Encounter with the Northern Sword Genius

The Northern Lady was a sword genius. Hailron Count. August Hailron. A middle-aged man with black hair—you couldn't tell if he was just over or under forty. Probably around there. He's commonly called the Hailron Archduke, even though he's a count. Archduke and count don't match up, right? The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't know the details. In a romance fantasy world like this, they probably tossed logic out the window anyway. Whatever, brush it off.

Anyway. The man I was facing was the commander guarding the North, the protector of the Northern Territory. The guy commonly known as the Northern Archduke.

Oh. I know this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guy. I've seen him before.

The classic romance fantasy archetype. The Northern Duke. Cold and aloof. But sweet to his people. Total ISTP vibe. Ah, my ex was ISTP. Thinking about her pisses me off all of a sudden.

But.

The Northern Archduke I was facing in person was somehow... different. Not super cold-looking or anything. His blue eyes were striking, but that was about it. He had a thick beard, but I couldn't really picture the "icy Northern man" thing. Still, a noble was a noble.

Count's rank. The kind of guy who could cause a scene anywhere and get away with it. Someone I wouldn't even dare look in the eye. But right now, I was facing him head-on.

Why? Because.

"You're... the adopted son of the 8-circle archmage whom even His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Empire and the Pope of the Holy Kingdom fear, the one whom no one dares keep by their side—Elise Sethris?"

"..."

Because August Hailron had just explained in detail why I was allowed to face him.

Oh, damn.

Our mom is a total badass?

Cancel calling her a crazy bitch. My one and only parent. My one and only hope. A god. She was way more incredible than I'd imagined.

Elise Sethris.

I didn't know the name, but the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠title in front was what mattered.

8-circle archmage. One of the only two on the continent. An 8-circle mage, basically a god among mages.

It even came up in the original story. Not within the first 60 chapters, but mentioned in a few lines.

-Rachel. I hear an archmage is coming to the Empire this time.

-Archmage?

-Yeah, she's got a playful streak, so be careful not to get on her bad side. Even the Emperor doesn't mess with her lightly.

A figure even the Emperor couldn't treat lightly. Not sure if that was this Elise, but.

Anyway.

The badass who brought me here was her, right? That's what mattered.

"Yes, Count. I am that incredible person's... the one whose adopted son even His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Empire and the Pope of the Holy Kingdom fear, and no one... uh, what was it again?"

"The one whom no one dares keep by their side."

"Ah, yes. That person's adopted son. That's me."

"...I see."

I puffed out my chest a bit. Holy fuck. The orphan made it big. A month ago, I was on death's door. Mom's the best?

Holy shit, I wanna be a filial son now.

Screw being unfilial. If I saw her again, I'd give her a big kiss or something. Totally doable. The second she handed over that letter with the seal, the count wanted to see my face right away. What is this? Did my life just get a glow-up? Excitement bubbling up. This shitty romance fantasy world. Yeah, this is what being a transmigrator is about.

"...I've received the recommendation letter. I had no idea she adopted a son."

August Hailron scanned me with genuine curiosity. His sly uncle gaze was making my stomach churn a little when.

"So, a mage, then?"

"Yes. A mage."

"How many circles... No, bad question. 1-circle, right?"

"Correct."

"Impressive. Forming a circle at your age. If it's not rude, how many days did it take?"

"Ah."

I answered right away. I had it prepped.

-Just say three days or so.

She'd drilled it into me.

"Three days."

"...Pardon, three days?"

Truth was five seconds, but I lied and said three days. No idea why, but she told me to. Three days seems too long, no? But apparently it worked if you just said it. Not hard. Hope I don't look too incompetent.

"...A genius."

"Pardon...?"

August Hailron said it like he was truly shocked. Genius? Me?

"Me?"

"Haha... Judging by your reaction, Elise didn't tell you. Makes sense. She'd only adopt someone with that level of talent."

"What do you mean?"

"The average time for someone with mana to form a circle is over a month. But you did it in just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠three days...? That's an insane genius."

"..."

Oh.

What? That's supposed to be hard?

I just breathed in, locked it, done. Like snoring when you pick your nose. Turns out it takes others a month. Pretty big deal, huh?

"With talent like that, mana sickness must've hit hard."

"Yeah, almost... died."

I started to say it, but.

"Probably laid up with fever for at least a week."

"...Yeah, something like that."

This felt off too, so I changed it. Nearly died twice in a month... and he thinks a week of fever? My experience was way off normal.

This.

Don't tell me.

Am I an absolute monster genius?

A fuzzy, swelling sensation was rising in me.

"...For such a being to appear in the North in person—I'm at a loss for words. Truly welcome."

"Aw, you're too kind."

"Recommendation verified. With this seal, no need for identity checks. We'll proceed as written. Schedule starts tomorrow, so rest well today. Alphonse."

"Yes."

"Guide young Ruin."

"Understood. This way."

"Until next time."

I followed the obvious-butler grandpa, bowed to the count, and headed out.

