Chapter 318 – Exchange Battle (1)
Originally, the Ark Conference was conducted over four sessions.
The first was close to a one-sided situation report.
The Watcher, the only one among the captains who stayed in the Ark without engaging in external activity.
Beginning with her, who looked out upon the world and delivered peculiar matters as the Watcher, the five captains would explain what had transpired in their actions during the past year.
For some it was simple, for others complex.
That was only natural.
Watcher, Explorer, Subjugator, Adjuster, Guardian.
Each one's role within the Ark was utterly different. But one thing could be declared with certainty — not a single one was unimportant.
From human to human.
It was a duty passed down through many eras. The process and results of fulfilling it had to be absolutely clear, leaving no room for doubt.
And the second subject was the Ark.
As the name suggested, it dealt with numerous issues related to the Ark, a process that actually resembled a true conference.
Matters centered on the Ark itself and internal affairs were raised and discussed.
The third was the Exchange Battle.
The stage of proof, composed of the Ark's candidates.
It was the place to directly confirm the level of newly recruited candidates, and the abilities of the other candidates.
The key was to grasp the growth of the candidates, and to see if among them, someone new had risen to prominence.
Finally, the fourth was discussion concerning the candidates.
What trials each of them would be given, what rewards they required, and whether newly discovered candidate subjects should be recruited.
The number was not small, and it required very meticulous insight, so among all the sessions, this was the one that took up the most time.
This was the usual order.
For that reason, the pace of the conference was slow.
Moreover, the Subjugator, whose entire body was concealed by full armor, had difficulty in speaking, so at times writing had to be used as well.
But today was an exception.
"Before the first session had even ended, the Ark Conference was halted. They said the reason, though it required unanimous agreement, was simply that they wanted to hurry to see the Exchange Battle..."
Ren Balhagne, master of Locke and one of the three elders of the Ark, wearing black regalia and white cotton gloves, a giant-boned old man, sighed as he rubbed his face.
There was no need to ask who had taken the lead.
Legrit.
It was obviously that rascal's doing.
"That chronic temperament of his simply cannot be fixed. Though he clearly possesses self-control not inferior to others, once a certain line is crossed he takes action without a moment to stop him."
"That is what we call inborn nature."
Opposite him, the master of the Ark sipped his wine.
"Teachings are certainly meaningful, but there are things that cannot be changed no matter what. To overturn even such a nature requires an experience that shakes one's very life to the core."
Human beings are creatures that are ever in conflict.
Reason and emotion, thought and heart, contradicting one another, repeating contradictory choices. That is why they can change.
In that sense, a trial is like a catalyst.
By risking one's life to overcome it, what can be gained is not only outward growth, but inner growth as well.
"Of course, it cannot be denied that Legrit belongs to a peculiar sort. Each time she undergoes trials, her original temperament only strengthens... well, that too can be called growth."
"But───"
"Do not trouble yourself, Ren Balhagne. Though once you were a captain, now you are an elder. Interfering with the Ark Conference they lead will not be permitted."
The master of the Ark was resolute.
"I apologize, I overstepped."
"Think nothing of it. And, although outwardly she may seem reckless, Legrit is cautious and strong. Her thirst for inquiry only burns fiercer, and she has survived intact until now. Truly, one can declare that she is second to none as an heir to the Explorer. And are you not curious as well? About the new candidates this time, especially Asher."
He set his empty wineglass down on the table.
"A man who was but an exceptional 5th-tier Mage, overcame the Tomb of the Demon King, and reached an unexplored domain distinct from existing Magicians... he created results none of us, myself included, could ever have foreseen. And more than his overwhelming talent, what must be noted is his past."
"His past... you mean?"
"No matter how many times one reconsiders, challenging the Tomb of the Demon King was close to suicide. We warned him beforehand, and Asher knew this fact well. Yet he did not hesitate."
Tok. Tok.
His fingertips tapped on the armrest.
"What was the reason. Was it merely to satisfy the intellectual curiosity a Mage has, throwing away his life? Was the Asher you saw such a man?"
Ren Balhagne had once faced Asher.
The Gluttony Subjugation in the Principality of Riviant.
Even when exhausted and wounded inside the stomach of Gluttony, he sought to tie the knot with his own hands.
The result — the fifth fang of Gluttony met its end at Asher's hand.
It was a will bordering on stubbornness.
There was a gleam in his eyes, the conviction of victory underlying it all.
"I did not see him as a moth, dazzled by the light before his eyes, throwing himself into the flames."
"And yet he leapt into the flames. Then why. Could it be that there was another reason. A reason that demanded he throw away his life."
The possibility was exceedingly high.
"He is a man shrouded in many veils. Appearing suddenly in the Eastern Continent, showing unprecedented growth speed, and with no way to uncover his past."
Perhaps even the name Asher itself was a false name.
"So let us watch together. Not only the other candidates, but even the successors may be greatly stirred by him."
The master of the Ark smiled.
"And I myself, am most curious about him."
***
Within the vast inner space of the Ark.
At its center, a stage reminiscent of a grand arena had been erected, and above it, dozens of small islands floated slowly in the air.
Hwaaaaak.
Verden and the Mage stepped out as space shifted.
Of the many islands, the two of them found themselves placed on separate islands close to one another, looking around their surroundings.
"Wow..."
The Mage let out an exclamation.
Verden felt a similar impression.
Not just the vastness, but the fact that some kind of magic was engraved into this entire place.
