How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 23

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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 Noble Family (23)

“Leo.”

“Ah, you came, Melvin.”

Leo warmly greeted a student who had come to visit his dormitory room. The student looked around nervously and asked.

“Uh, what did you call me for?”

“Nothing major. First, catch your breath. What would you like to drink?”

Leo gestured toward a bottle containing tea leaves.

“Um, anything is fine for me…”

“Alright, I’ll have to think about what flavor you might like from now on.”

Leo smiled as he answered and skillfully brewed tea, setting it down in front of the student.

“It’s chamomile. Since classes are over, I made something that helps with fatigue.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, I hope it suits your taste.”

“Th, thank you… So, what did you call me for…?”

At those words, Leo sat down in front of the student.

“Melvin. Do you happen to know what Pleroma has been up to lately?”

“Pleroma?”

The student’s complexion changed slightly. His eyes, which had been restlessly moving from nervousness, turned toward Leo. The student answered in a crisp tone.

“I know. They’ve been digging up graves constantly lately. Just yesterday there was an article about three corpses disappearing from a public cemetery at the border.”

“Hmm, you’re well informed. That’s actually why I called you after seeing that.”

At those words, the student tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

“Me? Why does that have to do with me…?”

“I recently formed a group with a friend to research Pleroma’s activities. As you know, Pleroma has been moving more boldly, right? It’s been over 10 years since they appeared, but nothing has improved at all. There’s a high possibility they’ll still be active by the time we go to university and graduate.”

The student nodded.

“That’s right, most likely.”

“I heard from the Professor that you hope to join the Pleroma disposal unit under the Imperial Court after graduating from university.”

At Leo’s words, the student’s expression changed completely. The student waved his hands frantically with a flustered face.

“Ah, I did tell the Professor that, but… actually, I don’t think the possibility is that high. My grades aren’t that good either. It’s just my wish. Haha…”

Wasn’t his name called when they handed out the special class consent forms?

To think this way when he’s in the top 10 of his department.

Leo clasped his hands together and placed them on the table.

“What do you mean possibility? I think differently. I think people with passion like you are rare. Many friends get heated about Pleroma stories, but in reality they just tremble in fear after reading newspaper headlines and don’t think any deeper than that.”

“Oh! That’s right… That is true. Since it’s been a long-standing problem, everyone’s probably tired of looking into it deeply now.”

“Right, but you’re different. When other students occasionally throw around superficial fears, you’ve always been interested in the essence. That’s what I’ve felt watching you for several years.”

The student asked with a slightly excited face.

“Re, really? That’s interesting. Did I seem that way?”

“Of course. That’s why I thought you’d be perfect for us. We’re going to investigate Pleroma’s criminal activities and try to predict what patterns they’ll move in going forward. If our system shows high accuracy, we could even propose our model to the Imperial Court.”

The student’s eyes widened.

Leo didn’t miss that change and leaned closer with a serious expression as he continued.

“If we can predict Pleroma’s actions, couldn’t we reduce future damage?”

“C, c, can I really do this with you…? I’m not even in the top tier, and I’m not as smart as you, Leo…”

As smart as Leo… what? Leo almost bit his lip hard at the rising goosebumps but came to his senses and shook his head.

“Of course. I think you’re perfectly fine as you are now. Are you unhappy with your ranking? That’s just a number. You need to look further ahead.”

“Ah, no matter how I think about it, I don’t think I’m that kind of person. I’m sorry, but…”

He can’t back out here.

Since we’ve started this, we need to see it through to the end.

Leo comforted the student who was shrinking as if he might crawl under the desk at any moment.

“Melvin. Your skills aren’t bad at all. This is the hardest school to get into in the Empire. You can take pride in being in the upper ranks here. You cited not reaching the very top as evidence that you’re still lacking, but… paradoxically, those very grades prove that you’re not objectively lacking, don’t they?”

“…That is true, but…”

The student bit his lower lip and rolled his eyes around.

Good. Even with that reaction, he’s basically won over. Leo smiled and continued.

“Actually, there’s one more important reason we chose you.”

“What is it?”

“Trust is important to us. We’re definitely going to stop Pleroma’s antics that have continued for over 10 years. As such, the very existence of our group must not reach anyone’s ears. No matter what happens.”

According to Lucas, it’s not necessary that not a single word leaks out. But I should still say this.

“That’s…! Of course! Are you worried I’ll tell other kids? I won’t go around talking about it. Can’t let those bastards do good work.”

