Chapter 289
Chapter 289
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family (289)
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What? Suddenly?
Is this really something to announce like that?
I swallowed my questions and kept staring at the king. At that moment, the notification window popped up again.
Ding—!
‘Proposal 1. Find a job.’ Success!
— Reward: EC point +1
‘Proposal 2. Find a host’ Success!
— Reward: EC point +3
‘Huh?’
Why did the second one succeed along with the first?
I hadn’t even attempted to find a host yet. So why...
“......”
I unwittingly opened my mouth, then quickly schooled my expression.
The most plausible hypothesis flashed through my mind amid the correlations of variables.
Got it. Now I understand why inheriting Abraham’s blood raised the mutation probability by 1%. I also get why I dropped into this stage on the exact day of Bavaria’s tournament, of all days.
‘Good.’
I came to the right place. I’d chosen Leo thinking I could slack off, gather info on the side, but ridiculously, that turned out to be the correct answer.
Not the Ministry of Magic, not the royal court, not Munich Freising’s clergy. Prussia or the minor states? No way. Once again, it had to be no one but Leo.
Consider the timing of the Extra Chapter’s appearance, and how Stage 1 came even later. When did Stage 1 open? Right after I got the position as Leo’s personal tutor, why did that trigger the ‘Find a host’ proposal? What raised the mutation probability after drinking Abraham’s blood? Isn’t there a fact that ties it all together?
The clue is here. Until now, the only human blood I’ve drunk in this world is Leo’s. The blood he fed me while I slept must have summoned Stage 1.
The conclusion: Drinking a specific person’s blood opens the world where that person is the host.
I took the personal tutor job to make things easier and maybe solve the theft case, but it turns out this was the most orthodox route from the start.
‘...It worked. Like stumbling backward and catching a mouse by accident...’
Success is success, though. Points secured.
I can upgrade the Time Difference trait right away. Now, 10 minutes here will equal 1 minute outside.
While I was thinking that, the king closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, and slowly nodded.
“Very well. If that is your will, so be it. You’ll teach the Crown Prince general combat magic. However, there is one thing I’d like to ask of you.”
“Yes, speak.”
“While you’re not teaching, move with me.”
“Pardon?”
Now it was my turn to stiffen. The king, as if he’d never lost his composure, said leisurely,
“Exactly as I said. I need your abilities.”
“......”
He said no more, no matter how long I waited. He didn’t specify what “moving together” meant, but his intent was clear.
He’d give me the personal tutor position as requested, but he intended to offer even higher rewards going forward and block any offers from other countries or people in advance. I softened my expression and replied.
“Understood.”
“Good, we’re in agreement.”
The king smiled in satisfaction and gazed out the window, as if wrapping up the conversation.
“Sir Everett’s quarters will be in the Crown Prince’s Palace. Is that acceptable?”
Come to think of it, that huge building—is Leo using it all by himself right now?
Lucky bastard... Nowhere in Munich is better than the Crown Prince’s Palace. Well, one place: the king’s residence. No reason to refuse sharing it.
“Of course.”
“A servant who attends you daily will be there. The Crown Prince is sleeping now, so meet him in the morning.”
Sleeping time, huh.
The tournament ran from evening into night, so it was past midnight now.
“Well, I won’t keep you at this late hour. Go rest. We’ll meet again tomorrow. And...”
The king stood first and spoke. A smile like Leo’s briefly crossed his face.
“Welcome to Bavaria.”
“......”
Twelve years from now, I’d hear something similar from his son. No matter when or from whom, it’s always comforting.
“It’s an honor.”
After the king left, I warped to the Crown Prince’s Palace with the attendants. For security, warping is only allowed at specific points inside the palace, so on the way to the warp point, I got another look at the Munich Residence and Crown Prince’s Palace. Their old-fashioned grandeur was unchanged from twelve years later, which eased my mind.
“The library and kitchen are on the first floor. You’re free to go anywhere in the building except the Crown Prince’s chambers. And this will be your room from now on. Call if you need anything.”
The waiting servant demonstrated pulling a cord by the bed, then left after that brief explanation.
I looked around the familiar interior. I’d visited often as Leo’s friend twelve years from now, so it felt like home.
This guest room at the top floor’s end of the Crown Prince’s Palace—my home in this world now.
