Urek pushed the vase aside and frowned. He couldnât understand what Reff was talking about as he started blabbering about a king of destruction.
âThat damn bastard is destroying everything in the training ground! Everything that he lays his hands on is destroyed!â
Reff clenched his fist and slammed the desk.
âSince his simple touch breaks down everything, king of destruction is the only way to describe him!â
âPlease, calm down!â
Urek picked up the vase to embrace it, pushing Reff away.
âItâs not a big deal if all he did was destroy some of the objects in the training ground. Did you really have to come here to tell me when all he did was break some training swords and training outfits?â
âI wouldnât be here if thatâs all he did!â
Reff pounded his chest in frustration.
âThat crazy bastard smashed three cassiterite cuffs and destroyed all eight sword dummies!â
âWhat?â
Uren dropped the vase and brusquely stood up. He glared at him without even looking at the shattered vase.
âWh-What did you just say? All eight sword dummies have been destroyed on top of three cassiterite cuffs?â
âYes! All of them broke!â
âWhy would they break, though? Donât tell me you forgot to make him wear the cuffs.â
âN-No, he was wearing them. He just destroyed them all! Iâm not sure if it was his strength or a technique. He is literally a king of destruction!â
âWhat theâŚ?â
One pair of cassiterite handcuffs was worth a hundred gold, and a single sword dummy was worth over two hundred gold alone. Although the equipment was terribly expensive, they were solid enough to justify the cost. He couldnât believe that such equipment was destroyed.
âSo, 1,900 gold in total⌠Did we really lose 1,900 gold worth of equipment?â
Urekâs eyes lost focus like heâd smelled a rotten egg.
âErr, thereâs actually moreâŚâ
âL-Letâs go. I canât believe it until I witness it with my own eyes!â
He started walking towards the training ground with a trembling chin. Reff followed him, disconcerted.
âAhâŚâ
As soon as Urek arrived at the training ground, his heart sank. The eight sword dummies that were placed on the right side were literally broken into pieces, and the cassiterite cuffs that usually shone blue were crushed like leaves on the platform.
The problem was that there was more than what Reff mentioned.
âEven the Sword Inspector is split apart!â
The Sword Inspector was a piece of training equipment that informed the user of any unbalanced aspects of their sword techniques with dripping water, and it was smashed like a twig. It was another super expensive tool, worth over five hundred gold.
âAnd why are they all lying on the ground?â
The Central Martial Palace swordsmen were lying on the ground like defeated soldiers. It looked like they were conscious because of their injuries.
âWhat happened here?â
âI-It was all Raonâs doing.â
âYou didnât say anything like that earlier!â
âBut the manager ran out before I could even report it. Please allow me to say everything. During the trainingâŚâ
Reff explained everything that had happened up to that point.
âKeuh!â
Urekâs face went pale. A general administrator had the role of âmistress of the houseâ for an organization. Since he was in charge of managing both the money and personnel, all the money they lost and the casualties they had taken during the incident were his responsibility.
âWhere is that bastard right now? Find him right now⌠Gasp!â
His clenched fist was trembling as he tried to find Raon. At that moment, the snapping sound of metal could be heard.
âWh-What happened?â
When he looked at the source of sound, an attractive blonde man was bursting a green sphere like a balloon.
âKuaah! Thatâs the balance ball that costs four hundred gold!â
The sphere was an extremely precious piece of training equipment that allowed the user to fix the balance of their body. Since it used a high ranking magicianâs mana, it was difficult to obtain regardless of the price. However, it was completely shattered.
However, the crazy bastard seemed to have no intention of stopping.
Creak!
Raon touched the large shield next to the balance ball. The shield fell apart like tender beef.
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âArgh! That shield costs five hundred gold!â
The shield was a special product that could block aura blades and aura threats once it was imbued with aura. Although they had purchased it for the aura blade training, it was smashed by that monsterâs hand.
Raon was moving on to his next victim. It looked like he had still not satisfied his destructive urges.
âStop that bastard! Catch him already!â
* * *
While Raon was going on with his blatant destructionâwhich he called sightseeing in the training groundâa scream could be heard from behind him. Training Instructor Reff and a big, middle-aged man were standing there.
âThat is the general administrator, Urek.â
He saw him on the list of the members of the Central Martial Palace that Judiel had given him. He was the man in charge of Central Martial Palaceâs finances, and he was running towards him alongside Reff.
âWh-What is wrong with you, you bastard? Why are you destroying everything?â
Urek yelled at him, looking at the shield on the ground.
