Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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The next day marked the first day back at school after the exam.
Of course, that was just for me—everyone else was already on their second day.
The school still hadn’t shaken off the aftermath of the grades.
That was only natural. With the Imperial Newspaper and countless other outlets still splashing my story across their front pages, why would the students be any different?
[Lucas Ascanien, Return of the Founding Mage of House Ascanien]
[Yojua Kreiss, Honorary Professor of Magic at the Imperial First Academy: “The Brightest Light in Ascanien History”]
[Editorial: Not Just Ascanien’s Greatest—But the Empire’s Finest Talent Ever… With Proper Training, He’d Be the Empire’s Top Mage]
According to Elias, these were today’s headlines.
The reason I say “according to” is that I didn’t read them myself—Elias had bellowed the titles down the hallway at the top of his lungs.
“Video analysis shows a total of 36 types of mana used… Ugh?”
“Stop reading.”
I smacked Elias’s mouth shut and hurried into the classroom.
Blocking that guy’s yap made me feel about a year older.
“It’s good to analyze the troubles ahead, but you need to read these articles. And so do the others.”
Elias followed me into the class, his eyes gleaming as he said it.
Still, the negative reactions didn’t dominate.
I knew because my favorability had shot up to +80 without me lifting a finger. Pop-ups had just flickered in from an empty direction—probably someone behind a wall or from the next class over.
Unlike Elias and Leo, who were fired up, the ones dismissing my score as just raw mana output were a minority.
It was a trait limited to those with middling grades or the type who propped up their egos by looking down on others just a bit.
‘Those guys are the ones stirring the pot, so I need to watch out.’
I scanned the suddenly quiet classroom and took my seat.
The students I’d talked to Leo about yesterday were clustered together.
Right after a shock like that, they waste time in confusion, then move into denial and doubt.
A few more reality checks, and they finally adapt.
Until they reconfirm that what they saw wasn’t a fluke, this atmosphere was inevitable.
And now was the time to deliver that wake-up call.
Conveniently, even without me making a move, one student approached on his own.
“Lucas, want to practice with us after regular classes today?”
“……”
I smiled at them.
Their faces were a bit blurry in my memory, but I remembered he was the guy who always just missed the top 10 in the department. The others with him were the same.
“Hans Fritch, right? Sorry, I’ve already got a partner, so that won’t work.”
“A partner?”
“Yeah. I’m doing the exam with Yulia, so separate training’s tough.”
At that, their faces stiffened slightly.
Someone shook off their fluster and spoke up.
“Well, it’s our first time seeing you cast magic, and we’ve been sparring partners since first year—but never with you. Want to try once?”
“Hmm…”
I pretended to think it over, then nodded.
“Sure. A quick one should be fine. Tell me where we’re sparring.”
* * *
Lucas Ascanien had accepted our request.
After the first morning class ended and break time hit, Hans turned to his friends, cast a soundproofing spell, and muttered.
“First time talking to him.”
“Same. But he accepted pretty readily—does he still not get it?”
“He has to not know.”
How could we reveal we were testing his true skills with this spar?
Truth be told, we knew Ascanien was exceptional.
“……”
Hans Fritch stared down at Lucas’s match footage on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper, lips pressed tight.
The whole Empire was buzzing over that 58-second clip.
The paper boasted record-breaking sales.
No matter which paper you opened, red mana dominated the front page, and his name appeared in two or three articles per section.
The public was exploding over the “incompetent cripple” returning with qualifications to rule.
Fine.
I admit it.
I envy that unreachable brilliance.
That innate genius that captivated the masses in under a minute.
The flashy, multicolored mana that embodied Ascanien essence, the ability to internalize theory instantly, the eloquence befitting a ruling family heir—now even being Adrian Ascanien’s brother—all of it left a bitter taste of envy.
‘…But still…’
Talent and deserving a 1+ in one shot are different.
I could accept everything else clean, but this? I’d seen it myself, so no dice.
Hans muttered.
“Yulia said she’s his partner.”
Yulia and Leonard had been famous since the Third Academy. Both from ruling families, trained by the Empire’s top mages from childhood, their magic skills had always been top-notch.
Yet they’d reacted lukewarm, and now one was even partnering with Ascanien.
His friend spat a curse in reply.
“Yeah. Can’t wrap my head around those two teaming up.”
Hans couldn’t either.
Why bother?
Exclude raw mana overwhelming timing.
The incantations looked like total amateur hour, basic amplification formulas, nothing special anywhere.
From start to finish, just ‘brute force rush’—what else was there?
1+ was a stretch. Maybe 2+ like me.
