Chapter 24
“…So am I now the head of the Granble family?”
“No, not yet,” Grik said, shaking his head.
“You can only become the head after you graduate from the Academy. Right now, you’re just the last direct bloodline, so you got a spot in the line of inheritance.”
“I see. Then what does the number 96 mean?”
“It doesn’t mean much. It’s just a number from an old tradition where each family could have up to 12 inheritors. That number doesn’t mean there are exactly 95 people ahead of you.”
“Then are there fewer than 95?”
“No, there are more. Because sometimes multiple people share the same rank. Even if there are ten people ranked 96th, the next one is still 97.”
It was a strange system. But it didn’t matter to Ray anyway. He didn’t want to become the Sword King, and he probably couldn’t even if he tried.
“The inheritance duel must happen inside a Sword King family building or place. Also, the lower-ranked person must declare it directly to the higher-ranked one. Your duel followed all the rules, so it was approved right away.”
“So Giel planned all this?”
“Giel Craven. The one who challenged you. Just a foolish boy full of pride. Doesn’t even know his place.”
Grik laughed through his nose.
Ray thought, Yeah. I agree. I think I like this guy now.
“What rank is Giel?”
“He used to be 154th. But this month, he dropped to 160th. That’s because six direct descendants of the eight founding families, including you, turned 15 and entered the Academy.”
So, besides Ray, five others were now also ranked 96th. They were probably all in Class A.
“How does the duel work?”
“It’s just a regular sparring match. Nothing too serious. For lower-ranked duels, a judge stops the fight quickly for safety.”
“Isn’t it still dangerous?”
“That’s why you must be careful. If you kill your opponent, you’ll get punished. Even if you win, the judge can lower your inheritance rank. If you hurt your opponent too badly, you could lose your inheritance right altogether.”
“I understand.”
Ray sighed. So I can’t hurt Giel too badly like I planned… too bad.
“Usually, low-ranked duels are watched by normal staff. But since the Granble family has had problems recently, I, the Director, will handle it myself. This is rare. Feel honored, Ray Granble.”
“Thank you. I guess you usually judge high-ranked duels.”
“I don’t use my sword for just anything.”
Grik put the seal he was holding back into his coat.
“The duel will happen in two days. Since you were challenged, you can choose the time and place. Pick a location.”
“I’ll do it here.”
“Here? In front of the dormitory?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Grik looked around the empty yard and nodded.
“Hm… You’ve thought about this. Okay. When should we do it?”
“Just before sunset. Like right now.”
“Got it. See you then.”
Grik left without looking back.
Then Phil, who had been hiding behind the dorm, walked over carefully.
“Is he gone? Is it safe?”
“Yeah, he’s gone.”
“Whew… That guy is scary. Even scarier than the professors. So, when’s the duel?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“So soon?! You barely have time to prepare! Anyway, what’s good about having a high inheritance rank?”
“If you’re ranked #1, you become the next Sword King after the current one dies.”
“Whoa, that’s huge!”
“Yeah. It is.”
But not for Ray.
He couldn’t even use aura. How could he ever become the Sword King?
Winning or losing didn’t really matter. His family’s survival was more important than glory.
What mattered more was something else.
Tonight, Ray would become a Poison Human for the first time in his life.
As always, he looked up. The red orb in the sky watched him with worry.
It had been almost 30 years since Grik walked this mountain path.
“Blood never lies.”
Grik smiled. His old friend’s only son had grown up better than expected.
“Ray Granble…”
He looked like his mother, but he had his father’s eyes and sword skills.
Grik once admired Roa’s sword talent. He had even been jealous.
“Not all 6-stars are the same. And not all 7-stars are equal either.”
Granble’s sword style was special—even the Serces family (who made a Sword King) admitted that.
But Ray had no aura.
“Barely a 1-star… and a low one too. This will be a problem. Roa, you can’t rest in peace like this.”
