episode_0153

Is it because this world is like something out of a novel or a game? Unlike Earth, every living being here was imbued with an intangible power that couldn’t be seen with the naked eye.

No, even the undead seemed to possess such power, indicating that it wasn’t just limited to living beings but to all entities that moved with will.

Some priests claimed that this power was the very essence of the soul that permeated all things in the world.

They argued that even the undead rising from the dead or monsters of the ghostly lineage without physical bodies were evidence of this power being present in them.

Of course, there were those who doubted or refuted this, so the theory of the soul was not universally accepted as fact but rather as one of many theories.

Well, debating the nature of that power as the soul was important for wizards and priests. For warriors, however, the nature of that power was irrelevant.

What mattered to them was not the essence of the power but what they could do with it.

And the answer was simple.

Warriors could directly extract a portion of the power possessed by their enemies by killing them. This allowed them to further enhance their own strength.

The power accumulated through blood and death. An offering that led the owner beyond the limits of their species, transcending into a being of extraordinary power and blessing.

“Therefore, knights called this the ‘up,’ meaning the power obtained by severing the cause of the enemy. As for those who are not knights…”

The demons named this power the essence of life. Usually shortened to just ‘essence.’

The monks of Baltgard referred to it as vigor, while the elves of Elfenland called it spirituality, right?

The lizardmen of the southern swamps called it prana, and in the east, it was referred to as inner strength, meaning the intangible power imbued within oneself… Honestly, it seemed like a mere play on the original setting.

Even though they were all just different words for the same power, why they were called out in such a haphazard manner was beyond me.

…But who am I to say anything with just four names?

Up, essence, vigor, spirituality, prana, inner strength.

Just those six names seemed excessively numerous, but according to Veloren’s explanation, there was even one more.

The wizards, who liked to attach theoretical explanations and names to all phenomena, suggested calling the power that accumulated within the body for various reasons and became distorted magical energy, ‘od.’

“In reality, the wizards themselves don’t really call it that. They were mocked by everyone from all walks of life for bringing up the theory of universal magical energy again, excluding the wizards.”

“Universal magical energy?”

“It’s a theory that claims everything in the world is made of magical energy. They argued that not only living beings but also natural substances, souls, and even gods were beings created by the gathering of magical energy.”

“…They’re living quite boldly with such claims. It almost seems like blasphemy against the divine.”

To claim that the gods were nothing more than a collection of magical energy, no matter how much of a wizard you were, it seemed like those guys didn’t know how terrifying the clergy could be.

It was a theory that, if announced, would immediately be designated as heresy and likely result in being hunted down by the holy knights.

“Indeed, it is blasphemy. That’s why most of them were burned at the stake. The few survivors became abyss priests and went into hiding in the underworld.”

Ah, they died.

Well, that makes sense then. Although the clergy and the tower of the goddess have a non-interference treaty, it’s only respected when neither side crosses the line.

The goddess’ clergy was not an organization that was flexible and merciful enough to tolerate those who spouted radical and blasphemous claims.

“Hmm, we’ve strayed a bit off topic. Let’s get back to the main point.”

With a brief clearing of his throat, Veloren’s master continued his explanation.

◆◆

The previous explanations were theoretical concepts about the origin and names of the Up, while the following story consisted of more practical content.

“As warriors continue to accumulate Up through battles, it becomes ingrained in their physical bodies, helping them to exert power beyond their capabilities. Most warriors unconsciously utilize it without realizing, but it enhances their physical abilities.”

Unconscious amplification of physical abilities. That was the most representative effect of Up.

Reaching a level where a person can ascend based solely on pure physical abilities is for apprentice knights…meaning, the level of a novice adventurer.

To exert power beyond that, one needed a well-trained body with adjustments from Up added on top.

Surpassing the limits of the human body through accumulated Up. That was how the warriors of this world became strong enough to slay monsters.

“By the time one becomes an elite knight, the effects of this become vividly apparent. Breaking black steel, leaping several meters effortlessly, engaging in horse races and winning.”

Belloran illustrated with examples. Things that were impossible in the previous world for me and Freide, one by one.

“Reaching the level where the power of Up, unconsciously utilized, reaches the point of breaking steel. That is the standard of an elite knight. Like the two of you now.”

Yes. I could easily do all those things now. Even without activating Kangwan or Ice Heart, it all felt so natural.

“And those who surpass that level…”

Belloran drew her training longsword and gestured towards me. As if telling me to draw my sword and face her.

– Swish.

I drew the training longsword as Belloran wanted, aiming for her neck and throat in a mid-strike stance as I looked at her.

With a faint smile, Belloran twisted her waist and bent her knees.

And.

– Clang!

In the next moment, she was already in front of me. Even though I was of elite caliber, I couldn’t react in time, such was her speed.

