Overnight Genius and the Thorn Arrow
The Northern Duke's daughter was a sword genius. Learning to read and write? I never really thought it was that hard. If you just try, you learn it, right? Well, honestly, it was a bit tough. I felt that when learning other languages back home, especially that bitch English. Memorizing words all over again, writing them out—who has time for that shit?
Thinking about it, language, especially mastering letters, is a seriously annoying and grueling task. Only an idiot wouldn't know that. So when I declared I wanted to learn to read to study magic, and August the Duke graciously allowed it, I was a little worried. I was determined to do it, but would it actually work?
But even then—the teacher who came to instruct me is the real problem.What the hell is up with this woman? She's intimidating as fuck. I just asked for someone to teach me letters, so why the sudden daughter drop-off? Could this be... a setup? Like a blind date or something? Sending her daughter to spend intimate private time, gradually building favor—...nah, probably not. One look at her face tells me otherwise. Her glare is straight-up murderous.
Tsk. This is going south fast. A prickly chill was crawling up my spine. The one silver lining?
"Let's start simple."
Iris seemed genuinely serious about teaching me. More than I'd expected.
"Do you know how to hold a pen?"
She began from the absolute basics.
"This is Imperial script."
She wrote out a few characters. They still looked like worms to me. Then explanations on letter combinations, grammar, and so on.
What the... she's actually... pretty nice? Shockingly kind, even. Her eyes still screamed "I'll grind you to dust," but the lesson was solid. Hell, super easy to follow. She had a real talent for teaching. She'd pick words, teach pronunciation and shapes, how to arrange them. Crystal clear.
Oh... well, that's different. Does she not actually hate me? Maybe those eyes are just her default, but deep down she likes me? Otherwise, why be this nice?
You prickly bitch.You're a good kid under that tough exterior, huh? My opinion of Iris was skyrocketing.
Then—
"Alright, now homework."
She finished her explanations and started stacking books on the desk. Thud thud.
But...
"...Huh?"
That's... a lot. What the hell? I stared at her, puzzled, and she smirked.
"Have it all memorized by morning. Every word and grammar rule in these books."
"...Pardon? What? You mean all this? By morning?"
"Yes."
"...How the fuck am I supposed to do that?"
Memorize this mountain by morning? Bullshit. I asked in disbelief, but her answer didn't waver.
"No special method. Just memorize. If you can't..."
Her pale finger tapped the desk where the books sat. Tap tap.
"Quit. If you can't handle this much, maybe just pack up and leave."
"..."
She spat that out and left my room. I stared blankly at the door.
"Ha."
I laughed. "That fucking bitch...?"
A vein throbbed in my forehead. Thought she might like me? Cancel that. Sis, I don't vibe with you either.Guess she really hates my guts. In the worst way. I ground my teeth. Didn't think she'd actually fuck with me, but here we are.
"Memorize all this?"
I stared at the books and let out a hollow laugh. Not like playing rock-paper-scissors with a mirror. By morning? This stack? I reached out, grabbed one. Heavy. Flipped through. Simple stuff: letters next to pictures. Ah, memorize like flashcards? The whole thing? Another hollow laugh.
—If you can't memorize, quit. Her parting face flashed in my mind. She saved my life—why act like such a dick? What'd I ever do to her? Nothing gets you more pissed than unfair bullshit. I was heating up. This world's screwing me raw.
"Tch."
Sighed and cracked open a book. Hundreds of words, easy. How the hell do you memorize this? She's just saying "fuck off" in homework form...
"Huh?"
Muttering curses under my breath, something felt off.
"..."
Closed the book. Opened it again. Flipped pages, closed, repeated. Grabbed paper, pen, scribbled.
Scribble scribble scribble.
Filled a page, eyes wide.
"Why the hell did I memorize this?"
The letters stuck. Not just Iris's examples—the whole book was burned in my brain.
"Whoa, what?"
Something's weird. Flipped through fast. Five minutes later, closed it.
Scribble.
Took longer to write—over an hour, maybe. But...
"..."
Done. Confirmed. "...I memorized it?"
One book in five minutes. Oh...
"Didn't know... this... Ruin, you little shit. ...you're a genius?"
Seemed like a goddamn prodigy. Stared blankly at the mirror. The reflected kid looked pissed. He waved.
"Hey...?"
Same as yesterday, but again. "They call me a genius."
Looks like the bastard really was one.
By morning...
"...Hoo..."
Iris stood alone in the training hall, exhaling. Straw dummies shredded before her—last night's handiwork. Hands numb. Set down the wooden sword, checked palms. Calluses burst again. She wrapped them in bandages casually. Torn and split countless times. This pain was nothing now. Too many had died in her place to fuss over scratches.
"Still..."
Far to go. She gazed blankly at the sky. Dawn pierced, sun rising.
"..."
Sign of training's end. Subjugation today—no more time.
Still out of reach.
Nights of training, days on end. Brow furrowed. A month ago, insight from slaying beasts on the frontlines. Brushing death. Maybe the key to Master realm. Tried recreating it a hundred times.
Can't grasp it? Still no. Today too.
"Hooo."
