The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 214: Israphil (2)

“So what’s your plan now?” asked Allen. “It seems you’ve mostly taken care of things in Antihum. It’s time to make a decision. Will you go to the Platinum Dragon’s lair or will you investigate the dungeons?”

“What do you think?”

In response to Karyl’s suggestion, Israphil had requested more time to gather information on the Black Spore. A week had passed since then, and Mikhail and Serica had been training directly under Nain Darhon while Karyl awaited Israphil’s report.

“There are hundreds of dungeons across the continent,” said Allen. “While the Blood Cave is likely where the Black Spore is cultivated, what about the others? Do you really believe that big guy will find a way?”

“Yeah, I trust him,” Karyl answered resolutely.

“I don’t understand where your confidence comes from... In that case, I don’t really support going to the Platinum Dragon. Initially, you planned to inform him of your return and prepare for the Oracle War... but now things have changed, haven’t they?”

Karyl nodded in agreement.

“The situation has changed since meeting me, right?”

After meeting Allen, and with growing suspicions about Narh Di Maug, Karyl realized he needed to prepare for the Oracle War on his own, without relying on the Platinum Dragon.

“You’ve been managing well so far, even with some rough patches. There’s no need to reveal your hand by meeting him now. The fact that you went back in time is a significant advantage. If the Platinum Dragon learns about it, it could complicate things, even if he might become an ally.”

The importance of Karyl traveling back in time was undeniable. Having someone know your future actions was bound to be unsettling, and with diminishing confidence that Narh Di Maug would remain an ally, Karyl had to be cautious.

“You’ve met him before, haven’t you? You’ll see him again once the Oracle is prophesied anyway,” Allen added.

“You surprise me. I thought you’d be eager to meet him immediately.”

Allen scoffed, “What, for revenge? He imprisoned me a thousand years ago. I can wait another one or two years if that means I’ll gain more.”

Allen smiled faintly.

“Right now, getting you to the 6th Class is more important than seeing the Platinum Dragon.”

“You really care about me, huh?” Karyl chuckled.

“Although you’ve gained Duaat’s power, you can’t fully use it without Rasis’ power. So, staying in Antihum for your growth hasn’t changed much.”

“That’s true.”

“But having me is a huge gain,” Allen declared proudly, and Karyl couldn’t disagree.

“First, we need to open the box from the Gray Training Ground. Whether it contains the Queen of Tides or not, the fact that Narh Di Maug hid the box is significant. The contents might reveal his intentions.”

Karyl nodded in agreement. He knew the box Allen had given him, hidden in the same place as the Freezing Talon, was something Narh Di Maug hadn’t mentioned in his previous life.

“And reaching the 6th Class will give you the power to properly face him. Revenge? If we do it, we might as well do it right.” Allen’s eyes gleamed. “After waiting a thousand years, wouldn’t you be curious to see the fear on the face of the continent’s oldest ruler?”

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Allen laughed, his shoulders swaying slightly. He then added, “Winning by a small margin won’t cut it.”

“We haven’t even decided to fight yet, but you’re already talking about stabbing him in the face,” Karyl said with an incredulous expression.

“You doubted him too, which is why you didn’t go to his lair immediately. If you trusted him completely, you would have gone to his lair immediately after the Ghost Castle incident.”

Karyl had no answer to that. Perhaps he had been afraid that his suspicions about Narh Di Maug might be true, and that had kept him from seeking him out.

“So when will I break through to the 6th Class?”

“Well, you’re trained enough, but I think you’re missing a catalyst,” said Allen.

“A catalyst?”

“From the 6th Class onward, the depth of understanding changes. It’s not just about training. At the 7th Class and beyond, returning to the basics is essential.”

“Then why did you make me train so hard?”

Karyl recalled the grueling sessions with Allen that had taken place while Mikhail and Serica trained with Nain Darhon.

“I told you, you need a catalyst. The path to enlightenment varies for everyone. Some find it in quiet contemplation, others in intense battles.”

Allen pointed at Karyl.

“Your path is through the sword. You use magic as a means to enhance your swordsmanship.”

The Assembly of Seven Elders stood at the pinnacle of magic during the Magical Era. The Gray Training Ground’s name alone suggested it had once been their place of teaching. Allen, the foremost among them, had found the best method for Karyl to grow.

“Although I still don’t like the idea of combining magic and swordsmanship.”

“A catalyst, huh...” Karyl pondered on Allen’s words. He couldn’t deny that the sword was his true path, but he felt like he was constantly hitting a wall when dueling with Allen.

Bang, bang, bang!

Someone suddenly knocked at the door, with clear urgency. When Karyl opened it, he saw Israphil, gasping for breath as if he had run all the way from the basement.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ve found a way to investigate the dungeons...”

He quickly placed a thick book on the table.

