I Became the Youngest Disciple of the Martial God

Barely managing to peel off the clinging Mir, I made my way to the roof.

As I did so, I recalled the sensation of heat and cold swirling around me.

It was an unfamiliar feeling, one I had never experienced before, but as I thought about it, I realized something.

Is it because of the Dark Star Blade?

The common trait of those martial armaments called divine weapons, divine objects, or divine instruments was their ability to perform beyond the basic function of average weapons.

This was the case with all three of Eldest Senior Brother’s weapons.

The Dark Star Blade’s principle of the Union of One Truth affected not only the weapon but also its wielder.

In other words, simply possessing the Dark Star Blade allowed one to acquire the sense of harmoniously managing opposing energies.

Extreme yang and extreme yin.

Fire and ice.

These two incompatible forces had been united for a moment because I, influenced by the Dark Star Blade, unconsciously balanced and controlled them.

Is this another clue?

I had thought that the way to reach the third stage of the Strongest Fire Technique lay in fully mastering the purple flame...

But now, I realized there might be another way.

This was the nature of martial arts mastery.

There were always multiple paths to a mountain’s summit. One had to find the path that suited them best.

It’s too bad...

To be honest, every time I found a clue to the next stage, I felt a twinge of annoyance.

If the world had been a little less crazy, I could have secluded myself in the mountains the moment such thoughts surfaced and focused on training.

This was why “closed-door training” existed.

Separately, I realized how difficult it was to cut ties with the mundane world with a clear, working mind.

As my mind wandered more and more, I suddenly recalled Baek Nogwang.

What kind of life has Master lived?

This was a thought I’d often had since my regression.

The strongest martial artist I knew...

What could have driven someone so godlike in martial arts to retire to seclusion in the remote world of Spirit Mountain?

He’d even gone to the trouble of taking disciples from other worlds.

To personally raise his own opponent?

It was the most plausible explanation, given his eccentric personality, but... well, I wasn’t sure.

Somehow, I had a feeling that there was a hidden reason that I wouldn’t be able to understand no matter how much I wracked my brain, at least not right now.

“Hmm.”

These unnecessarily long hallways really made all kinds of thoughts cross my mind.

I shook my head to clear my mind.

Barter and I would fight on the rooftop.

It was the most spacious part of the building, and it lacked obstacles.

However, in front of the stairs leading to the rooftop stood a familiar face.

It was Prince Glenn Scarlet.

“...”

How should I put this?

It felt a bit awkward running into him now.

After all, our last meeting had not exactly ended pleasantly.

Still, apart from that, I didn’t really hold any strong grudges against him.

While he was pathetic in many ways, he didn’t stray beyond the standards I had set.

I was human too, so I was subjective and biased when it came to judging people...

And by those standards, Glenn Scarlet hadn’t particularly crossed the line.

So what were my standards?

Simply put, whether or not someone was more pathetic than the past Luan Bednicker?

“Luan,” Glenn said, his voice stiff.

I cocked my head and asked, “You’ve got something to say?”

Glenn must have been a little taken aback by my calm response because he flinched slightly before pressing his hat down firmly. “I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“I've been thinking about what you said back then, and at first I was angry, thinking, ‘What does he know, to talk like that?’ But...”

“...”

“I heard you saved all the cadets in this building. The headmaster mentioned how you came straight to save us the moment you heard our screams. You flew straight to save us, and you didn't reveal your family name in the entire process. You saved them and earned their respect solely as Luan, not as a Bednicker.”

As he spoke, his hunched back and rounded shoulders gradually straightened.

Eventually, Glenn looked me straight in the eye.

“Everything you told me was true.”

“...”

As I listened, I couldn't bring myself to ask, What exactly did I say?

I quickly forgot things I didn’t consider important.

Still, I was perceptive enough to just absentmindedly nod along.

“Even in front of Sir Barter, you didn’t back down and stayed true to your—”

I held up a hand, cutting Glenn off. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. I get it.”

“H-huh? G-get what?”

“Apology accepted, as well as the sentiment. I don't have any hard feelings toward you, so let's just chalk up what happened at the tavern as a minor scuffle.”

“O-oh, yeah. Okay.”

“Is that all you wanted to say?” I asked, and Glenn hesitated.

It seemed he hadn’t come here just to apologize.

“I don't have much of a relationship with Elder Sister Ferith.”

“Hm?”

