I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

I dedicated myself to training for two weeks.

During that time, what I went through was akin to self-torment.

Originally, I was supposed to create an external martial art.

“You, you don’t just possess human strength, but you fight completely like a human.”

The Heavenly Demon looked at me and spoke.

“Isn’t it impossible to do anything in just two weeks? The magicians and sorcerers have gone off to prepare. They’ll gather resources from both the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Sect, so don’t worry and focus on your training.”

“Training?”

“If your strength comes from something other than a human lineage, there should be appropriate fighting techniques for it. Break through your limits. I’ll modify Black God Martial Arts for you.”

“I’ll help too.”

The Heavenly Demon and Kim Seo-hyun left to create a personalized external martial art for me.

“But what exactly needs to be adjusted in Black God Martial Arts?”

“…Durability?”

“Durability? Isn’t it already more than enough? How lacking is it?”

“Focus on durability as much as possible.”

“…What?”

The Heavenly Demon showed a puzzled expression.

“You’re saying to increase the durability of Black God Martial Arts, the one martial art that’s hailed as the best in the world? Wait, you… you didn’t exert your full power when fighting me, did you? It wasn’t just holding back…”

The Heavenly Demon, rambling on, soon showed a bewildered expression.

“Black God Martial Arts couldn’t hold up? That’s impossible!”

“To be exact, after using it once, my body becomes too burdened to move, or I sustain severe injuries.”

“…Someone of your caliber, burdened after just one use? Normally, you’d be saying you can’t even control your own body.”

The Heavenly Demon and Kim Seo-hyun looked at me with eyes as if seeing something incomprehensible.

Well, thanks to that…

I could devote myself to training. Neither the Heavenly Demon nor Kim Seo-hyun interfered with me.

‘How should I fight?’

The Heavenly Demon had said that my way of fighting was human-like. The moment I heard that, I agreed.

Dragon’s blood and the blood of the Giant God.

These flowed within me. Even in the vast universe, in terms of lineage, excluding gods and extraterrestrial beings, the blood coursing through me was among the most superior. 𝖗

‘Giant Dragon.’

There was no conflict between the two bloodlines.

Rather, the blood of the Giants and Dragons fused together. Their power didn’t repel each other; instead, it seeped into my body.

Among all the races, the Giants boasted the most extraordinary physical bodies.

Though not quite on the same level as the Giants, Dragons also possessed exceptional bodies, along with infinite mana and dominion.

Recalling the techniques I possessed:

「Black Flame God Sword (S+)」, 「Circle of Martial Arts (S)」, 「Yin-Yang Divine Technique (S)」, 「Illusion Flame Divine Steps (S)」, 「Dual Minds (S)」, and 「Extreme Flame Demon Sword (A)」.

The 「Black Flame God Sword (S+)」 and 「Extreme Flame Demon Sword (A)」 were sword techniques.

The 「Circle of Martial Arts (S)」 measured distance in combat.

The 「Yin-Yang Divine Technique (S)」 was an offensive ability.

The 「Illusion Flame Divine Steps (S)」 was a footwork technique.

The 「Dual Minds (S)」 divided my consciousness into two.

They were all exceptional.

But according to the Heavenly Demon, these were what made my fighting style human-like.

‘I’ll need to change them.’

No, I’d completely overhaul them.

Fortunately, I possessed the talent of 「Grandmaster’s Aptitude (S)」 and 「Golden Hands (S)」.

But first…

“…Are you really going to do this?”

“Yes.”

Kim Seo-hyun looked at me with complicated eyes.

“This… this is just a way to abuse your own body.”

“I still have to do it.”

The descent of the Apostle was imminent.

To kill him, ordinary methods wouldn’t suffice.

I had to strike with maximum output.

“…Got it.”

Kim Seo-hyun, with a resigned expression, casted a spell on me. I didn’t resist and accepted it.

Creak.

As soon as the spell took effect, a strain was placed on my bones. It felt as though all my internal organs were twisting.

Good.

It’d be even better if it were stronger, but this wasn’t the time yet.

While slowly adjusting my body through Black God Martial Arts, I gritted my teeth and began exercising.

Crack. Cre-eak.

Muscles tore apart. The blood of the Dragon and the Giant God mended them.

