The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 25
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
‘What? Don’t tell me he came here to apologize?’
Theo’s apology was unexpected, but there’s an old saying about such moments.
You can’t truly understand a person’s words until you hear them through to the end.
Suspecting he might change his tune, I feigned indifference.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“For picking a fight with you. Looking back now, it was pointless arrogance and petty inferiority. I’m sorry.”
I studied Theo’s face as he apologized.
The way his eyes couldn’t meet mine in remorse didn’t seem like an act.
‘Is he being sincere?’
Luna was no different.
The sight of her bowing her head in reflection over past wrongs felt so alien—nothing like the Luna I knew.
‘The Luna I know would never lower her pride like this, not even under threat of death.’
It seemed that brush with the assassins had genuinely changed them both.
“You’re not mocking me with this act, are you?”
“M-Mocking?! How could you say something so hurtful…?”
“Because your demeanor now is completely different from our first meeting.”
“B-Back then I didn’t understand. Now I do. Who deserves my trust, and who’s worth having in my life.”
In other words, they’d finally developed the ability to read people.
“Truth is, my standing in the family has never been strong. Father doesn’t acknowledge me—he’s treated me like a discarded child. Because of that, I’ve lived quite recklessly. My resentment and inferiority ran deep, and it seems that spilled over onto you. For that, I apologize.”
“That’s quite an honest confession.”
“Ahem, w-well, regardless, I apologize for what happened last time. I mean it.”
“…I’m sorry too.”
As both of them swallowed their pride, the corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
It didn’t seem like they were trying to deceive me.
“Are you just going to keep saying you’re sorry?”
“Oh, that’s right! I forgot to say thank you.”
“W-We’re truly grateful you saved us. Without you, we’d have been helpless against those assassins.”
‘You should really be thanking the system, not me.’
At the time, I hadn’t even known the assassins had infiltrated.
If the system hadn’t alerted me, I would never have saved them.
“Why did you leave without a word back then?”
“B-Back then my mind was in such turmoil…”
“Turmoil?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, Luna explained.
“The truth is, I was ashamed and fled the scene. I couldn’t face you after receiving help from someone I’d antagonized…”
Now it made sense.
Why they’d left the scene in such a hurry.
“I see. Thank you for explaining, Luna.”
“Ah, no. We’re the ones who should be grateful.”
“That’s what I wanted to say—you left so quickly that day, I didn’t get the chance to tell you….”
“I know, I know! We’re keeping what happened that day a secret.”
As Zeke brought it up, Theo shouted as if he already understood.
“I don’t know why you learned aura, but I have no intention of spreading it around.”
“Right. From now on, Zeke, you can think of us as being on your side.”
When Zeke stared at them intently, it was Luna and Theo who looked flustered instead.
“D-don’t look at us like that. P-please trust us.”
“Really?”
“I’m telling you. You’re our lifesaver.”
A quiet laugh escaped from Zeke’s lips.
In my past life, I was called F-rank, the lowest of the low, and now I was suddenly being elevated to the status of lifesaver.
‘I haven’t even used half of what I’m capable of, and they’re calling me their savior.’
Still, the feeling was good.
Saving people was this fulfilling.
It was a privilege that only those with power could enjoy.
Because of such thoughts, the smile on my face didn’t fade.
“I’m glad you’ve turned over a new leaf.”
“Turned over a… what?”
“It’s just a saying. Anyway, it means let’s get along from now on, right? Future brother-in-law? Sister Luna?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Then I’ll accept it. And it’s fine if you mention learning aura. The rumor about beating up an assassin has already spread even to the servants, hasn’t it?”
“That may be true, but they don’t know how you caught the assassin. Only we witnessed that part.”
“We just said you beat them with your bare hands. We didn’t mention aura at all.”
‘I didn’t even use aura.’
In fact, when I subdued the assassins, I hadn’t used a shred of aura.
I had relied solely on the pure strength of my stats.
‘Besides, who would believe a fifteen-year-old possessed such strength? Everyone would assume I used aura.’
Moreover, Theo and Luna hadn’t noticed anything at all.
My specialty wasn’t aura—it was mana absorption, which blocked magic from being cast.
