The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 5

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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 5
“Damn it.”
Alex McLafflin, born as the third son, understood his position well.
He possessed neither the talent of a Grand Mage like First Son McLafflin, nor the high Circle achievements of Second Son McLafflin.
By this year, the Circle he had attained was merely the 2nd Circle.
For someone who had reached the 1st Circle at twelve and trained until fourteen, it was a meager result.
Perhaps that was why his father showed little expectation of him.
‘But why! Why does he only show interest in Zeke, that lowborn bastard!’
Though he pretended otherwise, it was an open secret that Gerard McLafflin favored Zeke.
Alex, accustomed to reading the atmosphere from his middle position in the hierarchy, possessed enough perception to notice such things.
‘He gave him mana stones from childhood, claiming to nurture his talents, lavishing attention on him—and now what? He’s sending him to the Dragon Ruins?’
In truth, Alex had not known of the Dragon Ruins’ existence in the Califa Mountain Range until Zeke mentioned it.
‘That lowborn bastard knew such high-level information?’
Zeke spouted nonsense about reading ancient texts and interpreting runes, but Alex knew the truth.
It was all a script orchestrated with his father.
‘Father must have given him the information beforehand and instructed him to say it that way. To create a pretext for sending him to the Dragon Ruins.’
Otherwise, why would he make such a request in front of his brothers?
‘What? He can read runes? A bastard child of a concubine with no talent, daring to—’
He could not tolerate a mere illegitimate son clawing his way up.
Alex went directly to find his father.
“Father, it is I, Alex.”
“Come in.”
Gerard McLafflin, seated in his study, paid him no mind, his eyes fixed only on the documents before him.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah, it concerns Zeke.”
At the mention of Zeke, Gerard McLafflin finally lifted his head.
“What about Zeke?”
“You… were you not planning to send him to the Dragon Ruins?”
“And?”
“It seems… unreasonable that the youngest would go somewhere our older brothers have not yet visited…”
“Unreasonable?”
Tap.
Gerard McLafflin removed his spectacles.
“Do you think the youngest is going on some pleasure outing?”
“No, that is not what I meant…”
“To improve a constitution incapable of sensing mana, he ventures into treacherous lands even Grand Mages cannot reach. Yet you speak as though he is being treated unfairly.”
“…”
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
Alex could not even meet his father’s eyes.
“If you wish to go so badly, then follow him. If you desire to face the mana tempest at the Dragon Ruins and shatter your Circle, then do so. I care not whether you live or die.”
“I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Tsk, tsk. You should be looking after your younger brother whose talents haven’t awakened yet, not envying him? You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Alex, who had come to complain only to receive harsh words in return, twisted his face the moment he turned away.
‘Damn it! What’s so special about the youngest son who can’t even form a circle…!’
As Alex walked back, nursing his anger toward Zeke, he encountered one of his brothers.
It was Russell McLafflin, one year his senior and the Second Son.
“Brother, where are you headed?”
“Oh, Alex. I’m going to the Magic Library to find a book I want to read.”
“Is it perhaps that ancient tome Zeke was said to have seen?”
Russell nodded without hesitation.
“The youngest interpreted rune script, so I became curious….”
“Brother, that’s all a lie. Don’t you see?”
“What? A lie?”
“You’re too naive. Come closer.”
Alex glanced around before leaning in and whispering into Russell’s ear.
His entirely subjective conspiracy theory.
“What? Father and Zeke are acting?”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Someone might hear.”
“That’s absurd. Father and Zeke wouldn’t put on such an act.”
“If it’s not an act, how could the youngest, who can’t even form a circle, interpret rune script? Unless Father taught him beforehand.”
“If he has talent, couldn’t he interpret it?”
“A talented person who can’t form a single circle? That doesn’t add up, does it? It doesn’t add up.”
Russell, unable to find a rebuttal, fell silent.
“I just came from seeing Father.”
“Father? Why?”
“To confront him about favoring the youngest. But do you know what he said?”
Russell shook his head, and Alex sighed.
