The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 30
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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 30
‘Damn it all.’
Was this how a condemned man felt ascending the gallows?
Peter’s expression was grim as he was summoned to Gerard’s presence.
He dreaded what punishment his father might impose upon him.
Knock, knock.
“Father… it’s Peter.”
“Come in.”
Gerard stood in the Study Room, gazing out the window.
Was it merely his imagination, or did the very air feel oppressively heavy?
Peter could only watch and wait for his father to speak.
“Peter.”
After a prolonged silence, his father finally broke the quiet.
“I was truly proud of you. When you inherited the magical talents befitting the eldest son of our family, I felt as though I possessed the entire world.”
It sounded like praise, yet it was spoken in the past tense.
For that reason, Peter could not bring himself to smile.
“I had no doubt that a worthy heir would emerge to succeed me. With such conviction, I sent you for rigorous magical training to achieve even greater heights. And yet…”
Gerard turned from the window to face Peter.
His eyes held a contempt I had never witnessed before.
“After eight years away, my son returns as a lackey of the Magic Tower Master.”
“Father, I…”
“I have no interest in your excuses. You are worse than garbage.”
“…”
“How could you harbor such thoughts? How could you pledge loyalty to Gregor Fontaine and plot to sell out your own brother, Zeke?”
“I… I am deeply sorry.”
Peter offered no defense.
To survive, he needed to demonstrate at least a semblance of remorse.
“By my preference, I would dismantle the Circle and cast you out from the family as I did with Alex. However.”
“…”
“Because you cooperated with us, we were able to capture Gregor Fontaine instead. That assistance was genuinely valuable. I acknowledge that much.”
“I… I am grateful…”
“There is no need for gratitude. That does not mean I will forgive your crimes.”
“Then… what will…?”
“In recognition of your contributions, I will not disband the Circle. You may continue your magical training as you have been. In exchange, you will depart for the Borderlands.”
“…!”
Peter fell silent, his eyes wide with shock.
Indeed, one must always hear a person’s words to the very end.
“How could I share a roof with a son who attempted to betray his own brother to his doom? I cannot accept such a thing.”
“But… I have already reconciled with Zeke personally…”
“Even if you have reconciled with Zeke, it changes nothing. I am the one who cannot forgive you.”
“….”
“I’ll arrange a residence for you in the Borderlands. Live there quietly. Needless to say, there will be no succession trials. You’re not even worthy of being a successor.”
“Ah….”
Peter’s mouth fell open in despair.
The Circle had been preserved, but he was being cast out from the family.
For someone whose goal had been to become the next family head, this was a sentence devoid of all dreams and hope.
“Be grateful that I haven’t dissolved the Circle. At least your situation is better than Alex’s, reduced to a cripple and buried in the countryside. Do you understand?”
“….”
“Why do you not answer? Do you have some grievance with my decision?”
“N-no. Thank you. Father.”
“From this moment on, do not call me that. There will be no occasion for it after this hour anyway.”
“….”
Peter bowed his head deeply, consumed by despair.
Gerard’s gaze upon his son was utterly devoid of warmth.
* * *
The Main Quest appeared not long after Gerard received orders from the King.
‘Suppress the Tower Master of Decan’s Magic Tower?’
I was startled by the sudden Quest, but my attention was drawn more to the reward.
‘The reward is… a Pocket Dimension?’
A Pocket Dimension was a rare skill that only an extremely small number of Hunters in my previous life possessed.
In other words, it was a Hunter’s unique ability obtainable through awakening.
‘To think I could obtain something so extraordinary through a mere Quest.’
[Will you accept the Quest? Y/N]
The acceptance message blinked before my eyes, but there was no reason to refuse.
‘Well, I definitely didn’t suppress Gregor just for that.’
Recalling the past events, I opened my stat window.
