Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 444: That Place

[…This way… then do… that… Ah… right…]

Having survived one arduous trial, Earth felt his entire being surge with magical power, a profound realization dawning upon him.

Gazing intently at this transformation…

“Wait… yeah, yeah… During that final showdown over a decade past, ‘that person’… managed to reclaim the immense magical power they had expended… the very same…”

“I recall it now. Precisely… Huh? Hold on a moment… If that’s the case, then all the more reason, why Earth?”

Both Hiro and Mamu harbored doubts.

“Stripping every nerve bare, pushing himself to the absolute limit with senses honed to a razor’s edge… Ah, so that’s why he drained the water… but no, even that alone isn't sufficient to master that person’s technique. There must be something more crucial, mustn’t there…”

Even Hakuki found himself questioning.

A conundrum without a clear answer.

“With medical examination magic, one can ascertain the ‘number’ and ‘general locations’ of all the body’s magic conduits… however, the ‘exact placements’? No, pinpointing them is impossible. That individual once stated… ‘Without knowing the precise location of every magic conduit, you will never grasp the sensation of magic flowing in and out, its proper circulation.’… A single minuscule slip of the needle and everything is undone. That’s precisely why, when they experimented on the Demon King Army soldiers to imbue them with additional magic conduits, his Six-Path Eyes were indispensable… But Earth Lagann possesses neither the Six-Path Eyes… nor any of the other Three Great Magic Eyes… and it’s not as if he underwent training with Jamdi’el and her Heraldic Eye… So why then? Jamdi’el, you utter fool… You’ve resided with him for months! Why were you absent during such a pivotal moment!”

Simultaneously, a tremor coursed through him.

[Ah… hah~… I am so glad to be alive.]

While causing three of the world’s most formidable fighters to tremble, Earth, his reflection shimmering in the sky, concluded his rigorous training. He then began to rehydrate, having completely abstained from water until that point, thereby restoring not only his depleted magical power but also vitality to his desiccated body.

Subsequently, Earth resumed his running once more.

Earth Lagann was born and raised within the Imperial City.

The Empire should rightfully be Earth’s homeland.

As childhood companions who had grown together in the Empire for over a decade, they ought to have understood Earth better than anyone else.

However, ever since the Imperial Tournament commenced, they had completely lost their bearings regarding Earth’s true nature.

And even now, in this very moment, they found themselves witnessing an Earth they could no longer recognize.

[It appears thou hast achieved a significant accomplishment.]

[Very well, anticipate it keenly at the upcoming tournament.]

[Indeed. I have allowed thee the freedom thou desired, and I am eager to witness the culmination of thy journey.]

He engaged in discourse with Jamdi’el, one of the legendary Six Supremacy, without yielding an inch.

Having completed his water-deprivation training, Earth had reverted to his former formidable demeanor.

Nay, having triumphed over a personal inferno, Earth radiated an even greater sense of self-assurance.

And concurrently, his daily existence seemed imbued with a renewed vibrancy and zest for life.

[Hey, Earth!]

[Ora, we have arrived! You shall commence working alongside us once more today!]

[Today is a holiday from school, so we are a little ahead of schedule, but…]

[Fuah~… so sleepy…]

In the early hours of the morning, he traversed the city with Mortriage’s group, engaging in training alongside them.

[Here we go, lads! ]

[ [ [ [ Oh!!! ] ] ] ]

This had apparently become a common spectacle in Cacretale, with the townspeople cheering for Earth and his companions as they passed by.

Training in unison, perspiring together, relentlessly pushing each other to their limits…

“Huh… Hmm… Ugh…”

“Oh…”

“…………”

Phianse, Fu, and Rebal observed Earth and Mortriage’s contingent with a complex mixture of emotions.

Originally, they should have occupied that very position…

[I shall be participating in the forthcoming tournament. And I intend to emerge victorious. Consequently, should that José appear, I will confront him. And I shall defeat him. Furthermore, I shall channel your sentiments into my fists.]

And just as the quartet looked up to Earth, Earth regarded them not merely as pupils or in a mentor-disciple capacity, but as friends… nay, as comrades…

[We have shared sweat like this and partaken of the same water.]

He was poised to enter combat, carrying those very sentiments with him.

Witnessing this, the Phianse group…

“It may be too late to voice this now, but… in truth, we should have been the ones standing in that place… I feel an unbearable envy…”

“Mortriage and the others… for Earth to address them in such a manner… it is precisely like the Earth who once led us around when we were children…”

It was an emotion born of jealousy.

“Ever since we enrolled in the Academy… Earth gradually grew more reserved… but instead of extending a hand to him, we became somewhat distant… Ah… that’s right. If only we had been more present for Earth… If only we had…”

Rebal, too, gazed towards the heavens, grappling with conflicting feelings as he watched Mortriage and his companions laughing and expending their energy alongside the vibrant Earth.

It was Mortriage’s group who… no…

“Hehehe, is this what youth is all about? But Earth and the others seemed to be having such a marvelous time back then~”

“Amae ran with Older brother, too!”

“Yeah, that’s right~. It's become quite the local spectacle, seeing you guys sprinting through town, you know~”

“I recall it vividly too. They managed to blend in perfectly within two months.”

“Indeed, Little Man, and Mortriage’s contingent... were on the run, weren’t they?”

“Hahaha, it’s embarrassing, but we’re still running now too!”

“Ora! I can run even more now!”

“I’ve gained a bit more stamina……”

“I’ve shed a little weight!”

In truth, this Cacretale felt like a more fitting home for Earth than his native Empire.

And in a way, that assessment holds merit.

