Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 112 Humans are creatures of adaptation. Risir was realizing this fact through nothing other than the seven-orifice bleeding. Amazingly, even bleeding from every opening in his face became familiar and manageable with repetition. 'Here it comes.' Risir recognized that the sudden change in his body was a sign of seven-orifice bleeding and immediately prepared Blue Breath. He intended to manage the burden with Blue Breath as soon as the Overload occurred. 'Huh?' However, the seven-orifice bleeding never came no matter how long he waited. Risir felt a twisted sense of relief mixed with disappointment. It was like the feeling of diligently doing homework to avoid getting beaten, only to have no homework check. 'Oh, is it really coming this time?' Then, Risir felt intense pain coursing through his body. That familiar sensation. It was definitely an Overload. 'Ugh—' However, compared to usual, something felt lacking—no, insufficient. The Overload did burden his body, but it didn't reach the stage of destruction. It was the result of growth. Risir's body had become sturdy enough to withstand minor levels of Overload. 'Clana, do you see this? I think I've reached a level where I can pride myself as a beginner of the Sword.' -What crazy talk again. Why would you be a beginner? 'Don't tell me I still have a long way to go?' -I'm about to burst with frustration, so don't talk to me. Risir snapped out of his thoughts as if kicked by Clana. He opened his eyes again and looked at Heinya as he spoke. "So, where were we?" "You were at the part where you'd compete with that Young Lady who wishes to be a true genius to determine who the real genius is." Humans sometimes feel emotional fulfillment through sharing. Heinya looked at Moria with great excitement at the thought of sharing the 'Risir' she had experienced with someone else. When she was on the receiving end, it had been so unfair, but now that she was in a position to watch someone else suffer, it was incredibly thrilling. The thrill was even greater because the victim was a woman who acted arrogantly out of her own sense of superiority. "..." Indeed, the 'first-timer' did not disappoint Heinya's expectations. Moria couldn't hide her bewilderment as she looked at Risir. 'The aftereffects of the Overload suddenly healed. And without any signs... What did he do?' It wasn't that there were no methods to treat Overload aftereffects at all. There were countless treasures with mysterious powers in this world, such as Artifacts and Elixirs. Though she appeared to be a young Young Lady on the surface, Moria was essentially a High Priest with vast knowledge. Moria knew several methods to treat Overload aftereffects immediately. However. A means to instantly and perfectly heal Overload aftereffects without any signs or actions like just now? 'There's no way such a thing exists...' Even if such a thing existed, it would be an Arcane Magic or treasure of tremendous value. Moria had thought the only people worth paying attention to here were Palag, Dray, and Heinya. She found herself distracted by Risir, whom she had previously treated as if he didn't exist. She tried to gauge Risir's level. His Magical Power was assimilated with his Aura, not easily allowing assessment. It was a skillful concealment that could make someone without sufficient insight mistake him for an incompetent. It was something only possible after stepping into at least the 6th Rank. Thus, Moria concluded that Risir's level was at the early 6th Rank. '6th Rank? At that age?' Moria was quite surprised after gauging Risir's level. However, that surprise was nothing compared to when she witnessed his sudden recovery earlier. 6th Rank around the age of twenty. That level was within the realm achievable through realistic talent and environment. Moreover, the 6th Rank was somewhat early to judge talent. Right now, there were countless people who entered the early 6th Rank in their twenties and were called prodigies, only to never advance beyond the early stages and be forgotten for life. If the wall of the 6th Rank was the boundary that determined the presence or absence of talent, then the 6th Rank itself was the realm where the depth of that talent was determined. It was still an unverified stage of whether it was 'precocity' or 'special talent.' For instance, Moria thought. He wasn't qualified to be included in this discussion of true genius. And rightfully so—just look at Heinya nearby. She had lived a life unrelated to Magic, then reached the 4th Rank through self-study in one year, and reached the 5th Rank in just a few more months. The early 6th Rank level that Risir had devoted his entire life to reach. How long would it take for Heinya to reach that level? Moria could confidently say it would take less than a year. That was true genius. Moria had abandoned the 8th Rank realm in order to steal such genius from Heinya. She felt neither the necessity nor meaning to fight Risir as Heinya suggested. She spoke to Heinya, who was looking at her and smiling. "Young Lady. If I may be so bold, wouldn't my dueling with him be straying from our current topic?" "Topic? What topic? The topic of true genius?" Heinya chuckled repeatedly as she spoke. 'This young brat...' A childish provocation only possible because she was a young Mage. The High Priest continued speaking while trying not to show her boiling anger. "You know it too, Young Lady. He's different from you and me." "...Yes, he is different." She laughed softly. At this point, it seemed she was laughing out of genuine enjoyment rather than provocation. Moria glared at Heinya, while Heinya looked at Moria with a consistently mocking expression. Moria's patience was reaching its limit. "A duel with a 6th Rank... That should be interesting. Moria. Try competing with that boy once." "Lord Palag?" Moria looked at Palag in surprise. "To see you face someone stronger than yourself. It piques my curiosity." Moria was inwardly disgusted. 