Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

 

 

24. The Academy’s Treasure Map

 

 

I was about to flick Leila on the forehead but stopped and quietly looked at Ernest before asking.

“How is it?”

“Hmm… It’s definitely authentic. See here, this engraving and certification text? This is precise craftsmanship that can only be carved with a special machine that only the Akeder Auction House possesses.”

Ernest then began pouring out his specialized knowledge.

Special engravings, magic engravings, and how this was made with the Akeder Auction House’s unique machine using an engraving blade crafted from extremely rare ore in the world…

“Was that guy always like this?”

“What kind of image did you have of him?”

“Just, well, I thought he’d be really quiet and timid?”

That was understandable.

But to see him explaining so enthusiastically once his area of expertise came up.

That sight was quite fascinating, so I considered interrupting but decided against it and quietly waited for Ernest to finish.

About 5 minutes passed like that.

“…Anyway, this case alone has tremendous value!”

“I see. Then you can have that case.”

“Huh, huh?”

Ernest’s eyes looked like they might pop out.

“What I need is what’s inside, right?”

“Th-that’s true, but… are you really giving this to me?”

Is the case that valuable an item?

Well, even if it is, it’s true that I don’t need it.

“Yeah. I think you need it more than I do. Right, Leila?”

“I don’t know. A case is just a case, isn’t it?”

Ernest looked moved.

“You, you two really are worthy of being from the finest families… Thank you!”

I shrugged my shoulders.

When there’s someone else who needs it, it’s much better to show this kind of gesture than for me to keep it.

Sometimes an item that means nothing to me can be tremendous to someone else.

Anyway, now I should look at the contents.

“Oh, and I don’t need explanations about the map’s material or age, so could you explain what the map means?”

“Yes! Of course!”

Ernest opened the case with trembling hands and took out the map.

At a glance, it looked quite old.

It was worn in several places.

But the leather condition itself wasn’t too bad. Only the corners were like that, and the map’s content itself wasn’t difficult to make out.

“Oh, it looks real.”

“It does seem like it came from the Akeder Auction House.”

At mine and Leila’s words, Ernest nodded with an expression that held even more fervor than before, yet remained calm.

“Yes. I’m certain. It’s authentic.”

“Can you figure out what it is?”

Ernest examined the map without saying anything else.

Leila and I waited patiently. Ernest’s eyes looked too serious to rush him.

It reminded me of when I practice Spear Arts and study magic.

“This map looks a bit difficult, doesn’t it?”

“It seems that way.”

I nodded at Leila’s words.

Indeed, perhaps because it was a treasure map, it wasn’t drawn in an easily recognizable way at first glance.

It felt like it was pointing to a specific location rather than the entire Academy.

“What’s this? Is it code?”

Moreover, throughout the map were difficult-to-read writings that seemed to be codes.

Reading them was possible, but the meanings didn’t connect.

There probably exists some kind of rule.

Well, it is a treasure map after all.

But we have Ernest with us.

“How is it?”

Ernest was still pondering.

However, there were no signs of panic or confusion.

“It doesn’t seem to be a general type of map. Both the codes and the marked locations.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Hmm, first we need to decode the cipher… and most importantly, we need to find out who made this.”

At those words, Leila tilted her head.

“Is that an important fact?”

I picked up on that.

“In the case of maps, since there are no separate standards, wouldn’t rough speculation be possible just by analyzing the creator’s preferences or style?”

Ernest looked at me with surprised eyes.

“I didn’t know you’d know that much.”

“It’s just a guess.”

It wasn’t really just a guess.

There was an officer I met on the battlefield who had learned map reading quite properly.

“Dane is right. While objective facts are important for maps, this type of treasure map inevitably includes the creator’s concepts and preferences.”

Unlike topographical maps made for the general public, this type of treasure map inevitably reflects the creator’s preferences heavily.

If they had bad taste, they might make it incredibly difficult with the intention of making it impossible to find.

“Then would it be difficult to decode?”

At my words, Ernest was startled.

“How could that be? I swear on the honor of the Exploration Noble House of Baron Dylan that I’ll definitely figure it out!”

It was a spirited answer. Ernest immediately lit up his eyes and examined the map, then brought up something interesting.

“What’s certain for now is that this treasure seems to be inside the Academy.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Here, these styles were only used during the Academy’s construction.”

I could only understand up to this point.

From here on, it was a series of technical discussions.

“…Dane. How long do we have to listen to this?”

“Just leave him be. He looks excited.”

After a few more minutes passed like that-

“…In conclusion, this architectural style used secret magic that only Saul Hanston could use at the time.”

Now I could understand again.

Saul Hanston.

