The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 43

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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 43

 

The next morning.

 

I came down to the manor hall feeling refreshed, and found Steren sitting with his legs crossed, reading an imperial daily newspaper.

 

“Your expression looks better than yesterday.”

 

Steren glanced at me over his newspaper as he spoke.

 

“….”

 

In the mirror was my usual face. However, to Steren’s eyes, my expression seemed much more at ease. Though I was reluctant to admit it, last night’s conversation with Renia had clearly been of considerable help to my state of mind.

 

But I couldn’t very well tell a father that I had a private conversation with his daughter late at night. I deflected appropriately.

 

“I suppose it’s because I slept well last night.”

 

“I wonder about that. From what I can see, it’s probably thanks to chatting with Renia.”

 

“….”

 

Steren seemed to know that Renia had visited my room last night.

 

Well, for a 7th-tier Archmage, this small manor was like the palm of his hand. There was no fooling his eyes.

 

“We just had a cup of tea.”

 

“I understand you’re at a vigorous age, but do control your pace. Not to mention you, Reagan, but Renia is still young.”

 

“Nothing of the sort that the family head is concerned about happened.”

 

“Of course. Do you think Renia would do such a thing?”

 

I decided to keep quiet about what his beloved daughter had done with me in the past and future.

 

“More importantly, if anything like that had happened, Reagan, you wouldn’t even be walking on two legs.”

 

“….”

 

“I’m joking.”

 

It was serious.

 

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

When I obediently lowered my tail, Steren chuckled and folded his newspaper, dropping it onto the table with a thud.

 

“The story about this incident has already made it into the daily paper. I see the story about Airidd has been completely omitted, so the Imperial Mage Association must have controlled the information.”

 

“Does the Imperial Mage Association have that much influence?”

 

“With the backing of the royal court, they’re at least strong enough to intimidate all the media in the Empire. This incident would be a disgrace for Airidd as well, so it’s better for everyone that it’s not publicized.”

 

Steren shrugged as he continued.

 

“That aside, you have a gift.”

 

“A gift? Where on earth did it come from?”

 

“It was sent from Airidd.”

 

At Steren’s gesture, a servant brought over an elegant box. The inverted triangle pattern engraved in the center of the box seemed to be Airidd’s symbol.

 

“Is this compensation for saving that girl Yusefin?”

 

“Exactly. Early this morning, Airidd’s elite arrived and took Lady Yusefin away.”

 

Steren’s expression hardened subtly.

 

“But… strangely, Airidd’s family head didn’t come personally.”

 

“The family head?”

 

“That’s right. Their only legitimate heir was kidnapped and then rescued. Normally, the family head would come personally to check on her well-being and express gratitude. However, the ones who arrived in Rodel were Airidd’s third-rate military force.”

 

“…Not even their elite, but third-rate. That’s certainly suspicious.”

 

“No matter how busy he might be, it was a matter of his daughter’s life hanging by a thread. There’s no way he’d respond so lukewarmly. I suspect something has happened to the Airidd family head.”

 

“Could it be related to the Black Death?”

 

“It’s possible. Or it could be internal family power struggles. The worst case would be if Airidd is colluding with Black Mages… but well, there’s no way to find out for now.”

 

Steren stroked his chin as he continued.

 

“We’ll have to look into the details at next year’s Archmage Council. The Airidd family head will have no choice but to show himself then.”

 

“Next year….”

 

So we’d have to wait until next year.

 

Countermeasures against the Archmage King would only begin to take shape around that time. Though the situation was urgent, I could only stamp my feet in frustration.

 

Perhaps such dissatisfaction showed on my face. Steren laughed heartily and said.

 

“Reagan, you don’t need to be in such a hurry. I don’t know why you react so sensitively to Black Mages, but the Empire’s magical world isn’t so fragile as to be shaken by mere Black Mages.”

 

Steren spoke with confidence.

 

However, even he, a 7th-tier Archmage and head of a Great Magic Family, hadn’t noticed that the most vicious Black Mage was lurking within the Imperial Mage Association.

