A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 34

As Zeke advanced to the rank of a Intermediate Administrator, it seemed that many new features had been added.

He opened his status window for the first time in a while.

[Intermediate Administrator Status Window]

Name: Zeke Draker
Class: Immortal (Unique Grade)
Title: Blessed by the Ancient Dragon, Terakan Draker’s Successor
Authority: Dragonkin Domination
Constitution: Divine Body, Immunity to All Poisons

System Features:
– Inventory (100 slots)
– Mini-map (Portal Movement)
– Intermediate Questbook
– Skill Shortcut Slot
– Potion Shortcut Slot

Passive Skills:
– Healing Factor
– Unyielding Mental Defense
– Endless Stamina
– Combat Instinct

Special Skills:
– Swift Wind Technique [A-rank (Skilled)]
– Elemental Sword [S-rank (Beginner)]

Active Skills:
– Mana Reflection [A-rank (Beginner)]
– Area Buff [A-rank (Beginner)]

Draconian Skills (2nd Stage Unlocked):
– Dragon’s Eye (Skilled)
– Dragon’s Majesty (Skilled)
– Gluttony (Skilled)
– Incantation (Locked)
– Dragon Scale Armor (Skilled)
– Dragon’s Claw (Skilled)

Karma Points: 1365

The completion of the quest mission coincided with Zeke acquiring the Elemental Sword and breaking through the barrier that had been holding him back.

Zeke felt that he had shattered the wall and ascended to the level of a Red Knight.

Watching him, Grandmaster Kysir crossed his arms and nodded.

“Yes, this much is necessary to call you my successor. Though you still have a long way to go.”

Zeke turned to Kysir and asked,

“Does the Elemental Sword have any advanced techniques? Like finishing moves or ultimate skills? I’d like to learn those too.”

“You fool. If you wield it properly, storms will rage, and the earth will split. Why would you need something like an ultimate move? Finishing moves and ultimate skills are just crutches for those lacking real skill.”

As expected, Kysir’s pride in his own abilities was unmatched.

Still, Zeke could understand Kysir’s confidence, given his incredible skill.

“What will happen to you now, Your Excellency?”

“Having passed down the Elemental Sword, I must return to the spirit realm.”

“Is there no way for you to come back from the spirit realm to this world?”

“If powerful heroic spirits like me descend recklessly, the world’s laws will collapse. Karma would never allow it.”

Zeke was startled by Kysir’s words.

“Karma? What does that mean exactly…?”

Before Zeke could finish, Kysir’s body began to fade into transparency.

“I’m off now. Don’t go around getting yourself beaten up like a fool. Make sure my achievements are properly conveyed to the world.”

Kysir departed in the same manner he arrived—only saying what he wanted.

Soon, Kysir vanished completely, and at the same time, the sky-blue gem on the pedestal lost its light entirely.

“With that personality… I wonder how he ever managed to get along with the fairies.”

After Kysir disappeared, Zeke entered the room and collected everything he could bring with him, storing it all in his inventory.

Finally, after several months, he was able to open the doors of the ruins and step outside.

Thinking he’d test his new power, he looked around for the Hydra to fight it again, but the creature was nowhere to be seen.

Resolving to confront it another time, Zeke exited the ruins and activated the mini-map to descend the mountain.

At that moment, a new feature on the map was activated.

[New function activated. Portal travel is now available.]

[Locations previously visited by the administrator that are eligible for portal travel are marked on the map.]

“Portal travel is possible?”

Zeke examined the map.

The regions he had visited where portal travel was available were highlighted and marked. Among them, he found a portal-accessible location in Argos.

[Points deducted for portal use: 150]

As he tapped different destinations, he noticed that the point deduction varied depending on the distance.

Considering that hounds from the Giant Mountain Range were roaming nearby and he was already delayed by the timeline he set for reaching Valhalla, Zeke decided to spend the points to use the portal.

[You are being transported to the selected destination.]
[The portal is activating.]

In an instant, his vision wavered, and he felt a wave of dizziness.

The characteristic unease of portal travel washed over his entire body.

When Zeke raised his head, he was already near the ancient ruins of Argos.

“Amazing.”

Although it consumed points, this feature seemed to allow free movement across the continent.

Zeke returned to the resort where he had been staying and began preparing for his journey to Atlas.

However, the entrance period for Valhalla had already passed by an entire month.

Without delay, he set his sights on Atlas, the largest city in the central continent and the very heart of Midland.

