Chapter 08
“So, how was he?”
“…To report honestly…”
At Lord Stern’s question, Cheryl carefully recounted everything she had observed.
Over the past few days, the actions of the outer mage, Reagan, had been nothing short of bizarre.
Cheryl was no ordinary maid. Nor was she a typical mage. She was a 5th Circle shadow mage affiliated with the Empire’s Shadow Mage Guild.
Disguised as a servant, she had been sent to monitor Reagan while also acting as his instructor. However, she never found a chance to offer him any meaningful guidance.
“He used magic? On his own?”
“Yes, my lord.”
On his very first day in the annex, Reagan had independently cast rune magic.
By the second day, he had already begun modifying that magic into his own style.
The rune of flame, Kenaz.
It was a simple spell any 2nd Circle mage could learn without difficulty.
But what shocked Cheryl wasn’t that Reagan had used a 2nd Circle spell.
“He learned it just by reading a magic book? A boy without a mana core, who has barely begun learning magic, used a 2nd Circle proprietary spell instead of a common one?”
Magic had a fundamental principle:
Recognition, construction, and manifestation—the trinity of casting.
A talented individual might quickly grasp construction and manifestation.
But recognition was different. It required understanding the very essence.
And grasping the essence of magic was not something that could normally be achieved in just a day or two.
“…Good heavens.”
Stern stroked his chin, clearly impressed, then turned to the steward.
“If that is true, the boy is truly gifted by the heavens. Steward, how many years did it take you to learn Kenaz?”
“…Two years, if I recall correctly.”
“Indeed. Yet that boy grasped the principles of rune magic in less than a day.”
“Just because he can use magic does not mean he has fully understood its principles. And there is no guarantee he hasn’t learned magic before, even if he lacks a mana core.”
“That is also true. However, to replicate a 2nd Circle spell—especially Benheim’s notoriously complex rune magic—just by reading a book, and without a mana core, is still remarkable talent.”
Stern’s words were entirely reasonable.
Even those once called geniuses had taken considerable time to show results after first encountering magic.
Magic was a discipline that required systematic learning and support. A beginner couldn’t simply read a book and start casting spells proficiently.
Especially Benheim’s magic, which incorporated ancient runes, making the recognition process notoriously difficult.
‘So he truly is someone chosen by the ancestors…’
Stern was genuinely impressed.
A boy who hadn’t even formed a mana core was casting spells just by reading a book.
At this rate, perhaps it would be better to confirm his progress soon and pass down the family’s mana cultivation method.
Just as he was thinking that—
“Father.”
Someone spoke up.
Stern turned to see his eldest son, Arno von Benheim, frowning.
“Surely you’re not teaching our family’s magic to that thief you recently brought in?”
“A thief? Arno, are you referring to Reagan?”
“Yes. That thief not only stole our heirloom but is now consuming the family’s resources. No matter how talented he may be, I don’t believe it’s right to protect a criminal.”
“A criminal? That boy is a benefactor to our family. Have you forgotten that he saved Renia?”
“I’ve heard that the mastermind behind that attack has yet to be identified. For all we know, that Reagan may have orchestrated everything himself. His background investigation isn’t even complete yet. We cannot rule out the possibility that he’s a spy planted by another family or by dark mages.”
At Arno’s words, Stern frowned.
It wasn’t just Arno’s opinion. Many of Benheim’s mages, including the steward, distrusted Reagan.
The matter simply hadn’t surfaced because Stern had ordered silence.
“That’s enough. You know better than anyone how foolish it is to judge someone based on suspicion alone. Treat him with proper respect.”
Within Benheim, the lord’s word was absolute.
But absolute authority didn’t mean it could change hearts.
Arno reluctantly fell silent, but his expression remained filled with dissatisfaction.
From his perspective, he couldn’t understand why an outsider with no blood ties was receiving his father’s favor.
Stern saw through his son’s thoughts but chose not to intervene. Rivalry would only sharpen his abilities.
Unaware of his father’s intentions, Arno stabbed at his meat with a fork, thinking:
‘I’ll go see that bastard myself soon and find out what he’s hiding.’
Meanwhile, at the end of the table, a young girl listened to their conversation with keen interest.
The youngest daughter of Stern, who had inherited the strongest trace of Benheim blood.
“…Hmm.”
Renia Benheim, with her golden hair and violet eyes, sparkled with curiosity.
Her gaze was filled with interest in the boy named Reagan who had saved her.
Seven days had passed since I began living in Benheim.
During that time, all I had done was read magic books and experiment with applying their contents.
Fwoosh—
The rune Kenaz floated in the air, red flames spilling from it.