“Every member of the imperial family has someone they rely on. Even if life is hell, they can get through it just thinking about that person. Like a beacon of light in their life.”

What was he trying to say?

I could have just ignored him and walked past, but for some reason, something about Glenn’s desperate expression made it hard to move my feet.

So I asked, “The ‘Elder Sister’ you mentioned you missed before, was she your beacon?”

Glenn smiled faintly.

It was the most genuine expression I'd ever seen from him.

“Yes. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known. Everyone loved her, not just me. But her imperial bloodline wasn't strong enough, so she was disposed of. So, what I mean is...”

Glen fell silent.

His crimson eyes fixed on me during the brief silence that fell between us.

It was clear that Glenn had not fully organized his thoughts before approaching me.

“I don't think Elder Sister Ferith ever had anyone like that.”

“Mm.”

“I’m not saying it excuses her actions. What she’s done is wrong. So many people have been swept up in it that it can’t simply be considered a mistake. She has to pay the price. I’m telling you this because... how should I put it? I feel like you need to know. As much as I hate to say it myself.” Glenn hesitated. “Sometimes I get these feelings. A sort of instinct or intuition, if you will, as a member of the imperial family.”

After he finished, Glenn let out a deep sigh and...

I suddenly remembered the conversation I’d had with him.

“Hey, Glenn, you know...”

As usual, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

* * * * *

* * * * *

As soon as I stepped onto the rooftop, a strong wind greeted me. It amazed me that even in this twisted world, the wind still blew.

“...”

There were more people on the open rooftop than I’d expected.

It wasn’t just my opponent, Barter. Headmaster Alderson and the young heroes were present as well.

And standing near Barter, I saw Marco and the other special forces members.

“Big Brother!”

Even Butterfly was here.

I don't think I've seen her in this world. When did she come here?

Anyway, she was skilled enough and blessed, so it wasn’t surprising that she was still alive.

Butterfly approached with a sullen face. “Wh-why are you doing this?”

“What?”

“You’re dueling Brother Barter...!

“Last I checked, yeah.”

“You know Elder Brother Barter is the captain of the Special Forces! I know you’re strong, Big Brother Luan, but a young hero...”

Ignoring Butterfly’s rambling about how she could smooth things over or how I should think of Sellen or other useless things, I brushed past her and kept walking.

It was only then that I clearly saw the expression of the cadets standing a little further away.

“That Luan... Will he be okay?”

“There’s no way he’ll be fine. His opponent is the eldest son of Goodspring, and a member of the Special Forces at that.”

“Not to mention that Sir Barter is at least ten years older. That’s a gap that talent alone can’t bridge...”

“...What is he even thinking?”

Unexpectedly, they all wore looks of concern.

Even Charon, Hector, and Sellen, who knew me to some extent, looked worried.

The Special Forces members behind Barter whispered openly.

“Is that him? The fool who challenged our captain, thinking he could measure up? The Bednicker brat?”

“This is beyond ridiculous. Even Hero Bednicker wasn’t able to settle the match...”

“The youngest Bednicker... Isn’t he the disgrace whom even the Lord of Blood and Iron abandoned? This is no surprise.”

The only ones who were calm were Headmaster Alderson, Evan Helvin, and the ever-impassive Mir Giant.

Ah.

I realized that everyone’s reactions were only natural. Currently, everyone knew Luan Bednicker as the epitome of pathetic.

That had been somewhat intentional on my part, but... it was a different story now.

We were in a critical moment.

In a life-or-death situation, I needed them to obey my orders without hesitation.

I needed to leave a definite impression on everyone present.

So I did just that.

Step.

Lightning-walker steps.

Boom!

“...!”

The thunderous sound of my steps cut through the restless atmosphere.

With the first step, the current of energy coiled in the soles of my feet spread through the ground...

Rumble...!

The trembling spread in all directions like thunder rumbling through storm clouds, shaking the entire building for seconds.

This was a martial art of my own creation.

Luan Bednicker’s unique and original martial art.

“...”

“...”

Just three steps were enough to change the way everyone looked at me.

“...What kind of footwork was that?”

“Such aggressive and domineering mana manipulation. I instinctively took a defensive stance...”

“...How old is Luan Bednicker again?”

“Has Bednicker been hiding such a talent all along?”

I could see the Special Force members staring at me in shock, but I paid them no mind and instead focused on my opponent.

In Barter's hand was a rather large shield. It was large enough to completely cover his upper body when held upright.

