How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 278
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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 (278)
At least I’ve secured my identity, so I can rest easy. It’s a world where Lukas Everett can legally move around.
First, now that I know where the restricted areas are, let me find the areas I can move to. I need to check how far this great ability has set its limits and how far it’s made things possible.
‘Starting with the Parliament Building.’
The moment I took a deep breath and snapped my fingers, the texture of the wind changed and I could see a blue park and buildings before my eyes.
Okay. I can warp to Parliament.
I tried several other government office buildings in Brandenburg as well as Berlin, and it was possible. It seemed like anywhere was fine as long as Ascanien wasn’t there.
‘Good. This is enough.’
Let’s not warp anymore… I feel like I’m going to throw up. Now that I know a few places I can go, it’s time to see what’s happening here. Feeling my stamina completely drained, I bought a copy of the Imperial Newspaper from a nearby newsstand.
[March 20, 1866]
[Dead People Come Back to Life? Corpse Revival in Bavaria Following Prussia]
“…”
This kind of news on the front page?
I was briefly happy to come to a world where Pleroma, temperament, hyung, nothing would interfere with me, but now I feel suffocated again. How delightful to encounter Pleroma’s insane acts even in news from 12 years ago.
Then the newsstand owner, chewing on something, suddenly held out fresh bread.
“Have this.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a madeleine I bought earlier, and it’s delicious.”
“…”
I can’t even accept kindness purely. I purified it at an angle where the newsstand owner couldn’t see. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with it, and since my heart was using all its energy due to the warp, I felt I should eat something, so I put it to my mouth. As I ate the bread, the owner stared intently at my face and asked.
“High school student? How old are you?”
“I’m 23.”
At least according to my passport age. And it’s not a lie emotionally either. I was 23 years old when I was last in my world. Now my birthday has passed too, so I wonder if I should add another year.
“Oh, are you by any chance a New Human?”
“Yes.”
“That’s nice.”
“Why?”
“Why? Being a mage is so cool.”
When was it that they used to burn innocent people alive for supposedly using magic that didn’t even exist… Actually, whether it’s that magic or this magic, they can be accepted the same way when they’re ready to be accepted, but indeed reactions differ this much depending on who holds the power.
The newsstand owner pointed to the front page of the newspaper I was looking at and said.
“These days I wonder if someone might take me there too.”
“Sir, that’s Pleroma. What are you saying…”
“It is those people’s doing, right? It seems like a territorialist sect so it’s a bit concerning, but don’t they bring dead people back to life? And let them use magic too.”
A territorialist sect? Is that all they perceive it as? Territorialist or whatever, they’re doing insane things that have no precedent anywhere in history. It’s not yet the time when Pleroma will gain notoriety like in 1898, 12 years later. There would be significant negative public opinion, but their current image doesn’t seem to be established yet. I asked while skimming through the newspaper.
“Anyway, setting that aside, do you know anything about Anhalt? I’m curious about recent news but don’t know what to look at.”
“Anhalt? Hmm… There’s a kid there that the Imperial Court has their eye on. Actually, if rumors reach our ears, it’s almost certain he’ll be appointed.”
“Is that so. That kid is Adrian, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I heard he goes to the 3rd Education Institute.”
“That’s true, but he’s already at the Imperial Court. The Imperial Court is raising him like their own child. What they plan to make him do later…”
“…”
I slowly nodded. This is how I learn information that Luca, being six years old, didn’t know well.
‘Well, the age difference is quite an obstacle.’
Intelligence isn’t related to age. Although they might be lacking in things that can only be learned in society, since age and intelligence aren’t proportional, even a child in their early to mid-teens can have thinking speed and calculation ability that matches adults. When you actually meet such a person, you become disillusioned enough to fully understand. Anyway, what can a six-year-old do against such a hyung?
‘…Of course, this only applies if the knowledge I knew is true.’
Even if that’s wrong, I must survive in this political arena. Now the opponents I must face include not only hyung but also the Prussian government and public opinion.
The system told me from the beginning to survive within 777 days. What I need to do hasn’t changed. I organized my suddenly arising thoughts and flipped the newspaper to the job section while letting the newsstand owner’s chatter go in one ear and out the other. As soon as I did, my eyes lit up.
Ding—!
Proposal 2. Find the Host
— Reward: EC point +3
It says Gastgeber. Owner. Host. Am I supposed to find the host of this world? Isn’t this a world created by my ability?
And what exactly are those points used for?
‘Setting that aside for now.’
Jobs first. I happen to have an idea…
Ding—!
