How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 323

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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 (323)

 

“Success.”

 

Ulrike muttered in the downtown area where everything at the edge of vision was scattering white. 3 minutes 31 seconds. Despite being 14 seconds slower than them, hopeful words came from Ulrike’s mouth. I reflexively looked toward where Cheringen was at the word success.

 

When Cheringen, who had been standing with his arms crossed and a relieved expression, made eye contact with me, he smiled brightly and only then extended his hand. I belatedly realized that I had somehow firmly believed he would naturally attempt a high-five first. Feeling somewhat embarrassed for some reason, I quickly slapped his hand and gestured to my friends. Now we had to return.

 

When we returned to the seats in the small stadium, the Representative Mage of Class 91 stood up from his seat. Team B of the 98th Batch hadn’t been here until just before we went in, but they had quickly come in. The report they had just handled must have ended. Now if another report came in, either Team B or Team C of the 98th Batch would go out again, but it was good timing that everyone happened to gather.

 

“Good work. It’s admirable to directly see the rampage processing of the two teams with the highest efficiency.”

 

Even while saying this, the Representative Mage of Class 91 still had an expressionless face. A face without particular interest, passion, or deep thought. That wouldn’t be a problem. Rather, it should be welcomed.

 

“Now that we need to move directly using one of the two methods, let’s have a proper discussion. In my view, both teams did well, but now the question is whether Class 91 and Teams B and C of the 98th Batch can follow the capabilities of these two teams. In that sense, what do the representatives of Class 91 Teams B and C think?”

 

The Representative Mage of Class 91 said with a slight smile. At those words, the Captain of Class 91 Team B opened his mouth.

 

“First… Class 91 and the 98th Batch, excluding the 101st, have gone to various sites as Royal Mages and experienced many things, but in fact, rampage processing is something that’s been less than 3 months for all of us. Especially regarding high-risk rampagers, we’ve only had about a week of experience, so it’s fair to say everyone doesn’t have much experience. I was deeply impressed that the two teams established efficient strategies for dealing with high-risk rampagers in just one week.”

 

The Captain of Class 91 Team B was saying what the Class 91 representative should have said.

 

“It’s not a week though.”

 

Elias cast a sound-blocking spell next to me and said playfully. It’s not a week, right. Since we improvised it…

 

“First, it was notable that Class 98 Team A trained with firearms as their main focus. Next, the 101st’s 2-5 formation stood out. The role of two people restricting the rampager’s actions, that is… to correspond with Class 98 Team A’s method, you could say two people substituted for the role of firearms.”

 

He understood it reasonably well. I silently waited for his words to continue.

 

“Seeing both teams finish in about 3 minutes, it’s clear that both methods are effective. Especially since the 101st gathered people outstanding enough to be selected early from high school, I speculated they shortened the time with their individual capabilities, but I was surprised there was an unexpected key point. To give my personal impression… both methods became simple and clear guidelines for how we should act, but among them, the easiest method to follow was Class 98 Team A’s.”

 

“…”

 

At those words, the Class 98 Team A members smiled. My friends also smiled politely. The Captain of Class 91 Team B looked at us alternately and continued speaking.

 

“Let me say again, there seems to be no major problem using either of the two methods. It’s true that both are simple and clear.”

 

“Our C Team also completely agrees with this opinion. We’ve been using self-defense cartridges as auxiliary means until now, but we can form formations to actively utilize them like this and train for a few days.”

 

The Captain of Class 91 Team C nodded and responded positively.

 

‘Even if we present a method anyone can follow… we can’t beat the convenience that tools provide, is that it.’

 

That would be the case. 1. Making the rampager focus somewhere to actively utilize the nerve dispersion effect and 2. Compressing mana to the maximum then 3. Installing barriers several times stronger than normal barriers would be more difficult than 1. Surrounding then 2. Pulling the trigger. However, there’s something these people are missing. I don’t intend to speak before this neutral environment definitely tilts toward us.

 

Our goal wasn’t to hear something like ‘Yes, your method is the best so we should do it like you’ in this place, but to balance the scales that had been completely tilted toward Class 98 Team A. Now we need the work of placing one more weight.

 

Then, the Captain of Class 98 Team C raised his hand and looked at the Class 91 representative.

 

“I have something I’m curious about regarding the 101st. May I ask a question?”

 

The Class 91 representative gestured as if to go ahead. The Captain of Class 98 Team C stood up from his seat and smiled leisurely.

 

“Well… I understood well that you disrupted the rampager’s five senses with mana condensates. But what was the reason for going to the trouble of producing similar effects with magic instead of using Class 98 Team A’s method? You could just shoot the legs, right?”

 

“…”

 

He asked with a confident expression, raising his eyebrows. Though his actions seemed to lack any seriousness, anyway he was speaking for my sake.