“I want to propose a term for our duel,” I said.

Bartor did not look fazed by my informal tone.

The only reaction I got was a mere stiffening after seeing my lightning-walker steps. However, the condescension in his gaze was mostly gone.

“...Speak.”

“Let's end this in one exchange. You look like you're confident in your defense, so if you can block a single strike of mine, I’ll admit defeat.”

Barter's eyebrow twitched.

“The terms seem too favorable for me.”

“Eh.” I shrugged. “Not really.”

Having the time to gather my strength was a huge advantage with my White Sun Form.

But of course, Barter was not aware of that.

“Why would you suggest such a term?”

“Look at our situation. We both need to conserve mana, but if we fight all out, who knows what might happen? What if emotions run high and one of us gets seriously injured or even dies? What then? We haven’t faced the princess yet.”

“...”

He would have scoffed at this before I had demonstrated lightning-walker steps, but having seen it, he was bound to think differently.

Barter, who had been glaring at me, nodded. “I accept your proposal.”

BANG...!

Barter drove his shield into the ground, then pressed his body against it as if to get behind cover.

Wooooong.

A hum resonated, signaling that several blessings had reinforced his sturdy physique.

“The Blessing of Iron Wall...!”

“For our commander to prepare to this extent...”

“He fully activated the holy power of the shield. Now even a giant’s punch would be deflected with ease...”

“...”

Meanwhile, I also took a stance and concentrated. The chattering of the onlookers began to fade into the background.

Ignition of body and mind.

Thinking about nurturing a small flame in my heart, I gathered all the heat in my body.

Barter Goodspring.

The prodigy of the Goodspring family, comparable to Hero Bednicker.

That was the caliber of opponent I faced, and I could sense that he was giving his all against me. In that case, it would be rude of me to attack half-assedly.

I might not go all out, but I’d give it my best.

Crk-craack...

I tightened my muscles, veins pumping hard as I forced the flow to accelerate. My clenched fist was solid as reinforced steel, and I coated it with a layer of ki like a second skin.

In the meantime, the temperature of my entire body rose to the perfect level.

“Haah...”

I let out a slow, heated breath, and faint steam blew from my mouth.

I fixed my eyes on the shield that stood solid and on the man behind it.

The technique I was about to unleash was the First Technique of the White Sun Form.

But I planned to layer it with the principle of Internal Rupture that Second Senior Sister liked to use as well as my recent insights into fajin.

If I could pull this off, that shield wouldn't do a damn thing.

Sssssss.

I took a deep breath and immediately charged forward.

As I used lightning-walker steps, I naturally felt a sudden jolt of electricity shoot through me from the soles of my feet.

The unexpected surge of lightning ki coursed through my calves and thighs and to my fist, which it coiled around.

Another fusion, huh.

Thinking about how good this would be, I couldn’t help but smirk.

In my own unique interpretation, fire and lightning were very similar...

And a metal shield stood no chance in the face of pure lightning ki.

I could hear the blood rushing in my ears and feel the strong thuds of my heart against my ribcage.

My tightly coiled body endured the complex currents of true ki flowing within.

It was then, when my outstretched fist made contact with the shield...

BAAAAANG!

“...”

“...”

The silence was broken when someone muttered in disbelief, “...What...?”

Because nothing happened.

The shield was intact, and Barter stood unscathed behind it.

Just as I had intended.

“...”

Barter said nothing.

Still holding his shield upright, he stood there, frozen like a statue, his wide, fierce gaze fixed on me.

Though he hadn’t suffered internal injuries...

I was sure he could feel the residual traces of my true ki that had pierced his body and lingered inside.

The sensation of foreign energy invading his body without consent must be as repulsive as worms burrowing beneath his skin.

At the same time, he should have realized.

If I had truly intended to do so, that single strike would have torn him apart from the inside.

Or maybe not.

Was he really unaware?

The manipulation of intricate ki that utilized not just my thin pulses but every muscle in my body, the mastery of fajin I’d learned from my battle with the demon legion commander, the essence of Internal Rupture often used by Second Senior Sister, the sudden fusion of lightning ki, and hidden within it all, a faint trace of restraint and consideration toward my opponent...

That single strike contained too many meanings, so I couldn’t help but wonder.

How much had Barter actually felt and understood?

“Barter Goodspring.” Tilting my head slightly, I asked a simple but ambiguous question: “...Do you understand?”

“...”