Ch.5252. Duel

Holy Awakened One.

A being who has transcended human limitations by receiving divine blessing. That’s what the term means.

Anyone can become a Holy Awakened One by entering a dungeon, offering prayers of devotion, or simply knowing the method. In Lindvale alone, there are approximately two hundred resident Holy Awakened Ones.

Of course, this phenomenon occurs because the city has temples—dungeons—which attract adventurers. In quiet villages or smaller cities, Holy Awakened Ones would be rare.

Even considering these circumstances, Holy Awakened Ones are numerous. Far too numerous.

Should there really be so many who claim to have transcended humanity?

To begin with, what is transcendence?

Human limitations aren’t precisely defined. Is it right to say someone has surpassed human limits merely because they move slightly faster than others, lift heavier objects, or run longer?

Berger thought not. Transcendence shouldn’t be a term used so casually. He believed it required something more special, something differential that ordinary people could never reach.

This contemplation was shared by the ancient sages hundreds of years ago. Thus, they established criteria to categorize the levels of Holy Awakened Ones.

Five stages.

Revelation is barely different from an ordinary person. Far too insufficient to call oneself superhuman. When someone occasionally gets drunk on their meager power and becomes arrogant, it only invites scorn.

Holy Flame is ambiguous. The stage where one can manifest divine power as flame and project it into reality. Physical abilities clearly surpass those of ordinary people, but it’s still too much to call it transcendence.

To truly escape human limitations, one must reach Radiance.

From Radiance onward, many things change.

In short, one becomes capable of doing what was absolutely impossible before.

Things visibly impossible. Things incomprehensible by common sense. Not talents anyone could acquire through diligent training, like bending iron bars or breaking rocks with bare fists.

This sensation can only be understood by those who have reached Radiance. Without experiencing it, one will never know.

Moreover, the gap between Holy Awakened Ones widens exponentially as they advance to higher stages.

—Apostle.

Fewer than ten individuals across the entire continent have reached this marvelous realm. There might be some operating in secrecy, but at least that’s what Berger knew.

Even Berger, now in his sixties, had only seen the Apostle stage once in his lifetime.

The point is, to be recognized as a true Holy Awakened One, one must at least reach the Holy Flame stage.

Unfortunately, most Holy Awakened Ones remain at Revelation for life. Holy Flame was that rare, and Radiance, one level beyond Holy Flame, needn’t even be mentioned.

Even in Lindvale, one of the most prominent cities in the south, there were only eight knights of Radiance level.

Twenty years ago, at the age of forty-three, Berger awakened to Radiance and realized one thing.

With luck, a Revelation Holy Awakened One might defeat someone at Holy Flame. But no matter what, someone at Holy Flame could never defeat a Radiance.

Considering all these factors, the outcome of the duel was obvious without even watching.

‘He can’t win.’

As a meritorious knight, Berger knew Brandon’s ability. Mid-tier Radiance. Average strength among the eight knights. A monster, in other words.

Rex would lose.

Not just Berger, but everyone gathered here knew this fact.

“I’ll do it.”

Nevertheless, Rex gladly accepted the proposal. This wasn’t a life-or-death battle, but a duel to improve his skills.

Berger didn’t try to stop his choice. Fighting against stronger opponents becomes excellent nourishment.

“You’re wearing that training equipment… the Divine Sealing Armor.”

Brandon pointed at Rex’s breastplate.

Divine Sealing Armor. A piece of training equipment personally owned by Berger. Not even the squires, let alone other knights, had used this item, but its effects were widely known. After all, most training equipment has similar functions.

The Divine Sealing Armor dramatically increases the wearer’s growth rate. The drawback is that while wearing it, overall physical abilities, including divine power, are greatly weakened.

It’s nonsensical to duel while wearing the Divine Sealing Armor when one would be no match even at full strength.

Brandon stroked his chin and spoke.

“I’ll limit my power to a similar level as yours. No holy combat techniques, and I’ll only use Imperial Standard Swordsmanship. That should make it fair enough, right?”

“Yes.”

Brandon’s consideration was truly welcome, as Rex didn’t want to remove the training equipment—the Divine Sealing Armor. With this, they appeared to have equal conditions on the surface.

But if asked whether this gave him a chance to win, the answer would still be no.

Even with lowered capabilities, Brandon still retained decades of experience. That’s a gap that talent alone could never bridge.

Keeping this in mind, Rex slowly walked to the center of the training ground. Glancing sideways, he saw the squires awkwardly making way without saying a word.

“I’ll let you have the first move.”

Rex and Brandon faced each other in the open space.

Berger watched them with calm eyes from a distance. —He wasn’t the referee. Normally, a sword duel would require someone to mediate, but there was no need to intervene now. If things got heated, Brandon would know when to stop.

“Understood.”

As Rex nodded, Brandon drew his longsword with a faint smile.

The blade was raised diagonally, pointing forward. This was Advance, one of the four basic stances of Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.

A stance of unified offense and defense, capable of attacking and defending in all directions. As promised earlier, Brandon intended to use only Imperial Standard Swordsmanship for the duel.

“Come.”

Before the words finished, Rex kicked the ground. The blade of his raised zweihander fell vertically. Clang! Brandon deflected the attack with a light twist of his longsword.

Rex failed to capitalize on the advantage of the first move. Only the first strike was conceded. Brandon began to act.

—Rex felt it on his skin before seeing it with his eyes. He widened his eyes and jerked his head back. The following thrust barely grazed past him. He couldn’t even think of counterattacking. The trajectory of the longsword that had thrust into empty air suddenly bent.

Just as his shoulder was about to be cut, Rex’s zweihander blocked the longsword. He gritted his teeth and pushed back the blade.

