The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 31

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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 31

At the Rune Watchtower Training Grounds, Valen and his unit members stood with their arms crossed, watching Reagan intently.

“The promised week is up.”

Valen had made a bet with Reagan.

This was the moment to prove the boy’s absurd promise to reach the 4th tier within seven days and nights.

He didn’t expect much of a result. No matter how talented Reagan was, from the 4th tier onward, one couldn’t advance on intuition alone.

“So, did you reach that precious 4th tier of yours? I heard you’ve been doing some secret training.”

Reagan hadn’t shown his face at the training grounds for the past week, apparently holed up in the underground workshop with some maid.

“Yes. I believe I’ve reached the 4th tier, in my own way. Though I’m not sure how it looks in your eyes, Deputy Commander.”

“Ha.”

Valen thought those words were just bravado. For adolescent youths, admitting their own shortcomings was worse than death.

“So, how should we prove it?”

“Try destroying that scarecrow.”

“Just a scarecrow?”

“It’s not just any scarecrow. It has defensive magic inscribed on it that can’t even be scratched by 3rd tier level magic. So if you can damage that scarecrow, we can consider you to have reached the 4th tier.”

At Valen’s explanation, Reagan raised both hands overlapping toward the scarecrow.

Then, heterogeneous mana gathered in his hands.

“Hmm…?”

Two rune characters.

Kenaz and Isa appeared.

Reagan deployed separate rune magic in each hand.

In other words, it was nothing more than ordinary multiple casting.

‘That bastard, don’t tell me…’

Valen felt a strange uneasiness, and that anxiety proved exactly right.

Reagan overlapped his hands. The two rune characters collided. It was a crude and foolish method of suppressing the resulting repulsive force with his own mana.

At this rate, he could become a cripple. Valen wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Several unit members hastily drew out their mana. They seemed ready to intervene, but Valen raised his hand to stop them.

“No, let’s watch.”

Of course it was a foolish act.

However, Valen didn’t think Reagan would be unaware of such a simple risk. And he certainly wasn’t a half-wit who would throw his life away out of stubbornness.

Most importantly, Reagan’s mana core was surprisingly stable. The rune magic that had been fluctuating unstably was also achieving an exquisite balance, using the repulsive force as propulsion.

This meant that Reagan’s magic remained in the realm of precise calculation, not simple self-destruction.

BOOM——!

Immediately after, an explosive sound rang out.

The combination of the attribute word Kenaz and the concept word Isa.

Overwhelming explosive power.

“Huh.”

When the dust settled and he saw the completely destroyed scarecrow, Valen let out a bitter laugh.

Even the unit members were speechless. It was their first time seeing a newcomer use rune magic in such a crude way.

In any case, Reagan had succeeded in destroying the scarecrow.

He had cast magic beyond the 3rd tier category. Even though the method was crude in a way no proper mage would ever employ.

“How was it?”

Reagan turned his head.

“Have I reached the 4th tier? I’m not even sure myself.”

“…Well, it depends on how you look at it, but the power alone is definitely 4th tier. By my standards, you’re 4th tier.”

Valen secretly wiped the sweat from his palms.

It was barely passing, but he had truly reached the 4th tier.

And this before coming of age, even less than half a year since entering magic.

‘He’s a monster.’

Steren had evaluated Reagan as a genius.

However, Valen instinctively felt that assessment was wrong.

Reagan wasn’t a genius but a monster. An irregular who broke existing frameworks and reassembled them as he pleased. Even considering thousands of years of magical history, it would be hard to find another such aberration.

While Valen was thinking this, Reagan approached him with a grin.

“What’s with that unpleasant smile?”

“As promised, I reached the 4th tier within a week. So according to our bet, you must keep your promise. I don’t think the Deputy Commander will clam up now.”

“Haha, this brat.”

Valen burst into hollow laughter.

No matter what shortcuts he used, Reagan’s level was definitely 4th tier. Valen clearly remembered the bet he had made a week ago.

“Fine. I’m not someone who says one thing and means another. Reagan, what do you want from me? The key to the treasury? Or the position of next Deputy Commander of the Rune Surveillance Unit? Or will you ask for my daughter too, not stopping at Miss Renia?”

Whatever request he made, Valen was prepared to grant it as long as it wasn’t completely unreasonable.

