The Swordmaster Who Returned After 1,000 Years

Chapter 110

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 110

"Glacial Orb."

The 5th Circle water spell, Glacial Orb, was cast.

A massive sphere of ice formed and then expanded, freezing everything in its vicinity—a powerful ice spell.

Kaylen and Princess Violet stood close together as they cast the spell in unison.

‘Ah… I can feel it. The 5th Circle… It’s turning.’

With a look of joy, Princess Violet watched as Glacial Orb took shape.

Although both of them were only at the 4th Circle, by combining their powers, they were able to create a 5th Circle spell.

It was a feat that ordinary mages couldn’t even attempt—

But Violet was using this unconventional method by relying on Glacia, an S-rank mana suit.

‘I need to engrave this feeling into my memory.’

Alone, it would have been impossible, but together, they could manifest 5th Circle magic.

As she watched Glacial Orb form, a smile spread across her face.

This experiment was yielding successful results.

"It worked, Princess Violet."

"Yes. Thanks to you, Lord Kaylen."

Meanwhile, Kaylen let out a quiet, bitter smile.

Of course, the 5th Circle magic worked—because of him.

‘Splitting Glacia’s mask into two and using it to attempt a 5th Circle spell… It sounds plausible enough, but there’s a major flaw.’

Magic wasn’t something as simple as adding 4.4 and 4.6 together to get the 5th Circle.

Even a child would know that combining 4.4 and 4.6 would result in 4.5—not 5.

And yet, Princess Violet wasn’t seeing this obvious conclusion.

‘Though, I suppose it’s because of the synergy effect at play.’

Rather than simply averaging out to 4.5, their intertwined mana circles were producing an enhanced effect, pushing them closer to 4.7 or 4.8.

‘But that still isn’t enough to cast 5th Circle magic.’

No matter how much synergy there was, a 4th Circle mage couldn’t suddenly become a 5th Circle one.

The only reason they were able to use 5th Circle magic was because Kaylen himself was capable of it.

If Kaylen hadn’t engraved three mana circles into his Mana Body,

their experiment would have undoubtedly ended in failure.

‘This experiment was flawed from the start.’

Even with his still-developing understanding of magic, Kaylen could see that.

And yet, the princess—

‘She’s so blinded by the success of the 5th Circle magic that she doesn’t notice the flaws.’

Reaching the 5th Circle was something only a Tower Master-level mage could typically achieve.

For someone to reach the 5th Circle in their early twenties was an extraordinary feat,

even in the days of Ernstine—something only a once-in-a-generation genius could accomplish.

‘For someone who once played a key military role in the First Prince’s faction to accept all of this so blindly… I don’t understand.’

Right now, Violet was clearly not her usual self.

Her usual composure was gone—she was completely enthralled by the mere possibility of reaching the 5th Circle.

"If we keep succeeding like this, we’ll become the youngest 5th Circle Masters in history!"

On the fifth day of the experiment—

With the Demon Legion Commander’s elite forces possibly on the verge of invading,

Violet continued to smile at Kaylen.

After all, the 5th Circle magic of her dreams was now succeeding one after another.

Ever since the revelation that First Prince Diethart had become Black Skull, she had been consumed by despair—

But now, this experiment was bringing her a sense of relief.

"If this works out well… I might finally be able to live."

Her face was visibly brighter than before.

If she could reach the 5th Circle, she would be free from Glacia’s curse, which had been slowly freezing her body—

Of course, she would be happy.

‘…Should I give her a little more help?’

Although she hadn’t reached the 5th Circle, it was clear that Violet’s abilities were improving.

On top of that, Kaylen was also gaining something by observing Violet cast magic up close.

He decided to continue the experiments with Violet until the enemy’s main force arrived.

However, there was one thing he needed to address.

"Princess Violet, how does the mask feel now?"

Was he asking that again?

Violet tilted her head.

The mask's feeling.

This was something Kaylen had asked her repeatedly during the past five days of experiments.

"…I’m not sure what you mean."

Tap. Tap.

With a confused expression, Violet tapped on her mask in response to Kaylen’s question.

"I don’t feel any difference at all."

"…Really?"

"Yes. Lord Kaylen, do you feel any difference in Glacia?"

They had already spent five days together, working on experiments day and night.

Could it be that she didn’t notice?

Kaylen let out a slight sigh.

‘At this point, I should give her a proper hint.’

It would be best if she figured it out on her own.

But since they didn’t know when the demon army would strike, it was better to tell her now.

Whoosh.

He leaned in closer to Violet’s face.

His right mask touched her left mask.

They faced each other at a distance where their breaths almost mingled.

"W-What are you doing…?"

"Princess Violet, try to feel the mana in the mask you’ve placed on me."

"U-Um…"

"Can’t you feel the difference between yours and mine?"

At this close distance, she should be able to tell.

Kaylen’s mask was filled with water mana.

Violet’s mask, on the other hand, had light mana concentrated within it.

"I… I don’t really feel a difference. Are there any differences between the two masks?"

Unfortunately, Violet couldn’t tell the difference between their masks.

‘Considering her mastery, I thought she’d be able to distinguish the nature of the mana right away.’

Isn’t focusing on a single attribute the hallmark of a Meister?

Kaylen was slightly disappointed when Violet didn’t notice the difference between their masks, but he quickly pushed that feeling aside.

"I can feel a difference between the two masks. Yours has the property of light, and mine has the property of water."

"Ah… Is that so?"

