Chapter 1084: Level 9 (2)

After concluding the matter with Nives Orosia, Lennok returned to the Fifth Tribulation’s estate with Olivera.

With the full details of the plan conveyed to the Fearsome Blood King, a brief window of leisure opened before participating in Maleon’s plan.

During this time, Lennok was summoning the Long-lived Beings learning Obaekro, questioning them one by one about the information he was curious about.

“You’re asking about the process of passing the Tribulation’s Trial?”

Kundara, the Outer Tribulation City. A large estate located inside the gateway of the Fifth Tribulation.

Near the pavilion where high-ranking Long-lived Beings gathered to learn Obaekro from Lennok.

The estate, transformed into an academy, was bustling with people who had come after hearing rumors.

Underneath the peach trees, several Obaekro boards were laid out, with various Long-lived Beings engrossed in their matches.

“To assist those who seek knowledge, I felt it necessary to understand the trials in detail.”

“I see. It’s not something that can be clearly expressed in a single phrase, but…”

Angron of the Fire Salamander clan, a boy in a red robe, rested his chin on his hand, a look of deep thought on his face.

“It’s a test of the understanding required to reach a higher stage, literally speaking.”

“Understanding?”

Angron nodded at Lennok’s question.

“Immediately after challenging a trial, tests begin for both body and mind. To give a simple example…”

“It’s a method where you physically confront a monster that appears as an opponent, while mentally solving a puzzle blocking the gateway.”

“…”

“Of course, that’s a simple example, and the forms of the tests are often much more varied than that. Sometimes two trials even appear combined into one.”

So, the Eighth Tribulation’s Trial tests the understanding appropriate for Level 8, in both mind and body.

If the challenger doesn’t possess excellent achievements in both aspects, it won’t be easy to pass.

Lennok nodded.

“If one must pass two trials simultaneously, in both body and mind, that certainly wouldn’t be easy.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

However, Angron instead wore a perplexed expression at Lennok’s words.

“To pass a trial, you only need to pass one of the tests administered to either the body or the mind. There’s no need to pass both.”

“…Is that so?”

“No matter how long we Long-lived Beings live, how could we possibly raise both body and mind to such a level simultaneously? Teacher, you do joke quite a bit.”

“…”

“What’s important in the Tribulation’s Trial isn’t passing both tests, but not failing both. Once you’ve accumulated enough achievement to pass one test, it’s about confirming that there are no critical flaws in the relatively weaker area.”

“Hmm, that’s…”

“Although the required standards are quite high, they’re consistent and rational, so it’s not bad. In fact, I think it strikes a proper balance in stimulating improvement, but…”

Angron, who had been muttering with a thoughtful expression, widened his eyes upon seeing Lennok staring at him with a strange look.

“Teacher. Is something the matter?”

“…No. It’s just that you seem surprisingly rational about such matters.”

Angron, the leader of the Fire Salamander clan, was in his true form a colossal salamander wreathed in flames.

He was short-tempered and hot-blooded, so impatient that he seemed to dislike the very act of thinking.

So when Lennok had called Angron to ask for an explanation, he hadn’t expected much, but surprisingly, a rather coherent answer had come back.

“Well, I’ve failed the Eighth Tribulation’s Trial for so long. Even if I didn’t want to, I couldn’t help but think about it for a long time, could I?”

Perhaps understanding Lennok’s meaning, the boy in red gave an awkward laugh.

“Even I, the leader of the Fire Salamander clan, have limited opportunities to challenge the trials. Since it’s not a frequent occurrence, I couldn’t help but ponder why I failed.”

“I see.”

“Yes. And that’s why I am even more grateful to you, Teacher.”

Angron’s eyes, gazing at Lennok, shone with intense respect.

“Your words about imbuing my spellcraft with a destructive nature potent enough to consume myself. Thanks to your advice, it feels as if my mind, blocked for decades, has finally opened. I have a strong intuition now that I am very close to overcoming the Eighth Tribulation.”

“…”

“Not only has my Obaekro skill greatly improved, but my spellcraft capacity has also risen significantly. You are more than just a master of a board game; you are a mentor in life, so how could I not express my gratitude?”

