How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 167

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (167)

Now I understand ‘why’ it was me.

I reached a conclusion and felt my heart, which had barely been beating, gradually quickening.

The rumor Hyung spread had rippled out in this form.

As I suspected, Nicolaus wasn’t the target.

Pleroma is trying to get Lucas Ascanien into their hands.

‘…They must be gathering tools to oppose Nicolaus.’

And there would be competition between dioceses for results mixed in there.

The reason they want to drag me in after turning the entire country into a testing ground for suitable candidates, with abundant manpower, is just that one thing.

[Won’t the Brandenburg Archdiocese protest? This is still Berlin and this Student attends a Berlin School too.]

[What are you worried about those who couldn’t even properly support one establishment in their jurisdiction and got beaten up like this? And…]

The Bishop gestured.

Looking closely, the person next to him was wearing purple trim decorations. He wasn’t a Bishop but a Monsignor.

Even so, what’s a Monsignor doing in a religious order that’s only about 10 years old?

Unlike Roman Catholicism, since they lack foundation, it seemed there was a strict hierarchical relationship between Bishop and Monsignor among them. That’s what I could guess from their way of speaking.

[That side stubbornly believes only Lucas Ascanien’s claims. It’s not that Deputy Minister Adrian Ascanien hasn’t approached, he just couldn’t because he’s been so cheap and evasive. But being so naive about it is foolish.]

“…”

[Even if the rumors about drinking blood are false, his qualifications themselves are excellent. If he had joined 10 years ago, wouldn’t he have risen to Archbishop by now?]

[And now…?]

Silence followed.

After a while, the Bishop opened his mouth with a smile.

[Are you going to leave this Mage to become like that?]

[…]

[No matter how outstanding one’s abilities, if timing and luck don’t support you, it’s the end. He must be raised as Freiburg’s servant. Not as master.]

Freiburg.

I repeated that name several times so I wouldn’t forget it.

It’s the Catholic diocese that includes the Grand Duchy of Baden. Pleroma seemed to be using the same name.

And Baden is the country that was first used as a testing ground for contamination drug experiments. It’s also the place ruled by the Cheringen family.

The Monsignor remained silent for a while, then opened his mouth.

[I understand well. Will you give the blessing here? Since he’ll resist, you’ll probably need to give baptism quickly.]

[Haha, a blessing in such a place? When you put it that way, it’s refreshing because I feel like I’ve become one of the Magi standing before a manger.]

At those words, the Monsignor opened his mouth and looked around before speaking rapidly like a machine gun.

[Bishop, making such comparisons in a place where irredeemable souls like those of Primrose Pass wander is a great blasphemy.]

[You’re too serious. If you have time to nitpick about such things, go downstairs and see if there’s anyone who helped this Student escape. It would be great to save time for processing too.]

[…I’m sorry. But I sent Father Hans to the First Floor.]

“…”

I had momentarily forgotten that these Antagonists also believe in that God.

I’m curious whether Narke would collapse grabbing her neck or just laugh hollowly if she heard this conversation. Since these are heretics officially recognized by this world’s Papacy, she probably wouldn’t even listen carefully.

And…

‘I did well to erase their memories earlier.’

I mean the Humans I met on the First Floor. Even though it was time that would disappear when I turned back anyway, and at most only two or three hours had passed since then, I didn’t want to be reproached even briefly in this place where justice is considered injustice.

Everyone would think they don’t want to live in such a place, but there’s a big difference between simple wishes and actively helping with escape.

Most people regard the one or two who put reform into practice as dangerous elements who could shatter even their current familiarity.

When the Bishop looked at him with a face asking if he was going to keep talking back, the Monsignor cleared his throat.

[Ahem… Then I’ll quickly move him to Freiburg.]

[No. Let’s give the baptism here.]

[Pardon? Didn’t you just say it couldn’t be done in such a place?]

[Given our religious order’s characteristics, where and from whom one received baptism and blessing is extremely important. Isn’t that right?]

The Monsignor hesitated before answering.

[That’s correct.]

[He’ll be asked hundreds of times where he was baptized, so shouldn’t we leave one flaw?]

[That’s ultimately about under which diocese’s name one was baptized, not about which Building one received it in… isn’t that right.]

[You don’t understand. Even if others know nothing, the person himself must create a part he can’t be proud of.]