 

Nepomucena Bettin. This person is also from a ruling family. Usually, Teams A through C of one class aren’t decided randomly but by skill level, and this person is called a talent comparable to Albert Mecklenburg, the A Team captain, having developed rapidly after selection rather than at the time of selection. It was just a rumor I picked up after entering here… From the fact that he just gave me a chance to speak by disguising it as a question, I could tell he wasn’t particularly favorable toward Albert Mecklenburg.

 

Elias next to me cast a sound-blocking spell and smiled crookedly.

 

“Hey~ the time has come. You’ll have to show off your special minister speech skills.”

 

Whether he cast the sound-blocking spell including Leo, I can see Leo, sitting to my left, clenching his fist tightly. To have the presence of mind to say such things even in this situation is really appealing. When I stood up, several Class 91 mages smiled strangely. It was probably because I stepped forward instead of Leo, who was the captain, unexpectedly.

 

Why not shoot the legs. I made eye contact with them and opened my mouth.

 

“Obviously, bringing down a rampager in such a way means making the victim we should rescue into a cripple.”

 

Perhaps because I made them face reality from the start, only silence lingered in the audience. I could feel Mecklenburg’s cold gaze reaching me.

 

“We wanted a method that would produce the best efficiency while not harming the safety of the citizens we should rescue. Therefore, we concluded not to inflict irreversible harm on rampagers unless the safety of us rescuers was seriously threatened.”

 

“I see. But the bodies of high-risk rampagers aren’t intact anyway.”

 

Nepomucena Bettin shrugged with a smile.

 

So, since they’d have to live as cripples even if they survived anyway, what difference would it make to conveniently shoot them a bit. The Representative Mage of Class 91 now looked at me with a slightly more interested face. He too seemed to think these words were right and was waiting for my answer.

 

“Being able to bring them down physically using firearms means the legs weren’t yet dissolved by Vitriol, and taking them to the hospital in that state means they could live with intact legs with high probability. Since we had a method to reduce secondary damage in a short time without inflicting additional harm, there was no reason not to choose this method.”

 

“…”

 

The Representative Mage of Class 91 nodded readily. When Nepomucena Bettin raised his eyebrows and sat down, silence followed.

 

“…Huh.”

 

Mecklenburg let out a short breath. It was certain that Nepomucena Bettin had annoyed him. Mecklenburg raised his hand to ask the Class 91 representative’s understanding and opened his mouth.

 

“Dissolution by Vitriol happens in an instant. In one minute, legs that were fine can dissolve and Vitriol can replace that spot. If we didn’t use firearms when the legs remained and took them to the hospital according to the recommended time, the probability of losing their life entirely rather than one leg would have increased.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“We who value every second are at a crossroads of choice and concentration. If we can sacrifice the rampager’s legs to drastically reduce damage in a short time, if we can prevent additional rampages by doing so, wouldn’t that be the correct answer.”

 

Mecklenburg finished speaking with a humorless face. Since he looked at me, I immediately asked.

 

“I’d like to ask if there’s a reason we must sacrifice even though there’s a method to suppress secondary damage in a short time without sacrificing legs.”

 

“Because that’s also a way to reduce total costs. I understand feeling sympathy for rampagers too.”

 

“The 101st knows that efficiency is an extremely important value and moves according to it. Actually, regarding this topic, I have something I’d like to say to everyone here.”

 

When I finished speaking while looking into the Class 91 representative’s eyes, he gestured with his chin to continue.

 

“We are part of the state. The public sees the state reflected in the Royal Mage Association. Because we are His Majesty the Emperor’s first servants and the state’s second servants. I know well that saying such things as the 101st is presumptuous, but from the position of a citizen who has been able to enjoy peace under the hard work of the Royal Mage Association, I dare to say to my seniors. Please reconsider your judgment.”

 

“…”

 

Only those who have practiced smooth talk do it well; those who haven’t are indeed…

 

However, it didn’t seem like such a bad choice. Though they could feel displeased thinking the 101st was being too presumptuous, Class 91 had expressions not much different from before. Rather, several seemed subtly flustered as if they had forgotten how they were perceived by the public, briefly exchanging glances among themselves. The Representative Mage of Class 91, who had been without expression change, opened his mouth.

 

“Tell me what judgment you’re referring to.”

 

“Using firearms will cause the worst results in the long term. I’m saying this from a position that values efficiency and results, not sympathy for rampagers.”

 

I’ve been going on about efficiency from earlier, but it’s somewhat different from the facts. For me, having a job where I must save people, efficiency is certainly an important value and I’m actually developing this argument considering efficiency, but that doesn’t mean I’m making this argument solely because my heart is moved by efficiency. To handle all worldly affairs with only efficiency, one must forget even minimal humanity.

