The Martial de God was disappointed.


    He felt eager to go to the next battlefield and test the others, but he also felt the inclination to remain where he was. As long as he felt this way, he refused to end the lives of his opponents.


    Time seemed to be still for him.


    He could walk past all of them and cut them down before they realized it, but he chose not to. Something about this group… pulled him in.


    Their attack patterns were simple. Their mastery over the Arcanas was basic, at best, and their level of experience paled inparison to his by a wide margin—It was simply too wide to consider.


    These were mere toddlers.


    The Martial de God hadn''t even used any techniques yet, and he already felt like it would be impossible to converse with children like these. This was the burden he carried as someone who had transcended the bounds of nature.


    He could move so fast that time seemed toe to aplete standstill.


    He could see so far ahead that even the future was within his line of sight.


    If he wanted to, he could destroy any continent with a single strike.


    Yet…


    … He chose not to.


    Restricting himself to basic clothes, a basic sword, a basic stance, and azy fighting style—he kept hoping that he could reduce the level of danger he posed to his opponent in order to enjoy a somewhat fair battle.


    However, just how much could he restrict his abilities?


    As a transcendent being, he had far surpassed the reach of most constraints. He was simply too strong, and he knew it.


    ''There has to be someone stronger, better than I am!'' He thought to himself.


    Looking back at the past, he remembered how he had fought the one acimed to be the strongest Martial Master in the world—Sword King, Gawain. Gawain was one of the Heroes who fought off the demons.


    When they fought, he found the man to be above average in skill, but not in much else. It was unfortunate that Gawain had been inept in Mana, considering how the de God noticed him unconsciously using fragments of Aether.


    If he could grow more, live more, then perhaps…


    ''Unfortunately, he refused to grow any further—choosing a mundane life of peace.'' The Martial de God could not understand such foolishness.


    He, on the other hand simply sought the next mountain to conquer. Unfortunately, every single mountain had been cut down by him—every obstacle pulverized.


    He simply stood on a vast field filled with no speck of challenge.


    It was boring.


    "All men are like grass, and their glory, like the flowers that fade away…" The Martial de God spoke calmly as he stared at the three children in front of him.


    Having deemed them unworthy of his de and sheathing it, he could see their eyes widen in relief. Why were they looking at him that way? Did they really think they had been saved?


    "Use your best attacks if you will. I will be ridding you of your lives in one strike each." The Martial de God took his stance.


    Having no de, he raised both hands and took a martial stance. His eyes sharply focused on the three, as he remained fixed in position.


    "Damnit, you guys!" He heard the brte growl.


    She was currently in Mage Mode, as well as Fusion Mode—her Familiar being a literal Star.<novelnext></novelnext>


    ''She attracted the attention of a Celestial. That''s interesting… it''s as I thought. This one is special.'' Celestial Familiars existed outside the bounds of this.


    They were far more special than Principalities, and the greatest of the Stars were the 12 Zodiac Constetions.


    ''Hers is a regr Star, though. Not bad, but not the best…'' The Martial de God observed the nature of her energy flow.


    ''Original Magic is Mind-rted, and it''s in perfect sync with her Arcana. Her Arcana… hmmm… she can project whatever image she conjures up in her mind. This image will take on the properties assigned to it and manifest itself in reality.''


    So much potential. Such waste.


    "I will be ending you first." His gaze met Ciara.


    "W-wai—!"


    "Wait your turn." The Martial de God released just enough pressure to paralyze the ck and white girl, as well as the muscr guy she clung to.


    It was just him and the Ciarady now.


    "Your name is Ciara, isn''t it? Epilson… hmmm, I see. It''s no wonder you''re so special."


    "W-wha—?! How do you know?!"


    "I can see through theyers of this world. The past, present, and future. All nes of existence exist in differentyers, making it impossible for them to ovep. However, as long as they exist, I can see them." He provided the courtesy of exining to her.


    In simple terms, the Martial de God knew all about Ciara in an instant. The moment he chose her as his opponent, everything about her shed into his mind.


    Everything including her dirty little secrets.


    "Apologies for intruding. I may have seen things that are… better off not being seen."


    "W-what are you—?!"


    "It is fine. You will not be alive to bear the shame. Isn''t it better this way?"


    "You bastar—"


    "If you do not make your move in ten more seconds, I will strike you down. Use your best attack to subdue me. I will wait."


    A wave of seriousness greeted the atmosphere, causing the girl in front of him to gulp. She must have known her fate, yet her eyes didn''t show a hint of weakness.


    ''Good. Now show me…''


    "I-I can''t use my strongest technique with them watching…" Ciara nced at both of her paralyzed teammates.


    "I see. Very well."


    With a single breath, the Martial de God initiated a world-defying phenomenon.


    The world suddenly darkened, and the veil of darkness covered the whole area—stopping short of where Edward and Lemi stood, paralyzed.


    "Martial Zone." The Martial de God whispered.


    The world was still, devoid of anything that existed beyond its upants.


    "We''re currently out of the bounds of space and time. You won''t be seen or heard here. Nothing exists beyond this point."