Chapter 116
The original story stated that reaching the Highest-grade Expert rank granted power beyond conventional understanding, and reaching Master rank allowed one to warp reality itself.
*To put it another way...*
The moment I announced my attainment of the Highest-grade Expert rank, it would be tantamount to declaring that no one short of a Master could stop me.
*I wonder how the Dark Mages will react when they find out I've reached the Highest-grade Expert rank.*
I pondered what kind of expression they would make if I told them this fact. Then, I shook my head and took a deep breath, looking at the Source of Power in my hand.
*Let's eat it.*
Deciding there was no more need for hesitation, I immediately shoved it into my mouth.
*... ...*
The moment it entered my mouth, an intense energy began to circulate through my body. It seemed Mikhail Archbishop was indeed no ordinary individual, as a tremendous amount of demonic energy, divine power, and mana began to swirl within my body. Then, it explosively absorbed into me, causing my power to surge wildly.
"... ...!"
At this surge, Shiren, who was standing before me, stared with wide, astonished eyes and a blank expression. Then, she looked at me with admiration and spoke.
"Incredible... Mana, demonic energy, and divine power are all mixed together."
As Shiren said, my body was a swirling vortex of various powers, unleashing an explosive force. Of course, I was controlling all of it to prevent it from leaking out. But to Shiren, who was no different from an Archmage, it seemed as if it was already overflowing, and she continuously looked at me with awe.
*Good thing I killed him.*
If I had known this, I would have killed and absorbed him sooner. No, if I hadn't reached the High-grade Expert rank, I might not have been able to kill him so easily, would I? As I absorbed all this power, lost in thought, Liana's expression, standing near me, caught my eye.
A complex expression, a mix of disbelief and joy.
To Liana, my ascent to the Highest-grade Expert rank seemed to fall into the category of an unexpectedly joyful event. She appeared to be quite expectant, so I let out a small chuckle.
*Looks like she forgot about her promise to call me Older Brother.*
Well, something unbelievable had happened, so perhaps it was only natural. With that thought, I took a deep breath, deciding to organize all the intensely surging power within my body.
*
To put it simply, I had reached the Highest-grade Expert rank. To others, it might seem like I achieved it incredibly quickly and easily, almost like a trick.
*But considering how many times I died and grew in the Training Ground...*
It was more likely that I had grown through more pain and difficulty than anyone else.
*Though I can't deny it's still fast, even with that in mind.*
As I took a deep breath, intoxicated by the overwhelming sense of authority, Lorraine, who had approached me at some point, spoke with a shocked expression.
"Y-Young Master... are you truly a monster?"
Even Lorraine, a Highest-grade Expert herself, seemed unable to believe the speed of my growth. She stared at me with a blank expression, then continued to speak, unable to close her mouth.
"... I, too, rose to the Highest-grade Expert rank incredibly quickly, but to do so as fast as Young Master... it's truly unbelievable..."
Lorraine stopped speaking, shook her head, then composed her expression and began to shower me with praise, shaking my body.
"Anyway, congratulations! I always knew Young Master would reach the Highest-grade Expert rank."
"R-Really?"
"Yes!"
While reaching High-grade Expert felt somewhat ordinary, reaching Highest-grade Expert brought forth a feeling of astonishment beyond mere admiration. Seeing this reaction, I suddenly wondered what the Karsaril family members would say if they saw my level. Just then, Shiren, Ruen, and Liana quickly approached and began to admire me.
"Damian, you're amazing. You're the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life."
"D-Damian, congratulations...! Truly, congratulations..."
"To think you'd reach the Highest-grade Expert rank... I never imagined it."
I smiled and thanked the others. Then, I leaned towards Liana, who was standing on my right, and whispered playfully.
"You remember our bet, right?"
At the mention of a bet, Liana stiffened abruptly, then her pupils darted around as she spoke to me.
"B-Bet?"
Judging by her extreme surprise, it seemed she truly never dreamed I would reach the Highest-grade Expert rank. Thinking her reaction was quite amusing, I suppressed my laughter. I nodded and patted Liana's shoulder, then spoke.
"Then I'll come to your room in a bit, so be ready."
"J-Just a moment..."
