Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 308

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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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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 308

197. Guardians of Del Orno (4)

A firm consciousness or notion.

We call it a ‘stereotype’.

To be precise, this fellow was claiming.

“The word ‘black mage’ itself is a stereotype.”

Those words were quite convincing.

He spoke without the slightest tremor or change in front of the sphere of light Priscilla had created.

Rather, he stared at it as if fascinated.

As if seeing it for the first time.

“Thanks to that, we had to live in hiding.”

“Why?”

“Because the world made it so. The result of being forced to cooperate with the demons in the war with the demons came back to us like that.”

Long, long ago—

A war that began with the invasion of demons that can now only be seen in fairy tales.

There, necromancers and black mages cooperated with the demons.

—That’s what we know.

And we still don’t doubt it.

Why?

Because it’s as firm a notion as the fact that people eventually die.

“Should we believe what you’re saying?”

“Whether you believe it or not is your business. I… simply want enlightenment.”

The fellow said this while gazing intently at the darkness beyond.

“And that enlightenment is in there. The enlightenment we’ve been searching for so desperately.”

We’d need a more detailed story, but there’s only one thing I can say right now.

“That’s ours though.”

“…What?”

“We found it first.”

“Th-that was originally ours! The world, the rulers of that time sealed the source of power in there to weaken us!”

The fellow shouted passionately as if deeply wronged.

“Black mage is a manufactured concept. An evil mage who received a share of the demons’ power. Such a thing couldn’t exist in the first place! Any living being touched by demonic energy must die, except for demons!”

To him making his passionate argument, I simply said.

“So?”

“Simply put, we’ve been persecuted for long years… So what do you mean?”

“It’s a story that has nothing to do with us.”

I looked toward the pitch-black darkness beyond, just as he had done.

“What we’re interested in is what’s inside, not your sob story.”

Bewilderment spreading across the fellow’s face.

Black mage?

Literally an old, old story.

Well, the fact that the concept is different from what we knew is interesting, but now isn’t the time to explore that interest.

“And I’m interested in what you know too.”

“…”

The fellow looked at me silently.

Meanwhile, Priscilla asked with a suspicious expression.

“You’re really not a black mage?”

“Th-that’s right. That’s simply put, a fabricated concept. Very thoroughly so.”

“You didn’t learn methods to hide that power while living in hiding?”

“Th-there’s no way!”

“…There’s no way.”

Priscilla’s voice was strangely trembling.

Also, it seemed like she was saying that shouldn’t be the case.

“What’s wrong?”

“…No. Nothing.”

Meanwhile, the fellow’s protests continued.

“Our mana is no different from other people’s! It’s just, just that the way we use mana is slightly different.”

Words continuing urgently.

“If you’ll just allow it, I’ll prove it to you. It’s probably a method none of you here have ever seen.”

He spoke confidently, but my answer was probably different from what the fellow expected.

“No. I’m not really interested.”

I’m not interested right now.

Maybe later though.

“It would be better to tell us what’s inside first.”

The fellow has no hostility.

We have no hostility toward this side either.

But I need to know what I’m curious about.

The direction of our expedition will change depending on whether we know in advance what’s inside.

“Are you… here to find what’s inside?”

“We don’t know what it is, but yes.”

“By, by any chance for what reason…”

“Why are you asking that?”

“…By any chance, if you find it, couldn’t you sell it to us or something? It’s a very important item to us.”

At those words, I shrugged and looked around at my friends.

“That’s not something I can decide alone.”

We’re a team after all.

Therefore, I can’t make such an important decision by myself when we don’t even know what it is.

“Don’t you all think so?”

“That’s right. Of course.”

“That’s correct, Teacher Dane.”

The guys chiming in as if this was the perfect moment.

Yeah, this is how our teamwork should be.

“…”

Thanks to that, the fellow was dumbfounded and lost for words, then after a moment opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“Then I’ll help too. I’ll probably be of help. Since it’s important to us as well, I’ll help you find it and we can discuss it later.”

Look at this fellow.

“I can’t oppose you all anyway. And it doesn’t seem like I can leave here either. So I’ll help. In whatever way possible.”

His head works quite rationally.

However, I need to find out whether his situational judgment is quick, or if he has other intentions.

I quickly organized my thoughts.

A fellow claiming that black mage is actually a fabricated concept, and that they were rather persecuted and lived in hiding for long years.

And what the fellow is looking for is a means to restore their power and come out into the outside world.

One more thing here.

“What’s your relationship with Count Arkent?”

“…”

At this question, the fellow closed his mouth for the first time.

As if it was very difficult to answer.

“That… I cannot say.”

“Then we have no reason to take you with us either.”

“….”

“Also, there’s no need to worry about you. Whatever you discover inside.”

What’s inside the ruins.

That’s said to be something that can restore the power of that fellow and the ‘black mages’ he belongs to.

Because of this, that fellow finally opened his mouth.

“…Count Arkent found us. After deciphering very old documents that barely exist anymore. His obsession with magic is truly at an astounding level.”

The story that followed was this.

Quite surprisingly, Count Arkent had recognized their original power.