He flicked his hand.

[To prevent him from becoming king, you must crush the sprout. Bring it.]

[…]

The Bishop drew a sword.

The moment I saw it, his face suddenly appeared right in front of me.

[You’re awake just in time.]

Crash―!

The Bishop grabbed my neck and slammed me to the Floor.

Before I could think about how he noticed, I felt a needle pierce my arm.

Even though they confirmed the drug was already taking effect on me, the reason for injecting more drugs is obvious.

‘One dose of this drug means I don’t even need to block magical power, how nice.’

These bastards don’t know, but it’s only good for me anyway. For me, that is.

I bit my tongue, which was already tattered from biting it earlier. I had to prevent my head from turning completely white. If I lose my thoughts, it’s over.

Sizzle―

Something drew a long line from my left palm to my wrist. Then it began drawing horizontal lines across my palm.

My skin became cool as if numb now.

―This final chalice, I offer my soul in blessed worship for the dawn!

Though I couldn’t see because I was face down, what seemed like holy water poured over the skin that had just been cut.

‘…It’s about time to end this.’

I erased the pain from my head. This wasn’t the time to exaggerate.

Let me just check one last thing.

I finally became conscious of the artifact notification sound that had been constantly ringing in my ears for a while.

I pressed the artifact while recalling who I had last communicated with.

[…Did you get it? Lucas!]

“Leo.”

[I guess they really did make it quite strong?]

The Bishop sneered.

He must think I’m hearing hallucinations. It’s understandable since I’m suddenly calling someone’s name.

[Where are you?! You’re not even in your Room now…!]

Leo continued shouting at the top of his voice, but perhaps due to sensory overload, I couldn’t hear anything after that.

But this much is enough.

‘So, he went into my Room to check.’

If the class president openly went in and out of my Room, it would arouse suspicion, so he definitely must have warped.

I understand well.

That warp magic is single-use. And it seems to have been cleanly processed without any residual magical power.

A considerably skilled person must have set it up.

“See you later.”

I greeted Leo and recovered the magical power I had moved to my ear.

I like it.

Yes, those Antagonists would have to move cautiously too.

That’s what makes it fun to find and blow them up.

Anyway…

Now even my vision began to fade. My sight turned black, then immediately turned white, repeating the cycle.

―Now I can finally say this.

At the Bishop’s faint voice, I slowly closed and opened my eyes. I moved my lips but no sound came out.

‘So, son of man.’

I rolled those words around in my mouth for a long time.

I couldn’t convey the incantation to their ears, but strength began to flow into my fingertips.

Feeling the drug that had gradually spread through my body starting to fade, I now muttered without closing my eyes.

—Though you dwell among thorns and thistles and live among scorpions.

“What….”

It’s working. Each time I complete a formula, my strength returns. I immediately turned my body and stomped the floor with my foot.

Kwaaaaang—!

“…?!”

“Bishop!”

My ears became muffled as if I had entered water. Vitriol came rushing through the light of magic.

The Vitriol I couldn’t block in time strangled my neck from behind. I already knew well from previous experience that it would be difficult to cut through without a sword due to its viscous nature.

‘Then I’ll just do it differently.’

When I snapped my fingers, the spot where Monsignor stood turned red.

“…?!”

He tried to move away from the spot, but it was too late. Flames erupted from the floor.

Kwaaaaang—!

“Kuhuk…!”

—Do not fear them. They are a rebellious people, so do not fear their words or be frightened by their faces!

I continued speaking while extending my hand.

Now my vision had completely returned.

This is a purification formula used on the caster himself, not on the opponent.

When Hyung first sent the Servant, I hadn’t yet learned the purification formula to use on myself, so I couldn’t purify myself.

I didn’t let that experience go to waste.

If there’s a fatal flaw, it consumes more stamina here than what goes into retrying. So I had to use it now.

‘Good.’

As the drug was completely washed away, etiquette toward elders and ethics about not hitting people—even corpses—flashed through my mind.

But unfortunately, I don’t have as much patience as the Son of Man, so I couldn’t avoid hitting him.

I grabbed the Bishop by the collar and knocked him down.

Kwang! Paak—!

The Bishop’s face turned as I threw my punch. I simply blocked the approaching Vitriol with a barrier and looked down at his face.

Though I did nothing, fear and suspicion flashed across his face.

