Chapter 134 : Chapter 134

Chapter 134 : The Knight Competition (5)

“Yes, I will purchase them on your behalf.”

Balan readily agreed.

‘While I’m gifting things, should I also buy items that Everchen, Bea, and Keldric could use?’

I once again pored over the catalog.

For Everchen, the Shield of the Storm King.

For Bea, a hood called Ribelles.

For Keldric, the Bracelet of Silence.

As befitting the Imperial Palace Vault, there were many useful items.

And while picking out artifacts that would be helpful to my companions, I also chose a piece of armor for myself.

Thunderplate.

This was a top-tier item, even among magic armors.

Most magic armors are crafted by engraving magic circles onto the armor.

However, in such cases, the engraved magic circles can fade over time or become damaged through repeated battles, failing to perform their function.

The top-tier magic armor, Thunderplate, was different.

It was designed from the outset with magic circles in mind, and the plates were assembled according to those complex patterns.

A design that no artisan, unless exceptionally skilled, could even attempt.

It was a magic armor crafted by the best artisan with the best iron, using all of their strength and soul.

‘The Thunderplate was made by a past Dwarf King, wasn’t it? The Dwarves have rarely been seen since they went into hiding in their Underground Empire……. I won’t be able to get armor like this anywhere else.’

That was why the Thunderplate had been the highest-grade magic armor for 300 years.

Furthermore, since a restoration magic circle was included in its complex design, there was no possibility of it having been worn down by the passage of time.

“Sir Pasion, for my gift, I would like the Thunderplate, please.”

“Hmm……”

“Is it too expensive?”

“Do you know why a precious magic armor like the Thunderplate has been included in this auction?”

“No, I don’t know the reason.”

“A rumor has already widely spread that the 3rd Prince wants it.”

First during the Magic Tower Exchange Competition, and now this.

Why on earth does the 3rd Prince cause such a fuss every time an auction is held?

But the me from the time of the exchange competition and the me now were very different.

Not only had my standing risen, but the number of powerful people around me had also greatly increased.

“Since it’s a festival where the Imperial Palace Vault is opened, the 1st Prince will be there too, right?”

Pasion said with a grin.

“I would think so.”

I responded with a smile of my own.

Then I told Balan the items I wanted to purchase.

Pasion was also subtly listening in from the side.

I wouldn't have to worry about Balan facing any undue pressure when she tried to buy the items.

I took out a huge pile of the money I had saved up until now.

I hadn't even accurately counted how many tens of thousands of Fel had accumulated over that time.

It wasn't just the money from Ims, the head of the 9th Autonomous Region and the Fremont faction; I had received a lot of support from various people, including the western nobles.

“If it’s not enough, you can ask the Fremont Consortium. I’ll pay the price later.”

Ims would gladly help.

She had been constantly telling me recently that she wanted to increase her support for me.

After writing a letter of thanks to Ims, I said my goodbyes to Balan and Pasion.

“Well then, I will go and pass all the remaining trials.”

“If you leave like this, there will be a lot to clean up.”

Pasion feigned a complaint. But a slight smile hung on his lips.

I made a witty remark to Pasion.

“The whole Empire must have seen me use Fourfold Transformation three times in a row, right?”

“I’d imagine so. They should have also seen you come down with your legs trembling.”

“I thought I came down quite calmly, but it seems I couldn’t fool you, Sir Pasion.”

Pasion laughed heartily.

“Just passing the Dragon’s Trial to the end will bring you considerable fame. We will work hard to publicize your achievements, so just focus on passing the trial.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Farewell, hero.”

I bid farewell to Pasion and set off on my way.

***

On the way back to the High Dragon’s Nest.

I tried limiting my mana like the first time I went, and then used my mana again to feel the difference.

There was a clear, palpable difference.

Even when my mana was limited, I could feel that my body’s own abilities had improved compared to before, and the explosive power when I used mana had also increased.

‘The hard work paid off.’

I let out a small laugh without realizing it.

Living diligently.

It was no different from the central theme that pierced through my life, both on Earth and here.

Even without a distinct forte, I strived to faithfully carry out my duties day by day.

The dramatic growth I felt while walking the same path I had walked just a short while ago.

In a short period, I had received another Heart Engraving, achieved Fourfold Transformation, and reached the Eighth-Rank.

And I was once again moving forward to become stronger.

I happened to arrive at the cliff I had jumped over with Keldric last time.

At that time, I had jumped between the cliffs in a rush to save Keldric who was in danger.

I succeeded in crossing the cliff, but I had no time to relish that fact.

But now it was different.

I ran without hesitation, without using mana.

Feeling every single movement of my muscles in detail, I leaped from the edge of the cliff.

Fwoosh!

I jumped over the cliff lightly.

It was a leisurely landing, not at all precarious.

With a smile on my lips, I continued to run towards the High Dragon’s Nest.

***

In front of the High Dragon’s Nest.

I could see Keldric waving at me from a distance.

Next to him were Bea with her arms crossed and Everchen standing steadfastly.

First, Keldric came running with a smile.

“Polarin! You’re late.”

“No, I was just early.”

“Hahaha, is that how it is?”

