Count Yurahan¡¯s eyes kept shaking at the words flowing smoothly. ¡°Let¡¯s grow together, Count Yurahan. We form an alliance between ourselves to oppose the Marquis Dren family.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ll think about it.¡± It wasn¡¯t an issue that could be answered right away. *** Count Yurahan was inwardly sighing with relief. When he first met Ethan Whiskers, he said he was going to work with the David Merchant Guild. He had a feeling then. ¡°He really was working with the David Merchant Guild.¡± As his bad premonition came true exactly, he also thought he did well not to meddle carelessly. ¡°A way to grow without bowing to the Marquis Dren family¡­¡± Ethan proposed a united alliance. Of course, he knows this united alliance isn¡¯t just out of goodwill. ¡°He¡¯s trying to buy time. If we form an alliance, we¡¯ll have to just watch them grow out of duty. Eventually, Whiskers will be bigger than us, and when that timees, they¡¯ll talk about the alliance again. Maybe¡­¡± The steward of the Count Yurahan family frowned. ¡°The Marquis Dren family and the Count Whiskers family might pressure us simultaneously.¡± But somehow, Count Yurahan¡¯s intuition was whispering that he should ept this alliance. After closing his eyes for a moment and falling into contemtion, Count Yurahan opened his eyes and decided. ¡°I trust my intuition. Just like when I first met him.¡± *** ¡°I wonder if he¡¯ll ept.¡± Count Whiskers and his steward, who had returned to the territory, put their heads together and talked. ¡°Count Yurahan is a wise person. He will have grasped what we meant by proposing an alliance. There¡¯s a high possibility he won¡¯t ept.¡± ¡°I think so too. But¡­ it¡¯s undoubtedly an attractive proposal.¡± ¡°It was an excellent proposal. Young Master Ethan continues to grow. It¡¯s almost frightening.¡± The count smiled contentedly. ¡°He takes after me.¡± The steward narrowed his eyes and looked at the count. ¡°Speak with your hand on your conscience.¡± ¡°He does take after me somewhat.¡± Knock knock-. ¡°I have a report.¡± ¡°Come in.¡± The subordinate who entered immediately handed a parchment to the count. ¡°It¡¯s a letter from Count Yurahan.¡± The count, who immediately opened and read it, grinned. ¡°It¡¯s an alliance contract.¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 168: The Tower of Spirit Mage (1) ¡°Of course he¡¯ll ept it. There¡¯s no need to even look.¡± Count Yurahan is a wise person. Ethan believed in that wisdom. ¡®There¡¯s nothing left to do in the territory right now. I should quickly move on to other matters.¡¯ Having finished his business in the territory, Ethan immediately headed south. ¡°I need to proceed with the quest. The quest I¡¯ve been putting off for quite a while.¡± Prochet. This was a quite famous city even in the south. Southern cities were generally coastal with good weather year-round, making them popr vacation destinations for everyone.However, this Prochet was particrly famous in the south, as it had something special that ordinary southern cities didn¡¯t have. ¡®The greatest Magic Tower in the south. Moreover, it has the only tower of spirit mages in the south.¡¯ Known as the Prochet Magic Tower, it was a ce where the tower of spirit mages and the tower of mages coexisted. The two towers were embraced by a vast spirit forest, making it undoubtedly thergest in scale in the south. ¡®But now it¡¯s on the path to decline.¡¯ Despite its size, the Prochet Magic Tower wasn¡¯t a particrly renowned Magic Tower. ¡®They say that in the past, everyone knew about the Prochet Magic Tower when mentioned.¡¯ The tower of mages was still intact. The problem was with the tower of spirit mages. ¡®An incident urred, and from that point on, spirits stopped visiting this spirit forest. Since then, new spirit mages have been unable to form contracts with spirits.¡¯ Because of this, those seeking to be spirit mages hesitated toe here, and the Magic Tower naturally reduced in scale. ¡®Existing spirit mages are fine since they¡¯ve already contracted with spirits. But new spirit mages can¡¯t contract with spirits suitable for their level.¡¯ For this reason, the tower of spirit mages was gradually declining, and the Prochet Magic Tower was restructuring itself around the tower of mages. However, this ce originally had strong spirit mage influence. With the tower of spirit mages losing its power, it couldn¡¯t exert its former strength, and despite its scale and history, it began to fall behind other spirit mage towers. ¡®Prochet continues to decline, unable to regain its former glory.¡¯ Because of this, one could ept a quest to revive Prochet in MePan. Although the difficulty was extremely high, the rewards were so good that it was considered one of the essential quests. ¡®Among those rewards, there¡¯s one that¡¯s particrly significant.¡¯ Everyone did this Prochet revival quest because of the most important element. ¡®Even setting aside that reward, first I¡¯ll obtain a spirit here.¡¯ This would aplish two things. First, the third quest to survive as Ethan Whiskers. And second,pensating for the weakness of Extinction. ¡°How may I help you?¡± ¡°I¡¯vee to form a contract with a spirit.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± The gatekeeper of the spirit mage tower looked bewildered at Ethan¡¯s words. He seemed to doubt if he had heard correctly. ¡°You heard me correctly.¡± ¡°W-well, prospective spirit mage, please don¡¯t take offense, but to be frank, it¡¯s impossible to contract with spirits in our southern spirit mage tower.¡± The gatekeeper said with an apologetic expression. ¡°Since the incident where the tower master of the spirit mage tower had trouble with a great spirit, spirits no longere here. You can¡¯t expect any intermediate or higher spirits, and even the few low-level spirits that do appear are mostly weak and difficult to handle.¡± It meant that only spirits that could potentially be harmful to contract with visited this ce. ¡°You¡¯re being honest.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the gatekeeper sighed. ¡°Do you think I enjoy speaking about my hometown like this¡­? You seem to have a bright future ahead of you, so I¡¯m telling you this out of concern.¡± Saying that, the gatekeeper summoned a spirit. It was definitely a spirit, albeit a tiny low-level one that seemed difficult tomunicate with. ¡°So you¡¯re a spirit mage?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worthy of being called a spirit mage. I just like spirits. I may not have talent, but I always consider spirit mages asrades.¡± The gatekeeper smiled slightly. That¡¯s why he thought there shouldn¡¯t be any novice spirit mages trying to contract spirits in this southern spirit mage tower. Regardless of talent, they could contract with better spirits if they used other spirit mage towers. Ethan smiled at the gatekeeper. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± The gatekeeper looked puzzled. Ethan spoke with certainty. ¡°I came knowing everything.¡± He already knew it all. *** ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say this, but¡­¡± First floor of the spirit mage tower. With all the novice spirit mages gone, most of the remaining spirit mages here were intermediate or higher. Rezervi, who greeted guests on the first floor, was also an intermediate spirit mage with 10 years of experience. Rezervi told the rare visitor the same thing as the gatekeeper. ¡°If you want to contract with a good spirit, it would be better to go towards the central region. The spirit mage tower I rmend is¡­¡± ¡°Oh?¡± At that moment, a girl walking out from inside the tower saw Ethan. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Roanna.¡± Ethan greeted her. Roanna Prochet. She was one of the great rewards that could be obtained from this Prochet revival quest. She was among the top five magepanions that could be acquired if one didn¡¯t start with the academy route. Surprised by Ethan¡¯s sudden appearance, Roanna du Prochet fidgeted nervously. She looked like she hadn¡¯t expected Ethan to be here at all. ¡°Why are you here, teacher?¡± ¡°Teacher?¡± Rezervi looked at Ethan. The person who came to the fallen southern spirit mage tower wanting to contract with a spirit was Roanna¡¯s teacher? If so¡­ ¡°Could it be¡­!¡± Ethan nodded at Rezervi¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers.¡± As Ethan introduced himself, Rezervi eximed in surprise. ¡°I-I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Roanna! She said a new amazing teacher came to Ivecar and praised you so much! And she¡¯s not usually one to talk about the academy. It¡¯s an honor to meet you like this.¡± ¡°It seems Roanna has said many good things about me.¡± Ethan nced at Roanna. Her face was slightly flushed. ¡°What brings you here, teacher? Perhaps-¡° ¡°It¡¯s not a home visit.¡± This was Roanna¡¯s home. ¡°I came to form a contract with a spirit.¡± ¡°What? A spirit contract at our Magic Tower?¡± Roanna looked perplexed. ¡°Why did youe here?¡± Even though she was a member of the Prochet family, she couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Our Magic Tower is ruined¡­¡± Roanna said with an embarrassed expression. Rezervi also sighed. There was no way to deny it since it was true. ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I came to talk about it.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Could I meet the tower master, Roanna?¡± *** ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you, Teacher Ethan.¡± Michael Prochet, the owner of Prochet Magic Tower and the lord of Prochet territory, greeted Ethan politely. ¡°I heard our Roanna caused you trouble. Thank you so much for forgiving her with your generous heart.¡± ¡°Not at all. I should be the one thanking you. Your daughter is an excellent student. She has outstanding talent, understanding, and a spirit of challenge. Thank you for sending Roanna to Ivecar Academy. Roanna will be a new hope for Ivecar Academy.¡± Ethan spoke quite in detail about Roanna. As he continued to praise based on facts rather than empty ttery, the corners of the kind-looking Tower Master Michael¡¯s mouth twitched, and he soon started to beam with joy. ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯re too kind, too kind!¡± Even as he said this, he looked extremely proud. ¡°Ahem, I heard it wasn¡¯t a home visit, but you¡¯re speaking so fondly of my daughter.¡± Tower Master Michael knew everything about the Ivecar situation. Not only from what he heard from his daughter Roanna but also from separately collecting information. It was natural for a parent who sent their child to an academy. Because of this, he knew well how Ethan was positioned at Ivecar. The best among new teachers. No, he heard Ethan was an extraordinary teacher who would go down in Ivecar¡¯s history. To think such a teacher thought so highly of Roanna. ¡°As Roanna might have told you, I¡¯ve decided to make Miss Roanna my assistant for my next ss.¡± ¡°Thank you so much. I¡¯m grateful that you think so highly of our daughter.