Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 443: No One Knew

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Water…haa, haa, water…water…haa, a, aaaah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

At this juncture, an overwhelming silence enveloped the entire globe.

A world so hushed that the clamor of human voices was absent, even from the most bustling metropolises… No, it wasn't merely quiet. The sole auditory sensations permeating the atmosphere originated from the heavens.

Individuals were not slumbering; they were wide awake.

Yet, not a single word was uttered anywhere on Earth—save for those emanating from “the sky.”

This profound silence stemmed simply from the collective speechlessness of everyone present.

“Ah……”

Some, who had been indulging in snacks and vociferously jeering at the sky, now stood utterly still. Not a drop of alcohol had been consumed; their glasses, still holding tepid beverages, remained untouched.

“H, hey… wh, why….”

The Imperial Knights and their associates, who had previously been taunting and condescending towards him, making unsolicited suggestions like “He should proceed thusly,” were now completely silenced.

No laughter echoed among them. Their countenances had, in fact, drained of color.

“Earth…….”

Even his former cohort from school……

“Earth… y, you… why would you go to such extremes…?”

Even Solja, the very Emperor of the Empire, found himself incapable of uttering anything beyond those simple words.

[Water! Water! Provide me water! Water! Water, water, water, water!! Aaaaaaah!!]

The one desperately pleading for water was the progeny of Solja’s closest confidant.

Furthermore, the issue wasn’t that he *could not* ingest water, but rather that he was deliberately *abstaining* from it.

He was simply expelling bodily fluids at an alarming rate. Saliva flowed, and he ran. He ran. He ran and ran and ran without pause, making no attempt to replenish the hydration his body was losing.

Ultimately, Earth’s entire demeanor had undergone a radical transformation.

Earth, who had always experienced a life of ease and plenty, never lacking sustenance and consistently adhering to a well-balanced nutritional regimen, now presented with gaunt cheeks, pronounced dark circles beneath his eyes, a physique as desiccated as a withered plant, and a vacant stare akin to a terminally ill patient. He was on the precipice of a complete mental collapse, his cries echoing with a touch of madness……

[Haa, haa… I shall… continue… running.]

Yet, he persisted in his running.

No observer could ascertain the objective behind this grueling regimen.

However, a singular understanding resonated with all who witnessed it: Earth was pushing himself towards his “absolute breaking point.”

[Eh… his appearance has altered drastically… hmm… what transpired? Did some divine retribution befall him? Or perhaps a malediction?]

[A fitting dishevelment for such a brazen individual. You possess no inkling of the audacity you display towards Senior José.]

[But consider this: inexplicably, he seemed so feeble… a wretch… the most contemptible sort to resort to violence against a young lady. Not even worthy of a thrashing.]

Even amidst these circumstances—even during moments of slander and hurt inflicted by José and her retinue of ladies, instances that would naturally ignite a fiery rage within any person……

[Pardon me… but I am… not in the mood for games…. kindly move aside.]

Earth offered no resistance. He simply continued, in silence, with his self-imposed endeavor.

Observing this spectacle, the inhabitants of the Imperial City—those who had previously mocked, disparaged, and ridiculed him—now stood with ashen faces, their gazes fixed heavenward in silent contemplation.

And then……

[Ah… aaahh…… aaaaahh!]

Finally, Earth—whose spirit appeared to have reached its ultimate limit—succumbed to exhaustion in the center of the thoroughfare, his eyes fixated on the liquid pooled on the ground adjacent to him, as if instinctively drawn to lap it up.

Upon witnessing this, a unanimous thought arose among the onlookers.

It has gone on long enough; simply partake of some water.

The sight is agonizing to behold.

They were unaware of his ultimate goal in undertaking such a trial, but its duration had become excessive. Continuation of this path would surely lead to his demise.

Therefore, drink the water.

This sentiment was shared by all.

And then, a figure embodying this very sentiment appeared beside Earth.

[Please refrain from drinking the water that has spilled upon the ground. Let us return to the church without delay.]

[…… Sa, di..z?]

[I apologize. I still cannot recall your identity in relation to me… nor the actions I performed towards you…. however, I can no longer bear to witness your suffering.]

It was Sadiz.

Despite Sadiz’s memory loss, forgetting all connections to Earth, she found herself unable to endure the current scene, her eyes welling up with tears.

[I had been worried about you. Day after day… yet I was ignorant of your objectives, your thoughts, or the reasons behind your actions… you have already ‘given your utmost effort’. This is the consensus among everyone at the church and the dojo. Pray, cease this torment.]

Even with her memory wiped clean, if these were Sadiz’s words……

Every individual within the Imperial City familiar with their history shared this conviction.

However,

[…… Sadiz… enough is enough…]

[Eh?]

[I am… still quite alright….]

The reality diverged sharply from expectation.

Earth’s gaze regained clarity upon hearing Sadiz’s words.

Nevertheless, he rejected the offered water.

This outcome was entirely unforeseen by anyone.

[Do… not presume to dictate my… aspirations… when you… fail to comprehend them… No, there is no need to… fret. I am still… in the midst of… my arduous endeavor.]

