The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 54

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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 54
The McLafflin Family had two wives.
The first wife: Christina McLafflin.
The second wife: Daina McLafflin.
Though polygamy dominated the Pangaea Continent, the relationship between the two wives could hardly be called amicable.
As the legitimate wife, Christina naturally resented Daina for entering as a concubine.
Christina had endured it all this time out of respect for her husband Gerard’s decision.
But that tolerance had reached its limit.
“You cinched my corset far too tightly! If I suffocate, will you take responsibility?”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
The maidservant tightening the belt from behind had no idea how to respond to such a hysterical outburst.
“Get out.”
“Pardon?”
“Can’t you understand simple words? I said get out!”
“Y-yes, I’m so sorry.”
As the maidservant retreated, Christina’s venomous gaze turned toward the others.
“Why are you all still standing there? Every last one of you, leave!”
“Y-yes, of course….”
“W-we’ll take our leave….”
The maidservants who had drawn her ire hastily bowed their heads and withdrew.
Lately, attending to Christina had become unbearable for her servants.
She flew into irritation over the most trivial matters.
Yet they were not so foolish as to fail to understand their mistress’s heart.
“Oh, how I miss my Peter… and Alex…”
Alone in her chamber, Christina clutched her sons’ portraits, tears streaming down her face.
“Why did you do such a thing… why on earth…!”
Christina cried out in anguish, still unable to comprehend it.
As for Alex, the third son, I had dismissed him as thoughtless and immature.
I never imagined he would attempt to assassinate his own brothers to win the succession.
What I truly could not fathom was Peter, the First Son.
“If he had simply remained still, the position of heir would have been his for the taking. So why did he conspire with the Tower Master….”
Perhaps he had not known that Tower Master Gregor Fontaine was plotting treason, but there was no denying the fact that he had conspired to betray Zeke McLafflin.
Gerard, as the family head, could not forgive this transgression.
Though it was reaping what one had sown, the fact that the object of that consequence was her own son cut Christina to the bone.
“Now all I have left is Russell….”
Come to think of it, today was when the successor examination results were to be announced.
Christina went to meet her only remaining son.
Knock, knock—
“Russell. Open the door.”
Before the opened door stood Russell, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
“What is it, Mother?”
“Let’s talk for a moment. I need to know your true intentions.”
“Yes? What do you mean…?”
Christina entered abruptly and closed the door behind her, her expression grave.
“Russell. You know what today is, don’t you?”
“Of course. Father is announcing the successor trials today.”
“Do you have any intention of becoming the successor?”
“Mother. As I’ve said before, I…”
“Enough! Don’t you dare say you’re not interested!”
“…”
“With Peter and Alex gone, you are the only son I have left. Will you disappoint me yet again?”
“Mother… I don’t want to betray your expectations either. But as I’ve said repeatedly, the position of family head doesn’t suit me. I don’t have the confidence to lead the family.”
“A man born into this world must at least attempt to seize the position of family head. Why do you lack such ambition?”
“…I apologize.”
“I didn’t come here to hear such words. I want a definitive answer.”
Normally, Christina would have relented and withdrawn, but not today.
Her face was set with unwavering resolve.
The reason was simple—if Russell gave up, the one to become family head would be Zeke McLafflin, whom she found utterly abhorrent.
She could not bear to watch that come to pass, so she had no choice but to press him desperately.
Even if it meant crushing her son’s pride.
“What do you know how to do? Do you wish you had talent like Peter, or decisiveness like Alex? All you do is read books and learn a little magic. Do you have anything to show for yourself? What have you accomplished in your life?”
“…”
“Did you think you could live comfortably by remaining hidden in the shadows of your brothers, as if you barely existed? Wake up. You are the second son of the McLafflin Family, one of the three greatest Prestigious Magic Families. You are now the eldest in all but name. Being born into a Prestigious Magic Family means you can never live an ordinary life. You must not!”
“…”
“If Zeke McLafflin becomes the successor, do you think he’ll leave you alone? What will you do if he and Daina sweep away all of us who stand in their way, as if we were garbage to be discarded?”
“Mother. No matter what, I can’t imagine that Aunt and Zeke would do such a thing…”
“You’re still so naive, so very naive! How could you, barely twenty years old, possibly understand the hearts of men?”
“…”
Seeing Russell at a loss for words, Christina took a breath to calm her agitation and turned away sharply.
“The position of successor is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to seize with your own hands. So think carefully. Will you grasp this chance, or will you remain a loser?”

