Chapter 18
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: A Calculated Gamble
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“I've been watching you closely all this time, Young Master.”
“And what did you think?”
“You were magnificent. Honestly, I was impressed.”
Melin nodded readily.
Over the past month.
There was nothing that wasn't impressive.
Not to mention his remarkable achievements in such a short time, but what was truly admirable was how he handled capturing Cox.
Christian had proven that he wasn't just a martial artist with outstanding talent, but also possessed a profound strategic mind.
“I'm glad you think so highly of me. Did I pass?”
Melin had decided to observe him for a month before choosing whether to become his subordinate.
“No, not yet.”
Melin shook her head.
“Because I haven't confirmed the most important thing. Your strength.”
Melin's blue eyes gleamed in the darkness.
“I am a Majin, after all. I can't very well kneel to someone weaker than myself.”
Melin's aura flared.
Indeed, a 4-Star High-rank.
Just as expected of a Majin on the cusp of 5-Star, even though she hadn't fully unleashed her power, Chris felt his body tense up.
It was an instinctual physical reaction.
“As I recall, the promised month isn't over yet.”
“Huhu, that's right.”
Melin reined in her aura.
She licked her lips as if in disappointment.
“I'm eagerly awaiting the promised day. I have high expectations.”
Melin recalled the day she dueled Chris.
Even though he was no match for her, Chris had seized victory by exploiting a momentary opening. The thrill she felt when he caught her off guard was still vivid.
What kind of performance will he put on this time?
A jolt of anticipation ran through her.
“If you fail to meet my expectations, there will be no reason for me to kneel before you, Young Master.”
Chris nodded.
“Understood. In return, may I add one condition?”
“What is it? Are you going to suggest restricting my power again?”
Melin asked, her face showing a hint of disappointment.
But Chris said the exact opposite.
“No. On the day of the duel, let's fight without any restrictions.”
“!!”
“Not just lifting the restrictions on magi, but treating it like a real battle.”
Melin's eyes widened.
Like a real battle.
He meant using every available means.
For someone like her, who preferred the thrill of a life-or-death battle over a structured friendly duel, it was a welcome condition. Still, she couldn't understand it and tilted her head.
“I have no reason to object. But wouldn't that put you at an even greater disadvantage, Young Master?”
“You don't need to worry about that. In any case, I'll take that as your agreement.”
Melin frowned, unable to read Chris's intentions, then snickered.
It seemed like he was plotting something, but it didn't really matter.
After all, the gap between her and Chris was absolute, not something that could be bridged with petty tricks.
“Do as you please. I won't care what tricks you use. However, I'll ask one thing of you.”
Melin smiled faintly.
It was the smile of a predator eyeing its prey.
“Please, struggle hard and entertain me.”
With those words, Melin vanished, and Chris grumbled.
“Such a brutish woman.”
Chris glanced down at his forearm.
Goosebumps still covered his skin, a result of his body instinctively tensing from Melin's aura.
The difference in their power was truly absolute.
It was so vast that he wondered if he could even hold his ground, let alone struggle.
But Chris said something unexpected.
“Just struggle? ...No thanks.”
Melin wanted Chris to struggle as much as possible to entertain her, but Chris had something entirely different in mind.
On the contrary.
‘I'm going to win.’
An absurd thought.
Beating a Majin who was 4-Star... no, on the verge of 5-Star?
This was impossible, no matter how much of a genius Chris was.
The power gap between them was like that of a rabbit and a lion.
Even if he used his hidden power of light, defeating Melin was impossible.
‘But there is a way.’
Chris grinned as he thought of a plan.
‘If your skills aren't enough, you rely on your gear.’
Gear.
Strengthening your abilities with weapons.
But this, too, was a questionable idea.
Because there was a limit to how much one's abilities could be enhanced by weapons.
However, that was only in ordinary cases.
Chris had a way.
A way for a rabbit to take down a lion.
A method only Chris could use.
He immediately began his preparations.
* * *
“You're going to the city?”
“Yes, Father.”
Count Cazar tilted his head, then nodded.
“Do as you wish.”
“You're not going to stop me?”
“Why would I?”
“Well... you don't know what I might do in the city, do you?”
“I trust you.”
Count Cazar answered curtly.
Over the past while.
He had come to realize that his son had definitely changed.
And was that all?
The time spent with Chris had been a series of wonders.
‘Unbelievable talent.’
He lost count of how many times he was astonished in a single day.
How should he describe Chris's talent?
A sponge that absorbs everything? Teach him one thing and he knows ten? It was on a completely different level.
It was insane.
Count Cazar repeated that word to himself countless times a day.
Because he was witnessing a continuous stream of sights he couldn't believe, even with his own two eyes.
Watching Chris, he sometimes wondered if he was dreaming.
‘...To the point where I feel a sense of awe.’
Count Cazar was taken aback by the sudden thought.
Awe.
But it was true.
His son was truly like a monster.
So, did he hate it?
Of course not.
‘He is my son.’
Count Cazar said to himself, where no one could hear.
