章節 618: CHAPTER 775

[T.L: punisher87]

[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]

When two of them opened their eyes, the screens were dark, and the record windows were shining blue.

Valeria couldn't take her eyes off the record windows, as if she were gazing at stars.

[How do you feel about my master's world?]

"It was incredibly beautiful."

Valeria didn't hesitate for a moment in her response to the Golem's question.

There was transparent moisture in the corner of her eyes.

Jin hesitated for a moment and then reached out his right hand and put on Valeria's left hand.

Jin's firm calluses hand scratched Valeria's back of the hand as they intertwined, and she didn't avoid that touch.

'Were my teacher's hands always this small?'

The feeling was quite different from when they held hands in their past life. That was because Jin had become a bigger person than before. In their past life, Jin relied on Valeria mostly, but now it was the opposite.

The two of them lay there for a while, looking up at the ceiling.

Do not push life into a barren and desolate place.

Maliet's last testament was igniting a fire inside Valeria, a fire that she had never experienced before.

In other words, a heart that can love the world.

Even if she carries a harsh and bleak fate from birth, loses the people she walked with, and continues to chase after revenge that seems so distant and elusive.

Still, there was a growing feeling in Valeria's heart that sometimes she needed to fill her life with something shining, a feeling that she needed to reach out to someone, passed down to her from Maliet.

Jin was also deeply moved by Maliet's great life.

Like Maliet said, there was a need for more children in the world who wouldn't be dragged into fights.

"Valeria."

"Yes?"

"I'm glad to see that you're improving day by day."

That was a phrase Jin often heard from Valeria in their past life. Every time Jin escaped from a state of being a cripple, Valeria praised him.

[Oh, what's this? It is nice to see. Ooh-ooh-ooh.]

[Hahaha, isn't this not the time to act lovey-dovey?]

Appearing like third-rate villains, Zen and Teben joined them. Jin and Valeria stood up, naturally releasing their held hands.

[So, are we ready to undergo the test we've prepared with great care?]

While Jin and Valeria were observing Maliet's life, five hours had passed outside.

Zen and Teben had spent that time carefully preparing the test for the communication device.

The Golem sighed and lowered its head.

[Zen, Teben, if they fail the test, you won't give them the communication device. You created it, claiming it would be a legacy for your descendants, and now you're acting strange.]

[Hmph! We're just taking the test, just like Maliet left the traps!]

[Damn! We can't get this chance daily.]

Teben and Zen, with faces full of determination, blinked their eyes rapidly (even as ghosts).

Jin and Valeria had already achieved significant accomplishments and had been deeply moved in the succession temple. However, it was unacceptable to leave behind the main purpose, which was the long-distance communication device.

If the test demanded physical strength like the traps in the succession temple, there would be no reason to be nervous. However, it didn't seem like the two would require combat.

'What kind of test is it?'

'It seems to be related to magic or magical engineering.'

Even if it was a test solving related problems, they had confidence in their abilities. Jin and Valeria were individuals who could score perfect marks on the highest-level exams at the Vermont or Zipfel Academies.

During the moment when a slight tension and curiosity arose, Teben stepped forward.

[Hahaha! So, now you realize the situation. Are you scared because you think the test will be difficult?]

[In this world, there's nothing easy!]

"Ancestor and Dr. Zen, what test have you prepared for us?"

[That's the word!]

[Exactly!]

[Right, right!]

[Rock!]

[Paper!]

[Scissors!]

[Go!]

Jin and Valeria were momentarily stunned, they were speechless, as Zen and Teben took peculiar poses and alternately spoke.

"...Rock, paper, scissors?"

"So, all we have to do is win at rock-paper-scissors?"

[Hahaha! Yes, rock-paper-scissors! Even if you're strong, there's no way you can win against us.]

[Well! I've come up with a fair and perfect test, and it has enriched my research life.]

[I swear by Hister's name, if you can't beat us at rock-paper-scissors, there will be no communication device!]

They spent a whole five hours contemplating, and the content of the test turned out to be rock-paper-scissors...

Jin was once again at a loss for words, but Valeria sensed a slight hesitation in their demeanor.

Valeria believed that rock-paper-scissors was purely a matter of luck. You could easily lose if you were careless.

