Chapter 205

After enduring hardship within the illusion, Merian too would be able to break through her current bottleneck.

‘She might not be on the same level as Father, but Aunt Merian has cultivated her vessel well enough. By the time the Dark Rite begins, she should be able to step into the 7-star realm.’

Aside from her, Leon of the Five Captains and Sanin also received phantom stones.

However, unlike the two before them, Leon and Sanin had only recently reached the 6-star level. Their vessels weren’t fully developed yet, so reaching the 7-star realm was still out of the question.

Still, they would be able to push forward by at least a few more steps.

‘That wraps up the training through the phantom stones.’

Christian never intended to use the phantom stones on everyone in the first place.

After all, drawing out enlightenment through illusions wasn’t easy.

In fact, it was practically impossible by normal standards.

To guide someone properly through the phantom stone, one must first have the insight to see exactly where the individual’s weaknesses lie.

Then, one must know precisely how to guide that person, in a way that fits their situation and growth potential.

And finally, the illusion itself must be fine-tuned to provoke the appropriate reactions and realizations.

A feat that only Christian could pull off.

But even for Christian, it only worked if he had thoroughly grasped the other person’s state of being. It wasn’t a method that could be applied to everyone.

‘For the others, I’ll have to resort to good old-fashioned hands-on teaching. It won’t be as efficient, but it’ll work.’

Soon, the next person to be taught appeared.

A man with a stoic, cold intensity radiating from his presence—

Count Berkel, Commander of the Black Lion Knights.

* * *

‘Count Berkel… this one is crucial.’

Christian’s gaze sharpened.

He was a symbolic figure—practically the face of the Neutral Faction.

If he could win Count Berkel’s heart, he’d be able to sway the rest of the Neutral Faction along with him.

‘The problem is… he doesn’t seem to like me much.’

That was Christian’s read of the atmosphere.

‘Still, his loyalty to the Dark Demonic House is genuine.’

The reason Count Berkel disapproved of Christian stemmed from that very same loyalty.

He simply didn’t believe Christian was yet fit to become the House’s next master.

Before any teaching began, Christian addressed it directly.

“It seems you’re not very eager to receive my guidance.”

Count Berkel, as ever, answered with a blunt tone.

“It is the Family Head’s will. I merely obey.”

“But I am asking your thoughts, Count.”

“...!”

“As I said before—I do not seek loyalty to the Family Head. I want your loyalty to me.”

“……”

“Let me ask you plainly. What do you think of me? Don’t hesitate—speak your mind.”

Count Berkel paused for a while, then calmly voiced his thoughts.

“Of course, I acknowledge Your Grace's prodigious talent. With enough time, I believe you’ll become a House Master greater than any in our history. But as of now… I believe you still fall short of what it takes to lead the Dark Demonic House.”

Christian merely shrugged in response.

“What a stale argument.”

“!!”

“Do you know just how many others have said the exact same thing before you?”

Yes.

Marquis Shupen, the Five Captains, even Count Nordian and Count Khazar—they had all thought the same.

But every one of them ended up changing their minds.

Why?

Because they experienced Christian’s brilliance firsthand—something no words could ever properly explain.

“Well, you’ll understand too once you’ve gone through it yourself.”

Christian lifted the corners of his mouth in a faint smirk.

“After this lesson, you’ll recognize me as the rightful successor to the Dark Demonic House.”

A declaration made with unwavering confidence.

And thus, the instruction finally began.

Count Berkel scoffed inwardly.

‘Now I’m really curious what kind of lesson justifies that kind of confidence.’

His thoughts carried a cynical edge, full of doubt.

‘If his lesson is even a fraction as impressive as that cockiness of his… Though I highly doubt it.’

Count Berkel didn’t believe there was even the slightest chance that Christian’s teachings would be of any use to him.

“First, would you mind displaying your Will Technique?”

“You mean my Will Technique?”

“Yes. I’ve often seen you training at the main house’s drill grounds, but to properly assess your condition, it’s best if I see your Will Technique directly.”

Count Berkel frowned slightly.

It wasn’t a particularly welcome request.

Still, Christian wasn’t asking to see his Chant Formulas or Heart Insights—just a basic demonstration of his Will Technique—so it wasn’t an unreasonable demand.

Above all, Christian was the Heir Apparent of the house to whom he owed loyalty.

So, Count Berkel unfolded his Will Technique.

‘A Will Technique built on destructive black magic…’

It was a fusion of Black Steel Energy and destructive black magic, forming Will Techniques of considerable power.

With every swing of his blade, the entire training ground trembled as if shaken by an earthquake.