¡± The tower master, who was smiling contentedly, soon put on an apologetic expression. ¡°By the way, I heard you came to our Magic Tower to form a spirit contract. And you know the situation, right? If you know everything, there¡¯s no need for a longer exnation. Due to a series of incidents, our Magic Tower has be a deadnd where good spirits no longere.¡± The tower master sighed deeply. ¡°People seeking to form contracts with spirits no longere to Prochet. Neither professional spirit users nor magese anymore. Somee hoping to contract with dark-aligned spirits due to rumors of it being a deadnd, but this ce is literally and spirits don¡¯t visit¡­¡± Whether dark-aligned or whatever-aligned, it was impossible to form spirit contracts in a ce spirits didn¡¯t visit. ¡°I¡¯m the owner of a ruined spirit tower, but I still have some name value. So I can write you a letter of rmendation. If you want a spirit contract, to a tower in the central region¡­¡± ¡°Tower Master Prochet.¡± Ethan said with a serious face. ¡°I came to revive this deadnd.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Tower Master Prochet¡¯s eyes widened. But he soon frowned and shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± An impossible task. The tower master shook his head, saying it was toote to do anything. But Ethan knew everything. Why thisnd had be a deadnd. How to resolve the series of incidents and restore it to its former state. Ethan was full of confidence because he had cleared this Prochet Magic Tower revival quest countless times while ying MePan. ¡®There are a lot of achievements here too.¡¯ ¡°I have a way.¡± ¡°A way¡­?¡± Tower Master Prochet still looked doubtful. Many people had said it was possible. But they all ended in failure. ¡°I can restore it to and full of spirits like before.¡± Those who said it was possible were all scammers. Having been deceived several times, Tower Master Prochet couldn¡¯t help but be extremely sensitive about this matter. If Ethan hadn¡¯t been Roanna¡¯s teacher, he would have been driven out without even being given a chance to exin. ¡°¡­What method do you have?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not doing this for free.¡± Of course, he had no intention of doing all this out of pure goodwill. ¡°What I want is¡­¡± After hearing Ethan¡¯s words, Tower Master Prochet¡¯s mouth fell open.Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 169: The Tower of Spirit Mage (2) ¡°It only appears in legends. We don¡¯t even know if it really exists. Even I have never seen it in person.¡± The Prochet Tower Master shook his head. What Ethan wanted was something the Tower Master had only heard of in legends. ¡°Ancient spirits are things of legend. Even if they existed, they disappeared long ago, Teacher Ethan.¡± Ancient spirits. Ethan intended to contract with an ancient spirit at this Prochet Magic Tower. ¡®That way, I can clear the third quest to survive as Ethan Whiskers. And I can alsoplement Extinction.¡¯ Of course, there are many types of ancient spirits, so it¡¯s uncertain which one he might be able to contract with. ¡®Even I couldn¡¯t contract with ancient spirits a few times.¡¯To contract with an ancient spirit, he first needs to revive this Prochet Magic Tower. ¡®I just need to breathe life back into this deadnd.¡¯ He needs to eliminate the fundamental reason why thisnd was ruined and reconnect thepletely severed ties with spirits. However, even after doing that, there were cases where one couldn¡¯t contract with an ancient spirit. ¡°But the ritual remains, doesn¡¯t it? And I¡¯ve heard that this ritual has been passed down through generations of Prochet Tower Masters.¡± As Ethan spoke, the Tower Master¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°How did you¡­¡± ¡°I learned about it while reading ancient documents.¡± Of course, it wasn¡¯t the current Ethan who had read them. ¡°¡­Indeed, it¡¯s as you say. There is a contract ritual passed down through our family. It¡¯s a ritual that can contract with ancient spirits of great power. But now, it¡¯s difficult to perform this ritual. First, as you know, thisnd has died, and we alsock the necessary materials for the ritual.¡± If this ritual fails, one cannot contract with an ancient spirit. Of course, if thisnd is revived, it bes possible to contract with ordinary spirits again. ¡®The Prochet spirit mages will help in every way possible.¡¯ Even if it¡¯s not an ancient spirit, it¡¯s possible to contract with decent spirits. But Ethan wasn¡¯t going to be satisfied with just that. ¡®If I were satisfied with that, I would have already contracted with the Fairy Queen in the Fairy Forest.¡¯ Ethan wanted to perfectly clear this third quest to survive as Ethan Whiskers. ¡®An ancient spirit should provide an excellent reward.¡¯ He had nearly died in the fight against the Twelve Apostles, but that experience was actually working in Ethan¡¯s favor. Like a preventive vine, so to speak. ¡°So it¡¯s impossible? Well, if that¡¯s the case, I have no choice but to leave. I can always search for traces of ancient spirits elsewhere. Thank you for the tea, Tower Master.¡± As the Tower Master groaned, Ethan rose from his seat without hesitation. Flustered, the Tower Master hurriedly waved his hands. ¡°No, no, wait! It¡¯s true that we don¡¯t have the materials! But we can obtain them!¡± The Tower Master¡¯s eyes wavered. That resolute attitude of immediately standing up when told that what he wanted couldn¡¯t be done. The Tower Master began to think that Ethan might really have the ability to revive Prochet. ¡°Then get them and contact me.¡± Noticing this thought, Ethan turned around immediately to not give him time to think. Then came the Tower Master¡¯s urgent cry. ¡°No! No! I¡¯ll get them right away. I¡¯ll get them immediately and prepare for the ritual.¡± Ethan, who had reached the door, slightly paused his step. Then, turning just his upper body slightly, he looked at the Tower Master. ¡°Rubin! Where¡¯s Rubin!¡± ¡°Yes, Tower Master!¡± ¡°Prepare the sparkling agate powder immediately! Take out the fairy wings we stored in the warehouse and pack them well!¡± ¡°What? Sparkling agate powder?¡± ¡°Go to Duke Felix¡¯s territory and mention my name! Find Archmage Hansen and tell him I¡¯ll settle the debt I owe him if he gives it to us!¡± The Felix ducal family was the foremost noble family in the south, belonging to the Twelve Stars Families. When the sparkling agate powder was mentioned, Ethan inwardly smiled. That agate powder was the most crucial material for the ancient spirit contract ritual. ¡®When that powder is processed, it bes the highest grade magic material, the Philosopher¡¯s Stone.¡¯ The Tower Master, who had been speaking urgently, took a deep breath and looked at Ethan again. ¡°This should cover the materials needed for the ritual.¡± ¡°I seem to have been too hasty. I apologize.¡± Ethan naturally turned back and sat down in the chair again. ¡°To revive Prochet, we need full support, Tower Master.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll provide it. However, this Magic Tower is not my personal property. All magese together to form the Magic Tower. I merely y the role of captain.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying we need to persuade them.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll persuade them, so please give me some time.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll go myself. Please guide me.¡± *** ¡°What? What do you mean¡­ Tower Master. No matter what, how many of these people havee so far!¡± The Vice Tower Master burst out in anger. Chortec, the Vice Tower Master of this Prochet spirit mage tower. Having been with the Tower Master for a long time, he had witnessed all the ups and downs of this spirit mage tower. Even after Prochet territory had fallen into this state, he hadn¡¯t left and had tried his best to revive it somehow. However, those efforts always failed. There were many trash-like people who tried to exploit this deadnd in any way they could. That¡¯s why the Vice Tower Master couldn¡¯t help but be more sensitive. ¡°Watch your words, Vice Tower Master! This person is our Roanna¡¯s teacher! And he¡¯s the one who will revive Prochet!¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± Not knowing this, the Vice Tower Master was momentarily flustered. ¡°Roanna¡¯s teacher¡­? Could it be, the one Roanna talks about every day¡­?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Whiskers.¡± Ethan extended his hand. Bewildered, the Vice Tower Master took Ethan¡¯s hand. He had just treated this Ethan as a con artist. Although he should be quite upset, Ethan was wearing a very kind expression. Chortec looked into Ethan¡¯s eyes. Looking at those hazy eyes, he simply couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°It¡¯s natural for the Vice Tower Master to be distrustful. How many con artists must there have been until now? How many of those bastards approached, iming they would revive the deadnd, only to suck out what they could and run away?¡± Ethan firmly grasped the back of the Vice Tower Master¡¯s hand with his other hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m different from those bastards.¡± A teacher from the prestigious Ivecar Academy. And realizing that this Ethan before him was the one Roanna had praised so much, the Vice Tower Master¡¯s hardened expression began to soften gradually. -Reputation takes effect. ¡°I believe that someone with such a great reputation wouldn¡¯t speak carelessly. I spoke too rudely. Please forgive me.¡± The Vice Tower Master bowed his head. As the reputation Ethan had built up so far worked together with his background, the Vice Tower Master¡¯s suspicionpletely vanished. ¡®This is the taste.¡¯ If Ethan didn¡¯t have high reputation and a solid background, it would have taken quite a long time just to start talking and get permission. ¡°But¡­ may I ask why you¡¯vee to help us? Perhaps because of Roanna¡­?¡± ¡°No. Of course, Roanna is an excellent student. I see she¡¯s been training hard even during the vacation, judging by her white gloves being dirty.¡± For a moment, the Tower Master¡¯s eyebrows twitched. He had noticed even such a trivial detail? ¡°Indeed¡­ you are a true teacher.¡± ¡°I came here for the ritual that has been passed down through generations in Prochet. To contract with an ancient spirit.¡± ¡°An ancient spirit? Isn¡¯t that just from legends? Did youe all this way for that legendary story?¡± The Vice Tower Master wore a bewildered expression. He had thought Ethan would propose something tremendous. Reviving thisnd was no easy task. But an ancient spirit? Suddenly, the Vice Tower Master¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°You¡¯re asking us to¡­ realize a legendary story. In exchange for reviving thisnd.¡± Thinking about it differently, he could understand. Ethan¡¯s proposal was indeed tremendous. Wasn¡¯t he asking to make the impossible possible? ¡°That¡¯s impossible¡­¡± ¡°The Tower Master also said it was impossible to revive thisnd.