“Right, from watching you for a long time, you were more thoughtful than anyone and didn’t speak carelessly. We need someone cautious and responsible like you.”

At Leo’s words, the student hesitantly moved his lips.

Now I just need to finish this.

Leo made eye contact with the student and continued seriously.

“Melvin, I want you to research with us. What about you? Do you want to do this work, or don’t you? Just tell me that.”

* * *

Sandy-colored hair sways before my eyes.

It’s my first time with blonde hair, and it feels quite strange.

I needed to go outside school to buy something, but if I wandered the streets with black hair and pink eyes, I’d be recognized immediately, so I couldn’t go out as I was.

I could change my eye color using medicine side effects like before, but since students who know my face might be wandering around outside school, I needed to safely change my hair color too.

So I just used divine power.

It was magic I’d memorized recently, and since the formulas differ by color, I hadn’t had time to actually try it, but fortunately it worked. Just in case, I also cast a cognitive impairment spell from the mental manipulation category.

‘What would I have done if I hadn’t chosen divine power initially.’

I thought this, but actually it’s the opposite. I chose it because I knew the range of divine power applications. I couldn’t waste such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to directly embody knowledge on something merely useful.

Divine power is a force created by artificially transforming naturally manifested mana, and perhaps due to that influence, it has the characteristic of changing even the properties of targets it touches.

The ability to manipulate minds with divine power, and the magic I used on my hair and eye color, all come from that characteristic.

Anyway…

‘Even my eyelash color changed, so my image is completely different.’

I glanced at my face reflected in the metal while waiting for the Public Slaughterhouse manager’s answer.

The manager asked with a surprised face.

“A bottle of blood? What will you use that for?”

“I’m writing an animal magic potion experiment report, and I want to try adding some new ingredients. Could I get some here?”

I curved my eyes gently and appealed that I had the purest intentions.

I came here without even changing out of my school uniform for this moment.

The manager glanced at the emblem on my jacket and answered.

“Hmm… I have heard that blood is sometimes used as a magic potion ingredient.”

“Right? The effects are much better. Still, with all the Pleroma talk lately making things unsettled, it’s reluctant to use.”

“Those bastards shouldn’t interfere with studying. What animal blood do you need?”

“Any animal is fine.”

“Really? Let me go check if we have any freshly drawn blood. Wait just a moment.”

The manager turned around and entered the nearest slaughterhouse building. In less than 5 minutes, he came out carrying a black glass bottle.

He put the bottle in a paper bag and handed it over.

“It’s sheep blood.”

“How much should I pay?”

“No charge. We throw it all away anyway. Nice experiment. I hope you succeed.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I smiled gently, took the bag and went outside, then caught a carriage passing on the street.

By the way…

‘What’s with this kid being so good at this.’

Absolutely smooth as flowing water.

I fitted the communication magic device Leo had given me around my ear.

Leo had given me this asking to let him know later if there was anything he’d said wrong, but there was nothing particular to point out.

I checked my watch.

It’s 8:30 PM now. I can reach school in 30 minutes. The divine power I absorbed into my skin will lose its effect in just one hour.

‘It’s about time.’

My turn is coming soon.

* * *

“Melvin, there’s something you need to know.”

Leo spoke as he led Melvin down to the underground.

“What is it?”

“Actually, there’s someone in our group who might feel a bit unsettling to you. I understand the emotions you’ll feel, but he’s someone we absolutely need. You might be very surprised… could you give me time to explain later?”

“Huh? Of course! I’m fine with everything!”

Melvin answered with determination.

Leo forced a smile and opened the door to the room at the very end of basement level 1.

“You’re here?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing who was sitting there, Melvin’s face instantly stiffened. Leo hurriedly patted his shoulder.

“Melvin. You must be very surprised…”

“Wh-wh-wh-what?!”

“Wait! Please understand. I’ll explain. First, we need Lucas. I know what you’re thinking, but…”

“No, why is he here?! Isn’t he the person who should least be here?!”

Despite Leo’s explanation, Melvin couldn’t hide his confusion.

Narke, who had arrived before Leo and was sitting next to me, watched the student’s reaction with great interest.

I approached him with a gentle smile.

“You’re Melvin, right? Thanks for showing me the way before.”

“Ah, no… wait, did I do something wrong…?”

“No. Listen carefully. First, I’ll start by letting you know that everything you know is all a misunderstanding.”

I let out a deep sigh.

“I’m not trying to harm you. Just listen for a bit. Thinking that everyone will react like this already makes me tired of explaining.”

“No, a misunderstanding? Explanation? What…?”

