Chapter 63 - 63
An eerie silence settled over the Lion Arena, rendering the spectators utterly speechless. Wide-eyed and slack-jawed, they struggled to comprehend the extraordinary scene unfolding before them. The Mythril Crystal, renowned for its supposed indestructibility and its ability to withstand power outputs surpassing even the high-tier purple core stage, now lay shattered on the ground. This specific stage, commonly referred to as the Swordking stage, was believed to render the crystal impervious to anything but a specialized artifact known as the Omnia Saw—a craft mastered by only a select few forge masters.
Yet, here stood Klaus, having effortlessly slashed through the supposedly unbreakable Mythril Crystal. The audience found themselves dumbfounded, unable to reconcile the reality of what they had just witnessed. Even Roman Lionhart acknowledged as the continent’s strongest swordsman, could not have achieved such a feat despite boasting the prowess of a Mid-tier golden core, commonly referred to as the Swordemperor stage.
Surprisingly, Klaus himself hadn’t anticipated the Mythril Crystal’s demise. He had expected, at the very least, it to display a power output surpassing even that of a High-tier cyan core, maintaining his stoic expression throughout. However, beneath this facade, Greed sensed Klaus’s genuine surprise, seeing through the poker face Klaus attempted to maintain. The Lion Arena remained cloaked in a stunned hush, grappling with the inexplicable event that had just unfolded.
{What did you expect?} Greed’s voice, a symphony of mockery, reverberated in Klaus’s mind, each word dripping with disdain. The dark undertones of his tone painted an image of derisive amusement. {I’ve already told you many times that Arcane energy is not something to be used trivially. And as stupid as you are, you even combine it with natural mana while enhancing your body with magic. Heck! You even use a sword stance from the most powerful sword technique I know. Don’t be that surprised, you moron.}
{Arcane energy can amplify the intent you exert when you use a sword technique, and your arcane core is already at the second stage so you better be careful next time}
’Yeah, I will,’ Klaus replied with an air of nonchalance, his voice carrying a calm assurance that echoed through his internal dialogue. As he responded, his words seemed to navigate a delicate balance between indifference and resolve. Internally, he pondered, ’If my arcane energy is already this powerful at the second stage, just how potent will it become when I reach the third stage or an even higher stage?’ His contemplation added a layer of introspection, revealing the depth of Klaus’s curiosity about the potential of his own abilities.
Interrupting his thoughts, Klaus shifted his gaze to Rick, his instructor. ’What’s wrong with him?’ Klaus wondered, his observation extending beyond the spoken word to Rick’s body language. Rick stood frozen, his mouth agape and eyes widened in disbelief, creating a tableau of astonishment. Klaus’s scrutiny extended to the spectators in each section of the Lion Arena. All wore the same expression of shock as Rick, creating a ripple of disbelief that traversed the arena. Klaus then turned his attention to Roman Lionhart, whose typically composed features now betrayed a bewildered astonishment. The nuances of Klaus’s gaze captured not just the reaction but also the ripple effect of his actions.
’What’s wrong with them?’ Klaus sought answers from Greed, his question carrying a tinge of confusion. The dynamics of Klaus’s internal dialogue mirrored the layers of uncertainty playing out in the minds of the onlookers.
{If you yourself were surprised by the result, what do you expect them to be? The Mythril Cristal is not something that can easily break simply because someone hit it with all his might. Heck, I’m not even sure your patriarch can break one unless, of course, he can use arcane energy or a high-level technique of Rune art.}
’Sh*t,’ Klaus muttered internally, the weight of realization settling in. The simplicity of his curse words encapsulated the sudden awareness of the unforeseen consequences, adding a visceral layer of impact to his internal monologue.
{Now do you finally realize just how badly you messed up? How are you going to explain what you did?} Greed’s inquiry pressed Klaus to confront the potential aftermath, the responsibility of his actions becoming more apparent. The tone carried a note of urgency, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
’Why do I have to explain anything?’ Klaus retorted internally, a note of defiance in his tone. ’The "how I did it" is not their concern.’ Klaus’s internal defiance resonated with the confidence in his stride as he walked toward Rick. The unspoken tension infused the Lion Arena with a palpable uncertainty, heightening the drama that unfolded in each step.
{Tssssp! You are still acting all cocky despite what happened. You are really just like that Gluttony bastard.} n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
’Stop mentioning things that you’d refuse to explain,’ Klaus said, the tenor of his voice combining defiance with a hint of exasperation. The unspoken tension infused Klaus’s confident stride with an air of mystery, creating an aura of uncertainty that lingered in the Lion Arena.
***
Roman Lionhart observed his youngest grandson as he strode confidently towards his instructor, an air of nonchalance in his demeanor. Despite the enormity of the feat Klaus had just accomplished, Roman couldn’t suppress the burgeoning sense of pride welling up within him. The spectacle was still challenging for the patriarch to process, but beneath the bewilderment, an undeniable pride swelled.
’What was that energy?’ Roman pondered, his sharp eyes narrowing with curiosity. ’Not just that, I don’t even recognize the sword technique he used. Where did he learn it? Did Ludovic teach him that?’ The questions reverberated in Roman’s mind, forming a web of mysteries surrounding Klaus’s newfound abilities. His gaze then shifted to his son, Ludovic Lionhart, who stood with his customary inscrutable expression. Ludovic’s gloomy eyes betrayed no emotions, adding another layer of intrigue.
’Since he doesn’t look shocked, he is probably the one who taught him that sword technique and whatever that energy was too.’ Roman contemplated the enigma that was his son, acknowledging the potential involvement in Klaus’s unorthodox skills. ’After how I treated him, even if I ask him for an explanation, he would probably deny or blatantly refuse to give me an answer. And I can’t directly coerce my grandson to tell me about it.’ Roman settled back into his golden throne, contemplating the complexities within his family.
As Klaus continued his confident walk, a smile playing on his lips, Roman couldn’t contain the burgeoning admiration. "My grandsons are truly something else, aren’t they? HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!" The patriarch’s laughter boomed through the arena, echoing with thunderous resonance. However, the audience remained transfixed, their expressions unchanged. Despite Roman’s hearty laughter, it seemed to fall on deaf ears, the spectators locked in a collective stupor. Their gaping mouths and wide eyes betrayed the lingering disbelief, a silent testament to the enigma that unfolded before them. Discover stories at empire
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