I had suffered worse injuries before, but I endured with potions and my regenerative abilities.

When my body grew too exhausted to move…

I conceptualized martial arts.

Using 「Circle of Martial Arts (S)」, I measured the gaps in my body and developed techniques that suited it.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I continued exercising, conceptualizing martial arts, and applying the adjustments the Heavenly Demon and Kim Seo-hyun made to Black God Martial Arts.

The two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.

As time passed, the day of the descent arrived.

We arrived at Sichuan.

“…What is this?”

As soon as we set foot in Sichuan, a foreboding energy completely enveloped the surrounding area.

Above us.

The sky was stained blood-red. The ground was tinted as if soaked in blood.

‘This is…’

Below.

We saw ruins.

It was as if these ruins were remnants proving that a city had existed here centuries ago, yet no trace of human life could be found.

There were no gates, and most of the houses were nothing but scattered pillars. However, there was no sign of human presence.

“…This is beyond imagination.”

The Heavenly Demon squinted as she looked around.

“Sichuan isn’t a place like this. It used to be a vibrant city, a gathering place for all sorts of sects. Among the Nine Great Schools, known as the pillars of the orthodox sects, this place housed the Emei Sect, the Qingcheng Sect, and even the Tang Clan. Not only that, but seven blood pacts of the unorthodox sects were also based here.”

“There’s no way this place could become like this in just a few months.”

Eternal Heaven trembled with anxiety.

The entire land was being oppressed as if manipulated by some great being.

‘Didn’t they say it would take two weeks?’

Seong-ak had said they sacrificed people for three months. The number of sacrifices reached into the millions.

I didn’t know how they gathered such a large number. But if they were beings capable of defying common laws, beings like the Great Evil, they would surely have their ways.

“There.”

The Heavenly Demon looked up at the sky and spoke.

At his words, everyone else looked up as well.

In the center of the blood-red sky, there was a massive black hole.

A black hole?

It wasn’t just a simple hole.

What… what on earth was that? It felt like something beyond comprehension, as if some unknown force was watching us.

Only those of the highest tier could withstand it. The rest would be cut down.

When the Heavenly Demon offered to help, Lee Seo-ha had refused.

Honestly, it was puzzling. Those of that level were rare, but the ones below them could at least be used as meat shields. They could, at the very least, slightly chip away at the enemy’s strength.

Didn’t the Nazi Empire use such tactics?

‘That’s right…’

But now that we were here, I could understand.

In the end, Lee Seo-ha was right.

Only the highest tier could endure that.

Gurgle.

Something like liquid flowed from within. It was too thick to be blood. And the disgust it stirred was far too intense to be anything else.

Looking at it, an image etched itself into my mind.

Countless humans had been ground down by ‘something,’ and the refined blood from that had flowed like spit from the being observing this place.

That was the true nature of that liquid.

Ugh…

Kim Seo-hyun dry-heaved.

‘As expected…’

The Thousand Sorcerer frowned, while the Heavenly Demon calmly surveyed the surroundings.

But the others were not the same.

Looking around, I saw that everyone else’s complexions were not good.

Corruption.

The Apostle.

If a being of Great Evil-level conducted a proper ritual, complete with sacrifices and an altar, even just looking at them could corrupt the minds of those below a certain tier.

These weren’t beings that could be killed simply because they were numerous or strong.

Nukes? Even nuclear weapons would not harm that being. Technically speaking, it existed across different dimensions, so pure physical attacks like nuclear weapons would have no effect.

Even the Nazi Empire would take damage if bombarded with nukes, but that thing was different.

Crack.

I cracked my neck. Lee Seo-ha drew the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. The sword quietly accepted her power.

‘It’s here.’

The Apostle had fully descended here. But it hesitated, observing us.

The Apostle of God.

It was a loyal avatar that obeyed the commands of a god.

However, they were also intelligent beings. The difference was, unlike ordinary beings, they harbored immense malice.

I twisted my mouth.

Just looking at them was revolting. The stars within my body, with the Energy of Defying Heaven shining brightest among them, began to glow. They urged me to rush in and kill.

Lee Seo-ha held back.

Not yet. Not now.

[「Infinite Black Flame Star (Ex)」 observes your mindset.]

Screech.

A ripping sound was heard. It came from the giant hole in the sky.