¡± Ethan said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll make it possible. So please help ensure that the ancient ritual can be carried out properly.¡± ¡°We will. We¡¯ll definitely do it. So please save our Prochet.¡± Ethan nodded at those words. ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± An impossible task. But you never know until you try. -You have received a quest! -This is an extremely difficult grade quest. Be careful! *** ¡°It started with the previous Tower Master. The previous Tower Master was an excellent spirit mage and mage who had even contracted with a Spirit King.¡± The Tower Master exined why Prochet had be a deadnd. The previous Tower Master, skilled enough to contract with a Spirit King, was the one who created Prochet¡¯s golden age. ¡°But his greed was excessive. The previous Tower Master, that is, my grandfather, tried to contract with other Spirit Kings as well.¡± However, problems arose in that process. ¡°He forcibly tried to open the door to the Spirit Realm and contract with a Spirit King, but unfortunately, the demon realm caught wind of it. Demons interfered with the ritual, and the power that should have opened the Spirit Realm ended up opening the door to the demon realm.¡± Countless demons and devil races poured out from the opened door to the demon realm. ¡°It was truly a hellscape.¡± The Tower Master shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re probably wondering. How does the Prochet territory look intact after such an incident?¡± The Tower Master exined. The Spirit King was the one who handled all of that situation. ¡°Originally, Spirit Kings rarely contract with humans. But my grandfather had exceptional spirit affinity. That¡¯s why the Spirit King made an exception. Despite opposition from other high-ranking spirits, he contracted with my grandfather.¡± And the result of that was the current Prochet. ¡°The Spirit King was severely injured. And dering that he would never contract with humans again, he absorbed all the spirit power from thisnd and disappeared.¡± Prochet, stripped of its spirit power and life force, truly became a deadnd. As if by magic, all spirits stopped visiting this ce. This was the reason for Prochet¡¯s downfall. The previous Tower Master, who had caused this situation, eventually passed away after a lingering illness, and his son, who should have be the next Tower Master, also died soon after. Thus, his grandson, the current Tower Master, took on the role. At first, he tried everything to revive Prochet. But after tasting despair due to various con artists, he eventually gave up. Then, Roanna was born with insane talent. From that point, he began to reconsider the revival of Prochet, which he had once abandoned, in a corner of his mind. ¡°I want to be a father my daughter can be proud of. I think all the mages in the Magic Tower feel the same way. We hope that Roanna, who came to us like a blessing, won¡¯t be held back by us.¡± Roanna grew up receiving education from her father, the Prochet Tower Master, as well as various mages and spirit mages of the Magic Tower. That¡¯s why everyone in the Magic Tower was Roanna¡¯s teacher, and they cherished her immensely. That¡¯s why they hoped this ce wouldn¡¯t be an obstacle for her. They hoped it would be a ce that could support her with everything when she needed strength. -You have obtained information about the quest. -Clear the quest based on this information. ¡®The goal of this revival quest is to revive thend. To do that, I need to find the Spirit King who absorbed everything and left.¡¯ However, that Spirit King, having lost all trust in humans, was in a ce humans couldn¡¯t find. ¡®After finding the Spirit King through all sorts of methods, I need to heal him.¡¯ The quest¡¯s clear condition seemed simple, but resolving the prerequisites before that was extremely difficult. It wasn¡¯t an extremely difficult grade for nothing. ¡®But I already know the method.¡¯ Ethan can clear this incredibly difficult quest using a method different from what he previously knew. ¡®The existing method is too difficult.¡¯ Even knowing the clear method, it was quite hard to progress to questpletion. But the method Ethan is now envisioning is much easierpared to the existing one. ¡®One is the New World.¡¯ And the other one was right where Ethan¡¯s gaze was falling. ¡°You¡¯ve been doing well, Roanna.¡± It was Roanna.Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 170: Revival of Prochet Roanna greeted Ethan with a bright smile upon his visit. ¡°Yes, teacher! I¡¯ve been working hard. I need to be your teaching assistant next semester, after all. Since I¡¯ve already made a mistake with you once, I thought I should work hard to change my image!¡± Roanna had been practicing every day without fail for the next semester. She was growing rapidly, not only studying theory but also practical applications, dabbling in various fields such as herbology and spirit studies. And all of this was to ensure she could be apetent assistant in Ethan¡¯s ss. The Ethan that Roanna saw was an incredible person. In just one semester, he had surpassed not only the new teachers but even udie Hyde, who was said to be the most outstanding among the existing teachers. Moreover, after defeating the Swordsmanship Department, he also bested a teacher from the Magic Department, so it was clear that Ethan would shine even brighter in the second semester. To avoid any criticism while working as Ethan¡¯s assistant, she needed to have solid skills.Above all, Roanna hadn¡¯t forgotten Ethan¡¯s br¨¹le. The br¨¹le Ethan taught her was truly amazing. She was still researching the br¨¹le, and the deeper she delved, the more she realized how remarkable Ethan¡¯s modified br¨¹le was. The fact that he had simply taught her such a br¨¹le meant that Ethan must have something even more powerful. Such difficult and challenging things to learn always made Roanna¡¯s heart race. Since she first learned magic, nothing had been difficult for Roanna. The magic she learned from the mages of the Magic Tower and her father, the Prochet Tower Master, initially intrigued Roanna, but became easier as time passed. Her talent grew and heightened day by day, but there was a limit to what the mages of the Magic Tower could teach her. Because of this, she had been unsatisfied. So when she entered the academy, she had quite high expectations. As she had hoped, the teachers at the academy gave quite interesting lessons. But that didn¡¯tst long. In less than a year, Roanna lost interest in the teachers¡¯ lessons. They were all things she already knew. Nothing but uninteresting things. However, Ethan¡¯s br¨¹le was different. It satisfied her unfulfilled desires. ¡®Her eyes are sparkling.¡¯ Ethan read the look in Roanna¡¯s eyes. A gaze full of considerable expectation. ¡®Roanna has a great thirst for knowledge. Since her talent is so immense, she learns anything quickly.¡¯ It could be called a thirst for knowledge. She had a desire to keep learning something, but she wasn¡¯t satisfied because she learned everything too easily. ¡®She must have been quite satisfied after tasting the br¨¹le. Of course. It was originally something Roanna researched and created. It¡¯s bound to be satisfying.¡¯ ??????§£?¡ì So by now, she must be expecting something new again. And Ethan could fulfill that. ¡®Originally, it¡¯s difficult to use Roanna in this quest to revive Prochet. There¡¯s no rtionship in the current situation, and Roanna isn¡¯t a particrly cooperative character.¡¯ However, Ethan had been building a rtionship with Roanna since the academy. Roanna would likely believe and follow most of what he said. ¡°Roanna, I¡¯vee to restore this Prochet to its original state.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°And I need your help for that.¡± Roanna, who looked perplexed at Ethan¡¯s words, soon opened her mouth. ¡°Um, to be honest, it¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t tried.¡± Roanna had also given a lot of thought to how to revive this Prochet. She had actually tried various magic spells to gather the spirits again. But they all failed. ¡°Do you have a method? If so, I¡¯ll help as much as I can! I¡¯m the prospective assistant for Teacher Ethan¡¯s ss, after all!¡± Roanna showed an enthusiastic attitude. ¡®Good.¡¯ If he could get Roanna¡¯s help, this quest wouldn¡¯t be too difficult to start. *** ¡°It¡¯s here.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± The ce Ethan led Roanna to was the forest in front of the Prochet domain. This was where the tower of the Prochet spirit mage used to be, but now that the spirits have left, no one lives here. Because of this, the forest had grown thick without human touch, but due to theck of vitality, it was closer to a lifeless gray forest. ¡°Why did wee here?¡± ¡°Because the Spirit King is here.¡± The Spirit King didn¡¯t run far away. ¡®It¡¯s been here all along.¡¯ Of course, it¡¯s not in the human world. It¡¯s recuperating in another dimension. ¡®At first, I thought it had definitely gone far away, so I went to the ends of the earth in all directions.¡¯ It was truly a great waste of effort. Roanna looked puzzled at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°You say the Spirit King is here. Father said he had already gone far away¡­¡± ¡°But he¡¯s definitely here. He didn¡¯t go far away.¡± ¡°How did youe to know this, teacher?¡± Roanna¡¯s eyes lit up. It wasn¡¯t an interrogative tone, but rather one of admiration and respect. Ethan looked at Roanna and spoke briefly. ¡°I found out while looking for reference materials for the ss. Today, I actually came to find reference materials. For the spirit studies ss, that is.¡± ¡°As expected, you¡¯re amazing, teacher! To be so sincere about educating your students like this.¡± Roanna eximed with sparkling eyes. ¡°This is advanced learning, Roanna.¡± Ethan grinned as he looked at Roanna. Ethan approached the entrance of the cave. Then he stopped in front of the cave entrance and drew his sword. Tap tap-. After checking various spots on the ground with his foot, he thrust the sword into the ground. Shaaaa-! The cold energy emitted by the Frost Sword spread around. Crumble-. Crumble rumble rumble-! At the same time, the cave entrance began to copse, and a new door was created. ¡°What on earth is this¡­?!¡± A surprised Roanna asked Ethan. Yet she couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the magic unfolding on the door. Inside this door is where the Spirit King is hiding. ¡®The problem is that to reach there, we need to ovee numerous traps.¡¯ And another problem is that these traps are not just ordinary traps, but ones imbued with magical power. If not careful, one could be exiled right away. And if exiled, one can never enter this ce again. ¡®If that happens, the quest is essentially over. There¡¯s absolutely no way to start again unless you restart MePan entirely.¡¯ ¡°So this is why you called it advanced learning.