123. The Ill-Fated Genius
Moden’s mansion. Viva Bascon arrived there clutching a bundle in his hand.
Silver hair neatly combed back. Dark circles under his eyes. And pale skin. He looked unwell somehow.
The appearance of the eldest among the seven siblings made the other six’s eyes widen in shock.
Silva, the second son, glared at Viva with his bulging eyes.
Why the hell are you here…?
Silva’s eyes were filled with wariness. Both were sons of Elle. But there was no welcoming air.
For Silva, burning with ambition to become the heir, Viva’s arrival was anything but pleasant. It meant one more rival.
Even Velvet, born from the same mother, showed no sign of welcome. Her brows furrowed, her gaze narrowing.
Vi… Viva Bascon… So you’ve finally come back.
She had always thought he’d return to the Bascon family someday. She just hadn’t expected it to be today.
This time, Willie’s pupils shook. Having gauged Viva’s mana with the naked eye, he was stunned by how much higher his realm was than expected.
Already nearing… 1st class knight… As expected of innate talent.
Billy and Shirley began eyeing Viva cautiously.
Brother Viva…
The once-in-a-century genius of the Bascon family…
Though they were siblings of the Bascon family’s seven children, they had rarely faced each other, so everything felt unfamiliar.
On the other hand, Bin narrowed his eyes and stared at Viva.
The ill-fated genius, Viva Bascon.
The ill-fated genius. That was what people called him.
Like Bin, he was a prodigy who wielded sword winds at age ten. Especially outstanding in handling mana.
He was the one who had stolen the spotlight from Enderlin, the deputy lord of the Taia family.
When the rumor spread within Plentel Castle, the family members pinned great hopes on him. He was a prime candidate for the next vice-duke to lead the Bascon family.
But there was one problem. He suffered from an incurable disease.
Mana Amplification Syndrome.
While he could freely manipulate vast realms of mana, using it took a toll on his health. Frequent coughing led to vomiting blood. His body was gradually breaking down.
Even the healers judged that pursuing knighthood like this would make it hard for him to live long.
Yet he couldn’t just give up. To cure his incurable illness, he wandered beyond the castle seeking every possible remedy.
But after visiting countless families, curing the disease proved impossible.
While drifting across the Gana Continent, he heard the news that Bin had become the Bascon vice-duke and returned to Plentel Castle.
Viva’s gaze turned to Bin.
I had a hunch, but the rumors aren’t false after all.
Viva had heard that Bin played the biggest role in repelling the Grander family’s ambush. He could tell from the mana emanating from Bin’s body. He was no pushover.
As Viva’s gaze fixed on Bin, Codic lifted his head. He examined Viva’s body from afar and nodded.
Nod.
Nod.
Approved. Worthy of serving under.
Indeed. Viva’s emaciated frame, with bones protruding clearly. It seemed to please him.
As Codic grinned in satisfaction, Bin eyed the spirited newcomer with narrowed eyes.
Seeing him now brings back memories…
Viva’s appearance stirred Bin’s past recollections.
The Bascon family plaza. Viva Bascon walked toward Moden along the long red carpet.
It was to acknowledge Viva’s merits from the war by granting him the position of centurion.
The crowd murmured as they watched.
“As expected of young master Viva.”
“A centurion at that age already…”
“The family’s genius isn’t just talk.”
“Hey, did you hear? Young master Silva’s a Super Nova candidate now too.”
“Wow, young master Silva as a Super Nova candidate, young master Willie joining the Black Wolf Division’s 4th unit. Good news all around for the Bascon family…”
“The family’s future is bright. And Miss Velvet this time too…”
As the people buzzed with praise for the seven siblings, Danel’s expression wasn’t the best.
And understandably so. There was no mention of Bin among the seven.
It wasn’t that she wished for her child to excel. She worried Bin might get hurt from the comparisons.
Meanwhile, the young Bin watching beside Danel glanced nervously at his mother.
The one-armed Bin looked at Viva and thought.
If only I could be like that…
That dawn. In the training ground lined with scarecrows. Bin, up early, swung his wooden sword.
