The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 11

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 11
“Young master, are you heading to the Magic Library?”
“Yes.”
“You have lunch with First Son McLafflin today, so please don’t be late, understood?”
“I won’t be late. Don’t worry and head inside, Helen.”
Zeke McLafflin placed his hand on the orb, leaving his nanny behind.
-Zeke McLafflin. Confirmed.
*Click.*
Once again, Zeke McLafflin clocked in at the Magic Library.
Without fail, every single day.
Officially, it was to grow closer to mana, but that was merely a pretext.
The real reason lay elsewhere.
There was no better place to train in secret than here.
-Shall I cast magic for you again today?
‘Yeah. Thanks, Carbol.’
Zeke McLafflin withdrew a mana stone and held it against his necklace.
It resembled feeding a creature.
The mana stone glowed in response.
-I won’t be responsible if you get hurt!
‘That’s the third year he’s been saying that.’
-Here we go!
Zeke McLafflin nodded with a smile, though there was little for him to do.
All he had to do was read the messages that appeared.
[Magic detected.]
[The ‘Magic Absorption’ skill is active.]
[Absorbing the cast magic ‘Paralyze’.]
[Skill proficiency has increased by 30.]
[Proficiency remaining until 9-Star achievement: 299,640/300,000]
[Magic ‘Paralyze’ has been stored in the dimensional rift.]
[You can release the magic within the time limit.]
[Time remaining: 09:59:59]
The dragon clicked his tongue at the sight of magic being absorbed yet again.
-No matter how many times I witness it, I cannot comprehend it. My magic being blocked so effortlessly.
‘This is a 3-Circle spell, right?’
-Indeed.
‘Can’t you handle higher-tier magic yet?’
-With the mana stones you’ve provided, 3-Circle is the limit.
‘Hmm…’
I was close to reaching 9-Star.
Thanks to three years of consistently absorbing magic.
However, Zeke’s expression fell short of satisfaction.
‘Three years, and I still haven’t awakened a fourth-tier skill. This is taking far too long.’
Since the skill absorbed magic, my proficiency was advancing more slowly than before.
‘If I could absorb ninth-circle magic like Mental Collapse, I could level up much faster….’
From my experience so far, I knew that the higher the circle of magic I absorbed, the greater the proficiency gain.
But I couldn’t absorb ninth-circle magic.
The magic Carbol could cast varied depending on the grade of the mana stone.
‘Is there a limit to what I can achieve with the mana stone Father gave me?’
The books here did contain mana, but that alone couldn’t serve as a catalyst.
High purity and unrefined mana stones were optimal.
That’s why I asked Father to procure mana stones for me.
The justification was easy enough—I could simply use talent awakening as an excuse, just as I always had.
Of course, even for a Prestigious Magic Family, mana stones weren’t easy to obtain.
The reality was that even as a young master of the Duke Family, I had no personal means to acquire them.
That was why I had no choice but to ask Father over these past three years.
‘But isn’t it strange? I’ve demanded dozens of mana stones, yet he’s never once asked why….’
-Wouldn’t you know without me asking? That you need them for talent awakening.
‘But doesn’t it seem odd that I keep consuming mana stones?’
-That’s true, I suppose.
When you use a mana stone as a catalyst to cast magic, a certain amount of mana leaks out.
Once it’s completely depleted, the mana stone becomes nothing but a useless rock.
And every time that happens, I request more from Father, and he silently provides them.
For three whole years, no less.
‘He should have asked at least once what happened to the mana stones I took before….’
-Don’t think too deeply about it. Whatever the case, it’s good for you, isn’t it? Even after watching you for three years, I still don’t understand what you’re up to.
‘As I’ve said before, it’s training. Just training.’
No matter how long Carbol and I had been together for three years, I couldn’t reveal the system to him.
I doubted he’d even believe me, but honestly, explaining and convincing him felt like too much trouble.
There was no reason to.
‘Carbol is a dragon. Unlike three years ago, he’s cooperating with me now, but I can’t fully trust him.’
-What are you muttering about in that language again? You’re not speaking ill of me, are you?
‘Come on, how could I? You’re my magic instructor.’
-Krhm… Instructor, you say. I didn’t know you saw me that way.
The word “instructor” seemed to please him.
‘He really is simple-minded.’
After three years of experience, I had completely mastered how to handle Carbol.
‘Ten minutes have passed. Cast one more spell for me.’
-Understood.
After absorbing the magic again, I opened my status window.
[Name: Zeke McLafflin]
[Tag: Reincarnate of the Pangaea Continent, Decan Kingdom’s Greatest Prestigious Magic Family, Youngest of the Duke Family, Illegitimate Child, Zero Mana Affinity, Talentless in Magic, Diligent, Bookworm, 15 Years Old, SS-Rank Hunter, Beginner Aura Master]
[Strength: 2,556 / Intelligence: 2,474]
[Agility: 2,570 / Stamina: 2,587]
[Recovery: 2,550 / Resistance: 2,490]
[Aura: 11,010]
[Basic Skills: Interpretation, Analysis, Rune Absorption, Aura Operation, Aura Infusion, Aura Blade]
[1st Awakening Skill: Mana Absorption (9-Star)]
[2nd Awakening Skill: Master of Mana (9-Star)]
[3rd Awakening Skill: Magic Absorption (8-Star)]
[4th Awakening Skill: ???]
