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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Black Lion's Test
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A situation where I couldn't go forward or back. That was exactly what I was facing right now.
I had to obtain the Heterogenous Power no matter what. Only then could I change this family's fate, and from there, alter the nation's destiny—and even the continent's.
But no matter the stakes, I couldn't condemn an innocent person to death unjustly.
'Think, think. There has to be some way.'
As I stood there without saying a word, Karma prodded me again.
"What are you doing just standing there in a daze? Hurry up and speak."
This old coot, badgering me without a clue about my inner turmoil.
"What's got you so worked up? Just tell them the name of the man who sent you here. Didn't you say you wanted to walk your own path?"
Karma's voice whispered in my ear. Right. Without a Heterogenous Power, I'd have to take an incredibly long detour.
I'd claimed that mandragora from the casino precisely to prepare for this moment. I couldn't back out now.
After agonizing over it, I finally forced the words out.
"...I'm sorry, but I can't say."
Damn it. Even so, this was going too far. I couldn't sacrifice an innocent life for my plans.
Especially not if they were a sinner, at least.
The Black Lions, aside from the Turbid Stream faction, fundamentally operated to aid the powerless across the continent.
As a Clear Stream Black Lion myself, I could never take actions that directly or indirectly harmed those connected to me.
I couldn't bring myself to steal their lives through my own carelessness. What would set me apart from those damned Holy Empire bastards then?
"I'm sorry, but I can't sacrifice someone else to walk my own path. The tea... was good."
I pried my reluctant butt off the seat and headed for the apothecary's door.
Hah, damn it. The price of my complacency was too steep. But what choice did I have? I'd already awakened a power once before, so even if it took a longer route, I'd find another way.
Vowing to account for every variable from now on to avoid this happening again, I grasped the door handle when the old man's voice stopped me cold.
"You pass."
"...?"
I turned back, utterly baffled.
The old man—Karma—gazed at me with a satisfied smile. It looked just like the one from my past life. Except for one thing.
"What are you doing? Sit down already. Congratulations, kid—you've passed the Black Lions' test."
The Black Lions' test?
Caught off guard by this unforeseen scenario from my past life, I stared blankly, and Karma burst into hearty laughter, as if it was the funniest thing ever.
"Hahaha! Kid, aren't you underestimating the Black Lions a bit too much?"
"What... do you mean by that?"
"We stand in direct opposition to entrenched powers like the Holy Empire. But we can't match them in numbers or scale."
That much was true. Black Lions were those who awakened innate powers, so their numbers were inherently limited.
Moreover, with rulers in many nations excluding Black Sages, they had no choice but to operate in the shadows.
"Not all of us move with the same goals, but at the very least, we share a deep bond forged under the oppression of those powers. You think we'd awaken the ability for some bastard who'd sell out his own?"
What the hell was he saying?
"If you want a power different from others, you need morals that set you apart too. A guy who'd sell out another just for his own ability? Better to kill him right here—it'd do the world a favor."
Something felt off about the nuance.
"Lucky for you, I don't have to crush a promising young sprout with my own hands. Heh heh."
Hm. Yeah, I needed to clarify this.
"Um, sir. Just to be sure... what if I had named someone?"
"That morning bread would've been the last of your life."
"..."
Realizing I'd unwittingly had one foot in the grave sent chills down my spine.
But curiosity was curiosity. My questions weren't over yet.
"What if I knew about this in advance and was just acting?"
"Heh heh heh. You still doubt us here and there. Think you could fool us, who've seen countless souls? Especially me—you can't fool me. That's... hm, let's just say I know."
Sounded plausible, but it boiled down to them judging as they saw fit. What the hell? Why's everything so slapdash?!
Whether he sensed my exasperation or not, Karma emerged from the back of the apothecary holding something like a kudzu root.
"Alright then, let's get started, kid. I'm dying to see just what power you've got."
That kudzu root was a catalyst for awakening Heterogenous Powers.
With rare exceptions, awakening required a matching catalyst, and across the continent, no one knew them better than the Great Three Sages.
Sure enough, bringing nearly the exact same catalyst as in my past life showed this old man's sharp eye. Identical, except for one thing.
But that was the past. The difference now? I had something to replace that kudzu root.
"Ah, could I use this as the catalyst instead?"
I held out the massive mandragora I'd pried from Hans at the casino.
"...?"
Karma stared, then his eyes nearly bulged out.