‘Since I limited the absorption range to just the assassins back then, it’s natural they didn’t sense it.’
In any case, the most critical information remained hidden.
Even if learning aura became known, mana absorption must never be revealed.
Humans naturally fear abilities that defy common sense.
Just then, a servant approached from a distance with hurried steps.
“Young Master Zeke. The head of the family is looking for you.”
“Father?”
Zeke’s eyes widened as he looked at Theo and Luna.
They too wore curious expressions, just like him.
“Future brother-in-law, Sister, I should go now.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Zeke quickened his pace, curiosity driving him forward.
Knock, knock—
As I rapped on the Study Room door, a deep voice called out from within.
“Zeke? Come in.”
I opened the door to find Father glancing up briefly before returning his attention to the documents before him.
But the moment the door closed, unexpected words tumbled from his lips.
“Thank you.”
“Pardon?”
Hearing such an unexpected remark, I studied Gerard for a long moment.
What on earth could he be thanking me for?
The answer came soon enough.
“Thanks to that recording device you gave me, I was able to identify the true culprit.”
“The true culprit?”
I feigned ignorance, though the answer was predictable.
“Last night’s attack was orchestrated by the Magic Tower Master, Gregor.”
That much I already knew, but Gerard’s revelation was far from over.
“And I’ve discovered that behind him stands Baluduk, one of the 12 Pioneers.”
“Baluduk?”
The name was unfamiliar, though I’d heard of the 12 Pioneers before.
They were said to be the continent’s strongest—nine-circle mages of different nationalities and affinities.
“Baluduk is a dark-attribute mage known as the Shadow Hand, ranking second in the hierarchy.”
“Is he affiliated with our kingdom?”
Gerard shook his head.
“If he were, I wouldn’t be so concerned. Baluduk is a mage of the Albitz Kingdom.”
“The Albitz Kingdom? Isn’t that a hostile nation?”
Gerard nodded silently.
The implication was unmistakable.
“Treason, then?”
“Indeed. Our Magic Tower Master has been colluding with a mage from an enemy nation. And on top of that, he’s conducting forbidden human experimentation—it’s no trivial matter.”
Gerard trailed off with evident concern, but my mind fixated on something else entirely.
‘Why isn’t Father asking how I captured the assassin?’
I could understand his lack of surprise about the Magic Tower Master’s collusion—his character made it plausible—but Father’s silence on the matter puzzled me.
“Father, may I ask you something?”
“Ask away.”
“Aren’t you curious how I managed to capture the assassin?”
I asked directly, but Gerard remained surprisingly composed.
“How you captured him matters less than the fact that you subdued the assassin. That’s what counts.”
‘He’s not curious whether I’ve learned aura?’
It wasn’t uncommon for someone without magical aptitude to shift their path toward aura cultivation.
Yet this was an unspoken taboo that mages from noble families could never transgress.
To be born into a magical family and become an Aura user was to deliberately tarnish the family’s reputation.
One could easily be branded a disgrace to the family and become the subject of gossip for the rest of their life.
‘But Father knows this, and yet he deliberately turns a blind eye. I don’t understand why.’
It was as though he knew Pandora’s box lay before him and deliberately chose not to open it.
‘Is he pretending not to know? That would be better anyway. There’s nothing good that comes from rumors.’
That’s why I had tried to conceal my strength as much as possible.
I had used pure force, but to others’ eyes, it would appear as though I had wielded Aura.
“Zeke.”
Gerard shifted the conversation, as if unwilling to mention anything further about the assassin.
“Do you know why I’m sharing this information with you?”
“No, sir.”
“I thought you should know, given that you’re the one who contributed to resolving this incident.”
“A contributor, sir?”
“It was you who first brought information that Peter was allied with the Tower Master, and thanks to the brooch you lent me, we were able to uncover Baluduk’s involvement. If anyone deserves credit for this affair, it’s you, Zeke—without question. So naturally, you should be privy to all the details.”
“Ah…”
So that’s why he had summoned me—to share information with me.
“What will you do now, sir?”
“As you’ve likely heard, he’s taken refuge in the Royal Palace. I intend to report everything to His Majesty and seek his assistance.”
“A practical approach.”
