Eye of the Storm was the calm region at the center of a storm.
It was a calm and peaceful place, where nothing happened despite the wind blowing violently in the surroundings.
And that was the situation unfolding in front of Raonâs eyes.
Both the Blood Raving Demonâs violent madness and combative energy and Rimmerâs dark green aura were pushed into the surroundings.
A completely windless space.
No, it wasnât just the wind. It was completely silent, as if air had stopped flowing, and his entire body felt as heavy as if a lump of steel was settled on his shoulders.
The Blood Raving Demon seemed confused, standing still with his eyes and mouth wide open. He wasnât able to move his body freely, either.
Whir!
A clear flow protruded into that silent space.
It was Rimmerâs sword. Dark green wind was gathering on his empty sword, devoid of aura.
Thud!
Rimmer stomped the ground. His body shot up like an arrow, crushing the ground.
The Blood Raving Demon thrust his fist in panic, but Rimmer rode the wind to pierce into him even deeper.
And a single slashâŠ
The sword containing the wind itself fell vertically.
Slice!
The Blood Raving Demonâs right hand was harder than steel, yet it was easily cut off. It fell onto the pitch-black ground.
However, the Blood Raving Demon was a warrior at a Masterâs level. Losing his arm wasnât enough to make him fall.
He immediately stopped the bleeding of his right arm and stepped back. His movement was as swift and flexible as a tiger.
Rimmer turned his sword to follow the Blood Raving Demon, as if he were already expecting it.
The Blood Raving Demon tried escaping from Rimmerâs Eye of the Storm, but the space was moving along with Rimmer.
Upon realizing he couldnât escape, the Blood Raving Demon came to a halt. Lowering his posture, he focused all his remaining energy in his left fist.
Whir!
The space was vibrating. Red astral energy appeared as a stream, creating a tidal wave.
Rimmer faced the tidal wave of astral energy covering the ground, holding a single thin sword.
Whoosh!
The Eye of the Storm grew bigger in size, and the wind surrounding Rimmerâs sword grew lighter in color.
Rimmer swung his sword, the blade surrounded by the storm.
Crack!
With a cliff-splitting sound, the dark green wind cut through the red tidal wave.
Whoosh!
An intense light burst out at that moment.
âKeuh!â
Even Raon closed his eyes for a moment, unable to withstand the light.
âIs it over?â
When he opened his eyes, the Eye of the Storm had disappeared, and the world had returned to normal.
ââŠâŠâ
The Blood Raving Demon and Rimmer were facing each other, about five steps apart.
âYou cut your strength of body and aura in half and incorporated all the wind around that windless space in your sword.â
The Blood Raving Demonâs voice was still overflowing with madness and combative energy.
âThatâs fine, since Sword Field is that kind of technique. But how were you able to use a Sword Field?â
The Blood Raving Demon wasnât the only one curious about it. Raon was also surprised at seeing Rimmer using a Sword Field.
âI thought those who inherited Zieghartâs blood were the only ones capable of using a Sword FieldâŠâ
As the strongest organizations in the continent, Six Kings and Five Demons had distinct characteristics, but Zieghart was special even among them.
They were capable of creating a barrier as swordsmen, and not as mages. That was why the Sword Field Creation was an outstanding ability, renowned throughout the continent.
However, those who could use it were limited to those who had inherited Zieghartâs blood, and only a small number among them were actually capable of using it.
Because of that, it didnât make sense that Rimmer was able to use itânot when he wasnât even human.
âMore specifically, itâs not exactly a Sword Field, but something similar.â
Rimmer smiled while closing his eyes.
âSince Iâm pretty close to nature because Iâm an elf.â
ââŠI see.â
The Blood Raving Demon nodded, realizing something.
âAn injured tiger who lost their teeth is still a tiger, huh.â
Letting out a laugh, he looked at Raon.
âWhat a shame. I shouldâve gotten rid of him at all costs, since he is going to impact Eden gravelyâŠâ
âI canât let our young king be defeated by someone like you.â
âCertainly, he has the qualities of a supreme ruler instead of an average swordsman. However, donât be arrogant.â
The Blood Raving Demonâs voice started to tremble.
âWe also have a talent as good as him in our side. Iâm looking forward to you fighting against him.â
âThe continent is vast, after all.â
Rimmer murmured that it was understandable and nodded.