One of the Academy’s founders and a legendary mage, whose name is attached to the lecture hall I visited this morning.

So I shared the knowledge that came to mind.

“Then it’s a style that can never be used again now?”

At those words, Ernest’s eyes widened.

“You know about it?”

“Saul Hanston didn’t leave any disciples. Secret magic is only passed down to disciples, right?”

“That’s right, Dane. You know well.”

Having spent a long time on the battlefield, you meet all kinds of people and accumulate knowledge by hearing various stories.

“Then what do you mean by unique style?”

“It’s not that unique. On the surface. But here, this part is special. The method of adding magic to pillars and applying magical clay to the framework was his invention. It’s hard to recognize easily.”

It seems you need knowledge in many fields to go on expeditions.

It was a reason I never would have thought of.

“So anyway, it points to somewhere inside the Academy, right?”

“That’s about right. Of course, we can’t investigate everything. There are so many buildings. Even a rough count would be over 100, right?”

Leila continued Ernest’s explanation.

“Right. It’s realistically impossible. There are buildings even the professors can’t enter, and some places are completely closed off now.”

“Hmm.”

That means it would be better to narrow down the target for sure.

“So if we decode the cipher, we can find out where this building is?”

“Probably. But as I said earlier, we need to figure out who made this map.”

This is the key point after all.

We first need to find out who created it to get clues for decoding the cipher, and only by solving the cipher can we decipher this map.

My heart is secretly pounding with excitement.

I think I understand a little why adventurers in stories go crazy over treasure maps.

“If we figure it out, let’s all search together. How about it?”

At my suggestion, Ernest nodded happily, and Leila agreed too.

“That sounds fun! This is my first time doing something like this. Actually, even when I went outside the family estate before coming to the Academy, I always only went with family members!”

Leila seems especially excited.

That makes sense since Leila also has almost no experience with the world.

She might have gone out a few times following Father Duke Termion, but that would have been completely protected outings where she was ‘escorted.’

“What do you think we’ll find when we decode the cipher and go there? Artifacts? Jewels?”

Excited Leila was disappointed after hearing Ernest’s following answer.

“There might be nothing at all. Not all treasure maps are correct. Most of the time, someone already found what was there, or they were made purely to mess with people.”

“Then… there’s no point in searching?”

Seeing disappointed Leila’s expression, Ernest frantically waved his hands.

“B-but this one is different! No matter how blind the auction is, Akeder Auction House thoroughly manages quality! At least it means this map isn’t fake!”

Only then did Leila’s expression soften a bit.

Thank goodness.

I almost had to console her the entire way.

“Anyway, I’m glad I met you, Ernest.”

If it weren’t for Ernest, even after getting this treasure map, I wouldn’t have known what to do with it.

And saying this should make him work harder.

“It’s nothing much. If it’s a request from you, Dane, I’ll do anything you ask!”

Just as Ernest and I were confirming our friendship, Leila rolled her eyes.

“When did you two become so close?”

“Well, there’s that kind of thing between men.”

“You guys doing things just among yourselves is unfair.”

She always gets jealous at weird points.

“Well, it seems like it’ll take some time, so let’s take it slow.”

“Yeah, I’m going to look into it as soon as I get back to the dormitory. Oh, I’ll give this back to you.”

I tilted my head looking at Ernest who held out the map again.

“Don’t you need to have it to decode it?”

“Oh, it’s fine. I memorized it all.”

“Huh?”

I was momentarily speechless.

He memorized the entire map?

“What did you memorize? The cipher?”

At Leila’s question, Ernest shook his head.

“No. The map.”

“…”

“Why, why are you looking at me like that…?”

Because it doesn’t make sense.

This is ridiculous.

He memorized the entire map, not just the cipher?

“I-I’m not lying… I could draw it exactly the same right here! Without looking!”

Why would he lie about something like that.

It’s just hard to believe.

“…How good is your memory?”

“Well, I don’t know about other things, but strangely, things like ciphers and maps get engraved in my mind the moment I see them…”

So you’re saying he displays incredible memory power in specific fields, right?

Hobbies sometimes seem to bring out amazing abilities.

“Good. If you need anything for code decryption, let me know, okay? I’ll help if it’s something I can do.”

“Me too!”

Ernest looks touched.

“Th-thank you. I… this is my first time searching for something like this with someone other than Father, so I’m really happy.”

This is our first time doing something like this too.

“Then shall we head back now? Quite some time has passed, and it’s dinner time. I promised to eat with the kids on the same floor.”

Leila was on the 7th floor, right?

“What about you, Dane?”

“I don’t really make those kinds of plans.”