Though his body was severely dehydrated, his eyes once again blazed with restored vitality and an unwavering fighting spirit.

[Just observe… I shall reveal… my true self.]

With these pronouncements, Earth resumed his relentless sprint, pushing past all perceived limits and boundaries.

This was a realm that transcended mere perseverance, a world entirely beyond the ordinary.

And…

[I… I couldn’t achieve victory, but I gave it my all… I don’t desire any consolation! I want to win! I want to prove them wrong, those who doubt my ability to win!］

”””””Ah!!???”””””

The declaration from Earth sent tremors through the populace of the Imperial City.

“There are individuals who have endured the harshest conflicts and leverage that experience as a shield, you see. They utter phrases like… You humans are all the same, aren’t you? This is why the old guard disparages the younger generation today—labeling them ‘pathetic’ for not having faced the same hardships.”

Even Hakuki, who had intended to observe passively, indulging in wine and gracefully witnessing the unfolding events… even he found himself, before he realized it, gazing skyward with a solemn expression, his untouched glass still in hand.

“But the crux of the matter is this… enduring wartime starvation is one thing. Willingly relinquishing everything when it’s all within your grasp? That’s an entirely different proposition. It demands a spirit of unbreakable resolve. The fortitude that resists temptation… I still don’t entirely grasp the reason behind his chosen method of training—it’s truly extreme—but that young man has voluntarily plunged himself into the abyss. To grasp something with unwavering intent… Hehehe, Earth Lagann. What precisely are you striving to attain?”

Despite his attempts to sear Earth’s image into his memory and analyze the circumstances with detached composure, Hakuki’s words spontaneously adopted a fervent tone.

Before long, it had progressed beyond mere pastime; he was simply incapable of refraining from contemplating the subsequent developments.

Meanwhile…

“Hic, uu, ugh… Earth… you… to reach this point… to become like this… ugh, uu…”

His mother, Mamu, could only weep and sob uncontrollably.

Her child’s body had been entirely depleted of moisture, leaving him akin to a withered branch. Yet, observing Earth’s continued training, his unwavering resolve to accomplish something despite his depleted state, she found her tears ceaseless.

“I… I cannot replicate this… there is absolutely no way I could do something like this!”

Meanwhile, Hiro also observed Earth, his eyes brimming with tears, though he pressed his lip tightly to suppress them.

“I have also faced the brink of starvation during wartime… I have undergone brutal training myself… but, but… to endure this… to persevere through this… to run silently, even when ridiculed and your pride wounded… even when gently told that you have exerted enough effort… to simply run without uttering a word… ah… Earth… you….”

And in that very moment, a memory resurfaced for Hiro.

It was the time of his reunion with Earth—an event that also involved Jamdi’el.

It was the instant he had managed to evade their pursuit, leaving them unable to apprehend him.

Hiro and Mamu had been utterly outmaneuvered by Earth’s exceptional footwork.

Earth had remained silent when questioned about it back then.

However, he now understood the answer.

He had run until he was at death’s door.

And, for the countless time, he was filled with profound regret for his past words.

Earth must have been engaged in this relentless running even prior to the Imperial Tournament.

And yet, they had remained entirely oblivious to all that arduous effort……

[Wh—!!!??? W-what… what is this—!］

“?”

At that precise moment, Earth, who had been running without pause, halted and cocked his head, as if detecting something unusual within his own body.

Both Hiro and Mamu immediately looked up.

Had something occurred?

Just as they entertained this thought……

“Wh………… Hmm!!??? Oi, what is this!”

“”Huh!?””

Simultaneously, Hakuki emitted a loud exclamation and rose to his feet.

His entire frame quivering, visibly agitated, he directed his gaze towards the heavens.

“It’s… it’s inexplicable… his body was depleted following that Breakthrough… and now, the magic is returning.”

“Huh? …… ah……”

“Huh? Oh, is that so… Why?”

Reacting to Hakuki’s astonishment, Hiro and Mamu also snapped to full attention, suddenly comprehending the unfolding situation.

Up until this point, Earth had consistently utilized Breakthrough as a method to completely drain all magical power from his system before commencing his runs.

Typically, magical power reduced to zero would naturally replenish over time.

However, this instance was demonstrably different……

“I, it’s true. Why?! Magical power is being steadily absorbed into Earth’s body…”

“Impossible! B, but, lost magical power shouldn’t recover this rapidly…… Huh? But, seeing magical power recover like that… I recall witnessing it before… somewhere.”

It was a phenomenon that even Hiro and Mamu found utterly baffling.

Their son, already enigmatic, was now exhibiting behavior they could not fathom.

And then, at that critical juncture……

“This cannot be… he is training to acquire… No, is that even how it’s supposed to work? Wait — why… why does he possess this knowledge! This is not mere conjecture! He clearly possesses a defined objective and unwavering conviction… Otherwise, no sane individual would subject themselves to training that relentlessly erodes their very life force… Earth Lagann…… just who in the blazes are you!”

Hakuki was consumed by utter bewilderment, his questions echoing into the vast expanse of the sky.

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