Chapter 132: Aura Cultivation thod (1)
Few could ascend to the rank of Graduate.
Many claid that effort could surpass talent, but those who actually proved it were rare. To reiterate, less than 1% of those who walked the path of the sword could reach the Graduate level.
Yet, defying such common standards, there were those who achieved great feats at an astonishing speed.
The Next Generation.
A term used to collectively refer to young geniuses under 40 who reached the Graduate level in their 20s, and Ransel Grantz, the genius of Nadan Kingdom, was one of the re 50 such talents on the continent.
“An unusual figure appeared at the ball?”
For the first ti in a while, he showed interest in social gossip.
This was no ordinary occurrence.
From a young age with mories to his current age of 32, he had devoted himself daily to training. Though others praised him as an unparalleled genius and the kingdom’s greatest talent, Ransel Grantz’s current skill was backed by imnse effort.
Of course.
“Ah, are you talking about that young rcenary?”
“Yes.”
His interest was piqued because it was a story related to the sword. Had it been anything else, even if a stunning beauty had appeared at the ball, he wouldn’t have cared.
‘Tch, he’s already so accomplished… I wish he’d ease up a bit.’
The servant assisting Ransel Grantz thought to himself.
Truly, he was already remarkable. Most reached the level he was at in their 50s, but he had stepped into it at 23 and continued to grow stronger since.
It wasn’t just his swordsmanship that was impressive.
His appearance? Outstanding.
His status? Impeccable.
His character? Exemplary.
He possessed all the qualities of an ideal man, yet he spent his days without a thought for marriage, which the servant found regrettable.
Of course, that was rely the servant’s perspective, and Ransel Grantz’s thoughts were different.
Right now, he was solely fixated on the news that a ‘Gold Plate rcenary’ had appeared at the ball hosted by Andy Shepler.
“From what I heard… Yes. He introduced himself to the ladies as a Gold Plate rcenary. His na is Harang… No surna, so he’s likely a commoner.”
“That’s typical for rcenaries. So, how is he? Does it seem like there’s any falsehood in his claims?”
“Sigh, I figured you’d be interested, so I looked into it.”
The servant sighed as he answered.
When he spoke of beautiful ladies’ backgrounds, Ransel remained expressionless, but the mont he heard of a new Gold Plate rcenary, his eyes sparkled, and he pressed for details.
It was understandable.
In his 20s.
Not his 40s, not his 30s, but in his 20s, a rcenary had received a ‘Gold Plate’ from the rcenary King.
This was a significant event even on a kingdom-wide scale, and for Ransel Grantz, it was like rain in a drought.
‘Sir Grantz is always thirsty for worthy sparring partners.’
What was the problem with reaching Graduate at a young age?
Finding a suitable opponent beca incredibly difficult.
Among peers, there were none who could match him, rendering practice ineffective. Yet, requesting spars from older veteran knights was rarely accepted.
Why?
Because it would wound their pride.
If they lost to a much younger junior, or even if rumors spread that they fought on equal terms, their honor would plumt.
‘Of course, Xanthos Bogen, the kingdom’s second-strongest, occasionally spars with him, but that’s hardly enough.’
Lately, even Xanthos had been avoiding him, citing busy public duties, which only made Ransel more attentive to such news.
Thinking this far, the servant smacked his lips and asked in a subtle tone, “The lady I ntioned last ti, you’re not interested, right?”
“I’m still not drawn to such things.”
“Sigh…”
“Don’t change the subject. Continue what you were saying. So, what did you find out… Is it true?”
Ransel Grantz asked again in a low voice.
The servant, looking at him, shook his head.
But what could he do? He had no choice but to give the answer his master wanted.
After a brief pause, the servant spoke, “It’s true. I asked the rcenary brokerage, and they said the rcenary King Austin personally awarded him a Special Gold Plate.”
“……!”
Ransel Grantz’s face lit up.
Of course, he didn’t expect the rcenary to be an extraordinary master.
At best, he was in his early 20s. As a swordsman, he still had much ti to mature.
But that was fine.
The prospect of crossing swords with a fresh, younger peer—soone not an old veteran—brightened his expression considerably.
“Since he’s a rcenary, he probably doesn’t care about face as much as noble families or stuffy swordsmanship hall elders…”
“That’s uncertain.”
“Don’t rain on my parade. My body’s already itching to spar with him.”
“Tch, as you wish.”
“Right. So, gather his personal information imdiately. His appearance, exact age, main areas of activity… Even if I can’t et him now, I need to be ready to find him when I have ti.”
“I’ve already prepared all that.”
“Oh, excellent. You’re the best.”
Seeing the servant hand over a file envelope right after he spoke, Ransel Grantz flashed a wide smile.
A refreshing grin that could charm even n.
As the servant, still reluctant to give up on marriage prospects, watched, the master’s hand suddenly stopped flipping through the file.
He asked, “Is sothing wrong?”
“A black-haired young man…”
“Yes? Black hair? Oh, right. They did say it’s rare. Not unheard of, but uncommon.”
“Indeed. Uncommon.”
Ransel nodded.
Yes, black hair was rare.
Not as rare as finding a needle in a sand dune, but you might see only one or two in a bustling market all day.
Suddenly, a figure he’d encountered in an ancient dungeon ca to mind.
A black-haired young man, about ten years younger than him.
Soone he’d kept a close eye on, yet who vanished in an instant, lingering in his thoughts for a long ti…
‘…Could it be that the Gold Plate rcenary who appeared at the ball is the sa person?’
