How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 403

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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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‘What….’

 

What?

 

Mecklenburg doubted his eyes. In front of Mimesis’s representation of Mecklenburg’s face, the one wearing Ulrike Kleist’s face was perfectly executing the movements of the ‘real Mecklenburg.’ Even though Mecklenburg knew he was sitting safely in the circular arena-style waiting seats, he felt the illusion that his doppelganger was wandering around fighting in the Mimesis field. He unconsciously put strength into the hand stroking his forearm.

 

“That…?”

 

The vice-captain who had returned to the seat next to him spoke with a bewildered voice. Most of the 98th Unit who had lived together since childhood felt that ‘Ulrike Kleist’s’ movements resembled Mecklenburg’s movements.

 

“Is that Nepomucena inside? Don’t tell me he’s copying the captain right now….”

 

“No.”

 

Nepomucena Betin was now wearing ‘Albert Mecklenburg’s’ face, repeatedly charging recklessly and then retreating. With frivolous expressions that the real Mecklenburg would never make. Smiling with the corners of his mouth pulled up during a duel was impossible. If he had that kind of energy, he would gather mana at least once more. Mecklenburg looked at the two Mimesis screens placed side by side and spoke quietly.

 

“While Count Betin’s evaluation is indeed poor, he is one who focuses thoroughly on the opponent before his eyes, so he wouldn’t waste energy trying to provoke me for no reason.”

 

“Then…?”

 

Naturally, the one wearing the appearance of ‘Ulrike Kleist’ while showing Albert Mecklenburg’s movements was Lucas Ascanien.

 

‘Ulrike Kleist’ wore a subtly arrogant and cold smile like sunlight emanating through cold dawn mist, rather than the dejected face of a friend in critical condition—a smile that was somewhat irritating. The appearance manifested through Mimesis, surrounded like a hallucination by the cool light that had never been in those green eyes, must have left a profound sense of alienation not only on Mecklenburg but also on the 101st A-Class sitting nearby. Their mouths fell open. The way the facial muscles moved on the Mimesis screen reminded Mecklenburg of an unwelcome junior, and in some ways, despite rarely overlapping in cynicism, of his own friend.

 

“So you’re saying that’s Lucas Ascanien right now?”

 

Mecklenburg didn’t answer. Have you ever taught magic to that junior? How can he do that? He heard excited voices from beside him. The vice-captain was looking at Mecklenburg with eyes hoping to quickly resolve his curiosity.

 

“….”

 

Suddenly, an instinctive sense of crisis flashed through him. The fact that even those who had lived together briefly were seeing this amazing spectacle for the first time meant that when Adrian Ascanien later tried to verify the ‘facts,’ these people would actually harm Lucas Ascanien. Naturally, wouldn’t that be the case? It would mean his lies crafted due to Adrian’s appearance would be exposed.

 

However, the tension quickly eased. While mock battles were one thing, there had never been public cross-unit duels between different classes for the sake of hierarchy within the command, the only joint operation they had entered together was Corviniano, and actual combat had different tendencies from duels, so the fact that they learned for the first time today that ‘Lucas Ascanien and Albert Mecklenburg’s dueling styles appear similar enough to seem like the same person’—a lie!—was not dangerous.

 

So truly, the problem wasn’t that but….

 

Clang—!

 

The sword tips that touched made a sharp noise and quickly withdrew. Swords from the start. Nepomucena Betin was pressing hard to prevent Lucas Ascanien from using special magic with a wand or staff. Nepomucena, who had always been violent in his movements since old times—though to Mecklenburg’s eyes, wearing his own face made it completely unadaptable—was the same as always this time too. But the method was different.

 

Kwang—!

 

The ground shook violently beneath Nepomucena’s feet as he landed, showing how hard he had struck with his mana. Reflexively, ‘Kleist’s’ eyes—that is, Ascanien’s eyes—turned toward his feet. The training ground conveyed to Ascanien’s vision was completely colored by the mana that had explosively burst out through Nepomucena’s footwork. Applying pressure to the opponent’s entire body—this was Nepomucena’s method. The moment Ascanien finished assessing the situation and his visual focus shot toward his feet then returned toward Nepomucena’s ‘silhouette,’ the flesh-trembling sound of a well-sharpened blade cutting through air reached here loudly through the artifact hanging on Ascanien’s ear.

 

Kuwong—!

 

At that moment, Ascanien turned the sword hilt he held with both hands into a staff and struck the ground hard. As the black collar of ‘Mecklenburg’ approached his vision, a heavy yet hollow overlapping impact sound like running on broken glass was heard. Ascanien’s vision rotated 180 degrees. Ascanien, who had gained momentum from the barrier beneath his feet, leaped over behind ‘Mecklenburg’ and landed.

 

‘This is….’

