How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 425

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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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In the end, they couldn’t pretend not to know either. I was momentarily flustered by the Representative Mage of Class 91’s declaration-like greeting, then responded.

“…Thank you, Senior.”

“We don’t know what kind of environment you obtained this information in, but it’s clear that it must have been a more arduous time than the tests we took. That’s why we didn’t expect you to return in less than a day, which was quite surprising.”

The Representative Mage of Class 91 spoke while tapping the file with a face that still seemed incredulous and let out a hollow laugh. He shifted his gaze from the file to us. While doing so, he addressed the other classes.

“Those of you from Class 91 and Class 98 Team A who have already been deployed on intelligence operations will know. Even though the world doesn’t celebrate your return with great fanfare, and today seems no different from yesterday, making it appear as if you’ve returned without changing anything, that’s not actually the case.”

“…”

“The fact that we can sit here today just like yesterday is thanks to their achievement.”

The Class 91 members who had already been deployed on the Imperial Court’s classified operations slowly nodded their heads. As seniors who had done the same work as us, they understood Albertina Hohenzollern’s words.

At that moment, I realized. Albertina Hohenzollern was speaking to us, but she was also using this opportunity to tell others what they needed to know.

In the tense atmosphere, we silently looked only at the Representative Mage of Class 91. The Representative Mage of Class 91 had no intention of tolerating the awkward atmosphere that seemed hopeless. No matter how classified the operation was, that atmosphere wouldn’t have existed if we had been Class 91.

‘Of course, having to speak as if others had done it while facing the actual parties who had gathered the intelligence would have been quite awkward…’

We had to read the atmosphere behind it all. If we had been the most senior class and they were all our juniors, our success would likely have been accepted as a natural yet respectable communal achievement. Our success would have been equivalent to the command’s success, and even without anyone saying “thank you for your hard work on the operation,” the atmosphere here would have been filled with relief and pride from the strategic victory, just like the command after Adrian Ascanien’s return home.

We could feel reverence—excessively so—from their gazes and silence, excluding the awkwardness that occupied the largest portion, but at the same time, we couldn’t help but feel the fear that the seniors had developed. Our success meant a seismic shift in power for them.

The Representative Mage of Class 91 continued speaking in a voice not much different from before.

“Thanks to your hard work, we can now prepare our next strategy in this place. It was the Empire’s will that you went overseas to find information that could put the continent in crisis, and you perfectly carried out the Empire’s will.”

“…”

“Therefore, there is no one in the command who disagrees with your merit and hard work. This is the will of all of us.”

“It is an honor, Your Excellency.”

Narke briefly said what I was about to say instead. This wasn’t a situation to speak at length. I was just grateful inwardly. The Representative Mage of Class 91’s expression was not roundabout at all but straightforward. We couldn’t help but know what he was trying to prevent.

“Now, then.”

Albertina Hohenzollern picked up the file again and cut her words short.

“Now that I’ve finished what I had to say first, let’s continue with what we were originally discussing. As you all know well, Aqua Panna is premium bottled water produced in Tuscany, and as you can see from it being disguised as bottled water for overseas import, the risk of importing it into Germany is also very high. Therefore, our German Empire is concerned that a second nationwide rampage incident will break out.”

A second nationwide rampage incident.

I generally agreed, but there was a different part at the core. Words that seemed to read my thoughts followed.

“Instead, this time it will be a brainwashing and massacre incident targeting Espers.”

That’s right. Most victims of the last rampage incident were Humans, but Pleroma had changed targets.

The air instantly froze. In the silence, the sound of someone swallowing could be heard from somewhere.

“There are certainly tasks you must take on now, but today we didn’t gather here just to talk about that. Right now, Pleroma has judged that they cannot win by recruiting Humans and is trying to control Espers instead. This time, what’s being contaminated isn’t rivers. It’s our very dining tables.”

The Representative Mage of Class 91 spoke while looking at everyone seated in the large conference room.

“From this moment on, you must not eat or drink anything outside the command. Even if it’s at an invited location, even if it’s a meal you eat at home, it’s the same. Today you will be deployed outside, but you must always warp back here and get permission from Prussian Arcane Mages before eating. You’re not at a level where you need to worry about warp magic power, so please do so without fail, and if there are any Catholics, do not use holy water. Not just holy water, but you must not touch or inhale any liquid contained anywhere.”