âItâs my loss, Zieghartâs Sword of Light.â
The Blood Raving Demon closed his eyes after saying that. A red line appeared from the center of his body.
The body, maintained through aura, split apart. The giant at the Masterâs level fell back.
Whir!
The Blood Raving Demonâs helmet was also split in half, and the light of madness disappeared.
âHaaâŠâ
Rimmer sighed and sat on the ground.
âWere you watching?â
He turned his head around and grinned. He looked exhausted despite having his usual expression on his face.
âYes, I was.â
Raon nodded.
âThatâs the special technique you should learn as a Zieghart. Itâs called the Sword Field.â
âSword FieldâŠâ
He murmured the words âSword Fieldâ, pretending he didnât know about it.
âItâs a barrier created through pressure and karma, not mana like a magician would use.â
âThatâs why youâve put so much importance on pressure.â
âYes. Even if you arenât using a Sword Field, developing pressure helps you exert your power.â
Rimmer grinned, and Raon nodded once again.
âCertainlyâŠâ
He might have been a bit different, but Rimmerâs training requiring trainees to surpass their limits every day mustâve greatly helped the other children.
If they hadnât gone through the training to increase their pressure, the children wouldnât have been able to fight against the Green War Demon, nor run away from the Blood Raving Demon.
âYou are a collateral, but you are actually a member of the direct line. You can probably use it one day⊠No, you will certainly use it.â
Rimmer declared, certain that he could do it one day.
âThe experience, achievement, aura, and even the future youâve been accumulating. Sword Field is created by incorporating all of that. You need to experience many things, and you must learn.â
He was teaching him despite being out of breath. Everything from the battle against the Blood Raving Demon until that moment was a lesson.
âYou guys watched too, right?â
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
Rimmer completely turned his body and looked far away. Runaan, Burren, Martha, and the other trainees were standing in a daze.
It seemed theyâd been watching the situation from outside the Sword Field.
âRaon!â
Runaan came running at him. Her eyes were filled with small tears.
âThatâs crazy! This guy was alive! Heâs alive!â
The hand Martha used to grab Raonâs shoulder trembled, unable to believe Raon had managed to survive so long.
âSir Raon!â
âRaon!â
âKeuh!â
Dorian and the trainees came running at him with teary eyes.
âRaon Zieghart.â
Burrenâs chin trembled as he breathed out a sigh of relief.
âIâm really gladâŠâ
While faltering, he sniffed and turned his gaze to Rimmer, who was next to Raon.
âBy the way, instructor.â
âHmm?â
âHow was the instructor able to use the Sword Field Creation?â
âI made it.â
âD-did you say you made it?â
âYes.â
Rimmer repeated what he told the Blood Raving Demon and nodded his head.
âThere are a few different kinds of Sword Fields that are passed down in Zieghart. Since they are inherited through blood, only their bloodline can use itâbut making a new one is a different story.â
He smiled, telling him that he made the Sword Field.
âThen am I also able to use that Sword Field?â
Martha asked while stepping forward. Runaanâs eyes were also glittering.
âThatâs a no.â
Rimmer calmly shook his head.
âThere are two conditions that are requirements for a non-Zieghart to create a Sword Field.â
âTwo conditions?â
âFirst is experience. You need to have lots of experience with a Sword Field. Iâve done that in all the battlefields Iâve led with the Lord. And second isâŠâ
He gave a look at each trainee before he continued.
âThe talent in attribute.â
âWhat kind of talent are you talking about?â
Martha took one step closer and asked. She was greatly interested in the Sword Field.
âTalent in attributes. The power of attribute is necessary for people like us, who donât have Zieghartâs blood, to create the Sword Field. Iâve managed to make it through the power of wind.â
âHmmâŠâ
âBut I wouldnât recommend it.â
Rimmer shook his head with a dejected expression.
âCollaterals and a few vassal families, including the Sullion families, also inherited Zieghartâs blood. They might be able to use the Sword Field if they worked hard on it. However, you would need to sacrifice something if you are trying to use the Sword Field without Zieghartâs blood.â
âSacrifice?â
ââŠâŠâ
Rimmer didnât respond.
âYou have a bright future ahead of you. Unlike me, who had no choice but to make my Sword Field, you should be able to get stronger with your own strength.â
He included wind in his voice, so that everyone could hear him.
âLetâs talk about this later, and for nowâŠâ
Rimmer took out a transparent water bottle from his sleeve and approached Raon.
