At a glance, it seemed there were over thirty clones, all of them grinning and chattering as they focused on Jed.
It was a somewhat bizarre sight, prompting Jed to glance at his master.
"...What are you planning to make me do now?"
"These clones will obstruct your path. Try to deal with them using magic as you climb."
"Ugh…"
His entire body was drenched in sweat, and he felt as if he weighed several times more than usual.
Unfazed by Jed's struggle, Kran added another sandbag to each of his limbs.
At this point, it felt like he was carrying a mountain on his back, making it hard to even stand still.
"Hmph! If you're thinking of whining, forget it. I told you to prepare yourself, didn't I?"
"I'm not whining. It's just this is nothing."
"Oh? So you still have some strength left?"
Strength? He was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.
Yet the spirit of a champion was far beyond that of an ordinary person.
Jed refused to fall; he was determined not to give in, even if it meant pushing himself further.
"Stop resting and run. You need to deal with those clones and reach the summit."
With great effort, Jed forced his heavy legs to move.
A deep pain weighed down on his shoulders, making him fear he might break apart at any moment.
But he was convinced this was the path to becoming stronger, so he kicked off the ground and sprinted toward the peak.
'There's one!'
He spotted a clone near the entrance, identical in appearance to his master, rushing at him to block his way.
In an instant, a golden bolt of lightning struck down upon the clone's head.
Boom! Whoosh!
Jed watched as the clone disintegrated into dust and continued running.
He encountered a steep incline ahead where two more clones stood with their arms crossed, looking down at him.
"Tch…!"
His mana had long since run dry.
He wanted to draw from the mana stored in his belt, but that wasn't the right mindset for training.
Jed squeezed every last drop of mana from the very tips of his toes.
Boom! Whoosh!
'Thunderbolt' could only take down one clone at a time.
He barely managed to gather enough mana for one attack, but there was still another clone left—no, dozens more scattered across the mountainside!
'Damn it…'
Even trying to gather more felt futile; it was like scraping the bottom of a dried-up well.
Frustration boiled within him as he faced an impossible mission.
"Damn that old fool…!"
He realized Kran had intentionally pushed him harder than he thought possible.
Kran likely didn't expect him to succeed either; this challenge was beyond reasonable limits.
Yet Kran still demanded this of him because...
'Right, he mentioned something about control.'
At first, Jed hadn't understood what that meant, but now it began to click.
'The mana needed to deal with those clones is minimal.'
In other words, there was no need for a full-fledged 'Thunderbolt' spell.
Control meant being able to activate magic with just a small amount of mana.
If he could reduce the spell's destructive power, then controlling it would become easier—and increasing its power would also be simpler!
'...So that's what he meant.'
Forget calling Kran an old fool; he wasn't just pushing him blindly. He wanted Jed to learn through this process.
"Let's give it a shot."
Ignoring the clone directly in front of him, Jed sprinted forward with all his might.
He needed time for his mana to regenerate.
As he ran, more clones began gathering behind him until dozens were trailing like a horde of zombies as he neared the summit.
'Mana control…'
Jed looked back at the approaching clones from atop the peak.
He had just enough mana for one 'Thunderbolt' spell left stored up.
Dividing that mana would be Kran's true challenge for him.
Crackle!
The lightning energy gathered in his palm, radiating an intense glow.
Jed began intentionally splitting that energy into smaller pieces.
Recalling the flow of mana he'd learned before, he halved it and halved it again.
"Tch…!"
The process required intense concentration; fatigue quickly set in mentally as well as physically.
With zombies closing in fast and time running out, his control started to falter under pressure.
They were only 30 meters away now!
'Just a bit more…!'
Twenty meters left!
Crackle! Crackle!
Now only ten meters!
'No time left…!'
He had split the mana orb into about twenty pieces.
While there were more zombies than that coming after him, he couldn't afford any more delays!
'...'
For his first attempt, splitting it into twenty pieces was impressive enough—right? What if he failed? He could just try again later!
Even if he failed here, Kran would surely be surprised by how far he'd gotten!
After all, this task was beyond normal limits; failing was expected!
Sweet thoughts swirled in his mind as temptation crept closer.
But just as anyone might succumb to such thoughts, Jed clenched his jaw tightly.
'Hell no! Am I going to give up?!'
Only five meters away now! Three meters!
The zombies reached out their hands towards him just as their fingers brushed against his collar!
Jed maintained focus and continued splitting his mana without faltering!
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!
'It's happening!'
Time seemed to slow down in that moment.
The fingers of those zombies were inches from his chin!
Even dividing one second into ten felt like no time at all remained!
Jed's eyes blazed crimson at that instant!
[Magic: 'Thunderbolt' activated in succession.]
Boom! Boom! Bang! Boom! Boom!
Dozens of bolts of lightning fell from above simultaneously.
Though their power was weak individually, they illuminated the night sky like daylight!
In this place where the barrier known as 'Illusory Space' unfolded around them, only Kran could witness that brilliance.
"Have you ever seen such a madman?!"
How could someone who hadn't even mastered dual casting manage multi-casting?
Kran gasped in astonishment and let out an expletive.
This defied common sense—it was an act that contradicted the very laws of nature itself!
