How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 329

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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 (329)

 

The sensation when your lungs inflate to their limit is always the worst. Even when you try to exhale, you can’t. I reflexively covered my ears. It was useless. The rough breathing sounds I was making sounded like someone else’s screams.

 

When humans are deprived of physical freedom, they seem to suffer from some kind of impulse. Having lost the ability to breathe autonomously, I couldn’t tell if what I was feeling now was that impulse or fear. It might be the same thing. Since I had taken away my own freedom, the answer led to eliminating myself. Half the path to unconsciousness is drowsiness, half is pain. I slowly bent my body. There was no floor. I couldn’t tell if I was falling or rising, and my five senses were being devoured by the rushing breath.

 

[This…]

 

Splash—

 

“…!”

 

Cold water struck my face. I reflexively exhaled sharply. My eyes opened wide. The cloth covering my face and the water obstructing my breathing, the lamplight spreading beneath the cloth, my head tilted back, that moment came rushing at me. Tap tap, the sound of the old man’s cane scraped against my auditory cells.

 

An emotion I hadn’t even known at the time suddenly burst forth.

 

Crash—!

 

“Cough…! Ugh…”

 

Mecklenburg, his face completely contorted, hit my arm. Only then did I realize what I was doing. My head felt fuzzy. I felt something rising up through my throat with a surge. As I hurriedly backed away, he got up from his position while coughing. I realized that Marco Schreiber’s face, the chairman’s subordinates, none of them were here. Even though they had just been here. As if time axes had overlapped… I realized an unfamiliar room was coming into view. I stayed dazed in that state before speaking.

 

“…I’m sorry, Senior.”

 

“…I’m wondering whether I should be relieved that you at least know.”

 

Mecklenburg, who had been massaging his throat, spoke sarcastically in a cold voice. I had neither the will nor the leisure to explain. The world was still shaking without center. It felt like my skull was cracked. Nonsensical thoughts were spinning around in my head. Only after a long while did I manage to squeeze out a sound and speak again.

 

“I’m sorry. I have bad memories with water, so I made a mistake.”

 

“…”

 

“I didn’t intend to harm you, Senior.”

 

Even if it sounds like an excuse, it can’t be helped. Because it is an excuse. This person doesn’t need to know how I regard water pouring from above when I can’t see ahead, how I regard darkness that makes me lose my sense of direction, and he probably doesn’t want to know either, so it was better to end it at this level. I was grateful that despite having a unique ability that could kill me at any time, he didn’t use his ability and waited for my mind to return, but separately from that, I wished the person in front of me would disappear. That was all. I tapped the floor with my trembling hands that had lost their center. Sound-blocking magic was cast. Now I didn’t have to hold my breath. I closed my eyes while regulating my breathing.

 

“I know.”

 

Mecklenburg briefly replied to my words and turned around to begin examining this place.

 

“Until just now, we were in the intermediate realm. Seeing that it took some time, our movement was put on hold while in the intermediate realm state, but since there’s no particular reason to do so, there was probably resistance from the other side that caused the delay.”

 

By the other side, he must mean the 91st representative and Leo. I raised my head when my breathing began to gradually calm down.

 

“Seeing that intermediate realm movement magic was cast on the arena we were in, the Mimesis must have been turned off, and considering that was possible, there was either a spy or an attack…”

 

Mecklenburg snapped his fingers. All the water that had fallen on my clothes when he woke me up dried completely. He probably did this thinking he should conserve the stamina of the only colleague he had right now. When I looked up at him, he met my gaze and said.

 

“There’s no need to say more about who could be a strong enough enemy for that. It’s become clear where this is and whose doing this is.”

 

I nodded. The articles I had read over the past week flashed through my mind again. I had already realized what was happening, but Mecklenburg spoke clearly as if to make me face reality.

 

“The incident that happened before has happened again. The only thing that changed is that the target shifted from magical scholars to us.”

 

“…”

 

I shouldn’t have been complacent.

 

I couldn’t have been anyway.