Grik remembered his old friend Roa—once his comrade, once his equal.
They hadn’t seen each other often. One had a high job in the Sword King family, the other became head of one of the Eight Founding Houses.
Grik sighed and focused on Ray.
Ray was walking on thin ice. His family’s survival only continued because of Roa’s old allies. But powerful groups wanted to destroy the Granble family.
Ray’s right to inherit—and the family’s future—were at risk.
“I won’t let that happen. Not while I’m here.”
Grik took a deep breath.
It wouldn’t be easy. Especially because the #1 founding family, Blackluna, wanted to break up Granble.
“If I wasn’t the Director, I would’ve stepped in myself…”
But the Inheritance Office had to stay neutral.
Still, Ray seemed worth it.
Giel Craven insulted Ray and his family in front of everyone.
Most people would want to crush him publicly. And with Ray’s sword skills, he could.
But Ray chose a quiet place for their duel—so Giel wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of everyone.
Ray cared about Giel’s pride.
It was hard to believe this boy had survived something so tragic only a few months ago.
“Is this what people mean by having good character? If it were me, I would’ve gathered all the students in the big hall and beat him there. But this boy… I like him. If only he had stronger aura, he could’ve represented not just Granble—but the whole Sword King family.”
But Ray’s future wasn’t decided yet.
Some rare people gain aura sensitivity later. Ray still had four years before graduation. There was still time.
Fewer people meant fewer rumors.
Ray didn’t want anyone to see if he “accidentally” poked out Giel’s eye.
Over the past few nights, Ray had learned something important:
When his body was weak, he couldn’t move properly.
To move fast, he needed enhanced physical strength. Normally, people used aura to do that.
But Ray couldn’t use aura.
So what was the answer?
Poison.
Poison Enhancement. Also called Dokgong.
It boosts the body’s strength using poison. The effect is similar to aura.
He remembered the lecture from yesterday:
“Everyone! Focus, please!
Aura and Poison Enhancement are totally different!
Aura is power from the earth’s veins. It’s natural and doesn’t hurt your body.
Poison Enhancement is not the same!
It forces poison through your veins and muscles.
It gives you short power, but causes big side effects.
If you use too much, you become a monster—a Poison Human!
They lose their body and mind. They’re no longer human.
Poison Enhancement is cruel and illegal. Don’t ever compare it to aura!”
Sorry, Professor.
But I’m going to become a criminal tonight.
I’ll start with just a little poison.
A small handful.
Ray reached into the red orb to grab it.
Bzzz!
The orb shook violently—like it didn’t want to let him take it.
“Shh… it’s okay. Just a little. See? I’ll return it after I’m done. Don’t worry.”
But it didn’t stop shaking.
- Don’t do it, Ray. Don’t.
That must be his sister. She always worried about him.
But even she couldn’t stop him now.
“Hup!”
He pulled out the poison and sighed.
It started to soak into his hand.
But that’s as far as it went.
It wouldn’t go deeper.
He had to force it.
From hand to arm…
From arm to chest…
The poison spread toward his core, and his body began to swell.
“Ugh…”
It hurt.
And it looked bad.
Buzz!
The red orb shook even harder. It looked angry.
Ray forced a smile.
“It’s fine. I’ll take it out later and go back to normal.”
He had done it before—just with one finger. This was more, but it would be okay.
Right?
He wasn’t sure.
But the Poison King could do it.
Kainens, the Poison King.
He took in poison constantly, used Poison Enhancement, and still looked mostly human.
So Ray believed he could too.
As the poison spread deeper, Kainens’ memories became clearer.
Yes. I remember now.
I was Kainens.
For me, poison is as natural as breathing.
My cells and organs resist the poison by using their hidden strength.
That’s how I get stronger—like aura.
But if the poison takes over everything, it’s the end.
I must stay in control.
Just to the limit.
But the swelling in his body could no longer be stopped.
