Episode 211: The Young Prodigy (2)
“Sir! What are you saying?”
Bradley erupted in anger at the Swordmaster’s words.
“You just said that Damian Haxen recently became a Master Class!”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve been a Master Class for several years now! Are you saying I’m weaker than Damian Haxen?”
No matter how much talent mattered in this field, the passage of time couldn’t be ignored. Bradley had reached Master Class before Damian, which meant he had trained longer and gained more experience.
“Well, it’s only natural you can’t accept it. I feel the same way,” the Swordmaster said, scratching his temple. “But what can I say? It’s the truth. Damian Haxen’s physical prowess has already surpassed yours. With such a gap, there’s no way you can win.”
Bradley looked at Damian in disbelief, while Damian merely shrugged.
‘It must be because of the Starfire Elixir.’
The mana cultivation technique Damian practiced, the Starfire Elixir, was known for enhancing physical strength. The more intense the battle, the more effective the technique became. In his fight against the Weapon Master, Damian had pushed the Starfire Elixir beyond its limits, even consuming a legendary potion as a bonus. As a result, Damian’s physique had reached a level unmatched by other Master Classes.
“If the Swordmaster says so, it must be true,” Bradley said, though his face was still full of dissatisfaction. “But that doesn’t mean I can just admit defeat without even trying.”
“Are you saying you still want to duel Damian Haxen after hearing what I said?”
Bradley nodded.
“You stubborn fool… But you’re right. How can a knight admit defeat without a fight? It’s unthinkable.”
The Swordmaster turned to Damian. “What about you? Are you going to accept this fool’s challenge?”
“I’ll accept,” Damian replied. As a knight at heart, he often felt a competitive spirit when meeting renowned knights. And the man before him was destined to be a future legend. Damian was curious about his current strength, techniques, and mastery.
“Thank you, Damian Haxen,” Bradley said, clenching his fists with a heavy thud. “Let’s head outside to the training grounds and test our skills—”
“Who said you could?” Rachel’s curt voice cut in.
“You know what happens when Master Classes fight—everything around them gets destroyed. And you want to do that in our family’s villa? Do you think I’d allow that?”
“Haha, Rachel, there’s no need to worry. Even if the villa is destroyed, our family will cover all the damages.”
“Oh, so you plan to destroy it, do you?” Rachel’s lips twitched, and Bradley fell silent, sensing danger.
“Sir Bradley Heath, please leave for today.”
“Ra-Rachel, this is a matter of honor between men—”
“If you don’t leave, I’ll tell my father.”
At the mention of Duke Lichteauer, Bradley’s face turned pale.
“Damian Haxen, it seems we’ll have to postpone our duel.”
Bradley looked disappointed. “Are you participating in the Helian Tournament?”
“Yes.”
“Great! Then we’ll face each other at the Helian Tournament!” Bradley said confidently, pounding his chest. “The Swordmaster may say I’m weaker, but I won’t accept it. I’ll prepare thoroughly and meet you at the tournament. I will win—”
“What are you waiting for? Do I need to file a complaint with the Marquis of Heath through my father?”
“Anyway, see you at the Helian Tournament!” Bradley said, leaving in a hurry.
“Why aren’t you leaving, Sir Swordmaster?” Rachel asked, glaring at the Swordmaster after Bradley left.
The Swordmaster cleared his throat. “That child has grown fierce. It feels like just yesterday she was toddling after me, calling me uncle.”
“Stop with the nonsense, or I’ll tell Grandpa.”
“Wait, that’s a bit much—”
“Then please leave, Sir.”
Rachel pointed to the door, her stance firm.
“Alright, alright. Just let me finish my business with Damian Haxen before I go.”
“Make it quick.”
“Thank you. Now, Damian Haxen,” the Swordmaster turned to Damian, “would you consider becoming my disciple?”
“No, thank you,” Damian declined without hesitation.
“You’d refuse even after hearing who I am?”
“You’re the strange one. You should know that someone at the Master Class level doesn’t need a mentor.”
A Master Class was already on their own path, beyond the need for guidance.
“That’s exactly why I want to be your mentor.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll become a great figure without my help. When you become famous, my name will rise with yours.”
Everyone looked at the Swordmaster in disbelief at his shameless reasoning, as if they were staring at garbage.
‘Ah, right. He was always this brazen.’
In his past life, the Swordmaster was known as an eccentric, unpredictable enough to give the Dark Sorcerer Alliance a hard time.