âDo you even realize how expensive this is? Huh? What youâve destroyed today is worth over three thousand gold already!â
âI just tried touching things a little because they told me to look around the training grounds.â
âWho told you that?â
âThe man behind you.â
Raon pointed his finger at Reff, who was standing behind Urek.
âYou!â
âI-Iâm sorry, but I-I swear I told him to stop earlier.â
âShut up!â
Urek looked like he wanted to kill him as he frowned, and Reff hung his head.
âEven if he asked you to look around, you inflicted a great financial loss to the Central Martial Palace. You have to pay the reparationsâŚâ
âWait a moment.â
What Urek was saying was something Raon had already anticipated would come up. Raon nonchalantly raised his hand.
âI have a few questions before that. I heard that the Central Martial Palace represents Zieghartâs armed organizations. Is that true?â
âOf course! The Central Martial Palace is the strongest, with the Striding Steads and the Striding Lightning belonging to it.â
âAnd Iâm guessing that you wouldnât be using anything cheap as the strongest organization.â
âOf course! Thereâs nothing cheap in this training ground! Everything is of the highest quality.â
âFinally, do I look strong to you?â
âStrong? You donât even have proper muscles. Why do you even think you would look strong?â
Since Urek was extremely angry at Raon, his words were obviously harsh.
âI see. Then you mustâve been scammed.â
âS-Scammed?â
âWhat do you mean?â
Urek and Reffâs eyes widened upon hearing that they had been scammed.
âThe equipment certainly looks expensive, but none of it has any durability.â
With a bitter expression, Raon threw the transparent shield on the ground.
âI mean, the equipment used in one of Zieghartâs strongest armed organizations, the Central Martial Palace, wouldnât be so cheap that a rookie swordsman like me could destroy it. Just as you said, I am weak because of my thin arms, and I couldnât even use my aura.â
He raised his arm to show him the cassiterite cuffs he was wearing.
âBurren, you saw that I never took them off, right?â
âHuh? Ah, y-yes.â
Burren was called upon suddenly, but he replied honestly. His expression suggested that he thought the crazy bastard was going crazy again.
âYou saw it, right? Thereâs no way I could destroy such solid equipment without even using aura. You got scammed. Since I showed you that you were scammed, you should be thankful to me instead.â
âAhâŚâ
âHuhâŚ?â
Urek and Reffâs jaws dropped. Since they didnât expect that kind of answer at all, their eyes lost focus.
âW-Wait a moment! Thatâs notâŚâ
âIt was a bit unpleasant to be suspected like that, but thatâs okay. Iâll overlook the matter since itâs my first day.â
Raon waved his hand for a bit and stepped away. Urek and Reff were standing blankly on the spot, like wooden dummies.
What bullshit is this? You just broke them all with sheer strength!
âYes, they will soon realize that I was bullshitting them.â
Raon snickered and nodded.
âBut because of their pride, they wonât tell me to reimburse them.â
Were you aiming for this all along?
âJudiel told me about their personalities, after all.â
Raon had read a document that Judiel gave him beforehand, which detailed the executivesâ personalities and tastes.
General Administrator Urek placed more importance on his pride than money. Since he had withdrawn while the other swordsmen were watching, he wouldnât ask him to reimburse them again.
âKeuh, what are you doing right now? Clean up all that broken equipment!â
âAh, yes!â
The bewildered swordsmen started to clean up, following Urekâs orders.
âHmm.â
Raon sat in the stands and secretly smiled.
âI think I broke at least half of them.â
Although there was still a lot of equipment remaining, he destroyed most of the expensive-looking ones, which shouldâve cost them a lot. He could only smile, imagining the face Karoon would make later on.
âWas this your goal all along?â
Burren sat next to him and snickered.
âDid you come here to destroy the equipment?â
He wasnât angry, despite having realized his plan. He was just frowning slightly.
âI didnât come for that.â
âWhich means you have another objective. I suppose you wouldnât have come here just to break things.â
Burren nodded in acknowledgment.
âBut I recommend you do it in moderation. It could get dangerous.â
âAre you worried about me?â
âO-Of course not! Iâm just worried that you will end up destroying what I need to use!â
Burren waved his hand, his face turning red. It has been a long time since the last time Raon saw him like that.
âYou arenât stopping me completely, huh?â
âI know who picked this fight first, so I canât really stop you. And you arenât the type to listen to begin with.â
Burren lowered his eyebrows and licked his lips.
