Chapter 99

"Change the exam?"

Glenn sat up from the backrest and raised his head.

"Yes."

Rimer nodded while bowing. For the first time since the battle with the Blood Fiend, his eyes sparkled.

"Isn't the current graduation exam either the instructor's approval or a duel among the trainees?"

"That's correct."

The graduation exam for the trainees required either passing a test course created by the instructor or receiving recognition through one-on-one duels among the trainees.

"Then what do you want to change the exam to?"

"Survival."

Rimer answered immediately as if he had been waiting for the question.

"I want to send the trainees out into the outside world without the name of Sieghart."

"Send them out into the outside world?"

Glenn leaned forward slightly, seemingly interested.

"Yes. The children of the Fifth Training Ground have passed the test of momentum and won a duel for honor against the trainee knights of Owen Kingdom. Both of these achievements would not be out of place in the graduation exam."

"You've been pulling strings in various ways."

"That's true. But there were also things that went beyond my expectations. The trainees fought a life-or-death battle in their second mission and even overcame the great mountain of murder."

Rimer smiled. Although they moved later due to a series of coincidences, the children were able to grow both physically and mentally because of it.

"I want to make the exam not just a mere formality but an opportunity for the children to grow. Even if it means becoming a knight a bit later, I want to give them a foundation to reach higher."

"You're right. How one becomes a knight is more important than when they become one."

Glenn seemed to agree and closed his eyes.

"I'm glad you understand. The current children need a new challenge, not the old one."

Rimer raised his long index finger.

"Living without the power of the family, the help of the instructors, or the name of the talented Sieghart will be a great help to the children's growth."

"You've changed."

Glenn smiled slightly at the kneeling Rimer, who looked resolute.

"Yes?"

"You said you wanted to raise the children, but you didn't seem very interested in it. Your preparation was also half-hearted."

"Uh, um…."

Rimer averted his eyes, feeling guilty.

"After meeting the children, you started to change along with them. You don't realize how different your expression is now compared to before."

"Ugh, embarrassing…."

"I agree."

Loen, who had been standing by the pillar with a pleased smile, nodded.

"Sir Rimer, your expression has really improved."

"I guess I have some talent for raising children, not just in swordsmanship."

Rimer scratched his temple, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Maybe I'll have the chance to make the next king after the head of the family. In other words, become a kingmaker."

"Is that Raon?"

"I don't know. It could be Barren, or Marta or Lunan could rise to the top."

"Is that so."

Glenn rarely smiled so clearly. He was pleased with Rimer's new joy, someone who once stood closest to him and wielded a sword.

"Prepare a report within a week on where you'll send the children and how you'll help them grow. If you can't, consider it null and void."

"Of course."

Rimer smiled confidently and pulled out a file from his pocket.

"I've already prepared it."

* * *

Raon climbed North Peak with the Ten Luck Pill, not to the annex or the dormitory but to the charcoal kiln.

'This place is comfortable.'

Perhaps because it was where he first learned the Cold of Harsh Winter and the Heat of the Manga Gong, practicing here made him feel at ease and more attuned to mana.

He sat in front of the now-empty charcoal kiln, closed his eyes, and listened to the cool rustling of the wind through the trees and bushes.

He extended his senses to check the surroundings. As expected, there were no people or animals nearby. Balkan had chosen an excellent location.

"Hmm…"

Raon rotated the ring of fire to draw energy into his body, then opened his eyes. The wind and time were perfect for practice.

Thud.

When he opened the wooden box Rimer had given him, a fresh, almost overwhelming fragrance rose.

'50%?'

The Ten Luck Pill is known as a 50% spirit pill.

While other spirit pills absorb about 30% of the energy they possess, the Ten Luck Pill can absorb about 50% of the mana it contains.

Thanks to its excellent absorption effect and high purity, the Ten Luck Pill is one of the best spirit pills for a growing martial artist.

-Then what's the point? The contents are so minimal.

Ras sneered at the sight of the spirit pill.

'Of course, the quantity is small.'

Nothing can be perfect. The Ten Luck Pill has less mana compared to other spirit pills.

However, the Ten Luck Pill Rimer gave him contained two Ten Finger Herbs, which compensated for the low mana content.

It has a similar level of energy to a decent mid-tier spirit pill, so if absorbed properly, it could lead to significant growth.

"Then…"

Raon held the spirit pill in his fingers. Feeling the warmth that contrasted with the cold mountain breeze, he placed the Ten Luck Pill in his mouth.

The spirit pill melted like water on his tongue and slid down his throat. It felt as if he had plucked natural mana and placed it in his stomach, where a warm and pure energy was felt above his navel.

He circulated the rising energy of the Ten Luck Pill using the Manga Gong.

Whoosh!

The energy of the Ten Luck Pill, being a balanced spirit pill, smoothly ran through his mana circuit.

As the energy of the spirit pill surged like waves, the cold in his mana circuit melted, and the turbid energy left from previous battles was expelled.

'The density is high.'

Even with two Ten Finger Herbs, the amount of mana was small. However, the mana inside was as pure as nature itself, warm and gentle.

It was the perfect spirit pill for his unstable body, which shared the heat of the Manga Gong and the cold of Harsh Winter in his dantian.

Raon alternated between drawing the heat and cold, stacking the pure energy of the Ten Luck Pill in his dantian.

The energy gathered bit by bit, like building a sandcastle, but the concentration of mana was purer than any spirit pill he had taken before.

Like the immortal peach, which is said to be formed from condensed dew, the pure energy ran through his mana circuit, bringing a sense of joy and deeper practice.

* * *

Raon opened his eyes at the thin bird call that signaled the night on North Peak.

Flash!

