How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 234

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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 (234)

We simultaneously drew our wands.

Kwaaaaang—! Crash—!

“…?!”

“Agh!”

To the left of the spatial magic, the mana installed at various angles crumbled down. As soon as the original street view that should have been there became visible, black smoke rushed in. Along with the sound of breaking glass, students hurriedly covered their fronts with their arms.

There was no need for that. We had already blocked the path of the four upperclassmen who were ahead. The moment I swung my wand to deflect the mana debris, someone’s unconsciously installed brown translucent mana suddenly appeared on the left side. At the same time, heavy impact sounds came from outside.

Kwang—! Bang!

“Remove the barrier!”

“…?!”

I didn’t expect a quick response. I stomped my foot to shatter the barrier outward. Along with the broken barrier mana, an attack presumed to be Vitriol suddenly appeared in my field of vision.

Haike and I flicked our wrists to reflect the attack directly. Worried sounds came from behind, flinching at whether we might not be able to block the black masses flying indiscriminately.

Why not just set up a barrier, you ask….

If it breaks, there’s a risk of secondary damage, so it’s better to deflect directly when possible. The worst thing is barriers laid down unconsciously and reflexively without calculation like earlier.

That said, we can’t avoid using them entirely, so when we must use them, we need to secure a safe distance and formally recite the formula to lay them down solidly.

Bang— Kwagwang—

Even as I swung my wand one last time and stepped back, the impact sounds continued. Haike, who had been swinging his wand beside me, glanced at me and stepped forward.

I spun my wand between my fingers to transform it into a staff, then stared ahead.

‘First, situation analysis.’

It’s not a difficult situation. The air being dark indicates someone is rampaging. Though not visible now, the victim likely sensed mana in the air and attacked us to absorb it.

Since no rampage report came through the artifact, we’re the first witnesses. We need to determine their danger level.

‘The air contamination level is… the worst I’ve seen so far. But the attacks aren’t precise. They weren’t even difficult to handle.’

Unable to launch precise attacks and appearing to lack power, this is likely a low-risk rampage victim. Unlike high-risk rampage victims who retain consciousness, low-risk ones lose consciousness during rampage, making their attacks relatively crude.

But why is the air contamination so severe? They’ve contaminated this place so densely that objects can’t be distinguished. If we stay long, even we might rampage.

How exactly?

How can such power come from a low-risk rampage victim?

The answer wasn’t hard to find.

“Haike. It’s not just one.”

“….”

Haike bit the inside of his lip.

There are two or more victims in this location.

I drew mana from my core. The sound of flames surging and pushing away the air rang loudly. The mana flowing through my hands dyed the staff red from top to bottom and struck toward the sky.

When I swung the staff in a circle to lay down mana, the students standing behind stepped back in confusion. As the darkness lifted in the light of mana, creating the illusion of being in flames, I gripped the staff with both hands and struck it down on the ground. Then I immediately opened my mouth.

Kwaaaaang—!!

[Fear not. For I am with you.]

* * *

Antonie Gramont had fallen into panic.

He knew this fact himself but could do nothing about it.

‘…This….’

This is now….

Gramont tried to steady his trembling vision.

The sudden attack and the world that turned completely black after the spatial magic broke.

No matter how you look at it, this is a rampage situation. Those rampage victims he’d only heard about are around here. Unfortunately, one of those 30 daily Brandenburg rampage cases unluckily fell to us. Though he should be thinking of fleeing or attacking, his mind hadn’t been working at all for a while now, leaving him dazed.

Kwaaaaang—!!

[Fear not. For I am with you.]

Antonie Gramont, who had been watching the flames climbing the black eagle decoration of the staff, squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face with his arms as soon as the explosive sound rang out. Fierce wind spread in all directions as mana blazing like the sun struck his face and eyes.

This was the mana of that Pleroma Ascanien whose power he had wanted to verify at least once. Contrary to the Pleroma rumors, his mana felt as overwhelming as divine power. He had never expected such mana.

Moreover….

‘I never thought I’d see that person’s mana this way.’

This isn’t how he wanted to see it. Who would want to face the crisis of dying a dog’s death in a foreign country!

Unable to breathe due to Ascanien’s mana added to the Vitriol, Gramont pressed his nose with his hand to block the mana and struggled to open his eyes.

The black fog presumed to be Vitriol had cleared somewhat, securing visibility. A barrier curved like a red dome could be seen surrounding where we stood and spreading in a circle far away.

Compared to the barrier Gramont himself had unconsciously installed earlier, this was a much more stable barrier. At this distance, even if the barrier broke, we wouldn’t be easily hurt.

Only now did Gramont look at the two mages standing before him.

“….”

Both, especially Ascanien, were calm unlike us. He had definitely said he’d been deployed for incident handling since a few days ago, and he had the face of someone who’d experienced such situations dozens of times.

Bang—… Kwagwang—….

The sound of the rampage victim’s attacks hitting the barrier came from far away. Ascanien, who had been continuously channeling mana through the staff fixed to the ground, glanced back. Seeing Gramont’s pale face, he smiled with a strange expression.

