Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family (13)
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I stopped in my tracks at the sound coming from behind the stairs.
The rumors had spread, as expected.
It wasn't common for someone to sweep up that much money in a single day.
"Did you hear? It was Leo and his attendant. Both mages, apparently, which is how they racked up that much."
"Leo?! Why'd he go all of a sudden?"
"According to Leo, the attendant wanted to check it out, so they went. Said the guy was a traveler from the Papal States."
"Oh? Did you catch a name? If he's a mage, he must be nobility too."
"No idea. Foreign surname, couldn't remember it. But the manager said it didn't sound like a noble house name."
"A mage hanging around with Leo and not nobility? Must be an alias."
"Probably. Wore a mask too, they say."
"Huh?"
I rubbed my chin.
If I used a noble surname, it'd be easy to trace me back, so I'd written my real one.
News like this would spread to the Papal States in no time, so there was no need to stir up inter-house trouble by using an actual noble name.
'In truth, a foreign mage coming into the capital and poking around does warrant at least one check-in.'
But no such system existed yet. In the novel, it wasn't until the protagonist dropped a bombshell on the imperial court around mid-story that laws got hastily revised.
Until then, they just shrugged it off like, "If a house of that stature approved them, their identity must be solid."
'Of course, Leo's family would have no clue...'
They'd never given permission...
But Leo would handle that himself, so no need for me to worry.
For now, this was within expectations. That was enough.
I left the continuing chatter of the students behind and moved on.
Even at noon, the situation hadn't changed.
The news had spread through the academy and the entire capital in no time.
"Did you hear?! That blue-eyed hunter's showing up there again tomorrow?!"
"Cough..."
On my way to the lecture hall, I choked on a shout from somewhere.
'...That title just now...'
Was that about me? And who's saying they're going tomorrow?
Once I started paying attention, I realized similar murmurs were popping up around me.
'...Status window.'
Lucas René Ascanien
Title: Hunter of ???
Stamina: -3.5 (+0.3)
Mentality: -8.2 (+0.5)
Mana: ?
Skills: +1.015 (+0.5)
Impression: -10
Luck: -6.985 (+0.5)
Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power
I'd checked just in case, and sure enough, the title had changed. It must shift based on how people refer to me here...
'With a title like that, it'll stick around for a while.'
The chimera iri hadn't even hit the papers yet. If the higher-ups decided to report on that too, this hype would drag on even longer.
I glanced at students carrying newspapers and thought to myself.
* * *
Turns out, the title wasn't something the students came up with—it came from the first paper to report it. Other outlets were using the same name, so it was set in stone.
Frankly, Leo's situation was worse than mine.
I just had to endure a weird nickname, but he was fielding questions and stares from every student.
Every time we crossed paths, his face looked gloomier. A guy who always smiled now had a scowl that said it all.
The next evening, Leo plopped down on the training ground floor and sat there silently for a long stretch.
Looking down at him, I tossed out a line.
"You okay?"
"Nope."
Leo replied with a face aged ten years.
They'd gathered for training, but he clearly wasn't in the mood today.
'He's been hounded by questions all day—no wonder.'
In that sense, hiding my identity was a real boon. I took the positive spin and plopped down beside him.
Leo spoke weakly.
"You see? We made five different daily papers today. How'd it blow up this much...? Got three interview requests yesterday alone."
"You're the one suffering."
I'd figured it'd die down by now, but interest was only growing.
'Mystery factor, probably.'
If it'd just been Leo and his revealed attendant taking down a magical beast, it'd end as a nice anecdote about Leo. But with all the suspicious bits piled on one guy, people were hyping it wildly.
Investigations showed the iri wasn't a species native to the empire, and the imperial court announced the culprit likely belonged to Pleroma.
Two mages showing up right on time to stop a crime tied to a cult? Bound to be a sensation.
'Good thing they didn't catch on.'
Why bring up Pleroma, of all things.
I was already being painted in that light despite not being one—if it came out now, I'd be done for.
Thinking of that worst-case made the current spot pretty sweet.
"Ah."
Leo spotted the package beside him and handed it over.
"Almost forgot to give you this. Arrived today."
"Faster than expected."
"Told them to rush it. Doesn't take long to make anyway."
Even so, flying here in a day?
I took the box from Leo.
"Thanks."
"No biggie. Gotta stay alive and keep casting spells hard."
