Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Self-Admiration and Narcissism -1-
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Robert had detonated the incident he'd been waiting for, so there was no need for him to voluntarily patrol the academy borders anymore. Lately, he'd been devoting himself entirely to training.
In search of Deganello, whom I'd erased without a trace, the empire's guards and experts skilled at tracking people had combed through the academy and the capital.
With no leads, the wanted notice was still up, but everyone was naturally starting to forget about it.
Considering the suspect profiles and sketches updating by the dozens or hundreds in the blink of an eye every day, the only ones who truly remembered Deganello and wanted him caught were probably Robert, Isaac, and their families and friends.
This wasn't their victimhood keeping their interest alive—the empire was a bloodbath of incidents erupting daily.
Of course, even I was already struggling to recall Deganello's face clearly.
'Should I move to a house with a bigger yard next time... I wonder if I can manage it?'
While Rike was diligently studying at the academy,
I was out in the yard, shirtless and pumped up, continuing my training.
Peeeng-!
Even though it was a chain, it sliced through the air so fast it whistled like a blade.
I swung Gleipnir relentlessly, without pause or interruption, imprinting it into my mind and muscles.
To maximize efficiency in training and avoid rigid, uniform patterns,
I had to treat even this yard as a different space each time, varying my imaginary opponents.
Imposing my own constraints on area and distance ensured my swings were always different, keeping my brain constantly engaged.
"Phew-!"
I spat out the sweat stinging my eyes and tasting salty on my lips, then gulped down water from the jug in the corner.
'...Objectively speaking, I've just gotten better at handling the tool. My proficiency hasn't risen to a noticeable level yet.'
It was a simple fact—no need for deep thought, given the short time invested.
The basic mechanics of swinging a chain without tangling were complex, but once mastered, they became second nature.
I figured that was about the level I'd reached with the actual [Chain Infused with Immeasurable Power].
But when handling Gleipnir, my mind was as clumsy and frantic as a total beginner gripping a weapon for the first time.
'Is this punishment for fooling around with all sorts of weapons like a playboy, as that woman in my mind's eye said? It's getting frustrating.'
I visualized the mana flowing through my body as aura and channeled it into Gleipnir.
Factoring in its unique length-adjustment ability to create variables jacked up the difficulty far beyond a mere increment.
My head was already full just managing that—I hadn't even considered applying its minor functions yet.
'Still, my pretty girl lives up to her name...'
Gleipnir had a devilish allure that made it impossible to resist, difficulty be damned—a groan escaped me involuntarily!
Compared to famous weapons forged by the empire's renowned blacksmiths, the difference in class was palpable in countless ways.
It shrugged off Deganello's attacks and defenses like a joke without a single nick—that went without saying.
When I sent white flame or aura through it, the mana conductivity reacted differently from ordinary weapons right from the start.
Unlike the typical motion and form of a chain, using skills or aura with it felt seamless, like an extension of my own body.
I'd tried legendary hidden swords and weapons from master smiths, but nothing matched this.
That was its elegantly simple brilliance.
Unbound by the user's capabilities, its performance and potential scaled infinitely with my own growth.
Gleipnir was a weapon that grew alongside me—a benchmark for my progress.
'My standards are getting way too high...'
This chain's performance was incomparable to any weapon I knew.
I was even starting to worry that in a real fight against an equal, switching to another weapon would feel awkward and uncomfortable.
..
..
After returning from the bakery with Rike for their usual dawn routine,
we ate breakfast together, I saw her off to the academy, and my training began—continuing until Rike returned from classes.
"Oppa~!"
"Welcome back? I'll head in soon."
Rike made a tiny heart with her fingers, showed it off, and scurried into the house.
'So cute.'
Clunk-
I perched on the chair in the yard, preparing to wrap up training.
For me, the cooldown to end training wasn't stretching.
It was rinsing the dirt and grime from Gleipnir's links with water.
It wasn't an ordinary item, so no worries about rust or dulling from moisture.
But I wiped it down thoroughly with a cloth to finish.
I could just cut off dirty sections and extend the length with mana, but this was my way of showing care to Gleipnir, which had emotions of its own.
'It definitely likes being cleaned... Weapons or people, everyone prefers neat and tidy? Or just the cool feeling?'
I'd noticed it after shredding Deganello and flushing the blood, guts, and flesh from Gleipnir with holy water right there.
When I washed and polished it with care, it didn't just purr like from petting—it practically danced with joy.
Creeeak-
Finishing the post-training ritual, I headed inside to wash up.
