Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Pereron let out a deep sigh as he looked at the gate that seemed on the verge of breaking down. It appeared that it would fall much sooner than he had anticipated.

‘...Damian still isn’t back?’

It had been about an hour since Damian had gone out. There had been some commotion earlier, but nothing definitive.

‘He couldn’t have been taken down, could he?’

Pereron couldn’t hide his unease. But just then...

“Why not have a little faith?”

“...Captain Vincent, you trust that boy?”

“Yes.”

It was a very short time, something that defied common sense.

Yet Vincent’s trust in Damian was immense, ever since he had defeated Jeff, the knight of the Monster Order.

‘Or perhaps it started when I first heard Instructor Leonhark’s words....’

—Do you think age correlates with skill?

It was undeniable. Sometimes, true “geniuses” appeared in this world.

However, Damian possessed talents that far surpassed even those prodigies, particularly in combat and warfare.

Even the most talented geniuses often froze in actual battle. It would be fortunate if they could demonstrate even half of their abilities. But Damian was different.

‘He performed even better on the battlefield than he did during training.’

Vincent had contacted the Neokalitz unit to learn more about Damian.

Commander Tarion of the Neokalitz unit had told Vincent that Damian was a soldier who couldn’t be measured by normal standards.

Vincent agreed, not just 100% but 1000%. How could a soldier with just one year of military experience display such skills? But Vincent had seen it with his own eyes, not just heard about it from others. That’s why he trusted Damian as a soldier.

“I believe... he’ll bring back another unbelievable result this time.”

Vincent had a strong feeling. Pereron remained silent, simply staring back at the battlefield.

—

Swoosh!

The sensation of slicing through the wind—that was exactly what Damian felt as he charged toward the enemy, his spear thrust forward.

Thud!

With a dull sound, the soldier impaled on Damian’s spear was lifted off the ground.

Unbelievable strength. Damian’s spear pierced right through the Spanian soldier’s body. As his lifeless body was flung away without even a scream,

“Spread out!”

Damian shouted loudly. At his command, the special unit members trailing behind him split to both sides and began attacking the enemies in front of them. This time, however, the enemy wasn’t just sitting back.

“There aren’t many of them! Turn around and surround them!”

“Raise your shields to block their attacks! There’s only a few of them!”

The soldiers urgently raised their shields, trying to fend off the attacks from Damian and his team. It was clear that they were not being caught off guard like in the first ambush.

However—

Crash!

“...!”

Damian’s spear shattered a soldier’s shield and pierced through his chest. The surrounding Spanian soldiers looked shocked.

“A blue light?!”

“He’s using magic!”

“He’s an aura user! Run for your lives!”

Magic and aura were different things. Magic slightly enhanced physical abilities and weapons, and most knights learned some form of magic enhancement technique.

However, aura was a celestial-level mastery that only a very few could achieve. Just because one could use magic did not mean they could ascend to the realm of aura.

Yet, as is often the case—

‘Fear tends to exaggerate.’

Moments ago, Damian had infused the maximum amount of mana into his spear, causing it to glow with a distinct blue light.

That was what had caught the soldiers’ attention. But now, Damian had become a terrifying figure capable of wielding aura in their eyes.

“...Aura, huh?”

Falcon’s expression hardened. The soldier’s shout had mentioned something that shouldn’t have existed.

‘There’s no way an aura user would be stationed at this border...!’

An aura user was a national powerhouse by themselves. Even within the Spanian Kingdom, only one general could wield aura, and even he was far from being a master. There was no way an aura user would be guarding a border post.

‘At best, he’s using magic.’

Falcon quickly realized how foolish his thought was. Using magic wasn’t something that could be dismissed as ‘just.’

Even Falcon could only use a slight amount of magic.

Damian exhaled lightly and studied Falcon. This wasn’t someone who could be taken down with a mere sneak attack or two. But if he could defeat Falcon here...

‘It would be far more impactful than killing twenty or thirty regular soldiers.’

To exaggerate a little, eliminating the Falcon would cut the enemy’s strength nearly in half.

Damian had faced enough battles to know how powerful a magic-wielding knight could be in the chaos of war.

Damian lowered his stance and extended his spear forward.

“...”

Falcon felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the boy lower his stance.

Damian’s gaze and aura were so sharp and intense that it was hard to believe he was just an ordinary soldier.

Falcon raised his sword and aimed it at Damian.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Damian of the Caion unit.”

“...Damian.”

Falcon pressed his lips together. His eyes, now heavy and grim, locked onto Damian.

“I am Falcon, commander of the Firente unit of the 2nd Legion of the Spanian Kingdom.”

So, he’s a commander? Damn it.

‘This won’t be easy.’

But Damian had no intention of dragging this fight out. He planned to make it short and intense.

‘I’ll go first.’

Whoosh!

Having made his decision, Damian charged straight at Falcon.

It was a simple, direct move, but his speed was incredible. Falcon quickly shifted his weight forward and swung his sword at Damian.

“Haaah!”

Clang!

Falcon deflected Damian’s spear and immediately closed the distance between them. Against a spear user, closing the gap was crucial.

“Damian!”

Dianal, who was nearby, shouted in panic. The sudden appearance of Falcon and his impossibly fast movements were shocking.

‘Is he on par with Damian? No, maybe...!’

He was a large man, but his strength and speed seemed to surpass even Damian’s.

“...”

Damian observed Falcon charging at him. He took note of Falcon’s stride, the height at which he held his sword, and the angle of his wrist when swinging.

‘A well-trained opponent.’

In his past life, even among his subordinates, few reached this level. Falcon was certainly worthy of being a commander of a unit.

However...

“I see everything.”

“Haaah!”

Swish!

Falcon’s sword narrowly missed Damian’s head as he ducked, dodging the attack by lowering his head just in time. Falcon’s eyes widened in shock.

‘H-How...?!’

Falcon realized that Damian had moved before he even swung his sword, as if he knew exactly where it would strike.

‘What kind of nightmare is this?!’

Damian’s movement was ghostly, almost supernatural. Falcon hastily retrieved his sword and raised his arm.

Slash!

“Ugh!”

As Falcon lifted his sword, Damian’s spear slashed across his right thigh. Blood streamed from the deep cut, and Falcon’s leg wobbled, breaking the tense stalemate in an instant.

Falcon gritted his teeth and gripped his sword tightly. Even if he were to die, he resolved to take Damian with him.

“Haaaaah!”

Falcon let out a desperate scream as he swung his sword down at Damian’s head.

But...

Clang!

Damian’s spear swept up from below, knocking Falcon’s sword aside. Falcon let out a bitter groan.

“...Damn it.”

Thud!

Those were Falcon’s last words.