‘What a mess.’

At those words, the Captain of the 91st Class C Division carefully asked.

“How long do we have to do that?”

“Until this matter is resolved, whether it’s days, months, or years, you must do so.”

The conference room now froze in a different sense. I could see faces that looked dumbfounded. Not being able to eat or drink without an Arcane Mage, and not even knowing how long they’d have to do this—to them, this would seem absurd.

The Representative Mage of Class 91 nodded with an expression that fully understood their feelings, then spoke somewhat hopefully.

“Of course, in this process, the compressed purification agent developed by Special Minister Nikolaus Ernst Bayern could ease our burden. Our government has asked Bavaria to develop a simple purification agent that’s 1/4 the size of existing capsules. As soon as development is complete, you must always carry the medicine and purify water and alcohol before drinking.”

“…”

And at that moment, I had to make an effort to keep my eyes from rolling elsewhere. After the intelligence agent, I’m being summoned again this time…

The purification agent he was talking about was the medicine I had developed when the first rampage incident occurred, to be sprinkled in rivers and lakes for easy purification. Until the national disaster occurred, it was impossible to make high-grade magic power like divine power available to everyone—though we still can’t say everyone uses it—so there were no purification chemicals available for immediate use when problems arose, which is why I had compressed divine power to suit the situation.

More than that…

‘…I haven’t checked Nikolaus’s mailbox yet, but they’re telling me everything they’ve requested here…’

Even if I go back, I won’t have time to reply.

I thought while glancing at my watch. Meanwhile, notifications and Q&A continued.

“Until we develop an antidote for Atropos, we must handle all defenses with a total of 94 Arcane Mages nationwide plus additional support from the Papal States.”

“…Isn’t 94 people insufficient to care for the entire nation? How much can the Papal States support us?”

“Tomorrow we will receive 50 Gamma-grade Arcane Mages from the Papal States. All these Vatican Mages will be managed by Prussia.”

I looked toward Elias. As expected, Elias was smirking whether the seniors were watching or not.

Saying that all Vatican Mages would be managed by Prussia meant they wouldn’t give up Prussia’s influence over other German confederation states. If Vatican Mages went to work in Catholic countries like the Grand Duchy of Baden, Baden’s loyalty and public sentiment would turn toward the Papal States rather than the Prussian Imperial Court. Historically, there were precedents of gaining and losing influence in this way, so Prussia couldn’t help but be wary of this.

In other words, Prussian Arcane Mages would move to other confederations within the German Empire like Anhalt or Brunswick to fulfill their role as hegemon, and the gap created in Prussia would be filled by Vatican Mages.

“Therefore, your missions are twofold. First, today you will be deployed to high-risk border checkpoints, ports, and train stations near borders. Count Ascanien and Count Farnese will be summoned by the government again soon, but please wait at the checkpoint locations today.”

Checkpoints, ports, and train stations. The will to catch every possible entry point was strong.

“Second, from tomorrow on, each team must take charge of managing Vatican support Arcane Mages. This applies commonly to not only the command but also the federation. One person per team. You must provide security to ensure no danger comes to the supporting clergy.”

“Yes.”

And those Arcane Mages would be responsible for each team’s mages’ safety from Atropos. It was no different from give and take. Someone asked the Representative Mage of Class 91.

“Could we receive the list in advance?”

Albertina Hohenzollern shook her head.

“The government doesn’t know yet which people will come over from their side. However, one class is confirmed.”

At that moment, Narke’s eyes widened. Albertina Hohenzollern continued while looking at the document.

“Class 101, please manage Count Narke Farnese.”

I could see Ulrike and Elias, sitting far away, opening their mouths.

* * *

“Yay~”

“Then we can be together? Just today? Or continuously?!”

“Continuously.”

“Yay yay yay… Hup.”

Having quickly packed my bag and come out to the dormitory corridor, I answered Ulrike’s question while hitting Elias’s mouth. Elias failed to bite my hand and hung on my shoulder. Then he also pulled Narke’s shoulder, who was standing beside him. Leo, who was next to Cheringen, said calmly.

“Congratulations on your return. You worked hard.”

“Thanks~”

Narke shook Leo’s extended hand and smiled. Leo also silently offered me a handshake. I shook hands with him as Deputy Chief Esset and gripped his hand firmly.