 

Distracted by dealing with collectively insane ethics, I had forgotten why I had left school and was even called to the Prussian army. I knew but didn’t truly feel that once I left this residence, training ground, and headquarters building, the world was still under emergency, that there were still no people walking the streets and only newspapers flying around.

 

Pleroma had become powerful enough to infiltrate the Special Operations Command in the meantime. Was this an achievement accomplished by the mages they had kidnapped, or was it their original ability? If it’s the former…

 

An unfinished worry comes to mind.

 

‘If I turn time back completely to before the mages’ disappearance.’

 

Narke said there was nothing we could change. Is that really true?

 

Retry Lv. 6

 

— 【Chapter 7】 Check Point

 

* 1. ‘Emanuel Wittelsbach’s Mansion’

 

* 2. ‘3rd Grade Rampage Elimination’

 

Emanuel Wittelsbach’s mansion.

 

Going back to when I intervened in Emanuel’s labyrinth. Having to do all of this that I’ve experienced again, yes. I can endure it.

 

But going back to the starting point, this is the problem. If I go to all those elder mages who have tremendous pride in their magical abilities and tell them that Pleroma will be active in the future and might even kidnap them so be careful, I’d be lucky not to end up in a mental hospital, and even if they believe it after much trouble, I’d have to explain where I got that information. If Pleroma postpones the immediate incident and creates another large-scale disappearance case, I’d become the primary interrogation target.

 

“…”

 

Dozens of possibilities that suddenly emerge cover my head. It’s not that there are no hopeful hypotheses, but they’re weak compared to the likelihood of negative hypotheses being realized. It’s not much different from the conclusion I reached before. Individuals become powerless before the flow.

 

It’s not that I don’t understand Narke’s assertion that this was something that had to happen. Should I go to Abraham and tell him to govern properly because this is how things will turn out? I can’t give that bastard any clues about my ability. I mustn’t. Then should I go to the Bavarian royal family? This is much more hopeful in that it could put out the urgent fire. But how long could the Hohenzollern and imperial government accept advice from the Bavarian royal family? Even if they accept it, can they prevent it?

 

If I turn back time and the future changes, causing something I haven’t experienced to happen again. If that thing is an even worse case. The worry gradually shifts to more fundamental things. Were preventing Emanuel Wittelsbach’s rampage and preventing the Penthalon terror unrelated to this incident? It doesn’t end just because I turned back time. Perhaps this happened because I prevented the Penthalon terror. Perhaps this world became like this because I intervened. The 18-year-old Elias I had read about didn’t have such an eventful life. Such turmoil was much later. I could never be free from this doubt and sense of debt.

 

No matter how much I struggle, I might not be able to change this flow that went wrong from the first button as Narke said, but what I had to do for now was clear. Whatever happens, whether I turn time back to before the disappearance incident or before the intermediate realm movement in the worst case, I had to keep using retry in mind.

 

But now, there was a more crucial problem than anything else.

 

If I turn back time now, I won’t be with Leo up to today, but with Leo from the time when I was saving Emanuel Wittelsbach. The Leo I meet when I go back will understand my explanation, won’t blame me, and might even say I did well. He was a friend with that kind of character.

 

But having made a promise with him, I can’t do that. I didn’t make that promise with a soft resolve that this or that would be fine.

 

“Do you think Leonard Wittelsbach was also captured and brought here?”

 

“I’m curious where you left that excellent thinking ability to ask me.”

 

Mecklenburg scolded me without even looking at me. I wasn’t leisurely enough to be offended by his words right now. I didn’t have the luxury for arguments either. When I responded with silence instead of an answer, he spoke again.

 

“…I can’t be certain. It wasn’t Pleroma that broke through your and my intermediate realm, it was me. Pleroma cast magic on the entire arena, but the movement to the intermediate realm was done individually. They must have been worried we’d join forces.”

 

“Then why are you here with me, Senior…”

 

“Because I destroyed your intermediate realm along with mine. Since you said you respect me so confidently, you might have studied, but I’m skilled in spatial magic.”