¡± ¡°It will be quite difficult. But don¡¯t worry. Advanced learning means I¡¯ll help you with your study.¡± And the more difficult it is, the more Roanna can show off her talent to the fullest. ¡®The magic at the entrance is the easiest. It gets progressively harder as you go in.¡¯ Of course, even the magic spread on that door, which is said to be the easiest, objectively requires at least 5th circle magic to solve. ¡®My mana is too low right now to dismantle the magic circle.¡¯ So Roanna will take on the role of dismantling. And Ethan nned to take the lead in progression. Ethan gestured, and Roanna stood in front of the door. Her eyes were spinning. She was quickly interpreting the magic. But Ethan had no intention of leaving the interpretation to her. ¡°Roanna.¡± Roanna, who had been concentrating, looked at Ethan with curious eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to break your concentration, but there¡¯s no need for interpretation.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± He clearly said it was advanced learning. Moreover, he said that to reach where the Spirit King is, they need to ovee numerous magic spells. If so, it would mean he¡¯s leaving the dismantling and interpretation to her. ¡°I¡¯ll do the interpretation.¡± ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re going to do the interpretation, teacher?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll ask you to do the dismantling.¡± ¡°B-but.¡± Roanna said. ¡°You¡¯re a teacher from the Swordsmanship Department, aren¡¯t you?¡± Of course, Roanna knows best that Ethan has remarkable magical knowledge. How else could he havee up with such an amazing magic like br¨¹le without magical ability? But interpretation and dismantling were different matters. There are a total of six magic spells cast on this door. Moreover, they¡¯re intertwined, so if not careful, an explosion could ur. ¡°Leave it to me. It might take some time, but I should be able to solve it within ten days at most.¡± But she was confident. The difficulty level was high, but that made her burn even more. Ethan gave a kind smile to the enthusiastic girl. Then he carefully observed the magical door and took out a parchment from his chest. Scribble scribble-. With a scratching sound, Ethan began to write relentlessly. Without stopping even once, Ethan filled the parchment and took out another one. This time too, Ethan didn¡¯t stop. After writing three parchments like that, Ethan handed them to Roanna. ¡°You can dismantle it based on this, Roanna.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Roanna, who momentarily looked perplexed, examined the handed parchments. ¡°Oh my.¡± And she was shocked. More than shocked, her two hands holding the parchments were trembling. ¡°This¡­ this is the interpretation of the magic cast on that door, isn¡¯t it?!¡± Roanna¡¯s voice was also trembling. At least ten days. If it took a bit more time, maybe three more days. It was certainly magic that would take that much time. But to interpret the magic in such a short time and provide an interpretation that could dismantle it? Moreover, aren¡¯t there six magic spells cast on that door? ¡°Even if the six magic spells were just there, it would take more time to write an interpretation¡­¡± If Roanna had been a slightly more aggressive student, she might have cursed here. ¡°How did you do this¡­?¡± Ethan patted the shoulders of the surprised Roanna. ¡°This much is basic to be a teacher, Roanna. Now it¡¯s your turn.¡± Roanna¡¯s eyes wavered. Now her pupils lookedpletely like question marks. ¡°To think this is basic¡­¡± If this was the basic condition to be a teacher, she decided that she must definitely be a teacherter. ¡°I¡¯ll watch from the side, so just deactivate the magic on the door ording to the interpretation.¡± Even with the interpretation, dismantling is not an easy task. Since mana must be utilized precisely without any error, it was virtually impossible to dismantle without excellent mana control ability. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± Roanna stretched out her hand and moved her mana. Click-! A sound like a lock being unlocked kepting. ¡®As expected.¡¯ Roanna¡¯s skills were top-tier even among the students of Ivecar Academy. ¡®There¡¯s no student topare her with. Evenpared to the teachers, Roanna¡¯s talent and growth potential are superior.¡¯ Ethan looked at Roanna with contentment. Now that such a Roanna hadpletelye to this side, Ivecar¡¯s name could be firmly imprinted at the academy exchange festival. Shaaaa-! Crumble rumble-. As all the installed magic was deactivated, the door slowly opened. ¡°¡­¡± When the magic was really all deactivated and the door opened, Roanna looked at Ethan with surprised eyes. A face that didn¡¯t know what to do. There was no part for Roanna to interpret separately. She just did exactly as written on the parchment. ¡°Excellent, Roanna. You¡¯re the most outstanding student I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± The excellent one is not herself. ¡°L-let¡¯s go together, teacher!¡± Roanna recalled what others always said when they looked at her, and now she could understand. This was what overwhelming talent looked like.Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 171: How Are You Solving This? The inside of the door was a strange ce. It was a straight space like a pce corridor, but numerous magic spells were installed along that straight path. ¡°Wow¡­¡± They were just in a barren forest, but Roanna hadn¡¯t expected such a ce to exist beyond the door. It was truly like another world, and Roanna looked around here and there like a child, marveling at it. Of course, she didn¡¯t move carelessly. ¡°We need to be careful, Roanna. You know that without me telling you, right?¡± There are many magic spells installed here to deal with intruders. If you move even a little recklessly, those magic spells will activate immediately. ¡°Yes, I know. But what exactly is this ce? Did the Spirit King create this? To prevent anyone froming?¡±Roanna asked, looking at the magic spells spread out everywhere. They were highly advanced magic traps that, if one was activated, would immediately trigger numerous other connected magic spells. It was an extremely dangerous space where even a small mistake could cost one¡¯s life. ¡°That¡¯s probably part of the reason.¡± ¡°I guess so¡­ After all, my great-grandfather did such a thing. I can understand if he became disgusted with humans.¡± But these weren¡¯t simply magic spells to prevent human approach. ¡®Originally, the wounds should have healed long ago. He is the Spirit King, after all.¡¯ Yet there was a reason why he still couldn¡¯t move from this ce. ¡®It¡¯s a stigma. A stigma left by the Demon Realm Grand Duke who escaped from the Demon Realm.¡¯ The strongest among the demons who escaped at that time was the Demon Realm Grand Duke. The Spirit King was wounded while trying to banish the Demon Realm Archduke back to the Demon Realm, and that wound was a kind of stigma. ¡®It¡¯s a mark left behind with a promise of revenge someday. That¡¯s why the Spirit King has made such excessive preparations to prevent demons from finding him.¡¯ So he installed high-level magic to prevent humans and demons from finding him. Ethan calmly activated the Eye of Horus. The journey to the Spirit King¡¯s dwelling was extremely treacherous. But seeing Roanna dismantle the magic at the entrance gave him confidence. ¡®Her potential is indeed remarkable.¡¯ The current Roanna is not the Roanna that Ethan saw in MePan at that point in time. In other words, her skills are naturally lower than at that point, but even with those lower skills, she dismantled the magic installed by the Spirit King. ¡®And in less than 10 minutes at that.¡¯ Even with the interpretation provided by Ethan, this was no easy feat. Roanna was indeed the definite key to this task. ¡°But will the Spirit King listen to us?¡± Roanna asked. ¡°He probably won¡¯t. But we can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing. Only the Spirit King can restore Prochet.¡± ¡°¡­Then what should we do?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to go and persuade him.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Roanna looked at the inner part beyond. Numerous magic traps installed on the way there. The magic traps installed inside were much more difficult to dismantle than those at the entrance. ¡°To persuade him, we need to go where the Spirit King is¡­ but can we get there? Teacher, this seems a bit difficult.¡± Difficult. Hard. These were all unfamiliar words to Roanna. Especially when it came to magic. For her, there was no such thing as difficult or hard magic. ¡°You¡¯re right, Roanna. These are not easy magic spells.¡± ¡°Right? Then should we retreat for now¡­ I¡¯ll talk to the mages at the Magic Tower. I¡¯ll tell them there¡¯s such a ce here and ask for help. If we all interpret and dismantle the magic together, we should be able to get inside quickly.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not like you, Roanna. Faced with a difficult problem, you¡¯re thinking about giving up rather than trying to solve it somehow.¡± Roanna¡¯s smile cracked slightly at Ethan¡¯s words. ¡°I understand well why you¡¯vee to think that way.¡± ¡°¡­¡± At the academy, Roanna was a student who became more motivated the more difficult the problem at hand. It wasn¡¯t just her natural personality; many of the students at Ivecar knew about Roanna¡¯s family situation, so for the honor of the Prochet Magic Tower, she couldn¡¯t show any signs of backing down. That¡¯s why she could be more enthusiastic and take the lead. But it was different here. The problem of the Prochet Magic Tower was too difficult. It wasn¡¯t something she could solve even with her outstanding talent. As a result, she inevitably showed a quite different sidepared to when she was at Ivecar Academy. ¡°I¡¯ll watch over you. Don¡¯t worry. There¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t do. If you fail, you can try again. As long as you don¡¯t give up, it¡¯s not a failure but a process.¡± Roanna¡¯s expression wavered at those words. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s fail, Roanna. Among numerous failures, you only need to seed once. You just need to build on that one sess.¡± ¡°Is it really okay if I fail?¡± ¡°Of course. Who would expect perfection from a student? Though if we fail, we might both die, but don¡¯t worry about that.¡± ¡°What? Are you sure it¡¯s okay not to worry¡­?¡± Without answering, Ethan immediately took out a parchment. As he wrote the interpretation, he asionally exined to Roanna about the magic spells in front of them. ¡°You see that magic up there? That¡¯s a repetition circle. It has the effect of reviving the magic after a certain time even if someone dismantles it.¡± This repetition circle was the core magic of this space. Therefore, this magic should be dismantled first, but that was virtually impossible. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ll just leave it be. If there¡¯s a problem that¡¯s difficult to solve, let¡¯s just leave it for now. Don¡¯t mind it, be bold.¡± Roanna nodded. These were things she couldn¡¯t learn at the Magic Tower or the academy. ¡°The repetition circle¡¯s role is to restore the magic after time passes. We just need to pass through before it restores the magic.¡± ¡°!¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Roanna looked at him with anxious eyes. ¡°I can continue dismantling. Handling mana is my specialty. But¡­ that means you¡¯ll have to interpret the magic non-stop¡­¡± Leaving the repetition circle as it was meant putting a time limit on interpreting and dismantling the magic. Numerous magic spells were spread out all the way to the end, and they had to interpret and break through all of them in a short time. ¡°Roanna, remember one thing. You can¡¯t grow without taking risks.¡± Ethan said this as he handed her a sheet of parchment. ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡± Scratch-. Scratch-. Ethan began analyzing the magic even faster than at the entrance. And Roanna, who received the parchment with the interpretation written on it, immediately began the dismantling work. Roanna frowned slightly. ¡®He¡¯s gotten even faster.¡¯ Ethan¡¯s analysis speed was much faster than what she had seen at the entrance. It almost looked as if he understood and broke down the magic the moment he saw it, writing down the form. ¡®There must be many difficult parts.¡¯ Roanna was confident in her own skills. But it was difficult to understand at a nce the magic spells installed beyond there. ¡®To break down magic, you need to understand the form.¡¯ It takes looking at it several times and calcting in your head a few times to understand just one form. ¡®It¡¯s as if he already knows everything¡­¡¯ ¡°Roanna.¡± ¡°Ah, yes!¡± This was no time to be thinking about other things. She needed to concentrate. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with Ethan¡¯s speed. *** It was a ce filled with green. Trees and flowers were everywhere like a forest. Clouds were floating on the ceiling as if it were a real sky. In the center of it all was the Spirit King. A muscr body, white hair that reached down to his back. On his face, which looked quite aged, a white beard hung quite long. Tror, the Earth Spirit King. He had his hand on his aching side and his eyes closed. ¡°They¡¯ve managed to find me.¡± Shaaaa-. In front of him was an installed artifact. It was a kind of projector artifact showing those who had entered inside. It showed the figures of Ethan and Roanna. ¡°I didn¡¯t think humans would find me. I thought it would be those demon bastards, but it¡¯s really humans.¡± Seeing that they dismantled the magic at the entrance and came in, they seemed skilled. But they probably won¡¯t be able to advance any further. ¡°They¡¯ll die not knowing how precious their lives are if they keep moving forward.¡± He still had ill feelings towards humans. ¡°Damn that bastard. I never thought the one I personally chose after filtering through numerous candidates would do such a thing.¡± Throb throb. Every time he was filled with anger, his wound throbbed. To think that he, called the king of spirits, had to hide in a ce like this and recuperate. Moreover, despite recuperating for quite a long time, there was no sign of the wound healing. ¡°This is no way for a Spirit King to be.¡± Tror looked at his side. There was a stigma imprinted there. This was a stigma of defeat. The crime of misjudging a human. It was the result of taking on all the crimesmitted by that human. ¡°I can¡¯t ask the other Spirit Kings for help either.¡± Although they¡¯re called Spirit Kings, they have no interaction and have never met. As the Earth Spirit King, he could only meet spirits of the earth. But he couldn¡¯t meet those spirits either. Because he had a stigma on him. ¡°Sigh.¡± Trory back. He closed his eyes and focused on circting the energy in his body. Recovery was the priority. Although it was a wound that didn¡¯t heal well, it wouldn¡¯t never heal. Once he erased the stigma and healed the wound, he nned to cross over to the Spirit Realmpletely and never return. Ding-! At that moment, a sound came from the projector artifact. ¡°What?¡± The two people he thought would be dead were moving. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the magic have activated?¡± Tror gestured, and the projector artifact immediately flew in front of him. ¡°What, what are they doing now?¡± The two humans were advancing. Of course, their destination would be this ce where he was. ¡°¡­Are they solving the magic?¡± Tror narrowed his eyes and looked closely. Shaaaa-. The two humans took another step forward. ¡°They¡¯re solving it.¡± Moreover, their speed was incredibly fast. ¡°They¡¯re advancing like that without touching the repetition circle? Impossible. How can humans do this?¡± Surely they must be demons. Tror put his hand on the projector artifact. It was to observe the two more closely. ¡°They¡¯re humans. And young humans at that! How can humans of that age have such skills?¡± Moreover, one of them wasn¡¯t even an adult by human standards. The Spirit King observed how they were breaking down the magic and advancing. ¡°¡­¡± The key was that human male. That human male was quickly analyzing the magic. And based on that analysis, the human female was breaking it down. Tror looked at the human male. He looked like he had just be an adult, but something was strange. ¡°He¡¯s not in his normal state.¡± Hecked something that ordinary humans should have. ¡°He has no mana either. But how? Those magic spells aren¡¯t something that can be easily solved.¡± Even as the Spirit King was surprised, the two humans quickly advanced forward. They were already halfway through the entrance path. ¡°Impressive skills. But¡­ that will be the end.¡± The Spirit King had installed magic much more powerful andplex than the magic installed earlier in the middle of that entrance path. ¡°In the middle and at the end, there¡¯s magic much moreplex than the magic installed earlier.¡± That magic belonged to the category of great magic even among spirit magic. As the Spirit King had expected, they stopped in the center. ¡°And when they stop, the repetition circle will activate.¡± The magic will be restored immediately in the ce where they are standing. ¡°As soon as the magic is restored, it will activate.¡± That¡¯s the end. If they wanted to survive from here, the only option was to quickly turn back and run away. ¡°Yes¡­ they should run away¡­ Huh? Advancing? They¡¯re advancing?¡± The Spirit King pressed his face against the projector artifact. ¡°What is this?¡± The human male who had advanced slightly stood for a moment observing, then began to write something on the parchment without hesitation. Tror erged the human male¡¯s parchment. Shaaaa-. ¡°He¡¯s solving it, he¡¯s solving it. This great magic¡­ he¡¯s solving it right there after just looking at it!¡± It was something that overturned all themon sense he had held until now. ¡°How are you solving this! You human!¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 172: Spirit King Tror Ethan and Roanna¡¯s work was well-coordinated. Roanna¡¯s deconstruction speed far exceeded what Ethan had anticipated. ¡®She¡¯s growing rapidly.¡¯ As she dismantled each spell, she showed growth that amazed Ethan. Her sense in understanding and utilizing the interpretation Ethan provided was remarkable. ¡®No wonder no one could touch her at the academy.¡¯ Prestigious academies like Ivecar are tiger¡¯s dens. Just as Ethan was targeted by noble students as soon as he entered his first ss, there¡¯s a clear hierarchy among students. ¡®There must be no student who doesn¡¯t know about Prochet.¡¯ They gather information to create a hierarchy among students somehow.And with that collected information, they determine the pecking order. The Prochet domain, famous for being the only spirit mage tower in the south. But the only daughter of the domain that was ruined because of that very spirit mage tower. ¡®Perfect prey.¡¯ But who is Roanna? Roanna was a mage with talent said to be no less than Yerica¡¯s. ¡®Their fields are slightly different. Some might rate Roanna¡¯s talent much higher than Yerica¡¯s.¡¯ One thing was certain: both seemed to have no limit to their growth potential. With such skills, who could look down on Roanna at the academy? Even if her domain had fallen, her personal abilities were like this. ¡®Of course, those who would look down on her would still try. But they couldn¡¯t touch someone evaluated as a pir of the Magic Department¡¯s golden age.¡¯ It could be said that Professor Duty deserves great credit for recognizing and nurturing Roanna¡¯s talent. Despite Roanna¡¯s rapidly increasing skills, she couldn¡¯t help but be astonished by the magic before her eyes. ¡°My goodness.¡± Roanna unconsciously opened her mouth. While speed was crucial in dismantling magic circles, she couldn¡¯t help but pause before the magic in front of her. ¡°How on earth is this magic installed? I can¡¯t even tell where it begins.¡± ¡®Here ites.¡¯ Exactly halfway. This could be considered the second gateway. ¡®The first gateway was the entrance. The second gateway is the middle of this path, right here.¡¯ After passing this point, only the third and final gateway connecting directly to where the Spirit King is located remains. ¡°Phew.¡± Ethan took a calm deep breath. It¡¯s a magic he already knows. However, this magic was one where the magic circle itself changes as if it were alive. Shaaak- Click! The magic circle transformed with a mechanical sound. And 10 secondster, it transformed again. Of course, upon close inspection, there was a kind of pattern, but at first nce, it showed seemingly random changes. That¡¯s why the Spirit King had set it up as the second gateway. ¡°It keeps changing¡­ How on earth are we supposed to solve this¡­?¡± Roanna gritted her teeth at this form of magic she had never seen before. Since joining Ethan, she often felt like a beginner again. At that moment, a ticking sound reached both their ears. It was the sound of the repetition array starting to operate. If they dawdled here, all the magic they had dismantled so far would be restored. ¡°Teacher?¡± Quick decisions were needed at times like this. There would always be another chance next time. But Ethan was preparing to break through this ever-changing magic circle. ¡°Roanna, prepare to break the technique.¡± At those words, Roanna clenched her teeth. If the teacher judged that he could solve it, she had to make sure to fulfill her role in the dismantling. ¡°Yes!¡± The magic of the second gateway continually changes its structure. However, in the very brief moment when that structure changes, for less than 0.5 seconds, the coreposing the magic is revealed. ? They needed to break through that core. ¡°Focus on the flow of mana. In a constantly changing magic, there exists a core. We need to catch that core. For a very brief moment, the center that oversees the magic¡¯s changes is exposed. Don¡¯t look with your eyes, feel the flow.