Blue Thunderbolt Sword – Rakan.

As its name suggests, Rakan's unique ability is called Blue Lightning.

In other words, it is a sword that wields lightning.

The Thunderbolt Sword – Rakan shows extremely excellent performance among the Spirit Swords with unique abilities from the elemental family.

It doesn't let the wielder manipulate lightning directly, so it's not possible to do things like calling lightning from the sky, or to shoot a targeted lightning bolt from the sword.

But even so, the advantage of a sword overflowing with lightning is enormous.

‘Most Knights would just be electrocuted to death from one touch.'

Of course, the effect can vary wildly based on the presence or absence of divine power, but Rakan's unique ability is a huge advantage in battles where one instant can decide life or death.

And if you push yourself a little, you can even launch AoE attacks.

A specification that can compete with any other sword of the same rank.

On top of that, a sword with versatility.

That's the Thunderbolt Sword – Rakan.

"It's been a while, you scapegrace."

"It's been a while. Bernard. You've kept my sword well all these years. Seeing Rakan, I feel more at ease."

Callius had been coveting Rakan since three years ago.

Other swords could not be found or made with the skills he had at the time, but the Thunderbolt Sword was different. An elemental family Spirit Sword famous for its power even among the same grade.

The Thunderbolt Sword that wielded lightning.

"If anyone heard you, they'd think you gave it to me for safekeeping."

They sat with their swords facing each other.

Bernard smirked as he was again hearing something absurd.

"It'll be mine soon. So, I'm not wrong."

"Haha, are you going to beg me for a sword duel again like three years ago?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. Aren't you old enough to retire? How about you calmly hand over Rakan, and go spend the rest of your life comfortably sitting on the porch or whatever old people do?"

Things were not the same as before.

Callius felt more confident now. All sorts of possibilities ran through his head.

"You're not listening to anything I say, as usual. Tut, tut, tut. Nothing sems to have changed."

Rakan's lightning slowly seeped in.

His right arm was going numb.

However, in his Elixir Field, a bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique was slowly unfolding. Damage was being mitigated by the rising divine power.

Callius' momentum, which had till now been masked by [Vivi's Bracelet], suddenly grew like a torrent.

His pupils flashed silver, and the same colour dyed the edge of his sword. There was a deep curve now at the corner of Bernard's lips.

"Looks like you didn't spend all that time in vain. Guess there are quite a few hidden cards."

"Stop your meaningless chatter ​​and just give me the sword. It's better for Rakan to be in my young hands than in your old ones."

"Even the sky isn't as high as your arrogance."

Chaeeng –! Whiiiik.

Callius' sword bounced off as Bernard twisted his body sharply.

And his sword fell like a thunderbolt.

‘I can't block this.'

Bang –!

Callius immediately kicked the table to push himself backwards.

Kwajik –!

Chwaaaak!

Bernard's sword split the table in two as it rushed in.

Jijijik!

The sword was dyed blue.

Lightning flashed.

Instantly, Bernard seemed to disappear.

Callius' gaze turned upward.

Bernard, holding his sword with both hands, emerged from the air as if he'd been hiding in it, and fell upon Callius like lightning.

Kwagwang –!

One of Bernard's specialties.

Called, the Lightning Strike.

"Keuk."

The floor of the restaurant exploded as if a real lightning bolt had struck.

Blue lightning streaks fulminated in all directions like a spider's web, chasing him down like a hunter chased its prey.

Chwaaaak! Callius blindly cast a silver sword strike to drive out the lightning.

Swiik!

But Bernard's lightning broke through the deflagration to target him again.

Kkigigig! Quang –!

Callius barely escaped with his neck by raising his sword and making Rakan minutely deviate its trajectory.

Rakan's thunderbolt exploded on the wall behind him in a devastating manner.

Just with that residual blue lightning –

The blackened logs on the wall were cracked open and the snowstorm outside whistled into the room.

"What is that ominous sword?"

Against Thunderbolt Sword – Rakan, there were now two swords in Callius's hand.