“That’s enough. I’ve got the gist.”

“…You already got it?”

Count Berkel stared in disbelief.

What could anyone possibly glean from a single look?

But Christian wasn’t bluffing.

“Ah, well, you see—I am a genius. My eye for detail is quite sharp.”

“……”

Christian ignored the look on Count Berkel’s face—like he’d just heard the most absurd nonsense—and mentally replayed the scene of the Will Technique he had just observed.

‘That destructive power has reached its peak. As expected, Count Berkel is standing at the very threshold of the 6-star realm.’

What stood out even more was the establishment of his microcosm.

Unlike Count Khazar, who had yet to form a personal world, Count Berkel had already constructed one in his own way.

That was why his Will Technique possessed power surpassing even others at similar levels of attainment.

He was clearly ahead of Count Khazar.

‘No… maybe not “ahead.” It might actually be hurting him instead.’

Christian identified the flaw in Count Berkel.

‘A flawed microcosm is worse than not forming one at all.’

Christian soon opened his mouth to speak.

“Then let me give you your first instruction. Cast a 1-star Destruction-type black magic spell one thousand times a day.”

“…What did you say?”

“Cast any 1-star basic Destruction-type black magic spell a thousand times a day. The type doesn’t matter. But you must complete the thousand repetitions.”

“What nonsense—”

Count Berkel looked completely baffled.

For reference, his mastery of Destruction black magic was already at the 6-star level.

Not just his Dark Demonic Arts, but his Destruction magic too had reached a formidable state.

So to tell him to train with 1-star magic sounded utterly ridiculous.

“…Are you mocking me?”

Count Berkel asked in a stern, cold tone.

“Do I look like I’m mocking you? It seems you really have no idea what your issue is.”

“!!”

“Do you know why, despite having formed a microcosm, you’ve been unable to reach the 7-star level? Judging by the look on your face, you don’t even have a clue.”

Count Berkel flinched slightly.

For reference, each star rank requires a completely different form of enlightenment.

To reach 5-star, one must embody their will in reality.

To reach 6-star, one must turn their will into thought and challenge the limitations of reality itself.

And to reach 7-star, one must manifest a unique world of their own—a microcosm formed from will.

But despite having clearly constructed a microcosm, Count Berkel had been unable to interfere with the laws of reality.

A situation that made no sense.

He’d been stuck for a long time, unable to even sense why.

And yet Christian pinpointed the issue with ease.

“If your microcosm is incomplete, then of course you can’t interfere with laws. Isn’t that obvious?”

“!!”

Count Berkel’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“Are you saying there’s a flaw in my microcosm? I built mine by fusing darkness and destruction—”

“I’m not saying your microcosm is wrong. On the contrary, it’s extremely solid. A world shaped by the pure will to annihilate any enemy that dares to stand before you.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The issue lies in your Dark Demonic Arts.”

Christian’s lips curled slightly.

“As the master of darkness, you’ve failed to properly dominate destruction.”

It was as if Count Berkel had been struck by lightning. His entire body stiffened.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.”

Christian explained, one point at a time.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. The Dark Demonic Arts aren’t just the strength of a magic swordsman. They are the power to command other darknesses through darkness itself.”

Yes.

This was a misconception shared by many—no, by the majority of those within the Dark Demonic House.

The Dark Demonic Arts aren’t just a convenient way to wield various types of power.

They are a force meant to subjugate all other forms of darkness beneath one's feet.

“But let me ask you—are you truly dominating the red of Destruction through darkness? Frankly, it looks to me like your will to annihilate is so desperate that your darkness is being consumed by destruction instead.”

“……”

“It's not about how strong your Destruction spells are. What matters is whether you, as a master of darkness, are truly reigning over destruction.”

Count Berkel clenched his teeth.

‘What nonsense…’

That he was being controlled by destruction?

He couldn’t accept it.

Christian had merely taken a brief glance—what could he possibly know? Berkel wanted to rebuke him for such arrogant words.

Christian casually shrugged.

“You seem unwilling to accept what I’m saying. Then go do exactly what I told you—cast basic 1-star black magic a thousand times. You’ll come to realize it yourself. Whether or not you’re truly mastering destruction.”

“……”

“That’s all I had to say, so you’re dismissed. Believe it or not, I am a busy man.”

Whether offended or simply frustrated, Count Berkel turned away and stormed off without another word.

After that, other Magi came for instruction, and Christian gave them similarly tailored guidance.

Their reactions were no different from Berkel’s.

A look that said, “What do you know?”

