Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Refusing the King's Offer
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Flutter! Flutter! Flutter!
“…….”
“…….”
The sound of pages turning.
Aside from that, a cold silence hung in the air.
Everyone held their breath, watching the lone mage.
Then, in the midst of it.
Thud!
The mage abruptly closed the book.
It had been about an hour since he began reading the spellbook.
And Kailius found himself recalling the same doubt from before.
‘……No way, again this time?’
Honestly, he knew full well how difficult it was.
A secret spellbook, no less—one of the most obscure ones at that.
Just as Karian had said, mastering the magic within it in an hour was next to impossible.
Yet for some reason.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that it might actually be possible.
And the mage named Yuhaness did not betray that expectation.
As he drew up his mana.
Flash!
His figure vanished, then reappeared a short distance away.
No one had explained it, but everyone knew what that magic was.
“Teleport magic!”
He had successfully mastered [Teleport] magic, following [Barrier] and [Fly].
“He truly is a genius……. No, a genius among geniuses. It’s astonishing that I only learned of him now!”
Kailius began openly heaping praise on Yuhaness.
In a setting with so many dignitaries present, such one-sided adulation might be seen as improper, but what could anyone do?
It was the truth.
A genius among geniuses.
No expression fit him more perfectly.
Meanwhile.
‘What the hell…….’
Royal mage Karian, who had been watching the same scene, wore a hardened expression.
And understandably so. Having witnessed the process of mastery firsthand, even the denial he had harbored deep down had vanished.
Karian muttered almost absently.
“……A monster.”
Monster.
It was the most fitting word to describe the mage named Yuhaness.
If that wasn’t a monster, then what was?
At the very least, in the world of magic, he was undoubtedly one.
Then.
‘The royal mage position is a done deal.’
Elbert had entered the stage of resignation.
He knew little about magic, but the moment Yuhaness succeeded with [Barrier], he had been certain.
The game was over.
From now on, no one would dare question his talent.
‘He’s even more incredible than I thought.’
Only as Elbert had such thoughts did Yuhaness finally speak.
“It’s done. All three secret spellbooks. Fully mastered.”
Yuhaness spoke matter-of-factly as he looked around.
Everyone stared at him in silence, and his gaze soon fixed on Karian.
“Will you claim this time that you already knew the spell too?”
“…….”
“Though I wouldn’t mind if you did.”
Regrettably, no reply came.
***
A thrill ran through every fingertip.
‘[Barrier], [Fly], and now [Teleport]…….’
He had gained so much more than expected.
Three advanced spells.
The man he was before coming here and after was like a completely different person.
Especially acquiring [Teleport]—he could hardly believe it.
‘This is magic that only mages on Ashion Gale’s level can learn.’
He wasn’t talking about realm or enlightenment.
It meant that only those who had immersed themselves in the mage profession for years, building solid connections and wealth, could access it.
For anyone else, learning [Teleport] was practically impossible.
Moreover.
‘Doesn’t it seem better than what the chairman used?’
He had witnessed the chairman’s teleportation before.
For some reason, the version he had just learned felt a cut above.
The amount of mana required, the time to cast…… everything was just a bit superior.
He didn’t know the difference between what the chairman knew and this, but one thing was clear.
It was a secret spellbook for good reason.
If it were released, Ashion Gale and other high-ranking mages would surely freak out.
Anyway.
“Mage, there is nothing left for me to evaluate you on.”
King Kailius continued in a flat tone.
“You have perfectly proven your own talent, and I shall grant you the commensurate reward.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Reward……
He was already stuffed to bursting from the secret spellbooks, but he had no intention of refusing.
Rewards were always better in abundance.
The key was what kind it would be.
However.
“Whether royal commander or royal mage, it matters not. Whatever path you desire, I will ensure you rise to that position. What do you want?”
The reward was less impressive than expected.
Royal commander or royal mage.
He would make one of those happen.
Considering the solid performance he had put on, disappointment followed.
Even more so.
‘……This is awkward.’
To begin with, he had no desire to become either a royal commander or royal mage.
He couldn’t afford to be tied down anywhere.
Especially with his next destination already set.
“Hmm…….”
He forced his mouth open toward Kailius, who watched him with expectant eyes.
“Is there no way I can do neither?”
“……What?”
And at that moment.
Everyone around them froze.
***
After all the tests concluded.