[That salamander fellow certainly understands a thing or two. He might even make a decent pet salamander for Master.]

Praise so flattering it made Davi, who was listening, feel proud, more so than Lennok himself.

But Angron’s words didn’t end there.

“Teacher, you are a sage more excellent than any being I know. The favors I have received from you these past few days are so immense that I could not repay them even if I added up all the time I have lived.”

Angron, kneeling on one knee with his hands clasped in respect, said in a solemn voice.

“I, Angron of the Fire Salamander clan, will rush to your side anytime you wish, even if you call me from outside Kundara.”

“…Huh?”

Lennok, who had been contemplating which Long-lived Being to summon next, lowered his gaze at Angron’s sudden remark.

“Why would you think I would summon you from outside Kundara?”

“Why, Teacher. Haven’t you recently purchased a Long-lived Being Summoning Contract from Olber’s Workshop?”

“…”

“If you sought a contract that could be used outside Kundara, you must surely be looking for a trustworthy individual to undertake a great task.”

Angron thumped his chest.

“Who else but I, Angron, your first disciple, could possibly fulfill that role? Please entrust it to me!!”

[Hee hee.]

Davi tilted her head from within Lennok’s embrace.

[It seems this salamander really wants to become Master’s pet, doesn’t it?]

“…”

Lennok, who had been silently pressing his forehead, spoke.

“I appreciate your sentiment, Angron, but that is not why I purchased the summoning contract.”

“Huh?”

“A summoned creature is nothing more than a tool to be mercilessly exploited at the will of its caster.”

Lennok stiffened his expression, feigning solemnity.

“How could I possibly use such a contract on a noble Long-lived Being like yourself, Angron? Please, withdraw your words.”

“Tea, Teacher…!!”

Angron, deeply moved, burst into tears.

“Understood. If that is your will, Teacher…!! Still, I am fine with it, so please call me anytime!!”

[Huh.]

Above Angron’s head, as he prostrated himself, moved by Lennok’s words, Davi tilted her head.

[Isn’t it just that he never intended to make that salamander a summoned creature in the first place?]

‘…’

Lennok neither denied it nor spoke, simply raising his gaze.

The summoning contract purchased from Olber’s Workshop was one that allowed a Long-lived Being to be summoned as a familiar, with mutual consent.

He had heard it was an item not easily acquired even in Kundara, as it was crafted from the sharpened talons of a swallow, the Azure Swallow [蒼燕], symbolizing promise and trust.

With one contract given to Olivera, Lennok now had one remaining in his possession.

Of course, Angron’s combat prowess wasn’t bad, but Lennok intended to choose more carefully where to use the contract.

‘Since I have the opportunity to command a powerful Long-lived Being as a familiar, I should use it for something precious.’

Lennok’s eyes gleamed sharply.

‘It has to be at least a Long-lived Being like Alohan, the Water God Dragon King. Otherwise, it might be better not to use the contract at all.’

[Would such a powerful Long-lived Being agree to a summoning contract?]

A summoning contract, if one were to dissect it, was akin to an agreement heavily biased in favor of the caster.

This was because it often required the summoned creature to respond to the caster’s call whenever desired, and frequently to endure harsh situations immediately after being summoned.

Even if spirit beasts living in the Spirit World accepted summoning contracts to maintain a connection with the material world, what reason would a Long-lived Being living in reality have to accept such a contract?

Of course, Lennok wasn’t entirely without a plan.

‘Couldn’t I just beat them until they’re on the verge of death and then stamp the contract?’

[…]

‘Nives was a special case, so she’s not a good reference. I’ll need to catch a suitable opponent soon and experiment…’

[It seems Master no longer intends to claim his notorious reputation is unjust, does he?]

“Ah, Teacher. Do you perhaps intend to pass the Tribulation’s Trial yourself?”

While Lennok pretended not to hear Davi’s comment, Angron rose from his seat and asked.

Though short-tempered and hot-blooded, Angron himself was not a dull or unintelligent Long-lived Being.

It seemed he sensed that Lennok’s inquiries and information gathering about the Tribulation’s Trial weren’t solely for the purpose of teaching Obaekro.