Smaller than my room in the Berlin mansion Leo lent me, but it had everything. I infused divine power into the fireplace, felt the warmth spread, and lay on the bed.
Tomorrow morning, I’d meet Leo right away.
‘Come to think of it, how old is Leo now?’
Five years and ten months. Seventy months lived.
Never thought I’d see a seventy-month-old friend... Truth is, I’m not thrilled. Curiosity wasn’t a factor. Who wants to see a close friend’s toddler phase?
But you can’t say that to someone who’s only lived seventy months. Wouldn’t dream of showing it. Not an issue at seventy months, but feels awkward in front of my seventeen-years-ten-months self.
I cleared my mind to avoid any slip-ups.
‘Still, since I’m here.’
I should remember this era’s Leo well. Material for teasing later.
Alright, time to level up first.
Time Difference Lv. 2
— Current time [Extra Chapter: Chapter 7] [2:1]
— Next time [10:1]
— 2.0 EC points to next level
‘I’ve got 4 points now.’
Good.
On to level 3.
Time Difference Lv. 3
— Current time [Extra Chapter: Chapter 7] [10:1]
— Next time [30:1]
— 3.0 EC points to next level
Next, 30 minutes here equals 1 minute outside. Bigger jump than expected.
I’ve been here about 10 hours, so outside, 5 hours have passed. No occult study done, and dawn’s approaching.
Not the time for that anyway. The new discovery means something to test now.
As I sat up to return to reality, a notification appeared.
Ding—!
Proposal 3. Cumulative stay 24 hours
— Reward: EC point +1
‘Cumulative stay?’
Just staying puts in 1 point—pretty easy. Giving me rest time? Or some other intent.
‘...Is this system waiting for the incarnation celebration too?’
The message: Don’t pop in and out like before; stick around here.
Time stops when I leave, so staying lets me meet Archduke Österreich-Este sooner. Maybe my speculation, but could clues really be here... I chuckled dryly and closed the window.
Fine. But before hitting 24-hour cumulative stay, I need to test something, so visit friends first. Naruke’s coming soon; can’t vanish without a word.
I opened my eyes on my bed in the Berlin mansion. Bavaria’s crest on the ceiling wallpaper made me chuckle before and after.
The room was still dim. Sun not fully up.
Experiment before leaving a note for Naruke.
I pulled out the blood Abraham gave me half a day ago in this world. The magic in it gleamed gold on the vial. Unlike ancient blood, no plasma separation—magic preserved it.
“......”
Drink this again? Even thinking it disgusts me.
But it raised mutation probability; can’t skip testing the hypothesis.
Little by little. Grimacing, I brought it to my lips.
“...!”
As it went down, I clutched my throat reflexively. My magic clashed with the blood’s in my mouth; the blood’s magic wriggled down my throat like it was alive.
‘This...’
Fucking hell...
Just absorb already since I drank it—don’t attack with vitality like this. Disgustingly Abraham-like. The magic alone tells you the owner’s type. Unpleasant sensation of it knowing my guts.
First real fresh blood without healing magic. Leo’s wasn’t even blood. Its healing magic got devoured by mine instantly, becoming part harmlessly. Now I realize that was pure consideration.
No confidence. Can’t drink more.
Suppressed the urge to hurl it; sipped more. Nothing yet. Still lots left. Hypothesis wrong? Blood not the Extra Chapter unlock? Come on. I know it fits. Hand sweated on the vial.
Felt like a 10-minute battle, though probably 1 minute. Finally, the familiar sound.
Ding—!
Extra Cha+%ter
S Stuf%e ■
“......”
Emptied the vial, and the notification came. Vision shook with my heartbeat.
‘...Extra Chapter. S Stage...’
Probably those letters. No ‘unlocked’ this time. Vial clattered to the floor unnoticed. Suppressed vomit; dizzy.
Maybe because of that, or inherent—the text was dark red, fractured, hard to read. Instinctual chill. All prior notifications were clean white text. Not this messy. Yep, that S Stage is Abraham’s world.
Caught my breath, summoned Extra Chapter again.
Extra Chapter
Stage 1: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Stage 2: —
Stage 3: —
…
—
S Stage ■ : ■■■■■■….
“......”
Clear now, unbroken. But stage numbers and names still obscured.
Separate. Something there. Abraham’s weakness or key? Would open if I could; why not?