However, Reagan’s choice was beyond Valen’s expectations.

“I’d like to receive those gloves.”

Reagan pointed to Valen’s gloves as he spoke.

An unexpected request.

Valen’s eyes narrowed.

One of the unit members was shocked.

“What are you saying, these are Benheim’s family treasure! They’re only passed down to the Deputy Commander of the Rune Surveillance Unit…”

“Enough.”

Valen raised his hand to cut off the unit member’s words.

“Reagan, why do you want these gloves?”

“Winter’s coming, isn’t it? My hands get quite cold.”

Seeing Reagan’s cheeky response, Valen burst into laughter.

“Nonsense. Someone else told you about these gloves. Don’t tell me it was Young Master Arno?”

“To tell the truth, Renia told me.”

“Hahaha.”

As he said, the gloves Valen wore were indeed magical tools.

Gloves made from the hide of a wyvern, a phantasmal beast. While their physical durability was outstanding, above all they provided absolute protection against magic.

For the Rune Surveillance Unit, who often had to get blood on their hands, they were excellent equipment.

‘Quite an excellent choice.’

The crude magic Reagan had just demonstrated carried great risk. If his concentration wavered and he failed to suppress the explosive force of the rune characters, his wrists would be blown off.

In that sense, these gloves would prevent any potential accidents. They might be exactly what Reagan needed most right now.

Valen smiled bitterly. That bold young lady Renia had finally leaked high-grade information to her fiancé.

“This audacious brat.”

These gloves were like part of Valen’s own body, worn since he first entered Benheim and was getting beaten around as a new Rune Surveillance Unit member.

However, since he too had received the gloves from the previous Deputy Commander, he could readily accept doing a good deed for a junior.

Especially if that junior was an exceptional genius who had reached the 4th tier before coming of age.

“Fine. A bet is a bet, these gloves are yours to use.”

Valen tossed the gloves to Reagan.

“But remember this. Giving you these gloves means you might become the new Deputy Commander of the Rune Surveillance Unit someday. So you’ll need to show performance worthy of that in this operation.”

“Of course. You won’t need to worry about useless things.”

“Cheeky brat.”

Valen snorted.

* * *

News that I had reached the 4th tier spread throughout the territory before even a day had passed.

“Congratulations. I heard you became 4th tier?”

Renia wasn’t that surprised. When I created my mana core, and during the Hunting Festival, Renia had been with me.

Perhaps because of that. She seemed to have somewhat expected that I would rapidly advance in level.

“Now you’ve reached a higher level than me, Reagan. The direct lineage name will be crying.”

“Come on. You’ll be able to reach 4th tier soon too.”

“Tch. You talk well.”

It wasn’t exactly empty words.

If my memory is correct, Renia also reached the 4th tier before coming of age. From what I heard, Arno was the same.

In Benheim’s history, two unprecedented geniuses had emerged in one generation, and under the same roof at that.

Heroes emerge in turbulent times, they say. Thinking of it as a portent of the Archmage King’s appearance made it truly an eerie coincidence.

“Hehe. I’m looking forward to it.”

Renia smiled genuinely.

Of course, the anticipation Renia spoke of wasn’t the joy of reaching the 4th tier herself.

The mischievous Renia was looking forward to nothing other than her brother’s reaction.

“This is impossible… Why… How could such a novice be faster than me…”

And Arno responded exactly as Renia expected.

“This makes no sense!”

Arno couldn’t believe I had truly reached the 4th tier, and only reluctantly acknowledged it after checking my rune magic with his own eyes several times.

Though it couldn’t be considered a complete 4th tier since I had drawn out power through unconventional means, it was still certainly a higher level than Arno’s.

That point seemed to have wounded Arno’s pride.

“…Damn it, this… this can’t be happening. Why… I should have worked harder…”

I spoke to the dejected Arno with a raised corner of my mouth.

“Remember our bet?”

“What?”

“From now on, call me big brother.”

“Ahahaha!”

Renia burst into laughter.

That Arno refused to speak to me for several weeks afterward was, well, a natural course of events.

* * *

As the commotion died down and the day of departure for Mist Valley approached, family head Steren came to see me.

“I heard you reached the 4th tier. Word is you thoroughly humbled Valen.”

