Triple Spell was the final stage of the Full Power Technique and Nigel's unique ability that had elevated her to the realm of the transcendent.
Zeke, who had learned the proper Full Power Technique from Nigel, could use up to Double Spell after becoming a Black Knight, but he had yet to venture into the realms beyond.
If he could wield Triple Spell, he would be able to match Nigel's power.
Zeke followed Nigel out to the front yard of the wooden house.
Outside, Titus and Yulina tried to stop Raven, who had turned into a cat and attempted to devour Anastasia in her cat form, with the triplets in tow.
When Zeke and Nigel emerged, their atmosphere serious, the triplets were the first to get scared and hid behind Nabu.
Just in case, Nabu unfolded a tale of defense to protect the children and the forest.
Zeke and Nigel faced each other.
"Draw your sword."
At Nigel's words, Zeke summoned Laevatein.
With their swords drawn, Nigel and Zeke already engaged in an invisible, fierce clash of auras.
Astral Swords, capable of slicing through anything with mere will, naturally emanated from them.
The domains of the Will-Forged Strong Qi Field created by Nigel and Zeke collided.
Only after reaching the Grandmaster realm could Zeke truly comprehend how formidable his master, Nigel, was.
'The strength of my master that I knew was just a fraction of her true power.'
He could now understand why Nabu and Manna hadn't worried much when Anastasia had captured Nigel.
Compared to Nigel's true strength, Anastasia was no more than a kitten that scratched at her.
Nigel spoke to Zeke.
"Come at me." Woooong!
Zeke charged toward Nigel at tremendous speed.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Laevatein, infused with the Will-Forged Strong Qi Field, came crashing down on Nigel.
Nigel raised her sword at an angle and deflected Laevatein.
Zeke could feel that every one of Nigel's movements was imbued with the power of the Full Power Technique.
As she parried the sword, Nigel said,
"The Full Power Technique isn't some secret art like you think. It should dwell in your sword as naturally as your breath."
Tsz-tsu-tsu—
Nigel's sword flew toward Zeke.
Kwa-ching!
It was a seemingly light strike, but Zeke's body was clearly pushed back as he blocked it with his sword.
In that brief moment, Zeke realized that the Full Power Technique infused in her sword had shifted instantaneously.
It started with the Will of Speed for a swift advance, then twisted erratically with the Will of Change, and finally amplified its weight with the Will of Center.
'So this is what the true Full Power Technique is like.' Zeke's sword changed.
He tried incorporating the Full Power Technique into his strikes, just like Nigel's sword forms, in a single breath.
Whiiiish—
The sword sped up, varied, grew heavy again, then accelerated once more as it flew toward Nigel.
Pach-ing!
Like reflections in a mirror, Zeke and Nigel's swords traced similar paths, probing for each other's openings.
Seeing Zeke's sword, Nigel smiled faintly.
'To think he could wield the Full Power Technique to this extent.'
It was a swordsmanship she had created herself, one she believed no one else could ever perform.
Thus, watching Zeke execute the Full Power Technique perfectly stirred a complex emotion in Nigel.
At that moment, Nigel's expression changed.
'But this isn't enough.'
The aura around Nigel as she swung her sword shifted.
Woooong—
A power different from before emanated from Nigel, who had only used Solo Spell until now.
Zeke could feel the change in Nigel's aura as well.
'Double Spell.'
There was a vast difference in power between Solo Spell and Double Spell.
Nigel, who had been pressing Zeke, suddenly relaxed her stance and began to retreat step by step.
Zeke recalled how, in his previous life, Nigel would push back powerful magical beasts like ancient variants or aberrations in this manner, luring them into her domain before striking.
And only then did he realize the true essence of Double Spell.
'Double Spell truly shines when countering.'
Until now, he had forced Double Spell like a secret art, pouring power into it.
But Nigel instead withdrew her strength, waiting for the enemy to come to her.
Like a hunter lying in wait with hidden power, Nigel's eyes gleamed as she anticipated Zeke's approach.
Zeke raised his sword upon seeing her.