[Name: Zeke McLafflin]
[Tags: Reincarnator of Pangaea Continent, Decan Kingdom’s Premier Prestigious Magic Family, Youngest of Duke Family, Illegitimate Child, Zero Mana Affinity, Talentless at Magic, Diligent, Bookworm, 15 Years Old, SS-Rank Hunter, Aura Master Beginner]
[Strength: 2,666 / Intelligence: 2,579]
[Agility: 2,678 / Stamina: 2,690]
[Recovery: 2,646 / Resistance: 2,588]
[Vitality: 11,350]
[Basic Skills: Interpretation, Analysis, Rune Absorption, Aura Operation, Aura Infusion, Aura Blade, Pocket Dimension]
[1st Awakening Skill: Mana Absorption (9-Star)]
[2nd Awakening Skill: Master of Mana (9-Star)]
[3rd Awakening Skill: Magic Absorption (9-Star)]
[4th Awakening Skill: Master of Magic Absorption (5-Star)]
[5th Awakening Skill: ???]
[6th Awakening Skill: ???]
[7th Awakening Skill: ???]
In my basic skill list, I can see the subspace I received as a quest reward.
[Basic Skill: Subspace]
-Effect: Creates a space capable of storing objects.
-Special Notes: Living creatures cannot be placed inside aside from objects. Can be used through the command ‘Summon/Dismiss Subspace’. The area of the space increases according to your Intelligence stat.
‘Originally, it should have been marked as 1-star, but since it’s an ability obtained through a Quest, I can’t level it up. Well, if I could, it would completely break the balance.’
I had already demonstrated a growth rate that felt like a balance-breaking advantage, but hadn’t I received a special privilege at the moment before death?
I considered the Quest to be part of that reward as well.
‘Let me try using it. Summon Subspace.’
As I spoke the command, the space before my eyes tore open, and a hole large enough to fit my hand appeared.
‘So this is the subspace I’ve only heard about in stories?’
I tested it by placing objects into the space.
Regardless of size, the objects were sucked in like a vacuum cleaner, and they only stopped entering once they filled an area the size of a single room.
‘It holds quite a lot more than I expected? It would be perfect to use as a storage warehouse. Since the area increases as my Intelligence rises, I might be able to fit even more later.’
I was amazed at how everything fit through such a small opening, but retrieving items was even more remarkable.
I simply had to place my hand into the subspace and think of the object I wanted—it would appear in my grasp and slip back out.
Even the eyes of a dragon who had lived for thousands of years found this fascinating.
-That’s a subspace, isn’t it? Can the descendant of a god use subspace as well?
‘Yeah. I somehow became able to use it. But why are you so surprised?’
-Subspace is a higher-dimensional magic that even we dragons cannot use. Only Lich Dragons who sold their souls to demons could use it.
‘So you’re saying this is demonic magic?’
-That’s right. But from what I know, subspace is only large enough to hold two or three communication stones. How are you able to fit so much inside?
‘I don’t know? Maybe it’s because I’m amazing?’
Deliberately avoiding a direct answer, I was instead pondering Carbollearos’s words.
An ability that even dragons, the originators of magic, could not use.
‘Well, if he could have used it, he would have stored his treasures inside instead of in a stone chamber.’
Judging by how Carbollearos had kept his treasures in a stone vault during his lifetime, his words didn’t seem to be a lie.
‘In any case, it will be useful for storing objects.’
It was at that moment I thought I should empty out all the items in the Dragon Ruins into it someday.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Zeke, are you inside?”
It was Peter.
“Come in.”
Peter’s appearance as he entered the room seemed somehow haggard.
‘It looks like he’s been scolded by Father.’
In his eyes, I could also detect a hint of betrayal directed at me.
It was likely because I had broken my promise first and revealed everything to Father.
“Zeke, I won’t ask any more about you revealing my relationship with the Tower Master to Father. There’s no point in pressing the matter now.”
“Then why did you come looking for me?”
He collapsed into a seat—thump!
Peter suddenly dropped to his knees before Zeke.
“Could you not persuade Father on my behalf? I’m begging you.”
“Persuade him about what, exactly?”
“He’s excluding me from the succession trials and ordering me to pack my things immediately. I’m on the verge of being cast out from the family.”
“So you’re asking me to convince Father to let you become the heir? You—the same person who tried to sell me off as an experimental subject?”
“How… how could that not work?”
“A person has their pride. Do you really think that’s possible? You know as well as I do that Father never reverses a decision once he’s made it.”
“Yes, I know. That’s precisely why I’m asking you like this. If anyone can persuade him, it’s you—someone Father loves.”
“Even if I somehow convinced him, are you confident you could defeat me in the succession trials?”
