The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 55

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 55

 

“Reagan, are you okay? If you feel unwell, tell me right away. I’ll call someone.”

 

“I’m fine. No problem. I can walk.”

 

Renia expressed her concern, and I waved my hand dismissively.

 

Though I said that, I was completely exhausted from containing mana beyond my limits in my body. It was only thanks to the continuous supply of mana converted back from the barrier stone that I was managing—without it, I would have been bedridden for days.

 

“I’ll be back.”

 

“Okay.”

 

After entrusting the soundly sleeping Yusefin to Renia and the servants, Steren and I followed Oswald to the drawing room attached to the manor.

 

“First, I must express my gratitude for this matter.”

 

As soon as we arrived at the drawing room, Oswald said while pulling out a chair for me. The arrogant and haughty appearance of the family head was nowhere to be seen—only an old, weary man sat in the chair.

 

“…Thank you. Thanks to you, Airit—no… my daughter’s life was saved. I will never forget this debt for as long as I live.”

 

I was slightly surprised that the head of a great family would express such sincere gratitude.

 

From what I had seen so far, I thought Oswald was arrogant and strict, similar to Kaiden, but apparently that wasn’t entirely the case.

 

“I’ll give you anything you need. Just say the word. Even if you asked for the family’s entire treasure vault, I would gladly do so.”

 

Oswald’s words were so generous that even Steren, who accompanied us, raised his eyebrows.

 

However, what’s important now isn’t treasure. When I silently crossed my arms, Oswald nodded and spoke.

 

“Yes. It’s an undeniable truth that I joined hands with the black mages. Though it was a decision made to save Yusefin, I was fully aware of the sacrifices that decision would bring. I too am an accomplice for condoning their evil acts. I have no intention of turning away from that sin.”

 

Oswald lowered his head with a deep sigh. Those shoulders looked far too narrow for someone who bore the weight of a great family.

 

“I will turn myself in. I’ll accept any punishment. Naturally, I’ll step down from my position as family head, and Airit will officially make a public statement.”

 

For a great family like Airit to publicly announce their disgrace is a bigger decision than one might think.

 

It means the honor of a family that has continued for nearly a thousand years would fall to the ground.

 

“Of course, even doing so won’t atone for what I’ve done. But I want to remain a father who isn’t shameful to my daughter, at the very least.”

 

I have no interest in the lengthy lamentations that would follow.

 

I raised my hand to cut off Oswald’s words and said.

 

“No. Forget about atonement—don’t step down from your position as family head just yet.”

 

“…What?”

 

Oswald’s eyes widened. He looked as if he never expected me to say such a thing.

 

“Are you going to… forgive me?”

 

“No, this isn’t something I can forgive. And the head of Airit has committed an unforgivable sin. You’re clearly a villain who cooperated with black mages.”

 

In my previous life, I killed anyone who joined hands with black mages, regardless of their reasons. That hasn’t changed since my regression.

 

Just recently, I killed the mercenary captain Gerkin and took Barg’s head.

 

However, I cannot behead the man before me, Oswald.

 

A mere mage like me couldn’t kill a 7th-circle archmage and head of Airit. More importantly, Oswald acted with at least an understandable purpose—to save his daughter.

 

Furthermore, if Oswald turns himself in, the investigation rights would be handed over to the Imperial Magic Association. The person who would naturally investigate this would be the Archmage King, Damian Carius.

 

It would be even more foolish than entrusting a cat with fish.

 

“It’s certainly an unforgivable sin. That’s precisely why taking responsibility alone won’t earn you forgiveness.”

 

“Then… what do you want from me?”

 

“Clean up the mess first. Don’t you still have things left to do?”

 

“Things… to do.”

 

“Yes. The curse caster who spread the black plague in Airit is still alive. We need to tear that bastard apart.”

 

Though I treated Yusefin’s illness, that was merely a stopgap measure limited to her alone.

 

Ultimately, for a fundamental solution to the problem, we had to kill the source of the curse.

 

“After killing him, well, I don’t really care what happens. As I said earlier, whether you step down as family head, commit suicide, or perform seppuku—that’s none of my business.”