 

Damian Carius. The Archmage King.

 

He had deceived everyone and achieved his purpose. To stop him, I needed to think and act more meticulously than he did.

 

In the end, what I needed most right now was information. I had to tear off the Archmage King’s hypocritical mask and examine his true face.

 

I had considered hiring an information guild, but how could they possibly investigate the Empire’s chief investigator?

 

As my worries deepened, Steren took the box from the servant and placed it on the table.

 

“Reagan, just to be safe, open this box in front of me. Who knows if there might be a curse on it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I opened the lid of the box.

 

Inside, on red silk, lay a single pyramid-shaped jewel.

 

A transparent jewel that bore no color, like a solidified water drop.

 

“…What… is this?”

 

When I asked, even Steren stroked his beard in surprise.

 

“This is… a prism.”

 

“A prism?”

 

“Yes. It’s a magical tool frequently used by Airidd’s mages. When it receives mana, it has the effect of projecting only the desired attribute.”

 

“Is it a valuable item?”

 

“It may not have the prestige of Benheim’s elixir, but it’s one of the treasures that any mage would covet. Airidd has put some thought into this. It’s an item they rarely give to outsiders.”

 

“Is it alright for them to readily give away such a precious item?”

 

“Airidd is also classified as one of the Five Great Magic Families like our Benheim. They have their dignity, so they can’t ignore a debt of gratitude.”

 

I picked up the crystal.

 

A cool sensation traveled through my fingertips.

 

When it receives mana, it projects only specific attributes. Just from hearing about it, it was hard to understand its use. I’d probably have to use it directly to get a feel for it.

 

“I’ll use it well.”

 

“Good. Keep it safe. It’s a gift Airidd gave to you.”

 

After confirming that I had put the prism in my pocket, Steren stood up.

 

“I should start preparing to return to Benheim.”

 

As Steren said, the immediate tasks were finished.

 

The Black Mages of Mist Valley had been captured, and Markel Benheim had fled. Knowing that Benheim was pursuing him, he wouldn’t show himself for a while.

 

At Benheim, ordinary daily life would continue until next year’s council.

 

‘But I mustn’t become complacent.’

 

My mindset, which might have become a bit loose, tightened because of the Archmage King I had encountered a few days ago.

 

Even at this very moment, the Archmage King was conducting underwater operations while wearing the mask of an Imperial Mage Association investigator.

 

My current level was woefully insufficient to oppose him and his forces. The Archmage King’s current tier was 7th. He might already be on the verge of reaching the 8th tier.

 

In the end, I had to become stronger for now.

 

Wasn’t that why I came to Benheim?

 

Under Benheim’s protection, I had to build my strength and reach a level where I could defeat the Archmage King.

 

Having finished my thoughts, I opened my mouth.

 

“Father-in-law.”

 

“….”

 

Steren’s eyebrows twitched.

 

It was a title I had never used except when we first met in Benheim’s dungeon. I had refrained from using that word because Steren himself detested it, but now I spoke it aloud.

 

“I have a request.”

 

Steren put down his teacup and stared at me.

 

He seemed to realize that my eyes were different from usual.

 

“Alright. What is your request, Reagan?”

 

“Could you guide me?”

 

“…Guide?”

 

Since I had come to Benheim, I had to use everything available here. And the greatest weapon here was none other than Archmage Steren von Benheim.

 

“I would like to receive direct instruction about magic from the family head.”

 

At my words, Steren seemed surprised for a moment, then appeared to contemplate before answering.

 

“Reagan, that mindset is admirable, but… reaching the 4th tier at eighteen is not just fast, it’s a miraculous speed. There’s no need to rush.”

 

“No. I must rush.”

 

I declared firmly.

 

Steren’s eyes narrowed. His gaze seemed to be trying to discern my true intentions.

 

“Reagan, why are you in such a hurry?”

 

“I must become stronger. It’s necessary to protect Renia.”

 

“…Did the mage who gave you the pendant say something to you?”

 

“…”

 

I hesitated briefly at Steren’s sharp question.

