TSMRG 29

Chapter 29

The living room looked as though chaos—no, a war—had just swept through it.
Renovan, Ruin, Daisy, and Cavella, four people in total, sat facing each other.

Finally, Daisy, arms crossed and eyes narrowed with clear displeasure, spoke up.

“So you’re telling me this girl is Uncle Adorno’s granddaughter?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Renovan let out a faint sigh and nodded.

Daisy shook her head, muttering again as though she simply could not understand.

“But why on earth would that man’s granddaughter suddenly come looking for our Ruin…?”

She shot a look full of disbelief at Cavella and continued.
Ruin quickly interrupted.

“Uh, Mom?”

“Ruin, just stay quiet for a moment. This isn’t something we can brush off with a laugh. Why would the granddaughter of Therion, the Tower Lord of the Mage Tower, suddenly visit our house—saying she came to see you!?”

Her voice rose in frustration, as though she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Renovan shut his eyes and turned his head aside.
Cavella, very cautiously, opened her mouth.

“Well, you see, Mother—”

“What? Who’s your mother?”

“Uh—then what should I call you? Ha, hahaha…”

“……”

At Daisy’s sharp retort, Cavella laughed awkwardly and glanced around, but no answer came back.

So she forced a bright smile and tried to soften the mood with as gentle a tone as she could muster.

“Then I’ll call you Aunt Daisy. That’s okay, right?”

“Call me whatever you want.”

Her face unmoved, Daisy responded coldly.
Cavella continued in a calm, even tone.

“Yes, Aunt. Then let me explain. I think there’s some misunderstanding here. I just happened to run into Ruin by chance, and we got to know each other. I didn’t approach him with any other purpose.”

Her slow, careful explanation was cut through by Daisy’s sharp voice.

“Then why did you come to our house? And why were you calling for Ruin?”

“Uh, well, that’s because—actually…”

Cavella tried to improvise on the spot, but Ruin quickly stepped in.

“I called her, Mom.”

“What?!”

“I asked her to come here. Isn’t that right, Cavella?”

“Uh, y-yeah. Hahaha, that’s right. He did.”

Cavella forced another awkward laugh and glanced nervously at Daisy.
But her acting was terrible.

Daisy glared suspiciously and shouted.

“Lies! You’re both lying to me, aren’t you?!”

At that moment, Renovan finally spoke.

“Ruin.”

“Yes, teacher?”

“Earlier, when you asked me about Cavella—was that related to her showing up here?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“Haha, yes, that must be it!”

Grateful for the sudden lifeline, both Ruin and Cavella nodded at Renovan.

Daisy still looked unconvinced and raised her voice at him.

“Teacher!”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you really think I would lie to you, Daisy?”

“Well, no, but…”

Unable to answer properly, Daisy trailed off.
Renovan gave a bitter smile and nodded.

“I understand how you feel. But being overprotective can harm the child more than help.”

Hearing this, Daisy pouted, looking wronged.

“Ah, teacher…”

“You’re just the same as before, still making a fuss like a child. Listen to me.”

“Haa…”

Daisy let out a long sigh, then glared again at Cavella.

“This time, I’ll pretend not to notice—just because the teacher is here. But don’t think I’ll overlook it next time.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Not mother! Aunt!”

“Ah, yes, Aunt Daisy.”

Cavella bowed her head deeply.

“And Ruin.”

“Yes?”

“I know you lied to me.”

“It wasn’t a lie, though…”

“Shh! Enough. I’ll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, you’ll be in big trouble. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Worried that talking back would only ignite another fire, Ruin chose to simply nod and let it go.

[Kekeke, serves you right.]

Even the sword spirit chuckled at Ruin being scolded.

“Well, anyway, that’s enough talk. Since we have a guest, I’ll bring out some fruit. The three of you keep talking.”

And with that, Daisy neatly wrapped up the situation however she pleased and marched off toward the kitchen.

“……”

Silence settled heavily over the living room.
Renovan, Ruin, and Cavella all sat without speaking.

Then—

“Ugh, I can’t take this anymore. I’m sorry! It’s all my fault!”

Cavella suddenly leapt to her feet and bowed toward Renovan.

“Teacher Renovan, I—I pretended to be your student. And Ruin kept doubting me, so I told him to ask you, but I didn’t think he actually would. But listening to all this, I just couldn’t keep quiet.”

She babbled out the truth in a rush, as though she had lost control.
Renovan lifted a hand.

“Cavella.”

“But seriously, don’t you think by now you should just accept me as a student? The professors at the Mage Tower recognize me as a top talent! And didn’t you once say that if I got to this level, I’d be good enough to be your disciple?”

But she didn’t stop talking, piling on more and more.
Renovan shook his head.

“That was drunken nonsense, thanks to your grandfather forcing drinks on me. I never formally took you as my disciple, Cavella.”

“Ah, come on! Please! I don’t care—I’m your student now, hmph!”

She covered her ears like a child throwing a tantrum. The living room once again became a battlefield.

But then—

“…So I was right, after all?”