If we let this vague grading slide without a word, who knows what’d happen with student militia selection or midterms/finals.
If brute power rushes scored 1+, what’s the point of learning technique? With that standard, we should hit 1+ too—no, at least 1st grade range.
‘Wish students like Leo or Yulia who got the same grade as Ascanien would step up.’
Still, Hans himself usually pulled 1st grade in practicals—slipped this time, but not hopeless.
Hans steeled his resolve in his own way.
* * *
‘Spar with you guys?’
Of course.
Time to farm some favorability.
Honestly, curious what leveling up Charm and Retry traits another notch would do.
‘Gotta end these kids’ games quick.’
The spot they picked was the second-year communal training ground.
Way too big for one-on-one—fits 50 at once, naturally.
Personal fields or gyms wouldn’t do. Indoors, hard for crowds to watch.
At the appointed time, I headed to the communal ground and did a double-take.
‘Knew it.’
Couldn’t help laughing.
‘What, how many is this? For a student spar?’
Half a day hadn’t passed, but rumors spread fast—dozens already here. Hadn’t even started, and it’d hit 100 soon.
‘Quite the mix.’
No department lines.
They were all curious about my true level.
Wondering about my magic, or if I really deserved that 1+.
Not just these three questioning my grade from the start.
These guys were just the flashy front-runners; more shared their views lurking.
Letting this crowd gather showed their mindset plain.
‘Confident in technique, huh.’
Suits me fine.
Favorability incoming early.
I slipped on the prepped mana restraints with one hand, smirking.
* * *
‘Hm?’
What’s he putting on his wrist?
Hans, arriving at the training ground, squinted at the distant figure.
‘Cheating that openly?’
He’s probably never sparred. Once or twice tops.
Accepted cockily, but maybe uneasy facing me now.
‘Trying to win with artifacts?’
Nah, couldn’t be.
Not that weak, right?
Hans waved and called out.
“Lucas.”
“Yeah, you’re here?”
Lucas smiled softly in reply.
‘…Why’s he smiling?’
Hans felt instinctive unease.
Usually, that’s image management or genuine friendliness—but something ominous hung in the air.
As he thought that, a flicker of amusement crossed Lucas’s face, leaving Hans baffled.
Then his friend pointed at Lucas’s wrist.
“What’s that, Lucas?”
“Oh, this.”
Lucas showed the bracelet on his wrist, snapped his fingers. Unlike the previous flame, a faint spark rose briefly and vanished.
“Mana restraints.”
Hans had to double-check what he’d heard.
‘Huh.’
Mana restraints.
Mana…
‘……’
Wearing those for a spar?
“Wait, hold up. What? Can I try it?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Lucas handed over the bracelet.
Slipping it on, veins in that spot tightened, withered.
Never been arrested, so first time trying one, but function-wise, definitely mana restraints.
Hans instinctively grimaced and yanked it off. Onlookers murmured—they shared his shock and doubt.
Lucas, watching quietly, chuckled.
“Oh, before we start.”
He called out to the distant crowd.
“Elias.”
Elias, off in the distance, tossed a thin bracelet-like thing.
Lucas snatched it, fitted it on his left wrist. Waved his wand a few times, then grinned.
“Perfect fit.”
“Told you to grab two~”
“……”
Students froze.
Hans scowled, trying to parse the situation.
Lucas eyed Hans’s face for a while before speaking.
“Heard I got top score on mana volume alone. Makes sense—easy to misunderstand. People think you need flashy swordwork or special powers to prove skill.”
“……”
“Perfect chance, since you’re always top in practicals. Never missed 1st grade except this 1-1. Right?”
“…Yeah.”
Hans narrowed his eyes in reply.
“When an ace like you offers a spar, gotta test if it’s really just mana or not. Best limit mana to check.”
Lucas’s tone was polite from start to finish.
But it was clear.
‘…He caught on.’
Accepted the spar on purpose.
Mentioned communal ground, knew the school layout, agreed readily.
Didn’t think deep then, but now it clicked.
Lucas Ascanien came to shut down my doubts head-on.
Even fetched restraints for it.
‘Says he can beat me even with these.’
Hans’s eyes darkened.
If he’s going that far, no holding back.
Planned to probe just enough for complaint grounds, considering no prior training—but no need.
We welcome it.
Ascanien’s true skill, raw and real.
‘Staying calm with this crowd’s weird…’
Why? Lucas’s soft smile nagged.
Felt like stepping into a trap.
‘…No.’
Chance to verify his real power.
Hans gripped his wand tighter, nodded.