“Why are you so scared?”

“…!”

“Hahaha!”

Ascanien burst into annoyingly clear laughter, then smiled and gestured to Ainsiedel. Ainsiedel nodded.

As Ainsiedel blocked Ascanien’s front and looked beyond the barrier, Ascanien turned completely around to face us.

He could feel heat rising to his face due to the annoying provocation. Even now, his chin was trembling due to his desire to defend himself.

Ascanien just maintained a leisurely smile as if this were some good spectacle, examining him. Just as he was about to ask why he was looking at him like that, Ascanien pointed behind Gramont.

“Go.”

“…Pardon?”

“Just run straight back this way. Don’t turn to other streets whether left or right, go absolutely straight.”

Several classmates turned around with flustered faces. Gramont himself also creaked his neck to look back. A narrow path lay between the residential area, and a park was visible beyond it.

Ascanien took out a tourist warp coordinate booklet from his clutch and pressed it into the frozen Gramont’s hand.

“If you encounter dead-end buildings or forest, don’t change direction, don’t hide, and immediately warp to Berlin. Whether it’s the police station or fire station, anywhere will help you.”

He was about to extend his hand, then raised his eyebrows as if newly realizing we were flustered. He slightly lifted his hat brim and said.

“We’ll be going now.”

He left the dazedly frozen Gramont behind and led Ainsiedel forward.

Gramont didn’t move his feet. The other three were the same.

* * *

“Haike.”

I walked with Haike right up to the barrier.

I looked around, but no warp coordinates were visible. I tapped the artifact and poured out words.

“This is Eschete Lucas Ascanien. Coordinates unknown, multiple rampage, two occurred near Brandenburg Tis Hotel.”

[Beep—]

When victims are estimated to be multiple, we generally use the term “multiple,” but we must also state how many are estimated.

Now support personnel will come generously prepared to transport about three to the hospital.

Of course, since we don’t know the coordinates, it’ll take a while.

I lightly swept the staff upward. The barrier’s mana returned to the staff, then moved behind where I stood to form a new barrier. This wasn’t a barrier for our use, but to prevent Vitriol from entering the civilian evacuation route.

Kwang—!

I sent the black attack coming at me flying with my staff and extended my hand to Haike.

“Haike.”

Haike lightly tapped my hand and readjusted his grip on his wand.

Though we’d played together until now, we’d never stood in the field together. Since Eschete’s formation, my field partners had only been Ulrike and Cheringen.

‘I hope we work well together.’

Since we don’t know where the victims are.

I recited an incantation while gripping my staff.

[In it was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.]

I struck the staff down on the ground. Red mana could be seen rushing out at fierce speed. The Vitriol that had been filling the air black seemed to turn red, then disappeared along with my mana.

Haike opened his eyes wide and looked far away.

“…Is that divine power…?”

“That can’t be. Why did you think that?”

Kwaaaaang—!

I answered roughly and blocked the attack.

“This is the first time I’ve seen it clear up this far.”

I nodded and examined the direction the attack had come from.

After the visibility cleared, there was no point in the enemy launching attacks. No, it was actually advantageous for me. Suppression was right around the corner.

‘Ah, it would have been convenient if Leo were here.’

I looked at a human on the top floor of the building, throwing himself against the window railing.

It was fortunate he hadn’t climbed up to the rooftop. Victims who hadn’t been reported yet had at least some chance of survival if sent to the hospital. This was possible thanks to our technological advances following Pleroma’s new drug development.

“Lucas. I’ll draw his attention.”

Haike said this and rushed toward the front of the building.

Perhaps the victim unconsciously knew I was the key player, because when I ran toward the side of the building, attacks came flying toward me.

Kwagwang— Kwagwang—!

‘Whew.’

The victim’s attacks were falling behind me. If I ran even slightly slower, I’d die.

At least it was fortunate that this victim wasn’t semi-solidifying Vitriol to use it like Strauchi or Ainsiedel. If that were the case, my legs would have been caught long ago.

When I entered through the back gate and looked to the right, I immediately saw stairs.

‘It’s a 5-story building.’

It would take some time to climb to the 5th floor using the stairs.

But there was no other choice.

I grabbed the railing and leaped up while channeling mana into my arms and legs. The sounds of Haike and the victim confronting each other grew closer.

I sent a signal through the artifact.

‘5th floor.’

As soon as I reached my destination, I made eye contact with the victim standing in the middle of the hallway.

Simultaneously, mana powerful enough to destroy the building struck the outer wall with a thunderous roar. This was Haike’s assistance in response to the signal I sent. The moment the victim’s gaze reflexively turned toward the window, I swung my wand.

Kwang—

There was the sound of a person being knocked down by mana.

From here on, it wasn’t difficult.

I wrapped my entire body in a physical barrier and rushed at the victim who had fallen to the floor. He roughly grabbed the collar of my coat. Vitriol splattered on my face and eyes, and that same horrible scream I’d heard in Baden-Baden was reproduced here again, piercing my ears. Though this happened daily, it was hard to get used to.

