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The version of Sky Cleaver I used was a downgraded imitation of Kagan’s original. Even then, I hadn’t dared to attempt it since getting stabbed by Kagan, but thanks to the Mage Duchess’s potions, I had reached a level where I could recreate it somehow. However, while the recreation was perfect in terms of splitting the sky, it was still lacking in power.

But what choice did I have? If I were to replicate the full power I used during the war, it wouldn’t just be my arm—it might be my entire body that explodes. The technique begins by forcibly amplifying the mana within the body, but even the slightest manipulation would cause my old injuries to react violently. The potions I took might suppress the symptoms, but they wouldn’t be able to erase the damage.

So, I adjusted the power by moving my mana mainly through my arm, not my wounded torso. Still, it was unfortunate that my arm broke.

This might actually be doable.

At least it made sense. If my arm bore the brunt of the strain, then strengthening the arm might be the key to enduring the technique. Maybe I could use it repeatedly without issue with a reinforced arm.

Bullshit.

That simplistic line of thinking led to this. It didn’t break off, but it burst from the inside.

“Hm, it might have been better if it had broken off.”

Tannian, who had approached quietly, sighed after examining my arm’s condition.

“If the arm had burst outwards, the force would have dispersed. But since the explosion was contained inside the arm, its intensity was much more severe.”

His calm diagnosis made me a bit bitter. I didn’t really want to know the process of how my arm was wrecked.

“…Can you fix it?”

“Yes. Fortunately, there’s no problem with healing.”

True to his word, feeling returned to my right arm as soon as Tannian recited a prayer.

The healing was flawless, but the enhancement clearly had its limits. Part of me wanted to accuse Tannian of deliberately holding back on the enhancement spell, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“Brother. It’s embarrassing to say this, but since there’s no precedent for cutting the sky, I can’t be sure if my enhancement will be effective. It’s beyond common sense, so I can’t predict anything.”

In fact, Tannian had warned me beforehand. He said he’d apply the enhancement, but couldn’t guarantee its effectiveness. It was a perfectly reasonable warning given the lack of precedent, but I pushed ahead anyway. It would be ugly to blame Tannian now.

Moreover, the important thing was that I managed to pull off Sky Cleaver without a single visible injury.

I was crazy.

Tannian’s enhancement holy spell was, in other words, the blessing of the future saint who received Enen’s full favor.

The moment it enveloped me, I could feel the lingering traces of Kagan’s wound—specifically, the eternal energy of the Blue Sky that clung to the injury—being suppressed. Even as someone who wasn’t a priest, I instinctively knew that it was being held back. The sheer contrast between the forces was unmistakable. And with that realization, a reckless ambition reared its head: Maybe I could push a little harder this time.

So, I did it, and this was the result. My arm couldn’t take it, not after channeling an even stronger force.

It did get stronger, but…

Still, it was definitely more powerful than the Sky Cleaver I used a few days ago.

First, it was larger than before, and instead of shrinking over time, the scar slowly grew, as if devouring the nearby sky. Of course, it grew to a certain point and then shrank back, but the scar I made last time didn’t grow at all. The difference was noticeable to anyone.

“…Baby? It seems stronger than last time.”

“I received an enhancement spell. I guess that’s why it was more powerful.”

Because of this, I received suspicious looks from the Mage Duchess. If she had discovered then that my arm had burst internally, she would’ve probably collapsed in tears. After that, I might see her launching hellfire at the Armein students while saying it was all their fault. What a terrible scenario.

“If this is the result even with an enhancement spell… it would be better if you don’t use it anymore.”

I couldn’t readily answer Tannian’s serious suggestion.

Honestly, I couldn’t promise not to use it again. With the technique publicly demonstrated under the Imperial Family’s name, it was no longer just my personal burden—it was now tied to the Empire’s prestige and authority. Whether I liked it or not, I’d have to do it if the Imperial Family gave the order and incentivized me properly.

“It’s fine. I think I’ve got a handle on it after using it a couple of times. As long as I adjust the power, it should end without any issues.”

That was the safest response I could manage. If I kept my greed in check and controlled the power, enhancement magic should suffice to keep everything intact.

Damn it.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. If it weren’t for my old injuries, I wouldn’t need to worry about enhancement magic or my limbs exploding. I might even be able to match the original version of Sky Cleaver in power. At the very least, I’d be able to wield something even stronger than the version I just used.

This won’t do. I need to increase my prayers to the eternal blue sky to five times a day.

***

Apparently, my feat of tearing the sky apart—even at the cost of my arm—had impressed the higher-ups.

— Good work, Executive Manager.

“You’re too kind. How could we neglect guests who’ve submitted to the Empire’s might?”

I got a call from the Crown Prince not long after receiving treatment from Tannian. Judging by the speed of his response, the report must have been sent up almost immediately.

— Haha, that’s right. The Empire would never mistreat those who acknowledge its superiority. You’re absolutely right.

Seeing him burst into laughter at my polite response, he must be in quite a good mood.

He has reason to be.

I could understand his joy. While Ernesto Academy’s visit and surrender to the Empire was something to be happy about, it was an inevitable outcome from the moment the Mage Duchess came to the Academy. Moreover, the United Kingdom of Yuben was far from the Empire and not a very threatening country due to its unique United Kingdom system.