“…!”

At that moment, Leo flinched and hunched his shoulders. He was flustered and lost for words, just moving his lips, then asked with trembling eyes.

“Why, why…?”

“It’s been a while.”

“No, really. Why?”

I gestured to my clean earlobe and smiled.

“…This is ridiculous…”

Leo, understanding the meaning, made a genuinely incredulous expression while bursting into laughter.

‘Isn’t this an opportunity.’

He probably hasn’t put on his earring artifact yet, so I took this chance to squeeze Leo’s core. You have to strike when they can’t retaliate. If you hit when they can retaliate, it’s troublesome because they respond in kind.

Actually, I also wanted to lighten the mood because when I’m too serious, the naturally calm Leo tends to sink down with me. It’s not a situation for laughing and chatting, but he would think about what happened in Austria-Hungary by looking at our expressions.

Ulrike, who had been observing us, stared at me with wide eyes. Not knowing the concept of squeezing cores, it would have just looked like simple conversation to her. It seemed certain she would ask if I had become friends with Leo once he left.

Then Cheringen, who had been leaning against the wall, smiled and said.

“You left after lunch yesterday, but I didn’t expect you to come back this morning. I’m glad you returned safely and early.”

“Me too. What did you two do after going to Austria-Hungary?!”

“We investigated…”

I replied with a hollow laugh to Elias’s sudden outburst. Cheringen laughed lightly, then quickly erased his smile and said.

“We can’t let our guard down starting today. It’s more problematic because Easter is a week away.”

I nodded and patted Narke’s shoulder beside me.

“Exactly. Narke will have to work hard for at least a week starting today.”

We were assigned to train station checkpoints. Every time a freight train came in, we had to purify that train, which was naturally Narke’s job. Although it would already be filtered once at border checkpoints, we also had to check the magic power of train passengers. Then Narke’s voice stuck in my head.

—”You too, Lucas.”

That’s true… As Special Minister of Bavaria, every time I go to Bavaria, I have to give out all the divine power I can squeeze out. But not right now, right?

“Guys.”

Ulrike, who had been looking at her watch, picked up her bag and spoke. She showed us her pocket watch.

“We have to go now.”

12 o’clock.

Elias grabbed my arm and stomped his foot.

We moved to the warp coordinates we had received in advance. It was the train station in Passau, Bavaria, right in front of Austria-Hungary. We narrowed our eyes at the scenery spread before us. Ulrike quietly muttered.

“It’s small.”

“Small.”

Elias said in the same dry tone and entered the train station. The train station was indeed small, yet despite that, the six of us are here together with the six members of Class 98 Team A. I can see a Class 98 Team A member in the distance who flinched upon seeing our faces.

‘Why do those guys have to be here too, you ask…’

They’ll soon move to the checkpoint ahead rather than Passau train station. And personally, I needed them, so I deliberately guided them to be able to go to a nearby location, and that’s what happened.

‘Actually, it’s more like one person rather than all of them, and it’s more like…’

It’s closer to needing surveillance. Just then, the person I was looking for came out of the train station with a slightly stiff face, saw me, and opened his mouth. He made a complicated expression again, hesitated, then approached me. I can feel the 101st Class friends looking at him with displeasure—one of them with fear. Mecklenburg stood tall in front of me and spoke.

“Could you follow me for a moment?”

“…”

I silently followed behind him. He stopped at the back of the train station, cast a sound-blocking spell, and moved his lips.

“Um…”

“What is it.”

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

I could immediately tell what he was talking about. It was about the things he said when he brought up Adrian Ascanien’s story to me. Before I could say anything, he struggled to open his mouth and continued speaking.

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but it’s clear that the situation itself is a difficult topic to discuss… I’ve been thinking since yesterday that I should apologize because I seemed to have made you regret your decision to tell me about it.”

“Why are you apologizing? I never told you anything.”

“…”

Mecklenburg was about to get angry thinking I was talking nonsense, but quickly grasped the situation and closed his mouth. He was someone who heard nothing, felt nothing, and noticed nothing. That’s how it had to be. I quietly spoke to Mecklenburg, who had a troubled expression.

“You mean you wanted to apologize because you felt like you couldn’t be supportive when you should have been?”

“Do I have to say it out loud for you to understand?”

