Chapter 111
Having received their rewards from the Central Church, Vargan and Finn stand by the airship.
Thanks to Vargan’s heads-up, Finn’s relic was chosen to be one of the three swords originally possessed by the protagonist, Liam.
A grade-1 sword might be a bit much for Finn, but it was decided since Liam only needs one sword anyway.
During their time here, they occasionally ran into other heroes, but ever since receiving their relics, Finn had not seen Sylvester even once.
Maintaining his top rank, he not only handled hero duties but also had a significant share of the church’s work to deal with, so he must have been swamped.
The day he managed to meet Vargan and Finn to hand out rewards was barely squeezed into his schedule.
…….
A month at the Central Church passed in no time.
Vargan received teachings from Helion, while Finn learned from Kshanoll, and they devoted themselves all day long.
Though Helion and Kshanoll had packed schedules, they couldn’t spare much time, but Finn needed time to practice the spells and stances he learned, so it wasn’t inadequate.
While training, Finn opted not to use the sword given to him by the Central Church and replaced it with an overly thick iron sword.
This was a strict policy from Kshanoll for training and reflected Finn’s determination to eventually handle the relic when he was ready.
Finn felt he had been granted the qualification to wield the relic.
Thus, he diligently repeated day and night.
The sun rose on their final day.
“Are you sure you won’t regret this?”
“Yes, Vargan. I have made up my mind. Even if I die in the process, I will have no regrets.”
Early in the morning, Vargan and Finn were at the airship heading to the Troa Empire, with only Vargan on board.
Finn wasn’t getting on. During that month of training at the Central Church, he had already begun to see his first results.
“I am not going back to Academia.”
Having undergone hellish, both psychologically and physically harsh training from Kshanoll, Finn had just learned about the Soul Forge Hall a few days ago.
The Soul Forge Hall is located in the eastern part of the continent.
Quite far from the Academia, at the edge of the continent.
There lies a massive ‘Fog Mountain Range,’ and it is said the hall exists somewhere within that range.
He knows the mountains are there, but he has no idea of the precise location.
The dense fog surrounding the mountains repels intruders and makes it impossible to tell where you are once you arrive.
It doesn’t exist.
Even in the past, Kshanoll stumbled upon the Mirage-like Soul Forge Hall right before his death, never truly knowing its location.
Kshanoll spent roughly three months searching the mountains for the Soul Forge Hall.
During his training there, however, there was no change in his physical body; time seemed to stand still.
Descending could be done in the blink of an eye.
However, the time it takes for an individual to find the Soul Forge Hall varies, potentially taking months or even years.
Of course, for those who are dying, it’s not just a matter of years, yet they did not display it.
Under such conditions, Finn declares.
“I will definitely return by the time of the second semester final exams.”
He states he will come back to take the final exams without changing the initial date he revealed in front of both Vargan and Arbol Frutal.
Even during a leave of absence, exams can be taken early.
However, he insisted there was no need for it, yet Finn remained stubborn.
Ultimately, Finn expressed his intention to finish all the processes and return within about four months.
“If I do not return in that period, please think of me as dead and erase my name from Arbol Frutal.”
There is no shaking in Finn’s gaze.
His mindset was always marked by cowardice and defeatist thoughts, but that doesn’t mean he lacks willpower.
“It’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to work as the same team members since our grades will change. But there’s still the Research Society, after all.”
Rather, Finn’s negative words serve as a ‘means’ to push himself harder, not as a result of anything.
Finn places a time limit on his return.
To whip himself into making sure he comes back.
“Right.”
Vargan didn’t elaborate any further.
Finn had already made all his judgments and decisions. Whatever words were given to him wouldn’t change anything.
After a casual final parting, Vargan began to step onto the airship. It was his nature to move promptly once the necessary conversations concluded.
He intended to do just that this time as well, but.
“What a pointless act.”
Vargan observed Finn bowing deeply with his forehead touching the ground in front of him.
Receiving the morning sunlight, Finn’s posture, despite being shadowed, appeared to hold a sense of calm rather than embarrassment.
Finn, being unreservedly humble and touching his forehead to the ground to become a Hero, wasn’t doing it out of a request or embarrassment now.
“Joining the Academia as a group member under the esteemed Vargan was, for me, a ‘miracle’.”
Finn, hardly lifting his head, began recounting the amazing events that had transpired over the past six months.
With a tone that didn’t vary in pitch or elevation.
Finn’s voice was remarkably stable.
“By entering the Research Society that you founded, I was able to meet many people, compete, and gain invaluable experiences.”
As Finn continued speaking without pause, he hesitated slightly when mentioning the Class Battle.
“There were times I felt ashamed and pathetic, even blaming myself for being born with this kind of body. I felt like I was nothing but a hindrance to you, Vargan, which troubled me.”
Unconsciously, Alicia must have influenced him significantly.
Experiencing how quickly she had moved away, right beside him, made Finn confront his own helplessness.
As Finn experienced his distance dwindling in an instant, he faced his own helplessness.
A deep sense of self-loathing washed over him.
“…For someone like me, Lord Vargan gave me an ‘opportunity.’”
But that was just a fleeting moment.
He regained a certain calmness soon after.