 

Mecklenburg unconsciously narrowed his brow and wrinkled his forehead. This was impossible. Their countless movements of clashing swords and withdrawing flowed slowly as if time itself had been compressed. That’s how much Mecklenburg’s mind was filled with confusion. With just 6 hours of practice, one couldn’t perfectly copy the angle at which the head tilts, the spacing of feet when landing, the body’s center of gravity, and ‘which of hearing, sight, and touch appears to be used as the primary sense.’

 

‘Making accurate distinctions of all mana touching the skin throughout the body by purpose, instead of sight and hearing which are easily disturbed by light and noise during combat, is the top priority for combat mages’—following the guidelines from Chapter 15, Section 1 of the Combat Magic Fundamentals textbook, the existing Lucas Ascanien moved primarily through touch, just like Leonard Wittelsbach.

 

In contrast, Mecklenburg, who handled water as his unique ability, didn’t prioritize any of hearing, sight, or touch. He prioritized the sensation of water’s mana moving in distant living beings, and he knew well that this was an unusual case. This was like using a sixth sense, the sense of mana, as a single eye. It was merely a method naturally acquired thanks to his special unique ability, so no matter who he explained it to, they couldn’t easily accept it.

 

But now, ‘Ulrike Kleist’s’ eyes weren’t desperately following the opponent’s attacking mana and sword approaching before them. They didn’t bounce their gaze toward where sound and minute mana in the air were stabbing in, nor step back in the opposite direction. In the right Mimesis relay screen unfolding from Nepomucena Betin’s perspective, Lucas Ascanien’s gaze was only looking at the mass of his opponent ‘Albert Mecklenburg.’

 

Kang— Clang—!

 

Ascanien, deflecting Nepomucena’s sword, leaps back and retreats. He adjusts his two-handed sword to one hand and gathers mana with the other hand. The opponent’s gaze turns that way. When the opponent’s sword struck, Ascanien transferred his gathered mana fully to his sword without reservation. Naturally, his stance was unstable but….

 

Kwagwagwang—!

 

Even without using a staff, an explosive sound like striking with acceleration came from the sword. What followed was the sound of the opponent kicking off the ground and spinning once in the air.

 

“…Keu….”

 

Nepomucena Betin’s characteristic throat-scratching sound came with laughter. Because Nepomucena was burned by Ascanien’s aggressive mana, despite occupying a good position for a preemptive strike, he was catching his breath and charged at Ascanien at a suboptimal timing. Mecklenburg, who had been watching them, stroked his chin.

 

‘Good. It was like Ascanien yet unlike Ascanien.’

 

That indiscriminate, violent hand speed was like Ascanien. Ascanien’s movements were extremely textbook-like due to Leonard Wittelsbach’s influence, but also much more aggressive than his.

 

‘He had no choice but to be that way.’

 

Ascanien’s mana was incomparably stronger than Leonard Wittelsbach’s. Objectively speaking, comparing their mana would be unfair to Ascanien. But what good was having talent alone? Ascanien would have had no choice but to be more aggressive than his master to defeat opponents far superior to him technically.

 

However, changing grip twice in a matter of seconds while taking risks wasn’t like Ascanien. Such techniques were Mecklenburg’s own method. Mecklenburg, though he himself didn’t particularly acknowledge it, wasn’t close to orthodox compared to them. While his physical movements were clean, techniques would intervene at the right moment, tending to captivate opponents’ eyes.

 

‘So… it would be difficult to beat Nepomucena while copying me.’

 

Since he had to accomplish all hand movements, footwork, and gaze handling while inserting techniques that weren’t there before. Even Nicolaus Ernst couldn’t guarantee victory unless he used his divine power. At best, it would be evenly matched even with his original style. Imitating others isn’t an easy task, is it?

 

Nepomucena graduated from the Imperial 1st Education Institute’s Department of Combat Magic with the third-highest grades. Between Nepomucena, who had been using magic for nearly 20 years, and Ascanien, who hadn’t even reached a year—though he couldn’t be completely careless given that Ascanien was Nicolaus Ernst—common sense dictated that Ascanien’s defeat was practically predetermined.

 

‘Is he planning to make this a match where he strategically abandons victory?’

 

Indeed, if there had clearly been political discord with Adrian Ascanien, and if the danger was significant enough to create a new identity to operate while avoiding Adrian’s eyes, it might be better to retreat at that crucial moment distinguishing between 0.1% and 1% rather than revealing all his abilities, present or not.

 

‘Hmm….’

 

That Ascanien was obsessed with succession rights…. He could understand some parts while others remained incomprehensible. However, since he had promised to help Lucas Ascanien, he needed to observe the situation for now.

 

How long had he been watching the two mages’ duel while letting all sorts of swirling thoughts run free when ‘Mecklenburg’s’ mouth opened.