"Well, I'm going to rest for a bit. Absorbing this much power has really taken a toll on my body."
I openly ignored Liana's words from beside me and trudged towards my room. I heard her muttering something behind me, but I deliberately pretended not to hear and continued forward quickly.
*
It seemed absorbing the power had taken quite a toll on my body, as I had slept for a considerably long time. Feeling a strange stiffness all over, I rubbed myself, then slowly got up, deciding it was time to collect the price of the 'bet'.
*I wonder what kind of reaction she'll have.*
Feeling quite expectant, I immediately headed to the room Liana was staying in.
As I approached Liana's room and lightly knocked on the door, I heard a loud sigh from inside. Liana cautiously opened the door and spoke to me.
"... Come in."
Though she seemed a bit curt, the blush on her face suggested she was deliberately acting aloof to hide her embarrassment. Finding her reaction quite amusing, I spoke casually to Liana.
"What was it you said back then? If I became a Highest-grade Expert, you'd call me O-O-something?"
I remembered exactly what she had promised to call me. But I deliberately pretended not to know, just to tease her. Liana's face turned even redder than before as she spoke to me.
"Oh, come on! Don't pretend you don't know!"
Seeing her usual confident demeanor replaced by a pouting one, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. I tried hard to suppress the laughter that kept bubbling up, nodding at Liana. Liana then let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.
"You know? What we said back then wasn't a bet, it was just a joke, like 'let's do this'..."
"I don't know about that. Just call me Older Brother."
"No, listen to me...! What we said back then was just a joke!"
"Joke or not, you promised, so call me."
"Oh, really...!"
Watching Liana whine in front of me, I tried to suppress the corners of my mouth from turning up. I met her eyes and reminded her of what had happened before.
"When we first met, you went straight for a kiss, but calling me Older Brother is too embarrassing?"
"No, that was when I wasn't thinking... No, no, it's nothing."
Liana, realizing she had made a mistake mid-sentence, quickly shook her head and tried to dismiss it as nothing. But I had already heard every word. I smiled playfully and began to tease her about it.
"So now you're thinking something, are you?"
"Ugh."
"What thoughts are making you too embarrassed to call me Older Brother?"
Liana glared at me, gritting her teeth, which was unlike her usual self. Seeing her like that, I felt a satisfaction greater than reaching the Highest-grade Expert rank, and nodded vigorously.
*This is fun.*
I wanted to keep teasing her, but if I pushed it any further, she would likely get genuinely upset, so I decided to stop there.
In any case, just as I was thinking how satisfying Liana's reaction was, Liana, who was in front of me, covered her face with one hand, bowed her head deeply, and spoke to me in a barely audible voice.
"...ther."
"What was that?"
"... *Older Brother*!"
Seeing Liana, who always acted like she was my Older Sister, huff and puff while calling me Older Brother, filled me with a satisfaction that felt better than any meal. I nodded and replied casually.
"Why?"
"Why, you ask?! You told me to call you that!"
"No, you have to say *Brother Damian*."
"... ..."
Liana groaned, conflicted, then her face turned bright red again as she spoke to me.
"Brother D-Damian..."
"That's right."
Hearing this, a playful impulse struck me, and I lightly patted Liana's head. Liana closed her eyes tightly and continued to speak.
"... This is so embarrassing."
Still, it seemed she didn't dislike me patting her head, as she quietly accepted my touch. Then, she let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"... Anyway, is that enough?"
Looking at Liana, who was speaking as if everything was over, I decided to deliver the Confirmation Kill and calmly opened my mouth.
"What do you mean, 'that's enough'? From now on, you have to keep calling me Brother Damian."
"... Th-That!"
I felt it was best not to tease her any further. I decided to head back to my room and was about to stand up. Liana looked at me, her earlobes bright red, and bowed her head deeply. Wondering why, I looked at her. Liana took a deep breath and spoke to me.
"Alright, fine. A bet's a bet, so from now on, I'll... call you Brother Damian."
That was a very satisfying answer. Now that I had gotten everything I wanted (?), I opened the door to head back to my room, and what I saw was...
"... ..."
It was Ruen, in her pajamas, her expression chillingly blank.