Ch.151151. The Master’s Obsession

The transformation from a monster subjugation mission to a demonic beast subjugation mission happened in an instant.

Unlike typical monster subjugation missions, dealing with demonic beasts far exceeded what ordinary students could handle. Since demonic energy inherently corroded living beings, the risk was too great for students whose mana control was still immature.

The ideal solution would have been to have experienced Divine Soldier knights conduct the subjugation instead, but organizing and dispatching such a force would take time.

Since there was a possibility that the demonic beasts might escape from Mount Njord in the meantime, the student monster subjugation team had to fulfill the role of a demonic beast subjugation force.

Fortunately, academy professors had accompanied the team in preparation for emergencies. The inclusion of Briana, known as the Empire’s First Sword, among the professors significantly reduced the risk of the mission.

Seraphina reorganized the subjugation team to be led primarily by professors, reclaiming all command authority previously given to students. She then reassigned that authority to the professors and restructured the unit accordingly.

Though the judgment and decision were made instantly, the professors followed without complaint due to the sensible personnel arrangements. Now that the mission had changed from monster subjugation to demonic beast subjugation, Seraphina was no longer acting as the student council president of Demeia Academy.

First Imperial Princess Seraphina of the Infractus Empire.

That was her position as commander of the demonic beast subjugation mission.

After completing the reorganization, Seraphina gathered the professors and began briefing them on the current situation. The purpose was to disseminate comprehensive information about the team’s composition, the injured, and available forces.

“By the way, is it true that Student Gilbert defeated a demonic ogre?”

“Indeed. Student Gilbert single-handedly vanquished a demonic ogre.”

Exclamations of amazement erupted among the professors. It was remarkable enough for a student to face a demonic beast, but to defeat a high-level demonic ogre alone was astonishing.

“I never imagined a Demonic Ogre Slayer would emerge from among the first-year students.”

“It wasn’t long ago that he was called the troublemaker of the Count’s family. I truly never imagined he would grow this much.”

The professors discussed Gilbert, celebrating the emergence of such talent from the academy.

For those dedicated to nurturing the next generation, Gilbert’s existence was as welcome as rain during a drought. They couldn’t help but feel proud that someone who would be responsible for the empire’s future was already showing such promise.

However, Briana, who had remained silent during their conversation, pointed out something they had overlooked.

“What is Student Gilbert’s condition?”

“…I heard it’s not good. It seems he overexerted his mana to face the demonic ogre alone, causing severe damage to his mana channels.”

“His mana channels…”

“Oh no…”

The previously cheerful atmosphere plummeted instantly. Damage to mana channels was never good news. In a world with holy power, most injuries could be completely healed, but damage to mana channels could only rely on natural healing.

The delicate mana channels throughout the body reacted sensitively to healing dependent on holy power. Occasionally, interference during healing could cause improper resonance, so direct healing of mana channels was avoided unless life was at stake.

Given this context, it was natural for the professors to be concerned about Gilbert’s severe mana channel damage.

“Is his condition critical?”

“The examination couldn’t give us certainty. Emergency treatment has been administered, but there’s a risk he might never be able to handle mana again.”

Briana’s eyebrow twitched at Seraphina’s matter-of-fact statement.

The anxiety that had been gradually building since hearing about Gilbert’s injury exploded at Seraphina’s words. Damage to mana channels was the most devastating injury for knights.

While damage to other organs was also critical for knights, it couldn’t compare to mana channel damage. After all, damaged mana channels essentially meant receiving a sentence to quit being a knight.

Knights could exert superhuman strength precisely because they could manipulate mana. Mana channels were essential for handling mana and controlling Divine Soldiers.

In other words, a knight without mana channels was nothing more than a well-trained ordinary person.

Briana tried to calm her trembling heart. She hadn’t yet seen Gilbert’s condition firsthand. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions before confirming with her own eyes.

But what if his mana channels were severely damaged?

Could she bear the thought of her companion on the endless path of the sword falling behind due to mana channel injury?

Briana pushed these negative thoughts deep into her mind. Making assumptions without certainty didn’t align with her character.

“With that, I conclude this briefing. Please notify your units of the operation start time.”

As soon as the briefing ended, Briana headed for the tent where Gilbert was resting. Due to his condition being worse than other injured personnel, he was receiving treatment in a private tent.

Some might call it preferential treatment, but Gilbert, who had faced a demonic ogre alone to buy retreat time for the subjugation team, deserved such consideration.

Upon reaching Gilbert’s tent, Briana composed herself before entering.

“Master?”

“Gil.”

She felt relieved seeing Gilbert sitting up, perhaps having been in meditation. She had heard he hadn’t regained consciousness yet, but fortunately, he seemed to have awakened.

“Are you alright? I heard you sustained serious injuries to your mana channels.”

“It’s true that my mana channels are seriously injured, but I’m better than expected.”

Briana’s heart sank.

Trying not to show it, she took Gilbert’s wrist.

“I’ll check for myself. Don’t resist.”

“…Understood.”

She flowed mana into Gilbert’s wrist to check his condition, being extremely careful not to harm his injured mana channels.

“This is…”

Releasing Gilbert’s wrist, Briana despaired.

To say he was injured was an understatement. His mana channels looked as if they had been slashed with a knife, appearing beyond recovery.

She looked at her exclusive disciple, her future companion, with trembling eyes.