“He’s treating the youngest like someone with an incurable disease, protecting him. It’s infuriating, truly.”
“Father is…?”
Russell couldn’t believe it, but he had no way to verify the truth.
“With Father favoring the youngest so much, will you just stand by and watch?”
“Hmm… I do see the favoritism, but isn’t the situation that desperate? We should understand.”
“Brother, aren’t you angry?”
“Angry? What reason would I have to be angry?”
At Russell’s carefree words, Alex sighed inwardly.
‘Good grief, how pathetic. Don’t you realize the youngest could take our share too?’
Was he naive or simply foolish?
Why didn’t he understand that Father’s reason for awakening the youngest’s talents was to enter him in the succession competition that would occur in three years?
Of course, the First Son McLafflin, who had left for magical training, was the likely candidate to inherit the family.
However, it was the family’s custom that the succession trial be conducted fairly, regardless of age.
If you pass the test, even the youngest can be selected as the successor.
‘I should definitely keep my distance from my second brother. I need to stay close only to my first brother, who is the leading candidate for the next family head.’
Unaware of such thoughts, Alex regarded the innocent Russell McLafflin with pitying eyes.
“Well then, I’ll be going first, brother.”
“Ah, yes.”
As Alex departed, Russell McLafflin shook his head quietly.

* * *
Russell McLafflin, the second son born as the family’s second heir.
He had been subject to comparison since birth.
Because Peter McLafflin, the firstborn, possessed tremendous magical talent.
‘Peter has already reached the Fifth Circle. He’s displaying such legendary talent that even the Magic Tower extended an invitation to him.’
Despite being only a year older than me, he boasts incredible talent.
But what of myself?
Merely at the Third Circle, am I not?
For a sixteen-year-old, this is respectable, but compared to the First Son McLafflin, I’m merely ordinary.
‘Still, I suppose I’m better off than my younger siblings?’
Especially when I see Zeke McLafflin, the youngest, my conscience pricks me for complaining.
There are people who cannot form a Circle at all—how can I grumble about such things?
If Zeke McLafflin were to hear this, how furious would he become?
Born without talent must already feel unjust to him.
Because of this, Russell McLafflin always felt sympathy for the youngest.
Though my younger siblings Alex McLafflin and Luna McLafflin seemed to think differently.
‘Alex McLafflin. Father surely knows of your envious nature. Perhaps that’s why he pours more affection on Zeke McLafflin.’
After observing Alex McLafflin for a moment, Russell McLafflin turned away.
That said, Zeke McLafflin didn’t appear entirely pitiful to me.
Given that he deciphered rune script, he possesses talent befitting a child of a renowned magical family.
I simply hoped he would achieve good results at the ruins this time.
‘But can I read rune script as well?’
Since I’d never attempted it before, I felt anticipation.
The moment I arrived at the Magic Library, I placed my hand on the orb.
-Russell McLafflin. Confirmed.
With a deep rumble, the door opened.
As soon as it did, I encountered my adorable youngest brother.
Just as the rumors suggested, he was reading a book.
“Oh? Second brother? What brings you here?”
“Ah, you were inside? I heard there were ancient texts here, so I came to borrow some. A rune script dictionary too.”
“That one’s right here.”
As Zeke McLafflin found the book and handed it over, I accepted it with a smile.
“Thanks. But what are you doing here? We need to depart for the ruins soon.”
“I had a spare moment and was reading a bit.”
“How diligent. Hehe, I hope you achieve good results at the ruins. Travel safely and return.”
“Thank you, brother.”
*Click.*
Russell smiled as he left the Magic Library, glancing back at the closed door.
‘He’s young, yet so well-mannered and adorable, isn’t he?’
Why would brothers of such virtue need to clash with one another?
‘There’s the succession trial in three years, but that’s no reason for blood brothers to turn against each other.’
I couldn’t comprehend it at all.
Not even the book I’d borrowed.
*Whoosh.*
I’d tried reading it as I walked, but I couldn’t make sense of a single word.
Even with the rune dictionary right beside me.