 

“…Reagan, watch your words.”

 

Even Steren was shocked and placed his hand on my shoulder to restrain me.

 

However, instead of being offended, Oswald stared into my eyes intently and then chuckled.

 

“I see. Yes, that’s right. There are still things that need to be settled. Atonement is something to be done after that…”

 

“Are there black mages staying in the Airit territory?”

 

“Nearby. They’ve set up several hideouts. I, as the family head, provided all the sites. I know the locations of all their hideouts.”

 

“Good. I’ll visit soon.”

 

“You’ll visit?”

 

“Yes. As a decision from this council, a subjugation force will be formed by the Great Mage Alliance. If we send them to Airit to deal with the curse caster, we can secure both justification and practical benefits.”

 

Oswald seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded.

 

“There’s no reason I can’t do that. It’s a request from the benefactor who saved my daughter.”

 

This meant he would grant passage rights to the Airit territory.

 

The conversation seemed to be coming to an end.

 

However, instead of getting up from my seat, I brought up the next matter.

 

“There’s still one more thing we need to discuss, isn’t there?”

 

“What?”

 

“Didn’t you mention it yourself just a moment ago? The matter of compensation.”

 

At my words, Oswald smiled bitterly and nodded.

 

“Yes. I said I’d give you anything. What could I not give to the benefactor who saved my daughter? Tell me. What do you want?”

 

“Is anything really possible?”

 

“Yes. Anything is possible. If you demanded Airit’s family heirloom, I would give that too.”

 

Having secured his confirmation, I smiled and said.

 

“I don’t want anything, but there’s something I’d like to learn.”

 

Oswald frowned.

 

He had anticipated what I would say next.

 

“Surely not…”

 

“Yes. It’s exactly what you’re thinking. I want to learn Airit’s unique magic formula—spectral magic.”

 

Everyone fell silent at my words.

 

For magic families, if there’s anything more valuable than any treasure, it’s their unique magic formulas.

 

In other words, I was essentially telling the head of Airit to hand over the family’s foundation.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Oswald let out a contemplative sound. As a family head, he had good reason to be deeply troubled.

 

So I drove the point home.

 

“You said you’d give me anything. Then you should be able to teach me spectral magic too, shouldn’t you? I don’t think Airit is a family that speaks with a forked tongue.”

 

“…Yes. I did say that.”

 

Eventually, Oswald nodded obediently. However, the opposition came from elsewhere.

 

“Reagan.”

 

It was Steren. He sighed softly and continued.

 

“I understand your scholarly enthusiasm, but this isn’t something that can be decided simply.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“I’ll acknowledge that you have excellent talent, but learning multiple unique magic formulas is never a good thing.”

 

The more, the better.

 

That saying doesn’t apply to magic.

 

The unique magic formulas of great families called magic houses are secret techniques that can barely be used properly only after learning the corresponding mana cultivation methods.

 

“If you use multiple unique magic formulas, turbid energy will eventually seep into your core. Having multiple energies mixed within one mana core will definitely be poison in the long run.”

 

“…”

 

“Of course, I’m not ignoring the special nature of your mana core. But there’s no need to deliberately court danger. If you’re not careful, everything you’ve built up could collapse.”

 

Steren’s concerns are valid. I’m not such a novice as to be unaware of that fact.

 

However, I shook my head.

 

“I know that too.”

 

I know of a man who freely used multiple unique magic formulas.

 

I know of a mage who reached the 9th circle, the realm of the divine, before my regression.

 

“But I still have to do it.”

 

The Archmage King.

 

If Damian Carius could do it, there’s no reason I can’t.

 

Ultimately, to surpass the Archmage King, I too need to follow in his footsteps.

 

I spoke firmly, and Steren stared intently into my face.

 

Perhaps glimpsing that resolute will, Steren shook his head and said.

 

“Considering what I’ve seen so far, I can’t stop you now. However, we’ll have to keep this secret from Renia for the time being.”

 

“…That’s.”

 

That was certainly true.

