Chapter 321 - Warlord (1)
The dignity of a Transcendent belongs only to those who have seized Awakening.
The power each one possesses becomes imbued with dignity, an absolute presence that exerts overwhelming influence upon other living beings.
Those who have not reached the level cannot even dare to maintain their consciousness.
Verden recalled memories of the past.
Facing two Transcendents and being overwhelmed, until finally breaking through and shattering the shackles of their dignity.
That experience had been fully internalized, melted into his very body.
Of course, for a Quasi-Transcendent to obtain dignity was impossible.
But if it was an amount of magic power that reached near to a Transcendent, it was different. He might not be able to fully reproduce it, but forcibly imitating it, to some degree, was possible.
Only, it was far rougher by comparison.
Crack, craaack…!
The floor of the arena beneath Verden's feet could not endure and split apart.
A vivid blue magic power enveloped his whole body, shimmering. Soon, as the torrent of power shook the air, the entire space began to tremble.
An unprecedented pressure spread in all directions.
Mana Coercion.
Basic manipulation of magic power.
It was one of the main methods mages used when they wanted to make their difference in power known to an opponent without directly clashing with magic.
───!
Thud.
An Ark candidate collapsed.
Though he was one who had surpassed the middle of the 4th tier and was aiming toward the upper level, his consciousness was blown away in an instant.
Other mages of similar level were no different.
Theodore, who was only 2nd tier, had long since rolled his eyes back.
As if his soul itself had been struck.
The magi who barely managed to hold on to their minds were drenched in cold sweat.
"The measuring device broke apart in an instant…! At maximum it should read 5th-tier upper level? That's at least 6th-tier… no, isn't that even 6th-tier upper?!"
"Even if so, it doesn't make sense…! No matter if it's 6th-tier, I've never heard of anyone with that amount of magic power…! That magic power is beyond───"
Fwoooosh!
The wave of magic resounded once again.
Immediately after, a tidal wave of magic even greater than before came crashing in.
"Gghhhk…!"
Even they, after resisting, fainted.
It was the natural result. Not only was there a difference of realms, but because they themselves held magic power, the oppressive force from Mana Coercion pressed them all the more heavily.
But those who had awakened aura were no exception either.
"Uughhh…!!!"
Their limits came.
The suppressed screams burst out.
Clang, clatter.
The weapons that had supported their centers fell aside along with their owners.
All around, people collapsed, unconscious.
Behind the drooling Locke, Leira groaned deeply. Even as she stabbed her sword into the ground and knelt on one knee, her trembling would not stop.
With great effort she lifted her head.
At the center of the arena, around the ash-gray-haired man, an immeasurable magic power swirled.
'This… is the power that Asher possesses…?'
Even as she experienced it directly, it was hard to believe.
He was on an entirely different plane from the mage who had undergone the trials with her two years ago.
How had he seized such power in less than two years… such a thought did not even come. For her, simply enduring with all her might was everything.
And then, at that moment.
In an instant, the oppressive aura vanished.
"Haa… haa…."
Leira collapsed to the ground, strength leaving her.
Her blocked airway cleared, her lungs convulsing as she gasped for air. The other candidates were the same. The sound of ragged breathing echoed all around.
Other than that, there was only silence.
Verden, who had withdrawn his magic power, lifted his head.
Among the dozens of candidates, only a starkly different few.
'The number of candidates who weren't crushed by Mana Coercion is six in total.'
Two were magi.
The remaining four included Leira.
All of them showed signs of struggle, but the degree varied.
Some had collapsed, while others only staggered yet kept their balance.
Of course, the expressions of shock were the same.
Naturally, one would choose an opponent for the exchange match from among these.
But unfortunately, he had no such intention.
Verden had revealed his realm not only to measure the Ark's candidates, but also to provoke the Ark's hidden forces.
Because he thought, perhaps, he might confront them.
The plan succeeded.
As a result, suspicion had become conviction.
Six candidates maintained consciousness, but in truth, seven had endured Mana Coercion.
Verden spoke.
"I was told to choose my opponent for the exchange match from those gathered here."
Turning his head, his eyes met a gaze filled with delight.
"Then, is it permissible to have an exchange match not with a candidate, but with another?"
Only the woman guiding the exchange match stood calmly upon the stage.
She rubbed her hand for a moment.
Wiping away the sweat, she twisted her lips.
"Hehhaha…!"