She had been trying to look away with words of uncertainty, but now she couldn’t. Having directly confirmed Gilbert’s mana channels, there was nowhere to run.

Briana couldn’t hide her devastation as she repeatedly opened and closed her parched lips. As his master, she had to inform Gilbert of his current state.

But what about the path of the sword? What about his future?

Various thoughts swirled in Briana’s mind. Her emotions, constantly crying out for some solution, fought against her reason, which saw no hope.

I must tell him. For his sake.

Briana steeled herself.

Her inability to speak despite seeing Gilbert’s condition stemmed from her own attachment. She was simply unable to express her disappointment that her companion on this lonely path of the sword could no longer journey with her.

Claiming she couldn’t speak for Gilbert’s sake was merely an excuse to hide such selfishness.

“Gil, listen carefully. Do you understand your current condition?”

“I understand that my mana channels are severely damaged.”

Briana’s heart ached seeing Gilbert speak so calmly. To be able to speak like that despite completely ruined mana channels showed his deep mental discipline.

Thinking that this too was part of his determination to walk the path of the sword made something well up deep in her chest.

“Then you must know what I have to tell you.”

“What you have to tell me?”

Give up being a knight.

That simple phrase caught in her throat. It seemed so cruel to pronounce this hopeless sentence to someone who remained so composed despite knowing his condition.

“Yes, Gil. Give up being a knight. Your condition is beyond help. Your mana channels are completely ruined with no hope of recovery. Even if they miraculously heal, you’ll never be the same.”

“Master.”

“I’m sorry to tell you this…”

How would he react?

Would he despair?

Or would he maintain his composure as he was doing now?

Briana couldn’t bear to look at Gilbert’s face and turned away.

“Master, thank you for your concern, but… I think I can recover.”

“Gil, I don’t want to crush your hope, but I just checked. It’s impossible.”

“If you look more carefully, you’ll understand what I’m saying.”

When she turned to look at Gilbert, he was extending his wrist. Briana’s heart broke seeing her disciple’s refusal to give up, knowing the result would be the same no matter how many times she checked.

“Gil, it’s pointless.”

“Please, humor me and check again.”

Unable to ignore his determined gaze, Briana took his wrist. Since he still couldn’t accept it, she needed to check once more and then speak firmly.

She flowed mana more slowly and meticulously than before, examining his mana channels.

Wait. What is this?

As she carefully observed Gilbert’s mana channels, Briana discovered something unusual. While they were still in terrible condition, there was a subtle change compared to earlier.

Concentrating harder, she quickly realized what that change meant.

“This is…”

“They’re healing. My mana channels.”

Briana stared blankly at Gilbert as he chuckled.

It seemed her exclusive disciple was even more extraordinary than she had thought.

***

Gilbert couldn’t help but laugh at Briana’s expression, one he had never seen before. He never imagined that someone as cold as the Count of Lithuania could display such a range of emotions.

Considering that she mostly maintained a cold expression even in the game, this showed how much Briana cared for Gilbert.

Wait, is this a good thing?

Gilbert suddenly recalled a sub-scenario.

He currently suspected Briana was one of the “Seekers of Twisted Possession.” Although it had now merged and disappeared, the “Seeker of the Sword” sub-scenario had been forcibly accepted when he was with Briana.

Considering that “Twisted Possession” arose because of Seraphina, it was certain that “Seeker of the Sword” emerged because of Briana.

And when these two combined to create “Seekers of Twisted Possession,” it naturally followed that the seekers were most likely Seraphina and Briana.

Now that Seraphina had been confirmed as one of the seekers, it was reasonable to assume Briana was one of the remaining two.

But why three?

Gilbert had no clue about the third seeker, so he decided to set that issue aside for now.

What mattered now was the high probability that Briana was a seeker, and like Seraphina, she might have a distortion index to worry about.

“Thank goodness… truly thank goodness.”

“There’s no need to worry so much. Though the damage to my mana channels is severe and will take some time to heal, I believe they can be completely restored.”

“Gil.”

“Yes, Master?”

This is strange.

He felt an eerie sense of déjà vu.

Briana’s eyes had somehow become deeply submerged.

Not the cold, clear eyes he was used to, but somewhat murky and dark ones.

And Gilbert was certain he had seen such eyes before.

“I may have been waiting my entire life.”

“For what?”

“For a companion to walk this infinite, endless path of the sword with me.”

Companion? What is she talking about?

Gilbert’s unease grew. This scenario was identical to his conversation with Seraphina.

Even the gaze, fixated on him with strange longing, was exactly like Seraphina’s that day.

“I had intended to wait. I thought there was no benefit in rushing, so I was counting the days until you would stand beside me.”

“Master.”

“But now I realize. Waiting too long can ruin everything. And I’ve only just noticed that you’ve already grown enough.”

Briana smiled. It was an ominous smile he had never seen before.

“Gil, it’s enough now. You are worthy to walk the path of the sword with me. So you may be proud.”

Her smile deepened.

This is identical.

Briana was smiling, yearning, and obsessing just like Seraphina had.

“Gilbert Lion Heart. My companion on the ancient path of the sword.”

[Sub-scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” progress has significantly increased.]

[Sub-scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” information has been updated.]

[You have reached the first branch point of the second seeker in the sub-scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession.”]

So it has happened after all.

Gilbert’s face instantly contorted.