"Your Grace, the mana-pulmonologist has arrived," the servant says, brandishing a silky black suit. His head is bowed as he delivers the information, hands clasped together behind his back.
"Send him in," Duke Igris replies, his eyes glued to the document before him. His demeanor is calm, his neatly tied blonde hair pulled into a knot. Emerald green eyes reflect faintly through the lenses of his glasses. His arms rest on the table—an ink pen held in his right hand.
"Greetings, Your Grace. I've returned with the test results for the young master," the pulmonologist greets, bowing respectfully. His hands hang straight at his sides—a dark brown suitcase visible in his left hand.
"Excellent. Take a seat. I'll be with you shortly," the Duke remarks, a faint smile forming on his face. His hand gestures toward an empty seat across the room.
"Thank you. I will," the physician responds, bowing once more in gratitude. His right hand rests over his chest as he bows. Rising, he walks toward the seating arrangement—two dark mossy green cushions adorned with golden decor along the armrests and lower edges, a short dark spruce table positioned between them.
He takes his seat, placing his suitcase on the floor beside the chair. His eyes wander around the room as he waits. The entire space exudes nobility, yet carries a certain blandness that reflects the Duke's preferences.
"Sorry for the wait," the Duke apologizes, settling into the opposite seat, his hands landing on his knees.
"Ah—! Oh, no worries. It's quite alright," the physician reassures him. A bead of nervous sweat rolls down his cheek. I couldn't even hear his footsteps… truly a remarkable man, he notes mentally, his lips curling slightly with restrained unease.
"So. What are the results?" the Duke asks, removing his glasses and placing them on the table. He unbuttons the second button of his alice-blue shirt, rolling the sleeves up slightly.
"Oh, so…" the physician begins, lifting his suitcase and rummaging through several documents. He retrieves a stapled stack—twelve sheets in total—placing it carefully on the table before pulling a pair of glasses from his coat pocket and setting them on his face.
He picks up the papers, adjusts his glasses, and continues, "After conducting a scan with the portable X-ray device, we discovered that mana has begun affecting certain parts of his body internally."
The physician lightly moistens his thumb and flips the page.
"We theorize that, due to the young master's habit of breathing through his mouth, mana first affected his larynx and lungs."
He turns another page.
"The mana entering the lungs then passed through the respiratory system and eventually reached the brain—primarily affecting the motor cortex."
He lowers the page slightly.
"In this X-ray here…" he says, pointing to the diagram. The Duke's eyes follow his finger. "You can see the difference between normal organs and the young master's organs after being affected by mana."
The image of Kovac's lungs, brain, and tongue appears lighter in the affected regions.
"But there is nothing to fear, Your Grace—if anything, we should be celebrating," the physician claims, gathering the papers and returning them to the suitcase.
"Celebrate?" the Duke repeats, brows furrowing, eyes narrowing with rising intensity.
"Oh! No, no—please, I don't mean any harm toward the young master. Please calm yourself," the physician hurriedly clarifies, hands raised in reassurance.
"I meant that this has turned out to be a stroke of luck," he continues, nervous sweat trailing down his face. "The young master has been granted a constitution."
"—!"
The Duke's eyes widen in shock.
"Kovac Van Quishilm has become an Asper."
"…?!"
Outside the door, a young Kovac recoils in shock, his eyes shining with excitement, ears pressed firmly against the wood.
I'm an Asper now?!
A massive grin spreads across his face.
Their muffled voices draw closer to the door.
"…Thank you very mu—?"
The physician cuts himself off as the door creaks open, revealing young Kovac standing before them.
"Ah! Young master," he exclaims.
"Father!" Kovac begins, his voice firm, eyes locked onto the Duke's. "I shall not learn martial arts."
"—?" The Duke's brow lifts in confusion.
"I'll prove to you that martial arts are useless in the face of true power." His clenched fists rise before him, eyes burning with resolve.
"…"
---
"Ugh…" Kovac groans, his eyes slowly opening. His entire body aches.
Drip.
"Hm?" He looks down. Blood soaks into the soil beneath him. He wipes his nose and exhales sharply.
"Fucking bitch," he mutters, eyes red, brows drawn in anger.
…
The sounds of the ongoing clash grow louder.
…
Blows collide. Groans echo. The air twists with each attack—metal clashing, sparks scattering.
…
…?
The sounds intensify, drowning out all else.
…?!
Kovac's eyes widen slowly, the reflection of the battle shimmering in his irises.
What is this…?
Park launches a flying kick at Sharon. She evades, her sword already thrusting forward before Park lands.
Swoosh.
Park narrowly avoids it, charging in closer.
Thud.
His feet plant into the ground as he drives a punch toward Sharon's face.
She leans back slightly, dodging.
"—?!"
The blade doesn't extend.
She glances down—
Chains coil tightly around her waist. Cross's kusarigama.
"Haah—!" Cross's body jerks forward from the recoil, yet Sharon stands firm, her feet lodged into the ground.
"What the—?!"
Smack.
Sharon's palm slams into Park's face. She leans forward and hurls him into a nearby tree, splintering it apart.
Is this…
Martial arts? Kovac wonders, eyes glistening with astonishment.
A world he had rejected has revealed its beauty.
I want to experience it.
Martial arts.
He opens his inventory and pulls out the sword his father always urged him to take.
He remains seated a moment longer, absorbing everything.
Why didn't he dodge there?
How did she dodge that?
No—don't throw it yet!
Yes… just like that.
Countless thoughts flash through his mind.
Slowly, he rises, gathering the strength to stand.
Tap.
One step forward.
Tap.
Another.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Show me.
He runs.
His sword drags behind him.
He ignores the pain.
He ignores the fatigue.
All to experience one thing.
A new World.