In his left hand was Lucen.

In his right hand, he held the Predator Sword – Loas which had blocked that final strike from Rakan.

If it had been a little later, Rakan's red blade would have cut Callius' neck.

Hooo –!

Whiiik, tasss. Bernard did a somersault to dodge Callius' sword and landed on the table that had been split in half.

"The smell of blood on that sword is far too thick. It will drive its wielder to a frenzy."

"Then give me Rakan."

"How can I do that? I have a bond with this sword that has accompanied me for so many years."

Sreung – cheok.

Callius, who put Lucen back to its sheath, now tightly clasped the Predator Sword – Loas with both hands.

The bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique has bloomed.

The highly pure divine power that was unique to it spread through Callius' body.

Quickly.

Holding the Predator Sword in a grip so tight as if to break it, Callius' eyes started gleaming silver.

Soon, the sword energy signifying the Silver Flower Wave Sword rippled on Loas' blade.

‘It has to end in one blow.'

If you drag it any longer, Bernard with Rakan will have the advantage.

Callius no longer had any hidden cards, but he still believed in one thing.

Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season – Silver Flower Wave Sword.

‘Remember the duel with Esther.'

The sword that had been swung out of a moment's enlightenment.

He had defeated a genius with that single sword.

So, I will see that scene here again, once again.

Kuung – he stomped on the floor hard as if trying to break it.

Unlike his heavy footstep, his new sword quickly headed for Bernard.

At the same time, Bernard's Thunderbolt sword flashed. A fleeting moment's movement.

Callius and Bernard clashed.

Quang –!

A roar resounded that was hard to believe as a clash between two swords.

Quajijik – pajik!

But it was only a fleeting moment, and Callius and Bernard had already passed each other in the opposite direction. Silver petals and blue lightning had clashed.

It was unknown who won. But soon, a broken sword split the air.

Whiiik, puk.

A broken sword was stuck to the floor.

A blue-blade sword, with many missing teeth.

Predator Sword – Loas.

It was Callius' sword.

"… Ttt."

It was a defeat.

There was a little blood dripping from his left shoulder.

But the wound was shallow.

There was only one shallow sword cut on the shoulder.

Callius glanced behind him and restrained his divine power.

Dururuk, cheok.

Callius, who put Loas in its sheath, looked at Bernard with a dissatisfied expression. Bernard, in contrast, had a wild smile on his deeply wrinkled face.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"What's funny?"

"That Jervain's scapegrace has now grown so much, how can his master not laugh!"

Callius' face scrunched into a frown at the word ‘master'.

"Don't be an idiot. Since when have I been your disciple?"

"Khahahaha, what a great day today is! Yes, yes, God will not begrudge me a drink on a day like this!"

Pong! Bernard took out a bottle of wine from his sleeves and gulped it down.

"Hey –! This is the holy spirit."

A strong physique that didn't look like that of an old man.

A loud voice. On top of that, the Paladin had a quite arrogant personality.

But still, Callius was amazed by how rude Bernard could be.

‘It smells good.'

However, that striking wine fragrance brushing past him was enough to captivate Callius' senses.

"I'm not going to give it to you, so stop dreaming. If I gave it to you, even if I had a whole jar of wine, it won't be enough."

"… I didn't even ask for it."

He thought it was a pity in the depths of his heart, but Callius did not have any regrets.

"Bernard, so you were hiding in the corner all along. Who was that guy just now?"

"As a teacher, I had to gauge how much my disciple has grown. If you'd just been wasting time, you were going to get a spanking."

However, Bernard was satisfied.

Surely, Callius got stronger.

‘It's like he's a different person compared to back when he couldn't even hold a sword properly.'

Bernard struggled to hide his trembling hands and brought the bottle to his mouth.

"Khahahahaha! However, you failed to take my sword this time too. Scapegrace."

"My name isn't scapegrace."

"I know, I know. What parent in the world would name their child something like that? But it's not the parents who give somebody that kind of name, but themselves."

