Normally, someone with less Star Essence and less skill in manipulation couldn’t enhance their body properly. If the essence amount was low, the enhancement would be weak. But using too much essence for enhancement would cause the body to break down rapidly.
Even if you can get a momentary enhancement, your body will be damaged if you operate it incorrectly. That is why star magic is so profound and difficult to use.
No normal person would want to get injured. They want to fight safely with their whole body strengthened by the beautiful and stable manipulation of star magic.
But Fei’s approach was different.
If it’s messy, don’t try to make it clean. Instead, make it even messier.
He concentrated all his Star magic Essence into his leg, causing severe damage but achieving a new level of speed and power.
Now, he focused it into his right arm. Blood spurted from his veins, his bones creaked and cracked, and pain surged through him.
(Who cares about injuries. This is my full power. Take this!)
Fei laughed ferociously. It was too late for Kakukaku, who now recalled his past like a flash before his eyes.
(Brother… I…)
Fei’s punch landed in Kakukaku’s solar plexus.
(Was I wrong? Is chasing potential this strong? I underestimated him as weak, but…)
(Brother wasn’t weak. He was my proud brother.)
“—”
Fei twisted his arm slightly as he struck. Kakukaku flew several meters, slamming into the outer wall and losing consciousness. Though defeated, he seemed to smile in satisfaction.
“Ha… ha…”
Fei was breathing heavily, staggering like a zombie as he dragged his useless leg toward Kakukaku, thinking the fight wasn’t over.
His body, beyond its limits, moved on sheer willpower.
The other Holy Knights couldn’t bear to watch such a painful sight. Someone gently embraced Fei.
“It’s over… Fei won… you can rest now.”
“—Is that so.”
Arthur held the battered Fei. Fei fell into a deep sleep.
“He won…”
Someone murmured. Everyone doubted their eyes. Fei had won despite his severe injuries. Kamase, astonished, asked Ese. Ese, with a thoughtful expression, analyzed and prepared to explain.
“Fei, how did he land that final blow… I don’t quite understand.”
“Probably simple. When the dust rose, as his first trick, he threw the scarf-wrapped sword to create a large decoy. Without that, he couldn’t have reached his target even with his new enhancement. Fei must have thought so. He combined the scarf trick with his forcibly enhanced leg, making a big move.”
“If Kakukaku hadn’t used such powerful magic to raise the dust…”
“Yeah, it wouldn’t have worked. But that Holy Knight seemed more interested in making him give up by repeatedly pushing him against the same wall, so the dust probably would have risen anyway.”
“I see.”
“Fei’s forced enhancements to his leg and arm worked against a stronger opponent. But no one would want to imitate it.”
Ese was fully into his role as an analyst. Recalling Fei’s powerful right arm punch, he thought of a name for it.
“Right, that punch… I’ll call it the Iron Arm Right Hand…”
“Fei Punch.”
“Huh?”
“It’s called the Fei Punch.”
“Oh, but—”
“Fei Punch.”
“Oh, okay.”
Arthur, carrying Fei on her back, said it firmly. Then, she ran towards the infirmary. Arthur’s words spread among the Holy Knights.
“Snake Sword and Fei Punch…!”
“Fei Punch, huh?”
“I see, the Fei Punch and Snake Sword.”
“Fei Punch… sounds interesting.”
“The Fei Punch is a double-edged sword.”
Seeing this, Kamase’s shoulders slumped. His confident technique name was quickly replaced by Arthur’s.
“Well… I prefer Crescent Moon and Iron Arm Right Hand.”
Ese patted Kamase’s shoulder gently.
—And so, time passed by a few hours.
“How are the new recruits?”
In the office, after all the training camp curriculums were finished, Battsu and Magnum were talking.
“Arthur and True are exceptional. They’re head and shoulders above the others.”
“Indeed. I also think Glen and Fubuki are quite good.”
“Yes, they certainly are.”
“How about Fei?”
“He’s no good.”
“But he defeated Kakukaku.”
“Kakukaku was careless. If he had used his true strength, it wouldn’t have been a contest.”
“Y-Yes, but still…”
“Anyway, I’ve sent a letter to the Round Table Castle to request the promotion of certain knights. Make sure it’s delivered.”
With that, he left the office. He was likely heading to a tavern in the city for his daily drink.
Batsubatsu couldn’t help but read the letter.
It detailed the promotion of several new holy knights. Some would rise by one rank, others by two, and a few by three or four.
Among them, Arthur and True stood out. They were to be promoted from rank twelve to seven.
Batsubatsu continued reading and suddenly stopped, chuckling.
— Recommendation to promote Holy Knight Fei from rank twelve to eight.
During training, he defeated the rank-four holy knight, Kakukaku, in a mock battle. Though Kakukaku wasn’t serious and was caught off guard, a victory is still a victory. Therefore, Fei’s rank should be increased by several levels.
The evaluation was made, and the next day…
“—Yes, this training camp has concluded successfully. Everyone here has broken through their shells and moved on to a new stage.”
On the sixth day, the training camp ended with a farewell speech. Batsubatsu addressed the holy knights, whose expressions had changed, with encouraging words.
“Well done. I look forward to your future endeavors.”
He then stepped back, and Magnum took the stage.
