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Gilbert’s eccentric behavior.

The 100-person slash spread like a trend.

The overwhelming duels he showcased caused a huge stir not only among the nobles, who are sensitive to trends, but also among the common cadets aspiring for success.

Some even said he recreated the legend of Swordmaster Flambeau, who once roamed the continent with just a single sword.

Of course, compared to Flambeau, who traveled across the continent in search of strong opponents, Gilbert was somewhat lacking. However, consecutively engaging in 100 duels was by no means an easy feat.

In fact, none of those who attempted the 100-person slash after him succeeded. No matter how well they managed their stamina, they were still at the cadet level.

Occasionally, there were those who surpassed the cadet level, but they didn’t foolishly attempt the 100-person slash. It wasn’t that they thought it was undignified, but rather that they had a clear assessment of themselves.

They deeply realized just how absurd and monstrous Gilbert’s stamina was. At the same time, they wondered what kind of training one had to undergo to possess such iron-like stamina.

Perhaps that’s why quite a few people started sneaking peeks at Gilbert’s training for the sake of their own stamina training.

And the conclusion they reached:

– This guy isn’t human.

– Is this what happens when a lunatic harbors malice?

Everyone was left in awe by Gilbert’s relentless ascetic training.

Training?

That term generally refers to exercises within the realm of human capability.

What Gilbert was doing couldn’t be described by the refined and elegant term “training.”

It was pure asceticism, using only his physical body without a hint of mana.

Even for ordinary cadets, once they reach a certain level, using mana becomes as natural as breathing. From then on, they tend to focus more on increasing their mana reserves or refining their mana control through deep meditation rather than physical training.

But Gilbert, as if completely rejecting that conventional path, invested his time obsessively in physical training. To them, it seemed somewhat meaningless.

“Physical training is the foundation of everything. That’s why it seems meaningless to those who only chase what’s visible and lack insight.”

That was Brynhild’s comment as she doggedly followed Gilbert’s training. As a Grand Warrior of the Sigurd tribe, who revered physical training, she found Gilbert’s methods excessive but rational.

Even from the Sigurd tribe’s perspective, his training was exhausting, but could there be a more perfect training regimen?

Everything is proven by results.

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

“Humans naturally seek comfort.”

“True. It’s a pity that those who claim to pilot Colossal Mechs don’t understand such a basic fact.”

A body enhanced by mana is undoubtedly strong. It’s only possible to split boulders the size of houses or snap thick trees with bare hands because of mana.

So, what happens when you enhance an already strong body with mana?

1+1 doesn’t always equal 2.

Enhancing a strong body with mana naturally yields greater results than enhancing an untrained one.

Even though it’s a basic calculation, many people tend to overlook the importance of physical training too easily.

“But Gilbert, your training methods are a bit brute. Even my brother, the strongest in the Sigurd tribe, doesn’t do such brute things.”

“Individual differences always exist.”

“That’s why I’m saying this.”

Brynhild felt a bit overwhelmed watching Gilbert, who never stopped moving.

But she also had one concern. If she ever shared a bed with him, she wondered if even she could handle his stamina.

Of course, that thought also made her look forward to that day.

A man strong during the day and strong at night—what more could one ask for in a marriage?

Gilbert ignored Brynhild’s sharp gaze, which was fixed on him like prey. He didn’t need to analyze what she was thinking.

After some idle thoughts, he focused back on his training. His body was already on track, so it was unlikely his stats would improve much from this training, but such actions still accumulated experience. Even if the amount was small, it added up to something significant.

After an hour of training following the chat with Brynhild, Gilbert set down the heavily weighted barbell. Despite carefully lowering it, the floor briefly shook.

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

“Gilbert, I’m here!”

“Hmm…”

“Were you waiting?”

It had been quiet for a few days.

Gilbert already felt a sigh coming.

Preferring a quiet life, Gilbert found it difficult to keep up with Camilla’s energy. He was grateful to her, but that was a separate matter.

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

Camilla recoiled at the sight of Brynhild and stepped between her and Gilbert. This was one of the common scenes since Brynhild followed Gilbert to the Demia Empire Academy.

“Pointless actions.”

“What are you talking about? All you think about is that.”

Camilla flared up at Brynhild’s sneer. The chemistry between the two was far from good.

Every time Camilla saw Brynhild, she tried to pull her away from Gilbert, while Brynhild clung to him even more blatantly.

Camilla would then stomp around, but in terms of physical strength, she was no match for Brynhild.

Moreover, Camilla hadn’t fully awakened yet.

Before the catalyst, she moved solely based on her interests, which slowed her overall growth.

But lately, she started training, seemingly determined to beat Brynhild.

Sometimes, when she visited Gilbert, it wasn’t to play but to seek advice on training.

As Gilbert also wished for her growth, he always accommodated her. He thought it would take time for her to commit to becoming stronger, but the timing came sooner than expected, which pleased him.