Each swallowed their irritation and pride.

‘Even if he’s the Grand Duke’s Heir, this is just overstepping.’

‘He thinks he can diagnose me just by watching my Will Technique a few times? What a prodigy.’

‘He’s only 5-star—what does he know?’

It wasn’t an overreaction.

From their perspective, their skepticism was completely reasonable.

But a few days later…

Count Berkel returned.

This time with a very different look.

A face filled with shock.

“Well? How did it go?”

“…You were right, Your Grace.”

Count Berkel bit down on his lip.

“You were right when you said I wasn't in control of destruction. I was being swayed by it.”

Casting a 1-star Destruction spell a thousand times.

Even for basic black magic, it was no easy feat.

To do so required pushing oneself to the absolute limit.

His mana was drained, his stamina and mental strength utterly exhausted—he had collapsed.

And yet, driven by the stubborn desire to prove Christian wrong, Berkel had persisted, continuing to cast the 1-star spell again and again.

And in doing so, he realized:

He wasn’t in control of destruction.

He had been clinging to the power of destruction, chasing it, desperate to wield it.

And that desperation had turned into dependence.

“Let me ask you just one thing,” Christian said, calm but sharp.

“Do you want to surpass your limits through darkness? Or through destruction?”

“…Through darkness.”

“So now you understand what went wrong.”

Count Berkel clenched his fist.

Had he been a Magus who simply wielded the red Destruction-type Mana, it wouldn’t have been a critical issue.

But he belonged to the Dark Demonic House. The black Mana was his essence, and he had neglected it.

Naturally, it was no surprise he had failed to break through his current realm.

‘…How did he even notice that?’

For the first time, Count Berkel felt a sense of reverence toward Christian.

Not a single person had ever seen through this—

Not even himself.

And yet, with just a single sideways glance, Christian had seen right through it all.

‘So this… is the greatness that Lord Khazar spoke of in the Grand Duke’s Heir.’

This wasn’t just a matter of talent.

It was monstrous.

A completely different league.

Count Berkel lowered his head.

His demeanor, now, entirely different from the beginning.

“Thank you. Because of Your Grace, I’ve come to realize the error of my ways.”

However, his face was still clouded.

‘Looks like I’ll have to start over from scratch.’

Since his microcosm had been formed in the wrong direction, he would need to tear it down and reconstruct it anew.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine how long or difficult that would be.

‘I might never reach 7-star even with a lifetime of effort.’

He said bitterly,

“I will begin anew, starting today. I’ll rebuild my microcosm from the ground up. Thank you again.”

But Christian said something unexpected.

“Hmm? Why would you rebuild your entire microcosm?”

“Well, obviously because I formed it in the wrong direction, so—”

“Can’t you just refine it?”

“…Did you say refine?”

Count Berkel blinked in confusion.

Refining a microcosm? As if it were just some piece of furniture to be repaired?

It was considered impossible.

“Of course, normally it is impossible. But let me ask you—who’s standing in front of you right now? There is no such thing as impossible for me, Christian.”

“!!”

“If I only pointed out the flaws and didn’t offer a solution, what kind of teacher would that make me? More importantly, didn’t I already tell you—I’d help you advance several stages beyond where you are now.”

Christian flashed a grin.

“Be thankful to the heavens. You’ve been blessed with a teacher like me.”

It was absurd.

But… why?

Despite hearing that outrageous boast, Count Berkel felt something he hadn’t before.

A completely different feeling from earlier.

Somehow, just maybe—with this mad Grand Duke’s Heir…

It might really be possible.

An inexplicable belief began to form inside him.

“There’s just one condition.”

“What is it?”

“While you’re receiving my instruction, you must obey everything I say. No exceptions.”

Christian spoke in a voice filled with an ominous undertone.

“It might be… just a little, no, slightly difficult.”

“??”

Count Berkel tilted his head and replied,

“What do you take me for? I don’t care if it’s hard—as long as it’s training, I can endure it.”

“In that case, I’ll teach you with a clear conscience. But I’ll say it again—it may be just a speck painful.”

“Don’t worry. I am, after all, the captain of the strongest knight order in the main house.”

At that confident statement, Christian’s lips curled.

A smile that—somehow—seemed devilishly wicked.

“Then promise me you won’t hold a grudge later.”

And so…

The real training began.

And Count Berkel… was left in utter shock.

As expected, Christian’s teachings were a string of endless marvels.

But there was a problem.

– It may be just slightly difficult.

‘Damn it. This is what he calls slightly difficult?!’

Count Berkel barely swallowed a curse.