 

Mecklenburg exhaled long and walked slowly around the room.

 

“…That’s why we’re here together, but I don’t know where the other two went. It’s also uncertain where Pleroma originally intended to take us. However, this place must be one of their strongholds too.”

 

“…”

 

“If you’re done resting, get up. There’s nothing special in this room, so we need to go out and look for an escape route.”

 

As I nodded and rubbed my face with my hands while lost in thought, Mecklenburg sighed and came up to me, speaking in an irritated voice.

 

“I know it’s rash, but there are no other options in this situation. If anyone could come rescue us, they would have arrived by now. Someone like our Count Nicolaus Ernst, who was nowhere to be found no matter how much we looked during Penthalon, might come to rescue us, but right now it’s better to rely on the Penthalon hero here.”

 

“…”

 

Always sarcastic. Cynical bastard. Seeing that his impression of Nicolaus Ernst isn’t very good, this guy really doesn’t get along with me.

 

What this bastard means is don’t expect help from outside and we have to do it with our own strength, so snap out of it. I was about to sigh but held back and got up from my seat. Staying in here would only lead to a future of being discovered by Pleroma. Whether I turn back time or not, I have to find Leo and get out, so I need to move right now.

 

Mecklenburg held his breath and stood in front of the door. I drew my wand and concentrated mana in my ears.

 

“…”

 

There were no signs of people outside. Mecklenburg exchanged glances with me and turned the door handle.

 

Creak—

 

There was no one in the corridor, and only dark mana lamp lighting illuminated this corridor with red carpet. We held our breath and concentrated on the vibrations around us. This process of going through each room and faintly detecting mana, though it certainly didn’t take long, felt like dozens of minutes had passed when we reached the end of the corridor. I could see tension in Mecklenburg’s jaw.

 

Mecklenburg, standing in front of the dark stairs, gestured to me and rotated his finger up and down. I nodded toward below. Confirming that the escape route was intact was the priority. Mecklenburg nodded and carefully stepped forward. And we simultaneously witnessed the same thing.

 

“…”

 

Light seeping in from the first floor was flickering. Mecklenburg bit his lips. I tapped the floor with my foot.

 

“I cast sound-blocking magic from this spot to 50m in all directions.”

 

Crash—!!

 

Before I finished speaking, amber mana burst out like lightning. Surprised screams came from downstairs.

 

“Ahhhhh!”

 

“W-wait! Wait!”

 

“…?!”

 

Mecklenburg and I frowned simultaneously. I grabbed the railing and jumped over a stair, falling while pushing mana through my legs.

 

Crash— Crack crack crack—

 

“Uh, huh? Wait, wait!”

 

The two people who had been backing away hurriedly jumped to avoid my magic. However, they couldn’t go far.

 

Thud—!

 

They were hit by my mana and fell to the floor. Whether they were humans or espers, even after being attacked, they quickly raised their upper bodies and reached out to us.

 

“W-wait a moment! Don’t you know us?”

 

I don’t. Instead of saying that, I narrowed my eyes and turned my head toward Mecklenburg who was following behind me. Right after that, I could realize something was strange. Mecklenburg was opening his mouth with a shocked face.

 

“Why are you seniors here…”

 

“It seems you’ve ended up in the same situation as us.”

 

The two mages said as they dusted off their clothes and stood up. Only frustration remained on their faces. Mecklenburg, who had been squinting, glanced at me and introduced them.

 

“They are seniors from the 81st.”

 

81st… That’s ancient. One mage smiled weakly and offered a handshake.

 

“I’m Peter. Next to me is Margarete.”

 

“…Nice to meet you.”

 

I shook their hands. The 98th mocked us for shaking hands, but the 81st is broad-minded.

 

“What brings you here? You’re not here to rescue us, I assume.”

 

“We were training in Mimesis when we fell here through the intermediate realm.”

 

“…”

 

The two mages from the 81st exchanged glances with complicated faces.

 

“Let’s go for now. We’ll talk as we move.”