Quickly catching on to Lennok’s objective, Angron thumped his chest.

“If you wish, we will descend to wherever you are, Teacher, at any time. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with the trials.”

“I’ve had some related business recently, so there’s some information I need to know in advance.”

“There’s no need for you to go to such trouble, Teacher. Which Tribulation’s Trial do you intend to pass?”

Angron snorted roughly.

“I will badger the trial’s administrator until you pass either the Sixth Tribulation or the Seventh Tribulation. It’s preposterous to make you take a test, Teacher.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but–”

RUMBLE!!!

Just as Lennok was about to give a noncommittal answer and change the subject, the outside grew markedly noisy.

It wasn’t just a murmur; it was a tremor that caused the entire estate to shake and sway.

Angron, perhaps sensing it with his characteristic keen senses, instantly his expression sharpened.

The boy sprang to his feet, strode out of the pavilion, and shouted roughly.

“Which insolent wretch dares to cause such a ruckus when Teacher is present!!!”

“My apologies, Angron.”

A profound voice, echoing from outside the pavilion, erased Angron’s fury as if washing it away.

From beyond the peach blossom paradise, a silver dragon-kin walked, hands clasped behind his back.

Centered around him, hundreds of Long-lived Beings densely packed within the estate all simultaneously knelt.

An overwhelming sight: humans and beasts gathered from all over Kundara, bowing their heads around a single dragon-kin.

Angron, belatedly realizing who it was, stammered with a pale face.

“Lo, Lord Maleon….”

“I apologize if I have interrupted your valuable game.”

Passing by those bowing their heads to him, Maleon approached the pavilion and smiled faintly.

“I can wait until your game is finished. Do you need more time?”

“Ah, no… I was just conversing with Teacher for a moment.”

Angron, sweating profusely, slowly knelt.

Even Angron, who was almost arrogant towards other Long-lived Beings, obeyed Maleon without a word of complaint.

Lennok could tell at a glance just how immense the silver dragon-kin’s prestige was in this Outer Tribulation City.

A giant deer, hastily showing respect beside Angron, cautiously spoke.

“For what reason has the Silver Star come to the Fifth Tribulation…?”

“I have come to escort the Teacher.”

Maleon quietly looked down at them and asked.

“May I borrow your master for a short while?”

“The Teacher… you mean?”

“The Teacher is sought by the Lord of the Eighth Tribulation…?”

It seemed quite surprising that even Maleon, a member of the Elder Council, would come seeking Lennok’s counsel.

Hearing Maleon’s reply, Long-lived Beings everywhere couldn’t help but quietly whisper telepathic transmissions.

Whispers exchanged in the quiet stillness. Maleon, pretending not to hear such conversations, leisurely awaited a response.

Angron, sitting at the pavilion’s entrance, hesitated, unable to speak, then with difficulty, nodded.

“…It seems this is not a matter for me to decide. I will make way.”

“Thank you.”

Maleon smiled faintly.

“I was waiting for those words.”

“…”

As Angron, head bowed, stepped aside, Maleon entered the pavilion, and his gaze met Lennok’s.

With a thud, the door closed, and in an instant, only the two men remained inside the pavilion.

“I heard you only began your role as a teacher less than half a month ago.”

Maleon, looking around at the mountain of gifts and artifacts piled up everywhere in the pavilion, laughed.

“In that short time, you’re on your way to becoming one of Kundara’s wealthiest. You haven’t come to strip this city’s assets, have you?”

“Did you come to speak nonsense?”

“I only mean to say that earning the favor of Long-lived Beings who live for centuries is an exceedingly difficult task. The ancient ones are displeased not only by a lack of ability but also by flaws in etiquette and character.”

Maleon said leisurely.

“In a way, it could be seen as proof that you are a seeker whose character is equally perfected.”

“…”

“Indeed, only you can assist me in my Promotion Ritual from an equal standing.”

Maleon, with a serious expression, spoke to Lennok, who was seated inside the pavilion, head tilted.

“Therefore, from this moment on, I intend to commence the Ascension Plan immediately.”

The Promotion Ritual where a new ascendant would be born in Kundara.

Maleon had begun to make full preparations to become an Ascendant.