“Alright, let’s start?”
He backed up, adding,
“You first, Lucas.”
“Hm, no. You go.”
“……”
Ceding first strike like that?
A few-days learner handing me the advantage? Absurd.
Hans schooled his face, assumed ready stance.
Lucas followed with House Ascanien’s salute—not Imperial Second Academy’s.
As his ended, Hans drew mana from his core.
Condition prime today—mana flowed smoother than usual through veins to wand.
‘Good.’
Pour out 15 years of honed skill here.
Hans shifted to staff, enjoying the tension, slammed the ground.
Boom—!
That instant, as the blast roared, Lucas spoke.
Kwaaaang—!
[Become the rock that ever shields and hides me.]
Hans squeezed his eyes shut.
Barrier clash scattered senses with light and noise.
‘Barrier spell just now.’
Pointless to defend.
Rookies think staff slams mean frontal pushes—most common way. Defense focuses there naturally.
My attack exploited that.
Layer stealth magic, buy time for mana to scatter all around target.
Kwa-gwang—Kwang—!
Invisible mana color, but blasts echoed from all sides with micro-delays. Hans pressed to leave no breather.
‘But…’
No reaction?
Thought that, Hans whipped his arm urgently.
Kwang—!
Blinding light, crimson sparks flew.
‘…!’
Nearly lost his face. One second later on the veil, and done.
Stepped back reflexively from veil—crackling sounded.
Veil cracking.
That short impact? Lucas probed lightly, no full force.
Wasn’t he controlling mana volume?
‘Then, my veil broke under restrained mana?’
Absurdity stalled his brain.
Amid noise, Ascanien’s calm voice.
“Imperial Third Academy applied magic, right? Memorized the stealth combo formula.”
“…!”
Hans tore down veil roughly with wand thrust, flung mana. Clear view center: Lucas unscathed.
‘How a Third Academy dropout knows that…’
No time for chat.
Hans hardened his face, powered wand, punched out arm. Verdant mana shot fast. Inches from Lucas’s nose, Hans blinked—flash erupted.
Kwang—!
“…….”
Lucas stood firm, wand lightly extended one arm.
His veil unshaken. Like it absorbed the mana—green vanished traceless.
He tilted head, looking puzzled, like first spar ever.
“…Hm, unexpected. Just blocking’s no fun.”
Lucas beckoned with other hand, like ‘come at me.’ Playfulness crept in, signaling a shift.
Power surged in Hans’s eyes.
‘Veil that strong? Best to brute force like he did.’
Hard after criticizing that, but situation differed. Strategically, volume attack now unavoidable.
Crowd doesn’t know anyway. Feign volume pour, strike from sides.
Student finished thinking, gathered mana to wand.
* * *
He condensed mana to wand again, punched it out.
Kwang—! Bang—!
Instead of barrier, I swung wand along his attack path.
Each clash boomed; spectators flinched.
Anyway…
‘This a spar?’
Gratitude and absurdity toward Leo mixed.
This passes for sparring around here?
If so, I’ve just been Leo’s punching bag all this time.
‘…That bastard Leo…’
Wonder if he avoided one-on-ones with Elias fearing truth exposure, stuck to threesomes.
Still, upsides.
1st grade’s no slouch.
Consistent practical 1st grade at Imperial Second Academy meant post-grad: pick Imperial Palace job or First Academy escalator.
He had solid grounds for confidence facing me.
Yet his moves struck me as utterly ridiculous.
“Movements too big. Shrink ’em?”
He swung wand sullenly, thinking useless advice from clueless me.
I continued.
“Trying to distract my eyes with big motions. And…”
His mana clump neared; I felt guided attack swing behind via induction. Sidestepped, pivoted on heel.
Kwang—!
Staff smacked it—green magic vanished.
Stamped staff to scatter aftershocks airborne, then spoke.
“When I block that bait, hit with the real one, right?”
“…!”
He flinched briefly, faked calm quick. Futile; all attacks dripped dismay.
Anyway, explains Leo’s anger.
His “technique” looked pro to him—I didn’t clock it as such.
‘Leo drilled this day one, I think.’
Making a wand-noob like me do it—Leo crazy, or this guy low-level?
Both, probably.
Now, consider this.
His main isn’t wand. Tops magic swordsmanship class.
So, he’ll draw sword next to win clean. Secures technique cred, not bad.
Perfect for solidifying my school rep.
More challengers ahead doubting skills across events—beating him covers swordplay too.
‘Don’t tire out till then.’
Not me—him.
I parried, said smoothly.
“Calm down, Hans.”