The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 10
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10
Before my regression, I was called the Sword God.
However, there were several other titles that the world used to describe me.
Among them, the most representative one was…
– Wandering mercenary Reagan. The Sword God. In the world, you’re called the natural enemy of mages, aren’t you?
Natural enemy of mages.
There wasn’t any special story behind how this nickname came about.
The war was mainly between the Archmage King’s mages and the Continental Army trying to stop them, and as a mercenary participating in the battlefield, I naturally came to take the heads of mages.
– I heard you’ve already cut down dozens of 7th-circle mages. It’s an unbelievable achievement for a mere swordsman.
Before my regression, this was why Renia, who led the Resistance Army, came looking for me.
The fact that there were hardly any sword master-level forces left during the war was one reason, but more than that, it was because Renia had heard rumors about me.
At that time, unlike ordinary knights, I had a reputation as a mercenary who was particularly good at killing mages.
The reason for this lay in this ‘sight’ that I possessed.
– Reagan’s eyes are truly fascinating. How did you come to have such a talent?
I didn’t think my talent was special. However, only after hearing Renia’s explanation did I understand what an excellent advantage this unique sight of mine was.
My eyes can visually see the structure of magic.
Just as construction is treated as the most important part in the casting stage of magic, precise design is the core of magic. Therefore, when the structure is damaged, magic inevitably collapses.
In other words, being able to identify the core of magic with the naked eye is no different from seeing right through a mage’s weakness.
However, even if you can see the core, it’s useless if you can’t thrust your sword faster than the magic. That’s why my sword developed in a way that honed accuracy and speed rather than destructive power.
Eventually, upon reaching sword master level, only the ultimate swift sword remained—one that didn’t assume sword fights with opponents and had stripped away all unnecessary elements.
Renia, who had rolled through countless battlefields with me, gave my swordsmanship a name one day at a drinking session.
– How about Demon-Breaking Sword?
It was a name that might sound somewhat childish, but Renia’s designation wasn’t far off.
―Swish!
Even with just a tree branch not wrapped in aura, I could cut through the rune magic that Arno was pouring out.
Rumble!
The magic that had lost its core went berserk all at once.
Flames lost their direction and burned the air, while blade winds whirled around like beasts trying to bite their master. The ground cracked and surged up randomly.
“Th-this is impossible…!”
Arno hesitated.
An excellent mage would have been able to control the rampaging magic, but Arno was still just a novice mage at the 3rd circle. Despite his outstanding talent, he lacked experience.
‘Well, for his age, even this much is quite impressive.’
In the modern magic system divided into 10 circles, the 3rd circle doesn’t seem that impressive, but even that is a level that requires more than 10 years of dedication to magic to reach.
Moreover, since Arnaud von Benheim hadn’t even passed adulthood, he was undoubtedly a genius.
Arno wasn’t even an ordinary 3rd-circle mage. He was on the verge of the 4th circle. He had enough skill to overwhelm mages of the same circle.
If even mages of the same circle would struggle, it would be a distant task for some nobody without even a mana core to break through those spells.
However, this time he just had the wrong opponent.
I’m not some nobody.
I’m someone who shared hardships with an archmage who had already reached the limits of rune magic.
Breaking through low-circle magic isn’t even a difficult task.
Maintaining my stance on the writhing ground, I put strength into the hand holding the tree branch.
My left hand was raised toward the front, and my right hand was positioned at my waist.
My sharply honed senses allowed me to maintain balance even within the rampaging rune magic.
What I was aiming for was Arnaud von Benheim himself, who was at a loss behind the barrier of flames.
Actually, even if I left it alone, the Covert Mage Sheril would intervene, but I intended to secure victory decisively.
I steadied my breathing before making my move.
I took a step forward and shifted my center of gravity ahead.
‘First, one step.’
The writhing earth grabbed at my ankle.
However, I had no intention of collapsing.
Whoosh!
I put strength into my right foot and twisted my body.
Before the ground could catch up, my left foot, which had already shifted its center of gravity, stepped on empty air.
In that instant, I took my next step.
‘Two steps.’
I saw a gap in the rampage.
The flames were fierce, but since the mana link was severed, the flow was unstable.
And I could sufficiently discern this with my naked eyes.
‘Three steps.’
In just three steps, I had broken through the rampaging magic and arrived right in front of Arno.
Magic poured down with fierce momentum. The rampaging rune magic, where flames and wind combined, would tear flesh with just a graze.
―Whooom.
The rune character Kenaz appeared on my left hand.
I inscribed Kenaz on the tree branch in my right hand. Though temporary, this would allow me to drive away the opponent’s mana.
Tap.
Like plucking a string, I touched the ground with my toes and lowered my body.
Shooting forward like a streak of lightning, I swung the branch.
――Crack!
Through the gap in the rune magic that had been cut in an instant, Arno was staring at me with his mouth hanging wide open.
“You, you cut it? Magic?”
Once could be a coincidence.
But twice, three times – that becomes inevitable.
“Well, I bear no ill will.”
Having approached the now defenseless Arno, I put away the branch and raised my fist.
To contain the rampaging magic, it was necessary to take down the caster.
“W-wait! I can…”
Before Arno could finish his words, my fist shot out.
First, one strike under the jaw.
Crack!
Then I struck his shoulder blade with my left hand. I didn’t miss the moment when Arno lost his balance and staggered.