“You flatter me.”

“Flattery? Throughout Benheim’s history, those who reached the 4th tier before adulthood can be counted on one hand. For someone from an outside mage background, you’re probably the first.”

Steren glanced at Valen’s gloves on my hands and smiled with satisfaction.

Then he called a servant to bring a long box.

“Reagan. Take this.”

“What is this?”

“Well, think of it as a father-in-law’s gesture to celebrate his son-in-law’s 4th tier achievement.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. Open it and see.”

When I opened the box the servant brought, inside was a sword wrapped in black cloth.

“…This is a sword?”

“Yes. You use a sword, don’t you. I heard your sword broke during the last Hunting Festival and you don’t have one to use right now. So use this.”

“I appreciate the thought. However, I can create swords separately for my use.”

Thanks to sword creation magic.

After learning sword creation magic over the past several months and modifying it my own way, it was now more efficient than using most famous swords.

However, Steren smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“I know. I know you use sword creation magic as well as Rucen’s mages. But don’t show sword creation magic in front of others.”

“Why not?”

“What do you think would happen if word reached Kaiden’s ears that you’re freely using sword creation magic?”

Certainly.

Kaiden, who valued family authority more than life itself, would try by any means to destroy my mana core.

“That’s not the only problem. Groundless rumors might spread that Benheim’s son-in-law is Rucen’s legitimate heir, so even if it’s just for appearances, carry a sword around.”

“I understand.”

With such reasoning, I couldn’t simply refuse.

I nodded and took out the sword from the box.

When I unwrapped the cloth around the sword, an antique longsword was revealed.

At first glance, it was just an old, crude sword. The scabbard was wrapped in faded black leather, and the exposed blade had a matte black iron color that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.

While I was examining the sword.

“Hmm?”

I frowned.

The sword’s appearance was strangely familiar.

No, it was beyond familiar.

This was…

“A cheap sword?”

I muttered without thinking.

That was the moment.

“A cheap sword?! How dare you say such nonsense! This is Benheim’s treasured sword!”

The servant who brought the sword turned pale and shouted.

“…A treasured sword? Are you saying this sword is Benheim’s treasured sword?”

“That’s right! This is the sword used by Benheim’s founder, who was the first emperor’s advisor mage and monster hunter! Please watch your words!”

I looked down at the sword again with a bewildered expression.

According to the servant, this sword was a treasured blade used by Benheim’s founder a thousand years ago.

However, this sword remained vividly in my memory.

Before my regression, during my time active in Renia’s resistance army.

It was a sword that had crossed many battlefields with me.

Naturally, memories of the past came flooding back.

– It’s broken again.

– That’s because Reagan treats swords like disposable items. Such waste.

– What can I do when even the best swords break quickly?

The war caused by the Archmage King.

Life-threatening fierce battles unfolded every time.

No matter how good a sword I obtained, it would quickly break and become unusable.

I had to change swords several times a day, and by the end of the war, even blacksmith shops had closed, making it difficult to procure swords.

– There’s no choice. Use this sword.

That’s when Renia handed me a sword.

– At least this sword won’t break.

– Hmm… Is it expensive?

– No. It’s cheap. Even if it were expensive, it wouldn’t matter now anyway.

Renia said those cryptic words.

Anyway, contrary to Renia’s words, the new sword absorbed mana remarkably well for a cheap sword, was sharper than any other sword, and didn’t dull even with rough use.

It was the sword I held even during my final battle with the Archmage King, just before my death.

“…Hah.”

That sword had now returned to my hands.

“To think this was Benheim’s treasured sword.”

Only then did I understand the true meaning of Renia’s words.

‘A sword that has no meaning now…’

Did it really have no meaning?

From the point of regression, it wouldn’t be meaningless.

So from the moment she gave me the family’s treasured sword, Renia had bet everything on me. Her family, her pride, and even her life.

“What’s wrong?”

Steren asked as I smiled bitterly.

“It’s just… the sword fits my hand perfectly. As if it were made for me.”

“Haha. Benheim’s founder also used to combine swordsmanship. Though the technique has been lost now, you might be able to continue that lineage, Reagan.”

I gripped the scabbard tightly.

The cool sensation I felt in my palm was the same as the feeling from my previous life.

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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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