Episode 57
“Hey, medicine?”
Aster was startled by Zeke’s words.
Then, looking a bit dejected, he shook his head.
“Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I’ve tried every remedy out there, and nothing works.”
Seeing Aster’s deepening gloom, Zeke grinned.
“Never mind that. Come with me.”
Zeke led Aster to a secluded spot on the nearby lawn. Once there, he pulled something out from his pocket—a small pouch that fit snugly in his palm.
“Aster, how many hours of sleep do you want?”
“Huh? Well, if I could get a solid two hours, that’d be great.”
Zeke opened the pouch under Aster’s nose.
“Even if I try something like that, it won’t—”
Before Aster could finish his sentence, he collapsed onto the grass, snoring soundly. Zeke nodded in satisfaction.
“Sandman’s Sleep Sand. Works like a charm.”
Now that he was a mid-level manager, Zeke had access to a wider range of items, including some rather peculiar ones. There were items for insomnia, depression, and even aphrodisiacs. He never thought he’d actually use them, but they were surprisingly effective.
Leaving Aster to sleep on the grass, Zeke went about his business and returned two hours later. Aster was still fast asleep, oblivious to the world. Zeke shook him awake.
“…useless.”
Aster mumbled, finishing his earlier sentence as he woke up. He looked around, sensing something was different. The headache that had been stabbing at his temples was gone. He looked at Zeke in disbelief.
“Did I really fall asleep?”
“You slept like a log. The medicine worked wonders.”
After a week of sleepless nights, even two hours of deep sleep left Aster feeling refreshed. He grabbed Zeke’s hand, overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Wow, thank you so much! I can’t believe it… The world looks so beautiful!”
Aster was so thrilled he started jumping up and down. Then he turned to Zeke.
“Where can I get that medicine? Can you tell me?”
Zeke shook his head.
“I got it from someone I know. It’s not something you can just buy.”
Aster’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. But then Zeke spoke up again.
“There is one way to get it.”
Aster perked up and moved closer to Zeke.
“What is it?”
“Have you decided what you’ll do after graduation?”
Aster shook his head.
“Not yet. I plan to look around, but if my insomnia gets worse, I won’t be able to function normally.”
Zeke grinned and pulled out a contract from his pocket.
“If you sign this contract with me, I’ll provide the medicine regularly. Enough for a good night’s sleep every three days.”
Aster was taken aback.
“Really? All I have to do is sign?”
He was about to sign without even reading the contract, but Zeke stopped him.
“Hey, you should at least read the terms before signing. You might end up selling yourself to a bad place.”
Despite Zeke’s warning, Aster hurriedly signed the contract without a second thought.
“As long as I can sleep properly, I’ll do anything.”
Zeke watched Aster with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
‘Did this guy end up getting sold to the empire in his past life because of this?’
He had secured one of the Five Star Knights more easily than expected. Satisfied, Zeke tucked the contract away and handed Aster a month’s supply of Sleep Sand.
“This is for a month. Don’t use too much at once, or you might sleep forever. Stick to the dosage I told you.”
“Got it.”
Though Aster was skilled, he seemed a bit scatterbrained, and Zeke couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.
‘Diego and the other Five Star Knights all seem a bit off.’
Of all the people he’d met, Reina seemed the most competent. But Zeke quickly shook his head.
‘Focus. Don’t get caught up in these Draker-like thoughts.’
“Aster.”
“Yes?”
“From now on, call me Master.”
“Oh, sorry. Master.”
“Before we head to Delphoa, let’s see what you’re capable of.”
Zeke decided to thoroughly train Aster later, but for now, he took him to the training grounds. He had heard many rumors about the Phantom Knight in his past life but had never faced him in battle, so he needed to assess Aster’s skills.
As Zeke drew his Bahamut, Aster pulled something from his bag and began assembling it. Soon, he had a long spear in his hands.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a spearman.”
“Ah, it’s family spear technique. I mean, spear technique, Master.”
Aster took his position in front of Zeke, and the atmosphere changed. The Aster who had been dragging his feet moments ago now exuded a different aura with the spear in hand.
‘Interesting.’
Zeke spoke to Aster.
“Feel free to use your aura.”
Aster flinched slightly at the words.
“Really?”
“Yes. Give it your all.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Aster nodded and aimed his spear at Zeke.
Wooong!
As Aster infused his aura into the spear, a shimmering energy rose like a mirage. Zeke also readied his Bahamut and aimed at Aster.
Aster shifted his weight back, taking a defensive stance. Despite the spear’s length, it seemed he was preparing for a defensive technique rather than an offensive one.
Zeke charged at Aster first.
Whoosh!
Using basic dragon-slaying techniques, Zeke engaged Aster’s spear.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Aster maintained his distance, skillfully wielding the long spear to block Zeke’s sword. The spear’s reach made it difficult for Zeke to get close.
‘In that case.’
Zeke used his phantom steps to close in on Aster. At that moment—
Clack!
Aster’s spear suddenly split, transforming from a long spear to a short one. With the spear shaft in his left hand, Aster deflected Zeke’s sword and thrust the spear in his right hand at Zeke’s opening.
Whoosh!
The dual-wielding spear technique balanced offense and defense perfectly. As Zeke retreated, Aster reassembled the spear into a long one.
‘That’s a clever technique.’
Switching between long and short spears to adapt to the opponent’s distance was a unique approach. Most knights would struggle to counter it effectively.
