The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 34

—————
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 34
‘Someone who harbors a grudge against me?’
Zeke asked with a puzzled expression.
“Who is that?”
“My eldest brother and the First Son—Gawen Baldor.”
“Gawen Baldor?”
“Gawen reached the 6th Circle by the time he was twenty, blessed with extraordinary magical talent. He boasts the finest record in the Royal Mage Unit and stands as the heir apparent to our family.”
“Why would such an elite take issue with someone whose face he doesn’t even know?”
“Because he believes your family destroyed his.”
The days when the Baldor Family was called a Prestigious Magic Family now feel like ancient history.
The family’s honor plummeted to the ground because of Antonio’s treason.
Branded as a traitor’s house, even innocent family members suffer the consequences.
It’s hardly surprising that Gawen, destined to become the next family head, seethes with rage.
“The family honor he was meant to inherit has been torn to shreds. In Gawen’s eyes, the McLafflin Family is nothing but a mortal enemy who destroyed his own house.”
“Wait—he blames us for his family’s collapse?”
“He can’t accept that his father is a traitor. In a way, it’s denial of reality.”
“So he chose us as his target for blame?”
“Exactly.”
It was absurd.
Rather than acknowledge his own family’s fault, he redirects the blame toward the McLafflin Family.
“That’s why he hasn’t exchanged a single word with your father, the current commander. So when you join as a new recruit, what kind of reaction do you think he’ll show?”
“He’ll treat me as prey and try to torment me.”
“Precisely.”
Theo spoke as though it were a grave matter, yet Zeke’s reaction was remarkably unconcerned.
I had already reached a considerable level as an Aura user.
I was confident I wouldn’t lose to anyone in terms of physical strength.
So if my opponent isn’t even an Aura user but merely a mage?
‘If he comes at me, 6th Circle or not, he won’t cast a single spell before I beat him senseless.’
A faint smile crossed my face, and Theo’s expression shifted to bewilderment, as though my reaction wasn’t what he’d anticipated.
“Why that expression? You’re not scared?”
“Should I be?”
“No… well, not exactly, but your opponent is a 6th Circle mage, isn’t he?”
“Regardless, I’m joining on the recommendation of my father, the commander, and Duke Bigsland. Surely he wouldn’t dare torment someone in that position? Not unless he’s lost his mind.”
“You only say that because you don’t know Gawen. His personality is absolutely rotten. He’s the type who can’t stand the sight of anyone threatening his position, I’m telling you.”
Theo trembled, clearly having endured much living under the same roof as him.
“Well, if that’s how my brother-in-law is, then so be it. I don’t even know his face anyway.”
“That’s exactly why you need to be careful. Never do anything to displease him.”
“Yes, yes. Either way, thank you for the heads-up.”
Zeke responded half-heartedly, letting the words go in one ear and out the other, while Theo watched him with worried eyes.

* * *
In Decan, there exists a place that aspiring mages desperately wish to enter—the Royal Mage Unit.
The Royal Mage Unit, which selects and trains only thirty talents each year, holds the honored position of protecting the kingdom.
Perhaps for this reason, the saying goes that admission is harder than threading a needle.
The competition rate was fierce, as nobles from prestigious families vied relentlessly for acceptance.
Yet today, someone had pierced through that impossible competition in a single stroke.
“Good day to you all. I am Zeke McLafflin of the McLafflin Family. I look forward to working with you.”
Though Zeke offered his greeting from the platform, not a single person among the hundred-odd members present offered applause.
Those who had fought through such fierce competition would hardly welcome a newcomer who had arrived through patronage.
In the awkward silence, Gerard placed a hand on Zeke’s shoulder beside him.
“As you all know, you’ve likely heard that our family recently captured a traitor. The primary architect of that achievement stands here before you—Zeke.”
For a moment, surprise flickered across their faces, but it was fleeting.
Regardless, the stigma of patronage remained unchanged.
“Though he entered through special recruitment with His Majesty’s permission, the boy possesses talent in magic, so I trust you will all instruct him well. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
The members responded with vigor, though discontent surely lurked beneath their obedience.
As proof, the moment Gerard departed the ceremony, murmurs of complaint began to surface.