"Th-this...!! A mandragora!! And at least 200 years old! How did you get your hands on something this precious, kid?!"
Snatched it from the casino. No need to mention that.
"Would this work as a substitute?"
"Of course!! No—it's perfect! Your mindset is sturdy and resolute, so it'll surely tie to iron. In that case, nothing beats a mandragora with its yang vigor!"
As expected. My hunch was right.
The only difference? I'd swapped the catalyst thinking the mandragora matched my power's affinity, whereas Karma's assessment of me had changed.
-Your weak-ass power doesn't even deserve an onion peel. Sigh... fine, I'll give you this kudzu root, just in case. It's valuable with some yang properties—consider it an honor.
I'd gotten that pitiful evaluation before, but even then, the Heterogenous Power I'd awakened let me give the Empire hell.
Changing the catalyst might make the power I got a bit more usable. That was my hope.
Setting my expectations aside, Karma began muttering over the mandragora I'd handed him.
Soon enough—how much time passed?—the mandragora in his hand melted like water, forming a bizarre pattern in the center of the apothecary.
One difference—no, two: the energy emanating from the pattern was far stronger than in my past life.
"Step onto it, kid. Time to awaken your power."
I did as Karma instructed and stood on the pattern.
Confirming my position, Karma muttered something, and radiant light began to rise from the pattern.
This euphoria, this warmth. Everything matched my past life perfectly, but the energy felt far more intense.
Did mandragoras pack this much punch? I hadn't expected it to go this far.
How much time passed?
Eventually, the soaring euphoria and warmth faded, and ambient sounds returned.
I opened my eyes to find Karma sitting casually beside me.
"Coming around?"
Karma looked thoroughly drained. No surprise there. Heterogenous Powers were inscrutable forces.
Awakening something the world couldn't explain naturally consumed mental energy.
His ragged breathing and sprawled posture matched the past life too. Except for one thing.
"Whew. Your catalyst meshed so perfectly with you that I got carried away and poured in extra effort."
Pride filled Karma's eyes. In the past life, he'd done it half-heartedly and still doubted the result. What a difference in treatment.
"Give it a try, kid."
I knew full well what to do, but played dumb and asked Karma.
"I don't feel any different... How do I do it?"
"Heh heh heh. Makes sense—you can't grasp it at first. Close your eyes and slowly attune to your inner voice. Focus deeply inward over time, and your power will reveal itself to you."
I closed my eyes as instructed and confronted my mindset.
Firm and unyielding steel, never to be broken.
Yet awakened too late, it had failed to protect the kingdom, the family, my comrades—fading into nothingness.
But this life would be different. No—I'd make it different.
Moments later, I opened my eyes and focused on my right hand.
Sure enough, nothing happened at first. Karma smirked at the sight.
"Heh heh heh. Kid, that's why I said to focus inward for a long time—it doesn't come easy..."
Karma trailed off, unable to finish.
Right before his eyes, my right hand let out a dull thud and began to gleam with black light.
"How...? What the hell are you, kid? How'd you manifest a Heterogenous Power this fast?! Most take three months to even use it properly!"
Because I'd wielded it for over twenty years back in the day. But saying that would just make him question my sanity.
For now, I could barely steel just my right hand with focus, but reaching my past peak was only a matter of time.
'Once stage one is complete, I'll learn 'Earth.' After my vessel's ready, Pankration.'
Unlike before, no time wasted idling. A power I'd already mastered would pave a new path. How massive the changes from this small divergence would be, only time would tell.
As I mapped out my plans, I bowed to Karma, who sat there stunned and slack-jawed.
"Thank you for awakening my power, Great Sage."
"Hm...? Oh, ah, no need. Just fulfilling my duty as a Black Lion."
Snapping out of it, Karma straightened up and addressed me.
"Come back here at dawn tomorrow, kid. I still have more to say."
That meant he'd be leaving tomorrow. Time was short. Before leaving the apothecary, I gripped both his hands tightly and spoke.
This advice would surely change his life ten years from now.
"Make sure to eat black beans every single day, without fail. And when you wash your hair, massage your scalp thoroughly."
"...?"
To the baffled Karma, I repeated my earnest advice right up until I stepped out.
From the moment I entered the apothecary, everything had played out the same as before.
The sole difference from the past?
Karma.
The hair atop the head of the man dozing at the apothecary's heart was still thick and full.