The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 622- Royal Class, Sacred Tier- Gorgon Snake

Delicia blinked upon noticing it. The wooden sword in her grasp, which had endured countless exchanges that day, bore damage clearly exceeding what it should have sustained. Vangeance ran a hand through his hair, gesturing as if to illustrate a disparity. "Your physique, your raw power, your stats… they far surpass what your current level might suggest. Yet, your swordplay is designed around fluid, graceful movements. Your techniques emphasize elegance and efficiency for swift damage." He then glanced at his own battered training sword and remarked, "When our blades met earlier, the force that propelled me back wasn't technique; it was your sheer strength." Delicia listened intently, wordlessly. "With power like that, you ought to be fighting in a manner that fully leverages it." For a fleeting instant, an image formed in Vangeance's mind: Delicia wielding a substantial weapon – a broadsword, an axe, or perhaps even a war hammer. He knew that if someone possessed of her might employed such an instrument, the ensuing destruction would be fearsome. Naturally, he refrained from explicitly suggesting a weapon change, deeming it impolite. Instead, he spoke from his own experience, describing the sensation of her attacks against him. "Regardless, as I said, take it with a grain of salt. I could very well be mistaken." With that, Vangeance exited the ring, leaving Delicia to her thoughts. She gazed down at the cracked wooden sword in her hand, then at his departing figure. His words, delivered casually, almost in passing, resonated deeply within her. To be perfectly honest, she herself had harbored a similar sentiment for some time. Since her recovery and return to combat, that peculiar feeling had intensified, particularly after reaching Level 6. Her body had become significantly stronger. Yet, in battle, it often felt as though she couldn't fully unleash her capabilities, as if she were unconsciously holding back. Her movements sometimes felt… slightly misaligned. Despite this sensation, the thought of changing her weapon had never truly crossed her mind, primarily for two reasons. Firstly, she possessed genuine aptitude for swordsmanship. Secondly, she had wielded a sword since her time with the Silver Shields; the blade had become an intrinsic part of her being. However, now, having heard Vangeance articulate the very thoughts that had been swirling in her mind, Delicia found herself actively re-evaluating her choice. That being said, if the objective was to better utilize her formidable strength, abandoning the sword entirely wasn't necessarily the only path. Different types of swords existed. Take the claymore, for instance – a colossal, two-handed blade that relied on brute force over finesse, it might align far better with her power. Speaking of heavier armaments, another type materialized in her thoughts: a hammer. The immense weapon, currently resting in a small crater on the training grounds, had once beckoned to her. At that time, unable to comprehend its unspoken call, she had been deemed unworthy to wield it. But what about now? Delicia's gaze inadvertently drifted towards the far end of the field, where that weapon lay dormant. Could I lift it now...? Just as this thought solidified, Reinhardt's composed voice echoed across the training area, drawing her back from her contemplation. "Attention, everyone! Now that all are present, we shall proceed to the next phase of our training. I am certain you have all grown and acquired valuable knowledge from our recent expedition. The time has come to apply all that effort into practice." He surveyed the assembled knights. "Three months… It has been well over three months since you commenced your study of the [Divine Beast Summoning]. How has your progress been?" A few knights exchanged glances; some appeared confident, while others wore expressions of concern. Reinhardt offered a slight nod, their countenances conveying all the information he required. "The [Divine Beast Summoning] skill is no ordinary ability. It represents a sacred contract between oneself and a beast. Consequently, numerous complications can arise." He began to walk slowly amongst them. "For instance, you might have mastered the two foundational skills for summoning, yet struggle to execute the actual summoning technique. Or perhaps you find yourselves utterly incapable of establishing a connection with your Divine Beast." As he spoke, his gaze shifted subtly towards Silvia. "There are also instances where a Divine Beast adamantly refuses to heed its master's command. I am certain some among you have encountered such an issue, causing your progress to stagnate. However, do not be discouraged. Encountering obstacles is a natural part of growth. Today, I shall offer assistance to some of you." He motioned for Silvia to step forward and proceeded to elucidate the specific challenge she was facing with [Divine Beast Summoning] before the assembled group. "Silvia's situation serves as an excellent illustration. The fact that her Divine Beast is no longer responding to her summons indicates a singular cause: the beast possesses the fortitude to reject her call." All present, save for Vangeance, regarded Silvia with astonishment.

