Flames surged upward in a relentless ascent.
The inferno rising from the ground pierced toward the sky, scorching everything within sight. Kanzaki Rei focused his perception on his opponent, and as he observed, a number of realizations surfaced in his mind.
This battle… had been unexpectedly rewarding.
After advancing to a Level 5 Death Priest, it felt as though his thinking had broadened significantly. Fighting these inheritors—he could learn a great deal from them.
So fire could be used like this?
It seemed his previous understanding had only scratched the surface.
Before, he had viewed elements purely from the perspective of a mage.
But now, observing fire from a more fundamental, purer standpoint… it stirred a deeper sense of insight.
As expected of a god whose very name embodied flame—its inheritor truly demonstrated many aspects of fire's essence. Kanzaki Rei felt his understanding of the fire element deepen once again.
But unfortunately…
This alone wasn't enough.
Layers upon layers of frost pressed downward!
The higher the flames climbed, the denser the ice became—colder, harsher, more absolute!
The flames broke through countless layers of ice—
But they were gradually weakening.
Adraleth's speed began to falter…
No—
It wasn't just slowing.
He couldn't push forward anymore.
The ice crushed down completely, extinguishing the burning flames until they dwindled into nothingness.
"…Is that all?"
Kanzaki Rei's tone carried a trace of disappointment.
He hadn't been eager to face overwhelmingly strong opponents—but the man before him fell far short of expectations.
It seemed that so-called inheritors of the gods… weren't necessarily that impressive.
Up until now, Kanzaki Rei had encountered only a handful of inheritors.
One was Kumeroni.
Another was Sora Night, who had cleared the Trial of White.
Then there were Yelia and Rhein, whom he had only recently met.
Yelia's strength—when wielding that divine weapon—was undeniably terrifying.
That much, he had already witnessed.
As for Rhein… his combat ability remained a complete mystery.
Given the nature of luck, Kanzaki Rei had no intention of underestimating him.
Aside from them—
He had known nothing about the true strength of other inheritors.
But now, after this exchange…
They might qualify as prodigies—but "invincible"? Hardly.
At the very least, compared to Seiichi, they were nowhere close.
Kanzaki Rei lowered the hand holding his staff.
Time to end this.
Just as Adraleth struggled against the crushing frost—
Suddenly—
From every direction, countless elements erupted!
Light. Darkness. Lightning. Ice. Water…
Adraleth's pupils shrank.
All elements converged toward a single point—
BOOM!
In an instant—
His body was torn apart from every direction, shredded by a storm of multicolored elemental destruction!
A dazzling explosion of colors filled the battlefield.
Kanzaki Rei descended slowly to the ground.
The standards of this battle were already far lower than what he had experienced before. Though it hadn't been particularly satisfying… it had come close enough.
"…Is there anyone stronger?"
He swept his gaze across the field and asked calmly.
At that moment—
He had become the center of the entire arena.
Yelia, who had dominated earlier, was now merely a spectator.
It felt almost surreal.
The roles had reversed in an instant.
Kumeroni watched Kanzaki Rei, a helpless smile forming on her face.
He had grown again.
His rate of growth was simply terrifying…
Perhaps the next time they met, he could already rival Iz and Akagi.
Or even surpass them?
Still…
No matter where he went, as long as Kanzaki Rei was present, peace never seemed to follow.
Kanzaki Rei scanned the surroundings.
Silence.
Complete silence.
…Seriously?
He frowned slightly.
I didn't even use that much strength just now. I even dragged the fight out a bit before finishing it.
And no one wants to challenge me anymore?
These so-called inheritors… are they really this underwhelming?
He couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Above, Yelia's eyelid twitched slightly.
Didn't he say he couldn't fight?
Then how did he defeat someone so effortlessly?
He's hiding things… far too deeply.
What exactly is he after?
Meanwhile, the inheritors in the sky began communicating through mental transmission.
"Doesn't it feel like this guy is starting to show off?"
"Hey, weren't you the one who wanted to challenge him earlier? Why aren't you going now?"
"Heh. Go? Do you think I'm stupid?"
Challenging now meant facing battle after battle afterward.
Unless one was absolutely confident they could defeat everyone remaining—
It was better to act later.
So even these inheritors… didn't truly possess unwavering confidence.