We were escorted to the VIP room, where Elbert let out a deep sigh of relief.
“……What on earth were you thinking?”
From his expression, he was still shaken.
But if anyone should feel wronged, it was me.
“That’s what I’d like to know. Have you forgotten why we came to District 1 in the first place?”
We hadn’t come here to snag some position.
It was all just a stepping stone to claim the hidden pieces.
Kailius’s offer was one I naturally had to refuse.
But Elbert shook his head, as if he couldn’t comprehend.
“Sure, I know the goal. But this is a royal mage position. The highest treatment Asteron has to offer.”
“That’s true. I know. Become a royal mage, and you’ll never worry about food again until you die. Hell, your descendants will live well too.”
“And you still refused?”
“Because I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”
Elbert tilted his head at my earnestly spoken words.
“I will catch Baal, no matter what.”
“Even if it means throwing away all wealth, honor—no, your life?”
“Yes.”
He blinked as if suddenly realizing something.
“……I get it. It’s an unbreakable conviction for you.”
“Something like that. From the moment I learned magic until now, I’ve never once forgotten that goal.”
“Whew…… I see.”
How much time passed?
Step, step, step.
After sighing and heading somewhere, Elbert returned and thrust something out.
Upon inspection, it was a sword.
A decorative sword in the VIP room.
Of course, being from Asteron Citadel, even the ornament was sharp enough for immediate combat.
“Why this……?”
“I just wanted to help you. Whether as a royal commander or royal mage.”
“Yes, I know. No malice at all.”
“So I thought about it. What could help someone like you, who needs no money, honor, or safety? And this is the answer.”
I alternated glances between the sword and Elbert.
And soon realized what he meant.
“Could it be…….”
“Yeah, interested?”
Grab!
No need for words.
I immediately gripped the sword and assumed a stance.
7th Knight Division Captain Elbert Tairan.
It looked like he was about to teach me swordsmanship.
A short while later.
Whoosh!
The VIP room filled with the sound of slicing air.
***
7th Knight Division Captain Elbert Tairan.
He had overcome countless hardships and trials to rise to the rank of division captain alongside commander.
As such, he had two things he was utterly confident in.
Command and swordsmanship.
He was certain he wouldn’t yield to anyone in those two areas.
And because of that, as he taught swordsmanship to a mage right now.
He couldn’t help but be stunned.
‘……What the hell is this guy?’
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Elbert watched Yuhaness swing the sword through the air, lost in deep thought.
‘A guy with innate genius in magic…… How is this possible?’
He couldn’t wrap his head around the situation.
Understandably so—Yuhaness’s swordsmanship, seen up close, far exceeded his expectations.
To put it simply, it was on par with a knight trainee preparing to become a full knight.
No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a knight already.
Of course, it was all thanks to the top-tier soul imprint [Former Owner of Sword Saint].
And countless hours watching his previous character, the zombie swordsman, wield a blade.
But how would Elbert know that.
“Stop.”
With his mind in chaos, Elbert halted him.
“Yes? Is something wrong…….”
“No, nothing like that. You’re doing splendidly. I’m just curious about something.”
“Ask away.”
“Have you ever trained in swordsmanship anywhere?”
It wasn’t an impossible notion.
There were old Sword Saints in the world who hid their names and identities.
If he had learned from one of them, it would explain Yuhaness’s advanced skill.
But.
“No. Never. I focused solely on magic.”
“……You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
He stated plainly that he had no such training.
At that point, Elbert began to feel a twinge of fear.
He couldn’t predict how strong this guy would become.
“…….”
After a moment of contemplation, Elbert turned and headed somewhere.
When he returned, he held an identical decorative sword.
“A spar?”
“Yes. At your level, this will help improve your skills more effectively.”
With those words, Elbert had already made up his mind.
Rather than simply fearing how far this monster would grow, he wanted to contribute to that monster’s strength.
“By the way, I don’t go easy in spars. Focus.”
No matter how skilled the guy’s swordplay, he wasn’t on the level of a division captain.
Meaning Elbert still had much to teach him.
Stance.
Elbert assumed position and thrust his sword forward.
Swoosh!
It became a single strand of aura shooting toward Yuhaness.
“W-Wait a second…….”
“Assume your stance!”
Elbert’s shout was like a bellow, but for some reason, the corner of his mouth curved upward subtly.
Teaching a talented individual was always a joy.