âBut⌠Have you always been this strong?â
âIt was because it was cheap equipment.â
âI see.â
Burren smiled faintly and stood up.
âIâm really going to have to work hard in order to catch up to you.â
After saying that, Burren went to the other swordsmen.
Are you sure that guy is the shitty-eyes that the King of Essence remembers?
Wrath narrowed his eyes in bewilderment.
Humans donât usually change like that.
âI know, right? I also think itâs mysterious.â
It was difficult to believe that he previously had that aggressive personality after seeing how easygoing he was now. He still got angry at Runaan and Martha sometimes, but it looked like he became a completely different person.
On the other hand, it seemed like his resolution to catch up to him was unchanged.
By the way, how much strength do you have right now?
âStrength?â
Raon licked his lips, and opened the status window for the first time in a long time.
Status Window
Name: Raon Zieghart.
Title: âThe One Who Bamboozled the Kingâ.
State: Curse of Frost (Four Strands)
Trait: Wrath, Sloth, Ring of Fire (Five-Stars), Water Resistance (Five-Stars), Perception of the Snow Flower (Three-Stars), Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation (Four-Stars), Glacier (Four-Stars), Fire Resistance (Three-Stars), Bleeding Curse (One-Star), Backstab (Two-Star), Iron Will (Two-Star), Adaptation to Ghastly Energy (One-Star), Focus (One-Star).
__
Strength: 129
Agility: 125
Stamina: 124
Energy: 128
Perception: 144
Wrath: 25
âThatâs a lot.â
Raon automatically gasped upon seeing it. The stats obtained over a year by the system, training, and Slothâs abilities combined into a huge amount, giving him a transcended body that surpassed the human limits.
âThis is why I could break everything.â
He usually didnât harm anyone, as he controlled his power, but he could even smash steel at a hinge or joint by using his full strength.
âI have 129 in strength.â
S-Say that again?
â129.â
You are insane! When did that happen?
âYou gave me most of them. Why are you even asking?â
Half of the stats were the results of Wrathâs sloppy bets and his impulsive anger. His training and Slothâs ability were also helpful, but Wrathâs doormat tendency was the biggest contributor.
You damn bastard! You are like a fly on a pineapple pizza, sucking away the King of Essenceâs sweet abilities!
Wrath ground his teeth, bursting with anger and coldness.
Rumble!
The freezing cold and boiling anger penetrated into his mana circle like a sharp blade. Wrath even used the power of wrath engraved in Raonâs soul for an all-out attack.
You canât use that aura right now! It will be the King of Essenceâs victory this time!
âI donât think so.â
Because the Ring of Fire wasnât aura.
Raon smiled faintly, resonating his rings of fire. The five rings spinning around his heart resonated to subdue the wrath engulfing his soul.
Pssh!
The frozen wall created by Glacier perfectly blocked Wrathâs coldness.
You damn parasite!
Wrath kept pouring his coldness and wrath, and continuously yelled for over ten minutes.
âIâm telling you, you are only hurting yourself with that.â
Raon shook his head and pointed at the message that just appeared.
[Youâve withstood Wrathâs interruption.
Strength has increased by 1.]
âDo you see this? Itâs because you keep giving me points for free like this that my stats keep increasing!â
Daaaaamn it!
The giving Wrathâs wailing didnât stop inside the Central Martial Palace.
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
âThat damn bastard.â
Urek ground his teeth as he looked at Raon sitting in the stands. The sneaky bastard got him good, but his pride didnât allow him to say anything because he agreed to his statement in front of the other swordsmen.
âIâll crush you, just you waitâŚâ
âUrek.â
âGasp!â
As Urek was resolving himself for revenge, a baritone voice resounded in his ears. It was the voice he feared the most.
âS-Sir Karoon!â
The Central Martial Palace Master, Karoon Zieghart, was walking towards the training ground while being escorted by ten men.
âWhy are you hereâŚ?â
âThe head of house ordered me to support the Striding Steads and the Striding Lightning in their mission.â
âOh, I-I see.â
Urek swallowed nervously, feeling his back getting drenched with sweat. He was worried that he came to see Raon, but fortunately that wasnât the case.
âHmm.â
Karoon smiled coldly, looking at Raon sitting there like a fool.
âJust like I told you before, gather the information in advance so that you can kill that arrogant guy whenever and wherever itâs necessary.â
âSure thing!â
âIâll be back in two weeks.â
He waved his hand, crossing the training ground to leave the Central Martial Palace.
