How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 581

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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 Noble Family (581)

Leonard’s reaction was perfectly natural. Anyone in the world would ask with that kind of nuance. Why? Because I would say the same thing. Damn… I would also ask if I wouldn’t be good enough. Muttering curses inwardly, I felt my face burn with shame as I lowered my head. I couldn’t dare look Leonard in the eyes. Am I not enough for you? What an incredibly considerate response. He was so thoughtful it could bring tears to one’s eyes, but I… didn’t cry, I was just embarrassed. If I were Leonard, if it were me, I would have stayed silent asking what kind of nonsense he was spouting. Or maybe I would have grabbed him by the collar.

Leonard was naturally wondering why I wouldn’t work. Well, that’s because, I… Now even my hands were trembling. Leonard broke the awkward silence and asked carefully.

“Blood with this kind of composition is needed… My blood won’t… work? I think I’d meet the conditions too.”

I silently shook my head.

“Does that mean it works, or it doesn’t work.”

“I’m sorry. You must feel bad.”

I can’t hear an answer. I forced out the words I had to say to the end.

“What I need right now, there’s no other intention or emotion besides that. It’s natural for you to react that way. I’m sorry. Taking your blood to suppress the core is shameless enough, but to go beyond that…”

“Stop. I’ll think of it as donating blood to a friend who needs treatment. That’s actually what it is.”

Objectively, that’s true. Except for the fact that I’m drinking too much right now and it’s not necessary for survival. The momentarily cool air became awkward again. Leonard, who had been troubled and hesitant, placed his hand on my shoulder.

“But, that… You can lift your head. I understand. You’re not someone who would say nonsense. You must have a plan I don’t know about. You knew it was a difficult request but had to ask me anyway. Right?”

When I hear him speak so carefully in the gentlest voice possible, thinking of me, I can’t lift my head from this awkwardness. Really… I’m abusing my friend’s human consideration.

“This is something I can’t do on my own authority, Lucas.”

Only then did I spread my hands and answer rapidly.

“Right, I suppose that would be the case. Then—”

“Wait. His Majesty the King must give permission. Actually, you’re from a ruling family, but I am too…”

Leonard chose his words. I finally lifted my head a little to look at him. While I had my head down, my face had unintentionally become fierce, and Leonard was startled and bewildered when our eyes met, but he quickly answered calmly as if nothing had happened.

“Actually, I can’t draw blood based solely on my will without notification. We are individuals, but at the same time, we’re people with the duty to be responsible for this country’s safety. I need to get permission through proper procedures so that my choice won’t harm Bavarians in the future, so please understand that I have to put your request on hold for now.”

“Of course. Of course I understand. I know this isn’t something that can be overlooked just because you say something plausible on my behalf. Leo, you shouldn’t understand me.”

“It certainly seems that way…”

Even Leonard answered reluctantly now. He thought for a moment before responding.

“I don’t think you’ll do anything foolish, so I find myself trying to understand somehow.”

I felt that I had owed him far too much based on trust alone. Of course, the same goes for Elias, Haike, and other friends… There’s no end if I think about it. Before guilt could rise, I closed my eyes and said thank you. Leonard gradually regained his complete composure and spoke as usual.

“We should leave those friends here and return to Bavaria first, just the two of us.”

“They won’t even try to leave this place until the Sigu matter is resolved.”

“Haha… That’s right. I’ll stop by Bavaria, then come back to Rome to see my friends while also investigating that plain I saw earlier. You stay in Bavaria and do what you need to do.”

It’s obvious who the core of those ‘friends’ is without asking. Leonard will come to see Narke. That itself was making a move. But…

“Wait.”

I grabbed Leonard’s arm with magic. He looked at me kindly with a questioning face.

“Sorry, but you need to provide defense.”

* * *

Leonard left Rome first, then returned 30 minutes later with Prussian mages. It was still the middle of the night. Narke had entered the Apostolic Palace alone, and Julia was playing with Ulrike, who was still investigating seriously, having lost interest in finding the cause of the explosions.

Leonard came to get me after getting permission first to avoid Prussian suspicion. I reclaimed my lost bed, moved to Prussia, then easily crossed the border under the pretext of being summoned by the King of Bavaria. When the King doesn’t call, it wouldn’t be easy to cross the border, but either way, the interference Abraham had set up without much thought to annoy me lost its meaning today due to the strongest card I could play.