* * *

“I’ve been in Valhalla for ten years, but this is the first time I’ve seen a case like this.”

An elderly knight in a formal suit looked at Zeke with a strict expression.

This man was none other than Flaubert Borges, the principal of Valhalla, a place every knight aspired to enter.

Flaubert was an exceptional figure, having been elected as Valhalla’s principal despite not being a member of the Draker Household.

His appointment as principal was met with no opposition, as he was a knight respected across the entire continent.

As the longest-serving captain of the royal guard in the long-standing Kingdom of Thebea, Flaubert was a man renowned not only for his skill but also for his integrity and reputation.

This was why Arthur Draker had personally visited Flaubert Borges three times to request that he take on the position of Valhalla’s principal, a story still frequently recounted to this day.

Thanks to Flaubert taking charge, Valhalla’s reputation soared even higher.

Flaubert, a renowned knight and principled individual, alternated his gaze between the letter of recommendation before him and Zeke, who stood in front of him.

“So, why are you late? Surely, you didn’t forget that the semester begins in March.”

Since he couldn’t very well admit that he had been held in training by the Hero King in the ruins, Zeke slightly adjusted the truth.

“I went to Argos for seclusion training and became so engrossed in my training that I lost track of time.”

Hearing this, Flaubert cast a sharp look at Zeke.

“Are you implying that your seclusion training was more valuable than a month at Valhalla?”

“Not at all. I was merely so focused on seeking the path of the sword that I lost track of time.”

“Hmm…”

Although Flaubert was a stickler for principles, he wasn’t an inflexible or unreasonable person.

As an accomplished knight himself, he could partially understand what Zeke was saying.

Flaubert nodded as he replied, “You have a point to some degree, but Valhalla has its own principles.”

Looking directly at Zeke, he continued, “I’ll judge based on the results of the training you claim to have undertaken in Argos. If I deem that training to have been more valuable than a month at Valhalla, I’ll allow your enrollment.”

“You wish to see the results of my training?”

“Precisely. Why? Are you lacking confidence?”

Zeke shook his head.

“Not at all. Shall I begin right away?”

Flaubert shook his head and rang a bell.

Moments later, someone entered the room.

“Secure an empty training hall and take Zeke Draker there. Also, contact the full professors of each department and have them assemble at the training hall immediately.”

Following the principal’s secretary, Zeke was led to the training hall.

Having never stepped foot in Valhalla, even in his previous life, he found the unfamiliar buildings to be fascinating.

“This way.”

The training hall was far beyond what one would consider “empty,” boasting impressive scale and facilities.

‘As expected, Valhalla is truly Valhalla.’

While Zeke wandered the training hall, observing every corner with curiosity, Flaubert soon arrived with the other professors.

Each professor was a knight of great renown across the continent.

As Zeke stood in the center of the sparring ground, Flaubert, seated in the observation area with a glimmer in his eyes, addressed him.

“Show us the results of your training. The professors from each department will evaluate them and make the final decision.”

Zeke stood in the sparring ground, pondering over the principal’s words.

He had no idea what would satisfy such a strict principal.

‘I can’t exactly show them the Elemental Sword here. This is tricky.’

He decided to keep it simple and demonstrate the Swift Wind Technique and the Dragonslaying Art.

Drawing Bahamut, Zeke assumed his stance.

The principal and the professors all fixed their sharp gazes on him, their expressions clearly challenging him to show what he could do.

As Zeke focused his energy into Bahamut, an aura blade surged forth.

Just as he was about to execute the technique of the Swift Wind Technique, an exclamation erupted.

“My, my goodness!”

He hadn’t even done anything yet, but someone had already gasped in amazement.

Turning his head, Zeke saw that all the professors were staring at his aura blade with expressions of utter shock.

‘Ah, damn.’

When he had been with the Hero King Kysir, aura blades were considered basic skills, and he had been treated as a “slow-witted fool” for not mastering them immediately.

But now, back in reality, he was suddenly a once-in-a-lifetime genius who had formed an aura blade at just fifteen years old.

Zeke closed his eyes tightly, berating himself for his slip-up.

There was no undoing it now. The damage was done.

With a polite demeanor, he dispersed the aura blade and bowed respectfully.

“I am ashamed to show such humble skills before the principal and so many distinguished professors.”

Seeing the polite behavior of a Pureblood Awakener from the Draker Household, who had become a Blue Knight at fifteen, the professors were deeply moved once again by his character.

