Chapter 252: Master and Disciple as One (2)

Kain had finally regained a sliver of composure when he turned to face the Archbishop, who had entered the tent and was waiting quietly for the conversation to begin.

With a resigned sigh, Kain asked him, “So, what brings you here?”

The Archbishop’s expression was gentle but firm. “I’ve come to inform you that, starting today, you no longer need to participate in the direct assault on the fortress.”

Kain blinked in surprise. Until now, he had always played an active role on the front lines, cutting down enemies and supporting the warriors by the side of the Mercenary King. He had believed he would continue in that role, regardless of Ketal’s training.

The Archbishop glanced toward Ketal, who stood silently by the tent’s entrance, and then back at Kain. “If Ketal masters the use of Myst, the fortress will fall before us in due time. But even with that hope, we can’t afford to sit idle. The Mercenary King and I will continue with the siege, and we’ll need your swordsmanship if circumstances change. Still, for now, your duty is to guide Ketal.”

Kain nodded, understanding both the burden and the honor. He had his own pride as a Transcendent Swordmaster, and while he was willing to stand aside, he still felt the weight of responsibility.

Just as the conversation seemed to end, Ketal spoke up. “I’m sorry. It sounds like I’m causing a loss in your strength on the battlefield.”

The Archbishop waved the apology away. “No, not at all, Ketal. This is hardly a problem.”

Ketal shook his head, a serious look on his face. “If there’s a gap, I’ll fill it myself.”

That surprised the Archbishop. “But you’re supposed to be training in Myst, are you not? The siege leaves little time—”

Ketal raised a hand, cutting him off gently. “I’m not saying I’ll fight on the front lines directly. I’ll lend you the power of an ally.”

With a brief flick of his fingers, a circle of flames spun into existence beside him, swelling rapidly into the shape of a colossal bull. Its form was striking, and its presence radiated heat so intense that the air in the tent trembled.

The Archbishop gasped. “A... a Legendary fire spirit?”

Kain was just as shocked. “This is... on another level entirely.”

“What is it this time?” The spirit spoke, its voice rumbling in the minds of those present.

“I need your help,” Ketal explained, outlining the current situation and the need to support the fortress siege in Kain’s absence.

The flames flickered as the spirit digested this information. “So, we’re purging evil from the Mortal Realm. That’s finally a job worthy of me. I’ll assist. Next time, let’s have more work like this.”

The spirit’s eyes glowed with a fierce sense of purpose.

“I’ll do my best,” Ketal replied with a wry smile.

Just as Fiego was about to depart, it paused. “By the way... A few days ago, something strange came through our link. I shouldn’t have sensed it at all, since I keep the bond between us barely there, but I did. It felt like the whole world was twisting, like you were clashing with something immense.”

Ketal realized what the spirit meant. “It was during the fight with Ferderica, the God of Hunger. I’ll explain later.”

The spirit’s flames rippled, betraying its unease, but it soon shifted its form into a burning storm and shot out of the tent, heading for the distant fortress. As its presence faded, Ketal nodded to the Archbishop.

“Fiego should fill Kain’s spot and then some,” he said.

Kain, still rattled, stammered, “Replace me? That spirit’s power could replace me dozens of times over.”

The sheer force Fiego radiated left no doubt; it was as strong as the Mercenary King, perhaps even stronger.

So the rumors were true,

Kain thought.

Ketal doesn’t just rely on his own power. He has the spirit at his command, too.

The Archbishop looked relieved.

“Then the problem is solved. Let’s get started, Master,” Ketal said, grinning.

Kain’s face twisted in silent protest.

***

Ketal continued to shadow Kain as he practiced, learning the use of Myst, attending to his teacher with a devotion that bordered on obsession. Kain did everything in his power to shoo him away.

“Go! There’s no need for this,” he pleaded. At times, he even tried to muster the authority of a stern teacher, but nothing worked.

Ketal refused to be deterred. “I am your disciple. Even if you protest, I must fulfill my duties as a student.”