Kanzaki Rei spoke toward the sky:
"On the path of advancement… if you lack the courage to challenge the strong, if you lack an invincible mindset—you won't go far."
Kumeroni, still watching from above, blinked in surprise.
Little Rei…?
Those words came from you?
She had spent a long time with him. She knew his true personality.
If he could avoid danger, he would.
He would never challenge a strong opponent unless absolutely necessary.
Only when he was 100% certain would he act.
And even then—
He would prepare for the 101% unexpected.
"…Everyone, are you really unable to even give me an enjoyable battle?"
Kanzaki Rei genuinely intended to complete his Warrior principles here—then advance immediately afterward.
He didn't want to waste time.
If there was still a window later, he planned to advance his Alchemist class as well—raise all his levels as soon as possible.
Now that he knew Iz and the others had gone to the Boundless Mountain, he could skip the Land of the Moon entirely and head straight for the World Tree at the center.
The journey would take a year or more.
With "Unsolvable Mystery" concealing him, he shouldn't attract too much trouble…
But for now—
In this uncertain environment, it was better to advance while he could.
And besides—
He was genuinely interested in these inheritors.
Fighting all of them would let him learn even more.
…Is this what Izparut feels?
Growing stronger simply through battle?
Kanzaki Rei was beginning to understand.
"…I can't hold back anymore."
A gentle breeze stirred.
Kanzaki Rei's perception extended forward—and he saw a girl step into the arena.
She held a scythe in one hand, her bangs covering one eye.
Her presence was faint… almost forgettable.
"You are?"
Kanzaki Rei asked.
"I bear the will of Krelia, Goddess of Wind and Thunder."
Krelia…
He'd heard the name before.
It felt like one of those obscure gods… similar to Aelthymia, Goddess of Skin and Form.
…Wait.
Better not think like that.
No matter what—these were still gods.
In this world, strength ruled above all.
Best not to look down on them.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, Ansu sensed that fleeting trace of disdain and confusion.
…This kid…
His mindset is way too bold.
Even gods aren't exempt from his judgment?
At the same time, Ansu's thoughts flowed directly into Kanzaki Rei's mind.
Now bound within Rei's consciousness, Ansu could neither hide his thoughts nor act against him.
Even if he conceived countless ways to harm Rei—
He couldn't execute a single one.
"…Oh."
"No wonder I don't recognize you."
Kumeroni widened her eyes slightly.
Is this really the same Rei she knew?
It had only been a few days… and he'd already become this arrogant?
He wasn't like this before.
Did something happen in the Moon Sea?
"…Don't recognize me?"
The one-eyed girl froze for a moment.
Then—
BOOM!
Lightning exploded!
In an instant, she surged forward, dragging wind and thunder with her, appearing before Kanzaki Rei in a flash!
"Then I'll make you remember!"
Lightning—
Arcs connected to her body as violent winds erupted!
Slash! Slash! Slash!
In an instant, Kanzaki Rei's body was cut open by countless invisible currents, thin lines of blood appearing across his form.
Rumble—
Above them, storm clouds gathered, forming a vast sea of thunder.
So that's how lightning can be used.
The scythe was already descending toward his neck—
FLASH!
In that instant—
Kanzaki Rei transformed into a streak of white light and vanished.
Just before the blade could sever his neck—
He disappeared.
But the moment he reappeared—
Blood burst from his body.
"…Oh."
So this is wind.
All movement of air is wind.
Even stillness… is also wind?
Wind magic typically required a process—from stillness to motion.
That was why, despite seeming omnipresent, it wasn't as instantaneous as light or lightning.
But her wind…
Had skipped that process entirely.
No buildup.
No initiation.
Just… existence.
Kanzaki Rei's thoughts shifted.
Pfft!
In the next instant—
Blood burst from her body as well!
「Windless: Rending Gale Swarm (Tier 4) (LV: 401)」
…So that's how it works.
I've learned it.
The one-eyed girl, blood splattered across her body, retreated rapidly as violent winds swirled around her, clashing and nullifying Kanzaki Rei's gale.
Her mind was filled with shock.
What… is this guy?
He used wind magic?
And not just any wind—
That was the control technique of Still Wind!
Why does he know it too?
…Is he one of us?
An inheritor of Krelia as well?