"Good heavens… What a monstrous talent…"
Kran trembled with awe and fear alike; an overwhelming sense of respect surged through him all at once.
He let out a long sigh while gazing up at the brilliantly lit night sky—this moment would linger in memory for quite some time.
"..."
As tears welled up from emotional impact while lost in thought, he noticed Jed staggering toward him from afar—on the verge of collapse yet still standing strong.
Those deep crimson eyes piercing through thick darkness were unmistakably those belonging to Temud's descendant—commanding yet weary.
"Phew... Is it done now?"
"..."
"Let's call today's training here; I can hardly stand any longer—"
Thud!
Jed collapsed right before him.
Kran stared blankly before using telekinesis to lift his disciple off the ground gently.
As he prepared to move Jed silently without waking him up, Kran tilted his head slightly upon seeing Jed's face:
"…Looks like you know you did something incredible."
Even unconscious, Jed wore a satisfied smile—a look of pride shining through even in slumber.
[Magic stat increased by +1.] [Mana: 16 (+5)]
Three days passed since then.
Kran told Jed not to return until summoned again after getting plenty of rest.
Thanks to that instruction, I found myself enjoying a relatively relaxed routine during this time.
Currently, I was reading Eddie's compiled report on Neka's recent developments.
After exercising each day, I took moments here and there to gather information too.
"J-Jed…!"
Suddenly Liu burst through the door of our detective agency in a panic.
Wondering what could be wrong as I turned my attention toward her frantic demeanor,
She spoke with heightened urgency: "It's bad news! An elderly woman came looking for you at your mansion… When I said you weren't home she said she'd come back tomorrow!"
"…And why is that such bad news?"
"N-No! I found out who she is—she claims to be your grandmother—the wife of your late predecessor!"
"What? My grandmother?"
That caught me completely off guard; my grandmother showing up unexpectedly?
Even if she were my grandmother—I didn't remember her at all!
I wouldn't recognize her if we crossed paths on the street either!
"Hmmm… But why would she come by my mansion?"
"She must want to see you! Perhaps those discussions with elders you mentioned earlier have finally begun?"
"Oh…"
Suddenly I recalled what Genedin had said about those elder discussions starting up... But if my grandmother is involved among them then she must wield considerable influence within their ranks?
'Why would someone like her want to meet me?'
Perhaps due to my abilities or maybe because she has taken interest in events surrounding Imperial forces?
Regardless—news about elder discussions beginning wasn't exactly comforting either…
"I didn't expect them to move so quickly; they're really proactive."
To continue their lineage means they need offspring—which naturally requires marriage too.
The elders belong primarily through their wives' families; modernly speaking—they're akin distant relatives on maternal sides.
Though they can't use Arahhan's name due being non-purebloods—they enjoy significant power while amassing wealth and influence unlike anyone else around here...
"I hope they're not here with ill intentions? After all—it is your grandmother."
"I'm not sure what her intentions are."
"She'll be coming over for lunch tomorrow—make sure you don't go anywhere!"
"Hmmm... This is suddenly giving me a headache."
"What should we prepare for lunch? Bertisan beef sounds best?"
Look at Liu—he's already acting like a butler worrying about how we should host guests; guess he's adapted quickly enough since our last outing together...
'Running away won't solve anything though...'
Arahhan may be cold towards their children but tends towards leniency when dealing with elders instead...
This is partly out of respect for past leaders while also due largely because over many years—their influence has spread throughout various aspects within our family history...
'More importantly—Genedin received help from them too.'
Becoming head without any support isn't easy; amidst fierce rivalries—the backing from elders proves absolutely crucial...
Unless one grows powerful enough not needing assistance—the history shows since Temud's era no head has ever achieved such feats alone...
"Liu—prepare some Bertisan beef along with potato soup on side—but keep things simple without going overboard."
"Okay! I'll get started right away since I'm sure things will get hectic!"
While part of me wished I could avoid this altogether—I knew delaying wouldn't buy me much time anyway...
Ultimately confrontation awaits regardless...
Eddie had been quietly listening throughout our conversation finally chimed in teasingly: "Oh wow—you're meeting your grandmother? Looks like you're about to get swept up into political intrigue!"
"That sounds like something you'd wish for."
"Hehe—I worry you don't realize how precious I am! Once politics kick off information becomes paramount so how you treat me will change too right? Maybe no more threats about raising rent or sending me off into dark alleys?"
"I'm already aware of your worth."
"No—you need deeper understanding than that; truly grasp its significance!"
"Just hand over whatever intel you've gathered on those elders—I'll finish my business before chatting idly."
"See? This is typical behavior from you—not even showing respect or partnership!"
Ignoring Eddie's complaints—I snatched up documents held tightly within my grasp containing details regarding various elders alongside estimated strengths listed therein...
While most entries consisted mainly speculation—the quality prepared within mere days proved impressive nonetheless...
"This level competence means why wouldn't I respect you?"
"You called me competent...? Did you just compliment me? Surely I must've misheard!"
"I'll give ample time for further investigation; seems likely these elders will take precedence over siblings first..."
Whether I'll get caught within their whirlwind—or sail smoothly remains uncertain... Tomorrow will reveal all answers ahead...