The sincerity in Ketal’s voice made Kain want to scream. The situation quickly became the talk of the camp. Other warriors and mages would stop to stare at the strange sight: a mighty Hero, who could shatter fortresses with a single blow, doting on a Swordmaster barely half as famous.

“What... what are we seeing?” one of the mages said.

“That’s the Hero... tending to his master’s every need?” another replied.

Even the Mercenary King, usually stoic, raised an eyebrow at the pair.

“Does this really suit you?” he asked Ketal.

Ketal only laughed. “I’m satisfied.”

“If you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” the Mercenary King shrugged, ignoring the silent plea in Kain’s eyes.

Relief flickered in the Mercenary King’s face—at least

he

hadn’t been chosen as Ketal’s teacher.

However, for Kain, every day was agony. His misery did not go unnoticed. One afternoon, as he walked through the forward camp, a young knight spotted him and ran over, eyes wide with concern.

“Master? What’s going on?” the knight cried.

Kain managed a weak smile. “Ah... my student.”

The knight’s face was familiar to Ketal. He had fought him once at the Barcan Estate, and the recognition showed.

“Wait, you’re... you’re the Hero!” the knight stammered, startled.

Ketal clapped the young man on the shoulder. “You must be the student Kain mentioned. I’m his disciple now, too.”

The knight’s jaw dropped. “You... what?”

“That’s right. That makes us brothers under the same master. If you need any help, just let me know!” Ketal said with a broad grin, giving the knight a friendly thump.

The knight turned white as a sheet. In a single day, he had gone from being a promising student to having a Hero as his peer.

***

Why is this happening...

Kain thought, his stomach twisting in knots.

Ketal noticed the pained expression and scratched his cheek, feeling a twinge of guilt. “You look a little rough.”

Of course I look rough! You’re the reason I’m suffering!

Kain shot him a glare. The frustration was written all over his face.

Ketal offered a gentle smile. “You’ll benefit from this, too. Bear with it for a while.”

Kain didn’t bother responding. He assumed Ketal was just talking nonsense and let the comment pass. That night, as he was about to settle into his tent, the Archbishop summoned him.

Kain arrived with a sigh. “What is it?”

The Archbishop greeted him warmly. “Just a progress check. Is the teaching going well?”

“It’s fine. Except my stomach feels like it’s in knots,” Kain replied, unable to hide his irritation.

Despite everything, Ketal was making progress. He was learning to control Myst at a pace that would have impressed any teacher. Kain suspected it would only take a few more days for real results to emerge.

The Archbishop studied Kain for a long moment, as if weighing a decision. “Kain, you’re with the Kingdom of Gehentra, aren’t you?”

Kain nodded. “That’s right.”

The Archbishop’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How are things in your homeland?”

“Not good,” Kain admitted, his face souring.

Gehentra was a small kingdom, a tributary to the Empire. They paid heavy tribute but received little in return. The current chaos in the region had shaken the kingdom to its core. Kain had devoted himself to saving his homeland, but his efforts felt futile.

“Why do you ask?” Kain demanded.

“It’s simple,” the Archbishop replied. “You came here willingly and have done much to help us. So, I’ll send aid to the Gehentra Kingdom, in my name.”

Kain stared at him in shock. “You... you mean it?”

The Archbishop smiled gently. “I sent the order yesterday. In a few days, help will arrive in Gehentra.”

Kain’s heart pounded. The Earth Goddess’s Church, the greatest power on the continent, was sending support to his homeland. It was more than he could have dreamed.

However, the offer felt strangely sudden. He was respected for his strength, but he had never been one of the camp’s most important figures. The other Transcendents were either devout followers of the Earth Goddess or powerful mages from the Mage Tower. Kain, on the other hand, was just a Swordmaster from a small kingdom.

He had always known his status was weak by comparison. Yet, now, without warning, he was being offered the help of the greatest church in the world. He soon realized why.

“Thank you,” Kain said, his gratitude genuine.

The Archbishop smiled, his face revealing a glint of shrewdness beneath the warmth. “All I ask is that you continue this good relationship with us.”