The closer we got to Munich Residenz, the more my heart pounded. His Majesty the King was awake even at this dawn, not sleeping. With chaos in Berlin, he wasn’t someone who could sleep peacefully. He had to watch for opportunities. Whatever it was, Leonard had returned in just 30 minutes after going to ask for permission – even with warping possible, this was almost like he had said one word and returned. Did His Majesty the King not interrogate Leonard even after hearing my unreasonable request? Or did he tell him to bring me to scold me, thinking it was crazy talk that didn’t need questioning? I’m thinking this way because it’s rationally a possibility.

The servants who received Leonard’s orders changed me into clean clothes and supported me. Leonard was in the King’s office, then came into the waiting room shortly after and gestured. While walking with the servants, he gave me a tense look, then sat in a waiting room chair.

“We will enter, Your Majesty.”

The servants said this and opened the office door. His Majesty the King was sitting comfortably in his chair, looking at me. I reflexively swallowed and sat in a chair with the servants’ support. Moonlight streamed in behind His Majesty the King, who sat with his hands clasped comfortably. He spoke indifferently.

“I heard there was an accident, but seeing it directly makes me feel even worse.”

“No. It’s healing quickly even at this moment.”

“The Crown Prince said it would be thanks to his blood.”

“Pardon?”

My shoulders stiffened when blood was mentioned. I had to try not to show such signs somehow. To explain that I have good compatibility with that friend’s blood, I would first need to reveal that I have the ability to absorb magic from blood, and that’s information His Majesty the King doesn’t know. Information he shouldn’t know. His Majesty the King stared down at me before speaking.

“I heard that the Crown Prince’s healing magic and magic power have a good effect on you.”

“…Ah, yes. That’s correct, Your Majesty.”

“Then, please explain how you intend to obtain and use Wittelsbach blood.”

Even expected words can freeze a person. I looked at the King’s face without bothering to pretend to be calm. His Majesty the King was looking at me coldly with a face showing no great aversion. As always. Perhaps it was his own poker face.

“Your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness. There is nothing I can tell Your Majesty.”

“There is nothing you can say.”

“…However, I can promise. I can ensure no harm comes to Bavaria and the Wittelsbach royal family. No, I dare to be confident. I can elevate Bavaria. With this, I can do my best to protect the people.”

I spoke strongly while looking into those blue eyes like Leonard’s. No further persuasion was possible. The King looked at me quietly, then opened his mouth when cold sweat was starting to form on my gloved hands.

“I’m curious how the Crown Prince heard this and came to me.”

My Adam’s apple reflexively bobbed. It felt like my tongue was pressing against the roof of my mouth.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not scolding you, but I’m curious how that strict person is trying to accommodate a request based on trust. I don’t require an answer. I knew he was someone capable of that.”

The King was lost in thought, touching his temple, then smiled when our eyes met.

“He often showed such behavior in combat magic. …I raised the Crown Prince to pour that heart into his homeland and the people who make up his homeland. The Crown Prince is now more ready than anyone to dedicate himself to human life, so I take pride that mine and that child’s efforts were not in vain. However, people are not machines for achieving purposes, and that shouldn’t be made the ultimate reason for granting him this diverse life. I have no intention of scolding the Crown Prince for casting his gaze in the direction I’m concerned about.”

From the words “shouldn’t be made,” I received the will that even if one life initially started with the purpose we all know, it would ultimately overlay other meanings on top of it. The beginning of a person is originally fleeting. According to people’s empty echoes, the meaning of life is something you create yourself. And according to what I know today, others could create meaning in my life, and there’s someone in front of me who wants to do that. The King wants to give meaning to Leonard’s life by allowing him responsible freedom.

I’m accustomed to accepting many things from Esper speech in a modified way. Do they, who don’t use the word parents but use the word adults, have traditional parental emotions? Even if not, the King’s love was perfectly similar to parental love. Ironically, the parental love I experienced couldn’t even come close to this by a toe’s length. The attitude of completely respecting one person as another person, not as a being belonging to oneself, surpassed the parental emotions I had learned.

“However, within the bounds of not forgetting one’s duty.”

I closed my eyes and slightly bowed my head to show I understood the meaning.

“And the Crown Prince, who hasn’t forgotten his duty, thinks that accommodating your request, Count Ernst, would also be betting on Bavaria’s future. I have no reason not to trust the person I raised and recognized, and the talent that person supports. I trust myself. So… let’s do this. If you follow my words, I’ll allow you to use blood for your research under the accompaniment of an observer.”

The King spoke seriously without changing his expression.

“I’ll make the first move before my child. Please contribute your magic power to Bavaria’s future.”

My eyes widened involuntarily. I looked into the King’s eyes with my mouth closed. Even with shadows cast on his face sitting with his back to the moonlight, those familiar eyes were bright.

