Chapter 63

I gasped for breath.

“Huff. Huff…”

Ricardo, the vice-captain of the Black Fang.

“Congratulations, young master.”

Crimson blood poured from his chest. But not even a full second had passed before the wound regenerated. His innate trait, super regeneration, had activated. But that wasn’t the important part.

What mattered was that I had momentarily reached the realm.

I had succeeded—albeit faintly—in executing ‘One Sword Technique: Form One – One Step, One Sword’, the lethal sword art created by Darkin Winterbell himself. And for good reason, too. I had pierced through Ricardo’s guard and wounded his chest.

‘At last… It’s complete to a usable level.’

Including the hours spent sleeping, I hadn’t taken a single day off from training my swordsmanship. I thoroughly studied and contemplated every detail—how to swing, how to apply force, how to channel mana, and how to wield aura.

Learning from my master, Darkin Winterbell, was invaluable. But one of the things he emphasized most was to never stop thinking. If I blindly believed his words as absolute law, I would inevitably narrow my own perspective. The core of his teaching was to continuously reflect and immediately apply new realizations.

Even though it was a sword technique of his own creation, he didn’t hold excessive pride in it. Was it because I was his disciple? Or was that just the kind of person he was?

I didn’t know.

But what I did know was that he hoped, in whatever form, that his swordsmanship would evolve further. Still, as important as sword training was, I couldn’t afford to spend all my time wielding the sword given my current circumstances.

That’s why we decided to end the live-in arrangement. From now on, I would come and go between the Annex and Darkin’s residence for training.

“When we train next, you won’t be able to leave unless you cut down that mountain. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Wherever you go, don’t forget that you’re my disciple. Hold your head high. If you act like a damn fool, it reflects poorly on me.”

“Yes.”

“If you tarnish my name, I don’t need to tell you what’ll happen, do I?”

“No.”

“Good. Off you go.”

I packed my things and finally left Darkin’s estate. A long time if it was long, short if it was short. But it was never meaningless. Thanks to it, I had learned so much—and had grown remarkably stronger.

‘I think I’ll be able to break through the wall of the Ninth Star soon! Even if I do have memories of the past, there probably hasn’t been anyone in the continent’s long history who’s grown at this rate!’

I hadn’t reached it yet, but I was certain I would soon. As I left the estate and walked toward the Annex, the attendants greeted me.

“Good morning, young master! A pleasant morning to you!”

“Did you sleep well, young master!”

“You shine even brighter today! Truly admirable!”

Unlike before, there was clear respect in their eyes and voices. My enhanced body had also sharpened my senses—so even after I passed out of their sight, I could clearly hear what they said behind my back.

—See? He’s a completely different person now. That’s not the same young master as before! Just look at those muscles, those eyes. Does he look like that cripple to you anymore?

—That rumor is true! The young master actually became the disciple of the Elder Councilor! The one who’s never taken a disciple before! I don’t know what got into him to do it, but if someone ranked second in the family hierarchy is vouching for him directly, isn’t it basically guaranteed? Seriously, isn’t the young master going to be the next Patriarch?

—Hey. Hey. Quit making a fuss. I know the young master’s impressive, but becoming the Patriarch? That’s pushing it. Think about it realistically. The first and second sons are still standing tall. Can you really imagine the young master becoming Patriarch?

—……

—You can’t, right?

—Yeah, you’re right.

Public opinion about me had greatly improved. Now, when people talked about the next Patriarch, my name was being mentioned. Just that alone made me feel good. Of course, once the names Ryan Winterbell and Lux Winterbell came up, that quickly overshadowed mine.

I could interpret that as meaning I hadn’t yet built up accomplishments on their level.

‘When it comes to strength… I’m not so sure.’

To be honest,

I wasn’t afraid anymore since I was on the verge of reaching the Ninth Star. I even thought I might be able to win… but I couldn’t be certain. Without using Makina, I couldn’t easily picture myself defeating them.

Because I had no idea how much power they were hiding. Publicly, both of them were known as swordsmen who had reached the Ninth Star.

Ryan Winterbell was at the peak of the Ninth Star—

Meaning he was just about to reach the Tenth Star.

Lux Winterbell was in the mid-Ninth Star.

The general belief was that he had hit a wall and couldn’t yet ascend to the next realm. But I didn’t take that claim at face value.

There’s no way those two—who inherited Winterbell blood and were praised as once-in-a-generation geniuses—would reveal their full power so honestly.

‘Lux Winterbell looked composed even while fighting the Sword Demon. He didn’t even seem to reveal his full strength.’

He was clearly holding back his power.

That much was certain…

But how much was he hiding?

Just like I was hiding the fact that I’m Deus.

If they were hiding secrets on a similar level, that would be a serious issue for me as well.

…Before being my brothers, they were competitors.

