Like a bolt of divine retribution striking down a fool, the flash of light Rest unleashed tore straight through Subnock's torso.
A massive hole had been gouged through the beast’s center, leaving its body severed into two distinct halves. A great crater gaped in the earth where the beam had struck; the section of the monster hit by Rest’s new magic, [Amaterasu], had been vaporized so completely that not even ash remained.
Yet, because the head and limbs were still intact, the lightless eyes of the giant beast made it clear that the Master of the Magical Wilds had breathed its last.
"Even I’m frightened by that kind of power... My mana hasn't dropped, but I’m incredibly exhausted..."
Having returned to the earth, Rest sat heavily on the ground and sighed as he looked upon the path of destruction he had wrought.
Immediately after firing [Amaterasu], Rest had activated [Floating] and [Wind Control]. By then, his altitude had already dropped below five hundred meters; in skydiving terms, it was far too late to open a parachute.
He had managed to bleed off his falling speed somehow, but the impact when he hit the dirt was still plenty painful. If he hadn't reinforced his physical strength and shrouded his body in a layer of water at the very last second, he likely would have broken every bone in his body.
"I won... though I feel surprisingly little emotion about it."
He had slain a magical beast that no one had been able to defeat since the founding of the Kingdom. It was a feat destined for the history books, yet the surface of his heart remained shockingly still, perhaps because the reality of it hadn't truly set in yet.
If he were to report this achievement to the crown, the rewards would surely be immense. However, the thought of the subsequent unwanted attention felt like more of a burden than anything else.
"...I’m impressed. Did you really take down the Master of the Magical Wilds all by yourself?"
"Hm?"
Hearing a voice from behind, Rest turned to see Wilhelm Lyubase. He had been left to handle the swarm of Corrosion Beasts, but Lyubase didn't appear to have any notable injuries.
"So magic pushed to its absolute limit possesses this much power... I suppose that is a height the sword cannot reach."
Though he offered praise, Lyubase’s expression was tinged with frustration. The competitive fire in his eyes suggested he was jealous of a feat he could not replicate.
"...In a close-quarters fight, you would have been the winner," Rest replied.
"Hmph..."
Lyubase looked down at Rest with a scowl, but eventually, he spoke with a surly tone.
"Wilhelm Lyubase. Third son of the Baron Lyubase House and full master of the Almacain Blade Dance Arts, the 'Sword Demon.' We’ll be acquainted for a long time, so carve that into your mind."
"............?"
Rest looked back at him, puzzled by the sudden formal introduction.
"I will eventually stand at the pinnacle of this country’s knights as the Knight Commander. Since you will likely become the Chief of the Court Mages, we will be dealing with each other for years to come."
"Ah... I see what you mean."
Rest understood. Lyubase was acknowledging him as an equal—the other half of what would one day be the "Twin Wings" of the Aiwood Kingdom.
"You’re getting ahead of yourself. We’re still just students. I’m sure there are plenty of powerful people among our seniors and the active-duty knights."
"I have no interest in the rabble who were simply born earlier than me. I will reach the top with this sword... that is all there is to it."
"............"
It seemed Lyubase was incredibly confident. If the veteran knights heard him, they would certainly have had their pride wounded.
He’s arrogant, but it doesn't feel like empty bluster... He’s certainly much better than Cedric or Prince Rodel, Rest thought.
"I’m Rest. Rest of the Marquis Rosemary House. I don’t have a surname yet since I haven’t officially married in."
"............"
Rest remained sitting on the ground as he held out his right hand. Lyubase gripped it firmly.
In the histories to come, they would be known as the "Twin Wings" who soared together through the wars surrounding the Aiwood Kingdom. The first joint struggle of these two future heroes thus came to a close.