Thwack! Thwack! Thud… Thwack! Thwack! Thud…
Rhythmic sounds continued, interrupted by squeaks. His sweat-soaked left hand was throwing off the rhythm.
Then Bin’s brow furrowed.
Blisters already…
He had been swinging for over two hours now. His hand stung. Yet Bin recalled the Bascon genius, Viva. And thought of his mother. The mother who worried about him.
He didn’t want to worry her anymore. Deep down, resentment over his one arm and the desire to grow strong as a Bascon fueled him.
The family’s dunce. He couldn’t stay hearing that.
I can’t be looked down on. For Mother…
Not for wealth, honor, or fame. To ease his mother’s worries and see his improved self, he swung.
Thwack… Thwack…!
Just a bit more…
Thud. Finally, overextending, Bin collapsed spread-eagled.
“Hah… hah…”
As Bin gasped at the sky, footsteps approached.
Step. Step…
Viva, exuding a gloomy aura, drew near. He looked at Bin and spoke.
“Pointless effort.”
“…”
As Bin looked puzzled, Viva continued.
“No matter how hard you try, it’s useless. Can a dog take on a wolf just by working hard?”
“Hah… hah…”
Bin panted, staring at him.
“It’s not your fault. You were just born this way. A dog missing a front paw won’t change no matter the effort.”
“…”
Facing the harsh reality in Viva’s words, Bin dropped his sword.
Thud. His eyes lost focus, emptiness surging. His chest felt hollow, motivation gone.
Then his gaze fell on his single arm.
Is it hopeless…?
Bin gave a bitter smile at his one-armed self.
Bin glared coldly at Viva.
No, you were wrong.
Bin thought differently. Rather than collapsing and giving up, doing his utmost from his position could yield greater value.
He recalled his past life’s moment, called the greatest blacksmith despite one arm. The result of desperate effort.
As the six siblings eyed Viva warily, he turned to Moden and spoke.
“Vice-duke position. Didn’t you promise that position to me?”
Moden scoffed at the question.
“A wretch who can’t even hold himself together, what could you…”
“…”
Viva’s brow furrowed at Moden’s words. His lips trembled. It struck his complex, his weakness.
Viva eyed Moden’s rusted sword, Tombstone, from the ambush.
“You’d do well to tend to the family head’s sword.”
“What did you say…?”
“How low has the family’s prestige fallen for the Grander family to ambush us?”
Moden’s expression darkened. He was visibly suppressing his anger.
“If you value that mouth, turn back now.”
As Moden finished, Viva’s eyes sharpened.
“Do you still see me as the same as before?”
Viva untied the bundle and tossed its contents before Moden.
Thud. The six siblings’ gazes shifted to it.
As the bundle unraveled, revealing what was inside, everyone was stunned.
From the bundle came two severed heads.
“…!”
Silva spoke upon seeing them.
“These are Super Novas…!”
Having been a Super Nova himself, he recognized them instantly.
Of the ten famed Super Novas, excluding the five under the Gana Empire: Emma Grander, Bin Bascon, Irin Taia, and two from other families. It was their heads.
Velvet stared at the heads on the floor, speechless.
How did he take their heads…?
Two at the pinnacle of 3rd class knights, renowned experts. Seeing their severed necks changed Moden’s gaze toward Viva.
“…”
Viva raised his voice at Moden.
“Even in death, let’s leave the Bascon name etched.”
Moden let out a hollow chuckle.
“Hah.”
He didn’t dislike this changed Viva.
Moden recalled forcing Viva to resign as centurion in the past.
Moden’s mansion. There, Moden spoke lowly to Viva.
“That body can’t handle it. Step down now.”
But Viva wouldn’t obey easily.
“I can still do it.”
As Viva spoke, Moden sighed.
“Hoo…”
Deep sigh, brow furrowing. Then he mentioned a past incident.
“Every centurion you faced spared your vitals. And you call that sane? Who’s worrying whom here…”
“…”
“With that frail resolve, what will you do? Tend to your own body.”
“Fa… family head…”
Viva brushed