However, the Kingdom of Armein was different. Just as the Empire looked for opportunities to bring Armein to its knees, Armein was also always looking for chances to undermine the Empire. Unlike the magic world where the Mage Duchess provided an overwhelming advantage, there was no reason for Armein to surrender to the Empire in the swordsmanship world.

Additionally, Armein was a neighboring country. Before Kagan’s appearance, any disturbance in the North often meant tension with Armein.

But now, Armein had formally acknowledged the Empire’s superiority. For a Crown Prince on the verge of ascending the throne, having a rival nation bow before him must feel like an early coronation gift.

— However, it’s the Executive Manager’s ability that satisfied our guests. The Imperial Family will not forget your steadfast loyalty and dedication.

“I’m deeply honored.”

It was just a typical compliment, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Somehow, it sounded like a promise to work me into the ground for eternity under the guise of honoring my service.

If that was the case, then I’d rather be forgotten. Being visible to the Imperial Family would only invite more responsibility… The Executive Manager position really wasn’t meant for me.

— From now on, entertaining our guests will be the Principal’s job. You may rest, Executive Manager.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your consideration.”

With those words, the call ended.

How strange. It was clearly a call meant to offer praise, yet all I was left with was the dread of being locked into lifelong service.

What a brilliant bastard.

***

After arriving at the lodgings prepared by the Imperial Academy, the students either went to their rooms or headed to the training ground.

As I walked to my assigned room, I observed the students’ faces, which fell into two distinct categories: those lost in thought and feeling doubtful after seeing the sky torn apart, and those burning with competitive spirit after witnessing a human achievement. I hope the former group will also gather their resolve and turn their doubts into passion.

As much as I wanted to help guide them through this process as their Vice Principal, I didn’t have the luxury of time right now.

— So it was true.

“Yes. We can no longer deny it.”

I contacted the principal who remained at the academy and gave a bitter report as soon as I reached my room. It was true that a swordsman from the Empire had cut the sky.

— I heard the Executive Manager received a holy spell before cutting the sky. Was it an enhancement spell?

After a moment of silence, the Principal raised a very reasonable question. I also thought that what the Executive Manager received from the future saint was an enhancement spell.

“Principal, could you cut the sky if you received an enhancement spell?”

But what difference did an enhancement spell make? It wasn’t like others could cut the sky if they received an enhancement spell, and warriors going to war naturally received enhancement spells anyway.

— I just asked to confirm. Civil servants need to know every detail to be satisfied.

The principal seemed to share my thoughts while smiling bitterly at my response. Those civil servants were always nitpicking about things they didn’t understand about the field.

— How are the students?”

“Some are sitting dejectedly in front of the wall, but more are determined to overcome it.”

— That’s a relief.

The Principal, who had been writing a report for the administration, smiled slightly at those words. Although the position of Robens Academy Principal was appointed according to political custom, he was an educator at his core. He was bound to be happy that the students who will lead the future have chosen to persevere rather than despair.

The Principal sighed after asking questions for a while, presumably having finished writing the report.

— You’ve worked hard traveling so far. The administration should be satisfied with this, so rest adequately before returning.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

I leaned back in my chair as the call ended and the crystal lost its light.

I felt conflicted. As a swordsman, I was thrilled to witness the pinnacle of swordsmanship—an achievement that transcended mortal limits. But as someone from Armein, the emergence of a swordsman in the Empire capable of cleaving the sky filled me with dread.

The Empire was already recovering from wounds inflicted in the war with the nomads. For a neighboring nation like Armein, the appearance of such a symbol was deeply concerning.

It was somewhat fortunate that the Executive Manager belonged to the administration rather than the military, but such affiliations could easily be changed.

Dogs that bite don’t bark.

Still, there was hope. If the Empire truly aimed for war with Armein, they would have attacked suddenly without such a display. That would have been more effective.

The public display and the permission for Robens Academy to visit all suggested that the Empire might be content with diplomatic concessions rather than seeking to establish a hierarchy through war.

..It had to be that. If the Empire were to choose war with the Executive Manager on the frontlines, it would be a replay of the nightmare from the time of the Iron-Blooded Duke.

***

Indeed, it wasn’t just mages who were crazy; swordsmen were definitely crazy, too.

“Hyung. You really didn’t get hurt this time, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, Advisor, does that mean you can use it occasionally in the future?”

“I don’t know.”

Erich and Rutis looked visibly disappointed at the vague answer, but this was for their own good.

There were no eternal lies in this world. With the kind of cursed luck I’ve had, I couldn’t afford to make promises I can’t keep.

If we’re caught, we all go down together.

If anyone realized my arm had exploded internally, or if I used the technique again at someone’s request and got injured, there were four people who would flip out. Where would their anger be directed then?

There were already a few people giving sharp looks to these two men clinging to me and calling for an encore. Even now, they were in a full state of alert even when they believed my body was safe. What would happen if even that safety guarantee crumbled? We’d all die immediately. Maybe even the Crown Prince would die with us.

“If you do it too often, people stop finding it amazing.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Don’t try to understand it. Just accept it in your heart.

Honestly, showing it off twice is already more than /genesisforsaken