Extra Chapter
— Stage 1 Special Reward
: We give traits in Extra Chapter too!
“Come to think of it, you do look somewhat similar?”
The status window and the owner’s words simultaneously broke my thoughts.
Maybe because it’s just the beginning, windows pop up very frequently. It reminds me of the frequency when I first came to this world. Of course, since it’s a period with nothing, I welcome it, but it’s hectic.
Thinking I should gradually leave this place, I asked briefly.
“Who do you say I resemble?”
“Georg Ascanien. Ah~ that’s strange. Is my memory wrong? You’re not him, right?”
“…”
“Of course not. I was just saying you’re handsome~ hahaha!”
I got goosebumps.
He probably said it without much thought, but I didn’t take it that way. I should leave before that person remembers again that I’m a New Human. I quickly said goodbye and left.
I found an alley between buildings where there were no people and cast a small spatial magic. It was magic that would break if someone touched it, but it was useful at times like this.
‘This won’t do. Let me grow my hair first.’
I shouldn’t be relieved just because I have an identity. I need to make it so people don’t immediately think of Ascanien when they see my appearance.
Georg Ascanien 12 years later has long hair, but as far as I know, Georg Ascanien of this period doesn’t. If he has short hair, I should change my appearance differently from his to delay recognition.
As I recited the formula and snapped my fingers, my black hair grew long. I think I’ve pulled about 3 years’ worth of time with this. I swept back the hair covering my eyes and brought back the notification window that had disappeared earlier.
‘Stage 1 special reward.’
What else are they giving me?
I should be happy if they give me traits, but I have skeptical thoughts first… I think the trait appeared because I thought ‘what are the points used for’ earlier.
I see a familiar cluster of light before my eyes. A pile of notes that looked like torn and folded book pages appeared. It’s a similar scene to when I drew the charm trait. This time too, I couldn’t check the contents because of the light.
‘Well, I hope something good comes out this time.’
When I grabbed one note and unfolded it, a new window appeared before my eyes.
Congratulations!
The ‘Time Difference’ trait has been added!
‘Oh.’
This confirms they’re really watching me. Time difference is what I was thinking about earlier, isn’t it? Since I don’t know how the time difference between here and outside works, I should quickly find out about everything.
Time Difference Lv. 1
— Current time [Extra Chapter:Chapter 7] [1:1]
— Next time [2:1]
— 1.0 EC point until next level
1:1.
It seems like when 1 minute passes here, 1 minute also passes outside.
“…”
My spine tingles. What about Leo? I spent about 20 minutes here. Am I even in that place to begin with? Am I sleeping?
‘Let me go out.’
Jobs aside, now that I know how time flows between here and outside, I can’t stay here indefinitely. I can come back to this stage to find a job when my friends aren’t looking for me and I’m alone in my room.
The moment I thought that, I suddenly opened my eyes. The room somewhere in the Prince’s Palace with only artificial lighting spread out again.
“…!”
“Luca!”
Elias, who had been in the room without my knowledge, grabbed my shoulder. I can see Leo’s face behind him. I turned my eyes back to Elias who was shouting at me.
“Where did you warp to?! I should have blocked it bidirectionally!”
“Ah.”
So it’s being perceived as warping. Anyway, I’m glad I came back even a second faster. I removed Elias who was grabbing and shaking my shoulder and said.
“…It was a mistake. Sorry.”
Leo, who was visible behind Elias, looked puzzled for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
“I told you to wait. You suddenly disappeared and startled me…”
“Come to think of it, Luca can warp by himself now?!”
“It was more of a mistake than my intention. But I came back pretty quickly, didn’t I?”
Leo answered firmly to my words.
“I waited here for 10 minutes.”
“I see.”
I muttered while leaning back against the backrest.
I had returned. Coming back to this world, the excited mood I had when I was in the other world disappeared. My temperament, traits, blood. There were many things to worry about, so it couldn’t be helped.
Actually, that other world was probably normal, and this is the depressed state.
“Luca.”
Elias called me with a serious voice.
I could guess what he was going to talk about, but I didn’t want to hear any stories right now.
“I worked so hard to fatten you up, but it’s all gone again~”
“…”
I quickly ran my hand over my forearm and squinted at Elias. How hard was it to force food into my mouth even when I wasn’t hungry, and now all that effort has been reset? Seeing my expression darken, Elias chuckled. Then he suddenly stood up and said.
“I’m on your side, Luca.”
“…”
I looked up at Elias at the sudden unexpected words. Elias pointed at Leo and grumbled.
“I followed you here, but he says he has something to talk about briefly, so I have to go out again. See you later.”