“Not bad.”

After a brief contest of strength, Brandon stepped back. His upturned lips revealed evident pleasure.

There was no leisure to respond. Rex took rough breaths as he moved his legs.

‘Heavy.’

The first thought that came to mind was how heavy his body felt. His movements were sluggish, as if large shackles were attached to his ankles. Though he had trained with Chloe early this morning, his body still hadn’t adapted to the Divine Sealing Armor.

He shouldn’t complain. The opponent was also under similar restrictions.

Rex’s current level was Revelation. Specifically, around mid-tier. For adventurers, this would be considered high-tier like Harald’s party, but slightly below the average squire.

Brandon was probably at a similar level. Yet, Brandon’s movements seemed too advanced to be mere Revelation.

This wasn’t about ordinary capabilities like speed or strength. There was something special, indescribable. That difference created an insurmountable gap despite being at the same level.

“This time, I’ll come at you first. Try to block well.”

Brandon raised his longsword diagonally.

Rex knew what that stance was. Half Moon. A technique that strikes the lower body in a curved line.

Knowing the name, he also knew how to counter it.

He assumed the Iron Wall stance. Rex instantly bent his elbows and lowered his zweihander. Clang! The longsword aiming for his waist was deflected. Rex grimaced at the heavy vibration transmitted through the blade.

‘I see.’

The special something that Brandon had and he lacked. That abstract question became clear.

Imperial Standard Swordsmanship is, as the name suggests, a sword technique designed for beginners. It’s simple enough for anyone to quickly apply in actual combat.

Unlike the Kaiserion style, it doesn’t require mental imagery or manipulation of Holy Flame to exert its full power. Rex memorized all the stances of Imperial Standard Swordsmanship in just an hour.

Because they’re so intuitive, the techniques of Imperial Standard Swordsmanship aren’t even called forms. Since they can be easily imitated just by seeing them, they’re simply named “such-and-such stance.” That’s it.

However, intuitive doesn’t mean the sword technique lacks depth. Basic means fundamental. A tower can only be built high with a solid foundation. Brandon had honed Imperial Standard Swordsmanship over decades. Those years added weight to his sword.

‘And I… just one hour.’

It’s natural that his sword feels lighter when executing the same technique. Though their divine power and physical strength were comparable, the completeness of his swordsmanship was far inferior.

Should he just continue to be overwhelmed like this?

‘No.’

He absolutely couldn’t accept a helpless defeat.

“Are you tired already? Your responses are quite lackluster.”

Brandon muttered in a bored tone as he swung his longsword. Since the duel was flowing more smoothly than expected, his excited face had turned expressionless. He even showed a hint of disappointment.

Rex silently thrust his zweihander forward. He intended to strike, but the longsword writhed like a snake and rushed in from an unexpected direction. Swish! A burning pain spread across his cheek.

He felt blood dripping. He ignored it. As long as the duel didn’t end, it was fine.

‘Think!’

While his eyes tracked the relentless blade trajectories, his reason desperately sought a way to overcome this situation. Not to win, but just to land even one effective hit. This desperation accelerated his thoughts.

‘What Brandon has.’

Excellent swordsmanship. Vast experience. Restrictions against using other holy combat techniques.

‘And me?’

What does Brandon not have? Think of something only you can use. Only Brandon is prohibited from using abilities like holy combat techniques.

I have—no restrictions. I have blessings. I have the secret arts transmitted by Berger. I must utilize everything given to me.

Rex recited the incantation of Heavenly River Formation. He excluded the Kaiserion style. It would be unreasonable to deploy advanced martial arts when he couldn’t even properly handle Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.

Then what should he use?

Three conditions: something he had practiced consistently, something he could deploy immediately without strain, and something as familiar as using his limbs. Only one blessing met all these conditions.

[Warrior’s Gaze.]

A golden light resembling the sun dwelled in his pupils. Expanded perception. The effect was weaker than usual. Even weaker than when he first acquired the ability four months ago. Moreover, as soon as he manifested the blessing, his divine power began to decrease at a frightening rate. He could maintain it for perhaps a minute at most.

‘That’s enough.’

Rex twisted his lips fiercely. At this rate, he would be worn down anyway. Rather than that, it was better to gather all his strength and land at least one hit.

“Haha! That’s more like it!”

Brandon couldn’t contain his delight and burst into laughter. Rex’s momentum had completely changed. It wasn’t difficult to guess what technique he had used.

‘A blessing, and an enhancement type at that. Wearing the Divine Sealing Armor must make the divine power consumption burdensome. He intends to decide the match in one go.’

Brandon’s eyes gleamed as he met Rex’s flashing gaze.

“Good!”

His rekindled interest was separate from his intention to keep his promise of using only Imperial Standard Swordsmanship until the end.

Advance, Half Moon, Iron Wall… and Flowing Water. The raised blade sliced through the air as it fell.

Flowing Water vertically cuts the enemy. The accelerated blade is difficult to block. He’ll probably dodge it. That was also Brandon’s strategy. The moment Rex dodges, he would bend the sword’s path. If Rex blocks it, he would continue with a combo.

‘What will you do? Either way is fine with me.’

Brandon looked at Rex with a clear smile.

His expectation was wrong.

Rex neither dodged nor blocked the blade coming down toward his head. He simply thrust his zweihander upward like an awl. The problem was that the trajectory made it impossible for Brandon to avoid. Of course, at this rate, Rex couldn’t avoid the slash either.

‘Oh my.’

Brandon’s smile disappeared.

Confusion filled the void. Before rational judgment, instinct controlled his body. Then a chilling light flashed.

—Slash!