 

Telling the truth here would be one option.

 

That I, Reagan, came from the future, and that the entire Empire including Benheim would be destroyed by a villain called the Archmage King.

 

I wouldn’t need to reveal the fact that I regressed. If I said it was a message from the mage who gave me the pendant, Steren would believe it without doubt and devise countermeasures.

 

However…

 

‘That won’t do.’

 

Archmage King Damian Carius is a chief investigator on the royal payroll. His power is enough to manipulate even the Empire’s media like his own limbs. He enjoys the Emperor’s complete trust and is outwardly a righteous mage who keeps Black Mages in check.

 

In such a situation, Benheim cannot show hostile movements against a royal institution without clear evidence.

 

Before even fighting the Archmage King’s forces, Benheim would first be isolated by the massive power called the Imperial Magic Association.

 

Most importantly.

 

‘…It’s also Renia’s request.’

 

Please rebuild Benheim.

 

Those words, now that I’ve returned to the past, meant to protect Benheim from crisis.

 

A rash truth might drive Steren, and furthermore Benheim, into a death trap.

 

In my previous life, Steren was assassinated by a younger brother he trusted. There’s no guarantee similar events won’t happen in this life.

 

If Benheim shows signs of hostility toward him, the Archmage King would try to eliminate Steren, the greatest threat, first.

 

That wouldn’t be the future Renia hoped for.

 

‘It’s not time yet.’

 

Solid evidence.

 

I need justification to unmask Damian and drag him out from under royal protection.

 

Until then, I had no choice but to build my strength.

 

That was the purpose of this request.

 

“Reagan?”

 

Steren’s voice awakened me from my thoughts.

 

I smiled as calmly as possible and chose appropriate words.

 

“That mage… warned me about a great shadow cast over the Empire. I cannot know the details for now. However, it’s clear that I must build my strength as quickly as possible.”

 

“…”

 

“I beg of you.”

 

I looked straight at Steren and expressed my determination.

 

Steren stared into my eyes for a while, then let out a small sigh and nodded.

 

“Since you insist so strongly, I have no choice. It’s a request from my son-in-law, so I must grant it.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“However, there’s a condition. Personal instruction would be unfair, so I’ll teach Arno and Renia together as well. It would be good for the three of you to stimulate each other and improve together.”

 

“Rather, that’s exactly what I hoped for.”

 

* * *

 

Half a year had passed since the operation in Mist Valley.

 

The harsh winter winds had retreated, and spring had come to Benheim Garden with plants raising their heads.

 

“…”

 

Steren von Benheim stood on the platform looking down below. At the end of his gaze were three young people sweating during sparring practice.

 

“Remarkable.”

 

Captain Allet, who was observing, muttered with admiration in his voice.

 

“Both Young Master Arno and Miss Renia have already settled into the 4th tier. Even the elders are unanimously praising that Benheim’s golden age has arrived.”

 

Allet’s words were true.

 

Arno and Renia. Both direct bloodline members had crossed the high wall of the 4th tier before the year changed. Truly a miraculous speed. In recent centuries, Benheim’s direct descendants had never grown so rapidly. And two of them at that.

 

It was natural that both inside and outside the family were buzzing about it. Arno was already receiving a flood of marriage proposals from numerous influential families.

 

“It’s good that the children are exceptionally talented.”

 

However, Steren’s gaze was elsewhere.

 

“Allet, can you see it too?”

 

“…Yes. I can see it clearly.”

 

In a corner of the garden, a young man with ash-gray hair extended his hand into the air.

 

Rune characters bloomed from his fingertips. Three rune characters connected sequentially yet naturally like flowing water to form a single sentence.

 

A composite spell combining three or more rune characters.

 

This meant only one thing.

 

“Yesterday, that boy reached the 5th tier.”

 

“…At nineteen… 5th tier, and only in his second year since entering magic. Living long enough, I see all sorts of strange sights.”

 

Allet muttered as if groaning.

 

Just a year ago, he was a commoner-born outer mage who had rolled into the family. Now he had risen to a realm far superior to Benheim’s own children.