“I understand that Lord Vargan made a decision that doesn’t align with his original intentions. Even if I dared not assume his position, anyone could see that he wouldn’t have offered me the position of Helion’s mentee.”
“……”
“Whether it was out of pity or acknowledgment, it must have been anything but easy and entirely unreasonable. Therefore, I believe this is the second ‘miracle’ that’s happened to me.”
The first miracle was an external event with no interference.
The second miracle was bestowed upon him by Lord Vargan.
“I must have used up all my luck in one lifetime. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to say this right now.”
Finn slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were smiling.
It was clear he had made a strong resolution, but the bright smile he wore was just as genuine.
His mouth opened.
“Now it’s my turn to show a miracle.”
The third miracle.
Breaking free from the horrifically limited talent of a soul and being reborn once again.
Finn was now trying to invoke change within himself.
“……”
Vargan, who had been gazing at those earnest eyes for a while, smirked and lightly gestured to help him up.
Finn’s will had already been confirmed beyond any doubt.
Anything further would be a waste of time.
With that judgment, Vargan spoke in a light tone.
“Save this for your master Kshanoll, not me.”
Only then did Finn notice the dirt smudged on his pants from rising up. He seemed unconcerned, wearing a somehow refreshed look on his face.
His rugged mouth moved.
“I’ve already done that.”
Finn chuckled awkwardly. Around them, gentle sunlight and wind swirled refreshingly.
And then,
Vargan and Finn set off on their separate paths.
They didn’t engage in any longer conversations. Finn reassured himself that this wouldn’t be their last meeting.
Then, any further discussions could happen during the final exams of the second semester. For that day, he would keep his words to himself.
With each taking their own steps, they moved forward to solidify their foundation.
*
The airship rising from Central Church quickly vanished over the horizon.
In front of the main gate of Central Church,
In the morning’s dazzling light, Helion watched it quietly.
Then, he heard footsteps and turned his head.
It was Kshanoll, who had also sent off a student he could call a disciple.
“Helion, the next mission has been decided.”
Kshanoll briefly explained the contents of the order released by the church, and Helion listened silently.
It was a dispatch to a far-off area.
The previous events in Dortmund had gone smoothly with Vargan’s help, but this time would be different.
After reciting the rough information, Kshanoll said,
“Congratulations on becoming 6th in the Hero Ranking.”
“Likewise to you, Kshanoll.”
Helion’s contributions during the incident in Dortmund earned him a rise in the Hero Ranking from 7th to 6th.
Not only Helion but also all the members of the team had moved up a rank, or in some cases, even several ranks.
The entire team moved up in the rankings by one step, or maybe a few steps at most.
Hero Ranking also signifies an individual’s influence on the Church; the higher it is, the more helpful it becomes.
Although Helion didn’t have an overwhelming desire to reach a high rank, he felt a certain necessity to achieve it.
Once they finished congratulating each other, there was a brief silence.
“Doesn’t it feel a bit sad that your one and only disciple is leaving?”
Helion began to talk about Vargan and Finn.
Kshanoll replied indifferently, as if he was discussing matters unrelated to himself.
“I have no disciples. I don’t need any, nor do they have the qualifications.”
“Kshanoll holds as strict a standard for himself as Finn does. Sometimes, being able to feel satisfied would make life a bit easier, you know?”
“The day I feel comfortable will be the day Altife becomes extinct.”
Helion thought that Kshanoll and Finn had similarities.
They might differ in finer personality traits, but their overall frames were alike.
Having no talent and yet wanting to be stronger than anyone else, the self-hatred that has existed since the past, and an unceasing effort.
Kshanoll’s disdain for those without talent likely arises not only from the memories of his own past but also from knowing that their future is set to be one of thorns.
The survival rate in the Soul Forge Hall is exceptionally poor.
Achieving what one desires there is practically a miracle.
It’s not feasible to inform everyone about the Soul Forge Hall, so Helion thought it was a form of kindness to recommend giving up and choosing another path.
“But I didn’t expect you to reveal information about the Soul Forge Hall.”
“…Canthurman just carelessly spilled it out, and I simply dealt with it.”
“Does that mean Finn will be eliminated on his journey in the Soul Forge Hall?”
Elimination.
That essentially means death.
Hearing Helion’s question, Kshanoll gazed out over the vast area with serene eyes and replied.
“Indeed.”
That was Kshanoll’s answer, having personally completed the training in the Soul Forge Hall.
It held a clear weight, and Helion didn’t dare ask further. He could imagine what Kshanoll was feeling.
“By the way, is that hand of yours alright?”
Kshanoll changed the subject.
What he pointed to wasn’t Ami’s left arm that had been severed and returned.
“Oh, this?”
“The fact that it hasn’t healed even with your healing magic indicates that its power and duration are quite significant.”
“Right. To be honest, it still stings a bit.”
Helion’s right hand was stained red, as if it had been burned, surrounded by swarming yellow particles.
With his right hand recovering through healing magic, he smiled brightly.
For someone who was injured, it was a surprisingly cheerful smile.
“The growth rate of Vargan has exceeded my expectations. I ended up losing the bet, after all.”
That was on the last morning before Vargan was to leave the Central Church.
Helion and Vargan had conducted the final practical lesson early in the morning.
As a result, Helion’s right hand, which had been under strict security due to Holy Magic, bore wounds gnawed away by decay.