[By the way, we have been practicing rock-paper-scissors together for the past three hundred and fifty years.]

[Teben and I are practically the demons of rock-paper-scissors. No, we're definitely demons. Do you think amateurs like you can beat us?]

"Ancestor, you just said it was a fair test, didn't you?"

[Who will go first? The rules are simple. The first to win twenty rounds will be the winner! Each person has ten lives. If you lose ten times, you're out. On the other hand, you can continue to fight with your opponent until you lose ten times.]

[Decide who goes first. Teben Hister will go first. It's customary for the strongest to appear last, so I can only…]

[What are you talking about? Zen, clearly, I am stronger than you, so take the lead and raise our spirits…]

[Hmm, it seems we have a mosquito here. Who will go first?]

Jin and Valeria exchanged perplexed glances.

Valeria decided to go first. After all, Jin was the one who remained calm at the moment.

"I will go first, ancestor."

[Yes, it's more exciting to see a showdown between Hister vs Hister. Hehehe, let's begin! Rock, paper, scissors!]

Suddenly, Teben shouted rock-paper-scissors and extended his hand, and Valeria responded with a gesture. The result was Teben choosing paper and Valeria choosing rock.

"Ugh."

[Hahaha! This is the wisdom of your ancestors. Rock-paper-scissors is actually a psychological battle. I have mastered it while you are just a beginner... People mostly throw rock when they're flustered. That's why you lost! Rock-paper-scissors!]

"Oh."

[Scissors? I chose rock! It's another victory for me. Great, next, I will choose paper. If you throw scissors, you win. Hehehe, can you choose scissors? It's not difficult. Rock-paper-scissors! Oh no, you didn't choose scissors, you chose paper? How unfortunate.]

Valeria anticipated Teben choosing rock, so she chose paper, but Teben even predicted that and chose scissors.

"You clearly said you would choose paper..."

[The world of competition is cruel. You're paying the price for not trusting your ancestors! If you had followed my words and chosen scissors, we would have had a tie at least. Hehehe, that's why you're amateurs. Rock-paper-scissors!]

Surprisingly, Teben's claim that they had been practicing rock-paper-scissors for 350 years wasn't an exaggeration. Teben relentlessly shook and pressured Valeria psychologically, seemingly reading her moves.

I am wrong, the teacher has completely thrown me off.'

Valeria continued to play rock-paper-scissors, unusually flustered.

When the match was over, Teben and Valeria's scores were 9:1. Valeria looked at the scorecard written on the blackboard and couldn't believe it. She never expected such a merciless defeat in rock-paper-scissors.

[Well done, Teben. You even have the luxury of losing one round. Is it because she is your descendant and showing mercy?]

[Ahem. Zen, it seems you won't even have a chance to participate.]

[But don't let your guard down; that guy still hasn't lost his composure.]

[Since he is not my descendant, I will defeat him by tradition…]

Now, Jin had to deal with both of them alone.

"Jin, be careful. He's a true master. How... can this happen? It's just rock-paper-scissors."

Nodding his head, Jin stepped forward. A faint gust of wind passed between Jin and Teben.

[Runcandel novice, I'll play rock.]

"Please do."

[Oh? Acting tough, huh? Kekeke. Let's see how long your boldness can last. Rock-paper-scissors!]

Teben played rock, while Jin played paper.

"Oh? I have to use more complicated psychology to trick you, huh?]

"I'll play paper."

[Rather, you're trying to provoke me in reverse? You need some etiquette training! Rock-paper-scissors!]

This time, Jin played scissors, and Teven played paper.

[...Scissors? There's no reason to play scissors here.]

"Is that so? I just decided to change it up."

[You're quite skilled... Or maybe you're just lucky?]

"Rock-paper-scissors. It's rock. As you can see, I played paper."

[What? I lost again?]

Jin swiftly killed Teben's momentum in that manner.

Teben couldn't achieve a single victory out of the remaining nine lives.

Valeria looked at Jin and Teben alternately with wide eyes.

[This can't be! You manipulated something!]

[No, manipulation. The odds are slim, but it's possible.]

[Step back, Teben. He wasn't your opponent.]