A charging attack like a wild beast, exploding the ground beneath her.

The sword swung so fast that I couldn’t discern the beginning and end, and her dilated pupils emitted a burning blue light, sending shivers down my spine.

A sensation as if death itself had licked my neck and passed by. I broke out in a cold sweat, my fingertips trembling lightly.

“As you can see, this is how you consciously manifest the power of Up.”

Belloran smiled as she sheathed her sword, which had become two blades from hilt to tip, and started explaining the theory to me again, who was frozen stiff.

Manifestation of Up.

An explanation of the phenomenon that could be considered the badge of an elite knight.

◆◆

Elite knights.

After numerous battles and deep meditation, they were the masters of reversal who captured and realized the flow of Up within themselves.

By consciously controlling the power of Up that they had previously only unconsciously utilized, they could become incredibly stronger than before.

“In the Kingdom Knights, this is called ‘Manifestation of Up.’”

Those who reached the manifestation stage could freely utilize the power of Up.

Primarily by focusing the power of Up on specific parts of the body to trigger it, increasing their momentary capabilities.

It was like concentrating the dispersed power of Up throughout the body into one place to efficiently and overwhelmingly exert power.

Belloren’s impressive display of close combat and swordsmanship, such as the high-speed charges and sword clashes, were prime examples of her skills.

“That aura from earlier….”

“Normally, when one awakens the power within their body, the overflowing energy emanates from their pupils. It’s like a kind of prelude to a high-ranking knight unleashing their full power.”

Ah, so that’s why the powerhouses in the original work would emit auras from their eyes at any given opportunity. I thought it was just a cool detail added for flair.

“I may only possess a mere aura, but those rare individuals who can accumulate the power beyond the limits of the physical body emit a radiant aura from their entire being. This is known as ‘Aura Manifestation.’”

Belloren explained the difference in power levels even among high-ranking knights, detailing the elevated state she had reached.

Aura Manifestation.

Individuals with such overflowing power that it radiates from their entire body, reaching a level where they can infuse their weapons with aura to dramatically increase their cutting power.

“Only one knight in the kingdom has reached such a level.”

The current Kingdom’s Sword, as they call it, is said to be a knight who has reached the Manifestation stage. Roughly around level 70 to 80, if we were to measure it in levels?

There are even higher levels beyond that, but only past heroes and their party members have actually reached them, making it a somewhat legendary status.

◆◆

After finishing her explanation, Belloren gave us a five-minute break, during which I left my broken longsword in a corner and chatted briefly with Freide.

“Aura Manifestation…experiencing it firsthand was truly incredible. It was overwhelming to the point of being speechless.”

“It’s quite impressive….”

The true power of high-ranking knights that I had only heard about was not only overwhelming to me but also to Freide, to the point of leaving her speechless.

It made me wonder if someone with such power, who had retired and was living leisurely, was neglecting their duties.

Well, they could only live like that after retiring and reaching that level. If they had become a high-ranking knight during their time in the kingdom, retirement would not have been allowed.

Perhaps for about half a year, they had to fight formidable enemies in the depths of dungeons that only high-ranking knights could face, leading to a common occurrence of dying miserably.

It was truly fortunate that Belloren was able to retire, considering how vast the world is and how many powerful individuals there are.

“Our break is over. Let’s resume our training.”

After chatting for a while, Belloren, who had been smiling from a distance, approached us and spoke.

“Within the Kingdom’s Knight Order, it is taught that one must reach the level of a high-ranking knight to achieve Aura Manifestation. However, experiencing it firsthand, it seems that it’s not always the case.”

She briefly summarized the theme and content of the training that would follow the break.

“Even knights who have not reached the level of a high-ranking knight can still be aware of their aura. If a high-ranking knight assists them, it is possible.”

An explanation that even elite knights can be aware of their aura if a high-ranking knight helps them. It was a story I had never heard before.

“While the output itself may be somewhat weak, if awareness is possible, manifestation is also possible. As long as you keep practicing until it happens.”

In other words, Belloren was offering to teach us how to manifest our aura.

“Um…isn’t that like a vision or something?”

I asked with a mix of anticipation and a troubled expression, suppressing the excitement in my chest.

If high-ranking knights can help others become aware of their aura, then shouldn’t all knights from elite ranks and above be using Aura Manifestation in reality? But in actuality, that wasn’t the case.

“Yes, it’s probably a vision. Even the senior knights of the kingdom’s order didn’t say a word about it, perhaps because they didn’t want to increase competition. Maybe they only secretly passed it down to their direct family members… something like that.”

Veloren smiled approvingly at this.

“So, I also plan to pass it down secretly only to my family members,” he said, explaining the reason for teaching us this.