* * *
Russell stared blankly at the door through which his mother had departed.
To be honest, he had never given much thought to the matter of succession.
He had even considered abandoning it early and handing it over to Zeke McLafflin.
But after his conversation with his mother, his doubts had only deepened.
‘Mother desires this so earnestly… I suppose I must take the succession trial.’
With his younger brother Alex and his eldest brother Peter both fallen into ruin, he was the only son she could rely upon.
Perhaps that was why she spoke with such firmness, yet Russell still could not bring himself to decide.
He believed he lacked the qualifications for such a role.
‘Can I truly lead the family well? I, whose magical talent is utterly ordinary?’
Rather, his youngest brother Zeke McLafflin seemed far more suited for the position.
He had reached the Sixth Circle at a remarkably young age and was said to be serving as an ace in the Royal Court Mage Order.
The days when he was criticized as a blockhead whose talents had never blossomed were long past.
And that was not all.
He had rendered distinguished service in rooting out traitors and preventing the King’s assassination.
He possessed qualifications more than sufficient to become the family head immediately.
In comparison, what had he accomplished?
Nothing whatsoever.
‘Mother is right. I have accomplished nothing in my life. Yet Zeke, younger than me, has already achieved countless feats.’
At this rate, it was inevitable that Zeke McLafflin would become the successor.
Even if that came to pass, he honestly did not mind.
He did not share his mother’s concern that his aunt and Zeke McLafflin would neglect their branch of the family.
He trusted Zeke McLafflin.
He knew well that he was not that sort of person.
‘But… I cannot simply hand it over so easily.’
A self-deprecating smile leaked from the corner of his mouth.
It seemed he too did not wish to live this way.
His pride was wounded by the label of loser.
‘I will give it a try. For my own sake, if nothing else.’
Above all, Russell’s nature was too weak to betray his mother’s expectations.
Knock, knock—
“Second Son. The family head is looking for you.”
“Understood. I’ll be right out.”
At the maidservant’s voice from beyond the door, Russell steeled his resolve.
He would give it a try.
The succession competition.

* * *
At the moment Russell received his father’s summons.
Zeke McLafflin received the identical message.
“Young Master. The Family Head is calling for you.”
“It’s about the successor trial, isn’t it?”
“I’m not entirely certain about that…”
“Understood, Helen. I’ll prepare myself and head out shortly.”
I adjusted my attire and stepped out of my room, walking down the corridor.
The reason Father summoned me was painfully obvious.
‘Today marks the one-year anniversary of his promise.’
A year ago, Gerard McLafflin had declared that he would change the format of the successor trial.
And today was the day he’d promised to announce the new method.
But as always, I had no interest in the successor trial whatsoever.
Taking on the position would only be a tedious burden.
My mind was already consumed with thoughts of how to refuse in a way that would convince Father.
‘If I tell Father I’m giving up the successor position, he’ll be disappointed. His expectations for me are so high.’
But there was no helping it.
I had no intention of bringing trouble upon myself.
‘I can just leave the Family Head position to Russell. That’s what Grandmother would want anyway.’
Christina McLafflin already looked at me with disdain, and I hoped this matter might cool her anger somewhat.
‘Surely if Russell becomes Family Head, he won’t have me cast out at his behest?’
Considering Christina’s nature, it seemed entirely possible, but honestly, I didn’t care.
In fact, I was hoping she would cast me out.
To build proficiency with my newly awakened fifth-tier skill, leaving the estate would be far more beneficial.
‘So I’ll refuse the successor position and carefully mention that I’d like to travel abroad for a few years.’
I was sixteen now.
On the Pangaea Continent, sixteen was the age when people entered into marriage.
It was time to leave the cage.
“Oh? Brother?”
“Zeke.”
As I headed toward Father’s chambers, I encountered Russell at the door.
“Did Father summon you as well, Second Brother?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Then it really is about the successor trial.”
I nodded with a smile and patted Russell on the shoulder.
“Congratulations in advance.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“The truth is, I have no intention of becoming the successor.”
“What?”
Russell’s eyes widened in shock at this unexpected revelation.
“Regardless of what the test entails, it seems right that you inherit the family, older brother.”
“Are you speaking from the heart?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking this way all along.”
“Hah….”
Russell’s shoulders, which had been tense with resolve, gradually relaxed as the tension drained from him.
It seemed he had come prepared to compete with me, steeling himself for the confrontation.
I smiled faintly and patted Russell’s back once more.
“Let’s go, older brother. Father must be waiting.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The two of us knocked, and with Gerard’s permission, opened the door.
Gerard greeted his two sons with a welcoming smile, as if he’d been expecting us.
“Russell, Zeke. You’ve come?”
“You called for us, Father?”
“What brings you to summon us….”
“As you’ve likely anticipated, today is the day I’ve decided to announce the newly revised successor’s test. That’s why I’ve called both of you who possess the qualifications to be successors.”
“Ah.”
Russell and I nodded calmly.
We had already anticipated this much.
Though we hadn’t foreseen the test’s contents.
“Let me get to the point. As of today, you must both leave the family for two years.”
“Pardon?”
“W-what are you saying? Suddenly asking us to leave the family….”
Before I could even process this sudden declaration, a message materialized before my eyes.
【Sudden Quest: Accept the Successor’s Test】
└Gerard McLafflin has proposed that you leave the family for two years as a successor qualification test.
└Accept the test and depart from the family.
【Conditions】
└Accept the successor’s test and leave the family
【Rewards】
└5th Circle Skill Proficiency +2,000

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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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