“Just kidding. As you said, a Master Class doesn’t need to learn from others. But someone like me has a lot to teach.”
“I doubt it.”
“Who knows? Maybe one of my tips will lead you to become a Grandmaster.”
The mention of “Grandmaster” sparked curiosity on everyone’s faces. It was a term few knew, as reaching that level was exceedingly rare.
“Your confidence is impressive, mentioning the Grandmaster.”
“Oh, you know about the Grandmaster? You’re more intriguing by the minute.”
A Grandmaster was the next level beyond Master Class, a realm that required overcoming numerous barriers. Few knights had ever reached it, not even those hailed as heroes or legends.
‘But for some reason, this generation saw several Grandmasters emerge.’
The Empire’s greatest sword, the future Sword Queen, and the man before him—the Swordmaster—were all Grandmasters. The Holy Order and Pandemonium also had Grandmasters.
“I don’t need it,” Damian said, uninterested in the Swordmaster’s advice. He had already reached the Grandmaster level in his past life and was on the verge of surpassing it.
“And there’s no need to test me like this, Sir.”
“What do you mean?”
“You want to keep me close as a disciple to see if I’m trustworthy, right?”
The Swordmaster’s expression changed instantly, his playful demeanor turning sharp.
Damian stepped closer, whispering, “There’s no need to test me. I despise Pandemonium as much as you do. When the Demon Slayer Squad moves, feel free to call on me.”
The Swordmaster’s eyes widened, as if questioning how Damian knew that name.
‘How could I forget?’
The Demon Slayer Squad was a secret force operated by the Empire, aimed at eradicating Pandemonium. The Swordmaster had long been its leader.
“I heard you’re an honorary paladin of the Order. I didn’t expect you to know about the Demon Slayer Squad.”
“I learned about it during my time at the main branch.”
It was a lie, but a necessary one to forge a connection with the Demon Slayer Squad. Damian could handle Pandemonium alone, but he needed information—where they were, what schemes they were plotting. His past life memories couldn’t fill all the gaps, so he needed the Squad’s help.
“It’s intriguing, but I can’t trust you so easily. Dark sorcerers must always be doubted,” the Swordmaster said, crossing his arms. “But it would be a waste to dismiss your talents outright. I’ll take some time to think it over.”
“Take your time.”
The Swordmaster turned to leave the mansion.
“By the way,” he said, looking back at Damian before stepping out, “thanks for the water. I’ll never forget what happened today.”
“Well, that was anticlimactic,” Rachel sighed.
“Damian Haxen, why did you come here?”
“I came to participate in the Helian Tournament, but I don’t have a place to stay. I was hoping I could stay here for a while.”
“That’s fine. It’s no trouble at all,” Rachel agreed readily. Compared to the family crest ring, this was nothing.
“But you’ll have to spar with me whenever I want.”
“That’s no problem.”
Rachel’s face lit up the moment she heard the answer.
“Really? You promise?”
“Of course.”
“Just a moment. I’ll call the staff to guide you.”
Humming a tune, Rachel disappeared into the mansion.
“Ahhh.”
As soon as Rachel was out of sight, Michael let out a breath he had been holding.
“Brother, is the Empire always this impressive?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought, aside from you, there wouldn’t be anyone my age stronger than me.”
Michael looked in the direction Rachel had gone, his expression troubled.
“But that woman… and that man, Bradley Heath, they’re both so young and already at the master class.”
Many knights lost their confidence upon arriving in the Empire. Even those hailed as geniuses, like Michael, felt the same. The Empire was vast, teeming with formidable figures who seemed insurmountable. The sheer number of master-class individuals was too great to attribute merely to a large population.
Damian didn’t have a clear answer for this. He had only heard Dorogo mention something about a covenant that bound the Empire.
“You’re overthinking it. You’re a genius in your own right.”
“Really?”
“Trust me. I have a good eye for people.”
Damian clapped Michael on the back.
“In a few years, you and Veronica will be forces to be reckoned with. By then, you won’t envy the Empire’s knights.”
Michael’s face brightened at Damian’s confident words.
“Veronica, did you hear that? You and I…”
He turned to look at Veronica, only to find her dozing off while standing, her head tilted back, snoring softly.
“She’s supposed to be on my level?”
Michael’s face showed clear dissatisfaction.
After that, Damian and his group stayed at the Lichtauer Duke’s villa to prepare for the Helian Tournament. Damian spent his time sparring alternately with the Sword Queen, Michael, and Veronica.
Time passed swiftly, and soon, the day of the tournament arrived.