“Yes, as you know, Count Ernst has usually contributed greatly to the Kingdom of Bavaria’s magic and divine power reserves. However…”

However, now it’s not about increasing treasury reserves.

With a face not much like Leonard’s, he created a surprisingly similar atmosphere. I suppressed the urge to shake my head while staring quietly with wide eyes. Don’t you know that, Your Majesty? Rather, this is when I should ask.

Is that really acceptable?

Black birds fly in flocks outside the window. The King continued.

“You know what I’m talking about now. So, what is your decision?”

My answer was already decided. It had been decided from the moment I came here and would never change. So this was absolutely a deal I couldn’t lose.

It’s just moving up a major agreement I’ll make with many countries someday. Stay calm… But my fingertips curled involuntarily. Even if this deal is established, there’s no guarantee that my magic will comprise dozens of percent of future Wittelsbach cores, the blood hasn’t been taken yet, and it won’t be used for decades, but I don’t know how not to pay attention to this sharp topic. I answered while feeling tension around my eyes due to worry.

“I will do so.”

* * *

“What did you discuss with His Majesty?”

Leonard asked me that as soon as I came out. Since I couldn’t be carried around like luggage by a friend for appearances’ sake, I devised a levitation technique using magic while being supported. People think of all sorts of things when they can’t walk. I answered simply.

“I won’t tell you.”

“I’ll have to ask His Majesty.”

“His Majesty won’t tell you either.”

“Did you agree on that? My goodness.”

He pushed me into the research lab room he had been guided to in advance, left the room himself, then returned after quite a while. Tension lingered on his face as he leaned against the closed door. He had a long bottle wrapped in silver silk in his hand. Leonard unwrapped it and held the bottle out to me. Blood with magic sparkling like stardust swirled inside. I reflexively felt nauseous, but at the same time thought, finally. He handed me the bottle with a complex expression.

“To give you this… You’re really favored by His Majesty.”

“I’m honored.”

“I’m not surprised at all.”

Right, you said that before too. I didn’t say those words and took a deep breath. Leonard crossed his arms and looked down at me sitting in the middle of the room while checking his watch.

“So this is why you said you needed me.”

“Right, no matter how much he trusts me, he can’t not assign even a minimum supervisor.”

That’s not something a king of a nation would do. His Majesty the King used his own child, his most trusted aide, as my supervisor to know if this blood was safely processed as promised. Leonard volunteered to do so.

Now the problem is… I’ve already been granted many conveniences and there’s a prior agreement, so I can’t even kick Leonard out. I had at least that much conscience. My head already aches. How can I tell him the truth without causing my friend worry?

“I’m telling you sooner than I thought.”

“Hm?”

Leonard, who had been watching me hesitate while holding the bottle, kindly tilted his head and asked. I lifted my head and told him.

“Leo. See you in 5 minutes.”

“What are you saying? You can’t leave until you process that. It’s not my will but His Majesty’s will.”

“No, I’ll disappear for a moment. I’ll return safely to you, so wait.”

“What?”

Leonard frowned. I squeezed my eyes shut and poured the blood down my throat. After swallowing the last drop and lowering my head, bright white letters slid out glowing before my eyes.

[ Extra Chapter ]

[ Stage 4 Open! ]

Stage 4, Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. The blank spaces lined up below and other stages divided by lines didn’t even catch my eye. A new world had been created. Let justice roll down like waters, righteousness like an ever-flowing stream… I recited this and closed my eyes. The moment another’s warm hand touched my arm, the world turned black without light.

* * *

“Student!”

“Ah.”

Cold. I opened my eyes with a sharp groan as rough hands grabbed and shook my shoulders. Thanks to restraining the curses that were about to spill out with a gentleman’s heart, I was able to receive pitying looks from the Citizen in front of me. Whatever the case, my shoulder blade hurt as if it was about to be torn off. This is exactly why I almost cursed.

“Why is a perfectly healthy Friend sleeping on the street in broad daylight? There were some guys trying to rob Student’s wallet, so I gave them a beating.”

Some Mister grinned and proudly showed off his scruffy beard. He pressed a document bag into my hand and stood up. The cold seeped through my entire body. It must be winter. I awkwardly smiled and got up from my spot. For some reason, when Mister looked at me in surprise, I reflexively cast an illusion spell to change my eye color.

“Ugh.”

I grabbed my thigh at the completely unexpected pain. What the hell? Are you kidding me? I just became able to stand on two legs like yesterday afternoon, and even here my body isn’t in good condition?

“What’s wrong?”

“No, Teacher. It’s nothing. Thank you.”