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Roanna closed her eyes. And she directed all her senses towards the magic in front of her. ¡°Let it flow.¡± As soon as the words left his mouth, Roanna channeled mana into the magic circle. ¡°Control the flow, shatter the magic circle.¡± Kwaaak-! A momentary disturbance urred in the changing magic. Roanna hadpletely grasped the feeling. There was no need for Ethan to speak anymore. Roanna¡¯s mana had already permeated the magic circle. The flow and subtle control were entirely Roanna¡¯s responsibility now. Click-! For an instant. The core of the magic circle was revealed, and Roanna didn¡¯t miss that timing. The flow of mana struck the core of the magic circle directly. Dismantle. As the core was dismantled, the magic circle¡¯s changes stopped. And then. Crumble- Pueeong-! With a thunderous sound, the magic circle copsed. Simultaneously, the path that had been blocked by magic opened up. ¡°Huff Roanna, who had shown incredible concentration in such a short time, was drenched in sweat. Ethan praised her. ¡°Well done.¡± At Ethan¡¯s praise, Roanna nkly stared at her own hands. Something tingled from her toes to the crown of her head, as if electricity had passed through her. ¡°It worked, Teacher.¡± Roanna looked at Ethan with a bright smile. ¡°I¡¯ll never doubt your words again, Teacher.¡± -Your survival probability has slightly increased! *** Tror continued to watch the two humans with his arms crossed. ¡°To think they¡¯d break through that in such a short time.¡± That magic isn¡¯t something that can be solved so easily. After all, would he have set up magic that could be solved from where he was sitting? ¡°My life depends on this. It¡¯s not something that can be broken through so easily. How on earth in such a short time¡­¡­¡± Tror was currently injured. If he were to be attacked in this state, he would have no choice but to die. ¡°Just who are these two humans? Why are they looking for me?¡± By this point, he was curious. Why these two humans, who defiedmon sense, were trying to find him. He was curious about the purpose of these two humans who were dismantling the best magic he had set up and advancing without hesitation. ¡°Are they thinking¡­ of killing me for sure.¡± If that was the reason, he wouldn¡¯t sit still and let himself be killed. ¡°Is it revenge?¡± Perhaps they could be here to take revenge for the only contractor he had abandoned and left behind. If not that, they could be humans endowed with demon power. ¡°But I don¡¯t sense any demonic energy.¡± Various spections crossed Tror¡¯s mind, but he couldn¡¯t quite figure it out. Zzzzzzzz-! The spirit artifacts rang once again. It was already thest gateway. Before Tror could even respond, thest gateway was dismantled by the hands of the two humans. Now there was nothing visible on the spirit artifacts. At the same time, the spirit artifacts turned offpletely. Kugugugung-! A thunderous sound arose. Tror turned his head towards the direction of the sound. In the empty space where there had been nothing, a ck line in the shape of a rectangle was drawn, gradually transforming into something like a door. Eventually, the formed door slowly began to open. They were two incredibly young humans. A slender young human man slowly came forward. The human woman stood slightly behind the human man. ¡°Greetings, Spirit King.¡± Ethan slightly bowed his head to the Spirit King in greeting. ¡°¡­Let me ask you one thing, humans. Did youe to kill me?¡± ¡°If we hade to kill you, we would have already charged in swinging a sword imbued with the Elemental yer attribute.¡± The Elemental yer was an attribute that could deal great damage to spirits. As Ethan said these frightening words with a smiling face, the Spirit King, still unable to fully grasp the situation, narrowed his eyes slightly. Roanna, standing behind Ethan, was looking at Tror with wide eyes, unable to hide her curiosity and wonder. While one side couldn¡¯t hide their curiosity and wonder, the thoughts of the other side were impossible to discern. ¡°Then what is it? Why did you seek me out? No, how did you find me¡­ and how did you get here?¡± Tror spoke without pause. ¡°Who are you two?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t answer and approached the Spirit King one step at a time. Although the Spirit King was wary of Ethan, Ethan paid no mind. His attitude suggested that he already knew the Spirit King wouldn¡¯t attack him. ¡°Let¡¯s talk slowly. After closing the door again, that is.¡± *** ¡°So you¡¯re that¡­¡± Tror looked at Roanna with a surprised expression. ¡°Yes, Sloan Prochet, who was Spirit King¡¯s former contractor, is my great-grandfather.¡± ¡°Huh, he was a man of extraordinary talent. It¡¯s a shame that talent wasn¡¯t passed down to his son, which saddened him. It feels like just yesterday. Roanna, was it? Sloan¡¯s talent has been passed down to you intact.¡± In the long history of the Prochet family, Roanna¡¯s great-grandfather, Sloan Prochet, was a mage of great talent. Of course, his end wasn¡¯t particrly good, but his talent was real. ¡°Thank you for thepliment. But¡­ I¡¯d like to apologize first.¡± ¡°No, child. You don¡¯t need to apologize. That was Sloan¡¯s fault, not something for Sloan¡¯s bloodline to apologize for.¡± Tror, who spoke firmly, now looked at Ethan. ¡°And¡­ you said your name was Ethan Whiskers?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tror nodded at Ethan¡¯s answer. ¡°Now I understand why you¡¯vee. You want me to restore the life force to Prochet, which has lost all its vitality, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. Since that incident, Prochet has been on the path of decline. It¡¯s very difficult to survive in the South without any distinguishing features, especially with so manypetitors.¡± Ethan continued calmly. ¡°At this rate, the Prochet family line might be cut off. The very Prochet family that once produced a contractor of the Spirit King.¡± Tror frowned slightly. Although quite some time had passed since then, it was only a long time by human standards. For himself, a Spirit King, it felt as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. ¡°You must know why I reimed all of Prochet¡¯s life force and disappeared, right?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± From Tror¡¯s perspective, it was nothing short of a major betrayal. And now theye asking for the return of what he had taken back? ¡°Then you must also understand how shameless your proposal seems to me.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. After such an incident, asking for the life force to be returned to Prochet, there¡¯s nothing more shameless than that.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Roanna looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression. And so did Tror. ¡°I didn¡¯te here to make a request.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°I came to make a deal.¡± To persuade the Spirit King, one must not appeal to emotions. So, the persuasion is cloaked under the name of a deal. ¡°I will give you what you need most right now, Spirit King.¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 173: Aptitude Check ¡°What I need most? Ethan Whiskers, young human, you look at me with eyes that seem to know everything. Are you really saying you know what I need? And that you can fulfill it? Your words are disrespectful to this Tror, the King of Earth.¡± Ethan¡¯s words provoked the Spirit King¡¯s anger. It was natural. After all, what Ethan said was no different from saying he could do what the Spirit King couldn¡¯t. ¡°I know humans have remarkable potential. I know they have the ability to break through limits endlessly. But you¡¯re incredibly arrogant. Do you think you¡¯ve achieved some great feat just because you dismantled all my magic and reached here?¡± Shaaaaaaak-! The wind blew. At the same time, the ground began to shake violently. Kuguguguk-! As the ground shook, Roanna stumbled forward.In contrast, Ethan, without the slightest tremor, calmly spoke to the Spirit King. ¡°My words seem to have made you ufortable, Spirit King. But I spoke knowing everything.¡± ¡°What?¡± The Spirit King, as if there was nothing more to hear, ced his hand on the ground. At that moment, Ethan spoke again. ¡°The wound on your side, the exile mark preventing your return.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± The Spirit King¡¯s movement stopped right there. ¡°I can heal it for you.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, the Spirit King made an expression of disbelief. ¡°You really can heal this? This?¡± For decades now, he had been trying endlessly. It had been painful days because of this spreading mark. As Ethan asserted that he could heal it, Tror¡¯s head, which had been filled with anger, began to cool down. The ground¡¯s trembling stopped, and Roanna, who had barely regained her bnce, let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Teacher¡­ that¡¯s too aggressive a persuasion.¡± After confirming Roanna was safe, Ethan turned his head back to look at Tror. ¡°Haven¡¯t you been suffering from that wound for quite a long time since that day?¡± ¡°¡­I have. How do you know about that?¡± ¡°I read ancient documents. They were about the demon realm grand duke. In the process, I learned about the special abilities of the demon realm grand duke.¡± ? Of course, he knew this because he had killed that demon realm grand duke in MePan. As Ethan talked about the demon realm grand duke and their special abilities, Tror¡¯s attitude changedpletely. ¡°You, you know something.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I said it. Let¡¯s make a deal, Spirit King. I¡¯ll heal that wound so you can return to the Spirit Realm. In return, please restore the Prochet domain to its original state. No, if possible¡­¡± Ethan wasn¡¯t satisfied with simply restoring the Prochet domain. ¡®When I cleared the quest in MePan, I barely managed to heal the Spirit King.¡¯ Back then, it ended with just improving the symptoms, not aplete cure. But now it¡¯s different. ¡®I can heal itpletely.¡¯ ¡°Please protect Prochet again.¡± Roanna was even more surprised by Ethan¡¯s bold proposal. To think he would make such a proposal to the Spirit King. ¡°You said you¡¯re the teacher of Roanna over there, right? Then you¡¯re an outsider with no connection to this domain, so why are you making such a proposal?¡± The Spirit King couldn¡¯t understand. This proposal was essentially of little benefit to Ethan. Of course, that was purely the Spirit King¡¯s thought. ¡®If this Prochet bes the only spirit mage tower in the south again, we can link it with our Whiskers domain. We can expand the workshop business even more, and it can be a bridgehead connecting the Whiskers domain and the south.¡¯ For Ethan, who was nning to expand the workshop business, it could only be beneficial in many ways. ¡®It¡¯s creating a definite alliance. An alliance where we don¡¯t have to worry about betrayal.