'Damn it, again?' It was a situation she had experienced countless times since being taken in by the Former Tower Master. Palag. He was now placing great expectations on Moria. If those expectations were met, he would show even greater interest. Conversely, if those expectations weren't met? His interest would decrease compared to before. Perhaps he might completely lose interest. The former Blue Magic Tower master- Frozen Breath Palag was such a demanding and capricious person. That was why the title of his formal Disciple held tremendous value. "I understand. Since Lord Palag says so, I'll gladly live up to your expectations." Moria answered with overflowing confidence. Though she had strayed from her original purpose of defeating Heinya and stealing her reputation— Ultimately, all of this was a path to make a strong impression on Palag and become his formal Disciple. Think positively. The opportunities to make a strong impression on Palag had increased. "Young Lady. You definitely promised, right? After I duel with him, you'll really compete with me then?" "Yes. A duel. I'll gladly do it. If you still wish to discuss true genius after dueling with Risir, that is." After Moria and Heinya glared intensely at each other once, she looked at Risir. "I have one proposal." "Yes?" "Let's compete on equal terms." "Equal terms?" "Restricting your Magic to the 5th Rank." "Moria. What are you saying?" Palag showed disappointment toward Moria. "Lord Palag, you said before that no matter how outstanding someone is, it's difficult to ignore the walls between Ranks." "Continue." "Lord Palag, you probably don't think I'll win against him either. How well I fight, how well I endure, and how I lose. You're thinking of observing that closely." "And so?" "I don't want to show Lord Palag something like a losing performance." Moria spoke without being intimidated by Palag's demeanor. "Even if his Magic is restricted to the 5th Rank, his Magical Power still far exceeds what I possess. Moreover, he'll still have the developed senses of the 6th Rank." Moria smiled boldly. It was the appearance of a genius with absolute pride and confidence in herself. "Rather than showing you a narrow defeat against an opponent I can't beat, I want to show you victory against an opponent I can hardly beat. Is that too much to ask?" "..." Palag stared intently at Moria. His thick eyebrows drew sharp angles. Soon, those eyebrows curved pleasantly. "Hahahaha!!! What a bold little thing! Did you see that, Dray!? This is why I can't help but adore this child!" Palag spoke to Risir with great excitement. "Risir, was it?" "Yes." "Yes, Risir. You heard what this child said. How about it. Will you accept this child's challenge?" Palag's eyes, full of interest, looked directly at Risir. "Do I have the right to refuse?" Risir answered without delay. From the conversation between him and Moria just before, he had gotten a sense of how to deal with him. "Right to refuse... Yes, you have it. Of course you do. So, will you exercise it?" "I see. Then I'll accept Miss Moria's challenge." "...What?" Contrary to his words, Risir readily agreed. Palag looked at Risir with a strange gaze. -Then why did you bother mentioning the right to refuse? It seemed as if such a voice could be heard. To that, Risir replied. "And though it's awkward to call it compensation—may I dare make one request to Lord Palag?" Palag's eyebrows furrowed at Risir's bold behavior. A slight but displeased expression showed. "What a bold fellow. Trying to seek your own benefit in this situation. Well. From your position, you've been unavoidably dragged into this, so there should rightfully be compensation. Come on, tell me. What do you want in return for dueling with Moria?" "I don't seek compensation for the duel." "Hmm?" Risir looked at Heinya. "Since Miss Heinya was the one who dragged me into this duel, I plan to request compensation from Miss Heinya." "Oh my." Heinya burst into laughter and shook her head. "..." To Palag, who was quietly watching that scene, Risir said. "So, I want compensation for victory." "Victory?" "I will win against Miss Moria. When that happens, please grant me one request." "...If there's compensation for victory, there should also be compensation for defeat. If you lose, what then?" "It's simple. Conversely, I'll fulfill one request from Lord Palag." "..." Palag stared intently at Risir. Soon, Palag's furrowed eyebrows gradually relaxed- "Kahahaha!!!" The room echoed loudly. Cold air swirled in response to Palag's emotions. For a moment, he felt such strong emotional turbulence that he lost his composure. He spoke with the most delighted face in the world. "A request!? You will fulfill my request!?" "Though I may not look it, I'm quite capable. I have several precedents of solving problems for tremendous people." "Kahahaha!!! Tremendous people!!! Yes! That's quite impressive! I'm really looking forward to this!!!" While Palag was nearly dying of amusement, Dray and Moria looked at Risir with appalled expressions. Moria originally held Palag's favor, so that was understandable, but to act so boldly toward Palag from a position with no backing whatsoever. "Oh, everyone! You're all already gathered!" After that, a middle-aged man with a generous appearance entered the room. It was Gus, the owner of the Great Trading Company Golden Barley. "Gus! I've thought of a way to liven up today's banquet. Would you like to hear it?" Palag suddenly made a proposal to Gus. He would liven things up with a public duel between Moria and Risir before starting today's banquet. "Risir?" Gus looked around in surprise. Risir carefully raised his hand. "Oh, Risir! Amazing! I never knew you were so young! I've heard stories about you!" "Stories about me? Ah, you mean about Eron." "No, no! Not Eron!" "Yes? If not Eron, then—" "Rok, that fellow, told me so much about you! Said you're a monstrous Swordsman beyond your years!" "?" Several people tilted their heads at Gus's story. 