Silence filled the cavern.
The colossal wolf’s golden eyes remained fixed on Kael.
No one dared to move.
The creature’s mere presence weighed on everyone like a mountain.
Professor Roland wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Headmaster…”
“Should we attack?”
The old man slowly shook his head.
“If that creature wished to kill us…”
“…we would already be dead.”
The wolf lowered its massive head.
“I am Fenrir.”
“Guardian of the First Trial.”
“I have waited one thousand years for the successor of the Infinite Sword Archive.”
Kael’s heartbeat quickened.
“Fenrir…”
The name wasn’t in his memories.
Not once had humanity discovered this place in his previous life.
Everything beyond this point was completely unknown.
Astra spoke inside his mind.
“Master.”
“Be respectful.”
Kael blinked.
“You know him?”
“He is older than I am.”
That answer shocked Kael.
Astra was a Divine Sword said to have existed since ancient civilizations.
If Fenrir was even older…
Just how ancient was the Infinite Sword Archive?
Fenrir’s gaze softened slightly.
“I sense Astra.”
A brilliant silver light appeared beside Kael.
For the first time, Astra manifested before someone other than her Master.
She stepped forward with elegant grace and bowed.
“It has been a long time.”
Fenrir let out a deep laugh.
“You have become as beautiful as ever, First Blade.”
Several professors stared in disbelief.
“…The sword…”
“It has a human form?”
The Headmaster tightened his grip on his weapon.
This revelation alone could shake the world.
The legendary swords inside the Archive immediately erupted into complaints.
“Why does Fenrir only greet Astra?”
“He forgot about us!”
“Master!”
“Summon me next!”
“I’ve been asleep for centuries!”
Another sword shouted,
“Tell Fenrir I still haven’t forgiven him for stepping on me!”
Astra sighed.
“They’re impossible.”
Kael smiled awkwardly.
“Your family is…
lively.”
“We are not a family.”
A pause.
“…Mostly.”
Fenrir turned serious once more. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Successor.”
“Draw your sword.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Kael frowned.
“You want to fight?”
“No.”
“I wish to test your resolve.”
A giant magic circle appeared beneath their feet.
Ancient runes illuminated the cavern walls.
A voice echoed throughout the chamber.
FIRST GUARDIAN TRIAL
Objective: Endure the Weight of Sovereignty
“No attacks.”
“No weapons.”
“No magic.”
“Only your will.”
The professors looked confused.
“What kind of trial is this?”
Lucien, however, understood immediately.
“…Mental pressure.”
Fenrir took one step forward.
BOOOOOOM!!
An overwhelming aura erupted from his body.
Students collapsed instantly.
Several instructors dropped to one knee.
Even powerful professors struggled to breathe.
The Headmaster barely remained standing.
“This pressure…”
“It feels like facing death itself…”
Kael remained motionless.
Memories flooded his mind.
The burning capital.
The deaths of his comrades.
The final battle against the Demon Sovereign.
The despair.
The regret.
The loneliness.
Fenrir’s voice echoed.
“Why do you seek power?”
Kael answered without hesitation.
“To protect.”
“What if everyone betrays you?”
“I’ll protect them anyway.”
“What if history repeats itself?”
“I’ll rewrite it again.”
“What if the world rejects you?”
Kael slowly lifted his head.
“Then…”
“I’ll become strong enough that the world has no choice but to accept the future I create.”
Silence.
Fenrir stared at him for several long moments.
Then…
The pressure disappeared.
The wolf smiled.
For the first time.
“Excellent.”
“You have passed.”
“…Passed?”
“There wasn’t even a battle.”
Fenrir laughed.
“The strongest warriors are not those who possess the greatest strength.”
“They are those whose resolve cannot be broken.”
A pillar of golden light descended upon Kael.
A familiar message appeared before him.
FIRST GUARDIAN TRIAL CLEARED
Reward Granted
Archive Synchronization: 1.0% → 2.0%
New Ability Unlocked
Sword Recall
Kael immediately understood.
No matter where one of his summoned swords was…
He could instantly return it to the Archive.
Useful.
Extremely useful.
But another notification appeared.
This one made Astra’s expression change.
Second Divine Sword Eligible for Awakening
The entire Infinite Sword Archive trembled.
Countless legendary blades glowed simultaneously.
One by one, they called out to Kael.
“Choose me!”
“I’ll burn entire kingdoms!”
“I can freeze oceans!”
“I split mountains!”
The loudest voice came from somewhere deep within the Archive.
A lazy feminine voice.
“Master…”
“I’m awake…”
“Come get me already…”
Astra immediately frowned.
“Oh no…”
Kael looked at her.
“What?”
Astra rubbed her forehead.
“If she’s awake…”
“…your peaceful life is over.”
Before Kael could ask what she meant…
The deepest chamber of the Infinite Sword Archive exploded with crimson light.
Chains thicker than castle walls snapped one after another.
A terrifying surge of mana swept through the endless armory.
Even Fenrir looked toward the sky in alarm.
“Impossible…”
“That sword shouldn’t awaken this early.”
A woman’s laughter echoed throughout the Archive.
Elegant.
Confident.
Dangerous.
“My, my…”
“So you’re my new Master?”
“I’ve been waiting…”
“…for someone interesting.”
Kael instinctively knew.
This wasn’t an ordinary Divine Sword.
This was one of the strongest weapons in existence.
And unlike Astra…
She sounded like she would be far more difficult to control.