“Elias, wait…”
Elias just waved playfully and slipped out.
I stared at the spot where he had left for a while. I remember how he joked with me alone when everyone was worried about me after returning from the Archbishop’s world. This is his consideration. Elias’s way of showing care. He has always given me the reaction I wanted.
Leo didn’t speak and briefly leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. He must have accumulated more fatigue during those 10 minutes. Leo took his time before asking me.
“You’re going to turn back time.”
Such an important topic came up right away.
I haven’t heard his story about time yet. I collapsed on the day I was supposed to hear it. Then Leo said firmly.
“You have to turn it back, Lucas.”
“I know.”
“Even if you turn it back, this trait might not disappear. That’s my prediction.”
Leo hesitated to say more and closed his mouth. I could hear the sound of him swallowing saliva. I couldn’t help but notice he was reluctant to speak.
“…I heard an explanation from Narke the day before yesterday too. People commonly think magic is hereditary, but it’s not. What’s genetically inherited isn’t magic, but the core. Then unique abilities would also be abilities of the core.”
“Right.”
“Honestly, our magic research still has many uncertain parts. We thought the phenomenon of matching unique abilities among relatives occurred due to heredity, but what if it actually happens because family members have similar soul textures?”
“That’s terrifying.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Leo seemed to be thinking of the same someone I had in mind. He made a subtle expression, then cleared his throat and continued.
“…Haike is still relatively pure, so let’s try to block her somehow. Anyway, since magic and core interact with each other, they come to resemble each other over a long time. Eventually, both became your unique traits, so originally the distinction is meaningless. But if magic belongs to the soul and the core belongs to the body, when time is turned back, the core will return but the magic will remain as is.”
“Mm.”
“The core bound to time will improve. But if your magic has been altered, the core will gradually assimilate to your magic.”
“Right, I know. You’re saying it won’t completely return.”
I expected that. Even if only half returns, if I can slow down time, it’s beneficial.
I answered calmly while looking at him.
“But the political issues are definitely different. You also had this in mind when you told me to turn back time, right?”
“You know well.”
At Leo’s affirmation, I looked into the air and said.
“Hyung would have wanted me to absorb everyone’s magic at that spot and drain them dry. Me collapsing wasn’t in Hyung’s plan.”
“How were you so sure of that?”
“I’m not sure either. I instinctively shut down.”
I gave a rough excuse. My heart stopping was the result of a special reward. It was something that wouldn’t have happened originally. If I hadn’t been forced to stop there, I would have sucked in all the magic of everyone present. With the thirst and hunger I felt before the cardiac arrest, only that result was possible.
In other words, Hyung didn’t want such a peaceful ending. While it’s enough chaos for me, this incident would have been quite a disappointing result for him.
When I finished speaking there, Leo also understood what I was trying to say and began talking about public opinion.
“Right now, the people think you lost consciousness because you pushed yourself too hard while still not fully recovered. Public opinion toward you is still positive, and it’s even rising more because of this incident. If this incident was really something your brother planned meticulously, it’s actually flowing in the complete opposite direction from that plan.”
The Chapter 6 special reward was definitely a reward. Although the extreme method of killing me once and then reviving me was used, without it, I would now be buried according to Hyung’s intentions. I would have been absorbing everyone’s magic. However, I still stand as both a victim of terrorism and a hero to the people, and this incident was helpful to my public opinion. ‘Externally’. And currently, external matters are the most important issue. The confusion of identity must be set aside for now.
I smiled and wiggled my finger.
“Right, I know well. I have an advantage here, and you know I’m already known to the people as having a temperament, right?”
“I know.”
“Anyway, the people of this Empire and continent believed I had a temperament that absorbs others’ magic. They believed it was temporarily dormant, so if I didn’t show signs of going berserk, this situation won’t be a minus for me externally. It stays the same.”
Leo crossed his arms and nodded. I paused briefly and reviewed our previous conversation.
“But if Nicolaus comes out in this situation, it’s a different story. Before, after seeing what kind of attack Hyung makes, you said to turn back time and then reveal that I’m Nicolaus, right?”
“…I did say that. But…”
“I think the same as you.”
I looked at Leo. Leo, who had been looking troubled, saw my eyes and closed his mouth. I slowly turned my head away from him and continued speaking while lost in thought.
“I can’t show the cards I’ve hidden here. Since Hyung’s cards dealt massive damage to me, I can’t do something that would benefit Hyung at this moment.”
