Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1086

Chapter 1086

The following morning arrived.

I still had not been given official quarters.

But having slain a demonic beast and obtained funds, finding a place to stay was no longer a problem. As soon as the feast concluded, I went back and took my rest.

Though, to call it “rest” isn’t entirely accurate. In truth, I had done more exploring than sleeping.

With no need for sleep, I used the nighttime hours to collect intelligence.

I needed to understand exactly what was going on in this age and properly evaluate my own circumstances.

Because of that, I was able to learn quite a bit.

‘There’s truly… nothing of significance here.’

This was an age defined by profound emptiness.

There were no great wars, no urgent crises. The only demonic beasts emerging were those ranked green or blue.

In short—it was an era of peace.

A calm interval before the world shifted into the Meteor Generation Era.

From a historical perspective, this period was so devoid of major events that there was almost nothing worth documenting.

‘So what in the world am I meant to accomplish here?’

What was my purpose in being sent to this time?

Why had my mother dispatched me here?

I had no clue.

There was also insufficient evidence for this to be some kind of predestined setup.

‘My strongest assumption is that it relates to my father.’

It was clear that my mother’s designs involved my father in some manner.

Not only did all indications lead to him, but my instincts agreed.

That was the reason I had been attempting to remain near him.

‘…But now that I am, what am I actually supposed to do?’

I still did not know.

—

«Baek Yangcheon. Entry permit confirmed. You may enter.»

«Appreciate the hard work.»

Passing through the gates, I entered the Martial Alliance compound.

I had come early in the morning after being ordered to report as a new member.

Without pausing for a moment since the previous night, I headed directly back to the Azure Dragon Division.

I could feel occasional looks directed my way, but I paid them no mind.

They were undoubtedly because of Paejon.

«Did you hear? Yesterday, Paejon—»

«They say he appeared at the Azure Dragon Division’s banquet…»

I wasn’t sure where the gossip began, but word had already circulated that Paejon had been present at the Azure Dragon Division’s feast.

And the fact that he had come because of me was also common knowledge.

‘Damn, that spread quickly.’

Rumors always travel with startling speed.

Holding back a sigh, I increased my pace.

By the time I entered the Azure Dragon Division’s training grounds, the others were already assembled.

I had believed I was early, but they had arrived sooner.

«Hey! Over here!»

Do Yun waved at me with a broad smile.

Naturally, I walked over and took my place beside him.

«Why is everyone here so early?»

«What are you talking about? You’re the one who’s late.»

«…What?»

That couldn’t be right.

I had arrived well before the scheduled time.

As I stared at him in confusion, Do Yun returned a look just as puzzled.

«Uh… man, it’s obvious. You’re expected to arrive half a keun (roughly 15 minutes) early.»

«…?»

My face must have shown my disbelief.

There was a set time, so why would I come before it was necessary? It made no sense to me.

Seeing my expression, Do Yun scratched his cheek awkwardly.

«Uhh… never mind. Forget I said it. I suppose that tracks…?»

‘…This guy.’

I understood immediately.

Do Yun had just decided it was futile to explain.

He had taken one glance at my face and given up.

«Anyway, pay attention. The seniors will be here any moment.»

Everyone seemed tense, likely a result of the previous day’s events.

It appeared Soi’s outburst had put everyone on edge.

As I observed the nervous atmosphere, I heightened my awareness.

The timing felt about right—

And right on cue, I detected several approaching auras.

«Good, you’re all here early.»

A confident voice accompanied by an overpowering aura.

The Blue Flame Sword Master stepped into the clearing.

And—

‘My father is here too.’

Unlike the night before, my father followed behind him, ascending the platform alongside him.

Several warriors from the Azure Dragon Division also took their seats.

«Good morning. I hope everyone rested well?»

«Yes—!»

«…Yes.»

The group shouted back with vigor.

Everyone except me.

The Blue Flame Sword Master smirked at my silence.

«Good energy. Apologies for summoning you so early, but since we will be cooperating from now on, there are a few things we need to establish.»

Establish?

What was he intending to establish?

As I watched him with curiosity—

«The Azure Dragon Division has a tradition that has endured for a long time.»

As he spoke, he flicked his fingers.

*Swoosh—!*

In an instant, the sword at his hip leaped from its scabbard and cut through the air.

«…Huh?»

«The Airborne Sword Technique…!?»

Gasps rose from the crowd at the display.

A skill achievable only by those at the Hwagyeong level or beyond.

‘…What a meaningless flourish.’

There was hardly any real power behind it.

It was purely theatrical.

The Blue Flame Sword Master’s blade soared through the air, carving a massive circle on the ground around where we stood.