Ruin’s voice rang cold and heavy in the silence.
Cavella froze, eyes wide.

“Huh?”

“You kept insisting I call you senior disciple… was that why?”

“N-no, Ruin, you’re misunderstanding. It’s just a little—”

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”

“Ha, haha… um, well…”

Trying to laugh it off, Cavella wilted under Ruin’s growing pressure.
Suddenly—

Whoosh!

She threw something to the ground.

“Forget it! See you later, teacher! Blink!”

Flash!

A blinding light exploded, stealing everyone’s vision.
When it cleared, only…

“……”

“……”

Renovan and Ruin remained, both looking weary.

[Kehahaha! That girl is something else!]

The sword spirit muttered in delight.
Rubbing his stinging eyes, Ruin looked at Renovan.

“Teacher.”

“Yes. That’s the kind of child she is.”

“I see.”

Without needing Ruin to ask, Renovan gave the answer he was looking for. Then he asked:

“But how do you know her?”

“Ah, well…”

Ruin explained how Cavella had come to him.
Renovan sighed deeply and shook his head.

“Hoo… of course. That’s just like her.”

“But… is it true she’s the greatest talent recognized by the Mage Tower?”

“Surprisingly, yes.”

“…I see.”

The two exchanged short words, as though a screw was loose somewhere between them.

Just then—

Creak.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I brought some fruit… huh? Where’d she go?”

Daisy walked in with a tray, blinking.
Renovan and Ruin said nothing.

*

After the commotion with the Sage of the Continent, Teacher Renovan, and Cavella, some time later—

Flash!

Ruin opened his eyes, and brilliant golden light burst forth.

Ding!

Unique ability <Heavenly Perfection> has advanced a stage.

It had finally reached 3 Stars.

[What’s this? Your energy just changed! Did you abandon swordsmanship for some other sorcery?!]

The sword spirit raged in disbelief, but as always, Ruin ignored him.

Then—

Ding!

By the effect of <Heavenly Perfection>, special ability <Unity of Body and Mind> has advanced.
With its growth, the user’s physical trait evolves.
From [Incomplete] → [Perfect].

Ding!

By the effect of <Heavenly Perfection>, <Unity of Body and Mind> merges with the Perfect Body.
New special ability <Insightful Eye of Interpretation> has been created.

‘Insightful Eye of Interpretation?’

Though only a single step above 2 Stars, the moment it hit 3, an array of new, powerful abilities had emerged.

Ruin whispered quickly.

“Status window!”

A translucent screen appeared before him.

<Status Window>

• Name: Ruin Lynegrime

• True Name: None

• Titles: Hunter of the Forest (Common), One Who Passed the Sword Spirit’s Trial (Common)

• Traits: Perfect (Body), Sword Spirit (Spirit), Mana Insensitivity (Greatly Weakened)

Abilities:

[Unique]

1. ???

2. Heavenly Perfection (3 Stars)

[Special]

1. Unity of Body and Mind (3 Stars)

2. Insightful Eye of Interpretation (1 Star)

(Tap for more details.)

Much had changed. His titles and traits especially.

‘So my mana insensitivity is basically cured now?’

The chronic hereditary disease that had always weakened him was almost completely gone.
The sword’s curse was gone too—replaced by the new state of having a “Sword Spirit.”

‘So “spirit” means the Sword Spirit itself?’

He was curious, but it wasn’t urgent. He focused instead on the new ability.

Insightful Eye of Interpretation: Allows the user to view all information directly.

‘View information? That explanation is vague…’

For the first time, Ruin felt a hint of dissatisfaction with Heavenly Perfection.
He immediately tried using the ability.

His vision turned gray, objects around him glowing faintly if they could be interpreted.
Especially the sword on his back—it shone the brightest.

He touched it.

<Object Information>

• Name: Sword Spirit (검혼)

• True Name: Heukyeong (Black Shadow)

• Trait: (Unable to interpret)

• Description: An ancient sword spirit, seemingly holding many secrets.

• Special Ability: (Unable to interpret)

Some information cannot be interpreted due to the limits of Insightful Eye.

[Hmm? What’s this filthy, unsettling aura?!]

The sword spirit’s voice reacted instantly.

‘Oh, so that’s how this works.’

Ruin finally understood what “viewing information directly” truly meant.

And then—

‘Wait. If I can use this to check anything’s information…’

A hundred possibilities flashed through his mind.

‘This is broken. Completely unfair.’

Having lived a life as a shadow before, Ruin knew better than anyone how valuable true, complete information was.

His heart pounded harder than when he first obtained Heavenly Perfection or faced the sword spirit.

“With this, everything will be easier—and flawless. I can even push my plans forward sooner.”

He now held a weapon greater than any heavenly martial art:
The Insightful Eye of Interpretation.

A faint smile curved his lips.

[Hey! What now? Why are you muttering to yourself again?!]

Still ranting, the sword spirit barked.
Ruin answered in a calm tone.

“At last, the time has come.”

[Time? What time?]

“The time to finally begin learning the sword.”