The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 17: Adalbert Swordsmanship (4)

—What… exactly happened here?—

Arelia von Adalbert stared at Martin, who was covered in blood, with a perplexed expression.

Martin could only offer a sheepish smile, unable to respond.

Her voice then grew louder as her anger intensified.

—I asked you, what on earth did you do to end up in that state!—

“I obtained the Dragon’s Blood. However… breaking through the containment barrier twice was indeed a challenge.”

—Why would you do something so foolish! Dragon’s Blood only enhances your physical abilities; it has no effect on your unique ability!—

“There’s no need to worry. I knew that when I took it.”

—What are you aiming for? No, before that, do you even realize if your body can handle Dragon’s Blood? Its effects are far more potent than other types of dragon blood, but the pain it inflicts is unimaginable.—

“I’m used to pain, so please, don’t worry.”

—…That’s a sorrowful answer.—

Arelia’s eyes were filled with pity as she looked at Martin.

Eighteen years old.

Even though he had just reached adulthood, he was still undeniably young.

Yet he spoke of pain as though it was something trivial. She couldn’t even begin to fathom what kind of life he had lived.

In the end, Arelia gave up trying to dissuade her successor.

“I promise. This will be the last time I disappoint you in this way.”

After speaking calmly, Martin opened the bottle.

A soft glow rose from the Dragon’s Blood, but there was no trace of the distinctive metallic smell of blood.

He inhaled it forcefully.

Crack!

In that instant, overwhelming pain consumed his body.

His relatively weaker ribs broke instantly, and his muscles swelled and deflated repeatedly.

The mana circuits within his body were twisted and wrung like rags, and his organs were crushed in the process, causing immense agony.

It was so painful that he couldn’t even scream. In the end, he collapsed onto the floor.

Even in that state, Martin struggled desperately to remain conscious.

‘If I pass out here, it’s over!’

The pain he was experiencing meant that his body was strengthening.

However, if he lost consciousness, the Dragon’s Blood would rage uncontrollably, and it could cost him his life.

He hadn’t come all this way just to die because of this level of pain.

So, he endured it desperately for what felt like an eternity.

‘Damn it, when will this…?’

Just when he thought he might truly lose consciousness, the pain began to subside.

“Haa… Haa…”

—You’re lucky to have survived.—

“I… I can’t die… not when I have to protect the family.”

Barely able to respond, Martin used his sword’s sheath as a crutch to stand up.

His entire body felt weak, and his limbs trembled violently, as though he might collapse at any moment.

Yet despite it all, he was satisfied.

‘I succeeded.’

His bones and mana circuits had strengthened. His muscles and skin had toughened.

The internal injuries that had wreaked havoc on his body had healed.

As his body was strengthened, his wounds had been repaired as well.

—I still don’t understand why you did this. It’s not like you’ll be able to wield the spatial sword just because of this.—

“The Dragon’s Blood was only the beginning. I still have one more thing left to do.”

—What else are you planning? Now I’m starting to get worried.—

“You’ll see.”

With that, Martin fastened the sword sheath to his waist.

He then closed his eyes and began to channel his mana.

The difference this time was that he drew mana not just from his abdomen but also from the mana core in his head.

‘The effects really are incredible.’

The pain was still there.

But compared to what he had endured, this was tolerable. Now, all that was left was to proceed to the next stage.

‘I will strengthen the mana core in my head.’

When he had been called the Sword Master, his swordsmanship had reached the fifth circle.

However, his unique ability had been stuck at the third circle.

Since its manifestation had been delayed, it had been difficult to grow it, no matter how much he trained.

‘I can’t aim for growth in swordsmanship right now, but it’s different with my unique ability.’

To reach the final domain of swordsmanship at the fifth circle, he would need a far stronger body than he currently had.

However, it wouldn’t be a problem to bring his unique ability to the level it had been at during his prime.

At his current level, he was confident he could handle the third circle.

‘Go.’

Martin willed his mana forward.

In response, the mana inside him swirled violently and surged upward toward his head.

It sought to create a new ring.

—This crazy fool!—

Realizing Martin’s intention, Arelia was horrified.

But there was nothing she could do other than watch.

As an incarnation of the first head of the family, she possessed power that rivaled that of her original body. Even as a spirit, she could still exert some influence over the living world.

Yet, she couldn’t touch Martin.

—When this is over, I won’t let you off so easily.—

Arelia ground her teeth.

If she acted rashly, she could endanger his life.

—Haa, how did we end up with such a reckless successor?—

Arelia let out deep sighs of frustration.

Her successor had defied her expectations in every way, making her head ache.

Meanwhile, Martin continued to focus on controlling his mana.

Drip, drip.

Dark red blood trickled from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

But even so, he didn’t stop.

He was moving the mana unconsciously now.

His mind had touched upon the realization that had once led him to become the Sword Master.

‘Forget everything.’

It was the final realization he had achieved.

People are always thinking.

Even when they sleep, they dream. This constant stream of thoughts creates distractions and delusions, clouding everything.

‘Having suffered so much pain, I’ve had all sorts of thoughts.’

He had even attempted suicide several times.

The only reason he was still alive was simple: to somehow continue the Adalbert family line.

Over time, all unnecessary thoughts and distractions gradually disappeared, including even his determination to protect the family, if only for a moment.

‘My will and actions flow freely, without restraint. By experiencing infinite freedom, I completely liberate myself from all bindings.’

This realization, which he had once achieved, again guided Martin’s soul and body to a higher plane.