〔Ufufufu, this momentous day has finally arrived, Earth.〕

〔Indeed it has.〕

〔To maintain impartiality, I cannot exclusively root for Earth, but I shall be observing you keenly! So, please, show me, won’t you?〕

The tournament that Earth had ardently pursued.

Under ordinary circumstances, those privy to the wider world might have disparaged it as merely a “provincial tournament for well-confined frogs.” However, such a characterization would be entirely inaccurate.

“And so, this is it… Earth… He radiates confidence, much like during our bout in the Imperial Tournament…”

“Yes. And it’s different from that instance. I’ve already learned the outcome, but… he battled through this entire tournament… unlike in the Imperial Tournament.”

Presently, the outcome of the tournament commands everyone’s rapt attention, and even those who have already witnessed the events revisit them with palpable excitement, their countenances alight with anticipation.

“Um…… still…….”

“Ufufu, yet even so, Little Man, in these intervening days…”

Further amplifying the situation, Phianse and Sadiz……

〔So, that’s the prodigy, José? Earth, what are your thoughts?〕

〔He is utterly detestable!!〕

〔…… No, that wasn’t my intention… Or rather, your voice carries a considerable volume.〕

〔Hey, you! I most certainly can hear you!〕

〔Yes. Precisely for your benefit. A congregation of insufferable, mass-produced voids!〕

〔What!?〕

Confronting José — whom he had actively sought to evade until this very moment — and his retinue of female admirers……

〔You! What precisely did you utter… regarding those I hold dear?〕

〔Did you not comprehend my words? Then, allow me to reiterate —〕

〔Silence――――〕

〔You be silent!!〕

〔Eh!?〕

〔My apologies, but I have no intention of remaining silent today. Furthermore, I shall not yield; retreat is not an option.〕

He did not cede even an inch of ground.

〔Therefore, if you desire my silence… then silence me yourself. Within the confines of this tournament!〕

〔Ah … d … good heavens. Are you unaware that the weakest curs bark the loudest?〕

〔Kuhahahahaha, are you intellectually deficient? My companion. This is the human realm. Why do you invoke comparisons to the canine world?〕

He utterly dominated the exchange, radiating an unshakeable conviction that defeat was an impossibility.

“Th, this Earth… how… how incredibly cool……”

“Ugh~, I truly lament the loss of my memory back then… Ooohh, Little Man, you are soooo alluring!!!”

Phianse and Sadiz found themselves utterly enthralled by Earth……

〔And now, I shall commence this grand competition featuring 16 formidable individuals who shall determine the zenith of martial prowess within this nation! Pray, witness its entirety!〕

No…… it wasn’t solely the two of them……

“Ufufufu! Mmm, Earth is simply magnificent! Are you all watching? That is Earth, the man of my admiration! He exudes such coolness! But that’s merely the surface! Earth is exponentially, immeasurably, sooooooooooo much cooler!”

Kron, puffing out her chest with pride and emitting a “Mufufu~” whilst at the construction site.

“True, he undoubtedly is a fellow who applies himself with relentless effort……”

“Oh, he’s impudent, but he certainly possesses courage……”

“I had presumed, given he’s the individual Krony fancies, that he’d be a slender, prince-like heartthrob, but it transpires he’s a rather rugged and combative sort.”

The laborers present had all been intrigued to glimpse the man who had captured Kron’s affection, a woman who had become quite popular amongst them. However, he surpassed their expectations, leaving no room for complaint.

“Well, damn it all, that fellow… so that was the nature of his training, Master?”

“Indeed… upon reflection… a surfeit of unanswered questions pertained to the young man…”

〔Will the abrupt arrival of this celestial body signify an ill omen or herald hope for the future? All the metrics he achieved at the dojo rank among the highest! An unknown prodigy who even engaged in a sparring session with the formidable Machio! Now is the opportune moment to reveal your true capabilities! The ‘Supernova’, Earth Lagann!〕

And not only Kron……

“Big Brother, you are incredibly cool, truly remarkable! Ah~~~, seriously! I was contemplating confronting that José individual for mocking Big Brother while he was depleted, but ugh, perhaps it’s for the best!”

“This is a recorded broadcast, thus we can rewatch it repeatedly later, correct? I wish to relive Brother’s saga as many times as possible. I shall need to negotiate with Paripi subsequently.”

“…… My dearest…… ah, to orchestrate all this behind my back… To what extent further will you compel me to fall for you before you are appeased?”

“Hah~…… Esteemed Earth…… you exhibit a valor far surpassing mortal comprehension~”

“Whooooa~~~, my son-in-law is absolutely breathtaking~~~! Go, go, my brilliant son-in-law~!”

“Hehehe, those are certainly confident pronouncements…… Nevertheless…… My Lord…… that particular matter concerning his replenishment of magic power…”

“Hmm…… there can be no doubt. Or rather, even Norja experienced a sense of shock upon her initial observation of that event… Well, that is of secondary concern. For the present, let us see this unfolding spectacle to its conclusion.”

Every inhabitant of the Elf Settlement was reveling in the spectacle.

Well, perhaps not every single one……

〔I truly do not wish to draw attention.〕

〔In that case, this shall conclude swiftly.〕

The greatly anticipated confrontation between Earth and José is slated to commence during the initial round.

Not only the Elf Settlement but the entire world is now holding its breath, impatiently awaiting the match's start……

“Please… stop already……”

『……tsk, brave child… regain your composure…』

“Right now, it is I who wishes to fade into obscurity more than anyone…”

Overwhelmed by a profound sense of shame, Earth found himself curled up in a secluded corner of the settlement.

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