The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 874

 Chapter 874

 

“Lightning energy sword…”

Raon let out a small groan as he met Glenn’s intense gaze.

“Since the head of house created it, I’m sure it’s powerful and highly refined, but I’m not sure if it suits me.”

Currently, he possessed the aura attributes of fire, frost, wind, and earth, the latter of which he had obtained from the Sword and Saber Sovereign.

The lightning energy sword, which Glenn intended to teach him, was undoubtedly destructive, but Raon wasn’t confident it would benefit him when he had already possessed four attributes of aura.

‘Too much power can sometimes become a poison.’

He had mastered fire and frost, was getting accustomed to wind, but still had a long way to go before fully adapting to the earth aura.

He worried whether he could properly utilize lightning energy in his current state.

“It’s understandable to think that way when you’ve mastered more than one or two attributes.”

Gleen calmly nodded, as if he had anticipated his question.

“Like you said, most Transcender warriors focus on only one or two attributes. That isn’t because they don’t need anything else, but because learning another attribute demands a tremendous amount of time and effort.”

He furrowed his brows, explaining that someone who had mastered fire aura would need three times more time to learn frost energy.

“But, Raon, you are different.”

A spark of expectation lit up in Glenn’s red eyes.

“Even when you were an Expert, you freely wielded both fire and frost. After becoming a Master, you imbued your sword field with both attributes, and now, you’ve even created sword techniques incorporating wind.”

He nodded with pride as he continued.

“Yet, your vessel is still far from being full. Once you master the earth aura and learn the lightning energy sword I’m about to teach you, your level will surpass even greater heights.”

Glenn chuckled, saying he’d never seen someone with such a vast capacity for martial arts.

“You may feel it’s all over the place now, once the auras and martial techniques you’ve learned become one, no one will stand above you.”

He added that Raon might even surpass him, gazing into the dark night sky.

“That sounds impossible.”

Raon shook his head firmly.

‘To reach the head of house’s level, a lifetime of training would still fall short.’

After reaching Transcendence, Gleen’s level felt even higher. Just looking at him made him feel overwhelmed. Realizing how high the head of house, the pillar of Zieghart, stood sent chills down his spine.

“No, you can do it.”

Glenn shook his head confidently, without hesitation.

“You may even transcend the chains of causality and laws themselves.”

He smiled, as if predicting that Raon wouldn’t be bound by causality, much like himself.

The King of Essence has a similar thought.

Wrath shook his finger, saying that he agreed with the old man for the first time in a while.

With that cheat-like ring you possess, you can learn anything—whether it’s the lightning energy sword or another insignificant sword.

Wrath muttered to himself about how Raon’s vessel had expanded even further after the Ring of Fire reached nine rings.

But don’t let your guard down! If the opportunity presents itself, he’ll devour your body!

‘Tomorrow too?’

Not just tomorrow, if a chance comes, he’ll seize it right away!

‘Ah, that’s a shame. I was planning to make grilled dragon tomorrow. Guess I’ll have to cancel that.’

Raon lamented dramatically, smacking his lips in disappointment.

...W-Well, tomorrow, the King of Essence might be a little busy.

‘No, no. It’s dangerous, so I’ll just eat whatever food they give me.’

He shook his head as he said he would eat at the fifth training ground’s cafeteria.

Just eat it! He won’t take over your body tomorrow or the day after! Go ahead and make your grilled dragon!

Wrath shouted, insisting he wouldn’t seize Raon’s body tomorrow or even the day after, urging him to enjoy the dragon meat.

Though Wrath claimed he was waiting for the right opportunity, it seemed to Raon that he had already given up.

“It seems like you understand now, so shall we begin?”

Glenn placed his hand on the hilt of Heavenly Tremor and spoke.

“The name of the swordsmanship is Heavenly Lightning Cultivation.”

“Heavenly Lightning Cultivation…?”

“It’s not just an aura cultivation method but a martial art that integrates sword techniques, like Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.”

He gripped the hilt tightly, explaining that he had taken inspiration from his use of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

“As I said, it’s designed to work in harmony with the Azure Sky Sword, so watch closely.”

Glenn drew Heavenly Tremor at an agonizingly slow pace, pointing its tip toward the ground as he took a short breath.

Hwoooosh!

In the blink of an eye, his blade was already pointed at the sky, and the once-clear night sky had darkened with storm clouds.

Pajijijijik!

Amid the black clouds, a lightning dragon’s red eyes flickered, radiating fiery red lightning.