Flash!

A golden light erupted from Martin’s body.

The radiant light enveloped his entire form, and he surrendered himself to the massive flow of mana.

—

“Ugh…”

—You madman.—

The moment Martin opened his eyes, Arelia’s sharp rebuke pierced his ears.

Her expression made no effort to hide her disbelief.

Over the course of a thousand years, she had met many descendants of the direct bloodline. Among them, there were many who had acted recklessly, even by her standards.

But this descendant standing before her was in a league of his own.

“Ha… but I succeeded, didn’t I?”

He could feel it clearly.

The three rings now firmly established in the mana core in his head.

All-Distortion had truly reached the third circle.

In other words, he was now one step closer to his prime.

But the changes didn’t stop there.

The impurities that had accumulated throughout his body were completely eradicated, leaving his mana circuits clean and allowing mana to flow much faster.

His physical abilities had also improved.

Though the changes weren’t drastic since he had already consumed Dragon’s Blood, he could clearly feel that his body had become stronger.

Yet, Arelia still scolded him, her expression full of displeasure.

—You were just lucky. Most people would have died multiple times! Awakening is supposed to happen naturally, when you gain insight. Do you not know what happens to those who force their awakening?—

“Hm. It wasn’t forced.”

—It wasn’t?—

“When I reached the fourth circle in swordsmanship, I also gained insight related to my unique ability. But I deliberately ignored it, thinking my body couldn’t handle it.”

—…Are you saying you held it off and used it for this awakening?—

“Yes.”

—That… shouldn’t be possible…—

Arelia trailed off, unable to argue further.

According to her understanding, it was impossible.

But she couldn’t deny the reality that had unfolded before her eyes.

With a sigh, she came to a conclusion.

She would give up on trying to understand Martin’s talent.

—Honestly, the fact that you reached the seventh circle at 18 years old was already beyond reason.—

The seventh circle was a significant milestone.

No matter where one went on the Cracian Continent, it was considered a mark of strength.

Even within the Altaria Empire, someone at the seventh circle would easily rank among the top 100. It was a level required to attain or maintain a title above count.

That was how incredible the seventh circle was, and Martin had achieved it at the mere age of 18. Even with the Dragon’s Curse, it was difficult to comprehend.

Martin smiled as he felt the power surging within him.

‘I can go head-to-head with the elders and the heads of the branch families now.’

Only the heads of the Igreet and Gustin families had reached the eighth circle; the rest were all at the seventh.

In terms of pure stats, he was now on equal footing with them.

Moreover, he had the insights and experience he had accumulated as a Sword Master.

He felt confident that he could defeat anyone in a one-on-one duel. Even if not, just reaching this level would allow him to keep the traitors in check.

—There’s one thing I’m worried about.—

“What would that be?”

—You’ve crossed death’s threshold several times in such a short period. Even if you’re living on borrowed time, are you not being too reckless with your life?—

“I needed to master the spatial sword quickly. I had no choice but to push myself. Believe me, I know how to feel pain, and I value my life. This won’t happen again.”

Martin replied with a smile.

Arelia shook her head in disbelief.

His strength, far beyond his years, was remarkable, but his maturity in handling himself was even more astounding.

Knowing the reason behind it, Arelia decided not to press him further.

However, there was one thing she wanted to ask.

—I’m grateful that you’re willing to fight to the end for the family. But why are you putting in so much effort? If you abandoned the family, you wouldn’t have to carry such a heavy burden. Your health would improve as well.—

“There’s a good chance of that happening. Less stress, after all.”

—And yet, you still fight for the family. You’re burning yourself out in the process. I’m curious—what is the reason for that? Is it because of the discrimination you’ve faced from other nobles?—

“I can’t say that’s not part of it. But that’s not the whole story.”

—Then what is it?—

“The traitors are grateful to me. Thanks to me, they were able to dream of independence, and they’re even aiming for the seat of Adalbert.”

—It’s only natural for them to harbor such thoughts when someone without abilities is born into the direct line.—

“It’s true that there’s nothing we can do about that. It happens not just in the Empire but in every nation. But, how should I put it… I don’t want to accept it so easily. No, I want to utterly crush their hopes and dreams. I’m curious to see what expression they’ll have when they’re forced to confront that reality.”

—You’re a spiteful descendant.—

“The branch families have survived because of the mercy of the past heads. The elders only held their positions because the head allowed it. I plan to show them what happens when you betray that grace. I’ll teach them just how severe the price of betrayal is.”

Martin added another comment afterward.

The reason he had been so desperate to master the spatial sword was to establish his authority as the head of the family.

—I understand the situation now. But from now on, don’t ever do something like that again. Even if your life is short, your talent is extraordinary. You’ll grow stronger faster than anyone else without having to take such reckless measures.—

“Thank you for the kind words.”

—You’re agreeing too easily, which makes me not believe you. Well, fine. Try wielding the spatial sword again. Even though you’ve only reached the third circle, I have a feeling you’ll be able to do it this time.—

“That’s interesting. I also feel confident this time.”

Arelia had said that All-Distortion needed to reach the fourth circle to wield the spatial sword.

Yet Martin’s All-Distortion had only reached the third circle.

Despite that, he brimmed with confidence.

His instincts were telling him that this time, he would succeed.

Wooong.

Massive amounts of mana surged from the four rings in the mana core in his abdomen and the three newly formed rings in the mana core in his head.

All of it flowed into his sword, and a radiant golden Aura enveloped the blade.

Then, Martin activated All-Distortion.