“Indeed. Which is why I’d like you to stand beside me when I have an audience with His Majesty.”
“Me as well, sir?”
“You’re the primary architect of this resolution—I couldn’t possibly leave you out.”
I nodded, my expression bewildered.
This was an opportunity to meet the sovereign who ruled an entire nation—there was no reason to refuse.
“Then I’m honored, sir.”
“Very well. Begin packing your belongings in your quarters. We’ll depart for the Royal Palace as soon as preparations are complete.”

* * *
Shane II is the longest-reigning monarch among the kingdoms of Decan.
If one were to ask what secret allowed him to maintain his throne even now, with hair turned white, I would answer thus.
Benevolence and virtue toward his people.
The love of his subjects, regardless of station—commoner or noble alike.
Shane believed that this was the secret to keeping both his nation and himself strong and prosperous.
Until he heard those shocking words from Gerard.
“What? The Tower Master is committing treason?”
Shane’s face, which always maintained its kindness, crumpled like parchment.
The courtiers in the Throne Hall were all startled by an expression they had never seen before.
King Shane stared intently at Gerard, who had arrived so suddenly with such alarming news.
“I was delighted to hear that you would be staying at the palace with your family. After all, you are the disciple of Dalfred, my dear friend and the greatest mage in our kingdom. Yet I never imagined you would bring such disturbing tidings.”
“I apologize for delivering such grave news, Your Majesty. I understand your skepticism, but I assure you, what I say is the truth.”
Shane’s expression grew troubled as he watched Gerard bow his head.
To make such a bombshell accusation before so many courtiers.
If he were not careful, he might have to condemn Gerard with his own hand.
Without proof of treason, it would be no different than damaging the royal image itself.
“Regardless of the trust you have earned as the head of the Royal Court Mage Order, you cannot simply speak without evidence.”
“I understand, Your Majesty. I am well aware of the weight my words carry.”
“If you understand that, then the fact that you would speak such words means you have evidence?”
“Yes.”
Gerard answered immediately and carefully withdrew a butterfly-shaped brooch from his breast.
“Please judge my words after listening to this recording, Your Majesty.”
“Play it.”
“Yes.”
A moment later, silence fell over the Throne Hall, and the conversation of two people echoed through it.
-Gregor? What is the matter?
-Baluduk. A problem has arisen.
-What problem?
-I cannot reach the Hunting Dogs. Gerard did not appear at the meeting place either.
-So he has caught on.
-What? That cannot be.
-The Hunting Dogs have already been captured. He must have realized you were behind it.
The content was brief, but its impact was devastating.
Shane gripped the armrest of his throne as though he might shatter it.
“…Is this truly the voice of the Tower Master?”
“It is, Your Majesty. The other party in the conversation is Baluduk Rahbez of the Albitz Kingdom. He is famous as one of the 12 Pioneers.”
The Tower Master of Decan, representing the nation itself, had been in private contact with another kingdom?
It was unmistakable treason.
“Gregor recently attacked our family using his assassination organization, the Hunting Dogs.”
“I’ve already heard about that matter. But are you saying the Tower Master was behind it?”
“Yes. I have a recording as evidence.”
As Gerard played the recording in succession, the Throne Hall stirred with unease.
It was irrefutable proof.
“How on earth did you manage to record this?”
“I registered a specific target’s mana pattern and remotely eavesdropped on their communication channel. This device is what made that possible.”
“Where did you obtain such a precious item?”
“My youngest son here, Zeke McLafflin, acquired it.”
Shane II’s gaze fixed upon Zeke, standing beside Gerard.
“It is my first time meeting you, Your Majesty. I am Zeke McLafflin, the youngest of the McLafflin Family.”
Zeke bowed according to protocol and looked up at the king.
Yet his attention lay elsewhere, his eyes offering no acknowledgment.
‘It makes sense he would be shocked—the Tower Master, whom he trusted implicitly, has been exposed as a spy.’
The evidence was far too clear for it to be otherwise.
‘If I can secure the king’s assistance, capturing Gregor will be remarkably simple.’
At that moment, a faint smile crossed Zeke’s lips.
Then, someone’s cry pierced the air.

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