âItâs going to hurt. Endure it.â
He spoke as he poured the water on his broken arm and his torn waist and thigh.
ââŠâŠâ
It was extremely painful, but Raon didnât groan in the slightest. That much couldnât even be called a pain compared to when he was fighting against the Blood Raving Demon.
âDoesnât it hurt?â
âIt hurts.â
âBut you arenât even groaning.â
âIt doesnât hurt that much.â
âHuh, wow.â
Rimmer snickered and shook his head.
âItâs over, so letâs go back.â
âWait!â
Burren raised his hand. He had the same eyes as when he was in the training ground.
âI have a question.â
âEek? Iâm tired, can we do it laterâŠâ
Rimmer gulped, guessing what he was about to ask.
âNo, I need to ask it right now. Where have you even been, that you came out to help so late? Itâs obvious youâve been following us, so why did you appear after we were in so much danger? Not only us, but the villagers were also in danâŠâ
âHuh? Whatâs that?â
Rimmer raised his finger and pointed towards Burrenâs back.
âGasp!â
âWhat is it againâŠâ
The trainees hurriedly looked back, but all they could see were shaking branches without any leaves.
âThereâs no⊠Where did he go?â
Burrenâs eyes widened. Rimmer had disappeared in the short time he was looking away.
âThat guy, seriously! Why did he appear so late?! We almost died for real!â
He was grateful that he came to save them, but the timing was too dramatic. Considering the villagers' lives were also at stake, he shouldâve appeared earlier.
âDid anyone die?â
Raon walked up to Burren, grabbing his broken right arm.
âFortunately, nobody died. I wouldâve grabbed the instructor by the collar if there was any.â
âThen itâs fine.â
Rimmer mustâve had his own circumstances. The villagers mustâve been shocked, but they should be able to overcome it since no one had died.
âButâŠâ
âLetâs clean up. We still have much to do.â
Raon shook his head, his entire body covered in blood.
âA-are you really okay?â
âAre you okay, Raon?â
Burren and Runaan asked at once.
âIâm fine.â
Raon nodded like nothing, despite being seriously injured no matter how one looked at him.
Raon was recovering his body and mana circuit with the âRing of Fireâ.
Rimmerâs medicine was also effective, so his body and mana circuit became even stronger after a good rest.
âIâm sorry.â
Burren lowered his head. His drooping hand was trembling.
âYou had to step up because my decision was made too late, yet I almost got everyone killed. I donât think Iâm fit to lead anyone.â
âYou look like you are about to die from a single mistake. If you realized your problem, develop your decision-making and strength together.â
âHmmâŠâ
âOr you could just give up on everything if you arenât confident.â
âNo, Iâll do it. Iâm going to gain judgment and strength that wonât lose in any situation! I promise this to you, the one that saved my life!â
âThatâs good.â
Raon waved his uninjured left hand.
âI wouldâve punched him if he apologized for being unable to help me.â
He liked that he apologized for not running away immediately, instead of not fighting against the Blood Raving Demon together.
Since Burren was still a child, he would be able to improve a lot more in the future.
âRunaan, youâre the same. You shouldâve run away back then instead of trying to help me.â
âDonât wanna.â
Runaan shook her head with an unusually sullen face.
âIf itâs an opponent you canât win againstâŠâ
âDonât wanna.â
âItâs dangerous.â
âDonât wanna.â
âNo, listen to me first.â
âI wonât listen. Iâm going to help.â
She covered her ears and shook her head while saying that.
âIâm going to get stronger. Iâm definitely going to get stronger and fight alongside you!â
âHaaâŠâ
The silliness drew a bitter smile from him. However, his heart felt warm. He could feel the sincerity in her words when she said she would get stronger and help him.
It was a difficult mission, one where he got injured a lot, but he was happy that he got to learn a lot about emotions.
ââŠâŠâ
Raon looked at Martha. She seemed to be thinking about something, her deep gaze was directed at him.
âItâs over. Letâs return.â
He waved his hand at the trainees, who were still standing around dumbfounded.
He could see people running at them from the darkness. They were the Zieghart reinforcements that Krein went to call.
His mind grew relaxed because everything was really over.
[Youâve won the bet against âWrathâ.]
[The reward is being distributed.]
When he was thinking he wanted to rest, a blue window appeared in front of his eyes.