The principal’s voice softened significantly.

“It seems the month was spent in pursuit of precious enlightenment.”

“Indeed, I was struggling to grasp an elusive thread, and in doing so, I lost track of time. Once again, I apologize for my tardiness.”

Hearing this, the principal, now in a much better mood, chuckled.

“Haha, if you are dull-witted, then what does that make the rest of us?”

At his words, the other professors joined in with hearty laughter.

The evaluation ended smoothly in a friendly atmosphere, and Zeke was granted admission to Valhalla.

Once everything was settled, Zeke moved to the lodging in Atlas that Decker had prepared in advance.

With the black card he had received from the family head, he secured a luxurious mansion not far from Valhalla.

“Welcome home, sir.”

Upon entering the mansion, the staff greeted Zeke with bows.

Even Decker, whose demeanor was more knightly than most knights, bowed his head to Zeke.

“How was Valhalla, young master?”

“It went well. They want me to start next week. They’ll send over the documents needed for enrollment, so please take care of it.”

“Understood, young master.”

Zeke immediately headed to his room.

Having rushed to Valhalla as soon as he arrived, he hadn’t yet opened the random boxes and random skill cards that were waiting for him.

“Three random boxes and three random skill cards, huh.”

He had experience opening random boxes before, but random skill cards were new to him.

Starting with the random boxes, he opened them one by one.

From the boxes, he received boots, leg armor, and a pair of earrings.

―Boots Information―
– Description: Boots made of durable yet lightweight meteoric iron.
– Unique Ability: None.
– Special Notes: Activates unique abilities when the full meteoric iron set is equipped.

―Leg Armor Information―
– Description: Leg armor made of durable yet lightweight meteoric iron.
– Unique Ability: None.
– Special Notes: Activates unique abilities when the full meteoric iron set is equipped.

―Earrings Information―
– Description: Earrings finely crafted from crystal.
– Unique Ability: Increases mana recovery speed by 15%.
– Special Notes: Pairs well with a red dress.

The items were decent but not particularly remarkable.

Now, along with the gauntlets, Zeke had boots and leg armor made from meteoric iron. He began to wonder if he might eventually complete the full set.

Next, he decided to open the random skill cards. Since it was his first time, he felt a bit cautious.

As soon as he activated the cards, a light flashed, and messages appeared.

[Opening random skill cards.]
[Active skill ‘Static Electricity (C-rank)’ has been registered.]
[Active skill ‘Flash Bomb (C-rank)’ has been registered.]
[Active skill ‘Dissonance (C-rank)’ has been registered.]

Three active skills were registered in total.

Zeke read through their descriptions.

―Static Electricity: Imbues your weapon with an electric shock.
―Flash Bomb: Releases an intensely bright light to obstruct the enemy’s vision.
―Dissonance: Emits a disturbing sound to confuse enemies.

Zeke then tested the newly unlocked skill shortcut slot feature.

Three empty slots appeared before his eyes.

When he touched a slot, it allowed him to select an active skill to assign to it.

He assigned Flash Bomb, Dissonance, and Static Electricity to the three slots in sequence.

[Skills assigned to the slots can be activated with just a thought.]

Testing this, Zeke picked up a dagger and thought of using Static Electricity. Immediately, an electric current surged along the blade.

“Oh, that’s amazing.”

Once a skill was used, it required a certain cooldown period before it could be used again.

Zeke similarly activated the potion slots.

This feature allowed him to place up to three potions in designated slots and consume them with just a thought. It seemed like it would be incredibly useful in urgent combat situations.

While checking his inventory to fill the slots with potions, Zeke came across a bottle he had received as a reward from an emergency mission—the Tears of the Fairy King.

‘Come to think of it, what exactly is this?’

Zeke examined the description of the Tears of the Fairy King.

―Tears of the Fairy King: Allows you to summon the Fairy King from the spirit realm once.

“Summon the Fairy King?”

In legends, the Fairy King was known as a being who granted the wishes of humans.

‘Does that mean I could summon the Fairy King and make a wish with this?’

After a moment of deliberation, Zeke cautiously returned the bottle to his inventory.

He wasn’t sure when he would need it, but it seemed like something that could prove useful in the future.

Knock, knock!

A knock sounded at the door, and when Zeke granted permission, Decker entered the room.

“What is it?”

Decker approached and spoke.

“Young master, you have a guest.”