Whoosh.

The blood shifted into the shape of an arm. As it split open to the sides, it tore the hole wider.

“That’s an arm? It’s even larger than I thought.”

“No.”

“That’s… a finger.”

At Eternal Heaven’s words, both Lee Seo-ha and the Heavenly Demon denied it. Eternal Heaven blinked in confusion.

The hole was enormous.

Even though it floated in the air, estimating its size roughly, it was over 20 meters wide. Yet a single finger looked like an arm?

Screech.

The hole continued to tear open, revealing ten black-red skinned fingers. They looked like gigantic fingers. Gulp. Eternal Heaven swallowed without realizing it.

The more its form was revealed…

The more absurd the situation seemed. Lee Seo-ha, who had declared they would kill that thing, no longer seemed sane.

Grit.

She bit her lip. Lee Seo-ha had warned everyone earlier about the corruption. He said it would infect the brains of intelligent beings.

It was far more dangerous and troublesome than I had heard. Eternal Heaven began preparing talismans.

The Heavenly Demon raised her sword.

-That’s a monster.

From within herself, the entity known as Black Heaven, which had assisted Lee Seo-ha, spoke to her.

-In a past life, it was a realm you would eventually ascend to. But that thing is dangerous.

‘So what?’

The Heavenly Demon ignored Black Heaven’s words and raised his sword. The Black Heavenly Demon Sword. The demonic entity that introduced itself as Ai did not react.

-It’s because of the corruption. That thing contaminates everything. Even someone of Lee Seo-ha’s caliber would find it hard to remain unscathed.

‘Tsk.’

Clicking his tongue, the Heavenly Demon prepared for battle.

Kim Seo-hyun quietly reflected on her power.

The Divine Maiden had entrusted her heart to her. However, Kim Seo-hyun hadn’t consumed it.

It wasn’t because she found it revolting or to honor the Divine Maiden’s wishes. The Divine Maiden had wanted it, and although Lee Seo-ha didn’t say it, they needed every ounce of strength.

Yet, she hadn’t consumed it. Or more precisely, she couldn’t.

It was too dangerous for her to consume it right now.

However, Kim Seo-hyun took the Divine Maiden’s heart out from her chest.

A golden orb emerged.

The Heart of the Dragon.

It was also called the Yeouiju. The heart contained immense power, far beyond her current capacity.

Originally, it wasn’t meant to be used in such a place. However, the being in front of them gave no assurance of victory, even if they risked everything.

Kim Seo-hyun put it in her mouth.

“Let me go first.”

The Thousand Sorcerer stepped forward.

Lee Seo-ha had said earlier not to attack until the Apostle fully revealed itself. The moment they touched the Apostle, they would be violating the laws, giving an opening for an external entity to intervene on the Apostle’s behalf.

But when the Apostle fully revealed itself…

It was also the most dangerous moment for the Apostle.

The laws of the middle realm would bind the Apostle.

“I’ll go.”

Lee Seo-ha extended his hand.

Whirl─.

A sphere spun on his palm.

The Abyss.

He infused it with the energy of defying heaven, causing the star to rotate.

「Infinite Black Flame Star (Ex)」.

When Lee Seo-ha gained this power, he also inherited an immense burden.

But Lee Seo-ha never regretted obtaining this power. Even if he could go back, he would have made the same choice.

Perhaps, just maybe…

He might have delayed the timing a little. But after obtaining the power of 「Infinite Black Flame Star (Ex)」, there were no regrets.

‘Quite literally.’

The power was near infinite.

──────.

The sphere of defying heaven spun.

In Epic World, there’s a unit used to measure power. It’s called the Star Gauge, which measures magical power. A top-tier individual with a full focus on magic might have 100,000 tetra of magical power.

Someone at the highest tier would have around a million.

A transcendent being might range between 10 million and 50 million.

And Dragons possessed 10 billion tetra of magical power.

However, even a Dragon could not use all of that power at once. In a single spell, they could only utilize about 100 million tetra at most, based on efficiency.

‘Roughly…’

With his absolute stat of black, he estimated the power.

Compressing, compressing, and compressing the energy of defying heaven in his hand, it screamed, wanting to burst forth.

‘It’s about 300 million.’

It was an appropriate greeting.