¡¯ That alone was enough reason to help Prochet. ¡®And if I clear the quest perfectly, there will be additional rewards.¡¯ It¡¯s a quest of extreme difficulty, no less. If he manages to heal the Spirit King perfectly, he could receive incredible rewards that he¡¯s never received before. ¡®To clear the quest perfectly, I need to make a big proposal to the Spirit King.¡¯ Ethan wasn¡¯t a person who moved solely out of goodwill. The calctions were already done. ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m Roanna¡¯s teacher. Once I¡¯ve decided to take on a responsibility, I intend to see it through to the end. And for Roanna, who will be the assistant in the next ss, to show her best, it would be best if her family¡¯s problems were resolved.¡± Of course, there was no need to honestly state the original purpose. At Ethan¡¯s words, Roanna looked at him with a moved expression. Her eyes were glistening, as if tears might fall at any moment. ¡°Teacher¡­!¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ You¡¯re a rare human.¡± Tror, also seemingly impressed by Ethan¡¯s answer, uncrossed his arms. His expression suggested he was recalling the past, thinking, ¡°This is why I made a contract with humans.¡± ¡°Alright, fine. Compared to removing this wound, your request isn¡¯t that difficult. For me, it feels like yesterday, but for you humans, quite some time has passed. I can¡¯t pretend everything never happened, but I can let it go.¡± Tror shifted his gaze towards Roanna. Looking at her, he suddenly thought about how short human time really is. Because in Roanna¡¯s face, he saw the face of his first contractor whom he used to curse daily. ¡°But you know, right? To protect thatnd again, I need a contractor.¡± And that contract wasn¡¯t something just anyone could make. ¡°If there¡¯s no one to be a new contractor, I can¡¯t grant your proposal, Ethan Whiskers.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t Roanna right here?¡± It¡¯s a contract with the Spirit King, no less. If the aptitude doesn¡¯t match, there¡¯s a risk that the body won¡¯t be able to handle the power and might go berserk or break down. But Ethan wasn¡¯t too worried. ¡®Roanna should be able to do it.¡¯ Although he had no experience contracting with a Spirit King and didn¡¯t know how it would turn out, Roanna should be sufficient to contract with the Spirit King. ¡°Then let¡¯s try it first. Are you ready, Roanna Prochet?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ready.¡± Roanna spoke with a tense voice. The Earth Spirit King Tror. The thought of contracting with the Spirit King who had contracted with her great-grandfather Sloan made her feel like she was inheriting a legacy. Shaaak-. As Tror gestured, a magic circle appeared under Roanna¡¯s feet. ¡°Aptitude check.¡± Of course, being Sloan¡¯s bloodline, the aptitude should match. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± But something was strange. ¡°Ipatible.¡± ¡°What?¡± Ethan frowned slightly. He never imagined Roanna would be ipatible. ¡°You¡¯re notpatible with me. You have an affinity for fire and lightning. These are attributes at the opposite end of my spectrum.¡± Tror shook his head. Each person had different aptitudes for different attributes. Because of this, it could be difficult to contract with spirits if the attributes didn¡¯t match. Still, in most cases, contracts should be possible. ¡°Up to greater spirits, contracts can be made even with opposite attributes. The power might be less than when the attributes match well. But I am a Spirit King. Without a definite aptitude, a contract is impossible.¡± In fact, this was part of the reason why he had only contracted with one person. There were hardly any humans in that era who could withstand the power of a mighty Spirit King. Among countless humans, only one. Only Sloan Prochet could contract with Tror, the Earth Spirit King, and use his power. Ethan approached Roanna. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Roanna. Attributes are innate.¡± ¡°My father might be able to do it. He¡¯s closer to my great-grandfather than I am, after all.¡± As Roanna said this with a sigh, the aptitude check magic circle under her feet extended to Ethan. Shaaaak-! Suddenly, the magic circle engraved under Ethan¡¯s feet reacted intensely. ¡°!¡± Seeing this, Tror made a surprised expression. ¡°Ethan Whiskers.¡± Aptitude check. ¡°You possess the aptitude to be my contractor.¡± *** ¡°Hmm.¡± Duke Felix¡¯s. Hansen, known as the Archmage of the South, recalled the mage from the Prochet family who had just left. He was a consulting mage for the duke¡¯s family. Having been with the duke¡¯s family for quite a long time, he could be considered essentially a member of the duke¡¯s family. He was evaluated as one of the powerful pirs of the Twelve Stars Families, Felix. While working as a consulting mage for the duke¡¯s family, he had received help from the Prochet family. It was quite significant help, and he had firmly promised to repay that debt someday. As he couldn¡¯t just make a verbal promise, he also gave a wooden namete containing his mana. Today, the Prochet mage demanded the settlement of that debt with that namete. ¡°It was quite an old debt. But this timing. What are they trying to do, reiming that precious mana powder? Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯re trying to revive that ruinednd now.¡± Hansen couldn¡¯t understand at all. ¡°From the Prochet lord¡¯s perspective, it would be a shame to give up so easily.¡± If pushes to shove, they could use that debt to get some kind of help from Duke Felix¡¯s family and himself. Giving that up meant that Michael Prochet was definitely nning something. ¡°It¡¯s quite intriguing. Very much so.¡± From Hansen¡¯s perspective, Prochet was truly a pitiful ce. He immediately gave orders to his subordinate. ¡°Go to Prochet domain now and check if there¡¯s anything unusual.¡± ¡°Yes! Understood!¡± *** ¡°Me, you say?¡± ¡®I¡¯ve never contracted with a Spirit King before, how could I possibly have the aptitude?¡¯ But there was a concern. Currently, this body is cursed with Extinction. It was clear that not only receiving the mighty power of the Spirit King, but even enduring it would not be easy. ¡°It¡¯s an exact aptitude. Hmm, simr to Sloan¡¯s. This level should be enough to contract with you. Then, centered on you, I¡¯ll be able to protect Prochet again. But there¡¯s a problem.¡± And the Spirit King was aware of that problem too. ¡°You said you¡¯d heal my wound, but you¡¯ve got quite an issue yourself, don¡¯t you?¡± At those words, Ethan just smiled. ¡°They say healers are often bad at healing themselves. I¡¯m exactly that case.¡± ¡°Teacher, are you sick?¡± Roanna looked at Ethan with a worried expression. Ethan nodded. ¡°I¡¯m in a lot of pain. I¡¯m worried about how I¡¯ll teach you all in the second semester.¡± ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± Ethanughed lightly and turned his head. ¡°So is the contract difficult?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not difficult. I just need to bestow abilities that fit your body perfectly. If your body bes stronger than it is now, I can give you that power again then.¡± ¡®It¡¯s a shame I can¡¯t get everything.¡¯ Still, it was an unexpected harvest. Especially Tror, the Earth Spirit King, is a spirit specialized in defense. ¡®It¡¯s easy to use the power of earth for defense, and if necessary, it can be used as a means of attack.¡¯ ¡°Then let¡¯s make the contract right away.¡± ¡°Is it okay if we don¡¯t heal you first?¡± ¡°Without trust between us, nothing can be done. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± At Tror¡¯s words, Ethan also nodded with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the contract then.¡± Shaaaak-. The ground cracked, and then jagged rocks sprang up as if to envelop Ethan¡¯s feet. ¡°I make a new contract.¡± Tror extended his hand towards Ethan. ¡°Ugh.¡± For a moment, Ethan felt a pain as if his forearm was being burned. A diamond-shaped tattoo. It was a mark indicating that the contract had been made. -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [First Spirit Contract] achievement. -You have gained ¡®1¡¯ like! -You have achieved an achievement! -You have acquired likes for achieving the [Spirit King¡¯s Contractor] achievement. -You have gained ¡¯15¡¯ likes! ¡®Holy shit.¡¯ Ethan cursed inwardly for a moment. ¡¯15 likes? The likes I got from hunting an Apostle were 10. As expected, a Spirit King is on a whole different level.¡¯ ¡°Now you have officially be my contractor. From now on, part of my power will reside in you.¡± -You have learned Spirit King Summoning. -Skill Added: Spirit King Summoning (S) ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll show you what that power is.¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! Chapter 174: Ideology (1) ¡°Three times a day. With the spirit power you gained from contracting with me, you¡¯ll be able to use my power three times a day even without mana.¡± The Spirit King released energy towards Ethan. It was a powerful attack that would have caused serious injury if not avoided. But before Ethan could dodge, an earthen wall automatically rose up in front of him. ¡°Automatic defense.¡± The earthen wall that blocked the attack crumbled away. ¡°A fairly durable earth shield will protect you.¡± After finishing his words, Tror immediately scraped his foot slightly. Then he stepped forward a bit. Whoosh-! Tror¡¯s form, which had been right beside him until just now, was instantly far away.¡°Earth Slide. From now on, the ground is entirely your domain. As it should be for the contractor of me, Tror.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t hide his admiration for the speed he had shown. Tror, who had gone far away, was suddenly back at his side. It was a speed almost indistinguishable from teleportation. ¡°That¡¯s fast.¡± That speed was as fast as the power of lightning Ethan could produce. Though he was watching with the Eye of Horus, it was a speed that made his eyes ache. ¡°But it¡¯s a technique with clear drawbacks. Of course, its advantages are as clear as its disadvantages. If used properly, it can definitelyplement your mobility.¡± Thest was the Spirit King¡¯s signature technique. A power possessed only by the Spirit King among earth spirits. ¡°Earth Quake.¡± As Tror stomped his foot hard, the surrounding area suddenly began to shake violently. It was such an intense shaking, iparably stronger than when he had scraped his foot earlier, that even Ethan almost lost his bnce and nearly fell forward. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to use this properly in your current state, but it should at least be enough to catch your opponent off guard.¡± -You have learned new skills! -Skills added: Earth Shield (S), Earth Slide (A), Earth Quake (S) Except for Earth Slide, the other two skills were S-rank. ¡®Excellent.