His pupils burst with a golden glow like the flames of a furnace.

'I absorbed it all.'

Generally, absorbing 40% of a spirit pill's energy is considered a great success.

But just now, he had stacked over 60% of the Ten Luck Pill's energy in his dantian. It was not just a great success but a miracle.

"Huff…"

Raon closed his eyes to check the state of the ring of fire, the Manga Gong, and the cold of Harsh Winter. When he opened his eyes again, messages appeared one after another.

[A new ring of fire has been refined.]

[<Ring of Fire> has reached 5 stars.]

[Your physical grade has increased.]

[You can move more efficiently.]

[Your strength has greatly increased.]

[Your agility has greatly increased.]

[Your stamina has greatly increased.]

As his physical stats increased, a pleasant tingling sensation spread from his fingertips to his shoulders.

[Your soul grade has increased.]

[Your mental strength has greatly increased.]

[Your senses have greatly increased.]

[Your spirit has greatly increased.]

Before he could enjoy the joy, a second set of messages appeared.

The refined aura flowed through his expanded dantian and mana circuit. The dantian seemed to have grown 1.5 times larger, perhaps due to the new ring.

"Huff!"

Raon exhaled excitedly and stood up. He clenched his fist and drew the Manga Gong.

'Amazing.'

His body's and aura's responses were much faster than before. He was confident that while he might not defeat a Blood Fiend now, he wouldn't be toyed with as he was before.

-What the hell!

Ras, who had been quiet to avoid losing power during practice, suddenly burst out of the bracelet.

-Your soul grade has increased again! What the hell are you learning! What is this ring of fire!

"I don't know?"

-What kind of life did you live before I came?

Ras shook his head.

'How can this be…'

Soul grade can only be increased by defeating a strong opponent, overcoming a crisis, or achieving some great feat.

Of course, it can also be increased through training, but that requires an immeasurable amount of time.

For a child to increase his soul grade through practice is unheard of even in the Demon Realm.

"Will I tell you?"

Raon waved his hand as if shooing away a bug.

Crunch!

Ras gritted his teeth.

'This makes it harder to devour him…'

Raon's excellent mental strength, unknown practice method, and elemental resistance had blocked his possession and anger.

With his soul grade increased, it would be as difficult to subdue him as it was before he accepted the anger.

-Grr, don't be so arrogant! No matter what you do or what you gain, your body and soul will ultimately belong to me!

"Don't cry, just talk."

-Who said I was crying! I am the….

"Sure. The Overlord of Anger. I get it. I understand."

-Grrrr!

Raon snorted and brushed off the dust from his clothes. After tidying up, he noticed a box on the ground as he was about to return to the annex.

Picking up the fallen spirit pill box and running his hand through his hair, he thought,

"Really…"

Some are causing a fuss to devour him, while others are anxious about not being able to help.

It was clear who he should look at and how he should move.

"Maybe you won't devour me at all."

Ignoring the grinding teeth of Ras, Raon descended North Peak.

* * *

The next day.

Barren headed to the training ground with a sense of pride. He had absorbed more than half of the Ten Luck Pill's energy during his practice yesterday.

With his dantian full, he felt like a different person after just one day.

'Now…'

He smiled, thinking that while he might not be able to defeat Raon, he could at least put up a good fight.

"Hmm."

Barren stood straight, waiting for Raon to arrive. He wanted to see the admiration in the boy's eyes.

Creak!

He turned around at the sound of the training ground door opening. It was Marta, not the expected Raon.

'That kid absorbed a lot too.'

Marta exuded a solid and sharp energy, indicating she had absorbed a significant amount of energy.

"Don't look at me with that annoying face in the morning."

"…"

Barren turned his head, not wanting to ruin his good mood.

'She's a pain, but her skills are solid.'

The energy he sensed from Marta was different from yesterday. While not as much as himself, she had absorbed a considerable amount.

Creak!

The door opened again. The sound of two people walking, but it was clearly Raon and Lunan.

"Let's see…"

Barren turned with a confident smile, but his expression shattered like glass.

'What is that kid…'

The energy swirling around Raon was as natural as flowing water, a smoothness he had only seen in masters. A dry swallow escaped his throat.

The amount of aura, the balance of his body—everything was different from yesterday.

If he had changed by 5, that kid had returned with a change of 10.

'Monster…'

Barren clenched his teeth. He had wanted to impress the kid, but instead, he was shocked. He was speechless with disbelief.

"Ugh…"

Frowning, he glared at Raon, but the boy tilted his head as if to ask why he was looking.

He acknowledged Raon's effort and talent, but that calm expression made him angry.

'But I won't give up.'

No matter how fast Raon grew or how strong he became, he had no intention of stopping his pursuit.

Because, no matter how strong the opponent, running to the end is what he thought a Sieghart knight should be.

"Alright!"

Rimer's voice came from the front. He had been so focused that he hadn't even noticed Rimer's arrival.

"You've all changed."

Rimer stood on the platform, looking over the trainees with a smile. He was pleased with their growth.

"Now we can start without any hesitation."

"Start?"

"What are you starting…"

"Now this life must come to an end."

He pointed to the training ground with his finger.

"Huh?"

"End?"

"What do you mean…"

The trainees' eyes trembled with anxiety at the sudden mention of an end.

"You need to take the graduation exam. No matter how much I like it, you can't stay as trainees forever."

"Huh?"

"Oh!"

"Graduation exam!"

Hearing the word "exam," the trainees' expressions brightened. The thought of becoming real knights made their eyes shine like sunflowers seeing the sun.

"Don't get too excited."

Rimer clicked his tongue and wagged his finger, smiling mischievously at the trainees.

"The exam you will take is completely different from the previous graduation exams."