Chiiiiiing!

When Glenn calmly lowered Heavenly Tremor, a streak of red lightning that had filled the sky condensed into a single blade and plummeted to the ground.

Kwooooooom!

A strike that seemed to surpass the concept of speed slammed down in front of Glenn and Raon, unleashing a tremendous shockwave. Even bracing himself, Raon was pushed backward.

“This is the tenth technique of the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation, Violent Surging Lightning Burst.”

Glenn lightly shook the hand holding Heavenly Tremor, calling it the first technique of the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation.

“Ah…”

Raon exhaled sharply, staring at the black hole left by the strike.

‘Speed and power that are nearly impossible to follow.’

A moment ago, Glenn had compressed the lightning energy that filled the sky into a blade thinner than a sword’s edge before unleashing it.

Although Raon's body trembled under the enormous shockwave, the aftermath was just a tiny hole in the ground, proof of Glenn's flawless control and refinement of the lightning energy.

He had seen many spells and sword techniques containing lightning, but this was the first time encountering power of such a different caliber.

Because the lightning energy was condensed to the extreme, he felt that even using the Sword Field Creation, Genesis, would not be able to stop it.

H, he, he’s quite good.

Wrath stammered twice and shook his head.

He doesn’t understand. That old man’s time is nearly over. How is he still getting stronger?

He seemed greatly flustered, moistening his dry lips with his tongue.

‘Are you going to lose now?’

What nonsense! The King of Essence will win!

Wrath shook his head vehemently, declaring that a Demon King never loses.

“What do you think? Will you learn it?”

Glenn spread his hands, signaling that the choice was Raon’s.

“If I back down after seeing this, I’m not a swordsman.”

Raon exhaled briefly and nodded.

“I’ll give it a try.”

Refusing after seeing Glenn’s demonstration would be unbecoming of a swordsman. Accepting was the only choice.

“Good.”

Glenn smiled with pride, as though he had expected nothing less.

“Then, I will now pass on the principles and techniques of the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation.”

Standing in place, Glenn began to recite the principles of the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation in a single breath.

Raon resonated the Ring of Fire, memorizing every word without missing a single detail.

‘Its application method isn’t too difficult.’

Although Glenn could’ve created a far more complex martial art, the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation was surprisingly easy to understand, akin to intermediate-advanced level swordsmanship in terms of comprehension.

It seemed Glenn had designed the martial art with the intention of passing it down to others from the beginning.

“Now for the techniques.”

After explaining the principles, Glenn stepped forward and demonstrated each of the twelve techniques of the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation in meticulous detail.

‘It really feels like a perfect match for the Azure Sky Sword.’

As Glenn had said, the sword techniques of Heavenly Lightning Cultivation seamlessly paired with those of the Azure Sky Sword.

The principles were easy to understand, and the sword techniques were familiar to the eye, Raon couldn’t help but feel that Glenn had created the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation specifically for him.

‘That must be it.’

There was no reason for his grandfather to create any more martial arts for himself.

The current Glenn could express the pinnacle of swordsmanship simply by swinging his sword. It was clear that this refined martial art wasn’t made for himself but for someone else.

“You will be able to imbue your sword with more value than I ever could. I look forward to the day I see that.”

“Thank you.”

Raon lifted Heavenly Drive and took a sword salute.

“I’ll master the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation completely and make sure it benefits Zieghart.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but I didn’t teach it for Zieghart. I taught it for you.”

Glenn stepped closer, placing a hand on Raon’s shoulder.

"Think about yourself a little more."

He smiled faintly, suggesting that Raon leave some space for himself.

"Even in death, like your master, who chose to remain in that blade, unmoving."

“Ah, yes…”

Raon chuckled softly as he stroked the Blade of Requiem.

“Let’s start again, then.”

Glenn stepped back, offering to correct Raon’s stance.

"I’ll be in your care!"

Raon bowed deeply and unsheathed Heavenly Drive.

*   *   *

The night passed completely, and the late morning sun rose before Glenn finally lowered his hand.

“That should be enough.”

Glenn nodded in satisfaction.

“Your stance is solid now, so you should be able to practice on your own.”

“Thank you.”

“I thought I’d have to teach you for a few days, but you grasped the basics in just one night….”

He let out a wry laugh, as if it was absurd.

“Your vessel seems to keep growing larger.”

"Aside from lightning energy, I think you could also master other energies," Glenn said, narrowing his eyes.