Maybe it’s because I ruined the welcome ceremony.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

I’ll gradually become friends with them.

It’s not like we’re sharing the same room anyway.

“What about Ernest?”

“I’m in Amaldi Hall, so it’s a 4-person room, but everyone seems busy… Maybe because we’re all in different departments, I haven’t even seen their faces yet.”

Even so, Ernest offered a quite positive interpretation.

“It’s okay! Instead, since no one’s there, I can work harder on code decryption!”

I wonder if he’s going to put Academy life on the back burner and only focus on code decryption.

“Take it slow. It’s not urgent.”

Anyway, we walked toward the dormitory like that. I felt gazes on the way, but I’m already used to it, so I don’t feel much about it.

“E-everyone seems to be looking only this way…”

However, Ernest wasn’t used to this kind of attention and was completely hunched over. Leila patted Ernest’s back.

“Straighten your shoulders. You’ll get used to it quickly, right?”

“I-I’m a bit scared…”

“You were so confident when explaining the map.”

Well, he’ll gradually get used to it.

By the way, maybe it’s because I obtained the ancient mana concentrate at the fountain and created a circle.

I feel like my sensing ability has expanded more than before. I can feel the surrounding mana more vividly.

They say mana dwells in everything in the world, but who would have thought I could feel mana flow even in a single leaf like that.

Ancient mana seems to be quite remarkable.

I should test various things as soon as I finish organizing my stuff.

After parting with Ernest like that, Leila and I entered Danter Hall and got on the elevator.

Leila pressed the 7th and 9th floor buttons while looking at me enviously.

“When will I get to go to the 9th floor?”

“When a spot opens up?”

“They check 8th floor people first, then 7th floor next. This is why they say to go to a high floor from the beginning.”

I tilted my head at Leila’s complaint.

“What’s so important about floors?”

“Well, it’s tradition. Only excellent students have used the top floor for generations. I want to be an excellent student. Until graduation.”

If that’s the case, I could give up the 9th floor anytime.

But if I said something like that out loud, I’d only be called annoying, so I’ll keep quiet.

“Dane, what are you doing tomorrow?”

“Attending classes.”

“I’m going to eat with my classmates and seniors!”

So this is what she wanted to tell me.

“That’s nice.”

“What kind of reaction is that? I wanted you to be envious. You’re killing the mood.”

“I can eat with you guys later when I have time. Ernest will be there too.”

I haven’t had many opportunities since my reincarnation, but eating alone is still familiar to me.

“Never mind. Geez, how are you always so indifferent?”

It’s too long a story to explain.

“Anyway, I’m going. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

Leila got off on the 7th floor, and then I arrived at the 9th floor.

When the door opened, the first thing I saw was Priscilla.

Priscilla.

From the Theology Department, and the woman who was startled by the repulsion of mana when she shook hands with me.

“Oh, freshman. How was your first day?”

“Just hectic, I guess.”

Come to think of it, a lot happened.

In my first class, a fellow named Altur suddenly picked a fight with me and then invited me to join the student council.

After that, I gained an unexpected harvest in the Garden of Mist and created a circle containing Ancient Magic Power…

Then I taught a lesson to Bron’s group, who had been bullying Ernest.

And during lunch, I even examined the treasure map I got from dagger throwing.

“The first day is always like that. It must have been especially so for you. Were there any annoying fellows?”

I responded with a snicker instead of words.

Priscilla nodded as if she understood.

But this is strange.

“Where are you going?”

Priscilla seemed quite flustered by my question.

“Ah, um. I have some business to take care of.”

“Business?”

It’s almost roll call time, where is she going?

“It’s fine! I’ve never been caught before!”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Well, it’s not my concern.”

Priscilla grinned.

“As expected, you understand my heart well.”

We just met yesterday though.

Priscilla winked once like that, then opened the window and jumped out.

I was a bit surprised for a moment, but I didn’t bother going over to look.

I figured she’d probably be alive.

But what could she be sneaking out for before roll call?

Lost in thought, I arrived at my room and immediately began organizing the luggage I had piled up.

“There’s less than I thought.”

Books on the bookshelf, clothes in the wardrobe, miscellaneous items in the drawer, and important things from my family in places where I can always see them.

And where should I put this small, precious familiar egg?

Items like the Night Horn that Mother gave me can just be carried around all the time, but it’s a bit awkward to carry around a familiar egg in a case.

Little Sister said not to put living creatures in spatial storage, so that’s obviously out of the question too.

“Hmm.”

After pondering for a moment, I decided to at least infuse it with the mana I couldn’t yesterday.

But that’s when it happened.

“What’s this?”

Buzz buzz buzz.

Why is this egg suddenly reacting?

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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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