She soon revealed her delight.
"I thought you'd be of a different caliber than the ordinary candidates, but to think you'd reduce them to this state without even a proper match. Not only bold despite your appearance, but that magic power that completely betrayed expectations in the best way…! I like it very much."
The woman stepped forward one pace.
"But do you know who I am?"
"I do not. Other than being a captain, an elder, or one of the Ark's hidden forces."
"That range is too broad. Well, there is a correct answer among them though."
She shrugged and parted her lips.
"I am one of the Ark's captains, Legrit Narsilia."
Hair of white, tinged with yellow light.
Her golden eyes flickered, staring into Verden's blue-gray ones.
"Call me Legrit."
***
The Ark's captains were not well-known to the candidates.
Neither their faces, nor even their names. From the start, there was no chance of meeting them, so even if they wished to know, they could not.
Yet here she was now, right before their eyes.
At the very center of the arena where the exchange match was held.
"That person… no, that's the captain…?"
The six candidates' gazes converged.
Even before the shock of Verden's magic power had subsided, they were thrown into astonishment once again. Still, Legrit was unbothered.
Verden asked.
"I heard that captains, because they act outside, refrain from revealing their identities. Is that not the case?"
"Mm? And who told you that?"
Before the match began, Locke had said so.
"Ah, Locke. The disciple of Elder Ren Balhagne. Well, it does sound plausible if you think about it, but that information is completely wrong. The reason we don't meet is simply because there's no reason to. The Ark isn't some fellowship society."
Legrit raised her gaze.
"Of course, there are things we cannot reveal. But at least between captains and candidates, there is no mystique. When the chance arises, we meet. Just like now, when you subdued most of the candidates and even designated me as your opponent for the exchange match."
"The conditions are strict."
"You are the one who fulfilled them. Hahhah, still, an exchange match between a captain and a candidate… as far as I know, this is the first time in Ark's history…"
She licked her lips.
"To answer your request first, yes, it's possible. I never said you could only choose from candidates. And a designated opponent cannot refuse—that's the rule of the exchange match. And frankly… I personally welcome it."
Welcome it?
"I have many things I'm curious about you. Chief among them, the ancient poe—"
───Legrit.
Suddenly, a voice resounded within the arena.
A pure, clear woman's voice.
Its tone carried anger. It was not the voice of any of the gathered candidates.
As if she had expected it, Legrit answered,
"My, the response is quicker than I thought."
───Explorer, it has already been decided in council that you may take the role of guiding the candidates' exchange match, no matter how forcefully you insisted. But directly holding an exchange match with a candidate is a separate matter. It was not agreed upon, and thus it is not permitted. Return to Exodium at once.
"I have already been chosen, Watcher. Are you telling me to break the rules of the exchange match?"
Explorer and Watcher.
Were these titles given only to the captains, to designate their roles?
'How interesting.'
Verden quietly eavesdropped on their conversation.
───As you know, until now, there has never been an exchange match other than between candidates. And today will be no different. Do not create a precedent.
"There is no such thing as an absolute rule in this world."
───Then that settles it. If you claim that, then you will be the one to break the rules of the exchange match. If you don't want to face punishment, stop causing trouble and return quietly.
Legrit flinched.
Her expression twisted, then she lowered her head as if dejected. At the same time, she drew closer to Verden and whispered softly.
"If this continues, it'll all end in nothing. Even if we force an exchange match here, interference will arrive soon enough."
"What are you saying…."
"So, I think it would be better to change the location."
Legrit placed her hand on Verden's shoulder.
As the bracelet on her arm activated, violet runes rose and circled around them.
───Explorer, stop immediately! It isn't only us watching this exchange match, but also the elders and the Master…!
"Sorry, but it's already too late."
The runes that had frozen in the air.
As they all fell straight down, a circular rift filled with darkness formed.
In the blink of an eye, Legrit and Verden were pulled inside and vanished.
───Legrit!!!
Boom!
The sound of a desk being slammed echoed, and with it the mysterious voice was gone.
...
Silence settled over the arena.
The candidates left behind stared blankly downward.
As the awkward quiet stretched on, one candidate, famed on the central continent, active as a military magus, reached into his robe.
He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his cold sweat. It was soon drenched.
He exhaled a long sigh.
Looking down at his palm, it was trembling faintly.
"To think I would feel this way under
The other candidates were no different.
