Free Web NovelChapter 67: Ch 67: Recognizing Talent
Life was good. Life was even better when Kael got to see those shocked expressions on the council’s faces.
"H-How could this be possible?"
The council leader exclaimed, trying to find his words. But his brain had stopped processing what was happening a while ago.
Kael decided that it was time for him to interfere before these councilmen truly lost their minds and did something drastic...like jump into the arena and get themselves hurt.
"It seems like this fight is over. One of you should take your knight to get checked out by a healer."
The council moved at his comment and immediately headed to take Sir Ivory back. The rest looked uncomfortable, but they refused to turn their backs on him.
Instead, their eyes looked suspicious, and they continued to look between him and Iris, trying to figure out what kind of trick he had pulled.
"Grand Master Kael, just what is going on here? What kind of magic did you cast on that girl to make her use mana?"
The council leader still looked unconvinced by the fact that Iris had been able to use mana at all.
He became even more nervous once Kael smiled at him in full force. free𝑤ebnovel.com
"Hmm, why would I waste my magic making Iris use mana when she can do it herself? I remember telling the Cardinal before that I chose the best teacher for the hero. Did he not convey my message to you?"
Kael taunted, and the veins on the council leader’s forehead threatened to pop.
"Grand Master, your report did not say she was a Sword Master-"
"So what? Are you saying that you would have respected her more if you knew she was a Sword Master? Is the council truly blind?"
The more Kael insulted the council, the better he felt. His stress was flowing out of his body.
Of course, the council was having the opposite reaction.
"Y-You! Stop speaking lies-"
"Hmm, what can I do if you still do not believe me? Well, how about having your own Holy Knight testify?"
Kael shot Ken a look, asking him to interfere. But there was a 50% chance that Ken would outright ignore him and make the situation worse.
Luckily for him, Ken decided not to ignore him.
"That’s right. I, Ken Russle, the White Knight Sword Master, can say with certainty that Miss Iris is a true Sword Master. Not that she’s any match for me."
Another silence followed that declaration.
"D-Did he say...K-Ken Russle?"
"T-That means he’s the youngest...B-But no one told us he was here?"
The person who looked the most shaken was the council leader. He looked at Ken, and the Holy Knight finally pulled his hood down.
Another stretch of silence followed after that, which was only broken by Leon.
"Does this mean our match is not going to happen anymore?"
Leon was the one who broke the silence, and Ken looked delighted to see that his opponent was still willing to fight.
"I don’t mind facing you, kid. I want to see just how good the hero is as well."
Ken’s excitement finally made the council move, and they panicked.
"S-Sir Ken, you cannot fight the hero. What if you hurt him?"
The council leader yelled, begging the Holy Knight to understand and back down. But their actions only served to make Ken look more excited.
"How long are you all going to coddle the hero? If he says he’s ready to face me, then it is his decision. You all better stay out of this unless you would like to join us as well. I won’t mind adding more people to our fight."
The council was united in protecting their hero. But they were not brave enough to risk their lives for him.
Kael decided to make another barrier that forced the council members outside while the other two headed toward the arena.
"Iris, you can come back now. You already won your round. Actually, bring Sir Ivory with you as well. We can have Seraphina practice on him."
Kael called out, now watching the councilman who had gone to bring Sir Ivory cower before Iris. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Iris gave the man a look before she grabbed Ivory and threw him over her shoulder. She looked much more relaxed after winning the fight.
"Is it Leon’s turn?"
She asked as she deposited Sir Ivory on the bench.
"That’s right. I want him to gain as much experience as possible....Seraphina, you can start your treatment now."
The saintess nodded before she used her powers on Sir Ivory. His injuries healed in an instant, and Kael told her to heal Iris next, even though she had suffered no injuries.
Once everyone was healed, they all took a seat. The council members tried their best to break the barrier, but they made no progress.
Their noise was distracting enough to make Kael put up a second barrier.
"Ignore the people outside. I have muted them, so you won’t notice them as long as you pay attention to the fight."
Kael assured the pair, but Seraphina still looked worried.
"Are you sure it will be fine? And for Leon as well...Do you think he will be able to win?"
Out of them all, Seraphina was the only one who had no idea about the difference between a regular person and a Sword Master. But that had nothing to do with her abilities and everything to do with her lack of experience.
"Frankly, Leon has no chance. It would be a miracle if he were able to last more than a single minute against a Sword Master. Even I doubt I could last more than five minutes."
"Is there really that much of a difference?"
Seraphina looked surprised, and Kael decided to explain things to her.
"Magic and mana are usually cultivated over the years. The earlier you unlock them, the more you can develop them. And the more you develop them, the faster and stronger they recover. Since Ken unlocked his potential a few years ago, neither Iris nor Leon has a chance against him."
Seraphina made a noise of understanding and then turned to look at him.
"Then, shouldn’t you be using huge amounts of magic as well to get stronger quickly? I don’t think I have seen you do that."
Kael, who had not expected this question, felt a sudden sense of betrayal. He had not expected Seraphina to call him out like this.
But it was not like he had been wasting his magic either.
"It might look that way, but I am also constantly using my magic. That’s how I am able to maintain my estate and also suppress it. Well, that’s only one way I use my magic. It’s nothing for you to worry about."
Kael assured her. He also reminded himself that he had his domain to visit after all this was over so he could check up on his place in the tower.
What...did he use his magic condensation for?
He knew that it was for something important, but he could not recall it clearly.