That weapon that dropped my changeability by 30%p, the most decisive defensive and offensive tool proving I have divine power, to use it here… It’s very hasty. If I confirm that I’m Nicolaus at this moment, I’d be giving Hyung an opportunity to send me off very grandly.
Let me think more about Nicolaus at this point. Nicolaus’s most important characteristic is divine power. The most decisive reason Prussia is wary of Nicolaus and Bavaria is trying to recruit Nicolaus is the immense divine power above all else. Of course, since Nicolaus has immense divine power and is loyal to Bavaria, Nicolaus finds it difficult to exert significant political influence in Prussia. Prussia will never give me a position higher than Vice Chairman of the Magic Security Advisory Committee in the future. They’ll maintain friendly relations but won’t give fixed positions beyond temporary organizations. They won’t entrust Nicolaus with vice-ministerial positions in the Ministry of Magic or Security, nor will they put him up as a candidate for Prime Minister. The moment I raise my name value, it becomes doing Bavaria a favor. Prussia’s will was clearly shown from the time of preparing for the Penthalon opening ceremony terrorism. When I discovered the basement covered with contaminated rats near Tis Hotel and a meeting was convened, why wasn’t Nicolaus summoned even when the King of Bavaria and Prince participated?
Even without listing all the reasons, their intention is clear. All answers came from here. From Nicolaus’s perspective, it could be taken as outrageous, but crisis is opportunity. I found politically usable possibilities from this fact. Originally, I thought I had done enough and wasn’t going to use it this far, but…
‘Since the situation has become like this, I have no choice but to use it.’
I will target Prussia as well.
To prevent the Empire from joining hands with Adrian Ascanien, I must not be satisfied with Bavaria but make Prussia my ally too. In other words, I’ll make Prussia raise Lucas Ascanien as a second Nicolaus Ernst, as a rival to Nicolaus Ernst.
At the same time, as Nicolaus Ernst, I’ll raise Bavaria well so that my Bavaria devours Prussia.
For this purpose too, I must not yet reveal that I’m Nicolaus.
I looked into Leo’s eyes again and said clearly.
“The cleaner, the better. My brother would have known that my trait manifested just from me collapsing at that timing. If my trait remains the same even after turning back time, since the trigger has already been pulled, I won’t collapse even if I drink holy blood this time.”
“…Hmm, under the premise that the trait remains even after turning back time, that’s highly probable. Should I consider this fortunate?”
Leo rested his chin on his hand and tapped his lips with his finger, thinking for a while, then nodded. I smiled and clapped once.
“Good. We’re done organizing. How’s the situation outside?”
“You want me to explain in more detail than what I said earlier?”
“Right. You know well.”
“I should have noticed from when you used me as a newspaper shuttle…”
Leo muttered with an uncomfortable expression. This guy doesn’t want to be called Prince outside, but his behavior is exactly like a prince.
“Many people want to meet you. You’re still the Empire’s hero. You’ll have to spend the next month meeting political and business figures of the Empire.”
“Mm, right. But the Empire’s… don’t call it that.”
It doesn’t matter when I’m calculating public opinion battles alone, but when others say it like this, it gives me chills. It reminds me of the blue-eyed Hunter…
Leo chuckled and asked.
“What about the train ticket to Italy. Will you use it?”
“No, I’m going to Berlin. Not Italy.”
“You’re going to send a letter?”
“Right.”
I can confirm Hyung’s next plan without going directly to Italy. He said to write a letter when I arrive in Berlin. I need to hear his demands before turning back time.
Leo’s words were also asking if I was going to meet Hyung directly before turning back time. Of course, it’s a good suggestion. But there’s a problem. The maximum range I can arbitrarily set and turn back time is 6 hours. Since three days have already passed sleeping, I have to rely on the previous checkpoint. Fortunately, my previous checkpoint is saved at the Eucharist liturgy at Theatine Cathedral, but if I delay more time, there’s a risk it will be updated after that.
‘I should calculate points and upgrade characteristics first.’
Then Leo blocked my way.
“Wait. We’re not done talking yet.”
“What more do you have to say?”
Leo opened a box that was on the nightstand and took out a medicine bottle. I instantly felt a chill down my spine.
Anyone would feel this way seeing this. It’s about the size of a perfume bottle, maybe 30ml. I can see the red liquid inside the medicine bottle. Something thicker than water…
“…Blood?”
“Of course.”
“What do you mean ‘of course’? What did you bring this for? No, whose blood is this in the first place?”
“….”
“It’s not human blood, right?”
Leo didn’t answer. Instead, he held out the bottle with an unreadable smile.
Then I heard something insane.
“Try drinking it.”
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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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