“If you don’t say it out loud, how else am I supposed to know?”

I exhaled briefly, then looked straight at him and spoke.

“I was never angry. I’m not idle enough to get angry at you, Senior, nor did I think about it long enough for that.”

“…”

“So. Are you done with what you wanted to say?”

“You are angry.”

No… I’m saying I’m not, so what does he want me to do? I really wasn’t, and therefore had nothing more to say. As I was about to let out a hollow laugh, Mecklenburg lowered his eyes and muttered.

“Even I would be angry if someone believed false rumors about me. It must have felt like I was trying to judge who was right between you and… no, that person and you, so it’s true that I spoke wrongly.”

“…”

He has a talent for making me speechless in various ways. False rumors, he says. I smiled and was about to make a sarcastic remark out of habit but stopped myself. It was true that he was exercising his maximum empathy thinking of me and was genuinely sorry. I really wasn’t angry and wasn’t offended. Just as I told him.

He didn’t hesitate to acknowledge his mistake and apologize. Based on my experience so far, he wasn’t the type to act this cleanly since he always thought he was right. The fact that such a person immediately brought up honest talk meant he truly saw his statement as problematic.

“Senior.”

Mecklenburg raised his eyes and looked at me. I answered briefly.

“I understand. Is that enough now?”

“…”

He remained silent, then made a somewhat uncomfortable expression before giving up and nodding. Then he took steps toward the border checkpoint ahead and gestured to me. It seemed to mean follow him. He quickly changed the subject.

“Headquarters kept talking about you the whole time.”

I’m sure they did. I’m confident that conversations connecting Adrian Ascanien and me made up at least 10% of the total. When I made a fed-up expression, Mecklenburg added.

“It was praise.”

“What kind?”

“Well, naturally… they were saying how could the 101st Class beat us and get deployed on intelligence operations.”

“…”

I snickered and sighed. This time I really couldn’t help it because it was so absurd. Is this praise? I can sense some inferiority complex, reality denial, and competitive psychology in those words? I already knew how this guy fills his self-esteem, but among all the many conversations there must have been, coming back and spouting this as the most impressive thing he heard is so typical of him. This guy is always putting on airs because he’s conscious that he’s 7 years older than me, but anyway, he and I aren’t substantially that different. At times like this, I can feel that he’s around a similar age to me, which just makes me laugh hollowly. I sighed once more and asked.

“Isn’t there any better praise?”

“You did well.”

I glanced at Mecklenburg.

“Honestly, it was admirable.”

“What was.”

“I’ve been deployed in the field since my First Education Institute days, so since you were old enough to attend the 3rd Education Institute. My knowledge was gained that way.”

Since I was on film sets in the 21st century, I silently translated it that way for myself.

“When you caught Pleroma in that test and summoned the police to end the situation, I had just arrived at Gutsmuth Street. When I watched your footage later, my insides were burning. The answer was so clear… it was so easy, so simple, yet what had I been doing.”

“That’s not like you, Senior.”

Mecklenburg ignored my words and continued what he was saying.

“Looking at answer sheets is always like that. The standard and the best—to a third party, it always looks easy. But when you try to move yourself, you realize it. That easy-looking thing is precisely the decisive factor that separates skill levels. So I even denied it momentarily. I wondered if you had some unique ability to see through everything.”

“…”

“This time was the same. When I heard you returned at 7 AM this morning, I couldn’t believe it until I saw you in person at 11 AM.”

The checkpoint employee mages passing by greet us. Mecklenburg nodded to acknowledge their greetings, looked back at me, and continued speaking.

“I’m saying you were that excellent. So, please take care of things this time too.”

“…”

“We have to somehow resolve this Atropos incident too, don’t we.”

“That’s right.”

I took off my gloves and grabbed Mecklenburg’s hand, massaging his wrist. At that moment, Mecklenburg made all sorts of faces, opened his mouth wide, then swatted my hand away.

“What the hell?!”

“Your germaphobia hasn’t been cured.”

“Is that something that gets cured or not? Really…! What have you been doing all this time not listening to people…”

Mecklenburg shook his hands vigorously with an incredulous expression and looked me up and down. As he was about to turn around and leave, I stuck my hand in my pocket and quietly called him.

“Senior.”

“What now?!”

“Later, shall we meet once more around 4 o’clock?”

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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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