"It's all thanks to you, grandfather," Raon replied.

"R-Really?" Glenn's lips twitched slightly, seemingly pleased to be called 'Grandfather.'

"Yes. The principles and techniques were all easy to understand. Thank you, grandfather."

"Hoof!" Glenn momentarily held his breath, seemingly touched that Raon understood his intentions.

"R-Right. Go and rest. Y-You worked hard all night," he said, waving his hand to hide his emotional expression.

"You’ve worked hard too," Raon said as he bowed, promising to return later, and left the lord’s manor training ground.

'What incredible swordsmanship.'

A faint smile spread across his face as he generated lightning energy on his fingertip.

‘Power, speed, technique—there's nothing lacking.’

The greatest strength of Heavenly Lightning Cultivation was its incredible speed and destructive power, befitting a sword technique based on lightning energy. Beyond that, its swordsmanship patterns were both grand and intricate.

Even a Transcender of the same level would find it nearly impossible to defend against after seeing it just once.

'To learn such swordsmanship in just one night… even I find it absurd.'

No matter how much of a Transcender one may be, mastering a supreme swordsmanship in a single night is impossible.

Even before he reached Transcendence, it would have taken at least a week just to perfect the basic stances. He hadn’t expected to learn Glenn’s Heavenly Lightning Cultivation in a single night.

Reaching the 9 stars of the Ring of Fire seemed to be turning him into a real monster, both mentally and physically.

No matter how you look at it, that’s just cheating.

Wrath shook his head, seemingly dumbfounded.

Where in the world did you even get that damn ring?

‘I don’t know... even I’m not sure.’

Raon sighed as he glanced back at Glenn, who was still in the center of the training ground, cheeks and ears blushing red.

‘The closer I get to others...’

...the heavier this ache in my chest becomes.

While Glenn believed him to be a natural genius, Raon knew that the secret to his talent was the Ring of Fire. It was thanks to the Ring of Fire that he could master the versatile sword, learn multiple attributes simultaneously without slowing down his learning speed.

If he were to explain it honestly, he would have to reveal his previous life. Yet, he wasn’t sure if he could bring himself to do that.

‘It’s the right choice not to, yet part of me still wants to. It’s strange.’

He wanted to continue living as Raon Zieghart, but at the same time, his conscience nagged him to reveal the truth to those who trusted him.

‘Whatever happens, the first I’d tell…’

Raon glanced at Wrath, who was humming about dragon meat, and smacked his lips.

‘…will probably be that guy.’

He didn't know what Wrath would think, but to Raon, he was the closest to him. If he were ever to reveal his secret to anyone, Wrath would have to be the first.

What are you glaring at?

Wrath waved his hand dismissively as if to say, hurry up and grill some dragon meat.

‘Forget it, you idiot.’

Raon snorted and turned his head away.

*   *   *

Raon, bickering with Wrath, headed toward the annex building. He had trained all night before even recovering from his fatigue, so he just wanted to lie down in bed quickly.

As he quickened his pace toward the annex building, he heard someone breathing behind Federick's mansion.

'Could that sound be…'

Suppressing his presence, Raon moved into the small garden behind Federick’s mansion. Hiding himself, he looked up and spotted Aris running through the garden.

"Huff! Huff!"

She must have been running for quite some time already, sweat had soaked her forehead and her shirt.

‘I still don’t sense any aura.’

Even with her energy center empty and her muscles weakened, Aris was running at full speed through the garden. Her hardened expression conveyed her desperate determination.

‘She’s already up and about.’

Raon had seen her doing push-ups indoors, but he hadn’t expected her to already be running outside.

‘As expected of my aunt.’

She’d spent decades cultivating her martial strength, only to lose it all after being betrayed by the son she had searched for so desperately. Yet she was already back on her feet, running. Raon felt genuine respect for her.

As expected, that woman’s spirit is unyielding.

Wrath nodded as if he was also impressed.

‘Indeed. I made the right decision.’

Decision? What do you mean?

Raon didn’t answer Wrath, as if telling him to see for himself, and stood up.

"Ra-Raon?"

Aris stopped running and widened her eyes in surprise.

"What brings you here so early in the morning?"

She still seemed to feel guilty toward him, her eyes trembling slightly.

"I was on my way back after learning swordsmanship from the head of house."

"Ah, I heard that father decided to teach you swordsmanship after you slew the dragon..."