Woooong!
The Will-Forged Strong Qi Fields around his body surged, shaking the air.
He intended to unleash an attack that even Double Spell couldn't counter.
Zeke charged forward, assuming the stance of the Infinite Sword Art.
Infinite Sword Art Secret Transmission Form
First Linked Form
Sun-and-Moon Severing Strike Kugu-gu-gu-gu!
The secret art of the True Dragon Sword Technique, reinterpreted through the Infinite Sword Art, unfolded from Zeke's sword.
Nigel watched Zeke's strike calmly until the end.
The moment the sword strike was about to reach her, Nigel's body rippled and turned translucent.
Full Power Technique
Double Spell
Will of Permeation
Incredibly, Zeke's Sun-and-Moon Severing Strike passed right through Nigel without clashing with her sword.
Losing his target, Zeke's balance faltered.
Seizing the opening, Nigel thrust her sword toward Zeke.
Full Power Technique
Double Spell
Will of Slashing
Her sword carried the intent to cleave Zeke in a single stroke.
Kugu-gu-gu—
Zeke immediately retracted the Sun-and-Moon Severing Strike and raised his sword to block Nigel's attack.
At the same time, he summoned Shadow Armor to protect his body.
As Nigel's slashing strike collided with Zeke's sword, a sound like the heavens and earth splitting echoed.
Chjeo-jeo-jeo-jing!
Zeke nearly dropped his sword from the dizzying impact.
'So this is the true power of Double Spell.'
The force was enough to nearly shatter his Shadow Armor; Zeke gritted his teeth.
But the real problem came next.
Kugu-gu-gu-gu—
An aura incomparable to before surged from Nigel as she unleashed the slash.
Zeke instinctively realized she was preparing Triple Spell.
He drew the holy sword Ascalon from his inventory and gripped a sword in each hand.
Woooong!
The auras of the Black Darkness Sword Laevatein and the holy sword Ascalon enveloped Zeke's body.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The energies of Black Sword Qi and Holy Spirit Qi raged wildly, pouring toward Nigel.
At the same moment, Nigel thrust her sword forward.
Full Power Technique
Triple Spell
Will of Nullification
The moment Nigel's Triple Spell unfolded, all the energy Zeke had unleashed dissipated.
Kugu-gu-gung!
His Shadow Armor, Ascalon, and Laevatein all vanished.
With everything erased, Zeke was left in a completely defenseless state.
If it were the old Zeke, he couldn't have done anything more at this point, but now he had endured such nullification states for 200 years in the prison of the abyss and returned.
Tsz-tsu-tsu-tsu—
A sword form materialized before Zeke.
The sword that had existed for 200 years in his mind, non-existent yet undeniably real.
The Heart-Sword had revealed itself.
Feeling the Heart-Sword Zeke had manifested, Nigel too raised a sword infused with her soul and will.
As Zeke's Heart-Sword clashed with Nigel's Full Power Technique, a brilliant light erupted along with a shockwave that spread in all directions.
Kugu-gu-gu-gu—
A light so intense it could blind spread across the entire Forest of the Forgotten.
Nabu maintained his protective barrier of tales and clicked his tongue in amazement.
'Crazy, both of them are total monsters.'
In his eyes, Zeke was now on a level where he wouldn't be outmatched even against the true forms of the High Table members.
With Zeke and Nigel clashing, it was only natural for such tremendous waves to surge.
Soon after, as the dust cloud cleared, Nigel and Zeke came into view.
Nigel held her sword, while Zeke held nothing.
The two faced each other.
Nigel looked at Zeke for a moment before sheathing her sword.
Then she said to him,
"The transmission is over. From here on, figure it out yourself." Zeke nodded to her.
"I have received your teachings clearly, Master." Hearing Zeke's words, Nigel shook her head.
She hadn't used her full power, but she had employed the true Triple Spell.
The Will of Nullification was not something even a constellation in its true form could easily escape.
Yet Zeke had manifested a sword of the mind in that situation and even counterattacked her.