 

For Allet, who had opposed Reagan’s admission at the time, various emotions were crossing his mind.

 

“He’s not even a simple 5th tier.”

 

Steren narrowed his eyes and read the mana flowing through Reagan’s body. A core completely separated and blocked by barriers. This enabled independent casting of both magic and aura.

 

“That boy operates one mana core as if it were two. Including myself, no mage in the Empire could use magic in such a way.”

 

A mana core with a strange structure.

 

The dual-structure core that Reagan had developed himself was becoming exponentially more efficient as his tier increased.

 

Reagan had already not only reached the 5th tier as a mage, but had also reached the realm of Aura Expert as a swordsman. While walking two paths simultaneously, his growth speed in each was unmatched. It was talent that even Steren, a 7th-tier Grand Mage, couldn’t help but be amazed by.

 

“If the Magic Association saw that mana core, they’d all rush over like moths to a flame demanding to study it.”

 

“…That would certainly be the case.”

 

Moreover, Reagan wasn’t simply exceptionally talented.

 

“For the past six months, that child hasn’t rested a single day.”

 

Steren added.

 

Reagan’s training regimen was murderous.

 

Without anyone telling him, he would rise at dawn to swing his sword and pore over magic books late into the night.

 

That appearance seemed less like passion and more like an obsession driven by something.

 

‘What drives that child so relentlessly?’

 

Steren recalled Reagan’s eyes.

 

A maturity that felt almost precocious rather than just mature. Sharp insight and wit that broke conventions. And underlying it all, a cold hatred toward Black Mages.

 

What exactly had the future mage who gave him the pendant told that young man? He wanted to ask, but decided to let it be, thinking he would be told when the time was right.

 

One thing was certain: that young man, who didn’t have a single drop of Benheim blood, was more desperate than anyone to protect his daughter and his family.

 

For Steren, that was enough.

 

“The council is approaching soon.”

 

The Great Mage Alliance Council.

 

The greatest conference in the magic world where all Five Mage Families and seven Magic Towers attend.

 

Recently, incidents related to Black Mages had been endless, so everyone was paying attention to the agenda that would come up at this council.

 

“Who are you planning to bring to this council, Family Head?”

 

“Normally, it would be customary to bring Arno as the heir and one of the elders. However…”

 

Steren paused briefly and looked at the three mages practicing magic in the garden. A deep smile crossed his lips.

 

“I’m thinking of taking those three to this council.”

 

“…Are you serious?”

 

Allet was shocked.

 

The Great Mage Alliance Council was a historic event held once every few years. As prestigious as it was, the requirements were equally strict, with generally only family heads, elders, or heirs from each family attending.

 

“I’m… somewhat concerned. A son-in-law attending the Great Mage Alliance Council. And a commoner-born one at that. There will be opposition both inside and outside the family.”

 

“I know. However, even if I were to change my mind, that boy Reagan would surely ask to accompany us first. If I refused, he’d probably stage some kind of demonstration.”

 

Steren believed without a doubt that Reagan would be capable of such a thing.

 

“Above all, my intuition as a 7th-tier mage is telling me. To bring those children to this Council.”

 

“In…tuition, you say?”

 

Allet’s expression grew complicated. It wasn’t something a mage who should value reason would say, especially not the Benheim Family head who was one of the great pillars of the Imperial Magic Order. However, for Steren, that was the only way he could explain it.

 

“I don’t think this current era of peace will last very long. Surely a crisis will come in the near future. In preparation for that time, nurturing successors is also the duty of one who stands at the forefront of the magic world.”

 

“Do you truly believe in what that child spoke of… the crisis of the Continent?”

 

“I believe it. He’s my son-in-law, isn’t he?”

 

Allet observed Steren’s expression before carefully adding his comment.

 

“Then, are you already considering that man as your son-in-law?”

 

“…”

 

Steren was momentarily at a loss for words.

 

He had fallen right into Allet’s trap.

 

“…Not yet.”

 

In the end, he maintained his last bit of pride as a father.

—————
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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