'Swordsman?' They must have misheard. They didn't pay much attention to it. "So, a duel between you and that—the genius Mage that Lord Palag favors? That should be quite interesting! If I had my way, I'd set up a separate venue and charge admission! Yes! As the host of this banquet, I too make this request! Please grace the opening of this banquet!" *** Afterward. Palag, who had returned to a private room with Moria, asked her a question. "Tell me how you plan to face that fellow in this duel." "..." Moria observed Palag's expression and thought. Simply winning the duel might not be enough to make a sufficient impression. 'Is it time to show that thing?' Doubt appeared on Moria's face as she thought. If she showed 'that thing,' she could definitely make a strong impression. The problem was that the impression might be so strong that it could provoke unnecessary thoughts. -That power, did you learn it somewhere else? -Self-taught? -Then, how did it feel when you used that power? -Tell me about the sensation when you first used that power. The Former Tower Master was someone who had made curiosity and suspicion part of his nature. If she showed 'that thing' before such a person, it would surely provoke countless curiosities and suspicions. But- 'There's no choice.' What was important right now was leaving a strong impression on Palag. She could think about the consequences later. Having finished thinking, Moria raised her left hand. Cold air formed above it. It was the Ice Magic she had learned from Palag. Then, Moria raised her other hand. A small Whirlwind bloomed above it. "...!" Shock appeared on Palag's face. "Multiple Elements... How did you—" "I've been practicing steadily since Lord Palag taught me before." "Practice... That's not something you can achieve through practice at your current level—" "Huh? Didn't you say so back then? That theoretically, it's a power that can be fully handled even at the 5th Rank." "...Yes, as you say, Multiple Elements is a power that can be fully handled even at the 5th Rank. However, that's purely theoretical. To bring it into the realm of reality requires all sorts of conditions." "You mean..." Moria. She had just accomplished something that was realistically close to impossible. "Moria, perhaps recently—" "Or among your possessions—" "If not that, then what did you feel when you were practicing Multiple Elements extensively—" "The sensation you feel right now while displaying Multiple Elements in detail—" Palag's barrage of questions began to understand something that was realistically close to impossible. What was contained within was closer to suspicion than curiosity. It felt more like an interrogation than questions. Nevertheless, Moria didn't mind much. Youth and talent gained by abandoning the 8th Rank. The one who best understood the unfairness of 'Moria's' existence was none other than herself. Unfair talent brings corresponding suspicion. It's the duty of a genius to resolve that suspicion. "...Remarkable." Thus, Moria, who had with difficulty convinced Palag of her genius, smiled satisfactorily. 'Now if I just skillfully handle Multiple Elements in the duel and strike his weakness—' The preparations were complete. *** "Who is Moria?" "They say she's the genius Mage that Frozen Breath has his eye on?" "Frozen Breath—you don't mean the Former Blue Tower Master— Could it be that person is coming here today!?" "A genius Mage recognized by the Former Blue Tower Master... In front of all these people, only that Risir fellow who has to duel such a monster is pitiable." "What are you saying? Haven't you heard stories about him?" The hall where the banquet was taking place. A wide space was prepared on one side. The banquet attendees surrounded it with highly excited expressions. Shortly after. The protagonists appeared. Moria and Risir. They stood at opposite ends of the space facing each other. The audience stopped talking in unison and began focusing on the two people. Palag, who served as judge, stood in the center and spoke. "Duelists Moria and Risir. Are you ready for the duel?" "Moria, ready." "Risir, ready." "Then begin." When Palag snapped his fingers, a magical barrier unfolded and surrounded them. Seizing the initiative. Simultaneously drawing attention to deploy multiple attributes. Moria released Mana with all her might. Cold air surrounded her. After that, she looked at Risir and smiled slyly. Risir responded to that provocation by also releasing Mana with all his might. Moria judged that all of Risir's attention was focused on the Ice Magic she had deployed. Just as she was about to deploy Multiple Elements to find an opening— "..." Her expression twisted violently. "What are you doing right now?" "Huh?" "Didn't we agree to restrict Magic to the 5th Rank!?" Moria confronted Risir. It wasn't anything else—the Mana Risir released was fully infused with his Aura, creating a sandstorm. Unique Magic. Otherwise known as Arcane Magic. That power deployed through the mystery of 'uniqueness,' assimilating Mana with one's own Aura, was clearly a realm permitted only to the 6th Rank. "What? Ah! Oh no, am I not supposed to use this?" To the legitimate objection, a thoroughly off-the-mark response was returned.