I pressed down on his thigh, held the victim’s neck down with one hand, and brought my wand to his heart.

[Aaaaaaaak! Uaaaaak!]

[Beloved ones. When you face the flames of trials that test you, do not think it strange. …The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.]

Crack— Crackle—

The Vitriol core that had formed around the human’s heart shattered.

The victim who had been screaming and struggling wildly opened his eyes wide, stared into space, then quickly dropped his neck to the floor. I briefly checked the Vitriol flowing through his body, felt it gradually weakening, and closed his eyes.

‘That’s one down.’

It seemed Haike had gone to find the other one. Thunderous sounds continued from the direction of the adjacent building.

Already outside, several medical personnel and supporting mages were standing. They were all wearing gas masks to avoid Vitriol damage.

I carried the unconscious victim in my arms and went outside. As soon as he saw me, a Royal Mage I’d seen several times before came running toward me.

“Your Excellency Ascanien!”

“Yes. Please arrange transport.”

“Quickly take him to the Rampage hospital!”

He gestured to his subordinates and they took the victim I was carrying.

Haike must have finished as well and sent a signal through the artifact, because several mages ran toward the adjacent building.

If that side was finished too, now it was time for cleanup.

[Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath.]

I changed the wand at my waist back to a staff, swept once through the midair thick with Vitriol, and struck it down to the floor.

Kwaaaaaang—!!

I could feel people around looking this way due to the explosive sound. I continued chanting the spell and dealt with the Vitriol remaining in this area.

[The heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.]

The air became completely clear, and the remaining Vitriol seemed to sink to the floor before disappearing. The other mages looked around cautiously before starting to remove their gas masks.

Haike’s voice came from right behind me—when had he arrived?

“…This time it really seems like divine power too.”

“Really? Thanks.”

I gave a brief greeting and fell into thought.

There was something I needed to address now.

‘…How coincidental.’

Wasn’t something strange?

The fact that this location was only 500 meters away from the accommodation barrier.

There were other suspicious points too, but let’s set those aside for now. Why did a rampage incident occur right in front of the VIP accommodation? And with two people simultaneously at that.

Also, why did the problem occur at the exact moment we were passing through that area?

This meant the rampage source was somewhere around here, but was all of this just a simple coincidence?

I thought about this as I approached the building where the rampage had occurred again.

‘Could this possibly be…’

“Lucas. Come with me for a moment.”

Just as I was about to continue my thoughts, Haike came close and tapped me.

“Haike. I need to think about something for a moment.”

“There’s no time for that.”

Now I noticed Haike’s complexion wasn’t very good. He was looking around with wary eyes, turning his head to survey the surroundings.

“…”

Was there a reason for him to act like this? I silently followed where he led.

Haike led me to the first floor of the commercial building I had intended to go to and stood quietly.

He pointed at the floor. A strange white matchstick head was lying in one corner of the hallway.

‘White phosphorus match.’

It appeared again.

I picked it up and checked the back.

“…This time it’s S.”

T, A, S.

Three so far.

Unless it was an abbreviation for something, there wasn’t anything that particularly made sense.

Haike spoke rapidly in a voice as if his soul was half gone.

“If it’s Ast, it could be interpreted as a tree branch. What could this mean? Something was strange from the moment the rampage occurred here. Lucas, what do you think this is…”

“Haike.”

I stood up from my position and remained still. When I put my finger to my lips and signaled for him to listen quietly, Haike made a “hup” sound and closed his mouth.

I looked at the floor and spoke quietly.

“This is strange.”

“…”

“Listen carefully.”

Haike looked at the floor expressionlessly. After a while, he opened his mouth.

“…Rats?”

Right. Rat sounds could be heard faintly.

Only the volume was faint, but the sounds were heavily overlapping, making it impossible to guess how many there were.

I exchanged glances with Haike and went downstairs.

Haike stood beside me with his wand drawn.

I silently opened the door leading underground.

“…!”

Haike frowned and stepped backward. The rat crying sounds clustered together and came loudly like the screams of rampagers. Dozens of boxes were placed here and there.

I went inside and lifted the cloth covering one box.

‘As expected.’

A foul smell stung my nose. Contaminated rats were packed so tightly in one cage there was no room to step, and something presumed to be Vitriol was flowing out from underneath.

What did this mean?

“Is my guess correct?”

Haike said this out of nowhere.

I shrugged my shoulders and answered.

“Probably.”

For terrorism.

They must have been planning to release this on the streets. Most likely around Penthalon.

Then what would happen?

I looked around.

I could see one open cage. There was nothing inside it.

Haike’s expressionless face began to turn pale.

“Haike. Could you go tell them upstairs?”

Haike silently started to go up, then tapped me again.

He picked up something that had fallen in one corner and showed it to me.

White phosphorus matches again.

I checked the back.

A, E, E, G, L, L, N, S. And… including the match with unknown holes drilled in a row through the wooden part, there were nine matches total with some kind of markings.

“…”

Haike looked down at them with a hardened expression, then looked at me.

The matches that couldn’t reach us were here.

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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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