With that thought, Ransel Grantz flipped through the file a bit more.
But he didn’t linger on it forever.
Handing the file back to the servant, he began walking sowhere.
“M-Master? Where are you going all of a sudden?”
“To the training ground.”
“What? The training ground? You were just training!”
“Training is never enough.”
Even Ransel Grantz, saying this, thought he was pushing himself a bit too hard today.
But he couldn’t help it.
He, who had been called the kingdom’s greatest genius, unmatched even among his peers in neighboring countries, now had a young man with even greater talent within his reach.
‘If I’m to et such an extraordinary junior, I need to prepare myself properly.’
Ransel Grantz smiled again.
It was fun. Exciting.
Indeed, he was destined to never stray from the sword.
With that thought, the kingdom’s greatest talent devoted himself to afternoon training once more.
* * *
“We’re finally here.”
“Indeed. Good work.”
“You worked hard too. It feels a sha to part like this—how about a beer?”
“No, sorry, but…”
Harang glanced down at his chest and gave an awkward smile.
Understanding his aning, Sheratiya nodded as if she’d expected it, saying, “Got it. Fair enough, you’d be eager. It’s not just anything—it’s the Aura Cultivation thod of Delkaro.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure how important it being Delkaro’s is… but I’m a bit excited to finally connect with an Aura Cultivation thod.”
Harang’s words were sincere.
Though he had reached the Graduate level without an Aura Cultivation thod, there were tis he wondered if one was truly necessary.
But after hearing not just the Eddy Family but even the rcenary King passionately emphasize its importance, he couldn’t help but grow curious.
He had considered reading the translated book during their travels, but the advice of Professor Gabone Emans held him back.
‘Make sure to read it in a safe place.’
‘Why?’
‘Why? Do you know how many people, engrossed in Aura Cultivation thods, forgot ti and place, trained without proper defenses, and got stabbed to death?’
‘Is that so?’
‘Yes. This book teaches you to focus on your inner world and build energy. If you’re just skimming it, fine, but the mont you think about the content, you’ll want to try it imdiately. That’s when it gets dangerous.’
‘Hm…’
Half-convinced by the reasoning, Harang promised to comply and exercised imnse patience to not flip open the book.
A day passed, then two, then a week, and now, having arrived in Marzen, he could no longer wait.
After a final farewell to Sheratiya, he imdiately headed to the Eddy rcenary Corps’ hideout.
“Hey! Boss! You’re ba—”
“You’re here, Boss!”
“Sorry, let’s talk later.”
“Huh? Oh? Uh, yes!”
“Yes, understood…”
Thud-thud-thud!
Before Eddy and Pale could finish, Harang swiftly disappeared deep into the building.
Judging by the direction, he was heading to the private training room.
Realizing this, Pale muttered in a low voice, “Looks like the Aura Cultivation thod issue was resolved properly.”
“Oh, right. That’s why he went to the Royal Academy, isn’t it? From his expression, it seems you’re right—it worked out well. That’s a relief.”
“He was this strong without an Aura Cultivation thod. Just how much stronger is he planning to get…?”
Pale muttered with an expression of disbelief.
It was only natural.
Every Graduate-level swordsman he knew had learned an Aura Cultivation thod from a renowned swordsmanship hall or a prestigious swordsmanship family. He had never seen soone like Harang, who reached that level through sheer physical training and real-world experience.
This ant that this opportunity could serve as a new stepping stone for Boss Harang’s growth!
“Maybe… he’ll even beco a Sword Master soday?”
“Hm…”
Eddy let out a groan.
Normally, he would have scoffed at such an absurd notion.
It was inevitable. While Graduate was a realm one could barely reach with luck and talent, Master was a realm of dreams and fantasies.
But if it was Harang.
If it was their leader, sohow it felt like such a fantasy could beco reality.
‘Of course, it won’t be easy.’
‘No matter how great Boss Harang is, there are only 30 Sword Masters across the continent. Even the superpower Holy Kingdom has only seven in that supre realm. To expect that already…’
‘Better not make a fuss about it. I don’t want to burden him.’
Since everyone knew how difficult it was to beco a Sword Master, no one openly ntioned the possibility afterward. Even the tactless Fist Brothers and young Glen kept quiet, only exchanging glances.
Then, Darren, the forr assassin who had been silent, spoke with a voice tinged with subtle expectation, “Maybe…”
“Maybe?”
“For the six of us…”
“The six of us?”
“He might teach us, don’t you think?”
“Teach what? Don’t beat around the bush, just say it…”
“The Aura Cultivation thod.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
Everyone wore shocked expressions.
To be more precise, it was closer to disbelief at how he could dare say such a thing.
To covet the Aura Cultivation thod, a treasure as precious as life itself to a swordsman!
‘What a shaless guy!’
‘Tch, we’ve been too lenient, and now this guy thinks Boss is a pushover or sothing?’
Such thoughts flashed through Eddy and Pale’s minds in an instant.
But they didn’t voice them.
Because they were happy.
Honestly, just imagining it… felt so good.
“……”
“……”
“……”
A deeper, heavier silence settled among the six rcenaries like fog.
anwhile, Harang, having entered the private training room, flipped open the first page of the book.
[Just to be clear.]
[If you’re below the Graduate level and trying to learn this cultivation thod, stop imdiately.]
‘…The author of this book is insanely arrogant.’
Harang let out a hollow laugh.
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