Chapter 4
At the edge of the map, nestled in the rugged mountains, was a small elite sect called the Sword Pavilion
Hardly anyone came or went from this place. It was a quiet, monotonous place where the same kind of people went about the same kind of routines every day.
But that day was different.
It was still dark—early dawn, before the sun had even begun to rise.
Clang—
Clang—
The bell connected to the entrance of the Closed Training Hall rang out.
The sound quickly spread throughout the Sword Pavilion before the sun even came up.
"Hey, did you hear it? That bell sound early this morning?"
"Of course I did. Is she finally coming out?"
"Seems like it. But hasn't it been ages? How many years has it been?"
"Let me think… It's the seventh year now."
"Wow. That's hardcore. I thought she'd run out crying after a day."
The bold announcement from a ten-year-old about entering closed-door training had once stirred excitement in the Sword Pavilion.
People even placed bets on it back then, but over time, everyone forgot.
That was because Seolah, the girl who went into isolation, ended up staying much longer than anyone expected.
At first, people were curious and checked in now and then. But after two or three years, they stopped caring. The memory faded.
Curiosity fades fast, but life goes on.
For those who trained every day, real life was more important.
But now, the one everyone had forgotten about had suddenly returned!
"I figured she was dead in there. No word for years."
"No, I knew she wasn't dead. I heard someone was supplying her with energy pills regularly."
"Whoa. I can't believe it's been seven years already. Didn't she promise to come out in five? She went over the limit."
"Well, if she went in just to avoid punishment, I guess she earned a pass."
"True, but wasting seven years just to dodge punishment? I'd rather take the punishment. Looks like she wasted all that time and is still going to be kicked out."
The news of Seolah's return stirred interest in the otherwise dull Sword Pavilion.
But no one truly believed she had succeeded in her training.
"Who knows, maybe she did learn something in there."
If anyone tried to give her the benefit of the doubt—
"Oh, come on. She was just a clueless ten-year-old. What could she possibly have learned? At that age, she should've been learning from a master, not shutting herself away."
"That's right. Staying in there for seven years is impressive, but how much can a kid understand? If closed training made someone a master, we'd all be doing it."
Laughter broke out.
"Even if it was possible, it'd only happen in big sects or rich noble clans!"
"Exactly. Only heirs of prestigious families who are trained from birth could do that. If they went into closed training for seven years, they'd probably come out several levels stronger."
As everyone mocked her decision—
"Seolah! You're finally out? I was getting worried since you didn't come out for so long!"
Her reunion was quiet and simple.
Right after leaving isolation, Seolah was taken to her quarters for a check-up.
Some expected people would pester her to prove her training right away. But it turned out people had at least a little decency left.
"You're the only one who welcomes me, Ryunghwa. Oh, and Master too. How have you been?"
"Mm… I've been okay, but…"
Seven years was enough to change a little girl into a young woman.
Though she had grown, Ryunghwa still had a youthful face, and she looked worried.
"What's there to worry about? I ate well and stayed healthy."
As Seolah answered, her master approached.
"So, did you get what you wanted by being so stubborn?"
Seolah smiled brightly and answered.
It was a carefree and confident smile.
"Yes, Master. Thanks to you, your foolish disciple managed to achieve something."
"You must've suffered alone. Did you stay two extra years just for your master's sake? I told you not to mind what your senior brother said."
"I really did achieve something, Master."
"May I check for myself?"
"Of course, Master."
Seolah confidently offered her wrist, and her master gently took hold of it.
A warm energy entered from her master's hand.
The gentle qi flowed carefully through Seolah's veins and then quickly pulled back.
"…You've made amazing progress. You're already at the early stage of First-Class martial rank? At your age? I can't believe it. Did you get lucky and find a hidden treasure or something?"
Actually, she had reached far beyond the early stage.
'If I show off too much, people will get suspicious!'
Because she held back, her master couldn't sense more than that.
Even so, her progress was already shocking.
Seolah replied to her amazed master.
"The Baekcheong Pill you gave me helped a lot."
The night before she entered isolation—
Her master had visited and given her something.
It was a small pill, wrapped in thin paper, with a clean and slightly bitter smell.
-What is this, Master?
-It's not a powerful elixir, but it'll help keep your body pure and your energy stable. Make sure to take it.
It was the Baekcheong Pill, made from a rare white bellflower.
Her master had spoken as if it wasn't a big deal, but Seolah knew better.
She knew how hard her master must've worked to get something like that—especially someone so honest they never kept personal possessions.
-Master…
-…If it ever gets too hard, you can come out anytime. Got it?
Even after turning back time, her kind and warm master hadn't changed. Seolah had nodded and smiled brightly.
"Baekcheong Pill is helpful, but it alone couldn't give you such results."
Despite that, her master smiled warmly for the first time.
"Well, it doesn't matter. What's important is that you came back safely."
A kid went into isolation and came out with internal power beyond the First-Class level, yet her master didn't question it at all.
Before and now, her master had always been this way.
When she had first awakened in a strange world, confused and scared, her master had silently supported her.
"Aren't you curious?"
"There's no need to force you to talk about something you don't want to. I'm just glad you're safe."
Looking at her warmly, her master added—
"Starting tomorrow, things will get busy. Lots of people will want to test your skills."
"I don't mind. Actually, that's perfect. I'll just show them."
"Won't it be too much pressure? I could give you a few more days to rest."
Seolah shook her head.
"No, this is better. The sooner I deal with this, the sooner those loud puppies quiet down."
She smiled, and her master chuckled, shaking his head.
"If you say so. Alright. You've worked hard for years, so rest for today at least."
As her master gave her one last pat on the back and walked away, Seolah looked after him and thought—
This time, I'll really make you proud, Master.
After confirming his student was safe, her master left.
Seolah turned to Ryunghwa with a cheerful smile.
"So, Ryunghwa."
"Hm?"
"Did you bet a lot of money?"
"Money? What money? …Wait, do you mean that bet?"
"Yeah. You placed a lot, right? You even took my money too."
"I did… but… are you seriously bringing that up now?"
Ryunghwa looked confused by the sudden mention of the bet.
Seolah grinned.
"Just wait. I'll make us a fortune soon."