[5th Awakening Skill: ???]
[6th Awakening Skill: ???]
[7th Awakening Skill: ???]
Over the past three years, I had achieved tremendous growth.
By the stats alone, I had reached the level of an SS-Rank Hunter from my previous life.
For someone who had once been F-Rank, this was a growth I could only have dreamed of.
My aura as well.
‘As expected, my aura has surpassed all my other stats.’
By steadily accumulating ten points per day, I had reached the level of a Beginner Aura Master before I knew it.
Upon becoming an Aura Master, I gained basic skills as well.
[Basic Skill: Aura Infusion]
-Effect: Infuse aura into a weapon to increase its cutting power. Can only be used on bladed weapons.
-Special Property: Cutting power and destructive force increase according to your aura stat.
[Basic Skill: Aura Blade]
-Effect: Create a weapon composed of pure aura.
-Special Property: Size increases according to your aura stat, and cutting power and destructive force increase. You can adjust the length and width slightly.
These were techniques that any Aura Master would naturally learn, but acquiring them as skills made them far easier to use.
‘The problem is that there’s no opportunity to use them even now.’
I had tested my cutting power on tools alone, but never once on a living creature.
The days had been so peaceful that such an opportunity had never arisen.
‘I’d like to test it on monsters for the sake of experimentation, but if I did, my brothers would only mock me for it.’
Since I maintained the persona of an ordinary person who could create neither circles nor aura, I couldn’t even speak of going out to hunt monsters.
In reality, despite having reached SS-Rank and the level of an Aura Master, I had to appear to others as nothing more than a talentless bookworm.
‘At this point, it’s better to keep it hidden than to reveal it halfway. It could become my hidden trump card.’
In any case, there was nothing wrong with continuing to accumulate strength as I was now.
As long as I could protect myself, that was enough, wasn’t it?
‘It’s actually better not to create situations where I need to use my strength. Peace is preferable to war, after all.’
Besides, didn’t I have a reason to grow stronger?
-Grow your strength in this fantasy world filled with magic and aura.
-Once you gain the strength to save humanity, you can return to your original dimension.
Zeke steadied his resolve, recalling the Quest he had received fifteen years ago.
‘I must grow stronger. Strong enough to overwhelm the Dragon Army.’
I would achieve my objective and return to the modern era without fail.
‘Carbol, hasn’t it been ten minutes yet?’
-Not yet. Stop pestering me.
I wanted to use Magic Absorption more frequently, but the cooldown forced me to wait.
Perhaps that’s why, despite three years of training, I hadn’t reached the 9th Circle.
‘I’m almost there now. If I work diligently, I should be able to awaken my 4th Circle skill by today.’
As I continued building proficiency with Carbol, lunchtime arrived.
“Young Master Zeke! It’s time for the meal!”
“Got it, Helen. I was just heading out anyway.”
Zeke, leaving the Magic Library, asked Helen a question.
“Where’s Peter? Has he arrived already?”
“The First Son has already arrived and is conversing with the Family Head.”
“Is that so?”
Today was the day my eldest brother, who had gone out for magical training, was returning home.
It was also the day of the successor examination.
“I should hurry so I’m not late.”
Zeke moved quickly.

* * *
“Welcome back, Peter!”
“It’s been a while, Father.”
Gerard couldn’t hide his joy at seeing his eldest son after so long.
There was no helping it.
Peter, born into a Prestigious Magic Family and recognized for his exceptional talent from infancy, had achieved his first Circle at his coming-of-age ceremony at twelve.
After that, he had been sent to the Magic Tower for eight years of magical training, so the time they spent together was precious little.
There was no choice but to welcome him warmly.
However, the First Son Peter’s thoughts differed from his father’s.
‘Tch, pretending to be happy. If I had shown no results at the Magic Tower, I’d probably be treated coldly.’
Believing that his father welcomed him only because of his talent, Peter harbored a cold interior beneath his outward demeanor.
“You must be hungry. Let’s move to the dining hall.”
“Yes.”
The two made their way to the dining hall and soon began conversing across the table.
“What is your current level of attainment?”
“I should reach the 6th Circle soon.”
“Is that so? You must have worked hard. Was there anything noteworthy at the Magic Tower?”
“Noteworthy? What would that be? If there’s anything, it concerns our family.”
“What do you mean?”
“The youngest, Zeke. I hear that fellow still hasn’t awakened his mana affinity?”
“Hmm….”
Gerard let out a slow breath, deliberately choosing his words with care.
‘There’s no need to tell Zeke about his Draconian talent. He wouldn’t believe me anyway. If he truly possesses such talent, he’ll awaken to magic when the time comes.’
Speaking would only invite unnecessary resistance and jealousy.