Thud!
I raised my foot to hook his shin and flipped him, causing Arno’s back to rotate in a circle.
“Ughhh!”
Thump!
Arno was slammed head-first into the ground.
That was the end of it.
* * *
The news reached the ears of family head Steren von Benheim at sunset.
Captain Allet and the covert mage Sheril came to deliver the news, and Steren, who had been sipping his tea, narrowed his eyes.
“My son challenged that boy Reagan to a duel, you say.”
In fact, Steren had somewhat intended this. Arno was at a hot-blooded age, so it was natural for him to feel competitive toward a newly arrived family mage.
However, what was shocking were the words that followed.
“…But he lost?”
“Yes. I’m sorry to say, but that’s correct.”
“My son, to that boy?”
When he looked at Allet as if seeking confirmation, he reluctantly nodded.
“Was it a fair fight?”
“Sheril was there as a witness.”
Allet stepped aside, and the maid Sheril bowed her head deeply.
“I see. Sheril, is that truly fact? My son was defeated by that boy? Even by a beginner who can only use 2nd-tier rune magic?”
“It’s true that the boy used 2nd-tier magic as you said, but I think we must consider that the nature of the duel wasn’t typical combat between mages.”
“Explain in detail.”
Sheril explained exactly what she had witnessed. How Reagan had inscribed rune characters on a tree branch to cut through Arno’s magic.
And even how he had broken through the rampaging magic to approach Arno directly and subdue him.
“…Just a tree branch.”
Steren wore a bewildered expression.
The very idea of a mage attempting close combat was absurd, but at the part about swinging a branch to cut magic, a hollow laugh escaped him.
Cutting through magic – even Steren, a 7th-tier mage, had never heard of such an eccentric feat.
However, Sheril’s expression was utterly serious. There would be no reason for her to lie. Steren let out a contemplative sound and asked.
“Well then, Sheril. Having directly witnessed this duel, how do you evaluate that boy Reagan’s combat?”
“It was a cowardly and underhanded method that induced the opponent’s carelessness and struck at their weakness.”
“There was some discrepancy in my question. I’m not asking you to represent the family’s position, but for your personal thoughts.”
When Steren asked, Sheril remained silent for a moment as if pondering, then continued.
“…I think it was quite an efficient method. Moreover, while young master Arno was careless, I cannot deny that the boy was exceptional.”
“Exceptional?”
“It was a technique that combined natural combat instincts with the cold situational judgment to support them.”
Sheril was a covert mage dispatched from the guild before being a maid. That’s why she could well understand how efficient and practical the fighting Reagan had shown was.
“High praise indeed.”
Having heard the full story, Steren set down his teacup.
“Where is Arno?”
“The family physician is treating his injuries.”
“Is he badly hurt?”
“No. I was told it’s just simple bruising.”
“So he even controlled his strength in the midst of all that. The Benheim name would be crying.”
Hearing Allet’s words, Steren let out a hollow laugh. His eyebrows were raised. It wasn’t just because the fact that his son had been defeated was humiliating.
“Reagan, that child defeated my son – well, this is something.”
Rather, it was because of the surging interest toward the boy called Reagan.
“…Yes. He would have to be at least that capable to be a talent chosen by Benheim’s mage. Interesting. Very interesting.”
Steren was genuinely impressed. A newcomer who had been in the family for barely two weeks had dueled with the legitimate heir who had grown up receiving all kinds of support from the family and achieved a resounding victory.
Even if Reagan’s fighting method wasn’t befitting of a mage as Sheril said, the victory itself was certainly worthy of praise.
As Steren was lost in thought, Captain Allet approached and carefully spoke up.
“…My lord, there is something I must report. No matter how fair the outcome of the match may have been, the fact that the heir was defeated is critical. If word of this incident spreads outside the family, I fear it may damage Benheim’s honor.”
“Allet, you worry too much. My son’s defeat is an undeniable fact. As long as it’s not false slander, Benheim stands with dignity. There’s no need to worry about honor that won’t even fall.”
“However…”
“Rather, it means Benheim has brought in an excellent talent, so what else could this be but a blessing? There’s nothing to worry about regarding Arno. Since he inherited Benheim’s blood, he’ll use this defeat as fuel to move forward.”
Stern held his son in high regard. The Arno he had observed so far was already an excellent mage. His passion for magic wouldn’t be easily extinguished.
What Stern, as the family head, needed to do was not blame the defeated Arno, but give proper compensation to the talented mage who had beaten his son.
Of course, he did have some doubts about the boy named Reagan.
Reagan was a boy with many secrets. Their depth was something even Stern, the family head, couldn’t fathom.
‘Is it alright to bring such a person into the heart of the family?’
But that talent… he couldn’t let it slip away.
Above all, it was a talent chosen by Benheim’s Archmage.
Having finished his deliberation, Stern rose from his seat.
“Sheril.”
“Yes.”
“Guide me to the separate residence. I want to see that child myself. And…”
Stern trailed off his words, then added with a raised corner of his mouth.
“Captain Allet, go to the treasure vault in the main mansion.”
“…What business do you suddenly have with the treasure vault?”
“You’re being obtuse. I’m telling you to bring a secret manual from the family.”
At Stern’s casually spoken words, both Allet and Sheril were left speechless.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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