—But at last God will sink with the twilight!

—Enter through the Narrow Entrance.

The incantation I recited quietly with a smile covered his struggles.

The Bishop’s pupils dilated completely, then quickly returned to their original size. A look of horror spread across his face.

He must have been shocked that it worked, even briefly.

‘Ainsiedel only fell after I recited the whole thing. Still, this guy is much weaker than Ainsiedel… As expected, a bishop won’t fall to just one incantation.’

Kwang! Crash—!

The barrier shattered due to Vitriol used by another bishop.

As I wiped the blood flowing down my cheek with my hand and restored the barrier, the Bishop beneath me suddenly shouted.

“Andreas! We’re returning to the Diocese!”

“What?! To return without being able to handle one Student…!”

“Don’t be stupid! —In the beginning was the deed!”

Hmm. A wise choice.

I quickly looked into their eyes in turn to open their status windows. When I grabbed the collar again, they disappeared before my eyes.

‘Monsignor should abandon that title.’

The Bishop’s judgment was accurate.

They didn’t flee because their skills were lacking.

But having seen me use divine power, they couldn’t stay here.

They would end up revealing precious Diocese information with their own mouths.

‘What to do.’

Even so, I’ll have the advantage in the next timeline.

I’ll recognize them when we meet next time, but I’ll be a stranger to them.

In this situation where it’s certain that Pleroma is connected to School, I can’t avoid seeking them out again.

“Hmm.”

I slowly put strength into my legs.

Now it was time to return. I too no longer had the strength to stay here any longer.

I had scraped up everything I could learn.

I staggered to my feet and opened my mouth with satisfaction.

“Retry.”

* * *

Rattle—

“…!”

I suddenly woke from sleep at the Carriage’s swaying.

A pitch-black mask made of magic was placed on my face.

I had returned.

I had just left the Police Station and was returning to the Dormitory again.

A hollow laugh escaped me. The hands and arms that had just been cut were blocked with flesh as if nothing had happened.

Everything I experienced here had disappeared without a trace. The memories of those Primrose Pass and Pleroma bastards would be the same.

This isn’t the end.

This is just the beginning. Nothing has ended.

I wiped away the blood from the retry aftermath and warped to Leo’s Room as soon as I entered the Inn.

Leo was sitting in pajamas studying, having apparently finished training.

Looking at the clock, it was already midnight.

“…?”

Leo looked at me who had suddenly appeared and tried to smile but coughed instead.

It was a face that knew nothing about what would happen tomorrow afternoon. It was obvious, but having just been in that time, it was reality for me, so even that felt strange.

“…Ahem…. What’s wrong? You haven’t come recently.”

“….”

The urgent voice from earlier was gone now.

Seeing the familiar face made me realize I had completely returned.

Thinking that, I threw my bag and sat on one side of his desk. I considered lying on the bed like Elias, but I couldn’t conscientiously lie on someone else’s bed in outdoor clothes.

As expected, Leo was looking at me with a face wondering what this bastard was doing just from me sitting on the desk.

“There’s no chair. And do I have to have business to come?”

“No.”

I shook my head as soon as I heard the answer.

“I did come on business. Leo, go upstairs right now, check my Room, and call Professor.”

Since Leo only tilted his head, I continued.

“It’s a long story. This time it can’t be Elias or Narke. You need to step up.”

Leo frowned without answering and removed my mask.

“Ah, what are you doing without listening.”

“What’s with the nosebleed?”

“….”

Did he notice because I wasn’t wearing the mask?

He’s always quick to notice things.

“You know what I was doing too. I only used divine power the whole time at the Police Station.”

But it’s slightly suspicious that this guy would remove someone else’s mask without permission over something like a nosebleed.

Of course, I’m not Leo’s parent and I don’t understand his reaction patterns completely, but I’d guess that if he were the type to make a big deal about such things, he wouldn’t work people to death in the name of training.

Just then Leo nodded.

“Yeah, I understand. Since you went to the Police Station, let’s restore your stamina first.”

Leo said that and infused magic into my wrist.

[“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”]

The effect is always good no matter when I receive it.

Though I don’t really have the mental leisure to be doing healing right now.

I gave a simple greeting and turned around.

“Thanks. Let’s go up now.”

“But, Lucas.”

Leo’s voice continued from behind me.

“Where did you go?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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