"What...?"
"Hm?"
"Never mind."
'Stay healthy' would make sense, but 'keep casting spells hard'? What even?
Never fails to remind me—this guy's obsessed with magic.
Ignoring him, I unwrapped it.
"Whoa..."
Leo started marveling at the inner packaging, then switched to a different kind of awe at the contents.
"Wow, it's so... ordinary."
Inside was a plain wristwatch that wouldn't stick in anyone's memory and a silver necklace chain.
For max effect, they needed skin penetration, so options were subdermal chips or earrings.
Former caused too much psychological hang-up, so no go. Latter was better, but... a mage with pierced ears screamed artifact user. Risky if I ran into my brother.
Wristwatch and necklace were close enough to skin for decent results. I'd infused them with my blood and mana for consecration to boost it.
The watch hid circulating mana; the chain stabilized the core. My current necklace was pendant-only artifact, so swapping chains was fine.
All built with a fortune to block mana leaks completely, mimicking normal jewelry—still had about 10 million left over.
'Never doing that again.'
Chump change to a mage, but... if I went beast-hunting again? I smiled contentedly.
"Try it on. I'm dying to see."
"Sure."
At Leo's urging, I loosely strapped the watch on.
"...!"
Thanks to my blood and mana, or maybe despite no penetration, an odd sensation wrapped my wrist.
"...Feels like it's pulling something, but nothing else."
"Nah, cast a spell."
Leo waved his arm excitedly, pointing across the training ground. I drew my wand and fired at the spot.
Boom—!
"Oh."
Unlike usual, it felt like a path formed. Like switching from dirt road to a rough but paved highway.
"You felt that too, right? And the mana around you died down a ton before and after. Way cleaner now."
"Yeah? Output felt the same."
"Expected. It just kills the post-cast scatter."
"Nice."
I pulled up the status window again.
Lucas René Ascanien
Title: Hunter of ???
Stamina: -3.5
Mentality: -8.2
Mana: ?
Skills: +1.015 [+4.015]
Impression: -10
Luck: -6.985
Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power
'Hm?'
Skills up by a full 3 points?
Leo's "cleaner" comment checked out. After nickel-and-diming decimal gains, this jump was shocking.
I sheathed my wand and touched the necklace chain.
No real effect yet... but maybe in practice.
I swapped the chain, tucked the pendant into my shirt.
Leo waved his wand lightly to sense mana, then tilted his head.
"Watch effect maybe? Can't feel this one right away."
"...Really?"
Not for me.
I couldn't close my mouth, pressing my chest.
Unlike before, the core felt feather-light, almost unnoticeable.
Lucas René Ascanien
Title: Hunter of ???
Stamina: -3.5 [-0.5]
Mentality: -8.2
Mana: ?
Skills: +1.015 [+4.015]
Impression: -10
Luck: -6.985
Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power
'Stamina up 3 points too.'
I sparked flames from my hand.
The faint cracks and shocks from casting were gone. No—I hadn't even realized those were cracks and shocks.
This must be it.
Normal core operation.
Precisely, a -0.5 core felt like this.
A coreless 21st-century human, and Lucas with his long-damaged one—we had no clue what healthy felt like.
Now I knew.
Breathing and mana flow were freer than ever.
I pulled the pendant from my shirt, away from skin.
As the artifact distanced from the core, my chest clogged up heavy again.
Didn't notice before, but now that I knew healthy core sensation, no way I'd go without.
"Curing the core fully would top this."
"Something different, huh? Good pick."
Make the enhancer, feel this sans artifact.
Cure it, keep healthy core forever post-enhancer fade.
Waiting on meds was reckless.
Nearly learned magic with a wrecked core while ignoring a normal one.
I sent Leo—condition shot—to the dorm and practiced solo.
As breath grew short, I checked the watch. Midnight on entry; now nearing 3 a.m.
Magic guzzled stamina, but three hours? Even -0.5 limit.
'Rest for tomorrow anyway.'
Back at dorm, I tossed bag on desk, slumped in chair.
"Hm?"
Something off caught my eye.
Thud—
Door open, note fell.
Unfolding the sloppy yellow paper revealed scrawled text.
[I know everything.]
Nape chilled.
I eyed the note coldly.
[Come out of the dorm now.]
I glared, then relaxed into laughter.
No clue what they "knew"...
