“Thank you for your hard work, Master.”
As I returned to the mansion, the servants came out to greet me.
Nodding my head, I took off my coat for them to take, and they hurriedly grabbed it with both hands.
“Would you like to have dinner prepared, considering the time?”
“No, I’ll pass on dinner.”
“Oh? Ah… understood.”
Strangely, even though I hadn’t eaten dinner, I wasn’t particularly hungry. I didn’t even feel tired.
Perhaps, it was due to ‘Julian’s’ well-trained body being beyond ordinary.
It was a world of difference compared to when I was just an average man in South Korea.
I immediately headed to my office.
I had no desire to eat or sleep, but there were many things on my mind.
Firstly, about ‘the actions shown by the Elders’ Council today’.
“I knew they sent Brother Herald brother to watch me…”
I loosened the sword at my waist and placed it on the table.
The sound of metal touching quietly resonated.
“I never imagined the Elders’ Council would have influence over the entrance test as well… Damn it!”
I hit my mouth with my hand for speaking to myself in formal language.
I should have gotten used to this damn formal speech, but it still doesn’t come naturally.
At least my inner thoughts should be able to be casual.
“Sigh…”
I took a deep breath and resumed my thoughts.
I was well aware that the Crypart family, which had taken over the Elders’ Council, was trying to get rid of me.
Julian’s previous actions were enough to frown upon by the family.
But to reveal their intentions so quickly was unexpected.
As I’ve said many times, being expelled from the family now would be disastrous.
The moment a crack appears in ‘Julian’s fortress’, I would be placed in an unbearable situation.
‘That cannot happen.’
Especially with so many eyes on me.
Including ‘Aileen de Donascien’ I saw today, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that there are countless within the empire who harbor resentment towards Julian.
‘I wish I could resolve this immediately.’
Honestly, the situation isn’t great to even think about dealing with the Crypart family’s issues. I wanted to postpone it and plan for it later.
But if something like today happens again…
Would I be able to handle it as smoothly as now?
‘At least, it would be wise to make some adjustments to the entrance test conditions.’
Being affiliated with ‘the Closed Eyes’, I’ll likely play the role of an entrance test instructor a few more times.
It seemed prudent to take measures for this at least.
It would be troublesome if such an incident happened again.
“I’ll have to talk about this while reporting tomorrow’s test results.”
Having organized my thoughts, I looked at the sheathed sword on the table.
The very item that forms the backbone of the character ‘Julian’.
His pride and arrogance stem from his swordsmanship skills.
Because he has faith in his own strength, he can overpower anyone, anywhere.
That’s why, even with so many enemies, he remains unscathed.
“I must have that power too.”
The powerful force to suppress others.
I grasped the hilt of the sword.
The hardness and coolness of the metal transmitted through the leather grip, increasing the grip sensation.
Although I held a sword during the entrance test, it was merely a device to intimidate the applicants. It was literally a tool for performance.
“I didn’t even draw the sword then…”
So, this was the first time I was drawing it.
A strange tension made me slowly exert force.
Swish
The sound of metal scraping against metal was heard as the blade revealed itself.
The sight of the sword, gleaming softly under the moonlight, was truly bewitching. It seemed to plead to be wielded.
It’s a tool for taking lives, yet such a feeling arises.
Somehow my heart felt cold, but at the same time…
“It’s beautiful.”
The blade, softly reflecting the moonlight, was truly beautiful.
Moreover, for some reason, I could see the way to wield the sword in my eyes.
A path of the sword, perhaps? Something like that.
“This must be why.”
I roughly knew the reason.
It must be due to a trait that Julian possesses.
► Trait, “Natural Swordsman”
Grade: Unique
► You have been comfortable with swords since birth. You were born to walk the path of the sword.
► You can handle anything in the form of a ‘sword’, regardless of its type.
This is a unique trait of named swordsman characters appearing in “Let’s Kill the Demon King”.
Characters with this trait stand out in swordsmanship from a young age.
Naturally, Julian, who caught the eye of Sword Saint Hayden Reich, also possessed the “Natural Swordsman” trait.
“But”
Whoosh!
Following the visible path of the sword, I swung it, and a cool sound echoed through the night air.
“This is not enough.”
Julian’s swordsmanship skills were excellent, but this level was abundant in the empire.
Just thinking of named characters, including Sword Saint Hayden Reich, there were dozens.
And considering supporting characters, the number could reach hundreds.
Yet, the reason this guy with pathological thinking survived was because he had outstanding strengths that most characters couldn’t match.
Namely, an eye sharp enough to see through emotions and an overwhelming understanding of ‘aura’.
“To handle aura, an understanding of mana is necessary.”
With that thought, I stood still and began to focus on the ‘mana’ existing in my heart.