The old man was very good at twisting his words around.

Callius asked, looking at him with a blunt gaze.

"… What do you want to say?"

"If fighting is the best teacher, wouldn't I be your teacher more than anybody else? It was quite difficult to avoid beating you to death, when you were trying to fight me for Rakan every day. You know that, right?"

"Tt."

Of course.

How could I not know?

Three years ago.

Approaching Bernard had been extremely intentional.

He was the most affectionate and righteous among those who could become teachers for the players starting at Carpe.

Not just his skill or talent, but his ability to teach others was also extremely excellent.

In the first place, his status and traits were all specialized for teaching others.

So, as soon as Callius became Callius, he looked for Bernard.

If you learn from him, no matter how dull you are, your sword skills will inevitably sharpen.

‘Due to Callius' crooked personality, I never treated him properly.'

For three years, it was quite troublesome because of the traits of mania and nobility that were engraved on the body. Bernard had been patient with him, but it wasn't the first time he'd been humiliated by Callius' temperament, which popped out from time to time.

‘At first, I almost died.'

It had been quite eventful, but now in this world, the only person that Callius could trust would be Bernard.

His only master.

Outwardly he persisted in his stubborn denials, but in his heart, he regarded the old man as his master.

The traits of a maniac and the pride of an aristocrat struggled against that feeling.

"Callius."

Bernard's eyes changed. Callius breathed out a sigh at the sight.

"Whenever I have a fight with you, I always stake my life."

"His life, he says."

"This is your defeat again, so you have to grant me one request."

"… Don't make me do weird things. I won't do anything bothersome like going to a strange ruin to get you alcohol."

Callius wanted Bernard's sword.

So Bernard had a duel with him a few times.

But it was always a defeat for Callius.

Whenever that happened, Bernard gave Callius an errand.

"No. That'd be too easy for you now. I won't do something that unfair."

"Then what is it you want this time?"

"Have you met Emily?"

"Do you know Emily?"

"She's a kid with a lot of stories."

"Her divine blood seemed to have been blocked."

But how could that happen to a child from Jervain… he'd been sceptical, but then ignored it.

Because it wasn't important.

"Is it something to do with Jervain?"

"Yeah. A hunting contest will be held in a few days. Fatalite's Wheel. You should participate there."

"You mean?"

"Yeah. Join there and protect Emily."

Fatalite's Wheel.

In the past, to this place had come Fatalite, a Saint and a Paladin of the Order.

There was a word she'd spat out after a fierce battle in the Northern White Forest.

A wheel.

She'd said that the White Forest was like a great wheel that turned without end.

After saying those words, she'd disappeared; and in the Jervain family domain, when the beasts' breeding season approaches, a hunting contest is held in the name of Fatalite's Wheel.

The original purpose was to find the missing Fatalite, but now, hundreds of years later, it has become just an annual event to reduce the number of beasts.

"If you give me Rakan, I'll think about it."

"Heh, you're still a long way off. You bastard."

Bernard didn't even mention why Callius had to protect Emily or why he cared about the child.

But since he had asked, Callius had no reason to refuse. Bernard, who came like a thunderbolt, drank all the alcohol and then calmly disappeared, leaving Callius silent.

After a while.

"Gahk! I, master! Are you okay? This Bruns is fine!"

Bruns, who suddenly came to his senses, ran to him and responded to questions that hadn't even been asked.

Callius looked at him with tired eyes and opened his mouth.

"Bruns."

"Yeah, yeah! Mas-ter! Just say it! I'll deal with that pig bastard! Mas-ter won't even have to lift a hand!"

Said the guy who fell over in one hit.

He was so weak that it couldn't be overlooked any longer.

It looked like he needed some training.

"Wipe your nosebleed. It's ugly."

"Ah –! Yes, yep! Hehe."

"And get ready."

"Uh, get ready for what…"

[Fatalite's Wheel]

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Editor's Notes:

So, we're at the start of the war arc, and things about to go crazy. Strap in your seatbelts!

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