That was why Gerard kept this secret to himself, silently watching over Zeke.
But Peter interpreted Gerard’s silence as shame.
“Father. I too cherish and love my younger brother dearly, but perhaps it’s time to let him go.”
“Let him go?”
“Surely we cannot keep him sheltered forever? Besides, what people are saying…no, never mind. Such words would only wound my brother and you alike.”
“What were you about to say?”
“It’s just…how do I even broach this….”
Peter, who had been gauging Gerard’s expression, opened his mouth with a look of reluctance.
“There are rumors circulating that the youngest is not your blood.”
“What?”
Gerard’s eyebrows arched sharply.
That statement implied his concubine had been unfaithful and borne Zeke from another man.
“Who dares speak such nonsense?”
“It’s merely gossip circulating in the streets. I cannot trace its source. The problem is that our family’s reputation has suffered enough to tarnish the honor of the young mistress.”
‘Cursed youngest for causing all this.’
Peter swallowed the final words in silence.
In a Prestigious Magic Family, lacking magical talent was akin to a disability.
To Peter’s eyes as the future family head, such a brother seemed utterly worthless.
Even a father who continued to shield such a brother.
“Though Zeke may lack talent, that does not change the fact that he is my blood. Let the world’s gossip be damned.”
‘Father has completely lost his mind. Protecting a worthless wretch who cannot even form a Circle.’
Peter found it absurd, but he did not let it show.
Instead, he smiled with a composed expression.
All for his true purpose.
“Father, still, we cannot ignore the family’s honor.”
“Do you have some solution?”
“As it happens, I’ve already spoken to the Magic Tower on my brother’s behalf.”
“What do you mean? Explain in detail.”
Peter, lifting one corner of his mouth, revealed his true intention to Gerard.

* * *
Clink, clink—
Gerard McLafflin, the family head, his legitimate wife Christina, his concubine Daina, First Son McLafflin, and down to the youngest, Zeke McLafflin, all gathered at the table.
For the first time in a long while, the family dined together.
Yet no one spoke, as if engaged in a game of reading the room.
Only the sound of chewing filled the silence.
‘Why is everyone so quiet? And what’s with First Brother’s expression?’
I had never exchanged a single word with Peter McLafflin, my eldest brother.
I’d seen him a few times before, but only in passing.
When I was seven, Peter had already achieved the First Circle and departed for magical training.
This was our first reunion in eight years, yet there was no warmth to it.
‘How can I feign joy when he’s staring at me with such intensity?’
-That man’s gaze is truly murderous. Are you really brothers?
‘We are brothers, but half-brothers.’
He wore a friendly smile directed at me, but his eyes remained cold.
This was unsettling.
-Did you wrong him somehow?
‘That’s impossible. We’ve never even had a proper conversation.’
Perhaps he despised me simply for being illegitimate.
Or maybe he scorned me for my lack of talent.
‘Both, perhaps?’
Then Christina, my stepmother, broke the silence.
“Was your training at the Magic Tower not too arduous, my eldest?”
“There were difficult moments, but I managed well enough.”
“How admirable. You’ve worked tirelessly all this time—now rest easy and compose yourself. We should also begin inquiring about a suitable match for your betrothal.”
“A betrothal?”
“Brother, what of the daughter of the Deporte Duchy? They are a Prestigious Magic Family rivaling our own, and rumor speaks of her exceptional beauty.”
Alex McLafflin, the third son, interjected with eager enthusiasm—
“This is not your place to speak.”
“….”
Father’s glare silenced him.
“More importantly, you all know what today signifies, yes?”
“Yes, Father.”
“It’s the day of the Successor’s Trial.”
While ordinary families pass all inheritance to the eldest son, Prestigious Magic Families follow a different custom.
Only the son who proves his talent through trial may claim the family’s future.
This is the Successor’s Trial.
In this regard, Luna McLafflin’s expression remained unmoved.
She was already betrothed to the Second Son of the Baldor Family, one of the Prestigious Magic Families.
“Candidates, once you’ve finished eating, rise. I shall inform each of you regarding your respective trials.”
As the Duke moved first, the candidates following the First Son McLafflin rose to their feet.
Zeke McLafflin was no exception.
“Our son, do your best.”
“All of you, do your best.”
Behind the encouragement of their two mothers, the young masters followed Gerard McLafflin to the Study Room.
Click—
Gerard McLafflin, who had remained silent throughout the walk, spoke the moment he closed the Study Room door.
“Before you take the test, there is something I must tell you. Zeke McLafflin.”
“Yes?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected summons, Zeke McLafflin looked at his father with a bewildered expression.
“Is there perhaps any difference in your mana affinity?”
To a question he had grown weary of hearing, Zeke McLafflin shook his head.
“Unfortunately, not yet.”
“Then there is no other way.”
“Pardon?”
“I spoke with Peter McLafflin about this….”
Gerard McLafflin, speaking reluctantly and trailing off, made a shocking declaration.
“I believe it would be best for you to embark on magical training as well.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————