Is it because this world is like a novel or a game? Unlike Earth, every living being here has an invisible power that can’t be seen with the eyes.
No, if even the undead have that power, it might be more accurate to say that all beings with will have that power.
Some clergy claimed that this power is the very soul that dwells in all things of the world.
They used the existence of undead rising from corpses and ghost-like monsters lacking physical bodies as proof that the same power resides in them.
Of course, there were just as many skeptics and debunkers, so the theory of the soul wasn’t officially recognized but was merely one of many theories.
Well, whether the essence of that power is a soul or not didn’t matter to warriors at all. What mattered to them was what they could do with that power.
And the answer was simple.
Warriors could directly siphon off part of that power from enemies they kill, thereby growing even stronger.
Blood and death—the power that was accumulated through such means guided its master beyond the limits of a mere servant, into a transcendent being, a curse, and a blessing.
“Thus, knights referred to it as ‘up.’ It signifies the power obtained by severing the enemy’s causal flow. As for others who are not knights….”
The demons named that power the Source of Life, usually shortening it to just ‘Source.’
The beastfolk of Baltgard called it ‘Toogi,’ while the elves of Elfenlant called it ‘Spirituality,’ or so the rumors say.
The lizardmen of the southern swamps called it ‘Prana,’ and in the east, they referred to it as ‘internal force,’ meaning the unseen power dwelling within. Honestly, it just felt like some setting game nonsense.
After all, it’s just a bunch of words referring to the same power, so why all the chaos in naming it?
…But then, who am I to talk with four names for myself?
Up, Source, Toogi, Spirituality, Prana, Internal Force.
Just naming those six feels excessive! According to Sir Veloren, there’s even one more.
Those wizards, who love to attach theoretical explanations and names to all phenomena, suggested calling that power the ‘Odd,’ which refers to the altered magical energy accumulated in one’s body for various reasons!
“Actually, even wizards don’t really use that term. They’ve been mocked by every walk of life for bringing up the All-Magic Energy Theory again and again without getting tired of it.”
“All-Magic Energy Theory?”
“It claims that everything in the world is made of magical energy. They argued that living beings, natural objects, and even gods are merely entities created from gathered magical energy.”
“…How on earth are they still alive after making such claims? That seems almost sacrilegious.”
To be spouting an idea that gods are merely collections of magical energy—that’s some bold wizardry, not knowing the fear of the clerical orders!
A theory like that could easily be designated heretical and get them slaughtered by paladins at just the announcement.
“Indeed, it is sacrilegious. So most of them were burned at the stake. A few survivors became Abyss Priests and hid in the shadows.”
Ah, they’re dead, huh?
I suppose so. The Church isn’t a merciful organization that would allow such radical and blasphemous claims to go unchecked, even if there’s a mutual non-interference treaty with the Tower of Magic.
The Goddess’ Church is not an organization filled with flexibility and compassion for those who spew such outrageous claims.
“Ahem, we’ve strayed a bit off-topic. Let’s return to the main issue.”
With a short cough, Sir Veloren continued her explanation.
◆◆
While the previous explanation was theoretical, focusing on the origin and denominations of ‘Up,’ what followed was filled with more practical matters.
“The ‘Up’ accumulated through repeated struggles nestles into a warrior’s body, allowing them to exert capabilities beyond their limits. Most warriors are usually unconscious of it, merely utilizing it instinctively.”
Unconscious physical ability amplification—that was the most representative effect of ‘Up.’
A person could only reach the level of a squire, or an adventurer, through sheer physical prowess alone.
To exert strength beyond that limit, one needed to combine their disciplined physique with the adjustments provided by ‘Up.’
Exceeding human limits through the buildup of ‘Up’—that was how warriors in this world became strong enough to butcher monsters.
“The effects become drastically noticeable at the level of elite knights. They can break black steel, leap several meters with a light jump, and even race against steeds and win.”
Sir Veloren demonstrated with examples—things that I and Friede could now easily accomplish would have seemed unimaginable back in our previous world.
“Reaching the level where the power used unconsciously can break steel—that is the standard for elite knights. Just like what you two are capable of now.”
Right. I could perform those tasks without breaking a sweat. Even without activating my Strength or Ice Heart, it felt so natural.
“And those who surpass that level…”
Sir Veloren drew a practice sword and gestured for me to do the same as if signaling for a duel.
Swish!
Following her cue, I took up the practice sword, striking a mid-stance aimed at her neck and solar plexus as I watched her.
With a soft smile, Sir Veloren twisted her waist and bent her knees.
Then—
Boom!
In the next instant, she was already right in front of me! I was relaxed, but even I, being somewhat elite-level, couldn’t react in time.
With an explosive rush that shook the ground, her swift blade was incomprehensibly fast, and her piercing gaze burned with an eerie blue light.
It felt as though death itself was licking my nape. I broke into a cold sweat, trembling slightly.