“You have a few days of leave. Rest well and don’t let fatigue build up. That’s all.”
Magnum said this plainly and turned his back, glancing at Fei, though no one noticed. Everyone expected Kakukaku to speak, but he was nowhere to be seen.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
Nothing more happened, and they left.
On the way back, they were in high spirits. They had leave, and they had accomplished something. They thought about having fun or spending a relaxed New Year. As they left the city, they saw a familiar face approaching from ahead.
It was Kakukaku. They tensed up again, but Kakukaku ignored them and stood before Fei.
“How’s your injury?”
“It’s fully healed.”
“I see… Can I ask you something?”
“Make it quick.”
“Sure. During that battle, what were you thinking?”
“I calculated that I’d win once in ten thousand times. Even the slightest mistake would have meant defeat.”
“Yeah, I figured. But you never gave up, did you?”
“I believed that the one time in ten thousand could be drawn at the crucial moment.”
“Really? That’s it?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“I see. That’s all…”
Kakukaku seemed to be looking at someone invisible. Time seemed to pause for a moment, but he quickly shook his head and handed Fei a paper bag.
“Here, take this. You look like you’ll die soon.”
“What’s this?”
“Wine and cheese. Enjoy them. They’re good quality, so you should have them before you die. Someone said these are the best to have before you go.”
“I see.”
“Yeah, that’s all. Do your best.”
Kakukaku only greeted Fei and then left. As the holy knights walked away, Kakukaku muttered softly.
“Maybe someone like you will survive after all.”
Kakukaku and Fei parted ways and started walking again. The parting words made Fei oddly happy.
With the training completely over, Fei and the others walked back. True watched Fei’s back. Glenn and Fubuki were beside him.
“He doesn’t seem tired from yesterday.”
“Apparently not!”
Fubuki and Glenn talked about Fei. True reminisced about the previous day.
Fei fought like a beast, yet it seemed like a strategic match of shogi.
After everything ended and Fei fainted, True felt a sense of defeat. A feeling of not being able to catch up.
“Not yet… I still need to reach higher.”
True’s words faded into the air.
Breaking News: I Finally Gained New Power
Breaking News: I Finally Gained New Power
Breaking News: I Finally Gained New Power
Breaking News: I Finally Gained New Power
Yes, I won. And I transcended my limits.
It hit me at the last moment. The answer was within me all along. I was trying to improve my awkward star manipulation. But I needed a change in perspective.
I avoided forced enhancements because of the risk of tearing my bones and flesh.
I thought there was no need to injure myself. But I was wrong. Avoiding risks isn’t what a protagonist does.
Walking a tightrope is just right.
Apparently, my arms and legs were badly broken, but it’s an equivalent exchange.
To gain something, you have to give up something. Equivalent exchange is fundamental.
Besides, a double-edged sword sounds cool, doesn’t it?
And Master Yururu’s scarf. Without it, I would have lost. Throwing the sword alone wouldn’t have caused much air disturbance. But with the scarf wrapped around it, the area increased, making it effective.
At first, I thought it was a handmade scarf given by a heroine, but it turned out to be a crucial item for victory.
Thanks to that, I defeated the rank-four holy knight. This isn’t just my victory. It’s due to Master Yururu’s teachings, foreshadowing, and essential item.
But in the end, it was me who attracted fate. I knew I could pull off the one in ten thousand at the critical moment. Only those who believe that can make fate smile.
I understood. The ability to twist fate, causality, and probability is a protagonist’s privilege.
Haha, I am the protagonist.
—During the training, True and Arthur were praised a lot, and I started to wonder… am I really the protagonist?
They outperformed me, making me doubt. I was a little worried. What’s that? I wondered if I’m supposed to play this kind of role. …….
Was I just a temporary protagonist in a pilot version?
But in the end, I attracted the outcome. I worked harder, got injured more, and grew the most. I am the protagonist.
Maybe I’ll share this expensive wine and cheese with Master Yururu and Maria…
“Hey, isn’t this cheese really high-end? Can I come over today?”
“No.”
The wine and cheese I received are very expensive. The wine costs two months of a holy knight’s salary, and the cheese one month. Plus, you can’t just buy them even if you want to. The reservations are full for over six months.
A rare and precious item. It’s perfect for me.
I appreciate getting something like this.
“Hey, you look kind of cool today!”
“…I don’t fall for flattery.”
“Really? Umm… Can I have some… please?”
Bowlan, you really want that cheese… Your character changed. You used to say, “I don’t recognize you at all!”
You had a bit of a thorn in your side, but then you went for it. You seem to be so blunt.
Lately, you are unrecognizable. You’ve become completely round. You look like a two-headed comic relief character now.
“Hey, Fei, your profile looks cool!”
“……”
“Fei, you should drink wine with someone like me.”
“……”
I’ll just ignore Bowlan and Arthur. When I get back, I’ll have wine and cheese with Master Yururu and Maria. I’ll rest during the break… Then it hit me. I get an “aha” moment.
Yes, let’s go to the Free City.
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Is Abyss a new term? Not daemon.
There was a long time between volume 2 and volume 3 translation that somehow I replaced Daemon with Abyss. And worse in Volume 4 I used Demon instead. Big Mistake Sorry!