As Zen stepped forward, Teben glared at him with resentment.

[Zen, don't act like you're stronger than me!]

[Hmph, arguing about manipulation and trying to pass off a victory as luck. Disappointing, Teben. Is that all you can do?]

[That damn bastard! Ah, don't hold me back!]

As the golem and Valeria restrained Teben, Zen smiled with a sly grin.

[It feels exhilarating to meet a worthy opponent after a long time... Jin Runcandel. If you can defeat Zen Lutberh, I'll give you the communication device.]

"If you're ready, let's begin."

There was a moment of tension between the two.

In reality, Zen was the only one feeling excited and nervous. Jin had the confidence to win every round, not just ten but a hundred or a thousand times.

'It's fortunate that it's rock-paper-scissors. If we had done something like flipping a coin, it would have been really dangerous.'

Rock-paper-scissors was a game that could never be fair against a martial artist with superhuman "insight." Jin, who could see and dodge even the hand movements of a swift sword infused with the aura of a 10-star level knight, could not afford to miss the moment when the hand shapes in rock-paper-scissors changed.

Just like Teben before, Zen also had no idea about this fact, even in his dreams.

[Rock-paper-scissors!]

"Rock. I won this time."

[Argh!]

"This time, I lost."

[Rock-paper-scissors! Two consecutive wins!]

Jin deliberately staged an intense match. It was better to draw a satisfying picture for Zen and then ultimately win rather than be suspicious for no reason.

[Paper!]

"Scissors!"

[Results, 10:8. Jin Runcandel wins.]

Jin and Valeria clapped their hands and smiled, while Zen briefly bowed his head and then accepted the result.

[I should have just gone with my initial instinct... It was a good match, Jin Runcandel.]

[You have a lot to learn, Zen... Haha, well played, Jin Runcandel. Bring the communication device, Zen. It's time for the winner to indulge.]

This time, Teben pretended to be the big man compared to Zen.

[Don't get too arrogant! It's clear that I'm superior to you in rock-paper-scissors!]

[Well, how's the result of your skilled rock-paper-scissors now? That's why I suggested flipping a coin.]

After a brief exchange of banter, the two brought the communication device together.

Although some harsh words were exchanged, it seemed that neither of them was truly emotionally affected.

[I'll finally be free from my duty. Thank you for winning. My descendant and Jin Runcandel.]

[Congratulations, to the new successors.]

The golem applauded and congratulated Jin and Valeria.

[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]

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章節 619: CHAPTER 776

[T.L: punisher87]

[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]

Jin and Valeria were walking along the beach.

Outside the succession temple, the sea surrounding Honka island glowed with a reddish hue as the evening sun dipped into the waves, shimmering like jewels with each crashing wave.

-[I've never been there, but I've heard the evening scenery on the island is beautiful. The successors go out and enjoy the breeze. It's chaotic here.]

Golem said earlier. There were some parts that needed fixing before Zen and Teben handed them the communication devices, so they decided to take an unintended stroll.

Both of them didn't mind the unexpected walk for that reason.

Their footprints stretched across the wet sand. The pleasant scent of the sea tickled their noses, and the cool breeze rustled their hair.

"Shall we dip our ankles in?"

Surprisingly, Valeria spoke as she took off her shoes. Jin nodded and stepped barefoot into the gently breaking waves.

Walking together like this, memories of their past lives, filled with fond moments, resurfaced in Jin's mind.

Sometimes as teacher and student, sometimes as friends, and at times even closer, they roamed the world together.

But looking back, even back then, there was a hidden loneliness within each of their hearts, unspoken to one another.

Jin was filled with a desire for revenge against his clan and an ambition for success that stemmed from it, while Valeria acted like someone who could leave at any time due to Hister's mission.

Both of them didn't want to get hurt.

Jin lost Gilly when he was exiled, and Valeria lost the Gray owl when she was a child. Due to their memories of losing family, they tried not to give their hearts too deeply to anyone.

But not anymore. They were walking together with their hearts wide open.

"I've been feeling good lately. I've been feeling it often. I had forgotten about it for a long time until I met you and the other comrades."

"Because revenge against Zipfel and your mission as Hister were everything to you."