 

[I, the Lord, will bind you tightly.]

 

Kwadeuk—! Huwook—

 

‘—and hurl you like a warrior,’ before the magic incantation could finish, mana wrapped around ‘Kleist’s’ body as he distanced himself from his opponent. Before he could sever the wrapped mana, Ascanien was instantly dragged to the front of Nepomucena Betin. The sound of mana beneath his feet being compressed and exploding was heard as Kleist pressed down on the floor to avoid being dragged. Nevertheless, it was insufficient. According to the physical examination records seen at the beginning of the month, their weight difference was about 20kg. As such, Lucas Ascanien had advantages in reaction speed, but it wasn’t easy to defeat an opponent like Nepomucena Betin who was actively utilizing the weight class difference.

 

Nepomucena threw his sword into the air, caught it again, and raised his arm. The moment that blade reached Ascanien’s neck.

 

Lucas Ascanien would bend his waist in this situation. However, the ‘real Mecklenburg’ didn’t have reaction speed as quick as Ascanien’s and mainly didn’t move by dodging. Mecklenburg unconsciously clenched his fist.

 

‘This much.’

 

There was no need to hide this from Adrian Ascanien. This much, just one or two movements like this, should be acceptable, shouldn’t it?

 

Huwook— Kwaaaang—!!

 

At that moment, Nepomucena’s sword changed into a staff. Wearing Albert’s face, he lowered his body and struck down at the floor.

 

‘Missing the winning opportunity?’

 

He just needed to stab Ascanien’s neck. But why was he dodging instead? When Mecklenburg opened his mouth, his question was immediately resolved. The moment Ascanien was pushed back by the aftermath and landed behind, as Nepomucena crouched down, the situation became visible even in Ascanien’s Mimesis vision. A fierce green blade-like attack from behind Nepomucena struck Nepomucena’s barrier and disappeared with a strange sound—kigigik, kwagwang.

 

“….”

 

At least three formulas were overlapped. Guidance magic—he had been preparing a response since Nepomucena’s binding mana had attached to him. Magic using complex formulas consumed much mental and physical strength, making it difficult to use frequently or urgently, but in Lucas Ascanien’s case, such problems seemed less severe.

 

However, Mecklenburg knew there was another problem.

 

[The Lord of hosts will punish them with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest and the flame of devouring fire.]

 

With rapid-fire incantation, the moment Ascanien sheathed his sword, changed it to a staff, and struck the ground, green mana covered the screen. It burst out like fire. And.

 

[If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, this person’s religion is worthless.]

 

Surprisingly, the firepower died down the next moment.

 

‘Mecklenburg’s’ voice. Magic that suppresses the opponent’s magical formula. Nepomucena, wearing Mecklenburg’s face, stomped his foot to clear the residual mana and withdrew the hand he had thrust out with a bored expression. Changing his staff back to a sword, his mouth opened again.

 

“…All the nations that fight against Ariel, all who attack her and her fortress and besiege her—”

 

Then with a sneer, he kicked off the ground. A pure white blade-like sword rushed fiercely into Ascanien’s vision. Another blade met it.

 

Kwang—! Kigigik— Kkeuguk—

 

“—will be as a dream, as a vision of the night…. Isn’t this your specialty?”

 

The clashing swords faced off in a stalemate. Nepomucena’s sly smile irritated Mecklenburg. Despite securing vision being essential during combat, he had made no effort to preserve his appearance, his hair having long obstructed vision and screen, and his manner of speech was somehow completely crude. Mecklenburg looked at that face with cold eyes. Perhaps it would have been better for Ascanien to wear this face instead.

 

Nepomucena had virtually the best skills at neutralizing opponents’ mana. To summarize his combat style in one phrase, it was close to a style of tying up and beating down. Whether trapping opponents with mana or neutralizing opponents’ mana, his characteristic was restricting their actions and charging like a hunting dog prepared to cut off the opponent’s breath. He had been a problem child who received poor evaluations in terms of personality since his days at the 3rd Education Institute, and this didn’t change much when he came to the 1st Education Institute for university, causing trouble during every joint training.

 

‘…In the end, if Ascanien can’t use special magic.’

 

He would have to handle Nepomucena with physical combat alone. Ascanien clashed swords while retreating and opened his mouth.

 

[If you abide in me, and my words abide in you—]

 

“Mm.”

 

He just crushed the incantation ‘If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, this person’s religion is worthless’ with a single “mm.” He wasn’t called skilled for nothing. Even without incantation, Nepomucena Betin could neutralize his opponent. The green mana that had been on the sword amplified then extinguished. Ascanien smiled without batting an eye and opened his mouth.

 

[The grass withers in the morning, blooms and grows, but in the evening it is cut down and dries up.]

 

Clang—!