âHaaâŚâ
Urek smoothed down his chest and breathed out a sigh of relief.
âWhat a relief.â
He couldnât miss his opportunity. He needed to humiliate Raon before Karoonâs return and gather information about his strength and weakness.
âThen itâs obvious what I need to do.â
A spar.
A spar was the best method.
âReff!â
Urek gestured his hand at Urek, who was standing there blankly.
âAh, yes!â
âCall Ganett!â
Ganett had a weak aura, but he was extremely talented in swordsmanship. Although Raonâs swordsmanship was also rumored to be excellent, he shouldnât be able to overcome the difference in years.
Urek clenched his fist, with a cold smile.
âToday is the day Iâll witness your limit, Raon Zieghart.â
* * *
Raon simply warmed up his body instead of training at full strength during his free time.
What are you doing?
âIâm stretching.â
Arenât you going to train?
âA spar is about to begin.â
A spar?
âYes. Itâs obvious.â
Considering that Judiel had received an order to gather information as soon as he returned to the house, the Central Martial Palace wanted information about him.
Since they had no reason to miss the opportunity Raon had given them by coming to them on his own, they were going to ask for a spar in order to obtain information.
âLine up!â
While Raon was slowly running around the training ground, Reff walked up onto the platform and gathered everyone.
âThere were some unfortunate incidents, but since theyâve all been resolved now, we will continue with the next part of your training.â
He took a glance at Raon while saying the words âunfortunate incidentsâ.
âThe next training is sparring. You will only be allowed to use your swordsmanship and footwork while wearing the cassiterite cuffs, and the victor will be decided upon neutralizing your opponent.â
âSee?â
What Reff just said was exactly what heâd expected.
Hmph! The King of Essence also knew about it!
âBevin and Arun. Step forward!â
Two swordsmen stepped up after Reff called them, then started fighting against each other. Since they were both excellent swordsmen at the intermediate Expert level, it was an eye-catching and interesting spar even though they werenât using their aura.
After a fierce fight that was similar to a real battle, the swordsman named Bevin allowed a hit on his shoulder and the spar ended.
âJust like you saw, a spar in Central Martial Palace is similar to a real fight.â
Reff put an emphasis on the real fight part while looking at Raon specifically.
âNext up are Raon and Ganett. Step forward.â
Raon stood up and looked at the man named Ganett. He seemed around thirty years old and had a sturdy body. His aura didnât seem to be that outstanding, but a refined sharpness could be felt from him.
Judging from his serious eyes as he looked at him, he seemed to be determined to win.
Raon smiled cheerfully and stepped into the arena.
âIt will be interesting.â
* * *
Ganett licked his lips while looking down on Raon.
âSo, I just need to beat up this arrogant guy, right?â
General Administrator Urek had ordered him to bully Raon to make him use all of his hidden techniques and abilities.
It wasnât a difficult task, but he was taking it seriously because he was told that he would be moved to the Striding Steads during the next personal exchange if he managed to humiliate him by thoroughly beating him up. Also, he actually liked the task since he didnât like his handsome face anyway.
âBeating him up is a piece of cake if we arenât using aura.â
He acknowledged Raonâs powerful body and aura, but he was confident that his swordsmanship was better than Raonâs. If he wasnât allowed to use his aura, he could literally toy with him.
âAs your senior, Iâll allow you to attack first.â
Ganett flicked his fingers.
âAre you serious?â
âYes. Come at me before I change my mind.â
He wouldâve never done that if Raon was allowed to use aura, but he was showing off because they were both wearing the cassiterite cuffs.
âAlright.â
Just as he expected, Raon nodded and charged at him. He reached in front of him in an instant and slammed down his sword.
âI knew it.â
Ganett snickered. There was nothing surprising about the trajectory and speed of Raonâs sword.
âIâll deflect it.â
He was trying to deflect Raonâs attack with style, by slightly twisting the sword he had raised.
Slam!
The moment he clashed with Raonâs sword, a tremendous shock could be felt, as if his joints had been dislocated.
âHuh? Wh-What?â
Because the strength in Raonâs sword was too powerful, Ganett couldnât deflect it and his wrist snapped.
âTh-This canât be⌠Ah!â
Smaack!
Ganett yelped as his sword was pushed back, fiercely smacking into his forehead. His head gave a bursting soundâlike a ballâfrom getting hit by his own training sword.
âGurgleâŚâ
Raon was reflected in his hazy eyes, nonchalantly opening his mouth.