 

* * *

 

“Spectral magic is a magical formula that splits the mana within the body like light, then combines it to create new effects.”

 

Afterward, I moved to the workshop attached to the basement of the manor to learn spectral magic from the head of Airidd, Oswald Irid.

 

My body was exhausted, but thanks to receiving mana supply from the barrier stone, I could easily handle mana manipulation.

 

Above all, since I had previously imitated Rucen’s sword-forging magic by eye, I was confident that learning spectral magic now that I had reached the 5th tier wouldn’t take very long.

 

“Be careful. If you feel anything strange with your body, tell me immediately.”

 

Steren was also present in the workshop. Even though he had confessed his sins, Oswald was someone who had cooperated with black mages. It meant being cautious upon cautious.

 

“Reagan von Benheim, come before me.”

 

At Oswald’s call, I headed to the center of the workshop.

 

Since I was going to learn magic, I naturally expected to study magic books, but the object positioned in the center of the workshop was a prism. It was similar to the one I possessed, but several times larger in size.

 

“What are we going to do with this?”

 

“We’re going to see your origin color. It’s an essential process for learning spectral magic.”

 

“…Origin color?”

 

When I tilted my head, Oswald explained.

 

“Every human has an origin. Spectral magic is magic that uses combinations of colors, but the base color varies from person to person. Just as Yusefin possesses a silver-white color, mages each have their own unique color.”

 

“How can you see that?”

 

“We plan to separate your mana through a special tool.”

 

“This must be that tool.”

 

I said, pointing to the prism, and Oswald nodded.

 

“Then how is the color of mana determined?”

 

“Didn’t I say? It’s called origin.”

 

“Origin?”

 

“Yes. Every mage has a unique nature that resides in the depths of their soul, in that abyss. We call it the origin color.”

 

“…”

 

“The origin color is the hue of the soul determined the moment a person is born. Some are hot like fire, others are cold like ice. Spectral magic draws out those invisible soul wavelengths by converting them into real light.”

 

It was a story about how the fundamental nature rooted in a mage’s essence manifests as color.

 

‘Then would it be blue?’

 

Since my aura was blue, I guessed that my origin color would be similar.

 

Following Oswald’s instructions, I then extended my hand and infused mana into the prism.

 

The massive prism pulsed rhythmically like a living creature, absorbing my mana. Subsequently, light refracted and scattered inside the prism.

 

The initially transparent light gradually began to swirl and gained color.

 

Paaaat——.

 

The color that eventually filled the room was…

 

“…Yellow.”

 

It was a color resembling gold.

 

Looking at the softly glowing golden prism, Oswald stroked his chin.

 

“Hmm. This is… quite fascinating.”

 

“Is it unusual?”

 

“Yes. Among origin colors, gold is considered supreme along with Yusefin’s white. It’s a color that runs through long bloodlines, the kind you’d see in children of prestigious families, so why it appeared in you, someone of common birth…”

 

“…”

 

“Well, I don’t know the reason, but Reagan, your origin is rooted in gold.”

 

Oswald looked at the golden color filling the room as if he couldn’t understand it. Steren’s expression also became subtle.

 

“…Gold.”

 

I could roughly guess the reason.

 

‘Is it because of Renia?’

 

Well.

 

I had already seen the end of my life once.

 

And origin is the color and root of the soul determined at birth.

 

The present, where I returned to the past through Renia.

 

It was inevitable that my origin would be tinted with Renia’s color.

 

“Haha.”

 

A quiet laugh escaped me.

 

It seemed Renia’s touch reached even to the depths of my soul.

 

* * *

 

The Imperial Mage Tower located in the center of Orelion. From its terrace, one could look down at the entire cityscape at a glance.

 

As such, many mages visited this place to enjoy the view of the capital.

 

“Ah, there you are.”

 

Senior Investigator Gideon of the Magic Guild called out to Chief Investigator Damian Carius, who was leaning against the terrace railing, taking in the capital’s scenery.

 

Damian turned his head. His long black hair fluttered in the wind.

 

“Were you looking for me?”