“Instruct him well? Is that his way of asking for special treatment because he’s his own son? Ridiculous.”
“Precisely. To insert his own son through patronage like this—isn’t it an insult to those of us who earned our place through effort?”
“Absolutely. No matter how much His Majesty approved it, this is too much, truly.”
The group surrounding Gawen saw their opportunity and seized it, criticizing the unit commander.
It was an attempt to curry favor with Gawen, the true power within the Mage Unit, but Gawen paid them no mind.
His attention lay solely on the newcomer.
“Zeke, was it? How did such a young boy manage to subdue the Tower Master?”
“Subdue? How could someone like that possibly overcome an eighth-circle mage?”
“It’s likely just an exaggerated rumor.”
“Or perhaps they fabricated the story to justify his admission.”
“Hmm….”
Observing Zeke standing alone and bewildered like a lost chick, Gawen’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“We’ll learn the details if we ask him directly.”
It was the gaze of a predator that had spotted its prey.

* * *
After completing the induction ceremony with minimal fanfare, I gazed into the void, thoroughly satisfied with myself.
[Royal Court Mage Order enrollment complete!]
[Sudden Quest cleared!]
[You have gained 450 random stat points as a reward.]
[Strength increased permanently by 72.]
[Intelligence increased permanently by 78.]
[Agility increased permanently by 70.]
[Stamina increased permanently by 80.]
[Recovery increased permanently by 71.]
[Resistance increased permanently by 79.]
‘This is absolutely incredible. Forty-five days’ worth of stat gains, and I obtained them so effortlessly.’
I was already anticipating the next Quest when a presence made itself known beside me.
“What are you staring blankly at?”
I turned my head toward the voice.
A blonde man with the bearing of a parasitic elder appeared, flanked by what appeared to be his lackeys.
“Shall we exchange names? I’m Gawen Baldor, the First Son of the Baldor Family.”
‘So this is Theo’s older brother?’
The man Theo had warned me to be cautious of had approached first.
His eyes gleamed with unmistakable hostility.
“Why are you standing there like an idiot? You should introduce yourself too.”
“Didn’t I already introduce myself on the platform just now? You didn’t hear it?”
“Ha, look at the nerve of this bastard.”
Gawen’s expression twisted into a sneer, as though he found my response absurd.
“Don’t open your mouth anywhere else. People might mistake you for someone without proper upbringing.”
“Hahahaha!”
His lackeys burst into raucous laughter at what they perceived as a clever jab.
But their amusement was short-lived.
“That’s rich coming from someone raised under a traitor father.”
My single remark silenced their laughter as though someone had flipped a switch.
“…What?”
Veins bulged across Gawen’s forehead.
Mana surged around him, and the atmosphere turned hostile in an instant, yet I remained unfazed.
Instead, I offered a composed smile, which only deepened Gawen’s confusion.
‘Why isn’t this bastard intimidated? If he’d studied magic, he should feel how overwhelming my mana is.’
The fact that he didn’t even blink suggested he was no ordinary opponent.
“How old are you?”
“I’m fifteen this year.”
“What Circle are you? If you could capture the Tower Master, you’d have to be at least eighth Circle, right?”
Though his tone was mocking, I responded with an untroubled expression.
I’d coordinated with Dalpred Bigsland beforehand for situations like this.
“Fourth Circle, you say?”
In truth, I possessed no Circle at all, but revealing that fact would provoke fierce resistance from the others.
They might protest vehemently about admitting a non-mage into the ranks.
‘That’s why Duke Bigsland instructed me to claim Fourth Circle if anyone asked.’
Achieving Fourth Circle at fifteen was a remarkable accomplishment.
Even the exceptionally talented Gawen Baldor and Peter McLafflin had only reached that level at my age.
Perhaps that’s why everyone here looked so astonished.
“Already Fourth Circle at that age?”
“Wasn’t Prince Gawen at about that level back then?”
“So you’re saying this newcomer has talent comparable to the Prince?”
Gawen’s brow furrowed as he caught the whispers around him.
Being treated as equal in talent to a fresh recruit was an affront to his pride.
