Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Worst Teacher and the Best Student
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It wasn't a vague inkling, like a blind man describing an elephant, but a realization brimming with certainty.
In that moment, Chris knew.
He had reached the realm of a 3-Star.
“It is all thanks to you, Lord. If not for you, I would not have been able to reach the 3-Star realm so quickly.”
Christian spoke with sincerity.
Without Nordian’s help, it would have taken much longer… at least two or three more months.
[...]
Nordian was at a loss for words and remained silent for a long while.
It was the most bewildering situation he had faced in nearly a decade.
In the end, this was all Nordian could say.
[...I will now begin your formal instruction.]
“…Instruction?”
Christian tilted his head.
Wasn't this enough? What more was there to teach?
[You have merely learned the incantations. Do you not need to learn how to properly wield the Dark Demonic Arts?]
“Ah.”
It was a natural step.
Merely tossing him the incantations could hardly be called teaching.
Meanwhile, Nordian felt a pang of regret as he watched Christian.
*I shouldn't have let him learn the incantations on his own. I knew he was exceptional, but I never imagined he'd be this exceptional.*
He never thought the boy would succeed in mastering the Dark Demonic Arts' incantations all by himself.
The problem was that he *had* succeeded in learning the incantations on his own.
Having learned without proper guidance, he must have developed countless bad habits or misinterpreted parts of the incantations.
*I must perfectly correct all his mistakes.*
However.
“Display the Dark Demonic Arts.”
Christian displayed the Dark Demonic Arts.
The moment he saw it, Nordian couldn't help but be astonished once more.
*There are… no mistakes?*
No, that wasn't quite right.
The incantation Nordian had intentionally taught him incorrectly.
He performed that part differently from how Nordian had taught him.
The problem was, it wasn't a change for the worse.
*…He made it far more efficient. Did he revise the incantation on his own?*
“As per the assignment you gave me, Lord, I tried changing the incantation in my own way.”
[…Assignment?]
“Wasn't it an assignment?”
Christian said something bizarre again.
He was saying he thought being taught the wrong incantation was a challenge to apply his knowledge and fix it!
Nordian clamped his mouth shut again.
He'd lost count of how many times he had been rendered speechless before this boy.
*To alter an incantation so recklessly. Does he have any idea what problems could arise?*
Each and every incantation is connected to the entire demonic art.
Therefore, even a slight error in an incantation could cause fatal problems for the art.
But he couldn't say a word.
He couldn't find a single flaw in the incantation Chris had modified.
No, it wasn't just that there were no flaws.
*…Doesn't it seem even better than the original?*
It was absurd to think that an incantation a young boy had whipped up was better than one passed down through a noble house for hundreds of years… yet, to the 8-Star Majin Nordian, the verse Chris had changed showed no discernible drawbacks.
To be honest.
*…It's like looking at a musical score touched by a once-in-a-millennium genius.*
It wasn't the touch of a seasoned master.
Instead, it contained an idea that brilliantly transcended the existing framework.
Of course, it wasn't something to be judged lightly.
The incantations of a technique had to be considered not just for their immediate effectiveness in handling demonic energy, but also for their complex effects on future advancement.
But it didn't seem like the part Chris had touched would have any negative effects, even when he reached higher realms later on.
*…Just what in the world.*
Nordian swallowed a groan.
He knew the boy's talent was overflowing.
But a genius?
He was far beyond such a simple label.
How many times had he been surprised?
He was an incomprehensible monster.
Nordian himself had been a genius, but this was on a completely different level.
Two emotions arose in him at once.
First, a heart-pounding excitement.
How long had he waited for a child like this?
But at the same time, he felt a sense of caution, as if doused with cold water.
*I must guide him properly.*
This was the single ray of hope he had found after a long wait, even going so far as to use a heaven-defying demonic art to extend his life.
He could not let it be broken in vain.
*I must teach him properly.*
Originally, Nordian's decision to personally instruct Christian had been half out of interest.
Having absorbed over ninety percent of the Sacred Black, he had wanted to see for himself just how exceptional a vessel the boy was.
But his mindset had changed.
He decided to teach him properly, with all his heart.
…Of course, this wasn't necessarily a good thing for Chris.
Because Nordian had an old-fashioned view of education and was the worst kind of teacher, one with no talent for teaching.
He was the type to make his students suffer needlessly, give them incomprehensible lessons, and then wonder, "Why don't they get it?"
Nordian even made another vow.
*I'll have to drastically increase the difficulty of his training, far beyond what I had planned.*
It was already hellish, so how on earth could he make it even harder?
Thankfully, Chris was the best kind of student.
The kind who could absorb any crappy lesson perfectly.
[Brace yourself. The lessons I give you from now on will be anything but easy.]
“The harder it is, the more grateful I'll be.”
[What do you mean?]
“I believe that any hardship is a part of the grand plan you have prepared for me, Lord.”
Christian answered sincerely.
After the previous two "lessons"(?), Christian had already developed a firm trust in Nordian.
He might be cold and have the heart of a viper, but the teachings Nordian bestowed were genuine.
Having rarely experienced such pure instruction in the past, Chris was honestly grateful to Nordian.
*Of course, he's only teaching me because he wants me to be an asset to the family. Still, I'm thankful.*
Nordian snorted at Christian's response.