Rike had changed out of her academy uniform and into one of my oversized shirts, preparing dinner as usual.
"Gonna wash up~"
"Oppa?"
Rike stared at me with her violet eyes, pointing to her lips with a finger. I kissed her, then rinsed off quickly with cold water.
As I helped set plates and silverware while she prepped dinner after my shower,
Rike hugged my waist from behind and spoke up.
"Chloe was looking for you, oppa."
"Me?"
"She asked Seria and me for restaurant recommendations and said she had to get a gift for a guy, so she's probably repaying that ice crystal favor?"
"Ah~ She's been saying we should grab a meal for a while now. No need to push herself though..."
Until recently, I'd been lounging around the academy like a bum even without classes, so she might've been searching with that in mind.
But today of all days—considering Chloe's personality, it was probably a big step for her. Too bad she missed me.
"Should I swing by tomorrow?"
"You've been busy training lately, oppa. Can't she wait until practical classes start?"
...It felt weird, like she was fishing for attention, but
knowing my future sister-in-law's temperament, she might be burning mental energy even now.
"Hmm~ I've been cooped up at home too much lately anyway, so the academy's no big deal... Wanna do lunch out together tomorrow? If you can make it, Rike."
"Really?! I'll definitely come!"
"What're you craving?"
"Whatever oppa wants!"
I stroked Rike, who lit up like it was our first date every time, as we picked a menu together.
'Something soft and easy like stew over greasy stuff. A place with proper black tea and milk...'
Go to the academy before lunch to handle Chloe's business?
Or eat with Rike first, then head to the academy for some loafer cosplay?
That was a dilemma too.
As I decided, the academy reminded me of something.
'Come to think of it, when do I get that library basement pass?'
They were probably prepping it, but maybe I should drop by and nudge them again.
She who'd racked up monumental achievements expanding the roots of Nematos, one of the three great black mage factions, only to be half-forced into Hell Broom's vacated seat.
Even riding in a top-tier carriage like this, Ismay didn't hide her annoyance, grumbling that anything short of a gate was inconvenient.
"Aah~! Wandering around really doesn't suit me. Wanna take this seat off my hands quick?"
"I'll study diligently."
Bernstein, shadowing Ismay to learn the ropes, maintained a stone face even as he weathered her occasional hysterics, following silently.
Bernstein was the sole newbie showing talent in disguise and alteration black magic using sacrifices. With time and savvy, he might fill a role like Hell Broom's.
Upon hearing the news, Ismay had waived the standard initiation for fresh Nematos recruits and kept Bernstein at her side.
He stepped closer to her as she manicured her sharp nails.
"Lady Ismay... Might I request one lesson for the sake of our mission?"
"Heh~ Good attitude. What is it?"
Not turning her head, Ismay blew on her nails and awaited his question.
"I fail to understand why you chose 'that guy' for this job."
Why Ismay sought to recruit Leo Floyd—a black mage hater and poster boy for filial piety.
No answer emerged no matter how hard Bernstein pondered alone.
"Aah~ At this rate, it'll take forever to hand over the seat."
"My apologies."
Ismay's black hand slithered up from the floor, playfully tapping Bernstein's head.
"Setting aside the mission details. Tell me what you felt observing Leo Floyd."
Bernstein thought carefully.
He'd accompanied Ismay on her second visit to Leo, so he had clear impressions, however brief.
But they were so plain and shabby, he braced for a magical smack as he answered.
"...Arrogant and presumptuous."
"Mm~ You nailed it. You've got an eye for it!"
"...?"
Ismay grinned at Bernstein, who couldn't process the sincere praise.
"Know what makes people sunk in self-admiration and narcissism like Leo Floyd tick?"
"Please enlighten me."
Ting-
Ismay flicked her manicure tool onto the carriage floor and bestowed her answer on the bowed Bernstein.
"They crave what's beyond their station, convinced it's their due. Even when an undeserved chance comes knocking, they don't suspect a thing."
Bernstein nodded instantly—it rang true.
"...I grasp that point firmly."
"Scrap a bit of their pride, flatter them, and they're the easiest type to handle. Real veterans who've seen it all are paranoid sickos—these tricks don't even register."
It was advice Bernstein couldn't learn from books in libraries or labs—blood-and-guts wisdom for his future duties.
Clop! Clop-!
The horses halted amid the darkness, the coachman knocking on the carriage.
Bernstein rose, opened the door, bowed, and waited for Ismay to exit.
Her heels clicking, Ismay stepped down and smirked at the inn operating in a remote forest outside the capital.
"Hehe- Shall we go meet our colt?"