To oppress another meaningfully with aura, magic power, or holy power, there must be a considerable gap in strength.
When it was strong against strong, such methods did not work.
Which meant, this new candidate was that overwhelming.
Whatever else, at least in terms of magic power, he completely dominated all.
As though he were a Transcendent.
"Truly, the world is vast."
Those who exceeded the norm appeared only rarely.
He had known it in theory, but to see it like this made the world feel unfamiliar.
The clock's hands ticked slowly.
Other than the six, the rest of the candidates had not regained consciousness.
A desolate scene, as if after a storm had passed.
...Tiring.
***
A vast island floated in the midst of a sky thick with clouds.
Unlike the Ark, there were no buildings, no sign of people, not even common trees.
Only rocky ground and green moss.
Verden asked Legrit.
"Where is this?"
"My personal space. I fixed it in place through special means, and maximized the density of the ground, strengthening its durability to the utmost. With ordinary impact, it neither breaks nor collapses, making it a perfect place for training or sparring. Well, what do you think, isn't it splendid?"
To use a sky-island as a training ground.
It seemed beyond something that could be described as merely splendid.
Well, in any case.
"They said that if you fought in an exchange match with a candidate it would be a problem. Is this fine?"
"I'm sure it will lead to punishment. But can one's actions be bound by such things? And besides, isn't this also what you wanted?"
That was true.
Even though he could have resisted the spatial teleportation, he had not.
'Explorer, Legrit.'
A captain of the Ark.
Having overcome countless trials, she had reached the Ark's supreme power.
Excluding the Transcendents, she was harder to gauge than anyone Verden had yet encountered. Both in outer strength and inner spirit.
A being who had reached the limits both inside and out, that was how she felt.
Legrit stepped forward.
"Asher, I am more interested in you than you might expect. For many reasons, but especially concerning what you overcame in the Tomb of the Demon King, which even Terence could not."
"If you mean Terence…."
"A magus who was once a captain of the Ark. When it was decided to increase the captains from five to six, he became a candidate. He was immature in many ways, not having formally ascended like us, but I believed he would someday reach the same position…. It has already been seven years since he died in the Tomb of the Demon King. He was a kind one."
Turning back, she smiled faintly.
"In any case, that's why I'm curious. How did a 5th-tier mage, not yet a Magus, overcome an ancient trial, and what did you obtain there. It's simply my personal curiosity. That's just who I, Legrit, am."
Distance spread between them.
The two faced each other.
"Do you need any preparation?"
"No need."
Whoosh.
A subspace unfolded.
Verden grasped the Orient he had summoned, his eyes fixed forward.
'What kind of Mado will she use, I wonder.'
The opponent's strength was unknown.
He did not relax. Gathering his magic power, he heightened his focus.
At that moment.
Boooom!
Legrit struck the ground.
Her charge left afterimages, and Verden immediately raised Orient.
Claaang!
Her fist struck against the staff.
The impact drove Verden back. The metallic vibration ran up his fingers.
At present, he could feel magic power emanating from Legrit.
Not only that, but also the distinct presence of a magus.
'But that blow just now, it was not from magic or magic power.'
Doubt naturally rose.
Seeing his reaction, Legrit spoke.
"As you feel, I am an undeniable magus."
And then.
"I am also one who has awakened aura."
Aura and magic power.
A being who had trained two conflicting forces.
"Asher, I've heard of your methods. Not only do you use elemental magic from afar, but in close combat you wield your staff with movements no less refined."
Legrit tapped her necklace.
"An exchange match is literally a place of exchange. To prove oneself, and to learn from the opponent. In that sense, I am clearly a fitting opponent for you."
Radiant light spilled forth.
In the blink of an eye, golden armor perfectly fitted her body.
On the western continent, the Arnak Empire.
Among their powerful, there were those especially called 'Lords'.
Legrit was one of them.
Among the mage corps, she stood at the pinnacle of the War Mages, who combined magic and martial arts into a unique style of combat.
"Use your full strength. I will not kill you."
Warlord, Legrit Narsilia.
Wielding a golden staff, as aura and magic power exploded outward, her charge was truly formidable.
But Verden, too, was one of the mighty.
'So, you say you won't kill me.'
Verden slammed Orient down.
"I'll say the same."
A prelude to catastrophe.
The ground where the staff struck heaved.
At once, a dark light exploded, swallowing both Verden and Legrit.
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