The successful summoning of the beast once before indicated that its core principle had been mastered. Hearing that even she encountered an obstacle immediately captured everyone's attention. The naturally gifted individuals like Zerina, Gwen, Bob, and the others felt a sudden pressing need to improve.

Reinhardt continued his explanation. "The reason for this occurrence is quite straightforward: the beast does not yet recognize Silvia as its master."

Silvia listened with outward calm, though a slight sharpening of her gaze betrayed her inner thoughts.

"There are two ways to resolve this. The first, and safest, method is to simply wait. The beast cannot refuse your summons indefinitely; eventually, it will be compelled to respond. However, this approach doesn't always guarantee success."

"And the second method?" Silvia inquired.

As a knight of exceptional talent, she took great pride in her achievements. From birth, she had effortlessly succeeded at tasks that stymied her peers on their initial attempts.

Even with the [Divine Beast Summoning] skill, she had surpassed everyone else. She was determined not to let a single obstacle halt her progress.

Reinhardt met her gaze directly and revealed the alternative solution. "The other method is more direct and considerably more dangerous. However, if successful, it ensures a result. That method is... to defeat the beast and forcibly establish the contract."

Defeat a Divine Beast?

Everyone present stared at Reinhardt, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and profound awe.

Indifferent to their reactions, he knelt and began sketching on the ground with a small twig. Soon, an intricate formation, adorned with circles and runes, materialized beneath his feet.

It was the Affinity Resonance Array, the very same formation he had previously displayed when identifying the Divine Beasts each of them possessed an affinity with.

This time, however, he did not activate it himself. Instead, he beckoned Silvia to step into its boundaries.

"You recall how to activate it from last time, correct?"

"Yes, by performing Soul Synchronization and resonating with the surrounding mana."

"Precisely. But today, we are not summoning an illusion. We are calling forth the actual entity. To forcibly summon a beast, a catalyst is required."

With that, Reinhardt rummaged through the large bag Silvia had brought, retrieving a single, iridescent scale.

"This will suffice. It's a scale from the Earth Tycoon you vanquished. As a serpentine creature, it shares a distant lineage with the Gorgon Snake."

Reinhardt presented the scale to Silvia. "Use this... and compel the summon."

Silvia nodded, her face set with unwavering determination. She commenced the preparations for the ritual as Reinhardt instructed the others to step back, clearing the area.

He also directed the Holy Knights to erect protective barriers, ensuring that no matter the outcome, the situation would remain contained.

As someone capable of summoning beasts from every tier, Reinhardt possessed precise knowledge of the formidable power of the Gorgon Snake. It belonged to the Sacred Tier, and within the pantheon of serpentine beasts, it was regarded as a legendary existence: ancient, immensely powerful, and notoriously proud.

A forceful summoning of such an entity would undoubtedly incite its fury.

Following his instructions, Silvia activated the Affinity Resonance Array.

Mana surged and flowed downwards into the formation. The scale clutched in her hand began to emit a soft glow.

Her soul resonated with the array, and moments later, the runes blazed with light.

A dense white mist erupted outwards, instantly engulfing the entire training ground.

The scale within Silvia's grasp disintegrated into minuscule motes of mana, which then vanished into the spreading mist.

The fog intensified its spread, reducing visibility to near zero. The knights could scarcely discern vague shapes in their surroundings.

The mist also seemed to assail their senses, threatening to induce confusion and disorientation.

While the higher-ranking knights could somewhat withstand its effects, the squires and new recruits were far less fortunate.

Upon Reinhardt's order, they were directed to retreat to the periphery of the training ground.

Within the confines of the mist, precisely where the array was situated, a colossal form began to materialize.

A lengthy, sinuous shadow emerged from the enveloping fog.

Peering through the swirling white veil, a massive, pale pink scaled body faintly became visible. Its form, adorned with shimmering, light-pink scales, extended far beyond the boundaries of the summoning circle.