I politely bowed and watched with a smiling face until the Citizen disappeared. Only after the person disappeared did I try to walk, but my posture wasn’t very proper. Every time I fully extended my legs and stretched them forward, heavy pain struck my waist and back thigh muscles. How did this bastard live to end up like this? Did he get in a traffic accident? He was hit and run by a cart and left abandoned. From experience… it’s a plausible scenario.

Even so, I can’t go around staggering down the street. I started walking properly, ignoring the pain. I could confidently say I was already well-practiced at ignoring pain.

So.

I entered a deserted Alley and examined my outfit. Black pants with red socks, hmm. Bold choice. Not my taste though… I searched through my pockets thoroughly but nothing special came out. Opening the black leather bag revealed textbooks.

[Trauma Medicine]

[Royal Bavaria Julius-Maximilian University Press]

Medical school? Julius-Maximilian University. A university in the Bavaria Würzburg region, famous for medicine. If he’s a university Student, he’d be 19 or an adult. I felt somewhat relieved and searched more. A small leather pencil case tied with string, a wallet that had just fallen out and been put back in, and…

Behind cigarettes in a small pouch was a crumpled passport. This is it. This is what I needed. Then a natural thought followed. If there’s a passport, am I a foreigner again this time?

Can’t be helped. Now, name. What kind of Lucas are you… I took off my gloves, wet my finger with saliva, and flipped through the passport.

[Lucas Laplace]

Lucas? My Lucas doesn’t use a C. Lucas Laplace, Laplace… The only Laplace I know—the moment I thought of the Frenchman mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace, what was written below caught my eye.

[Klasse: 1] [Staatsangehörigkeit: Frankreich] [Geboren: 1832]

Born in 1832. Lucas Laplace is truly a grandfather. Nationality… French Empire. I understood why they used C in the name. It’s not Lucas Laplace but Luc Laplace, you know? Since I’m in Germany, people will call me Lucas Laplace according to German.

But what caught my eye was the item next to it. Classification, 1. Human.

My head went completely white. Human? Me? No, Lucas Laplace must be Human. Really? I reflexively grabbed my neck tightly. My Adam’s apple still didn’t protrude unusually. It didn’t, but how… I hurriedly shoved the passport into my pocket and came out to the main street.

“…Hah.”

With a cheerful notification sound, I let out a hollow laugh seeing the scenery that was now coming into view at a glance.

[ Suggestion 1. Find Host ]

― Reward: EC point +3

I waved my hand to dismiss it.

I said I was born in 1832. Seeing that I’m a Young Man, it’s probably around the 1850s now, the late 19th century, practically completely different from the 20th century. As a 21st century person, the late 19th century was already sufficiently ancient, but this is even more so. I don’t even see cars, everything moving around are Carriages. No streetcars either. Most importantly, the roads aren’t paved!

I opened my mouth watching people busily passing by. Seeing this, I understand. 1898 was a period when 21st century people could sufficiently adapt. Of course, there were cars and trains and streetcars there… at least there were cleanly paved roads and sidewalks, and the sewage system was as neat as modern times. People also wore familiar-looking neckties. But here there’s horse manure, you can clearly see into the sewers, there’s almost no electric lighting and it’s all gas lamps. People’s clothing was also much more diversely unpleasant. Everyone’s wearing bow ties and cravats! I put my hand on my chest. I also have a typical cravat made of thick lace. Right, okay. They sometimes do that in 1898 too. Let’s accept it. Their 5:5 parts are really hard to get used to. Touching my hair, fortunately Lucas Laplace didn’t have such taste and had a 7:3 part. Whatever it is, it’s old-fashioned.

The most striking difference was the Demon Women’s clothing. I could see crinolines that had practically disappeared. Young people are wearing styles that 1898 people would consider like our Grandmother’s attire. I understand it intellectually but it looks unfamiliar.

I shook my head and looked around, spotted a Building that appeared to be a university, and led my barely moving legs inside. I passed through the campus garden and looked for the Bathroom that was most visible first in the lobby. Mirror, right. I had to check the mirror. If I’m listed as Human, then how on earth… I stood in front of a small oval mirror with an ornate frame.

Neatly cut jet-black hair parted and swept over, pale skin that clearly showed blue and red blood color. And looking somewhat dejected. What’s there to complain about? I stroked the dark circles under my eyes and chapped lips with my finger and sighed disapprovingly. Look at that skin color. It’s practically synonymous with poor health. Doesn’t he do outdoor activities? Luca’s skin was healthily tanned, but this guy’s was reset too.