….
Peter fell silent, his mouth sealed shut.
While his Circle achievements far surpassed Zeke’s, he harbored no confidence against him.
How could one possibly defeat someone who nullified magic itself?
Physical combat was equally hopeless.
Recalling his sparring with Theo, he knew he wouldn’t last even a single round.
‘No… I can’t give up like this.’
Whatever form the succession trials took, opportunity would come if he merely qualified.
Perhaps victory wouldn’t depend on raw power alone.
But Zeke seemed to read his thoughts, letting out a cold chuckle.
“You’re not actually thinking you could beat me in the trials, are you?”
“No, that’s not… but regardless, shouldn’t I prevent being cast out from the family?”
“Why should I prevent that?”
“So you’re saying it’s fine if I’m abandoned like this? We have a contract between us, don’t we?”
He meant that as their contractual partners, Zeke should look after him—but Zeke coldly refused.
“Do you think I harbor no resentment toward you? You tried to kill me.”
….
“Just accept your punishment and leave. That would be cleaner.”
“Then what about the compensation? Didn’t you say you’d give me a reward I’d be pleased with if I cooperated in capturing the Tower Master?”
“This is it. Not having your Circle sealed.”
“What?”
“Father actually intended to cripple you once this was over. But I managed to change his mind and prevent your Circle from being sealed. I’ve already persuaded Father.”
….
“Given that, how could you possibly ask for the heir’s qualifications too? You should be grateful just to have your Circle preserved.”
Though his words were reasonable, Peter’s disappointment was evident.
It wasn’t the reward he’d hoped for.
“What’s wrong? Unsatisfied with the reward? Then I’ll tell Father right now that it’s fine to seal your Circle after all—”
“No, no! Who said I disliked it? I’m satisfied. It’s more than enough.”
At least it was better than becoming a cripple like Alex—that’s all Peter could tell himself.
“He told you to pack and leave today?”
“Yes….”
“So this will be the last time we see each other like this. You’ve worked hard all these years, Peter. I hope you adapt well to life abroad. Though I suppose someone who spent eight years in the Magic Tower will manage just fine.”
“….”
Stung by the pointed remark, Peter could not bring himself to lift his head.
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For trying to sell you out. No matter how many times I think about it, that was my mistake. I had no personal malice, but… regardless, I have no excuse.”
“An apology now is worthless. I know all too well how skilled you are at acting, after all.”
“It’s not an act. I mean every word. And I’m bound to you for life—why would I lie?”
“You seem to understand that well. Then you must also understand that you cannot speak of my abilities once you’re abroad?”
“Of course. Do you think I’m ignorant?”
Zeke smiled faintly at the answer he’d anticipated.
If the Circle mattered, he would conduct himself accordingly.
“Stay in the Borderlands for now. When the time comes, I’ll arrange for your return. Until then, keep a low profile.”
“You… you really mean it?”
“Of course. You don’t seem like a fundamentally wicked person, so I’m showing you mercy.”
“Th-thank you! I’ll be waiting for your word!”
“Yes. Take care of yourself.”
“Oh, and Father is calling for you.”
“Father?”
Zeke’s eyes widened in surprise. After parting with Peter, he made his way to his father’s study.
Knock, knock—
“Father.”
“Zeke? Come in, come in.”
Gerard welcomed me with a broad smile.
It was a far cry from the demeanor he’d shown Peter.
“Here, take this first.”
Gerard handed me a butterfly-shaped brooch.
“The item you gave me played a crucial role in exposing the traitor. I’m truly grateful.”
“Ha, it was nothing.”
I found myself hearing thanks quite often today.
Though I wasn’t sure why he’d summoned me.
“Zeke.”
“Yes, Father.”
Gerard’s expression grew serious, and he paused in an uncharacteristic way.
“There’s something I want to ask you….”
“What is it?”
“How did you manage it back then?”
“Back then?”
“When you pursued Gregor. His dark magic clearly struck you, yet you bore not a single wound.”
‘Ah… he saw it.’
Though inwardly flustered, I forced myself to maintain an air of composure.
I needed to conjure up some excuse, and quickly.
‘What do I do? What should I say…?’
It was then that Gerard uttered words I had not anticipated.
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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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