She never imagined a human could withstand even up to Triple Spell.
'This guy will grow even stronger. Far beyond me.'
Looking at her disciple, who held the potential to surpass her, Nigel felt a strange emotion.
Considering the fate of salvation Zeke bore, it brought her some relief.
At that moment, Nabu approached Nigel.
"Whew, you should know when to hold back. You almost blew away the whole forest."
"You handle the protection. If you can't even manage that, you're disqualified from the High Table."
"Grr, that damn old hag and her sharp tongue."
Zeke approached the bickering Nabu and Nigel.
"I'd like to help with the cleanup, but I should head back now." Nabu nodded as if to say not to worry.
"We'll take care of the rest, so go on."
Zeke gave Nabu a slight smile of thanks and turned to Nigel.
"Master, since I absorbed the Black Star, there's no reason for you to guard the Forest of the Forgotten anymore. Why not come with me to Mycenae?" Nigel shook her head at Zeke's words.
"You're talking nonsense. The Black Star isn't the issue here. Countless ancient monsters, and even aberrations that haven't revealed themselves yet, are sealed away. With the Black Star gone, it's as if the force suppressing them has vanished. They'll probably start rampaging even more."
Nabu, standing beside her, nodded in agreement.
"Manna and I strengthened the barriers here to keep the monsters and magical beasts from escaping. If Nigel leaves, they'll pour out."
"I see."
Zeke nodded as if he had no choice.
He then turned his gaze to the triplets with Yulina and asked,
"Are the children okay?" Nigel nodded.
"They would have had short lifespans normally, but by substituting mana for vitality to stabilize their bodies, there shouldn't be any particular issues."
Nigel said it simply, but Zeke, who had checked the related information via the Akashic Code, knew how difficult the process she had just described was.
Zeke planned to take the recovered children to the academy in the Southern Archipelago.
'It might be burdening Lady Arina too much, but it should be fine...'
Arina, as the headmistress of the academy, wished to spend her remaining years protecting and raising children.
Zeke respected Arina's wishes and believed the triplets would be welcomed.
After organizing his future plans, Zeke looked at Nigel and said,
"Master, I'll be going now. I'll visit again."
In his previous life, she had been someone he only feared.
Only in this life did he finally realize how much Nigel cherished him.
However, since the current Nigel had no memories of their past life, Zeke could only recall his master from his own memories, which left him a bit wistful.
Nigel, with her usual sullen expression, waved him off as if telling him to hurry.
Zeke bowed once more before taking Titus, Yulina and her siblings, and the triplets through the portal back to the central camp.
Watching Zeke vanish in an instant, Nabu said to Nigel,
"The more I see him, the more amazing he gets."
Nigel said nothing, and Nabu, glancing at her, spoke again.
"You okay, old lady Nigel? Truth is, you wanted to go with him, didn't you?" Nigel kicked Nabu's shin.
"Kyaaak!"
He rubbed his shin and yelled.
"If it's no, just say no! You violent old hag!" Nigel clicked her tongue at him.
As she gazed at the spot where Zeke had departed, Nigel recalled an old memory.
'My name is Zeke, Zeke Murray. I was a southern hitman for the McCain Cartel.'
'Hah? Where does this bastard get off acting tough? You wanna die?' Their first meeting, not in this life but the previous one.
When Zeke entered her deep mental world to awaken the sleeping Nigel under Anastasia's authority, her past life's memories had astonishingly resurfaced.
She remembered how she had saved Zeke and what feelings she had held, how she had opened his middle dantian, made him swear the Highlander Oath, and later revoked it.
'I have no right to curse my past self. In the end, I gave everything to him too.' As Nabu said, if possible, Nigel wanted to follow Zeke.
But she had her own duties.
Nigel turned her head and said to Nabu,
"Enough nonsense. Follow me. We need to patrol the forest and find any holes in the barriers. You won't be heading back to Mount Ouroboros until that's done."
"Uwaaaak! Damn old hag! I want to go home! I want to go home!" Nabu's wail echoed through the Forest of the Forgotten.