Realization

After being unceremoniously kidnapped by the strange man named Justin, Adonis finally landed—quite literally—inside a messy, chaotic room.

Books were strewn across the floor, half-written papers fluttered in the breeze of a ceiling fan, clothes dangled off chairs, and every surface was occupied by empty potion bottles, snacks, and at least three kinds of alcohol. A faint scent of herbs mixed with... spoiled ramen.

Adonis wrinkled his nose. "What is this? A pigsty?" he thought in disbelief.

Cough cough.

Justin, seemingly immune to embarrassment, waved a hand dismissively. "No need to focus on useless details. Let's talk about something more interesting. What do you know about your element?"

Adonis raised an eyebrow. "It's just a special element. There are plenty of those, right? What's so unique about it?"

Justin didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked over to a dusty bookshelf, pulled out a thick tome, and held it up proudly. "Recognize this?"

Adonis glanced at it. "Theory and Fundamentals of Magic Elements…?"

"Exactly. Written by yours truly," Justin said with a grin that practically screamed genius ahead. He opened the book and tapped a passage. "According to the magic conversation theory, all elements—basic or special—stem from one origin: nature. Fire, water, ice, wind, shadow, sound, metal—even the so-called 'special' elements—are all natural extensions of the world."

Then Justin's expression turned serious, eyes narrowing. "So now tell me… where does your sword element fit in nature?"

Adonis's breath hitched.

He'd never really thought about it that way.

Metal? Earth-related.

Sound? Vibrations in the air.

Even Tyrant's metal body? Natural ores.

But swords?

Swords were forged by men. Crafted with purpose. Born from forge—not nature.

"…So what does that imply?" Adonis asked, a little unsettled.

Justin smiled. "That's what I want to find out. More importantly—" he dropped the book and cracked his knuckles, "—I use swords too . So how about you show me your element yourself?"

"You want to spar? Now?" Adonis said, glancing at the wall clock. "It's 4 a.m."

"No better time than half-dead of night," Justin grinned. "Don't worry—I'll limit my strength to your level. If you can land even one hit on me, I'll give you a reward so amazing, even the headmistress would cry with jealousy."

"…It's not your autograph, is it?" Adonis muttered, following him reluctantly toward the side door leading to a well-lit underground training hall.

Justin grinned. "You wish. Let's begin."

Inside the Underground Training Hall

The heavy doors groaned as they swung open, revealing a vast chamber of thick stone walls etched with glowing mana runes. Automated magical barriers lined the perimeter—built to withstand even the most destructive spells.

Adonis stepped onto the raised training platform, stretching his arms. "So I just need to land one hit, right?" he asked.

Justin swaggered in, bottle in one hand, a silver sword covered in strange runes in the other.

"One hit. That's it. Simple game. Impress me, Kid," he grinned.

Adonis narrowed his eyes. "Fine then."

With a flash of golden light, twenty swords appeared around Adonis, orbiting like deadly satellites. He seized one and took aim at Justin.

But as the swords lunged forward, Justin's body and sword were enveloped in a white support aura—and with a single, fluid slash, he destroyed every flying blade.

Adonis's jaw dropped.

"He destroyed my swords using just support magic?" he thought in shock.

Justin shrugged.

"Looks like I overestimated you. If you want to do light shows, go work as a DJ."

Adonis ground his teeth.

"Sword Domain."

A golden circle etched itself onto the platform beneath Justin's feet. The runes flared, and dozens of swords burst from the earth—an impossibly fast storm.

But Justin blurred like lightning, weaving through the blades, closing the distance in an instant. He countered with a swift slash.

Adonis managed to block—but the force cracked his blade and sent numbness through his arm.

"Too slow," Justin taunted. "If I hadn't held back, your head would be gone."

Adonis clenched his teeth.

"Killing Circle."

His remaining swords spun in a tight ring, spinning toward Justin.

Justin leapt into the air and easily avoided the attack.

A slow smile crept across Adonis's face.

He slammed his foot into the ground.

"Sword Rain."

A heavenly deluge of golden swords descended from above, bathing the arena in blinding light.

Adonis looked up, confident in the inevitable strike.

But a sudden chill grazed his back. He whirled, summoning a single sword just in time.

Justin's silver blade met the golden rain mid-air, cutting through it with ease.

"I told you— you're too slow," Justin mocked, stepping forward.

"And your footwork's a mess. With your Sword Element, all this showmanship is just a waste."