Aris clapped her hands in delight. Even with her powers gone, she praised him without the slightest hint of bitterness—showing just how magnanimous she was.

"I also brought a gift for you from my trip to Seipia."

Smiling faintly, Raon took out his subspace pocket.

"You'll accept it, right?"

"Of course! If it’s from my nephew, I’d even eat bread made of mud!"

Aris extended her arms wide, signaling she was ready to accept anything. Though her emotions weren’t fully resolved, she was clearly trying to overcome them and move forward.

"Thank you."

Raon nodded and took out the dragon heart, which radiated a rainbow-colored light, from his subspace pocket.

"...A dragon heart?"

Seeing it, Aris dropped the hand she’d stretched out to take the gift.

"Why... why would you give me this?"

"This is the dragon heart from the one I killed. I brought it because I wanted you to have it."

"No!"

Aris waved her hands furiously in rejection.

"I’m just a fool who lost all her power after being stabbed by her own son! I’m the reason your master died! Why would you give me something so precious?"

She shook her head, telling him to take it back.

"It’s precisely because you’re my aunt that I’m giving it to you."

Raon reached out and caught hold of Aris’ wrist before she could pull away.

“You helped me many times even though you had nothing to gain from it. You even gave me the dragon heart we got after defeating Kaibar without hesitation. I learned from you what it means to give without expecting anything in return.”

Aris had always helped him without expecting anything in return.

Similarly, Raon wasn’t seeking any kind of repayment. He only hoped the dragon heart would ease her pain, even if just a little.

"You look your best when you're confident and standing tall, aunt."

Raon placed the dragon heart in her hands and smiled.

"You have to take revenge on Derus, and there’s also the promise you made to Martha."

He bowed his head as he asked her to return to being Aris Zieghart, who once commanded the Pirate King.

"..."

Aris clenched her teeth, staring at the dragon heart in her trembling hands. A faint glimmer of tears began to form in her eyes.

"I hope to see you again in your true, confident self."

"...Thank you."

Her voice trembled as she bowed her head low.

"It’s nothing."

Raon waved his hand lightly and turned his back.

"Young master Raon. Thank you."

As he exited the garden, Rabawin, who had been hiding behind the door, bowed deeply to him.

“No, really. Thank you for always watching over my aunt.”

After offering his thanks to Rabawin in return, Raon headed back toward the annex building.

So, that crazy woman was one of the people you gave the lizard heart to.

Wrath nodded, saying he fully understood.

'She helped me a lot.'

Ahem! There’s also a certain demon who’s given you more than plenty of help…

Wrath smacked his lips as if waiting for Raon to catch on.

‘What do you want me to give you?’

Ahem! It wouldn’t be proper for the King of Essence to say it aloud, would it?

‘Nadine bread?’

This crazy bastard!

Wrath let out a sharp yell and swung his fists.

He wouldn’t eat that garbage even if you gave it to him! A six-letter food! You should be able to figure it out with a little thought!

‘Six letters... ah!’

Raon looked up at the air and clapped his hands.

‘Whole-roasted nadine bread?’

Why would you roast the whole nadine bread, you idiot?!

Wrath furrowed his brow in disbelief.

‘Then what is it?’

Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what it is!

‘You’re always calling me clueless. Honestly, nothing else comes to mind.’

You might as well just die!

‘I’ve been close to death plenty of times, but you always saved me.’

Kuaaaaak!

While Raon teased Wrath and chuckled to himself, he suddenly sensed someone using footwork technique, rushing toward him from behind.

"Light Wind division leader!"

Turning around, he saw Chad, the master of the Shadow Agents, running toward him, waving a white envelope.

"Shadow Agents' master?"

"A letter for you, division leader!"

Panting heavily, Chad handed the letter to him.

"I should have seen you yesterday, but I was busy, so even now..."

"Oh, it’s fine."

Raon smiled faintly as he took the letter from Chad.

"Borgos?"

His eyes widened as he read the name on the letter. It was from the dwarf blacksmith Borgos, whom Sterin had said would send a letter.

‘That was faster than I expected.’

Sterin had warned that it might take a while to receive a reply, but here it was already, not long after Raon arrived back at Zieghart, completely contrary to the expectation.

‘Does this mean he’s looking at it positively?’

Dragon bones, teeth, and scales were rare materials, even for dwarven blacksmiths. Feeling optimistic, Raon opened the letter.

"…Huh?"

However, the moment Raon read the single line written in the letter, his red eyes trembled.

"Help us?"

 

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