Though the surroundings were shut in by dark walls on all sides, and no particular light shone, things were still clearly visible, it seemed that
To imbue magic into the space itself, was one of the pinnacles of current magical technology.
'So, were we the first to arrive?'
The other islands were empty.
At that moment, magic power was detected nearby.
When he turned his head, Locke appeared in a shimmer of light.
After glancing about, he noticed Verden, waved his hand, and drew near along with the island.
"Asher-nim! We meet so soon!"
"How does the island move?"
"Ah, that becomes possible naturally once you've fought in the Exchange Battle. For you, as a new candidate, it's still too difficult. More importantly, is that person beside you the candidate who supposedly uses a new type of magic?"
Receiving the gaze, the Mage flinched at the shoulders.
"Ah, h-hello. That is, I... um..."
"If you wish to keep it hidden, you don't have to reveal your name. No one here cares about such things. But why are you speaking in such a strange manner? Just by looking, you seem younger than me."
"Wh-what, what is that supposed to mean...!"
Suddenly pointed out, he stammered.
It was clear he was unaccustomed to hiding his emotions or lying. Some of it was innate, but the lack of experience in such matters was obvious.
Locke tilted his head slightly.
"That person's reactions are really amusing. Kind of fun to tease, like Theon. Seems he's extremely nervous, maybe something like stage fright? What about you, hyung-nim?"
"Not at all."
Verden's face remained expressionless.
Stage fright born of tension had nothing to do with him.
"Hahaha, well of course. When I first fought in the Exchange Battle, I was trembling like a leaf... it's not easy to display your skill in front of the other candidates watching."
"How many attended at that time?"
"Probably not even half. The next time I attended, it was about half."
Locke stretched his arms behind his head, fingers laced together.
"As Listener said, since this time both you, hyung-nim, and that amusing person are known, attendance might be higher than usual. Let's see, it should be about time for them to start coming───"
Before he even finished his words, a spatial teleportation circle flared upon the island opposite.
Then, one by one, they began to appear, until in the blink of an eye, most of the islands were engulfed in violet light.
Immediately after, countless presences were felt.
Locke blinked.
"...Huh? Almost everyone's here?"
***
Except for the new recruits, every candidate had overcome at least one trial.
Of course, there were some who, having failed, still survived, but they endured the pain and at last succeeded in challenging another trial, moving forward.
Those who could not, never rose again.
The boundary of life and death.
All of them were veterans.
Insight honed in situations where life was at stake.
The will not to give up, even when driven to the brink of death.
It was not simply a matter of talent and opportunity.
Like iron hammered under a forge, their inner selves were tempered hard, utterly distinct from those who were not.
Such eyes now gathered in one place.
"So that man is Gluttony's slayer? He's quite young. I thought he would look far more ferocious."
"I can hardly sense any magic power at all, it's faint to the point of being absent. That must mean, at his age, he's already reached an advanced level of magic control. More extraordinary than the rumors suggest."
"Wow, impressive. At his age, I was drifting after graduating the academy. Good thing I came to the Ark. Never seen so many candidates gather like this."
"That one in the robe... judging by his small frame compared to an adult, he looks mid-teens. Next youngest after Locke, and a Mage at that."
"Two new candidates this time, both Mages, and both geniuses? A little disappointing from the perspective of those who wield aura."
"But why has the Exchange Battle begun earlier than usual? Did some problem arise during the conference?"
Dozens of candidates each showed different reactions.
Some were lost in thought, some murmured quietly to themselves, others conversed with nearby candidates.
The atmosphere, silent until moments ago, now swelled like a wave.
"Wow, I didn't expect this many to show... ah, there's Lady Leira too. Looks like she's somewhat flustered by the crowd."
"..."
Locke's eyes shone in admiration.
On the left, the academy Mage stood blankly. Countless gazes, sharp with observation, were upon him, and his body seemed frozen.
Verden ignored it and asked.
"Still, it seems this Exchange Battle is starting earlier than expected. Haven't you heard anything?"
"Well, no, this is a first for me too.... Who can know what the captains presiding over the Ark Conference are thinking. We've never even seen their faces properly, after all."
"...Not even once?"
"Right, not even once. Because of their positions, we never run into them, and since some operate outside the Ark, they rarely reveal themselves. A sort of mystique, I suppose? Anyway, since the Exchange Battle has begun, a guide should be here soon. Oh, looks like one's coming now."
Locke pointed to the very center of the arena.
Like the other candidates, someone had crossed space to arrive.
White-gold hair, shining golden eyes.
And contrasting with them, a woman with bronze skin.
Seeing her, Locke tilted his head.
"Huh? Different from last year's host─── Waugh?!"
Hwooooosh!
All at once, the small islands began to move.
Soon, they arranged themselves in a perfect circle, fixed in midair at regular intervals around the outer edge of the arena.
The mood sank.
In the silence, the woman spoke.
"After deliberation, the captains have unanimously decided to temporarily halt the Ark Conference, and begin the Exchange Battle first. Sudden though it may be, nothing will change. There is no one here who would fail to prove themselves, merely because the schedule was moved forward."
Naturally, no one objected.
"As per custom, priority will be given to the new candidates."
The start came suddenly.
No need for elaborate greetings.
This was not some grand tournament.
This was the stage of proof.
The woman cast her gaze upon Verden and the Mage.
"Either one of you, step forward first."
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