 

Mecklenburg followed behind them with a wary expression.

 

“You must have heard the story on your side as well, but Pleroma has been indiscriminately capturing and bringing our scholars. I suppose my name is also on the missing persons list on your side?”

 

“Yes. That’s correct.”

 

“This place is a prison that Pleroma created to control us mages. They mildly call it a dormitory.”

 

“Are there only seniors here?”

 

“There are more, but they’ve been called out right now.”

 

“….”

 

I stared intently at his back while silently listening to the conversation.

 

“When those bastards brought us here, they used the same method as with you all. Suddenly, without knowing what kind of magic power was laid down, the Intermediate Realm unfolded and someone hit us on the head. I think we’ve been here for almost a month since then.”

 

A month. It’s only been a little over a week now. Is this a place where time delay phenomena occur? I took out my pocket watch from my clutch to check and memorized the time on my status window.

 

“Isn’t there a way to get out?”

 

“If there was, we would have done it long ago. There’s nothing we haven’t tried.”

 

At Mecklenburg’s question, one mage spoke in a sorrowful voice. Meanwhile, we arrived at the dining room of this massive manor.

 

“Are there other people who have arrived besides us?”

 

“As far as we know, you are the only ones so far.”

 

They simply prepared tea and placed it in front of us before sitting down. A candle burning in the center of the table flickered. No one spoke first. A little later, the mage named Margarete spoke with a face full of worry.

 

“Still, isn’t the government coming to rescue us?”

 

“…We haven’t heard anything yet either.”

 

“We heard that you went under the Special Operations Headquarters. Don’t they talk about how to resolve this chaotic situation there?”

 

“We’re assigned to handle rampagers, so we don’t discuss matters related to emergency response.”

 

“….”

 

Margarete nodded.

 

“I see. For now, please calm your minds while drinking some tea. Only then can we discuss countermeasures. At least the necessities for living keep coming in….”

 

“That’s fortunate.”

 

When I suddenly interrupted and cut off her words to answer, Mecklenburg looked at me with an expression that said I was rude. Peter smiled bitterly and nodded. Then he pushed the refreshments toward us, perhaps meaning we should eat quickly. Margarete asked cautiously.

 

“So, do you happen to have any artifacts or tools that could be used for escape… anything like that?”

 

“Unfortunately, wands are all we have.”

 

“This has become quite troublesome. I thought they wouldn’t let you bring in anything dangerous since you made it this far.”

 

“You seem to want to get out.”

 

At my rude words, Mecklenburg made a disgusted expression. I don’t know how this weakling could sit there being jealous of Adrian Ascanien. Margarete answered with an expression asking what I was talking about.

 

“Of course we do. Do we look like we don’t want to get out right now? I don’t know how the government is handling the news coverage, but right now we’re….”

 

“The manor is quite nice.”

 

“….”

 

Now even Peter’s expression was gradually hardening.

 

“I’ve heard enough.”

 

I stood up from my seat and extended my right hand to Peter with a smile.

 

He looked puzzled but took my hand with a rotten smile. I grabbed his left arm and pulled it toward me, tearing his sleeve. Peter’s mouth fell open.

 

“…!”

 

“….”

 

Two long cut scars.

 

I looked at the long cross remaining on that wrist and then looked into Peter’s eyes. Mecklenburg stood up from his seat.

 

“You’ve been baptized.”

 

“….”

 

“You probably use Vitriol too.”

 

“…That’s….”

 

Peter pulled his arm back while answering with eyes that said he was seeing quite the rude bastard.

 

“It was done under threat. If we could have used Vitriol proudly, why wouldn’t we have used it when you attacked us in the first place? We’re the ones suffering.”

 

Peter looked straight at me and wheedled.

 

“Since you’ll have to continue living here from now on, let me tell you, Pleroma doesn’t discriminate in their means and methods. How much could we have resisted? You too will soon….”

 

“Stop.”

 

All three gazes turned to Margarete. Irritation was melting in Margarete’s eyes. He took a deep breath, stood up from his seat, and stamped his foot.