It seemed true that one needed genuine magical talent to understand such things.
‘But if I can interpret runes, why is my mana affinity so… lacking?’
As I pondered my younger brother’s plight with sympathy, I happened to encounter Father putting on his coat.
“Ah, Russell. Where are you headed?”
“I was actually coming to find you, Father.”
“Me?”
Russell held up the book toward his bewildered father.
“It’s an ancient tome that Zeke was reading. I took a quick look, but I couldn’t understand it at all. I wanted to ask you about it—do you have a moment?”
“Not now, I’m afraid. I’ll be away for some time.”
“Oh, where are you going?”
“Your younger brother is about to embark on his first expedition, isn’t he?”
In that single sentence, Russell felt it keenly.
Father cherished and loved Zeke far more than he had realized.
After all, isn’t it natural to worry more about an aching finger than a healthy one?
“Then I’ll let you go.”
“Yes. Safe travels, Father.”
Russell understood his father.
He harbored no jealousy over such things.
Having been compared to his eldest brother since birth, what bitterness could he possibly feel now?
With Father’s attention turning toward Zeke, Russell’s gaze naturally followed.
Though he lacked a Circle, his younger brother was a remarkable talent—one who could even read runes.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t spent much time with my younger brothers lately.’
Russell smiled.
When Zeke returned from his journey, he resolved to grow closer to him.

* * *
[Absorbed 3 mana.]
[Absorbed 3 mana.]
[Absorbed 3 mana.]
[Skill ‘Mana Master’ has reached 2-star achievement.]
[Mana detection and absorption range increased: 15m ▶ 20m.]
[Daily stat points obtainable through mana absorption increased: 2 ▶ 3.]
[Proficiency remaining until 3-star achievement: 0/300]
Upon reading the floating messages, Zeke let out a silent cry of exultation.
‘Just as I thought! Raising the achievement level increases my daily stat allotment!’
I’d been reading books in the Magic Library during a brief respite, and my proficiency had climbed steadily.
And without fail, my daily stat capacity had increased accordingly.
It seemed that each time I raised the achievement level, one additional stat point was unlocked.
If this pattern continued, I might be able to raise ten stats per day once I reached 9-star mastery.
‘Excellent. At this rate, I can grow far more rapidly.’
Part of me wanted to reach 9-star here without ever needing to venture to the Dragon Ruins, but that was simply impossible.
The Magic Library’s mana replenished far too slowly once depleted, making it unsuitable for grinding proficiency.
‘I need to reach the Dragon Ruins as soon as possible and absorb vast quantities of mana.’
This was precisely why I’d waited for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Father would only grant permission once I’d definitively proven my lack of magical talent.
“Young Master? Are you here? Everything is prepared.”
“Ah, yes! I’m coming, Helen!”
Stepping outside, I found a considerable gathering of people.
My dedicated nursemaid Helen, along with servants to assist with the camp.
And there, clad in full armor, stood the Duke Family’s personal guard knights.
“Greetings, Young Master Zeke. I am Raker, captain of the escort knights who will accompany you on this journey. These are elite warriors who have sworn their lives to your protection.”
“I see. A pleasure to meet you, Captain Raker, and all of you knights. I look forward to your excellent service.”
Perhaps it was my casual manner of speech—hardly befitting a Duke’s heir?
A flicker of intrigue crossed Raker’s eyes, though only for a moment.
“Zeke.”
At that moment, the Duke himself, Gerard, emerged to see me off.
“Are you prepared to depart?”
“Yes, Father. I shall return safely.”
“Then let us be on our way.”
Gerard retrieved his coat and boarded the magical carriage.
‘Huh?’
I could only stare in bewilderment.
“Father, why are you boarding?”
“I shall accompany you on this journey.”
“What? But why?”
I couldn’t help but question him, and Gerard turned back as if asking what I meant.
“Did I not say I would provide you with an escort?”
“….”
“Do not worry. I shall personally ensure you reach the ruins safely.”
An 8th-Circle Archmage providing direct protection.
Safety was all but guaranteed.

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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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