 

Nevertheless, the reason I keep mentioning efficiency is because there’s no other way to deal with those obsessed with efficiency except through that. Therefore, I will now explain how economically inefficient their choice is in the long term.

 

The Class 91 representative asked immediately before I could continue.

 

“On what grounds?”

 

“Shooting rampagers’ legs or killing them is certainly an extremely efficient method in terms of resources. However, why hasn’t the state, knowing this efficient method, demanded this method from the Royal Mage Association long ago? If this is truly the method that produces the best results, why don’t they use this method and inform the citizens? Expanding information transparency now when public anxiety has reached its peak becomes a strategic choice to calm crowd anxiety. So why don’t they do that?”

 

“…”

 

“It’s simple. Because this is exactly the method Pleroma wants.”

 

Breathing sounds can be heard. Then silence flowed. I can see Class 91 mages raising their eyebrows, Mecklenburg’s eyes narrowing. The expressions of Class 98 Team A hardened even more than theirs.

 

“The state kills its citizens. Even if we Royal Mages had no intention of harming citizens, the fact that we inflict irreversible harm on all those we should rescue is clear. The collapse of the safe fence called the state and all the people within joining together in a new powerful community toward a new world. It seems clear which side would want this. Like any pseudo-religion, Pleroma wants and continues to want the collapse of social systems. That they boldly kidnapped mages all at once after confirming their influence since Penthalon was also a choice wanting national chaos along with the desire to steal technology, I dare say.”

 

“…”

 

Why does Abraham persist with high-cost rampage treatment while knowing the efficient method of shooting all rampagers dead? Why did I evaluate Albert Mecklenburg as short-sighted?

 

Shooting rampagers dead goes beyond simply processing immediate reports quickly and connects to trust issues in the state system. In this turbulent era, the loss from losing citizens’ trust in the state is thousands of times greater than the immediate benefit of shooting rampagers dead. Even if ordinary citizens don’t know, rulers and politicians must think this far, and most sitting here are those called to the rampage processing unit while combining political life with Royal Mage duties.

 

The Representative Mage of Class 91 spoke in a gentle voice after a long while.

 

“Citizens regard high-risk rampagers as monsters.”

 

“That’s correct. And the awareness that they too could become like those rampagers at any time is also clear.”

 

“In this calamity, citizens would accept that we have no choice but to amputate legs unavoidably during the rescue process.”

 

“…”

 

Should I seriously answer even nonsense? After choosing silence as my answer instead while pondering, he smiled faintly and spread his hands. It was a voice containing explanation as if he had asked questions that could come from the audience instead.

 

“Right. The key point is that it’s not an unavoidable situation. Since there’s the 101st’s method.”

 

“…Thank you. To prevent misunderstanding, I’m not arguing to stick to the 101st’s method, nor am I simply saying to unconditionally prevent firearm use. I just hope you’ll reconsider the method of indiscriminately inflicting harm in situations where rescuers’ safety isn’t threatened.”

 

The Representative Mage of Class 91 pulled up the corners of his mouth with a troubled expression. He snapped his fingers to cast a sound-blocking spell and conversed with other Class 91 mages. When the sound from Class 91, which had been in a neutral position, was completely removed, cold silence flowed. The faces of Class 98 Team A and Mecklenburg were hardened beyond measure. Only Vice-Captain Erich Reichenau was rolling his eyes with an ambiguous expression.

 

Only after a long while did the sound-blocking spell break. The Representative Mage of Class 91 looked straight at me and spoke.

 

“Those are correct words.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ve heard Lucas Rene Ascanien’s suggestion well. If citizens completely define rampagers as things of evil, it would be different, but at the same time citizens know they themselves could rampage. Causing any possible loss to His Majesty the Emperor through our arbitrary decisions is unacceptable.”

 

I can see the faces of friends sitting around me brightening. The Class 91 representative immediately continued.

 

“So can you prove it right now?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Can teams other than the 101st execute your method?”

 

“…”

 

What couldn’t they do. Everyone here is a skilled practitioner. Even if mana quantity is lacking, isn’t there a way to offset that? They wouldn’t be unaware of what exactly I’ve been arguing until now…

 

“Let’s have you command another team for exactly 5 minutes right now. Outside Mimesis, using the 101st’s method. What do the remaining five mages think, excluding Class 98 Team A’s Albert Mecklenburg?”

 

“…!”

 

Shock appeared on the faces of 101st friends and Class 98 Team A. I said while suppressing a hollow laugh.

 

“For me to command my seniors…”

 

“The field is the field and outside the field is outside the field.”