 

Kwaaaaang―

 

“…!”

 

The world before my eyes collapsed, and I blocked the front with my arms. The brown wooden floor had now changed to pure white marble floor. Along with that, tears reflexively welled up.

 

‘What the hell…!’

 

A tremendous panic rushed over me for a moment, but I could quickly understand the situation. The air that went down my mouth and throat was spreading like an explosion inside my body, attacking my magic power. My airways and lungs felt like they were burning up.

 

‘These bastards….’

 

They’ve developed something new. Magic power is leaving, but I can’t last long in this state. The smell of blood was already starting to rise from my parched airways.

 

Kwagwang― Kwagwagwagwang―

 

Pitch-black Vitriol burst out before my eyes. Peter and Margarete drew wands that hadn’t been there until just now and unleashed attacks on us.

 

Now I understand why the Pleroma bastards changed the chemicals they disperse in the air. If they just burst chemicals that block magic power indiscriminately, it would make magical research impossible for the mages they had gone to the trouble of capturing alive. They made it possible while ensuring that only those who had been baptized could survive in here. And the 81st, whether they defected or were brainwashed, are not on our side. They’re the ones who reported us to headquarters when we crash-landed here due to Mecklenburg’s coordinate interference. I called out to Mecklenburg, who was somewhere outside my field of vision.

 

“Senior!”

 

Kwaang―!

 

I changed my wand to a sword and slashed through the Vitriol. The red light bouncing off the opponent’s defense and attacks interfered with my judgment.

 

“We’ll die at this rate. What are you going to do?!”

 

“You talked so well during the exam, and now you’re passing the buck?”

 

Mecklenburg shouted while blocking the Vitriol flying toward him. Siren sounds began echoing in this hall. I could hear Pleroma members running toward us.

 

Ssaek― Kwang―!

 

Vitriol grazed past the side of my face. My ear became burning hot, and something flowed down along my face to my neck. I continued to strike down the Vitriol flying toward me and brought down my staff.

 

[If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish!]

 

Kwaaaaang― Chaeng―!

 

Vitriol flew precisely toward my heart area. I struck down that hardened Vitriol and lowered my body.

 

‘Damn.’

 

It’s not working. There are too many people. Even though I used amplification magic, the collapse was only temporary, and the sound of Pleroma members chanting spells noisily shook my ears. Mecklenburg’s breathing behind me was getting faster and faster.

 

“Senior! You can do it with blood but not with Vitriol?!”

 

“Look here. The viscosity itself is different, isn’t it! Besides….”

 

Mecklenburg gritted his teeth and focused on defense. It must be that using his unique ability takes a lot of energy. Especially since he had used his ability in the second round exam earlier, it would be even more so. There was no need to hear more. The speed at which Mecklenburg knocked down Pleroma with his unique ability was slower than the speed at which other Pleroma members were running here.

 

“…Huff.”

 

Kwaang― Jjang―

 

“Ugh!”

 

I heard the sound of Mecklenburg losing his balance and bringing down his staff. Then came the sound of attacks hitting him. Even though he was defending, it wasn’t enough.

 

Something hot flowed from my nose. My vision spun. Without dealing with this air, there’s no chance of winning against this number of Pleroma. At least this place should have been near a river.

 

‘Whew.’

 

I had the illusion that even my vision was turning red. Since the state inside my body was completely messed up, I thought it might not be an illusion.

 

Whether I could get out alive or not was unclear.

 

Now there was no choice.

 

“Senior. Please defend properly.”

 

“What?!”

 

“Quickly!”

 

I shouted loudly, changed my sword to a staff, and brought it down.

 

Kwaaaaaaaaang―….

 

―Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

 

I opened my closed eyes. I couldn’t see anything due to the pure white light, but I could clearly hear the sound of people falling.

 

Mecklenburg, who had been standing behind me, stepped backward.

 

I took a long deep breath and continued chanting the spell.

 

―Stretch out your hand, and let healing and signs and wonders be performed in your holy name.

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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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