“Young master! You’re incredible! I’d love to serve you in the Annex next time. I truly respect your mental fortitude. I mean it!”

“If you ever need a retainer, please let me know. I’ll come running anytime!”

It was a strange feeling, having those who once looked down on me now actively courting my favor. But at the same time, I felt a deep sense of contempt. I understood that duality was a part of human nature, but seeing it so blatantly made it sickening.

Well…

I probably wasn’t all that different either.

Just then—

From far away, Lin Winterbell came running toward me. I didn’t know where she’d popped out from, but I hurriedly hid myself.

Why?

Because I simply didn’t want to get involved with that woman.

Sure, we had some history.

We’d gone through a lot together.

But that didn’t mean we were on good terms.

And I had no desire to improve that relationship.

“Hey!!!! Ran Winterbell!!!!!”

But whether she understood my feelings or not—no, she clearly didn’t. That’s why she was stomping toward me, saying crap like that.

“You bastard!!! You see your sister and try to hide?!”

That crazy woman still hadn’t come to her senses.

She’d probably forgotten the promise we made.

That thick-skulled wench.

I stepped out from behind the pillar and approached her. She waved her hand with a mixed expression of delight and disdain.

“You bastard! Why the hell were you hiding, huh?”

“Sister.”

“What.”

“Did you forget the promise you made with me?”

“What promise.”

“You said you’d become my subordinate, didn’t you? It’s troubling when you act like this. Are you saying the Wolf of Winterbell goes back on her word? If I remember correctly, you swore it loud and clear.”

Only then did Lin Winterbell show a troubled expression.

Stupid woman.

Judging by her face, she genuinely seemed to have forgotten. That wouldn’t be surprising. Based on Lin Winterbell’s track record, it was entirely plausible. I didn’t doubt it for a second.

“...Mi-Mi-Mi—”

“‘Mi’?”

“You crazy bastard! Can’t someone forget?! Why are you making a fuss over something so minor!”

I stared at her, dumbfounded.

“……”

Was she actually insane?

“What. What, damn it!”

“I’ll report this formally to the Patriarch. That Lin Winterbell, candidate for the next head of the family and great knight of Winterbell, has tarnished the family’s honor.”

“……”

“Shall I?”

“...Don’t.”

“Then apologize properly.”

“...Mi-Mi-Mi—”

“If you curse again, I’m going straight there.”

“Sorry.”

“No, really—what did you come looking for me for? Did you come all this way just to mess around like this?”

Lin Winterbell’s face twisted again with fury. Her emotions were completely unpredictable.

“Why the hell would I come here for some stupid shit like that?! I heard you became the Elder Councilor’s disciple and came to see if it was true! Tell me—did you really become Master Darkin Winterbell’s disciple?”

I replied.

“Yes.”

Her eyes went wide.

“For real?”

“Yes, I’m telling you—it’s true.”

“...Are you kidding me. Why the hell did you, of all people, become his disciple?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

“……”

What on earth was she trying to say?

Her face was full of anger.

She looked absolutely displeased.

Then suddenly, a thought popped into my head.

‘No way…?’

“Sister. Have you perhaps asked the Elder Councilor to take you as his disciple before?”

“…N-No, I haven’t.”

Her expression said otherwise.

She definitely had.

“Ah, maybe I misunderstood. To be honest, I didn’t really want to become the Elder Councilor’s disciple… but he insisted so sincerely that I had no choice but to accept.”

Lin Winterbell’s face turned bright red. Not from embarrassment or shame—but from holding back her fury with everything she had.

“……”

The trembling of her body was all the proof I needed to see just how angry she really was.

“But from what I’ve seen, the Elder Councilor seems to offer discipleship to just about anyone. The bar’s surprisingly low, I’d say. Honestly, unless someone’s missing an arm and a leg or has absolutely no talent with the sword…”

Trembling with rage, Lin Winterbell couldn’t hold back anymore and snapped.

“Yeah! Damn it! I did ask him and he rejected me! You bastard! So what?! What now?! What makes you so special that you got to be his disciple?! Go on, tell me your secret. What do you have that I don’t?! Why did he pick you over me, huh?! Speak, oh great disciple!”

“…Well. Isn’t it simple?”

“What is, you son of a bitch?”

“Because I’m better than you. In every aspect. Smarts, skill, potential—aren’t I superior across the board? At least, that’s what Master must have thought. That’s why he decided to pass down the swordsmanship he’s dedicated his entire life to… to me.”

Lin Winterbell looked at me in disbelief.

“Really? Are you serious? He really passed his swordsmanship down to you?”

“Yes. I’m his one and only disciple—it’s only natural.”

“I can’t accept this… Why… someone like you…”

“Then would you like to confirm it yourself?”

“Confirm it?”

“Yes. But there’s a condition.”