Hypotheses swirled; picked the most reasonable.
‘Karma issue?’
Doesn’t make sense, but plausible in this mad world. No unlock conditions shown, no matter how I poked. More blood? Or more Extra Chapter progress? 24-hour stay for 1 point wasn’t odd; system’s consistent.
Anyway, confirmed. Need to focus more on Extra Chapter.
Rifled drawer for notepad, wrote to Naruke.
[Naruke, sorry, gotta step out. Don’t look for me; handle today solo?]
Club auction important too.
But that’s for after occult and weird relic study. Job hunt—points for Time Difference—took longer than thought; skipped planned all-nighter occult cram. Following now pointless.
Better: Send Naruke alone today; use time for belated occult in Extra Chapter or level Time Difference to hasten incarnation party. More efficient.
And.
[And, can you set a meeting with Archduke Österreich-Este?]
Set it down.
Naruke’s gotten priest records via Vatican on Holy Cross and chalice thefts. With Phleroma suspicions, prioritize Archduke Österreich-Este’s random gem theft.
After Naruke talks to government, post-24-hour stay here (+1 point, Time Difference up), meet 1898 Archduke. Then 1886’s.
Naruke won’t pry where I am. Tell friends fine.
Opened Extra Chapter again.
‘Stage 1.’
Suddenly, face in blankets. Fresh laundry scent. Peacefully opened eyes in bed this time. Twice waking on street; grateful for bed.
Turned head; magic sensed at door. Flow low, circling.
‘No way that’s...’
Leo wouldn’t. Seventy months or not, not that guy. Sneaking to tutor’s room at bedtime?
“......”
Magic-related, maybe... Not demanding a demo now. Seventy-month Leo hasn’t seen my magic yet; fine.
But consider Leo possibility.
Held breath, feigned sleep; magic vanished eventually.
Realized, jumped up, headed to Crown Prince’s Palace library.
Half-day passed again. Outside: 36 minutes gone. Got fairly versed in occult relics—by my standards. Wanna believe. Still don’t know lion-something treasure chest needing holy water misuse, but Tutankhamun’s dagger, London Hammer? Yep.
‘Not my field.’
Manipulate club folks’ brains with divine power?
Fleeting reckless thought. Using as Lucas not Nikolaus? Disaster. Bring Nikolaus? Risk skyrockets.
‘...Nah. Spend time here first.’
Crown Prince meeting soon; changed with servant’s help, went to garden. Froze upon arrival.
“......”
Honestly, S Stage and occult distracted me; no mental prep.
Blond kid ahead. Familiar face, but eyes half his face, gaze low. Waist-high toddler blankly looks up.
Fought mouth gaping.
Chill down spine on sight.
King still tall, middle-aged twelve years ago. Similar frame despite differences. Munich Residence, streets, palace—little changed in twelve years.
But this? What happened in twelve years? Expected Leo—knew five-ish!—not perfect kindergartener. Knew, but seeing? Insane shock.
‘That’s Leo?’
Kindergartener? Just that. Grows into him? Wanna go back, flick his forehead. What shock.
“Teacher?”
Crown Prince’s secretary smiled awkwardly as I stood frozen.
“This is His Highness Crown Prince Leonard Wittelsbach.”
“...Yes. I know.”
Right.
This is Leonard too. If not Leonard Wittelsbach, what? Twelve years ago; calm down.
“An honor to meet you. I’m Lucas Everett.”
Smiled, greeted.
Leonard, tense yet awed—probably combat magic news—looked up excitedly.
‘...Fresh.’
Shock faded; laughter bubbled. This is how he was at this age. Rounder face, huge eyes aside; not much different. Just five-years-ten-months version.
Height maybe 120cm, bit more. Taller than average five-six.
“Your Highness, this is the teacher who will instruct you in combat magic from now on.”
Leo—no, Leonard—just stared up, speechless at secretary’s words. New expression. Lots of firsts here.
Secretary alternated glances, patted Leonard’s back.
“Um, His Highness is too surprised to speak...”
“No.”
Seventy-month Leo said solemnly.
What? Tell secretary back off.
Everything hilarious now. Good I’m veteran actor. Wanna snapshot this for seventeen-year-old Leo.
Leonard stepped closer, extended hand.
“I’m Leonard Wittelsbach, Teacher. Please take care of me.”