Ch.111111. Seekers of Twisted Possession

# Gilbert’s Eccentric Feat

Gilbert’s eccentric feat, the “100-Person Challenge,” spread like a trend.

His overwhelming display of consecutive duels created a significant impact not only among fashion-conscious nobles but also among common student cadets aspiring for success.

Some even said he had recreated the legend of Swordmaster Flamberge, who was said to have wandered the continent with just a single sword in ancient times.

Of course, compared to Flamberge, who traveled across the continent seeking strong opponents, Gilbert’s feat had some limitations. Nevertheless, fighting 100 consecutive duels was by no means an easy task.

In fact, none of those who attempted to follow his “100-Person Challenge” succeeded. No matter how well they managed their stamina, they couldn’t escape their status as mere cadets.

There were occasionally those who had surpassed the cadet level, but they were smart enough not to attempt such a foolish challenge. Not because they thought it lacked dignity, but because they had a clear assessment of their own capabilities.

They painfully realized how absurd and monstrous Gilbert’s stamina was. At the same time, they wondered what kind of training could possibly forge such iron-like endurance.

Perhaps that’s why quite a few people began spying on Gilbert’s training sessions, claiming they wanted to improve their own physical conditioning.

And their conclusions were:

– This guy isn’t human.

– Is this what happens when a ruffian becomes obsessed?

Everyone was astonished by the ascetic training Gilbert performed without missing a single day.

Training?

That word typically referred to discipline within the realm of human capability.

What Gilbert did couldn’t be described by such an elegant and graceful word as “training.”

His ascetic practice used only his physical body, completely avoiding the use of magical power.

Normally, even ordinary cadets would naturally begin using magical power as easily as breathing once they reached a certain level. From that point on, they would typically invest more time in mental cultivation to increase their total magical power or to achieve more precise magical control, rather than focusing on physical training.

But Gilbert seemed to completely reject this conventional path, investing an insane amount of time solely in physical conditioning. To others, this appeared somewhat meaningless.

“Physical training is the foundation of everything. That’s why it seems meaningless to those who can’t see beyond what’s immediately visible.”

This was Brynhild’s comment as she tenaciously followed Gilbert’s training regimen. As a great warrior of the Sigurd clan who revered physical training, she found Gilbert’s methods somewhat excessive but rational.

That “excessive” aspect was overwhelming even by the Sigurd clan’s standards, but if one could manage it, could there be a more perfect training method?

Results always speak for themselves.

It was no exaggeration to say that Gilbert’s unusual strength emanated from his robust physique.

“People naturally seek comfort.”

“That’s right. It’s sad that those who claim to be skilled warriors don’t understand this basic fact.”

A body enhanced by magical power is certainly strong. After all, it was only through magical power that humans could split boulder-sized rocks with bare hands or break massive trees.

Then what would happen if one enhanced an already powerful body with magical power?

One plus one doesn’t always equal two.

It was only natural that enhancing a strong body with magical power would yield greater effects than enhancing an untrained one.

Despite this being such a basic calculation, many people tended to overlook the importance of physical training.

“But Gil, your training method has a brutish aspect to it. Even my brother, said to be the strongest in the Sigurd clan, doesn’t engage in such crude practices.”

“Individual differences always exist.”

“I’m saying this with that in consideration.”

Brynhild felt somewhat nauseated watching Gilbert, who continued moving even as they spoke.

Yet she had one concern. If they were to be intimate someday, she wondered if even she could match his stamina during their night together.

Of course, in that respect, she greatly looked forward to that day.

The added thought that a man strong during the day would also be strong at night made her anticipate a blissful married life.

Gilbert deliberately ignored Brynhild’s sharpening gaze, which resembled that of a predator eyeing its prey. He could easily guess what she was thinking without needing to analyze it.

After those stray thoughts, he refocused on his training. Although his body had already reached a high level and such training might not significantly increase his abilities, these actions still accumulated experience points. No matter how small the amount, it would become significant over time.

After continuing his training for another hour following his chat with Brynhild, Gilbert set down the barbell with its tremendous weight. Despite placing it down carefully due to its weight, the floor briefly resonated.

Sweat poured down like rain, and some got into his eyes. The saltiness made his eyes sting slightly, forcing him to blink several times.

“Gilbert, you’re out!”

“Hmm…”

“Were you waiting for me?”

It had been quiet for the past few days.

Gilbert already felt a sigh coming on.

Gilbert, who preferred a quiet life, found it difficult to keep up with Camilla’s energy. Although he felt grateful to her, that was a separate matter.

“Ugh. You’re with the muscle woman again? Dangerous!”

Camilla grimaced upon seeing Brynhild and positioned herself between Gilbert and Brynhild. This was a common sight since Brynhild had followed Gilbert to Demeia Academy.

“You’re doing unnecessary things.”

“What are you saying? Your mind is only filled with that one thing.”

Camilla flared up at Brynhild’s mockery. The compatibility between the two was quite poor.

Whenever Camilla saw Brynhild, she tried her best to separate her from Gilbert, while Brynhild would deliberately cling to him even more.

This would make Camilla jump around in frustration, but she could never overpower Brynhild in terms of physical strength.

Moreover, Camilla had not yet fully awakened.

Until she found a catalyst, she moved primarily based on her interests, which made her overall growth slower.

Still, these days she had begun training, perhaps wanting to somehow defeat Brynhild.

Sometimes when she visited Gilbert, it was not to play with him but to seek advice on training.

Since Gilbert also wished for her growth, he always accommodated her on such occasions. He had thought it would take more time for her to decide to become stronger, so he was pleased that the time had come earlier than expected.