I examined his energy.

I could recognize that he had definitely become stronger than before.

Could Keldric have reached the Eighth-Rank as well?

As if noticing my curiosity, Keldric spoke first.

“I reached the Eighth-Rank. All of us did.”

“Oh, just as I thought. Congratulations.”

It seemed I wasn't the only one who had made achievements.

Indeed, it was a trial that could only be passed by reaching the Eighth-Rank in the first place.

Everchen and Bea also walked confidently towards me.

“You all went through a lot.”

“It was nothing.”

Bea said so, yet she kept shrugging her shoulders.

It seemed she wanted to brag, but she was holding back because Everchen was being so serious.

But reaching the Eighth-Rank was an achievement worth being happy about.

We had now transcended the category of human.

We had become beings whose intent could influence the world.

When I met Everchen's eyes, he too nodded.

For Everchen, that was probably more than enough of an expression of his joy.

“What kind of trials did you all face? I fought a wooden doll, and I think it was modeled after Sir Adjak.”

“I also fought a wooden doll that used a bow. I think my opponent was modeled after Lady Gawen, too. It shot incredible Light Arrows. I don’t even want to count how many times I died there……”

Bea shook her head from side to side.

The others also began to talk about the trials they had experienced one by one.

“I fought a wooden doll that wielded divine power. Unlike you two, my opponent didn't look like a Paladin, but……”

“Then did a fight not happen?”

“No, it did. In the Holy Order, priests also fight. It's just a different method from the Paladins.”

Everchen was right.

It was a tradition for the priests of the Holy Order to fight using divine magic based on their divine power.

Thanks to that, when the Saintess of that era traveled through Myeolji as a companion of Adjak, her role was not limited to that of a healer.

“I heard you were the first to pass the trial, Sir Everchen. You must have gone through a lot.”

“You can trust me a little more now.”

“What? I trust you even now, Sir Everchen.”

“I know that, but a little more.”

Is it because he's a companion who joined relatively late? Or is it just his personality?

Everchen had been trying hard to appeal to his usefulness from before.

But I wanted to believe that true companions aren't ones who only consider each other’s usefulness.

And I know that such trust isn't built overnight.

So I took Everchen’s hand and shook it.

“I’ll be counting on you in the future as well.”

“I’ll be counting on you, too.”

Everchen also gripped my hand tightly and gave a slight smile.

I looked forward to the day when our trust would become as firm as his strong hand.

Keldric, as if understanding the heart of his close friend Everchen, patted his back.

Then he began to brag to me.

“My opponent wasn't a martial artist either. He was a swordsman, but I managed to break him in the end! I’m not afraid of sword-wielders anymore.”

“Hyung, you weren't that scared of sword-wielders before, were you?”

“Haha, really? Anyway, that’s not all. I came out second, right? I thought I’d have some time left, so I was going to visit my family. Since I needed to get a Heart Engraving too.”

“So, did you go?”

“No! Lady Hike performed the Heart Engraving on me herself.”

Hahaha, Keldric laughed and pointed to his heart.

It was something to be proud of, and also something to be surprised about.

From my experience, Hike couldn't have performed the Heart Engraving alone.

Recalling how she had detested it when Baden performed the Heart Engraving on me, it was a tremendous change.

Me, Baden, and my companions were all changing.

“Just because I came out last doesn't mean I’m weak. My opponent was terrifying……”

I could hear Bea’s voice from behind, but right now, congratulating Keldric was the priority.

“Congratulations, really.”

“Right? It was completely different from getting it at my family’s.”

“Did the two dragons perhaps recite the Dragon Speech first and then split your chest open?”

“Yeah, why?”

My chest throbbed for no reason.

At that moment, I felt someone's presence behind me.

Even without making a sound, it was a presence whose powerful energy could not be hidden: Hike.

“You’re late.”

“Yes, I was delayed because I ran.”

“It's fine. I have been observing your companions’ skills in the meantime.”

My eyes widened. Had they received a training session from Hike?

If I had known, I would have flown here to get here sooner.

But there was no time for regrets.

“Will you take the third trial?”

I looked back at my companions.

Even after experiencing death dozens, hundreds of times in the second trial, not a single one of them had a broken spirit.

“We will.”

After my determined reply, all my companions agreed.

Hike nodded calmly and extended her index finger.

Her finger drew a circle, and at its end, a portal formed.

“We will be back safely.”

Leaving behind Hike, who simply nodded without any encouragement or farewell, my companions and I entered the portal.

***

I entered a space I had never seen before.

My companions were nowhere to be seen and I was left all alone.

I had to find out what kind of trial Hike had guided us to this time.

When I stood up to find out where I was and where my companions who had entered the same portal were.

‘Huh…….’

It was definitely my body, but it wasn't my body.

I could move my body with my own will, but something felt awkward.

It felt like it was creaking, but at the same time, the body felt stronger.

I placed my hand on my heart.

A throbbing heart, it was definitely a Dragon Heart.

And soon, I was able to see a mirror hanging on the wall.

A blond-haired man with his hand on his chest.

A body that resembled me, but was clearly not me.

I had entered the body of Adjak.

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