Perhaps that’s why—
“You’re lying.”
Before everyone present, Gawen accused Zeke of dishonesty.
“You’re actually Third Circle, aren’t you? You inflated your rank because they couldn’t verify your Circle?”
“Believe it or not—suit yourself.”
There was no way to determine someone’s Circle without channeling mana into their body.
Lying carried no risk of exposure.
But there were plenty of ways to prove it.
“If you cast a Fourth Circle spell here, I’ll believe you.”
“I’d rather not.”
Zeke refused immediately, but Gawen wasn’t foolish enough to miss the implication.
“This bastard isn’t Fourth Circle. Look—he can’t prove it.”
“Right. What’s so difficult about demonstrating it?”
“Got caught red-handed in his lie.”
The unit members who fawned over Gawen smirked with derision.
A contemptuous smile played at Gawen’s lips as well.
“A greenhorn who hasn’t even reached Fourth Circle, and you waltz into the Royal Mage Unit through nepotism? Must be nice having your father as the commander, huh?”
“Your Highness must find it unfortunate that your father is a traitor.”
“You little bastard….”
Gawen’s temper flared momentarily, but he couldn’t deny the truth.
This time, he’d made a mistake.
‘Damn it. I shouldn’t bring up family matters. I just end up worse off.’
The more I conversed with this fellow, the more I felt outmaneuvered.
He had a cunning side that belied his years.
‘Words won’t work. Then….’
Force was the only answer.
“Come with me for a moment.”
“Why?”
“Just follow me.”
“Are you planning to drag me into some back alley and beat me senseless?”
Upon grasping my intentions precisely, Gawen Baldor’s eyes widened momentarily before he broke into a smirk.
“Sharp one, aren’t you? So while I’m being nice about it, follow me—wait, what’s with this bastard?”
Gawen Baldor’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment mid-sentence.
Zeke had already turned away, as though the conversation held no further value.
It was Gawen Baldor’s lackeys, not their leader, who erupted in indignation.
“Hey, you bastard! Stop right there!”
“How dare you walk away when the Young Master is speaking!”
Zeke halted abruptly and turned his head.
“You said to follow.”
“What?”
“Let’s go. To the back alley.”
“This guy’s got a real short way with words, huh?”
One of the lackeys, letting out an exasperated laugh, seized me by the collar.
“You’re hopeless. Come on. Let me teach you what manners actually are—”
He’d intended to drag me along dramatically, but I remained immovable as stone.
‘What… what’s going on? Why won’t he move?’
The lackey found himself flustered when things didn’t go according to plan.
“Stop bothering me.”
“You arrogant bastard, riding on someone else’s coattails!”
Even as my opponent raised his fist, I remained composed, unbothered.
‘Why would a mage resort to fisticuffs when they have magic at their disposal? Is there some rule against using it?’
As I pondered how best to rearrange his face, salvation arrived.
A mediator appeared at precisely the right moment.
“Gawen, what’s happening here?”
“Nothing serious, Instructor. I was simply showing some affection to the new recruit.”
‘An instructor?’
The instructor gave me a once-over before gesturing toward Gawen Baldor’s group.
“That’s enough. Get going.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Gawen Baldor moved, his entourage scrambled after him.
Once the commotion subsided, the instructor approached me.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Nothing happened.”
“Nothing happened? You nearly got yourself into serious trouble.”
“…”
“Ah! I’m late with introductions. I’m Jake Palmer, the training instructor of the Mage Tower.”
“I’m Zeke McLafflin.”
“I’m aware. You entered on the recommendation of the Unit Commander and Duke Dalpred Bigsland.”
“Yes. Perhaps because of that, the others don’t view me favorably.”
“That’s likely to be the case. So while you’re here, keep a low profile. Don’t do anything that might rub people the wrong way.”
‘But it’s fine if I rub you the wrong way?’
I wanted to retort, but I decided there was no point in picking at an elder’s words.
“Understood.”
“Good. As a new student, you should conduct yourself with proper restraint. Now, return to your assigned quarters for today.”
“Yes. I’ll see you next time.”
As I turned to leave with a bow, the instructor’s gaze followed me with unmistakable displeasure.

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