*Screech—!*

A perfect, clean circle was etched into the earth.

The sword then flew back into its sheath.

«It’s straightforward. Whenever we welcome new recruits, we uphold a tradition of appraising their capabilities.

We refer to it as the Azure Dragon Sparring Match.»

Appraising capabilities.

Which meant—

«To put it plainly—yes. The seniors will select one of you, and you will need to exhibit your skills. Simple, correct?»

‘…So in essence.’

To state it even more directly—

‘Step into the ring and fight a senior.’

The logic was sound.

Since we would be fighting together in the future, it was natural to assess each other’s strengths.

But there was more to it than that.

‘They’re defining the pecking order.’

This was about asserting authority.

Martial artists respect only strength.

This was a straightforward and potent method to ensure the juniors understood their position.

‘Well, I suppose it’s efficient.’

From an objective viewpoint, it was a rational practice.

Tension rippled through the other recruits.

As I observed them—

«Alright. Let’s begin. Our former youngest member will start.»

At the Blue Flame Sword Master’s words, a striking woman seated at the end of the group rose to her feet.

Soi.

«Our former youngest—who do you wish to face?»

«I…»

Soi looked down, her eyes scanning over the group.

One by one, the recruits glanced away, clearly reluctant to oppose her after seeing her anger the day before.

But then—

Ignoring all of them, Soi’s eyes settled directly on me.

‘…You have got to be kidding.’

It couldn’t be.

‘Is it me?’

Just as I narrowed my eyes, sensing Soi was about to choose me—

“I select Baek—”

“Daeju-nim—!”

Someone suddenly sprang up from where they were seated.

It was Namgung Jin.

His sudden interjection made the Blue Flame Sword Master turn toward him.

“What is it?”

“I would like to take the first match.”

“Oh?”

The Sword Master had initially looked annoyed at the interruption, but his eyes widened at Namgung Jin’s request.

“You have initiative. I appreciate that. Very well. Who do you wish to challenge?”

At his question, Namgung Jin’s gaze shifted.

Ah, fantastic.

I wanted to believe he wasn’t looking at me, but the situation was painfully clear.

“I would like to gauge the abilities of Baek Yangcheon.”

With a smirk, the idiot pointed directly at me.

Damn it.

‘So that’s how it is.’

I had a feeling something was going to occur—

And sure enough, it did.

“Baek Yangcheon, is it…?”

The Sword Master turned his eyes to me.

He looked between me and Namgung Jin, then broke into a wide grin.

“Alright. Proceed.”

He seemed to find the situation entertaining.

As soon as he got permission, Namgung Jin stepped forward.

By then, the other recruits had already instinctively moved outside the marked circle.

Namgung Jin’s sharp blue eyes curved into crescents as he approached me.

“Baek junior.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled to meet you again so soon. You must feel the same, correct?”

“…What if I said no?”

“Hm. Well, I’m pleased regardless.”

If he already had his mind made up, why bother asking?

“Yesterday, you seemed so disinclined to kneel voluntarily, so I thought I might offer some assistance.”

“…Ah.”

So he wanted to force me to my knees personally.

“Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? I’m such a thoughtful senior, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes. Exceptionally considerate. Hah.”

I ran a hand through my hair, tousling it.

I considered for a brief moment.

“Don’t be overly concerned. I won’t kill you.”

“…Hmmm.”

“For someone like you, I’ll content myself with just delivering a lesson. Though, you may not be walking for a time afterward.”

“……”

“See? You should have simply knelt when I asked you politely.”

I stopped running my hand through my hair.

«Perfect.»

This was sufficient.

“That makes three.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Nothing. Just a private thought. But I’m finished now.”

“Hah, you’re actually thinking while standing before me?”

“Naturally. I had to.”

I grinned.

“If I didn’t, you could actually end up dead today.”

“…What?”

The instant Namgung Jin’s face contorted with rage—

“Begin!”

The Sword Master gave the signal.

Namgung Jin immediately grabbed for his sword.

However—

“Let’s see what you’re capable of—”

*Click.*

“…Huh?”

His sword didn’t move.

What?

Why wouldn’t it draw?

He looked down at it, bewildered.

“…What?”

Naturally, it wouldn’t budge.

I had pressed my palm against the pommel, holding it firmly in place.

Namgung Jin realized what was happening and began to react, but—

“Wha—”

*BAM!*

“Guh—!”

My fist drove hard into his stomach.

*Thud!*

The force drove him to his knees.

“Uwaaagh—!”

He then vomited onto the ground.

“See?”

I looked down at him impassively.

“You pathetic weakling. You talk a grand game, but you’re on the verge of dying.”

Then I kicked him squarely in the face.