Chapter 801
“So…?”
Raon crouched down and gestured for Dorian to come closer with his finger.
“You mean you can predict where I’m going to attack?”
“Um, rather than predicting, it’s more like I can read the direction,” Dorian replied, sitting down across from him and smacking his lips briefly.
“Hearing that you can read my attacks makes me feel annoyed.”
Raon frowned deeply as he looked at Dorian.
“It’s not that I’m underestimating you, Raon! I swear!”
Dorian shook his head vigorously, insisting he could really see where the sword was coming from.
“Well, I saw it myself, so I can’t exactly deny it.”
Raon clicked his tongue as he examined Heavenly Drive.
‘That was a sword strike Dorian shouldn’t have been able to see with his current skill level.’
He had launched a series of strikes at a speed beyond Dorian’s perception, but the guy had blocked them all as if reading his thoughts.
They say coincidences don’t happen three times in a row—so it really did seem like his attacks were being read.
“So, how did you acquire this ability?”
“I-I don’t really know myself.”
Dorian shrugged, saying he was just as curious.
“I was just learning the principles of logistics from my master and meditating… I have no idea how this happened.”
He shook his head, emphasizing that he had never learned swordsmanship.
“Really?”
“Yes! If I hadn’t been training in my free time, my skills would have completely deteriorated!”
“…That doesn’t make sense.”
Raon exhaled sharply as he stared at Dorian’s innocent, blinking eyes.
– “That ability is called ‘Mind’s Eye’ or ‘Heart-Reading Sight.’”
Wrath licked his lips as he observed Dorian.
‘Mind’s Eye?’
Raon wasn’t familiar with Heart-Reading Sight, but he had heard of Mind’s Eye before. It was a unique ability that allowed someone to read an opponent’s intentions through an intuitive perception.
– “Even I didn’t realize it at first, but it seems your wallet possesses the talent for Mind’s Eye.”
Wrath scratched his forehead in amusement.
‘Wait a second. Then the fact that he handed me exactly what I needed yesterday…’
– “Exactly. His Mind’s Eye awakened, and that ability surfaced as a result. It’s absurd.”
Wrath nodded, as if stating the obvious.
“Dorian…”
Raon tilted his chin toward Dorian, who still seemed dumbfounded.
“You only gained this ability after you started realizing what others needed, didn’t you?”
“Uh…”
Dorian blinked blankly for a moment before nodding.
“Now that you mention it, I think so. My master told me I wouldn’t get beaten to death anymore now that I could understand his intentions.”
He scratched his cheek, saying he hadn’t understood what that meant at the time, but now it made sense.
“…Are you an idiot?”
Raon let out a hollow laugh. This guy had received all the hints but was only now realizing what his ability was.
“Honestly, blocking swords isn’t that important to me! The fact that I can now pull out the exact item someone needs at the right moment is way more useful!”
Dorian shook his head, emphasizing how much better it was to be able to supply others with necessities.
“But you’re a swordsman…”
Raon sighed and slumped his shoulders.
“I’m a quartermaster.”
Dorian blinked as if wondering what Raon was even talking about.
“…What?”
“Huh?”
“Before being a quartermaster, you’re a swordsman!”
Raon couldn’t hold back and flicked Dorian on the forehead.
“Gah!”
This time, Dorian seemingly used his Mind’s Eye, leaning back just in time to dodge the flick.
The fact that he could make good use of the ability yet still prioritized logistics over combat was beyond frustrating.
“Where do you think you’re going?!”
Raon narrowed his eyes and struck at Dorian’s ankle.
“Argh!”
Dorian lost his balance and fell flat on his back.
“Urgh…”
“Your dodging ability is getting ridiculous.”
Raon scowled down at him.
“I knew you’d go for my legs… Ah! Here!”
Dorian, groaning as he rubbed his back, suddenly pulled out a bottle of cold water from his waist pouch and handed it over.
“…Hah.”