Right away, a full-length mirror appeared. My reflection: black hair, green eyes. Rare combo in this world—black hair and green eyes. Not super handsome, kinda fierce-looking. I couldn't hold back a grin.

"Hey."

I waved at the mirror.

"They call me a genius."

"...?"

The butler gave me a weird look, but whatever.

Fuck, happy life in this world starts now.

With this insane talent and my meta knowledge, time to enjoy happy life. This was all buildup for that. Ah, I'm hyped.

Tomorrow, the mighty sun shines on me.

The air felt luxurious. And so a day passed.

"M-Mage! Do something! Shoot anything!"

"Gahhh!"

In the midst of hell unfolding.

I whispered quietly.

"...Ah, fuck."

Romance fantasy my ass.

"...Was this a dark fantasy?"

It didn't take long to snap out of my delusions and face reality.

BOOMCRASH-!!

THUD-!!

- KYAAAHHH!!!

- Gyaaah! Block it!

- Raise your swords!!

- Damn it! Too many!

Bright red liquid splattered across the pristine white snowfield. Blood from monsters and humans alike.

What I saw ahead was probably an Ice Troll. A monster at least four meters tall. Swords didn't pierce it. Its club swung casually, sending humans flying. Those who couldn't block with shields got crushed.

What the hell—.

My body froze at the sight. People were dying.

Not just the Ice Troll. Other beasts behind it too. Magical beasts. Relentlessly assaulting the Northern walls. They screamed as they charged.

- Hold the line---!!!

- Don't let them through!!

The Northerners swung their swords at the beasts.

Then.

Something flew at me. What? I widened my eyes.

CRASH-!!!

A man appeared in front of me, blocking the attack with his shield.

"Nngh! Snap out of it!!"

"...!"

His shout woke my head. Cold air rushed into my lungs.

"Hah... huff."

"Mage! Get it together! Do something! Ngh! Anything!"

BOOM-! The man staggered from the beast's attack. Even blocking with his shield had limits.

Do something?

My heart pounded at his words. Do anything?

I—.

Don't know any magic. Wanted to do something, but I had nothing. No training.

Why am I even here?

Why was I here? Memories fuzzy. Rested in the assigned room after they said take a day. Good bed, good pillow—bliss. Ate good food, lay comfy.

Next day.

-Mage. You must join the subjugation.

Suddenly dragged here by some guys at the door.

And—.

This happened.

KRAAAAAHHH---!!!

Screams. Violence. Blood. Chaos.

- Damn it! We're falling back!

- Why a troll...!!!

That Ice Troll. Its appearance plunged everyone into despair.

CRUNCH.

Attacks continued.

"Guhk!"

"Hans! Damn it!"

The man guarding me collapsed from a beast's attack. A man died. Right in front of me.

"Hold!"

"Hang on! Reinforcements soon!"

Shouts couldn't pierce the winter chill. The troll was too strong to boost morale. I couldn't do shit. Had nothing to do. My frail, skinny body couldn't even lift an iron sword. Called a mage? No spells. Formed a circle for what? No ideas. Terror. In helplessness, people kept falling.

Then.

Grrrlll—!

"...!"

The beast eyed me.

Grll. Grrrll. Drooling. It knew weak prey well.

"...Ugh... no... ."

Legs locked. Knew to run, but couldn't.

KYAAAHHH-!!!

The beast charged. Unknown beast about to rip my throat—

"Ngh!"

I squeezed my eyes shut.

SLASH-!!

A chilling sound followed.

"...Ngh...?"

No pain. What? Cracked an eye.

"...Gasp!"

Something ahead. The beast that tried to eat me—dead in front. Body bisected.

"This...?"

"Out of the way."

Thud! Someone shoved past. A voice cold as snow ahead.

Silver-white hair, blue eyes. Woman. She swung her bloodied sword.

KYAAAHHH-!!!

Beasts ahead shredded in seconds.

"Lady...!"

"The Lady's here-!!"

"Reinforcements!"

Despair flipped instantly. Woman moved with silver hair flying. Something rippled on her sword. Pure white light enveloped the blade.

It massacred the beasts.

KRAAAAAHHHH--!!!!

All nearby beasts exterminated. The Ice Troll that even dozens of people couldn't kill—its neck severed in under a minute.

"..."

On the blood-soaked snowfield. Woman sheathed her sword, drenched in beast blood.

Clang.

Cheers erupted around.

"Aahh, we're alive...!"

"Lady... thank you...!"

In the cheers, she brushed back her hair. Stunning beauty hit me.

"Good work. Triage the dead and wounded, prepare to withdraw."

"Yes, ma'am...!"

People moved fast. Situation over—I realized, legs gave out, ass hit snow.

Thud.

"Haa... ha... haa."

Ragged breaths wheezed out weakly. Dizzy. Gonna puke. Barely holding on when.

"The mage, right."

Blue-eyed woman stood before me. I looked up.

"...!"

Her eyes—like containing the blue sea. In those pretty irises, reflected.

"...Tch."

Pure, utter disappointment.