Melvin still shook his head in disbelief with a shocked face. I put my arm around Melvin’s shoulder, who was being held by Leo, and brought him to a seat.

“Right, everyone will react like you. I understand too. I’ll explain everything, so sit down.”

“Uh, uhhhh… uh…”

The kid’s dying. I maintained a gentle smile while clicking my tongue inwardly.

Leo looked at Melvin with pitying eyes.

“…But wait. What’s that…?”

Melvin barely regained his composure and pointed at the teacup placed in front of me.

He probably hoped I’d answer with something like tomato juice starting to separate or soup with food coloring… but no.

“Sheep blood.”

“What?!?!”

Crash—!

Melvin showed the most violent reaction he’d ever displayed and shot up from his seat. The chair fell backward. Narke hurriedly caught the shaking cup with magic.

“Calm down. This is the explanation I’m going to give you.”

I mixed the separated layers with a teaspoon and immediately took a sip of the blood.

Then, due to the fishy smell and nausea, I immediately ran to the bathroom and vomited.

The lumpy texture remained on my tongue. The sense of wrongness from eating something inedible surged up.

“Oh, what should I do. Should I have stopped him?”

“Ugh…”

Following Narke’s worried laughter, I heard Leo let out a complaint close to a sigh. I walked out almost like a zombie and slumped down in the seat in front of Melvin.

“Are you… okay…?”

Seeing my complexion, Melvin reflexively spoke up. Then, as if realizing his mistake, he looked at me again with eyes full of wariness. I answered in a voice that seemed half-aged.

“How could I be okay? But if I can clear up the misunderstanding that I’m Pleroma by doing this, I can do it as much as needed.”

“No, no, anyone would vomit if they drank raw blood…”

“Anyone? Those corpses would have drunk all of this long ago. If you just mix someone else’s magic power into this, they can absorb it directly into their body. You know it’s the most familiar ingredient to those bastards, right?”

I spoke with a serious face and then grabbed my throat.

Leo was urgently gesturing for me to go to the bathroom quickly.

“…Of course, that’s really true… No. Wait. Those people could also act to this extent…”

I really felt my stomach turning, so I shot up from my seat and went to vomit once more.

Melvin, who was starting to doubt what he had believed, looked back and forth between me, my friends, and the cup containing blood with a troubled face.

“…”

“…It’s really pitiful.”

“I can endure everything else, but I can’t help it with blood.”

I weakly responded to Leo’s words and shook my head. Even after multiple purifications, blood was still blood. It was the same principle as not wanting to drink muddy water even if you boiled it thoroughly.

Melvin looked at me with a confused face, with some wariness still remaining.

“…Then, what about that servant you supposedly killed? It was a big incident 10 years ago…!”

Good.

I slightly raised the corners of my mouth.

There are several grounds for the belief that I’m Pleroma.

The fact that he was raising questions about other evidence while deviating from the path during our discussion of one piece of evidence I had shattered already meant he was half-shaken.

It was good that I gave a strong shock with blood from the beginning.

‘And I have one more weapon to shatter his belief after this.’

Anyway, the real culprit of the murder case isn’t me but Hyung.

However, that incident wasn’t investigated by the Imperial Court. Because the case was concluded with an internal family investigation due to Hyung’s tearful defense to protect his younger brother. After that, even media coverage of the incident was controlled by the family’s power.

Since Hyung chose to kill someone who had grown up alone in the estate without family, there weren’t particularly people requesting an imperial investigation into his death either.

‘…To think he went around killing innocent people just to bury one younger brother.’

Thinking about it again made me feel bitter.

Since it wasn’t investigated by the Imperial Court due to the lie, there are no detailed incident records either.

That means I can use this incident to craft a story favorable to me.

But I don’t want to lie using someone else’s death. Then again, is revealing the truth now a good thing? That’s not right either.

Even without creating detailed scripts for every element, I can guide someone to interpret different stories with subtly different focuses as the same thing by appropriately omitting sentence components and adjusting the order and spacing of words. I just need to make it unclear where the previous story ends and where a new topic begins.

“It’s not the truth.”

I answered briefly and immediately opened my mouth again to not give Melvin time to think.

“You must be curious why I’ve been leaving such disgraceful false rumors alone. You’re probably still confused about whether they’re false rumors or not.”

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

Melvin looked at me with his eyebrows tensed desperately, as if he wouldn’t let his guard down at all.

I looked straight at Melvin’s face and answered.

“Of course. Because I created all those rumors myself.”

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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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