Raon let out a hollow chuckle as he accepted the water.
He had just been thinking about wanting a cool drink, and Dorian had read that instantly.
“You sure you’re not more suited to this than fighting?”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
Dorian scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. He truly seemed happier providing supplies rather than fighting.
“Even my master told me that combat doesn’t suit me.”
“I think I need to meet your master.”
Raon smacked his lips as he looked at Dorian.
“My master?”
“I should at least thank him for taking care of one of my subordinates.”
Neither Wrath nor Glenn had known that Dorian possessed the talent for Mind’s Eye. Now that he was aware of it, he wanted to meet his master in person.
– “Hah! Don’t kid yourself! You just want to spar with him!”
Wrath snorted in disdain.
‘You know me too well.’
Raon grinned and nodded. Until now, he had avoided seeking out Jarek, fearing it might disrupt Dorian’s training. But now that he understood the situation, he wanted to test himself against the man.
“Really?!”
Dorian’s face lit up with excitement, and he jumped to his feet.
“He’s really amazing! He could read my thoughts and took care of everything for me!”
His bright smile showed how genuinely happy he was about seeing his master again.
‘Does that mean his master also has Mind’s Eye?’
It only made sense.
Jarek had ignored Burren, Martha, and Runaan and chosen Dorian from the start. That meant he must have recognized Dorian’s potential because he had the same ability himself.
“Then lead the way.”
Raon gulped down the water Dorian had given him and nodded.
“Yes, sir!”
Dorian eagerly stood up, clearly excited about meeting his master again.
– “N-No! This is bad!”
Wrath, who had been floating absentmindedly, suddenly flailed his arms in front of Dorian, blocking his path.
– “You’re about to take a leech that will never let go straight to your master!”
Wrath waved his hands wildly, but of course, Dorian couldn’t see him and simply walked off into the distance.
– “Your master’s going to get drained dry!”
Wrath’s wailing echoed emptily across the deserted training grounds.
—
Dorian stopped in front of a secluded lakeside cabin.
Like Lawrence’s cave, it was far removed from any village, making it difficult to find.
“Master!”
Dorian beamed as he knocked on the door.
“I told you not to call me that! And why did you come back when I told you to leave?!”
The worn-out door creaked open, and an old man with a thick white beard stepped out.
‘So that’s Sir Jarek.’
Though his back was hunched, he was naturally short.
Not only his beard but also his eyebrows and hair had turned completely white, making his round face resemble that of an aged raccoon.
‘Is he really a Grandmaster?’
Jarek’s strength level was at the peak of Grandmaster. He hadn’t yet ascended to the transcendental realm, meaning Raon could theoretically defeat him—but strangely, he didn’t feel certain about winning.
– “What an odd old man.”
Wrath smacked his lips in interest and settled atop Raon’s head.
“And you are…?”
Jarek raised an eyebrow as he looked past Dorian to Raon.
“I am Raon Zieghart. I came to express my gratitude since my subordinate has been under your care.”
Since Rektor had vouched for Jarek as a trustworthy man, Raon bowed slightly and introduced himself.
“This is a small token of appreciation.”
He took out a wooden box containing an elixir and held it out to Jarek.
“Gratitude?”
Jarek let out a hollow laugh, tilting his chin.
“Do young men these days express gratitude with eyes full of fighting spirit?”
He leaned on a staff propped against the cabin’s entrance and stepped closer to Raon.
“Your grandfather was always bragging about you. I see now why.”
Jarek examined Raon from head to toe, nodding in approval.
“You’re a bundle of pure talent. But this isn’t an innate gift—it’s something you built yourself.”
He shook his long eyebrows, as if baffled after taking a closer look.
“Your eyes are peculiar too. You were born with the Eye of Insight, but you also have traces of Heavenly Sight and Demonic Sight at the same time.”
“You’re talking about my eyes?”
“They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul. Just by looking at them, one can see what kind of person you are and the path you will take.”