Now, I am in Julian’s body.
Even if I don’t remember, everything he achieved must be stored in this body.
Reviving it should make handling aura not a difficult task.
It started with such simple thinking, but the result came quicker than expected.
To put it simply, I could feel ‘mana’.
I never imagined I could feel ‘mana’, known only through settings, this easily, but perhaps this is a talent ‘Julian’ possesses.
“To feel mana this easily. Then, could that also be possible?”
With that thought, greed arose.
“If I can feel ‘mana’ this easily, wouldn’t I also be able to use Julian’s special skill with ease?”
Julian’s specialty, the Moonlight Sword.
Normally, when aura is wrapped around a weapon, only the edge emits a faint light.
However, Julian’s aura was different.
Not just the edge, but the entire blade gleamed with a bluish light.
People, filled with respect and fear, called it the ‘Moonlight Sword’.
Because it looked as if it had absorbed the moonlight.
“It wouldn’t hurt to try.”
After all, it’s one of the weapons that ‘Julian’ should possess.
Then, it’s necessary to check.
I need to gauge what’s possible so I can prepare accordingly.
“Sooner or later, I have to prove it anyway.”
I closed my eyes and focused again on the heart where mana was concentrated.
Knowing the setting of “Let’s Kill the Demon King”, I naturally understood how to use ‘aura’.
The mana stored in the heart should be transported to the ‘mana vessels’ within the body.
Of course, it sounds easy when explained.
But failing to properly complete this series of processes could result in becoming a vegetable.
If mana doesn’t flow into the mana vessels and instead backflows, it could damage the brain and other vital organs.
Truly a high-risk, high-return situation.
Thus, careful progress is needed.
There are a total of 38 mana vessels in the body.
Six ‘major vessels’ like giant rivers. And 32 ‘minor vessels’ like small streams.
Among these, the ‘major vessels’ in the heart and head called ‘open gate’ and ‘connecting gate’ must be activated to use ‘aura’.
“I know the setting inside out…”
I understand the theory well.
But knowing something in theory and applying it in reality are two different things.
Especially since activating ‘mana vessels’ involves a significant risk.
That’s why I suddenly became afraid.
I feared ending up with a dreadful end, like those who failed to activate their aura.
But…
“My body is telling me.”
Julian’s body was whispering to me the sense of ‘aura’.
Thanks to that, a sort of link was formed between me and this body.
The head for ‘theory’.
The body for ‘practice’.
It was already complete before even attempting.
There was no need to be scared.
I took a breath and then sent mana to the ‘open gate’ and ‘connecting gate’ major vessels.
The strange sensation of mana flowing was unfamiliar at first but soon became natural.
Soon, an unknown power began to surge throughout my body.
‘Mana-induced physical enhancement.’
This is also a part of ‘aura’.
Yet, Julian’s body didn’t stop there.
His trademark weapon, which could well be called his specialty, the ‘Moonlight Sword,’ had yet to reveal itself.
“Focus.”
With my eyes closed again, I gripped the sword with both hands and began to gather my senses.
“Ugh….”
Unlike when focusing on the ‘mana vessels’, focusing on the ‘sword’ seemed to cause a reaction of rejection from the mana. This makes sense since the ‘mana vessels’ are part of my body, but the sword is neither a part of my flesh nor an organic material.
Transferring mana to a different medium was a task that involved more resistance than expected. Yet, it’s done so effortlessly, which is probably why they’re called monsters, powerhouses, and so on.
After a moment of burning pain sweeping through my body, calmness returned as if nothing had happened.
Had it finally stabilized?
I slowly opened my eyes.
“Moonlight Sword.” ⇒ You have acquired a new trait,
[Moonlight Sword: Incomplete].
The first thing that caught my eye was the blade’s pure blue light. The expression ‘imbibed with moonlight’ wasn’t an exaggeration; it showed an overwhelming presence. It was undoubtedly Julian’s Moonlight Sword, the epitome of sharpness that had decapitated countless demons and a secret technique that could be said to define Julian’s identity.
Compared to my worries, the implementation was a success. However, there was one problem…
“Is it a crescent moon?”
The area transformed into the ‘Moonlight Sword’ was incredibly small. It was as if the brightness resembled a thin crescent moon rather than a full moon.
“Haha, well…”
Still, I was somewhat satisfied. Even though it didn’t match the real ‘Moonlight Sword’, I had proven it could be used.
Moreover, it’s only day one. Expecting to perfectly handle it from the beginning is arrogance.
“There’s still much to improve… much to, to! This damned mouth… How long will you keep messing up!?”
Unable to hold back, I smacked my lips with the palm of my hand. It seems this damn mouth also has a lot to improve.
Cliche Novel 
Haha
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