Indeed, Camilla, brimming with talent, began to spread her wings under Gilbert’s guidance. Despite only recently starting serious training, her growth was remarkable.

No wonder she had more potential than Seraphina in Tactical Combat. Given more time, she would surpass most cadets.

“I don’t understand. It’s a given that I’ll end up with Gilbert.”

Not really.

Gilbert wanted to refute, but Camilla shouted first.

“That’s just your thought! I can’t allow it!”

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

“Yikes!”

Watching the two’s antics, Gilbert decided not to intervene. At this point, his involvement would only add fuel to the fire.

Instead, he quietly gathered his belongings and left the Physical Training Facility.

They can handle their own business.

Through the closing door, he heard their banter but ignored it.

***

Seraphina visited her master, Briana, after a long time. As a temporary measure to control her unbearable desire for possession after Gilbert’s 100-person slash, she chose to wield her sword.

What a troublesome priestess.

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

Despite the intense duel, her heated emotions didn’t easily subside.

“My sword is clouded with distractions.”

“Did my master notice? Sadly, my mind is troubled, and I’ve been rude to my master.”

“Do you have any concerns?”

Briana, who had been quietly observing, noticed Seraphina’s unusual demeanor. Seraphina, who was destined to lead the empire, was unlikely to become the next Swordmaster, but her talent was on par with Gilbert’s.

When Briana reluctantly became her master, she was astonished by Seraphina’s true potential.

She had thought she would never find a disciple surpassing Seraphina.

Unless she met someone like Gilbert… Briana faintly smiled, recalling another stoic disciple resembling herself.

Lately, thinking about Gilbert often brought a faint smile. Perhaps it was because she considered him a companion to walk the Path of the Sword.

Moreover, when she heard about his 100-person slash, her heart raced. In her youth, she too had vowed to achieve such a feat.

Was that why?

Briana began to feel a sense of kinship with Gilbert.

Indeed, the only companion to walk the Path of the Sword with was him.

“I have a slight concern. Since it came up, I’d like to seek my master’s advice.”

“If it’s alright with you, I don’t mind.”

“Do you also have something you absolutely want to possess?”

“Something to possess… Are you referring to?”

“Yes. Something you want to obtain by any means necessary, regardless of the methods.”

A strange desire flickered in Seraphina’s eyes.

Seeing this look for the first time, Briana remained silent for a moment.

The First Princess, who had only been interested in the empire’s prosperity, seemed to have developed a deep longing for something.

At the same time, Briana grew curious.

What could the heir closest to the imperial throne desire so desperately?

Given her position, she could easily obtain anything she desired, yet she seemed troubled. It appeared even Seraphina couldn’t easily acquire it.

If such a thing exists…

Briana couldn’t comprehend it.

What could the First Princess of the Infractus Empire not obtain? No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Seraphina’s position allowed her to obtain anything with a single word. Countless nobles would rush to present whatever she desired, so why was she so troubled?

“Master. I want to ask you. Do you also have such a thing? Does the strongest in the empire also have something you desire?”

Briana set aside her doubts and pondered Seraphina’s question deeply.

The answer came quickly.

“Yes, I do.”

“This is truly surprising. Even the paragon of integrity has such desires. Well, I’m no different, so I’m in no position to judge.”

Briana didn’t respond to Seraphina’s astonishment.

What she desired most was already by her side.

A companion to share the end of the sword with.

Gilbert would always be there.

Being of similar nature, Gilbert would undoubtedly seek the same. He too must desire to see the end of the sword.

“Master.”

“Speak.”

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

Seraphina hadn’t planned to say this, but hearing that Briana also had something she desperately wanted changed her mind.

Since what she desired was related to her master, Briana, she thought it was okay to speak.

“But now, for the first time, there’s something I can’t possess. Yet, it shines so brightly that I feel I must have it by my side to be satisfied.”

“…Is it a person of talent?”

Realizing that Seraphina’s only desire was for talent, Briana’s question made sense. Given that Seraphina’s life goal was the empire’s prosperity, it was easily understandable.

“Yes. Until now, no one knew, but now he’s beginning to shine brilliantly. I want to possess him. I desire him so much that I can’t bear the thought of anyone else taking him.”

Him?

Listening quietly, Briana felt a strange sense of dissonance.

She had an inkling of who Seraphina desired so intensely.

“Did you notice, Master? I desire Gilbert Lion Heart, your second disciple and my priest. By any means necessary.”

Seeing Seraphina display what could be called a desire for possession, Briana felt an emotion toward her for the first time.

Anger.

***

[Sub Scenario: Seeker of the Sword is progressing.]

[Sub Scenario: Twisted Desire for Possession is progressing.]

[Sub Scenario: Singularity has occurred.]

[The linked sub-scenarios, Seekers of Twisted Desire for Possession, are forcibly progressing.]

What’s this all of a sudden?

Gilbert, resting in his lodging, had to widen his eyes at the sudden notification.

 

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