“There are about three hundred dungeons on the continent... huff... all varying in rank... Investigating all of them would... huff... take decades...”

“Okay, catch your breath first.”

Karyl handed him a glass of water, which Israphil drank in one gulp before opening the book. He seemed eager to share his findings right away.

“Superior Vision.”

“...?”

A large eye was drawn on the page, and text written in an ancient, indecipherable script filled the space under the eye.

Israphil pointed to the eye and explained, “This is the Superior Vision spell. It’s quite different from magic mirrors. While a magic mirror shows you a place you’re familiar with, Superior Vision lets you see through the eyes of a designated person.”

His voice was trembling as he went on, “If you can use this spell, Karyl, you won’t need to investigate the dungeons yourself. You could send people to various dungeons and see through their eyes.”

Hearing that, Karyl’s lips curled into a smile. Israphil never failed to meet his expectations. Unlike Serica Lauren or Grand Sorcerer Nain Darhon, Israphil was a different kind of sorcerer altogether.

Indeed, Israphil was not as talented in magic as the others, which was why the title of Sage suited him far better. Having read countless books, he was truly a walking library.

“But... I’ve never heard of this spell before. Is there anyone who can use it? Perhaps Nain Darhon?”

“I doubt even Master can use Superior Vision.”

“Is it that advanced?”

“No, it’s not just about the spell’s complexity... The problem is that the spellbook isn’t in Antihum.”

“Huh? A spellbook that’s not in the Grand Library?”

“Superior Vision is one of the three original spells created in the magical city of Azor.”

Karyl’s face hardened slightly as he asked, “Do you mean the Original Magic?”

He then turned slowly to look at Allen. Understanding Karyl’s gaze, Allen shrugged slightly.

“So these are the three spells you mentioned at the Gray Training Ground. The ones awarded to the winner of the Magic Expert Competition?”

“That’s right.”

Allen chuckled at Karyl’s answer.

“Superior Vision, huh? Quite a bold name. So, big guy, do you know the other two spells?”

“Uh... Let me check.”

Israphil hurriedly flipped through the book. After a few moments, he answered, “The other two spells are Mana Extraction and Shadow Giant.”

“Of course. It’s that guy’s work.”

“You know them?”

“Obviously,” said Allen. “There’s no magic from the Magical Era I don’t know. As I’ve said before, these spells aren’t from the Assembly of Seven Elders, so don’t bother calling them Original Magic or whatever.”

It was clear that Allen’s pride as an original sorcerer was wounded.

“If you want, you can bring those books to this library and store them here. It would be better to attach the Immortal Council’s name to them instead.”

“I understand you’re upset... But if you know the spells, you could learn them, right?”

“No, I don’t know them,” Allen replied.

“Why not?”

“Because I never intended to learn such mediocre magic,” Allen snorted, clearly uninterested in Karyl’s suggestion.

“...Then what if I learned these spells instead?” Karyl offered.

“What do you mean?”

“You might not like it, but if the Original Magic is the highest form of magic we can currently obtain, then maybe I can find the catalyst you mentioned in Azor. Perhaps focusing on pure magic rather than the sword could help me find it.”

Karyl spoke cautiously, as if the thought had just just occurred to him.

“The sword is undoubtedly my chosen path, but perhaps I’ve reached a point where further breakthroughs in swordsmanship are impossible.”

“Hmm... So you’re suggesting that focusing more on magic rather than the sword might get you to that breakthrough?” Allen nodded thoughtfully.

“Antihum has many spellbooks, but their depth can’t compare to the Original Magic,” Karyl went on.

“If you could fully unlock the repository of knowledge I’ve passed on to you, that kind of magic would be child's play.”

Karyl gave a bitter smile.

“True, but that knowledge is out of reach until I break through this barrier. No matter how great it is, it’s useless if it’s behind a wall I can’t break through.”

“Hmm... Yes, aside from Draconic Words, the magic created by the dragons themselves, the most advanced magic books you can get right now are indeed those.”

Karyl felt like his mind was becoming clearer.

“I’ve never really trained in pure magic without relying on my sword.”

“You’re starting to find your own path now,” Allen remarked, nodding in satisfaction.

In his previous life, no one had taught Karyl, the outsider, how to wield a sword. He had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship through rigorous self-training, forging his own swordsmanship as he ascended Pharel.

Even though swordsmanship and magic were entirely different, the ultimate goal of reaching the summit was the same.

“But... The lord of Azor holds those spellbooks. Will he give them up?”

Israphil’s voice was filled with concern as he joined their conversation.

“Ah.”

Karyl reached up to pat him on the shoulder, but given Israphil’s height, he had to settle for an awkward touch on the arm.

“Don’t worry about that. Just prepare to leave immediately.”

“...What?”

Israphil looked at him in confusion, but Karyl responded calmly and confidently, “We’ll just go and ask for them.”