Indeed, the talented Camilla began to spread her wings under Gilbert’s guidance. Despite having only recently begun serious training, her growth rate was remarkable.

There was a reason she had potential beyond Seraphina in Tactical Combat. If this continued for a while longer, ordinary cadets would be no match for her.

“I don’t understand. It’s a foregone conclusion that I will be with Gilbert.”

I don’t think so.

Gilbert wanted to object, but Camilla shrieked before he could.

“That’s just your opinion! I won’t allow it!”

“Why should I seek your permission? I don’t listen to those weaker than me.”

“Eek!”

Watching the farce between the two, Gilbert abandoned his intention to intervene. Once they reached that state, his intervention would be like pouring oil on a fire.

Instead, he gathered his belongings and quietly left the training room.

Let them handle their own business.

He ignored their continued banter that filtered through the closing door.

***

Seraphina visited her master Briana after a long time. After Gilbert’s “100-Person Challenge,” she chose to wield her sword as a temporary measure to control her unbearable possessiveness.

What a troublesome disciple.

Having just finished a duel with Briana, Seraphina wiped her sweat with a towel handed by Yanik, trying to calm her mind.

Despite having already engaged in an intense duel, her heated feelings wouldn’t easily subside.

“There are distracting thoughts in your sword.”

“Was it visible to Master? Regrettably, my disturbed mind has shown disrespect to you.”

“Do you have concerns?”

Briana, who was sheathing her sword, questioned Seraphina’s unusual demeanor. Although Seraphina, as the future empress of the empire, would likely not succeed her as the next Sword Saint, she was a disciple whose talent rivaled Gilbert’s.

How surprised she had been when she recognized Seraphina’s true value after reluctantly becoming her master!

She had thought she would never take on a disciple greater than her, and that wasn’t an exaggeration.

If she hadn’t met Gil… Briana faintly smiled as she thought of her other disciple who resembled her in his taciturn nature.

Lately, she found herself smiling faintly whenever she thought about Gilbert. Perhaps it was because she considered him a companion walking the path of the sword with her, which softened her heart.

Moreover, when she heard about his recent “100-Person Challenge,” her heart raced. In her younger days, she too had once proclaimed she would undertake such a challenge.

Perhaps that’s why?

Briana was beginning to feel a sense of kinship with Gilbert.

Indeed, the thought that he alone was her lifelong companion on the path of the sword.

“I have some concerns. Since we’re on the topic, I’d like to seek your advice, Master.”

“If I can be of any help, I don’t mind.”

“Master, is there something you absolutely want to possess?”

“Something I want to possess…?”

“Yes. Something you desire no matter what. Something you would obtain by any means necessary.”

A strange desire flickered in Seraphina’s eyes.

Seeing this unfamiliar look in her eyes, Briana remained silent for a moment.

It seemed the Imperial Princess, who had only been interested in the prosperity of the empire, now desperately wanted something.

At the same time, she became curious.

What could someone so close to the imperial throne desire so intensely?

It was clear that she could easily obtain anything she fancied, yet she was so troubled. It seemed that even Seraphina couldn’t easily acquire this.

There’s such a thing…

Briana couldn’t understand it.

Something that even the First Imperial Princess of the Infractus Empire couldn’t obtain? No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Seraphina’s position was one where she could obtain anything she desired. There would be numerous nobles ready to present whatever she mentioned, yet she was so troubled?

“Master, I want to ask you. Do you have such a thing? Does even you, known as the strongest in the empire, have such a thing?”

Setting aside her questions, Briana deeply considered Seraphina’s words.

Of course, the answer came very quickly.

“Yes, I do.”

“This is truly surprising. Even you, a symbol of integrity, have such desires. Well, I’m in the same position, so I can’t judge.”

Briana didn’t bother to respond to Seraphina’s surprise.

What she desired most was already by her side.

A companion to see the end of the sword’s path with her.

Gilbert would always be by her side.

Someone with the same disposition as her would surely want to see the end of the sword’s path just as much as she did.

“Master.”

“Speak.”

“I have lived without any lack. Everything has been prepared for me, and if not, I have obtained it by any means necessary. Thus, until now, there has been nothing I couldn’t possess.”

Seraphina hadn’t initially planned to say this much, but she changed her mind when Briana mentioned she also had something she absolutely wanted to possess.

What she desired wasn’t unrelated to her master Briana, so she thought it might be acceptable to speak about it.

“But for the first time, there’s something I cannot possess. Yet it shines so brightly that I won’t be satisfied until I have it by my side.”

“…Is it talent?”

This was Briana’s question, realizing that talent was the only thing Seraphina coveted. This was also easily understandable, given that Seraphina’s life purpose was the prosperity of the empire.

“Yes. I want to possess him, who was unknown until now but has begun to shine brilliantly. I feel I cannot let anyone else have him.”

Him?

Quietly listening to Seraphina, Briana felt a sense of dissonance.

She had a vague idea of who this talent was that Seraphina desired so much.

“You’ve noticed, Master. I want to possess Gilbert Lion Hart, your second exclusive disciple and my fellow student. By any means necessary.”

Seeing Seraphina display what could only be called possessiveness, Briana felt an emotion towards her for the first time.

An emotion called anger.

***

[Sub-scenario “Seeker of the Sword” is in progress.]

[Sub-scenario “Twisted Possessiveness” is in progress.]

[Sub-scenario anomaly detected.]

[The linked scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possessiveness” from the two sub-scenarios is forcibly initiated.]

What’s this all of a sudden?

Resting in his quarters, Gilbert had to widen his eyes at the sudden notification window.