Is his financial situation not very good, no, I’m starting to get the picture. To say he has no money, his appearance was too much like a rich family’s brat, his skin was smooth without roughness in this midwinter and the hair oil he applied was high-quality. From this much information I can tell how well he’s eaten and lived. Why are only this guy’s lips cracked? In such a dry season, guys with money to burn would put oil on their lips too.

It’s obvious. Seeing that there are no scratches on his face, it seems like he tried, but still couldn’t completely hide it. It’s an obvious fact that lip skin is tender and easily tears from external impact. It probably tore when he was thrown or pushed somewhere. Luc Laplace is a French exchange Student with poor peer relationships, unlike the honor Student Lucas Muller from Mecklenburg-Strelitz who was popular with Students. Why on earth is a university Student getting beaten up? Even if you get caught…

“Huh.”

I felt an uncomfortable sensation lingering on the inside of my forearm, pressed that area, then frowned and whistled sharply. It hurts. There’s a bruise. They really did it thoroughly all over.

And…

What should I do? I’m listed as Human but my height doesn’t seem very different from my original height. About 185cm maybe? 185cm, in 1832? Germans in 1898 are reasonably tall thanks to nutritional balance, but unfortunately that ‘reasonably’ was relative to that era. The average height of Germans in this era is about 5cm shorter. My head hurt. Can I really replace Lucas Laplace? Still, thinking about it, it’s not impossible. Even in the 21st century, there were often people approaching 2m, weren’t there? That’s about it. What… Damn it, whatever you convince yourself of, you stand out. What are you sitting there being convinced of?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. How tall was Luc Laplace? Would it be okay to suddenly become tall today…

“…!”

Suddenly Someone grabbed my hair and bent it back. Along with confusion, pure doubt reflexively surged up—everyone should be short, so how did hands reach my head? The reflexive doubt was quickly resolved. Someone equally tall was looking down at me with a triumphant face. Three people together. I could sense it intuitively. They’re all Mages.

That was my impression as Lucas Ascanien, but Luc Laplace’s impression was different. My heart was already beating violently. Just being frightened made my legs lose strength, making me extremely flustered for a moment. I put strength into my feet instead of Laplace and tried to push them away.

“Wait, wait.”

“Oh, German?”

“What’s this French goose doing? Did you learn German overnight and come here?”

“Right. Wait and see.”

I breathed heavily while acting frightened, then when the force on my head loosened, I threw a punch.

“…!”

“Sorry.”

With minimal conscience I apologized, struck their faces and knocked them down. Blood got on my fist but I didn’t have time to wipe it off and quickly exited the Bathroom. Since I apologized saying sorry, my guilt was completely erased so I’m not sorry anymore. There’s no time. I had to figure out what to do next, and I couldn’t leave any more bruises.

“Hey—! Lucas!”

Blue mana tried to grab my legs but dodging that much is a piece of cake. By the time I turned in the corridor and left the lobby, they were shouting loudly from behind, which was bewildering. They couldn’t get their wits together right after being hit and are only grasping the situation now, yet they have strength to shout? How much must Luc Laplace have been looked down on for this to happen…

Just then, at the sharp mana brushing past my ear, I turned once more as if to show off. I was planning to go around the Building and exit through the Back Gate. At that moment—

Ding—!

[ ‘Suggestion 1. Find Host’ Success! ]

― Reward: EC point +3

At the notification sound, I stopped running. Host? Having grasped the situation, I looked back the way I came and approached the front of the Building again. At that moment, one German Mage who got hit less finally chased me, grabbed my collar and slammed me against the wall. The moment he raised his fist to hit me once more, the Student made an “uh” sound and was pushed away, flying in front of me. Blue mana scattered in that spot.

Only then did I notice the presence of someone sitting far away in the campus watching me. When our eyes met, He approached me.

Short hair flutters in the wind. Under sharp upturned eye corners, only bright blue pupils shine brilliantly. Thin, dried lips are firmly pressed together. His cheeks are slightly sunken in front of developed jawbones, creating a fierce impression. Someone who seems at least 10cm taller looks down at me with a mysteriously beautiful face where unusually sharp features harmonize enough to stand out at a glance. I know someone with this kind of height and build, so I might feel déjà vu, but still it’s very unfamiliar. Of course. Should I be familiar? Unfamiliar but…

I could recognize him.

“Prince.”

The face of Hildegart Wittelsbach in her twenties, with shadows cast from having her back to the sunlight, tilted. She frowned once, then said crookedly.

“Don’t you know my name?”

My breath caught. I barely managed to swallow. That’s when I realized.

This Son… perfectly resembles his Mother.

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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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