 

Even using the same method as before, this is an unreasonable demand by anyone’s standards. I achieved the result of 3 minutes 31 seconds together with friends I’d coordinated with, but now he’s telling me to produce results using people I’ve never coordinated with even once. Using people who would be most hostile to me right now, at that.

 

“If you can process a Class 3 rampager using the 101st’s method within the 5-minute time limit, I’ll accept Lucas Rene Ascanien’s suggestion. However, if you can’t command properly within 5 minutes, I’ll leave future rampage processing to the autonomy of all teams.”

 

“This is really ridiculous.”

 

Elias’s cold muttering can be heard.

 

However, I began to think that it might not be as terrible as Elias had described.

 

Is this a compromise policy? There’s hardly any reason for him to refuse my words. The fact that he’s saying this now isn’t simply due to the legitimacy of my proposal alone. In other words…

 

‘Hmm.’

 

There’s a possibility he laid the groundwork to protect the 101st’s position. At this rate, the relationship between Team 98A and the 101st would deteriorate irreversibly. Of course, conflict with the 98th would be unavoidable regardless, but he could give legitimacy to the 101st, who are junior.

 

“I cannot accept this.”

 

Albert Mecklenburg’s response came. His usually calm expression was genuinely broken for once. Anyone could tell from his voice that he was suppressing his emotions.

 

“Then would it be acceptable to adopt Count Ascanien’s proposal?”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg didn’t answer. The Representative Mage of Class 91, interpreting his meaning, continued speaking.

 

“We in Class 91 already know well that the 98th’s capabilities are excellent. We trust you won’t deliberately interfere with progress. Please approach this professionally, setting aside personal feelings and opinions.”

 

* * *

 

“What a noble thing you’re doing.”

 

On the way to Mimesis Training Ground, I heard sarcasm from Team 98A following behind me.

 

“…I harbor no resentment toward you seniors. I only feel apologetic for presumptuously commanding you. I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me afterward without objection.”

 

There was a moment of silence, as if they hadn’t expected me to bow down immediately, but it didn’t last long. Soon I heard an exasperated sigh. My passionate performance was unfortunately only half effective. Someone sneered.

 

“You hear a lot that you’re all talk, don’t you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

This approach was more effective. I could feel their bewilderment behind me, wondering what kind of person I was. Just as someone was about to grab my shoulder firmly, I arrived at the training ground and immediately turned toward them.

 

“I swear I didn’t make that proposal because I wanted to cause trouble for you seniors. I know that whatever I say won’t truly reach your hearts… but I must apologize for commanding you seniors.”

 

“Oh please, I’m sure you really mean that.”

 

Someone said with wide eyes. However, several standing behind didn’t show such malice. They just looked tired from being dragged into the fight between two teams along with Class 91. Vice-Captain Erich Reichenau also just stood there dazed, looking like he wondered how things had come to this, showing no apparent malice.

 

The person who had picked a fight earlier approached threateningly and said.

 

“You’ve probably handled the 101st countless times so you know them well, but we won’t be able to do the same. Don’t be disappointed when the time comes, and prepare yourself mentally now. Lord Reichenau, please say something too.”

 

“…”

 

The vice-captain, who had been looking at us with drooped shoulders and an expression aged by ten years, sighed and spoke.

 

“Let’s finish this quickly…”

 

“What’s wrong with you?”

 

As expected, they too had been friends since school days, so the mage who had picked the fight was flustered and used informal speech. A mage standing behind, glaring at me with annoyed eyes, pressed his forehead.

 

“…Never mind. It starts in one minute. Do you know anything? Even if you use that method you showed earlier, you’re not expecting to handle it within 5 minutes without prior knowledge about the mage, are you?”

 

“…”

 

“You’d better not think we’ll tell you about our abilities if you ask about them now.”

 

“This guy will only be able to say stuff like ‘run over there~’. What are you expecting!”

 

“First.”

 

When I cut off their words, Vice-Captain Erich Reichenau’s concerned gaze turned to me. It didn’t take long to realize it wasn’t concern for me, but concern for Team 98A. I immediately continued.

 

“Are you planning to deliberately reduce your performance to stop me?”

 

“Is there anything to be disciplined for?”

 

An irritated retort came immediately.

 

“There’s a limit to looking down on people. If you have time to worry about that, think about strategy instead.”

 

This time, unlike before, everyone’s expressions sharpened. Good. That was an answer. For the sake of their pride as mages—though they’re already worried about discipline—they won’t obviously move half-heartedly. They might subtly reduce their performance though. If they subtly reduce their performance, there’s nothing I can do. Even so, I just need to devise a strategy that ensures success.

 

And naturally, I need to do some groundwork before that.

 

‘Ah, this was the method I was going to use on Mecklenburg.’

 

I ended up using it earlier than planned. I lowered my eyes slightly and opened my mouth.

 

“Senior.”

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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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