Seeing Violet absentmindedly touch her own mask, Kaylen felt more discomfort than disappointment.

Something was off with Violet.

"I’m not sure, though." Smiles.

Violet, pulling away from Kaylen, smiled again and spoke.

"Rather than that, let’s try the 5th Circle magic again. We need to prepare as much as we can before the main force of the demons arrives, don’t you think?"

At those words, Kaylen’s eyes darkened.

‘This isn’t… simply excitement over the 5th Circle clouding her judgment.’

There was something more.

There was a reason for her change.

Kaylen’s gaze fixed on Violet’s mask.

"Let’s sprinkle holy water on it."

Saintess Theresia, dressed in white armor, was issuing commands in a stern tone to a member of the Holy Legion.

When wearing armor, the Saintess wasn’t her usual gentle self; she resembled a strict superior.

"Mikhail, what are you doing? It's just sprinkling water. Can’t you even do that properly?"

"Aileen, you’ve been a priestess for quite some time. How much longer do I need to teach you?"

Such strictness had been taken too far in this fortress.

‘Why is Theresia acting like this all of a sudden?’

‘She was always strict when in armor, but she never used to get this frustrated.’

‘Ugh, it’s scary…’

As her irritation grew, all the members of the Holy Legion hoped to remain out of the Saintess’s line of sight.

"Haa. What are you doing? For a member of the Sanctuary, you’re utterly lacking."

The cold aura radiating from the Saintess, Knight Ress gulped nervously as he approached her.

He really didn’t want to approach the Saintess in this state, but he still had to report.

"Saintess… I’ve investigated Princess Violet and Lord Kaylen."

"Quite late, Ress."

"I-I apologize. I needed more time to get a proper understanding…"

"Speak."

Theresia crossed her arms and stared at Ress.

"Princess Violet and Lord Kaylen were sharing the S-rank mana suit Glacia’s mask."

"Ha. Ress, who doesn’t know that? I told you to investigate when I saw them both laughing with the masks on. I wanted to know what that was about."

"Yes. Right. I secretly followed them, and I overheard something..."

"Go on."

"Because of this method, they said they were able to use 5th Circle magic."

"…Because of sharing the mask?"

At the mention of 5th Circle magic, Theresia’s expression softened for a moment, but soon her thoughts deepened.

"Sharing a mask and using 5th Circle magic…"

"I also thought it was nonsense at first, but I actually saw them use 5th Circle magic, Glacial Orb, with my own eyes."

"Really… They succeeded?" Tap. Tap.

Theresia, still with her arms crossed, tapped her fingers against her armor, clearly deep in thought. Then, as if remembering something, she exclaimed.

"Ah! That’s it…"

"Ress. You don’t need to investigate anymore."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. In fact, this is something to be celebrated. Where are they now?"

"I’ll guide you."

"Good. Let’s go."

For the first time that day, Theresia smiled as she followed Ress.

At the far end of the fortress, where the walls met the canyon, Kaylen and Violet were conducting their magical experiment.

At the far end of the fortress, where only a handful of people remained, Theresia arrived with Knight Ress.

"Hello, Princess Violet. And Lord Kaylen."

"Yes, Saintess. Have you come to prepare for the defense on this side of the wall?"

"No, I have come today because I have business with you."

"With us?"

Violet looked at Kaylen.

Although she had said "you," Violet naturally thought the matter would concern Kaylen.

"To be precise, it’s a matter for the princess."

"Is it for me?"

"Yes. I happened to overhear some rumors about you. About how you’re using 5th Circle magic."

Kaylen briefly glanced at Ress, who was standing next to Theresia.

After following them for five days, they had finally figured it out and reported it.

‘I hadn’t seen the princess trying to hide it, so I didn’t stop it.’

During the magical experiments, they had already fired 5th Circle magic outside the fortress.

No matter how hard they tried to hide it, it was inevitable.

"Princess Violet, I’m here to help you today."

"Help me?"

"Yes."

Theresia looked directly at Violet and lightly tapped her left cheek.

"All S-rank mana suits have hidden powers. Not just Glacia, but other S-rank mana suits as well."

"Hidden powers…?"

"All S-rank mana suits that represent the four main elements contain light energy. Glacia’s attributes are actually a combination of light and water, made of both. Since you are the owner of Glacia, you must have felt this to some extent."

"…I see."

Violet nodded as she glanced at Kaylen.

During the five days of experiments, he had kept saying that the mana properties of the two masks were different.

‘I’m still not sure… but with the Saintess saying this, it seems like Kaylen’s words are true.’

"Today, if you’re alright with it, Princess, I would like to bestow a blessing that awakens the light energy hidden within Glacia."

"Is that… possible?"

"Yes. In truth, this blessing is useless unless the owner of Glacia is ready, which is why I haven’t mentioned it until now… but now that the two of you have combined your powers and reached the stage where you can use 5th Circle magic, I believe my blessing will be effective."

In order for the blessing to work, the owner of Glacia had to be at a certain level.

Up until now, Violet had only been a 4th Circle Meister, so it hadn’t been possible.

But now, according to the Saintess, it was.

‘This is a good offer.’

An offer to awaken hidden power.

Violet smiled and bowed to the Saintess.

"If that’s the case, I’d be honored to accept it."

"It’s for everyone’s benefit. The enemy’s main force is about to arrive, and once Glacia awakens, it will be a great help to us."

A faint white light began to emanate from Theresia’s body.

"Now, I will begin to awaken the light within Glacia."

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]