¡¯ Especially Earth Shield and Earth Slide were skills that could turn the tide of battle if used well. ¡®Earth Slide will take time to get used to, though.¡¯ It allows one to instantly glide along the ground, drastically increasing one¡¯s speed. ¡®This is important.¡¯ Right now, Ethan possesses the power of lightning and can use it to move quickly. ¡®But it didn¡¯t work properly against the Apostle. Though that was partly due to myck of proficiency.¡¯ This Earth Slide was a technique that could add wings to that speed. Ethan couldn¡¯t urately predict how fast he could be bybining the power of lightning with the power of earth. But there was clearly a problem. As Tror said, this Earth Slide was a technique with distinct advantages and disadvantages. ¡®Control.¡¯ If one can¡¯t properly control the speed, it can¡¯t be used effectively. In the worst case scenario, one might end up ramming their head straight into an opponent¡¯s attack. Even now, the power of lightning isn¡¯tpletely under Ethan¡¯s control. ¡®Still, it¡¯s certain that this can break my current limits.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s an honor, Lord Tror.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to use honorifics anymore. Making a contract means our positions are equal for the duration of the contract.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Uh, um¡­¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°I see, Tror. I¡¯ll be in your care.¡± ¡°Y-Yes. I¡¯ll be in your care too, Ethan Whiskers.¡± Tror stammered in confusion at Ethan¡¯s quick change of attitude. And before he could calm his bewilderment, Ethan quickly moved on to the next topic. ¡°Well then, Tror, let¡¯s start the treatment. Just trust mepletely. Don¡¯t think about anything else.¡± Swish-. Ethan created a needle. It was muchrger than his usual needles. -Using Pulse Diagnosis. -There is a major wound. -Wound identified: Stigma of Exile. -It¡¯s an old wound. The possibility of treatment is significantly low. After mastering Heo¡¯s Acupuncture and Heo¡¯s Decoction techniques, the functionality of Pulse Diagnosis had also greatly improved. ¡®So it gives such clear exnations now.¡¯ It felt like he was finally using a proper Pulse Diagnosis skill. ¡®As expected, it¡¯s quite severe.¡¯ Ethan slightly frowned. ¡°I¡¯ll need to take a look at the wound first.¡± At those words, Tror revealed the wound on his side that he had been hiding. A pitch-ck crack was visible on his ochre-colored skin. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Roanna furrowed her brow. Tror¡¯s wound was beyond rotting, to the point of necrosis. It was so severe that just looking at it from the side was enough to make one¡¯s face scrunch up involuntarily. Tror pointed at the wound with a bitter smile. ¡°It¡¯s a severe wound. I tried everything I could to resolve it. But it just kept getting bigger. Can you see how it¡¯s cracked like broken ss? There weren¡¯t any cracks at first.¡± The wound had worsened to this extent, which is why he couldn¡¯t help but be tempted by Ethan¡¯s im that he could heal it. ¡°Well, do you think you can heal it?¡± ¡°How much pain are you in?¡± At Ethan¡¯s question, Tror replied with a bitter smile. ¡°If I were human, I would have taken my own life by now.¡± ¡°Then we should start by reducing the pain.¡± Ethan took out the Donguibogam right there. Rustle-! The Donguibogam opened by itself and turned to a specific page. Ethan skillfully began making a decoction using only one hand while holding the open Donguibogam with the other. For Ethan, who had already reached the level of a master, making a decoction with just one hand was a very easy task. ¡°With one hand¡­?¡± The Spirit King was greatly surprised at this sight. Even to his knowledge as a Spirit King, making potions required tremendous concentration. Yet Ethan was making a potion very easily with just one hand. Moreover, he looked so natural doing it that it almost made one mistakenly think that making potions was an extremely easy task. ¡°Something that shouldn¡¯t look easy looks easy¡­ I don¡¯t understand how he has such skill with that body. At this level, isn¡¯t he already on par with an Archmage?¡± Ethan¡¯s skills continued to surprise Tror from the moment he entered. But there was something even more surprising. ¡°Um, Lord Tror, our teacher isn¡¯t a mage.¡± ¡°What? Not a mage? With that level of skill, he¡¯s not a mage? Did something unbelievable happen in the human world while I was in seclusion? To the point where that level of skill became ordinary?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it¡­¡± Roanna pointed at Ethan¡¯s waist. ¡°He¡¯s a swordsman.¡± ¡°¡­A swordsman?¡± Tror frowned deeply. ¡°Granddaughter of Sloan, your joke goes too far. Ethan Whiskers, a swordsman? That¡¯s impossible. Wasn¡¯t it entirely due to this Ethan Whiskers that you passed through this entrance? Of course, you contributed too, but wasn¡¯t the overallmand done by Ethan Whiskers?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true, but¡­¡± Roanna was at a loss for words. If she were in Tror¡¯s position, she wouldn¡¯t have believed it either. Who would believe it just from hearing the story? That this Ethan Whiskers, who could interpret the Spirit King¡¯s magic and make potions with one hand, was a teacher in the Swordsmanship Department at the prestigious Ivecar Academy on the continent. ¡°I see, you have many talents that Sloan didn¡¯t have. Including that sense of humor.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°My goodness. His skill in breaking down magic was impressive, but that skill in making potions with just one hand is also extraordinary¡­¡± Look at those hand movements! The expertise in handling ingredients and precise timing. Who would think he was a swordsman looking at that? ¡°It was an amusing joke though, hahaha.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Roanna just gave up on exining. He would find out soon enough anyway, now that he had made a contract with Ethan. Even as the two were talking, Ethan continued to make the potion. Then, the Donguibogam he was holding began to glow. ¡°Hmm.¡± -The effect of Donguibogam is enhanced. Suddenly, the Donguibogam in Ethan¡¯s hand floated up into the air and stopped at a position where Ethan could slightly raise his head to see it. -The magic book: Donguibogam has recognized you as its true master! -The effect of True Heo¡¯s Acupuncture is enhanced. -The effect of True Heo¡¯s Decoction technique is enhanced. ¡°Oh ho.¡± Ethan smiled as he looked at the Donguibogam floating in the air. This was the first ability he learned when he first subscribed to the New World. And it was also an ability that had directly saved his life. He felt very pleased that this ability seemed to be acknowledging him. -You have made a decoction! A decoction imbued with that enhanced power was created. Needless to say, it was S-rank. ¡®This is a decoction I made by recalling the memory of when I treated the Spirit King before.¡¯ The effect is certain. But whether this decoction alone can heal him is not guaranteed. ¡®Because a perfect cure is needed.¡¯ Tror unconsciously sniffed the overwhelming scent emanating from the created decoction. ¡°Hmm¡­!¡± He had watched the entire process of making the potion from start to finish. The skill was so mesmerizing throughout that he couldn¡¯t help but trust it. -[Contracted Spirit: Spirit King Tror] The spirit shows trust towards you. -Spirit affinity increases! As the spirit affinity value increases, one can obtain stronger power from spirits. Of course, this spirit affinity isn¡¯t one-sided, so one¡¯s own power can also be transferred to the spirit. As a result, it wasmon for low-level spirits to evolve into mid-level spirits, and mid-level spirits to evolve into high-level spirits. In short, spirit affinity was a value that was better the higher it got. ¡®He hasn¡¯t even drunk it yet. The Spirit King seems to trust people more easily than I thought.¡¯ When Ethan gestured for him to drink it all in one go, the Spirit King gulped down the decoction. Instantly, light began to emanate from the Spirit King¡¯s body. And not long after, that light concentrated on the pitch-ck crack on his side. Timing it with that, Ethan used acupuncture. Despite being suddenly stabbed, due to Ethan¡¯s skill, the Spirit King couldn¡¯t react properly and was hit with the needle. ¡°What are you doing¡­¡± However, Tror couldn¡¯t finish his sentence. Because there was a reaction in his side. ¡°My goodness¡­¡± Tror was literally astonished. He had lived with this wound for decades. Until just now, he had been feeling considerable pain from the wound on his side. Pain doesn¡¯t be familiar. It¡¯s just that after such a long time, the thought of that pain had be dulled. But that pain decreased as soon as he was hit with the needle. ¡°Huh¡­!?¡± Roanna pointed at Tror¡¯s side. ¡°It¡¯s disappearing!¡± That terrible wound was disappearing. The cracked fissure began to heal, regaining vitality, and the ckened area started to return to its original ochre color. ¡°The, the wound¡­ it¡¯s returning, returning to normal.¡± ¡°Teacher!¡± Overjoyed at the perfect healing result, Roanna looked at Ethan with a happy expression. However, Ethan was frowning. ¡°Teacher?¡± ¡®No, this isn¡¯t perfect healing.¡¯ Although the wound seemed to have cleanly disappeared, Ethan could see it. Thanks to the Eye of Horus, he was seeing much more urately. ¡°Tror, your hand.¡± At Ethan¡¯s words, Tror held out his hand. He seemed to trust Ethan even more after drinking that decoction. -Using Pulse Diagnosis. -There is a wound. -Wound identified: Faint Stigma of Exile ¡°Hah.¡± ¡°Thanks to you, contractor! I never thought this would really heal¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not healed yet.¡± ¡°¡­Not healed? But now there¡¯s no pain and¡­ look, the wound that was there haspletely healed.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it fully healed?¡± ¡°No, not yet.¡± Normally, this would have been enough to clear the quest. He had seeded in quests like this before in MePan. If Tror acknowledged that his injury was healed and bowed his head in gratitude, that wouldplete the quest. But that wasn¡¯t the sess Ethan wanted. ¡®If it waspletely healed, the mark should have disappeared entirely.¡¯ Ethan pondered for a moment. ¡®No need to think too deeply about it.¡¯ Ethan immediately opened New World and started searching. The keyword was medical arts. ¡°Hm?¡± In the middle of his search, Ethan noticed a new video from Heo Jun had been uploaded. But the title was unusual. ¡°It¡¯s a coboration video¡­¡± The name of the coborator was written in the title. Ethan checked again to make sure he saw it correctly. It was definitely a name he had seen somewhere before. ¡°Yi Je-ma?¡±Author''s Thoughts Hi everyone, I''vepletely tranted this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until thest advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 90 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!