 

“Yes. I thought we should discuss the decisions made at this council meeting.”

 

Gideon said, leaning against the railing beside him.

 

“I hear a black mage subjugation force is being formed in the Daemado Alliance. Under Benheim’s leadership.”

 

“What do you think about it, Senior Gideon?”

 

“Well, it is an exceptional occurrence.”

 

Gideon chuckled and took out a cigarette.

 

It was rare for anything to be decided in the Daemado Alliance.

 

Especially having a proposal to recruit core personnel from each family’s military forces accepted was close to miraculous.

 

“The Magic Guild will have headaches over this. Many of the higher-ups will consider it an infringement on imperial authority.”

 

The Daemado Alliance was ostensibly a coalition, but internally it was rotten. Particularly from the imperial perspective, they didn’t look favorably upon the Five Mage Families joining hands instead of being at odds with each other.

 

The unity of the Great Magic Families could become a threat to imperial power.

 

The aftermath of this council would significantly affect the imperial atmosphere, and there was a high possibility that the authority granted to individual investigators would become much stronger.

 

“Speaking of which… is this the first time all the Great Magic Families have united in purpose?”

 

“You’re forgetting about Maelrn.”

 

“Haha. Right. Still, just having four families’ opinions align is quite strange. I can understand Rucen and Benheim since they suffered direct damage from black mages… but Airidd and Arcamen joining in is unexpected.”

 

Airidd was famous for being haughty, and Arcamen was a family with merchant temperament that maintained strict neutrality.

 

Those two families had sided with Benheim. It was incomprehensible behavior.

 

“Even that head of Airidd became compliant. Is it because of that black disease or whatever?”

 

“Who knows. Someone might have coordinated opinions during the council period.”

 

“Certainly.”

 

Gideon agreed with Damian’s speculation.

 

The fact that opinions aligned among the Great Magic Families who didn’t get along meant someone had orchestrated it that way.

 

“It must be Benheim’s head.”

 

Steren von Benheim.

 

That figure, the head of Benheim, was someone who stood at the pinnacle both politically and magically. If it were him, gathering everyone’s opinions would certainly be possible.

 

“Hmm… Would that really be the case? My thoughts are a bit different.”

 

Damian, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

 

“Different? Why?”

 

“Well. What do you think?”

 

Damian’s red eyes focused on a point in the city nightscape. He directed his gaze toward the street lined with mansions of noble families, to the lodging where Airidd was staying.

 

“Of course, Steren von Benheim is an excellent mage. However, he’s not the type to act this boldly. It would be reasonable to assume there’s another variable.”

 

Damian lifted the corners of his mouth as if finding it interesting. The smile on his lips reminded one of an innocent boy.

 

“…Damian, are you alright?”

 

Whenever his junior showed this side, Gideon felt somewhat flustered.

 

Instead of his usual courteous young man atmosphere, he sensed an unpredictable mischievousness.

 

Instead of answering, Damian pulled away from the railing and stood up.

 

“Well, there’s no need to rack our brains over something that’s already done. I’ve heard the report well, so I’ll be going now.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“The Imperial Exhibition is coming up soon.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Demian had the peculiar habit of participating in the Imperial Exhibition every year. He found Guild work stuffy and had the unusual preference of enjoying the sight of new magical tools.

 

“I’ll have to look for gemstones again this time.”

 

“You’re quite unique, aren’t you.”

 

It wasn’t just that he was unique.

 

Demian was a genius. A once-in-history genius at that.

 

“I hear you’ll soon reach the middle stage of 7th Circle. To reach that level at your age, you’d be counted among the handful throughout the entire Empire. The atmosphere in the Guild is that they’re almost certain you’ll be the next Guild Master, Demian.”

 

Gideon praised him.

 

Instead of showing humility or joy, Demian merely lifted the corners of his mouth slightly, displaying an enigmatic smile.

 

That smile seemed to contain more boredom than happiness, which gave Gideon a somewhat chilling feeling.

 

“….”

 

Gideon concluded that this was because ordinary people could not fathom the inner thoughts of a genius.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————