Jarek stroked his beard as he spoke cryptically.
“Sir Jarek, do you…”
Raon, meeting Jarek’s calm gaze, finally spoke.
“Do you possess Mind’s Eye?”
“You know about Mind’s Eye?”
Jarek raised his chin slightly, seemingly intrigued.
“I’ve only heard of it.”
“People call it Mind’s Eye, but it’s not some grand ability that lets you read thoughts. Think of it as a subtle defensive mechanism.”
He chuckled, likening it to the quills of a hedgehog.
“Master, please have a seat.”
Dorian had been waiting for this moment. He hurriedly approached Jarek, offering him a wooden chair and a steaming cup of tea.
“Hmph, fine.”
Surprisingly, Jarek didn’t reject Dorian’s hospitality and sat down, sipping his tea.
“And here’s something for you, Raon.”
Dorian pulled out a box of bead ice cream, left over from what he had given Runaan yesterday.
“…Huh?”
“Don’t you need it?”
“No, I don’t.”
– “I do! I need it!”
Wrath shot up and nodded enthusiastically.
– “I knew it! He truly has Heart-Reading Sight! I kept thinking about eating that, and now it’s here!”
Wrath shouted triumphantly, having apparently been fixated on that ice cream while clinging to Raon’s head.
“Put it away.”
Raon waved his hand dismissively.
– “Waaah! Nooo!”
Wrath let out a dramatic scream.
– “If you reject it, I’ll disrupt all your duels from today onward! I won’t let you sleep either!”
‘Ugh…’
Raon let out a long sigh and accepted the ice cream from Dorian.
“…Thanks.”
“No problem!”
Dorian grinned, pleased that his instincts had been correct.
“Now, tell me your real reason for coming.”
Jarek set down his empty teacup and nodded slightly.
“I want to understand what Mind’s Eye truly is.”
Raon bowed his head slightly.
“Would you accept a sparring match with me?”
Even Dorian’s half-baked version of Mind’s Eye was enough to read and block his sword strikes. That made him curious to see what would happen against a true master of it.
On top of that, Jarek was the second-strongest warrior Raon had met since arriving at the Holy Sword Alliance. He wanted to test himself against him properly.
“I heard you have a talent for learning other people’s martial arts.”
Jarek half-opened his eyes.
“Mind’s Eye won’t be easy for you. It’s…”
His gaze shifted to Dorian, who was casually plucking weeds while humming a tune.
“Something only kind-hearted, timid people can possess—like that kid over there.”
Jarek shook his head, advising Raon to give up on obtaining Mind’s Eye.
“Then does that mean you were timid and weak too?”
“Of course. I was fearful and frail. That’s why I took him in—because he reminded me of my younger self.”
He chuckled, saying Dorian was just like him when he was young.
“Then that’s perfect.”
Raon nodded calmly.
“I’m also timid and kind-hearted.”
He smiled brightly as he spoke.
– “Huh…?”
“What…?”
Wrath, who had been drooling over the ice cream, and Dorian, who had been pulling weeds, both widened their eyes. Drool dripped from their open mouths.
– “What kind of nonsense is that?!”
“What kind of nonsense are you saying?!”
—
Srrrrng.
Raon raised Heavenly Drive in an upper stance as he faced Jarek.
“You’re full of murderous intent.”
Jarek chuckled as he lifted his staff from the ground and drew his sword.
“Let’s see if your grandfather’s ‘greatest talent on the continent’ title is really deserved!”
He spoke as if waiting for Raon’s first move—only to abruptly kick off the ground himself.
As always, his words and actions were completely contradictory.
Whooosh!
Jarek’s footwork was as relaxed as if he were riding on a cloud—but his speed was as fast as lightning.
In the blink of an eye, Jarek had closed in on Raon’s right side.
Chiiiiing!
Raon twisted his left ankle and unleashed Snowflower’s Lance Form, embedding both heavy and strong sword principles into his strike. A chilling blue aura emanated from his blade, pressing down on the space around them.
