Chapter – 54
Chapter 12: Major Update
I decided to temporarily forget about Holy Power, which had become difficult to level up. I still had another task left.
Since I had awakened my Holy Power, the next step was Aura. I resumed leveling the Aura advancement requirements that I had practically put on hold.
The conditions to awaken Aura were to raise both Body Reinforcement and Weapon Mastery above level 50.
My Body Reinforcement had already met the requirement long ago, so I only needed to raise my Swordsmanship, which was level 49.
After about two months of training, I finally filled the required experience.
And so, in early spring, I became capable of manifesting Aura.
Flutter.
My sword stretched horizontally. The chilling white light clinging to the blade caused cherry blossom petals to crumble into dust the moment they touched it.
I stared blankly at the sight for a long time.
<Congratulations on becoming a Sword Master.>
“Thank you, Agnes.”
<How does it feel?>
“Honestly… it feels more touching than Holy Power. This really feels like something I earned through my own hard work.”
If I calculated the distance I had run in the ironman obstacle training grounds, I could probably circle the continent ten times.
I had lost count of how many times my palms tore open from swinging swords and whips, and how many nights I couldn’t sleep because of muscle pain.
There were many times I wanted to quit.
Many times a day I thought maybe awakening Holy Power alone would be enough.
Even so, there was something that pushed me to keep going.
And that was…
“Honestly, it’s all thanks to you being my instructor, Agnes.”
<Of course. The Holy Church’s number one hell instructor isn’t scary for nothing.>
Agnes puffed up proudly with her hands on her hips. I shook my head with a smile.
“That’s not what I meant.”
<Then what?>
“When you first showed me seven floating Aura Blades… it was seriously cool. If you hadn’t shown me that, I might have quit.”
<It left that much of an impression?>
“It was amazing. You’re my role model, Agnes.”
I was only an Aura beginner who had just taken the first step. But someday, I would definitely reach the same level as her—an Aura Master.
Agnes cleared her throat awkwardly, as if embarrassed.
<This is just the beginning. Train harder while thinking about the day we fight as equals without ranks.>
“I’ll work hard. But you know what, Agnes?”
<What?>
“You’re Hero rank and I’m Legend rank, right? Since I’m technically higher, let’s fight without removing rank insignias.”
<Oh please, you little…>
We looked at each other and laughed silently.
Agnes suddenly said:
<By the way, now that you’ve awakened Aura, your god isn’t congratulating you today? That heretical one you serve…>
“Not heretical. The ‘Word that Builds the World.’”
<Ahem.>
Religion was a sensitive topic. Agnes and I almost became enemies mid-conversation.
At that moment, as if aware we were talking about him, the Word appeared.
[The ‘Word that Builds the World’ runs over hurriedly while waving a sign reading
★(Congrats) Sword Master (Congrats)★]
Even though preparations for the major update were in their final stages, he still made time to congratulate me.
Thank you, Word.
[The ‘Word that Builds the World’ says the other gods are busy working, so he is congratulating you as their representative and asks you not to feel disappointed.]
Of course. Please pass along my thanks to the other gods of the Possession Management Bureau too.
Then Agnes said:
<Now we have a problem. Both your Holy Power and Aura have reached the stage where you need real combat training. But Count Baek’s estate isn’t suitable for that.>
“That’s true. Like I said before, I can’t freely leave the estate.”
I could leave by receiving quests from the Word, but even that only lasted about a week.
My movement restrictions would only be lifted when the original story began—spring of the year I turned twenty.
That was still far away.
<Your god is way too overprotective. Not letting you go outside because it’s dangerous.>
“Overprotective… hmm. That’s actually a nice way to put it.”
<You’re actually pleased? Anyway, that means dungeon training is impossible.>
“Right.”
At this rate, even with the blessing of rapid growth, I would eventually hit a wall and stop progressing.
It was a troubling situation.
[The ‘Word that Builds the World’ says there is absolutely nothing to worry about.]
“What?”
<What is it, Ailet?>
“My god just gave a revelation saying we don’t need to worry.”
<Really?>
[The ‘Word that Builds the World’ winks and tells you to look forward to the major update coming in two weeks.]
Oh?
So the Possession Management Bureau had everything planned.
What kind of update could it be?
The Word said it was confidential and disappeared to rush the development gods.
After I finished seeing him off, another message appeared.
[The ‘Architect of the Tower of Trials’ looks at you with exhausted eyes from overtime work.]
I could roughly guess why.