His obsession is at a considerable level indeed.

“His interests and ours aligned perfectly. Count Arkent happened to be very interested in relics and magical tools, so he said he could obtain excavation rights.”

So this was how the deal came about.

But there’s still an unresolved question.

“How exactly did those interests align?”

“….”

Hesitation again.

Rather than making another gesture here, I just waited.

Then his mouth opened naturally.

“He… wants to become a mage. It’s his lifelong dream, he said.”

Though his eyes were tightly shut.

“So we agreed to make that happen for him. That was his purpose in seeking us out in the first place.”

The person who reacted to this was Altur.

“What are you saying right now? Make him into a mage, is that it?”

“Y-yes. It’s possible with the power we possess.”

“That sounds strange right now… Are you saying you can make someone without magical talent into a mage?”

“Exactly that.”

Even I was somewhat surprised.

The other guys were speechless, and Altur was so shocked he started stuttering.

“Th-that shouldn’t be possible….”

Altur is right.

Mages are almost determined from birth.

Everyone is born with mana.

But not everyone is born with magical talent.

You must be able to commune with mana, feel mana more easily, and know how to handle mana.

Moreover, you must also learn the discipline of ‘magic’ itself to finally become a mage.

“I’ve never heard of acquired mages. Even late bloomers are just people who discovered their talent late.”

Altur’s words are correct.

And there are reasons for saying this.

“Didn’t you say that Count Arkent has no talent for mana?”

“He has no talent for magic in general. Though he has great interest.”

Is this also a preconception?

“Yes, that’s correct. All those words are right. According to current concepts, that is.”

The fellow added to this.

“But it’s possible. With our power.”

And he even added a somewhat surprising story.

“And that’s exactly why we ended up in this situation.”

Mage.

A kind of class.

And a word that could also be called a concept symbolizing authority.

Indeed, mages receive much preferential treatment across the entire continent.

They’re extremely rare, and each one is treated as asymmetric warfare power in battle.

They also enrich daily life with mana and magic.

Simply put, mages are almost the only existence that allows non-nobles to be treated as nobles or better.

“If that’s really possible… this would cause tremendous chaos.”

Altur speaking like that isn’t entirely incomprehensible.

It’s not just about consciousness of authority.

There are separate procedures, and there might be certain limitations….

But if there exists a way to become a mage even without being born with talent?

The moment that’s revealed, mages’ authority would plummet to the ground and the overall structure of society would be overturned.

“Altur is right. This is important enough to shake the entire Empire.”

Priscilla chimed in too.

Meaning unbearable chaos would arrive.

The mage class could collapse in an instant.

Existing mage forces could lose their voice, fall from power, and the political structure could change.

Just thinking about it now, it’s this serious, but considering unpredictable situations….

“This is giving me a headache.”

“Right. I couldn’t even imagine it. If I think about becoming a mage….”

“Teachers, even I would probably do the same as Count Arkent.”

As each story flowed out, only Dane remained quietly without saying anything special.

Then Priscilla asked.

“Dane, what do you want to do?”

Dane looked at the man who had poured out shocking words without speaking, then finally asked after a moment.

“How exactly is this making someone into a mage accomplished?”

“…It’s mana inheritance.”

A new concept follows.

“Simply put, we transplant circles. Using both physical and magical methods.”

Dane didn’t bother asking if such a thing was possible.

It must be possible since he’s saying it.

Setting aside the question of authenticity.

“You’ll make Count Arkent into a mage with that?”

“Yes. Though he can never become a high-level mage.”

“Anyway, you can artificially create mages.”

“That’s… right.”

“And that’s part of your power.”

“….”

The fellow, the one who still hasn’t revealed his name, pleaded.

“Even if it’s not just that, this is absolutely necessary for us. We’ve had to live in hiding for a very long time. Now… we too deserve compensation for those years….”

Then he added.

“If you help us, if you hand that over to us… we will do everything in our power to reward you.”

Having heard this far, Dane seemed to be contemplating very seriously.

He seemed to be thinking while looking at him silently.

“Dane.”

Altur, unable to bear it, asked.

“You’re not believing what he said, are you?”

“Right. Dane. This is… wrong. If that ability really exists, we shouldn’t do it.”

While saying this, Dane finally opened his mouth.

But to Ernest, not to anyone else.

“Ernest. What do you think?”

“Me… me?”

Ernest was flustered at being suddenly pointed out, but brought out the only thing he could say.

“For now… shouldn’t we see what’s inside?”

Dane grinned as if he had expected this.

“Right. We didn’t come here to think about headache-inducing matters, but to go on an adventure.”

Dane turned his head again to look at the fellow.

“Lead the way. Let’s see what’s inside first, then we’ll talk about what comes next.”

“A-are you serious?”

“I’d also add that it’s best not to harbor any other thoughts.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

The fellow jumped up with joy, practically bouncing.

And Dane watched his back intently as he took the lead.

‘Dane?’

Only Leila, who had been with him the longest, noticed Dane’s gaze.

There was something.

Leila thought this as she finally moved her footwork along with the group inside the ruins.

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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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