But Zeke was no stranger to unconventional techniques. In an instant, he drew a dagger and hurled it at Aster. Aster reacted quickly, deflecting the dagger, but the force behind it made him hesitate.
Zeke seized the opportunity, diving into Aster’s blind spot and targeting his legs.
Swish!
Aster stepped back, dodging Zeke’s sword. But Zeke’s assault didn’t end there. He had been waiting for Aster to lose his balance and immediately launched into a dragon-slaying technique.
Dragon-Slaying Technique: True Dragon Sword Form
Chapter 2, Verse 1
Earth Slash
A simple yet devastatingly powerful move.
Caught off guard by Zeke’s Earth Slash, Aster hastily disassembled his spear and gathered his energy.
Eladov Spear Technique
Counterattack
Reverse Slash
Aster’s spear spun, attempting to deflect Zeke’s attack. But the Earth Slash’s power was too overwhelming, and Aster’s spear was drawn into it.
“Ugh!”
Aster tried to hold his ground, but it was futile. Unable to deflect Zeke’s strike, he took the full brunt of the Earth Slash.
Boom!
Aster was sent flying, crashing into the training ground wall.
“Ugh!”
The pain was like being pummeled all over, leaving Aster dazed.
“Ugh!”
Zeke approached Aster and handed him something.
“Drink this.”
It was a diluted lower-grade healing potion. The potions from the system shop were so effective that even diluted, they were better than regular potions.
Aster drank the potion, finally catching his breath.
“Ugh. Master, are you a monster?”
“I’m not the monster; you’ve just been too complacent in your training.”
Aster’s jaw dropped at Zeke’s blunt assessment. Having always been considered a prodigy, it was the first time he’d been told he was lacking.
“You’ll need some training before we go on any missions.”
Zeke’s menacing smile sent shivers down Aster’s spine, but he couldn’t argue.
Leaving Aster in a state of shock, Zeke returned to the mansion in high spirits. He was excitedly planning a grueling training schedule for Aster when Decker approached him.
“You have a visitor, young master.”
In the drawing room, Gellion was waiting.
“It’s been a while, Gellion.”
“How have you been, my lord?”
“How’s the forge treating you?”
Gellion replied with a sheepish smile.
“Thanks to you, I’m crafting weapons to my heart’s content. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ve even started getting visitors from afar.”
In his past life, Gellion was known as the Soul Blacksmith. With the addition of a magic furnace, his reputation was spreading quickly.
‘Once he’s gained more experience, I’ll bring him over as my personal blacksmith.’
Zeke planned to have Gellion as his exclusive blacksmith once he established his base.
“But my lord, why did you call for me? Is there an issue with Bahamut?”
Zeke shook his head.
“Bahamut is fine. I called you for something else. Let’s head over there.”
Zeke led Gelion to his private training grounds.
Once there, he turned to Gelion and said, “Gelion, what you’ve seen today must never be spoken of outside these walls.”
Gelion nodded solemnly. “Of course, my lord.”
Zeke stepped back, and the armor he wore began to transform.
With a series of metallic clicks, Hershion enveloped Zeke’s entire body, morphing into a full plate armor.
“My goodness!” Gelion gasped, his mouth agape at the sight of Zeke clad in Hershion.
Zeke approached him and asked, “Do you know anything about this armor? I’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no information to be found.”
Though it was registered in the system, even the Dragon’s Eye couldn’t reveal anything about the armor. Zeke had summoned Gelion, hoping that uncovering the armor’s secrets might also unravel the mystery of its previous owner, Cain.
Gelion examined every inch of Hershion with a serious expression. After a moment, he shook his head in disbelief.
“Have you discovered anything?” Zeke inquired.
Gelion nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. “I’ve never seen anything like this. From its composition to its material, none of it is familiar to me.”
Zeke was taken aback. If Gelion, a disciple of the renowned dwarf master Golyn, didn’t know, who could possibly have the answers?
Just as Zeke’s concern deepened, Gelion clarified, “My lord, when I say I don’t know, I mean it’s beyond the scope of what I’ve been taught. However, that does give us a clue.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve learned about everything crafted after the Golden Age,” Gelion explained.
Zeke looked at him intently. “Are you suggesting this armor predates the Golden Age?”
“That’s my belief. Its structure, material, and craftsmanship are unlike anything that can be produced with modern technology. It could be from the era of the legendary Hero King or even an ancient civilization long before that.”
“Is it very different from the Empire’s Hershion?”
Gelion nodded. “Comparing the two is pointless. I once assisted my master with the Empire’s Hershion, and the intricacy of this armor is on a completely different level.”
“Incredible. Even the Empire’s Hershion costs hundreds of thousands of gold, yet this is far superior.”
Zeke’s curiosity about Cain, the armor’s previous owner, only grew.
Gelion then asked, “The material of this armor is truly unique… It’s neither mithril nor dragon bone, yet it possesses such strength and flexibility. Do you know anything about it?”
Zeke seemed to recall something and replied, “Ah, now that you mention it, this armor deflected an aura blade.”
Gelion was stunned. “Is that true?”
“It deflected the aura blade I created.”
“My word.”
Zeke couldn’t understand why Gelion was so shocked. “Why is that so surprising, Gelion? Is it really that extraordinary?”
With a trembling voice, Gelion explained, “My lord, there is only one metal in the world that can deflect an aura blade.”
His face flushed with excitement, Gelion exclaimed, “It’s orichalcum, the metal of the gods!”