"Of course, they're still the most important parts of my life. But I'm starting to feel that I'm not alone in this world. If I had walked alone while looking at such beautiful scenery, I wouldn't have felt as good as I do now. I might have felt lonely instead."

Valeria had experienced many such moments. As a fugitive wandering the world from a young age, she frequently explored various mysterious places untouched by human hands.

However, even when faced with breathtaking landscapes, she had never been moved as much as she was now. No matter how beautiful the place, it was no different from a colorless scenery.

In her past life, Jin had never seen Valeria in such a sincere state. Jin felt a tickle inside and momentarily shifted his gaze to a distant place.

"You've grown a lot. Thinking back to the time from when we first met in Mamit until you settled in Tikan."

"Let's just say I was an adolescent. It's a bit embarrassing to think of myself back then."

"Now, are you going to open up to others more than before?"

"I intend to make an effort. Even when I first came, everyone already cherished me, even when I acted uncooperative."

"Really? How are you going to make an effort? Can you really do it?"

"Enough teasing."

"Alright."

Small crabs scurried under their feet. The two of them sat down for a moment, watching the crabs and occasionally gazing absentmindedly at the sun sinking into the sea.

"Jin."

"Yeah."

"There are times when meeting you feels like destiny."

At the unexpected remark, Jin almost coughed.

"...Destiny?"

"In Mamit, when I saw you and immediately called out your name. Do you remember?"

"I remember."

"At that time, you were already a famous figure due to the Holy Kingdom incident, so even though I called out your name as if I knew you, you didn't seem surprised. But, the truth is, I had actually seen you even before you became known in the world."

"...You were watching me?"

"I dreamed about you. From some time ago, I dreamt of you almost every day."

-Are you going to keep lying like that?

-Leave me alone.

-How pathetic. Jin, your arrogant siblings would love this.

-What? How do you know my name?

-It seems you still have some lingering attachment to the world if you're curious. Follow me. I'll forgive you for aiming a sword at the throat of the person who reached out to you.

When Valeria explained the contents of the dream, Jin's eyes widened.

"You had...such dreams? Continuously?"

The dream was exactly the same as the moment Jin first met Valeria in their past lives.

"Moreover, among the records I found in the succession temple, there was a prediction stating that the person who would seek me out in 1795 would come to Mamit in 1799. It was also you."

"A record that predicts the future? Is that even possible?"

"If it's a complete level of record magic, it's limited but possible. However, unlike Az Mil's foresight, peeking into future records doesn't determine the future. If I knew about the records but didn't wait for you in Mamit, we wouldn't have been able to meet."

Jin could only become more shocked as time went on.

According to Valeria's words, it meant that there existed records beyond his regression. Valeria dreaming about Jin was a record from their past lives, and Jin coming to Mamit was a record of the present.

"You seem very surprised."

"I can't help it."

"I had always believed that those dreams and records of the future were both the guidance and fate left behind by my ancestors. Perhaps in the records my ancestors saw, there was a mention that I needed you for me to reach the end of my mission."

The roots of Hister, the clue about the Fairy tribe, and meeting Luet would have all been impossible without Jin.

"And since I met you, sometimes... I felt as if you knew me well."

-Steamed lamb with lots of peppers and onions and beef stew. Add plenty of black pepper to that. And…

Before they went to the Wantaramo Forest together, the food Jin ordered at the restaurant was the favorite food of the Gray owls. It was also a dish that Jin and Valeria frequently ate together in their past lives.

It was a common combination, but it was undoubtedly strange that Jin ordered the exact same dish down to the smallest details.

Valeria stopped walking and turned to look at Jin.

"Jin. You also have some secrets, don't you?"

Jin met her gaze, contemplating how to answer.

However, Valeria wasn't asking to hear an answer. She was recalling the record that stated that Jin had died once.

"No matter what that secret is, I am certain that it won't be something harmful to me or to the world."

"Valeria."

"And I feel like someday, I will examine all the records about you. At that time, I hope you won't reject my magic, even if it's a bit embarrassing."

The sunset was coming to an end.

Valeria stood there, completely soaked in the reddish light that the sun was casting, with a wide smile on her face.

In that moment, Jin momentarily forgot all the things he had just heard.