 

[Mercy and truth have met together—]

 

Kkeuguk— Kang—!!

 

[—righteousness and peace have kissed each other.]

 

Ascanien’s special magic was extinguished one after another. Nepomucena’s sword tip headed toward Ascanien’s nose at a terrifying speed. Instead of deflecting it, Ascanien changed his sword to a staff, used it as another central axis to create distance, then changed it back to a sword and nimbly avoided Nepomucena’s close-range attack. With Ascanien’s characteristically extremely flashy mana combined with the techniques Mecklenburg himself often used, attention was drawn only to his magic. The sky in his vision was deep green as if standing under calamity from folklore. Yet sometimes orange flashes cut through the green air, and sometimes blue-green mana close to blue wrapped around the floor. Ascanien’s characteristic diverse mana lights were manifesting here too.

 

[How long will fools hate knowledge?]

 

Huwook—

 

The sound of air being cut by Nepomucena’s blue-black blade chilled the heart. At that moment, Mecklenburg put strength in his eyes.

 

Seogeok—

 

An attack he couldn’t block due to the incantation.

 

Ascanien’s shoulder was cut by the sword, blood dripping on the blade tip. This had been foreseen from the moment he continued using complex formula magic despite being repeatedly blocked by Nepomucena.

 

Nepomucena, not satisfied with that, still only smiled while charging madly. The sound of boot heels touching and swords clashing continued endlessly. Nepomucena Betin was someone whose victory or defeat couldn’t be assured even against Mecklenburg himself. But could the current state be called Nepomucena displaying his full abilities? This was only at the level he had seen during his 1st Education Institute days. Could Ascanien really handle the current him…. Despite Mecklenburg’s anxiety, Ascanien continued his incantations with Ulrike Kleist’s face wearing a cold smile.

 

[Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird—]

 

“….”

 

[So they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.]

 

Mecklenburg understood the meaning of the incantation and narrowed his brow. Right on cue, blood flowed from Nepomucena’s nose. No, it wasn’t good timing. Ascanien had clearly been calculating his opponent’s mana amount and the mana consumed by his neutralization magic all along. It was intentional. He had deliberately made his opponent choose one of two extremes, A or B. Either take the special magic head-on or collapse from exhaustion.

 

‘…He’s performing multiple calculations at once.’

 

From special magic formulas to the opponent’s depleting mana amount—while it looked easy, there weren’t many who could actually accomplish it when attempted. He had to be said to be born with perfect talent for combat magic, and as if proving that….

 

That expression resembled someone too closely.

 

“….”

 

Enough. More than that, blood came from my face. Thinking this, Mecklenburg finally made a disgusted expression and crossed his arms while watching the spectacle. As he had feared, Nepomucena made a slurping sound as he drank the blood that flowed to his lips, then smiled and muttered.

 

“How dare you treat a heaven-like senior this way?”

 

Clang— Crash—!

 

“Especially when he’s a senior from the same A Team.”

 

Nepomucena charged forward again at Ascanien, who had stepped back due to the weight. Ascanien, who had been silently parrying the sword skillfully, smiled and replied.

 

“I learned sparring from His Lordship, didn’t I?”

 

“….”

 

The 98th Class mages sitting around Mecklenburg—no, now not just the 98th Class but all A-Class candidates—turned to look at Mecklenburg. Even a passing dog would know who that ‘His Lordship’ referred to. Nepomucena narrowed his eyes and spoke with a sneer.

 

“Really? No wonder….”

 

Swoosh— Clang—!

 

Nepomucena Betin, wearing Mecklenburg’s face, squinted his eyes in a smile and lifted one corner of his mouth.

 

“It had exactly that taste of a spineless little lapdog bastard.”

 

The mages sitting around no longer made eye contact with Mecklenburg. Everyone froze and stared straight ahead.

 

Mecklenburg swallowed, simultaneously feeling veins bulging in his jaw and his neck stiffening. Nepomucena’s frivolous tone right now had pushed Mecklenburg’s anger to its limit. However, another problem that had been floating in the alley between Mecklenburg’s consciousness and unconsciousness was now being revealed through Lucas Ascanien’s mouth.

 

This current mess was no different from saying ‘Albert Mecklenburg became a private tutor who raised Lucas Ascanien’s skills to this level.’ Over the past several months, Mecklenburg had essentially become the one who helped rehabilitate that younger brother behind Adrian Ascanien’s back. On the surface, there was absolutely no problem whatsoever….

 

The only problem was that some 89th Class member was observing this situation.

 

How much time had passed.

 

“Lord Mecklenburg, Major Ascanien is calling for you.”

 

A mage who had been standing at the entrance and came down to the seats pressed his ear artifact to turn it off and spoke respectfully. The back of his neck felt cold. Mecklenburg closed his eyes, feeling a headache coming on.

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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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