He was a father, too.
No father wouldn't be overjoyed to have such an exceptional son.
His son, once a scoundrel, was now bringing him immense joy every single day.
Of course, he didn't show it on the outside.
Instead, Count Cazar said this.
“If there is anything you need, charge it to my name.”
“Really?”
“Yes, anything.”
Chris looked slightly surprised, then smiled.
‘A blank check for an allowance. You're going to regret this.’
He had been wondering how to get some seed money, even contemplating sneaking out with one of the family's treasures. This worked out perfectly.
“I'll be on my way, then.”
“Alright.”
With light steps, he headed to his room to prepare for his outing.
[Young Master... I've finished... the preparations.]
The Banshee, wearing a bright outing dress over her transparent spiritual form, smiled with an innocent face.
[Since it's... my first outing... with you, Young Master... I tried to look... pretty.]
A Banshee has no business dressing up!
The problem was, she actually looked pretty.
Aside from being a ghost, she was quite cute and pure.
“...I never said you were coming with me.”
[Hoho... you must be worried I'll be an inconvenience. How thoughtful. But... serving you, Young Master, is my joy... Please don't worry.]
Chris scowled.
‘That's not it at all! By the way, when do I get a human servant?!’
He had planned to get rid of that Banshee as soon as he shed his scoundrel reputation, but then he heard some shocking news from Count Cazar.
- A human servant? That's not possible.
- What?
- That Banshee, Christian, isn't she bound to you by a master-servant contract?
In other words, it was something that happened before Chris inhabited this body.
Because it was impossible to make a high-ranking ghost like the Banshee do a maid's work without a proper reason, they had her form a master-servant contract.
‘With a Banshee by my side, no ordinary human would be able to serve me. Aaargh! How is this fair! Why was I born with a golden spoon only to be served by a ghost!’
The only silver lining was that it was a limited-term contract, which could be terminated after the agreed-upon time.
Another five years?
Chris had no intention of waiting that long.
‘Once my black magic skills improve, I'll forcibly terminate the contract.’
Truthfully, he had grown somewhat accustomed to living with the Banshee, but he couldn't give up on his dream of being served by a human.
[I already... got all ready... Should I not go? I was looking forward to it.]
the Banshee said, looking dejected.
‘Stop making that cute face, you're a Banshee!’
Chris made a face of disgust.
Still, the Banshee had feelings too, and she looked genuinely disappointed, so he cleared his throat.
“You're forbidden from showing yourself in front of normal people.”
[Young... Master?]
“And absolutely no emitting your spiritual energy. Got it?”
[Thank... you! As expected, Young Master... you're the best!]
The Banshee was so happy she flew around the room excitedly.
He overheard her say she wanted to go on an outing.
‘How many years did she say she's been in this mansion? I heard she's a ghost that's been around for at least several decades.’
After that long, it was understandable she'd be yearning for the outside world.
“Anyway, let's get going... Why are you here?”
Chris frowned at the sudden, unwelcome visitor.
It was TERN.
“What are you planning to do in the city?”
“Hmm.”
“You're not going to indulge in debauchery again, are you?”
TERN provoked him.
Chris crossed his arms and thought.
‘Why is this kid so cute?’
Chris subtly provoked TERN.
“Are you perhaps worried about me?”
“Worried? Why would I be worried about you, brother?”
TERN jumped up, protesting vehemently.
“I'm just...!! Worried you'll become a disgrace to the family again!! You're acting better now, but who knows when you'll revert!”
“You're right.”
“What?”
“I'm on my way to go gambling.”
TERN looked dumbfounded.
“Gam... what?”
“Gambling.”
Chris grinned.
“I even got the stake money from Father... Want to come along?”
Of course, Count Cazar had given him the money without ever imagining Chris would go gambling, but what did that matter.
Besides, Chris wasn't going purely for the sake of gambling.
To be precise, he had something to extort under the guise of gambling.
‘This is perfect. I needed a sucker to use as bait. That naive kid is just right.’
Chris gently reeled TERN in.
“A Majin should know how to handle a bit of drinking and gambling, don't you think? Legal gambling, done in moderation, is a wholesome pastime even recommended by the Demon King himself.”
“.......”
“Ah, but you're too much of a prude for something like gambling. A bookworm who only knows how to train. Gambling is similar to card games. You've never even played cards, have you?”
“Card games... I've played them. And I'm better than you, brother.”
“Oh? Good for you. Still, gambling with real money is probably too much for you, so I'll go to the gambling den alone.”
You can stick to playing cards like a kid.
Gambling is a game for adults.
Provoked like this, TERN, a competitive thirteen-year-old boy, flared up.
“No, I'm going.”
TERN took the bait.
“I need to go and see with my own eyes that you don't cause any trouble. And... while I'm at it... I'll put you in your place. Gambling, that stuff! It's no different from a card game, is it?”
Chris smirked.
The emotion in TERN's eyes was competitiveness.
A competitive spirit aimed at his brother.
And... unlike before, his gaze now looked quite like that of a real younger brother.