“As you can see—this is how you consciously manifest the power of ‘Up.’”
Sir Veloren withdrew her killing intent and smiled.
Pointing at the sword, which had split into two from tip to base.
“Becoming aware of the flow of ‘Up’ inside yourself and manipulating it with your own will, instead of unconsciously—cutting through rather than merely breaking steel. That’s what it means to be a high-ranking knight.”
Executing a marvelous feat akin to slicing through a 90cm-thick steel plate with a single practice sword.
Sir Veloren, having demonstrated this with a radiant smile and not a single crack on her sword, resumed her theoretical explanation to me, now thoroughly frozen.
The manifestation of ‘Up.’
It’s a phenomenon that can be considered a hallmark of high-ranking knights.
Warriors who, after countless battles and deep training, capture and become aware of the flow of ‘Up’ that dwells within them.
They become significantly stronger by learning to control the power of ‘Up’ that they had previously utilized unconsciously.
“In the knightly order of the kingdom, this is referred to as the ‘Manifestation of Up.’”
Those who reach this stage can wield the power of ‘Up’ freely.
Usually, they concentrate the power of ‘Up’ on a specific part of their body to unleash surges of capability.
It’s all about focusing the scattered power into one spot to unleash efficient and overwhelming strength.
Sir Veloren had shown this with her explosive high-speed charge and her skill of cutting through swords.
“That gleaming gaze earlier was…”
“When the dormant power of ‘Up’ within your body awakens, the overflow seeps out from the pupils. It can be seen as a sort of warning that a high-ranking knight is about to unleash their full power.”
Ah, so that’s why the strong characters in the original story often let their eyes shine with light! I thought it was just a cool visual.
“It’s merely a gleam in my case, but those few who have piled up the power of ‘Up’ beyond the limits of their bodies might as well have light rippling from their entire being. It’s known as the ‘Ignition of Up.’”
Sir Veloren explained how even among high-ranking knights, there are different tiers, discussing what lies above her own level.
The ‘Ignition of Up.’
Those who have amassed so much ‘Up’ that it practically flows out of their body. Upon reaching this level, they can even embed parts of ‘Up’ into their weapons, dramatically enhancing their cutting power!
“There’s only one swordsman in the kingdom who has reached that stage.”
They say that the current First Sword of the Kingdom has reached that level of Ignition. If we translate that into game levels, they’re probably around level 70 or 80?
Higher levels exist, but since you’d only find those who actually reached them among past heroes or their party members, they’re sort of half legends.
◆◆
After finishing her explanation, Sir Veloren granted us a five-minute break, and I leaned my broken sword against the wall and had a brief casual conversation with Friede.
“Manifestation of ‘Up’… experiencing it in reality is unbelievable! I couldn’t even react.”
“It really is impressive…”
The true power of high-ranking knights was overwhelming enough to leave both me and Friede at a loss for words.
It felt quite irresponsible to think that someone with such power could just retire and live a leisurely life.
Then again, they probably only reached such a level after retiring, so they could afford to live like that. They probably wouldn’t have been allowed to retire if they had achieved high-ranking knight status during their kingdom service.
They would likely have had to spend almost half their year deep within dungeons, battling strong foes that only high-ranking knights could face.
Thinking about it that way, I was quite relieved that Sir Veloren could retire.
The world is vast and filled with strong beings, so even high-ranking knights often meet untimely ends lurking at the depths of dungeons.
“Time’s up! Let’s resume training.”
As we chatted for a bit, Sir Veloren, who had been watching us with a smile from a distance, approached us.
“They teach that one must reach the level of a high-ranking knight to achieve the manifestation of ‘Up’ within the knightly order of the kingdom. However, experiencing it directly, I found it’s not strictly the case.”
While briefly summarizing the training topic that would follow the break, she explained.
“Even knights who haven’t built up ‘Up’ to the level of a high-ranking knight can still achieve awareness of it, if a high-ranking knight assists them.”
It was a surprising revelation—that an elite knight could achieve awareness of ‘Up’ with just a high-ranking knight’s help.
“The output might be somewhat weak, but if awareness is possible, then manifestation is too, as long as you keep practicing until it works.”
In other words, Sir Veloren was saying she would teach us how to manifest the power of ‘Up.’
“Uh… isn’t that sort of like a secret technique?”
I asked with a skeptical face, trying to suppress my beating heart filled with anticipation.
If high-ranking knights could assist others in achieving awareness, then elite knights would normally be using the manifestation of ‘Up’ freely. But that wasn’t exactly the case in reality.
“Yes, it likely is a secret technique. The high-ranking knights of the kingdom probably never mentioned it, likely because they didn’t want to create competitors. They might have secretly passed it down only to their direct descendants or something similar…”
Sir Veloren smiled as she confirmed this.
“So, I plan to pass it on to you quietly as well.”
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