By now, I could use Kenaz without much concentration.
It wasn’t an extraordinary achievement, but for someone without a mana core, it was far from ordinary.
“…I think I can modify it further.”
While staring at the rune, I gathered mana from the air and infused it into the symbol.
Instead of controlling the flames, I clenched the rune tightly in my left hand.
The flames created by rune magic were pure mana—they didn’t harm the caster.
—Bang!
I scattered the rune in a fan shape, like a burst of fireworks.
This was a slightly modified version of how Renia had used Kenaz in my previous life.
Kenaz alone wasn’t particularly destructive, so it was usually combined with other runes.
But my method focused purely on efficiency.
With just a single process, it produced flames superior to spells of the same level.
Its power wasn’t great—but it was excellent for obscuring an enemy’s vision.
“Not bad.”
More importantly, I had another weapon besides magic.
I flexed my left hand, then positioned my right hand as if gripping an invisible sword.
Unconsciously, I was assuming I held a blade.
“…Can I use it together with aura?”
That was why I had spent days repeating Kenaz.
A sword in my right hand, magic in my left.
A simple yet unconventional combat style.
I wasn’t there yet. After nearly twenty years of using only a sword, adapting to magic would take time.
“If only I had learned magic in my previous life.”
Clicking my tongue, I recalled the past.
I had always been a swordsman, so I never asked Renia to teach me magic. And since I didn’t ask, she never taught.
Only when the empire collapsed and the war reached its worst point did I finally ask her.
But her response had been strange.
—Not yet.
—Not yet? Are you planning for a future after the final battle?
—Exactly. Don’t worry. You’ll get your chance naturally.
I let out a bitter smile.
Was this what she meant?
I still couldn’t fully understand her intentions.
But one thing was certain.
To face the Demon King of Magic, I had to surpass the highest level.
And to do that, I needed to grow under the protection of Benheim.
Just then—
Tap.
A pebble flew over the wall.
Then another.
Someone was messing around.
I climbed the wall.
On the other side stood a girl with golden hair.
“Hi.”
Renia von Benheim looked up at me with a grin.
“…Hmm.”
Rather than joy, I felt a bit flustered.
I had expected to meet her again—but not like this.
“I wanted to talk.”
She spoke casually.
“You could’ve just come in. Why talk over the wall?”
“There’s a reason. My father told me not to approach you.”
“Ah.”
So the old man was being cautious.
“Anyway, I don’t have much time. I snuck out.”
“Snuck out?”
“Yeah. After what happened, I’m basically confined. My maid stepped out briefly, so I escaped. I left a doll in my bed, so I won’t be caught until dinner.”
Seems her surveillance had tightened.
Not surprising, after she nearly got kidnapped.
“So, you came to thank me?”
“No? Not really. You already got your reward from my father, right? Then I don’t need to thank you.”
“….”
Clear distinction between business and personal matters.
Even at her age, she was sharp.
“Then why are you here?”
“To warn you.”
“Warn me?”
“My brother is after you.”
She nodded.
“My brother doesn’t like you. He thinks you stole the pendant.”
“You could just tell him I didn’t.”
“He’s stubborn. Once he gets an idea, he won’t listen.”
“I see.”
“So if he comes, pretend you’re not here. Hide in the basement or something. He’ll give up quickly.”
She was serious.
But—
‘Why would I fear some kid?’
I had fought the Demon King of Magic.
No reason to avoid a brat.
If he hated me, I’d give him a reason.
Still, no need to say that out loud.
“Alright. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Good.”
She smiled brightly.
“By the way, are you training magic?”
“How’d you know?”
“The mana density here is lower. Someone’s been casting spells.”
Sharp.
Even ten years ago, she had this level of sensitivity.
I nodded.
She grinned.
“Perfect. Want me to teach you magic?”
“You said you didn’t have time.”
“I’ve got time until dinner. If I go back now, I’ll just be stuck studying.”
“Why not play with your brother?”
“He’s no fun right now. He’s too busy plotting how to deal with you.”
“That’s funny.”
“Hehe. I should tell him you said that.”
“Go ahead.”
“No thanks. Watching your training sounds more fun.”
“….”
I swallowed unconsciously.
It reminded me of the past.
Late at night, under the moon, she used to watch me train.
Even when I told her to sleep, she wouldn’t listen.
—Watching you train is more fun.
“….”
Even now, she was the same.
I sighed.
“…Do whatever you want.”
“Okay!”
She beamed.
And with that smile, memories flooded back.
“Tch.”
Regression wasn’t entirely a blessing.