Wiped sweat. Regrettable, but impatience wouldn't help. She knew that. Straightened posture, moved on. Sword aside—things to do.
Mage. Ruin or whatever. Elise's adopted kid.
Probably tearing his hair out by now.
Impossible homework volume. No way by morning. Likely given up, wallowing.
Use that to nitpick. Sneaky, but best shot. Blast him till he cracks.
No grit anyway—folds quick. Image of him trembling before monsters. He won't last. Certain.
"Come in."
At Ruin's door. Knocked, entered.
"Ah, you're here?"
Ruin greeted from his desk. Utterly relaxed. As expected.
Quit. Word books untouched, stacked aside. 5 Years Old! Memorize Words with Pictures! Volumes 1-8. Whatever he's reading now? Can't even read it.
Iris smirked. "Given up, huh? Yeah, no grit—"
"What's next homework?"
"...What?"
Words caught mid-spit. Weird phrasing.
Next homework?
"...What'd you say?"
He replied flatly. "1,500 words and all the grammar you taught. Done. What's next?"
"...What?"
Iris blanked.
Look at that face. Iris blanks at my words. Almost laughed. Kept cool.
"...What the hell are you saying?"
"Told you, Lady. Homework's done."
"Ha..."
She snaps back, annoyed. "Now resorting to lies, huh."
"Lies?"
"You expect me to believe that?"
Absurd tone. I chuckled dryly.
"Ah, so you're admitting you gave me an insane amount—enough to call 'done' a lie?"
"...!"
Hit the nail. Stiffened.
"That's—"
"You know it's bullshit volume."
"..."
Silenced. No comeback.
Rookie. I look like this, but I've lived years more. Past life included.
"Never thought I'd get bullied like this. Fresh."
She reacted, tiny sigh. Then—
"Sorry."
Unexpected apology. "I let personal feelings make me unreasonable. Yeah, insane amount."
"Didn't expect admission..."
Caught red-handed, no retreat.
"But that doesn't excuse your lie. You—"
"When did I lie?"
"What...? Just now..."
"Said it's impossible volume. Not that I couldn't memorize."
"Word games? You memorized all this?"
"Yep. All done."
"...What?"
"Test me?"
"...Hah."
Face screaming disbelief. Grabbed desk book.
"Write it."
"Sure."
Pen up. Wrote casually as she called words. 10. 30. Past 50.
"...How... how is this...?"
Eyes shaking.
"...Wait, you already knew letters and pretended?"
"Damn, Lady, now that's your theory?"
"No, then how..."
Impossible? Yeah, it is.
I'm shocked too. Memorized over a thousand words in hours. Unreal, but did it.
Brain's insanely good. Beyond "good." Didn't know my head was this sharp. Never used it much past life.
"Anyway..."
"Homework done. Next?"
"..."
She panicked at next lesson query. Unprepared.
Planned to fuck me over and bail here? Can't lie for shit.
"N...next lesson... evening. You're tired from homework."
"Nah, not tired—"
"Evening it is."
Out before I finished. Grinned.
Don't fuck with me. Felt good teaching her a lesson. Relieved some steam. Never thought I'd mind-game the Northern Duke's daughter. Fun anecdote.
"Alright then."
She gone, reopened front book. From our psycho—mom.
Thanks to Iris's word books and grammar, I could read letters now. Spotted some unknowns, but pieced it.
Fundamentals of Magic Circles. Title. Read on.
...Circle rotation. Use to create magic diagrams. Mana's fuel, Circle's engine. Friction sparks spells. Key: how and what magic.
Weave mana—
First page: 1-Circle spells. Readable one?
Thorn Arrow? Simple translation. Weave mana flow into hard, sharp thorn shape.
Rest unknown words. So...
Bind tight... Try it. Book says so.
To cast, rotate Circle to move mana. How? Thought hit—
Whirr—!!
Heart ring spun. My will.
Ah, like this? Just spin. Like starting a car.
Mana?
Vrrr—!
"Oh."
Body shimmered blue-green mana surging. This is mana. Seeing it clicked.
"Now weave into thorn..."
Controlled flow. It obeyed, creeping up hand, forming dot. Grew volume.
Reee—.
"Whoa."
Actual thorn shape. Oh... Thorn Arrow? Right way?
"Just testing."
No examples. No clue purpose.
"Name's Thorn Arrow, so..."
Shoot like arrow? How? Aimed at wall, hand moved—followed.
Target wall. "Shoot...?"
Flick—!
"Oh ho."
Finger snap, shot forward. Straight to wall.
"Aha! Launch like this."
Got it.
Swish...! Magic's this! Bit weak-looking, but progress.
Watched tiny arrow hit wall.
Thud. Stuck.
KABOOM—!!
"Eh?"
Punched massive hole through wall.
Crunch. Rubble.
"...."
Sudden gaping hole. Dozens times arrow size. Debris pouring.
"...Oh fuck..."
I cursed. Fucked up bad.
■ Acquired 1-Circle Magic: Thorn Arrow.
■ Captured the flow of mana with your eyes.
■ Talent touching the heavens maximizes magic power.
■ Congratulations.
■ Used humanity's first chantless magic.