“Hmm.”
Jarek, as if he had foreseen the attack, subtly twisted his wrist, effortlessly splitting apart the dense frost.
Clang!
Raon’s Heavenly Drive was deflected, but he used the recoil to execute Whirlwind, blending the intricacies of swift swordplay and lightning techniques.
Like a spinning windmill, a fiery vortex spiraled down toward Jarek’s right arm.
“Quick reaction.”
Jarek extended his cane sword as if he were reading Raon’s movements, striking the center of Heavenly Drive mid-air.
Clang!
Raon’s sword was knocked back, leaving only remnants of flames in its wake. He had initiated the attack, yet he was still being overpowered—utterly absurd.
Thud!
Raon activated Supreme Harmony Steps, maneuvering behind Jarek while scraping his sword against the ground to summon Fierce Sea Art.
Kwaaaaa!
A crimson tidal wave of fire surged to engulf Jarek.
“A wave of flames? But it’s just another sword strike in the end.”
Jarek didn’t flinch. He thrust his cane sword precisely five times toward both the upper and middle sections of the flaming sea.
Fwoooosh!
A brilliant blue light radiated from his blade, extinguishing the sea of fire and scattering embers into the air.
“Huu…”
Raon exhaled slowly, lowering his gaze.
‘He’s different from Sir Lawrence. This feels like fighting an opponent who knows me inside and out.’
If Lawrence erased his sword strikes like they never existed, Jarek was like someone solving a test with the answer sheet in hand.
It was similar, yet completely different.
‘This is fun.’
A deep smile spread across Raon’s face as he pushed off the ground.
Dashing forward, he imbued Heavenly Drive with the principles of swift, wind, and lightning swordplay.
Unlike his spar with Dorian, he went all out—his sword gleaming like a crimson flash.
Clang!
Jarek intercepted the descending bolt of Heavenly Drive with pinpoint accuracy, seamlessly shifting his cane sword to target Raon’s abdomen. His movements were fluid, like an artwork in motion.
‘Abdomen? No…’
It was actually his chest.
Perhaps because he was fighting Jarek, a master of Mind’s Eye, Raon himself could sense the intended target.
Clang!
He quickly raised a small Flame Barrier to deflect the attack.
“Hmm?”
Jarek furrowed his brows in mild surprise and flicked his sword in an intricate pattern. The blade bent unnaturally, stabbing toward Raon’s shoulder.
‘This time, it’s my waist.’
By reading Jarek’s gaze, sword trajectory, and the subtle shifts in the air, Raon instinctively perceived the true target.
It felt as if all the duels he had fought at the Holy Sword Alliance had been preparing him for this very moment.
Clang!
Raon traced a half-circle with Heavenly Drive, parrying Jarek’s attack aimed at his waist.
‘This feels like playing chess.’
Rather than a brute-force battle, it was a cerebral game of move and counter-move.
Excitement welled up, and a smile naturally formed on his lips.
“Let’s pick up the pace!”
Raon grinned as he charged straight at Jarek.
Clang!
Jarek blocked his unpredictable, yet deliberate sword strikes and raised an eyebrow.
‘What is this…?’
When Jarek first met Raon, he had no hint of Mind’s Eye.
But now, Raon was acting as if he had fully awakened it—reading his movements and countering like a seasoned master.
“What the hell are you…?”
Jarek turned his head, looking at Raon in disbelief.
“How did you awaken Mind’s Eye!?”
“Mind’s Eye? Not quite…”
Raon shook his head calmly, parrying Jarek’s cane sword that was aimed at his thigh.
“It’s just intuition. I have a pretty keen sense of things.”
– “Bullshiiiiit! How dare you say that with a straight face?!”
(T/N: Damn, I had so much fun and laugh while translating this chapter. I’m so glad our boy Dorian got a legit power up. Every character here in the Holy Sword Alliance is a treat. See you next week again guys!)