But if they had dirt, facing me instead of blabbing to press? Welcome move.
'Beast hunt most likely now.'
Assume they knew that, called me out.
They'd have no hard proof, just suspicion.
I'd play dumb: "Why'd you come out to this?" "This warning proves you're the hunter," they'd press.
If so... deny all.
Anyone but Lucas might crack, but him?
Guy comes out to vague "something's up, scary maybe," complies blindly.
'Course, that's last year's tale...'
No evidence anyway. Mumble "Dunno what, but told to come so..."—fits his rep, hard for them to be sure.
'Problems from going? Manageable.'
So, obviously go. Not teacher-fixable.
Didn't expect it this fast, but a suspect walking into my lap? Great.
No hesitation—I slipped the note back in the door crack, headed downstairs.
Out the dorm front, a student approached hesitantly.
"Uh... are you..."
Not the note guy, by voice.
I stared silently; he eyed me terrified.
"What."
"Saw the note? Upperclassmen from magic dept told me to bring you."
"Who exactly?"
"I don't really..."
Grabbed a random passerby.
Normally reject stranger requests, but here... threatened maybe.
I waved him ahead wordlessly; he scurried.
Long way—no arrival sign. I tossed back.
"Pretty far, huh?"
"Y-Yes?! Oh, yeah... Didn't realize. Almost there though."
Main buildings long shrunk behind.
Abandoned structures, outskirts now.
"They say anything else about me?"
"N-No. Just 'he'll come soon, bring him.'"
"I see."
Then, four-ish figures afar.
Couldn't enter the ruin, waiting mid-space.
Spotting them, student bolted before we arrived.
I approached.
"No way... he actually came."
"Hey, pay up, 50 pell."
"Crazy bastard. Anyway, we sent the note like you said."
Students snickered among themselves.
I stared silently; one stepped forward.
"Hey."
He bored into my eyes, then jutted his jaw.
"Why're you here? Got something to hide?"
"You told me to come."
My bored reply sparked laughs from the back.
"What the hell's this guy..."
"See? Told you—even blank 'come out' works? Hasn't changed a bit."
"Yeah."
"So fork over 50."
"Fuck off, no. Shut up. You're killing the vibe."
They smirked, then stared silently.
'Same class guys?'
Familiar faces from passing.
Far from top like Leo.
Know magic to get in, but no grades, personality, or social shine. View relations as pure hierarchy.
Grovel to highborn high-achievers like Leo; stomp the shunned like Lucas.
'Pleroma...'
Don't seem scared.
Outsiders might not know, but insiders knew my vibe, looked down.
'Few numbers, bad luck same class.'
Stuck in Lucas's sparse memory as nightmares.
Year 1, mouse-eating rumors— these guys started them.
Pre-full bullying, testing how much shit he'd take.
Front guy lowered voice, neared.
"Nothing big. You seem... off lately."
"..."
"Been... anything up?"
Back-seater who'd giggled stood, arm on my shoulder.
"What happened to make you stare like that? You didn't used to."
"Hahaha! Eyes all lively. Fuck, too scary to look at."
I let out a short laugh.
Yeah, if no dirt, fine. Knew I'd meet types like this.
Tension I'd held melted. They knew zilch of my worries.
Just bullying bait.
"Knew everything" pure scare tactic to lure out.
'Threats like "die if not"? No escape if caught later.'
Plausible deniability maxed.
Just enough words.
Didn't expect rank-play buy-in...
'But good.'
No headache.
I sighed at their hardening glares.
"Why'd you call me?"
"Look, sighing now."
"Enough. Fine, we'll tell. Hate you freaks strutting like normals. Got it?"
"What makes me freaks."
"Playing dumb? Image change excuse to lobotomize you?"
He laughed, ruffling hair.
"Fuck, chatty. Last year's vibe, so why act normal now? Just."
"Nah, don't bother. Won't get it."
"Probably. Hey, get it? No? We'll show."
They snickered again.
Floor-sitter beckoned.
"Hand it over."
"What, punk."
"...Hahaha... oh, swearing now. Shocked speechless."
He stood, pointed at my jacket.
"Gimme the jacket, asshole."
"..."
Absurd, I laughed.
'These punks...'
Obvious. Hand it over, ruined.
I eyed them coldly, pondering. Idea struck.
'...This might work out better than thought.'