Forgetting even to breathe, he couldn't tear his gaze away from Valeria. The scent of the ocean clung to her hair, causing his head to spin, and everything around him, except for Valeria's figure, became blurry.

Step by step, Jin approached Valeria. Unconsciously, two steps, three steps, getting so close that their noses were about to touch.

Valeria opened her arms and embraced Jin. The touch of her cheeks felt as if they were melting. As the sun finally set, a calm darkness settled over the island.

"...I'm glad I met you, Jin."

"Me too."

For some reason, with a hoarse voice, Jin replied so.

***

When the two returned to the succession temple, it was already dawn. It was only then that Teben and Zen finished repairing the communication device, and Honka and Shuri relayed the news to them.

[You've waited a long time, successor. Did you have a good time?]

Jin and Valeria looked embarrassed and stuttered in front of the golem.

[It seems like you enjoyed your walk. Master said there are many beautiful places on Honka Island.]

[Hmph, who takes a walk for nearly ten hours? That's called a date, golem. Ancestors have work to do... Well, we're losers, so we don't have any complaints.]

[Well, I don't mind at all. If you tell me in detail how you guys spent your time, looking like a bunch of young-loving fools.]

[Asking such a thing is not polite.]

[What? Polite? We've been stuck in the succession temple for three hundred and fifty years! Imagine how interesting that story would be!]

[I was also, stuck in the succession temple. Even longer. And other people's love stories, usually interesting.]

[Teben, I hate that golem!]

[Me too!]

[If you hate it, come at me. I'll take you on any time.]

Zen and Teben bravely avoided the golem's gaze and took out the communication device.

The communication device looked like a rectangular panel, and there were a total of three of them.

[It's a long-range communication device. It allows lovers to communicate even if they're at opposite ends of the world... .]

[Hmph... just thinking about you two constantly bothering and pestering me with it makes my intestines twist. But be happy! Descendant, you must have walked a lonely path until now.]

"Although I don't intend to use it for that purpose, thank you, Ancestor."

[What!? You won't use it for that purpose? Then I won't give it to you. If you're lovers, you should talk often!]

[You won't give it to them? Teben, you're showing a pitiful appearance again. Don't you know how to surrender in a competition yet? Who are you, anyway?]

Jin and Valeria couldn't help but smile at their harmless and foolish appearance.

[The instructions for use and production are written in this manual. Right now, there are only three, but with the right materials and skilled engineers, you can make more. Now go! We'll focus on practicing rock-paper-scissors again.]

[We'll be able to relax more now that we've gotten rid of that burden, hehe.]

Jin looked at the manual and handed one of the communication devices back to Zen and Teben.

"You two should communicate with us from time to time. Along with the golem."

"Whenever you're bored, we'll tell you stories from the outside world. It seems like the only way to repay you."

At those words, Zen and Teben's faces became pained, as if they were about to burst into tears.

[Is that really true?]

[We're just insignificant losers... and yet you want to grant us such recognition?]

"You're not insignificant at all, Ancestor. We gain so much thanks to you in this succession temple. Compared to the hardships you've endured for the past three hundred and fifty years... I haven't done anything."

[My descendant is the best!]

"Neither of you are my descendants, but you are the best!]

Teben and Zen hugged the two of them and danced together. Valeria gazed towards the golem.

"I'll give you a name."

[Oh... finally, I have a name. Hurry, hurry, give it to me.]

"Iello Hister."

The golem stood still for a moment without moving. It was silent.

Valeria was worried that maybe giving the name Iello to honor Maliet's memory displeased it, but she didn't need to worry.

Tears of mana flowed from Golem's two eyes.

[The name of the child who received grace from the Master. And the clan name. It's touching. I am now Iello Hister. A member of Hister.]

"I'm glad you like it. Take good care of yourself, Iello."

Golem, or rather, Iello, scratched the back of its head nervously and shook hands with Valeria. Then, it pulled something out from its chest and handed it to her.

[This is my blueprint. Please make my siblings. And... the Master's Magic tome of secret magic spell.]

In addition to the communication device, Iello also gave Valeria its blueprint and the secret magic spell magic tomb.

The journey in the succession temple that Maliet left behind has ended so abundantly.

[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]

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