***

The next morning, Kain sought out Ketal.

“Yesterday, the Archbishop told me he’s sending support to my kingdom,” he said quietly.

“That’s great news,” Ketal replied with a bright smile. “I told you, didn’t I? You would benefit from this as well.”

“So it seems...,” Kain murmured. It was obvious now why the Earth Goddess’s Church’s attitude toward him had changed. It was because of Ketal.

A Hero, someone who could reshape the balance of power across the continent, had chosen to become Kain’s student, treating him with complete respect. Whether the gesture was sincere or not, it meant that Kain’s standing had risen dramatically overnight. The Earth Goddess’s Church had no choice but to treat him with new deference.

That support, he realized, was a direct result of Ketal’s actions.

“Thank you,” Kain said, his gratitude sincere. The personal torment was real, but if it helped his kingdom, he could bear it.

Ketal just waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. This benefits both of us. Use my name if you need to.”

Kain shook his head, half in awe, half in fear. “No, that’s too much for me.”

Ketal just grinned. Kain looked at him, realizing for the first time that Ketal had understood everything from the start. He knew exactly how much value he possessed and had deliberately chosen to elevate Kain’s status.

This barbarian isn’t just strong... he’s clever, too,

Kain thought.

I still don’t know why he calls me master, but... as long as it works, I’ll keep teaching him.

He decided to focus on the lesson. “So, how far have you gotten?”

“I’ve reached the standard you set,” Ketal replied. “I can circulate Myst through my path in one second.”

“Good. That’s the foundation.”

To truly master Myst, the first step was to circulate it completely through the body in under a second.

“That means you’ve finished the basics. Now we move to the next stage.”

Ketal’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “What’s next?”

“Strengthening your body,” Kain replied.

“Finally!” Ketal practically bounced in excitement. He couldn’t wait to see what it would feel like to enhance his body with Myst.

“Are you ready?” Kain asked him.

“Of course!” Ketal nodded enthusiastically.

Kain glanced at him, feeling a mix of pride and confusion. He was teaching the most basic techniques, something that an Intermediate would learn. Yet Ketal was genuinely thrilled. It was almost absurd.

He shook his head and refocused. “Here’s how it works. If you’ve mastered circulation, you can now direct Myst to any part of your body. Try starting with your left leg.”

“Just gather it there?” Ketal asked him.

“Concentrate, and fill your leg with the power,” Kain explained.

“Understood.” Ketal closed his eyes, focusing intently as he tried to draw his Myst into his left leg.

A minute passed. Kain frowned. “That’s taking longer than I expected.”

Ordinarily, once you could control Myst, it was easy to direct it. Anyone with a bit of practice could gather it in less than ten seconds. Yet, Ketal seemed to be struggling.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds,” Ketal admitted, opening his eyes at last. “The beast inside me fights back whenever I try to focus it in one place. I have to force it into submission all over again.”

Kain didn’t know what to say. The idea of Myst having a will of its own was still foreign to him.

After a few more minutes, Ketal finally nodded. “Done. I’ve gathered it in my left leg.”

“Good. Now, just move with that power. Attack as you normally would. Let the power protect and enhance you.”

Kain watched, oblivious to the real extent of Ketal’s strength. He had first met Ketal in the Barcan Estate, where Ketal had seemed powerful but not overwhelming. Kain had heard rumors since then, stories of Ketal fighting demons and defending holy lands, but he had never seen those feats firsthand.

So Kain underestimated what would happen next.

“Try stomping the ground with all your strength—just once, but use your full power. You should feel the difference compared to before,” Kain instructed.

What he didn’t realize was that Ketal always listened to his teacher’s instructions—down to the letter.

“Alright,” Ketal replied, gathering his full intent. He lifted his left leg, channeling every ounce of Myst he had managed to control into it.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Kain’s spine. His instincts screamed at him. The power gathering in Ketal’s leg was beyond anything he could comprehend. He opened his mouth to stop him.

“Wait—”

However, it was too late. With a single, decisive motion, Ketal stomped the ground. The world itself seemed to shudder.