I clenched both fists and cheered him on.
“Fighting!”
✠
During the two weeks waiting for the system update, quite a lot changed.
Spring is the season when everything sprouts. It’s also a good time for people to begin new chapters.
The Knight Academy located in the capital of the Winchester Kingdom was essentially the official certification institution for knights of the Serentra Continent.
Knight aspirants across the continent dreamed of entering it to receive knighthood.
With the arrival of spring, the academy entrance exams were publicly announced.
Prince received a recommendation letter from Baron Carmel and headed to the capital, Wilhelm.
“I’ll be back, Ai. Stay healthy. Mom, Dad, take care too.”
Prince, now a mature young man, said his farewells.
It sounded like he was going on a short trip, but in reality, if he passed the exam, he would immediately enroll and move into the dormitories.
And there was virtually zero chance he would fail.
“I’ll send potions and elixirs every month, so make sure you take them. I’ll write often too.”
“Yes, yes. You’re the best. If anyone bothers you while I’m gone, remember their name.”
“You too. If any nobles bully you at the academy, write their names in your letters.”
Seeing off my brother whom I wouldn’t see often made me feel a little down.
Prince gently patted my head to comfort me.
Meanwhile, he had a companion going to the same destination.
“Hey Prince! Hurry up! I’m leaving you behind!”
“Just a moment, young master. Let me finish saying goodbye.”
A dark blue-black haired boy complained irritably.
It was Romdio Gillette—the notorious troublemaker heir of the Count’s family.
Romdio had also decided to enter the academy.
Thanks to the massive donation from the Gillette family, he received admission without taking the exam.
This was different from the original story, where he bought a title from a marquis.
Choosing the academy instead suggested some change—maybe Prince influenced him.
Graduation was unlikely, but hopefully he’d at least learn some knightly manners.
“I said hurry up!”
Unable to resist Romdio’s nagging, Prince finished his final hugs and said goodbye.
They crushed a teleportation stone and vanished.
After even the last traces of light disappeared, my mother glanced at me.
“Ai, don’t you want to enroll too?”
This was the thirteenth time she asked.
Ever since she learned I awakened Aura, she seemed reluctant to waste my sword talent.
“I’ll train here in a different way.”
“Alright. If you change your mind, tell me. I’ll even use your grandfather’s influence to get you in.”
“Thank you. That alone means a lot.”
Two days after Prince left, another farewell came before we could adjust.
“Ai, I have something to tell you.”
“Via?”
“I’ll be staying in the capital for a while.”
“Ah, the social season is starting? But you’re only thirteen. Isn’t it early for a debutante ball?”
“Yes. That’s just the surface reason. I’m actually going to observe the central political scene.”
“Ah.”
In the original story, the Winchester royal family would soon become unstable due to succession disputes.
The nobles were starting to move.
The Gillette family had stayed away from central politics, but with ambitious Bianca as heir, that would change.
This fragile-looking noble girl would soon fight her own fierce war.
Bianca smiled faintly.
“I leave the day after tomorrow. And depending on palace circumstances, I might stay a long time.”
“Ah…”
“A long time” probably meant years.
Unlike my brother’s departure, which I had mentally prepared for, this felt sudden.
I hid my sense of loss and gave advice.
“Be careful of the First Prince. His public image and real personality are very different. The Third Prince has a brother complex, so don’t provoke him. And the First Princess also has a different inside than outside.”
“I’ll remember that.”
[The ‘Inspector of Heavenly Secrets’ widens his eyes.]
Ah… this much should be okay, right?
Because of surveillance, I couldn’t say more.
Instead, I searched my bag.
“And this… I was going to give it to you on your birthday, but take it now.”
“A hair ornament?”
“Yes.”
It was a red corsage hairpin shaped like a camellia, decorated with jewels.
“It’s pretty.”
Of course, it wasn’t just decorative.
I bought it from the cash shop at considerable cost.
It was described as ‘an accessory favored by a legendary femme fatale.’
It increased charm when worn.
“It’ll be useful in high society. Make lots of friends.”
“I only need you.”
[The ‘Eye that Watches All Chaos’ is moved.]
[The ‘Word that Builds the World’ drags the Eye away asking why QA isn’t being done.]
“That won’t do. You need many friends.”
“…Okay.”
“And introduce them to me later.”
“I’ll try.”
And so Bianca also left for the capital.
Just when I desperately needed something to focus on to forget the empty spaces left by my brother and best friend…
As always, the Possession Support System had perfect timing.