[You have a silver tongue. But you'll regret it once the training begins in earnest. By then, it will be too late for regrets.]
“It's alright. I trust in your teachings, Lord.”
[Hmph. We shall see about that.]
For a moment, Nordian's and Chris's gazes met intensely in the air.
And so.
The worst teacher and the best student had met.
The result?
A feast of endless astonishment.
* * *
Two more months passed.
In other words, it had been three months since his bet with Marquis Langham.
“The promised day is almost upon us.”
Marquis Langham looked at the calendar.
Only one day left.
“And Christian?”
“He is still said to be training.”
“With the Lord?”
“…Presumably so.”
Marquis Langham slowly furrowed his brow.
Only a very select few, including Marquis Langham, knew that Christian was receiving instruction from the family head.
However, Marquis Langham didn't pay it much mind.
*Too bad for him, getting taught by Father of all people.*
Marquis Langham had also been taught by the family head.
He had only suffered and achieved nothing. He could confidently say it was a waste of time.
To think he was wasting his already tight three-month schedule receiving the Lord's instruction.
He thought the boy had truly rotten luck.
For the record, Christian's achievements had not yet been reported to Marquis Langham.
*This might actually be better for him. If he fails now, he won't have to take the second test.*
The second Young Lord's test that Chris was to take.
It was, of course, not going to be easy.
No, Marquis Langham planned to use the test as a pretext to eliminate Christian.
It wasn't just out of simple malice.
*The Dark Magic House needs a sacrifice. Someone like him would be just right.*
Just then, a report came from outside.
“Your Excellency, an envoy from the Duchy of Huam is scheduled to arrive.”
Marquis Langham's gaze deepened.
The Duchy of Huam.
It was the family name of the 'Extreme Poison House'.
A rival and sworn enemy located nearby.
Marquis Langham planned to sacrifice Christian in the conflict with the Extreme Poison House under the pretext of the Young Lord's test.
For the benefit of the Dark Magic House.
* * *
*Creeak.*
The door to the training hall opened, and Chris stepped out.
*It's been a while since I've been outside.*
Chris stretched.
He looked somehow different than before.
His eyes held a deeper look.
He had surpassed the 'Provisional 3-Star' stage, where he had just taken his first step, and had now fully reached the 3-Star realm.
To be precise, he had reached the very end of the lower 3-Star level.
To reach the brink of the middle level in just two months. It was an absurd pace.
[...Do not grow complacent over a small achievement. You have only just taken your first steps.]
Nordian said gravely.
Though his voice carried a chilling air, Christian just grinned.
For the past two months, Nordian had endlessly told him not to be complacent.
Why?
Because he was so good at everything he was taught, there was nothing else to say.
*The Lord seems a little surprised by my genius, doesn't he?*
Befitting the dignified elder of the family, he didn't openly show his surprise.
But even if you couldn't see it, you could feel it, right?
Later, it got to the point where Chris could see Nordian struggling to maintain his composure, and he had to fight to suppress a laugh.
Chris bowed his head toward Nordian.
“Thank you for your teachings during this time.”
He meant it.
It had been a great help.
Above all, Chris was grateful to Nordian because he had rarely met someone who taught him purely for the sake of his own growth.
*Is this… what a master is like?*
Though he wouldn't dare call the family head his master.
As if sensing the sincerity in Chris's greeting, Nordian fell silent for a moment.
[Do not misunderstand. I did not teach you because I think of you as special.]
“I know. Still, thank you.”
Nordian frowned, as if displeased.
[Enough with the useless chatter. Be on your way.]
“Yes, I understand.”
Watching Christian's retreating back, Merian spoke.
“Isn't he truly amazing?”
[Amazing? He's only just taking his first steps.]
He grumbled, but it was clear he didn't mean it.
Merian, who had been by his side for the past two months, knew full well how astonished Nordian had been by that boy.
“…Aren't you going to help him?”
[With what?]
“……”
Merian fell silent.
From now on, Christian would face all sorts of checks and restraints from the family.
There was a high chance he would be broken before he could even soar into the sky.
[If he can't overcome such trivial trials, then that's all he's worth in the first place.]
“…My Lord.”
[Besides.]
Nordian said indifferently.
[I may not like him, but he is my student. If he cannot overcome a trial of that level, he is not worthy of being my student.]
Merian's eyes widened.
Student.
Nordian had taught many people before.
But this was the first time Nordian had used that word himself.
Chris didn't know it, but Nordian also considered Chris his student.
* * *
*I should report to Marquis Langham quickly and then laze around. It's been a while since I've gotten to just roll around.*
He was originally the lazy genius type.
He was exhausted after going hard for the past three months without a break.
The second test wouldn't start right away, so until then, he planned to just chill out and roll around in bed.
On that thought, he asked a servant and stopped by the wine cellar to grab a few bottles of expensive liquor.
*I'm sick of ginger ale!*
He wasn't planning to drink it.
His stuffy ghost maid, Mari, wouldn't allow it, so he couldn't just drink it straight. He planned to burn off the alcohol and drink it non-alcoholic.
Just as he was getting excited about lazing around, he heard a voice he'd never heard before.
“Christian?”
“??”
It was a girl he had never seen before.