Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 24

24. Treasured Sword, Fragarach

The flow of Aura was similar yet different from my past life. Back then, the Aura flowing from my Dantian [energy center in the body] would immediately envelop the sword.

‘This is somewhat new.’

Now, I had to channel the Aura through my muscles.

Woooo…!

As I concentrated all my Aura into my right arm, the tips of my fingers tingled.

‘I wonder if it will react to this much Aura.’

The 3-star Aura I had gathered now was enough to fill one arm.

The tingling sensation in my right forearm felt similar to a muscle pump.

[Well, I doubt it’ll wake up with just that, will it?]

In that instant, the Aura gathered in my right hand flowed towards the sword.

‘Oh. It’s reacting, though?’

To be precise, it wasn’t me sending it. The sword was absorbing my Aura on its own.

Woooong…!

As Oberon and I focused our attention on the gently vibrating sword, I called out,

“Respond.”

The vibration intensified slightly at my call.

“Your master calls to you.”

Drrrrr!

The vibration shook even the surrounding air. The force emanating from the sword made my bangs flutter.

[Oh! Is it reacting?]

The sword, untouched by anyone for a thousand years, seemed to be reacting intensely.

‘Heh. I’m already out of Aura.’

Drrrrr…….

Gradually, the vibration subsided. As the Aura I had gathered in my fingertips ran out, the sword ceased its reaction.

[I guess it was too much to ask for, after all.]

‘I thought I could at least change the sword’s appearance, but.’

My cherished sword, Fragarach.

Though it currently appeared as a worn-out iron sword, it was a sword that changed its form in response to the wielder’s Aura.

[It’s quite a picky one, I tell you.]

There was a reason why Oberon referred to Fragarach as ‘it’ rather than a sword.

‘It’s not even at a level where I can communicate with it yet.’

It was a treasured sword that could even communicate with its owner, as if it had a life of its own.

‘Still, it consumes too much Aura.’

Its only drawback was that it depleted the user’s Aura too quickly.

It was definitely a masterpiece, but very few could wield it. To unleash all the power hidden within this sword, it would drain even a 7-star Aura in an instant.

[It’s a double-edged sword, literally.]

Its power was undeniable, but the only flaw was the inability to control the Aura it consumed.

Thanks to that, once I reached the realm of 9 stars or higher, I found myself using Fragarach less and less.

When any sword would suffice against my enemies, there was no need to carry around such a demanding weapon.

‘But now, I think I can send only the Aura I need.’

[Is it because the Aura is in your muscles instead of your Dantian?]

‘Yeah. I don’t think it’ll steal my Aura unless I concentrate it in the hand holding the sword.’

Now that I controlled the Aura with my muscles, I felt I had finer control than before. If I could control the Aura it absorbed, I could adjust the sword’s output to suit the situation.

‘I should gather some more Aura and try again.’

Of course, I wasn’t even at a level where I could awaken the sword yet. For the time being, I would have to use it as a worn-out iron sword for swordsmanship training.

Toc! Toc!

The sound of knocking came as I was about to swing the sword.

“Ian! Let’s go!”

It was Drew again.

“Alright. Let’s get some food first.”

Hiding the sword again, I headed outside.

* * *

“Wow, this place is the best!”

Drew exclaimed, looking at the table filled with food. There were only two of us, but we had ordered enough for more than five.

“Wow. It’s my first time seeing the young masters of the Magic Tower eat so well! Just like people doing hard labor!”

Even the restaurant owner was watching the scene with a pleased expression.

‘Hard labor… Well, it’s not entirely wrong.’

Not right now, but soon Drew would realize the power he possessed. If he was with me, it was not a distant future.

Drew’s hand, which had been diligently grabbing food, stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

He had noticed my serious expression from earlier.

“I’m just thinking about something.”

I had been lost in thought, separate from him.

‘Aileen Dolph….’

The story about his younger sibling that I had heard from Admun. The thought of that child, who had been taken away by the mages of the Magic Tower, wouldn’t leave my mind.

[You know it too. The chances of her being alive are slim.]

Oberon’s thoughts were a much more rational judgment. But for me, it wasn’t an issue I could think about with reason alone.

‘I can’t assume she’s dead yet. If there’s even a slight chance that child is alive, I’ll never give up.’

Dolph, who had shown a thousand years of loyalty. I would never abandon them. Even if the odds were only 1 percent.

[Alright. I understand. If only we could know if she’s alive or dead.]

‘First, I need to be able to enter the upper floors of the Magic Tower.’

Only then would I be able to find out even a little information about Aileen.

However, the highest floor allowed for new students was the 19th. I felt blocked even before I could find out about Aileen.

“Ian. What are you worried about?”

While I was talking with Oberon, Drew had devoured a whole fish.

“I was wondering if there’s a way to move around the Magic Tower more freely.”

“Move around the Magic Tower freely?”

“Yeah. We’re still new students, so we can’t go above the 20th floor, right? I want to go above that.”

Before I knew it, a sigh escaped my lips.

‘I’m telling him everything.’

I must have been really worried. Of course, he was a trustworthy friend, but to be dumping my worries on this young boy.

“Huh? That’s all you were worried about?”

But Drew raised an eyebrow as if it was nothing.

“Huh? Is there a way?”

At that sight, I leaned forward involuntarily. Then Drew grinned.

“I’ll tell you, but will you treat me to dinner tomorrow too?”

We hadn’t even finished eating the food we had ordered yet.

“Already thinking about what to eat tomorrow?”

“Of course! There are still so many dishes I haven’t tried here! When it comes to food, you should plan out what to eat for at least a week in advance.”

He was thorough when it came to food.

“Alright, let’s do that. Let’s come here tomorrow too, and just come out every day. So, what’s the way?”

Only then did Drew wipe his mouth with satisfaction.

“Become a teaching assistant.”

Drew shrugged as if it was nothing, but it was the first time I had heard of it.

“Teaching assistant?”

“Yeah. Professor Andrei said it earlier. They’re going to select teaching assistants for each subject.”

I had been focusing on Aura manipulation during that old professor’s class, so I hadn’t heard him properly.

“There was something like that?”

“Yeah. They’re holding tests for each subject in a week, and the person who gets first place will be selected as the teaching assistant for that subject.”

Then Oberon nodded.

[That old man did say that earlier. If you become a teaching assistant, you’ll be given the opportunity to become an assistant to a professor or associate professor. In other words, they’re looking for young and smart slaves.]

‘Oh, really?’

[Pay attention in class! You’re supposed to be a student!]

Oberon was attending the Magic Tower classes more diligently than I was.

“If you become a teaching assistant, wouldn’t it be easier to go above the 20th floor?”

Like Drew said, if that happened, I would be able to freely enter the floors where professors and associate professors worked without being watched.

“I guess so? Of course, that’s assuming you get first place in the subject.”

It wasn’t an easy mission. Becoming a teaching assistant meant having a close relationship with an excellent mage. The kids trying to build their research record would definitely be aiming for that position.

‘Everyone must be desperate to get it.’

Among the children overflowing with talent, I had to get first place with magic alone.

[How about aiming for the Basic Mana Manipulation subject?]

‘Alloy’s class?’

[Yeah. Your talent is overwhelming, after all.]

Alloy was also someone affiliated with Delema, so if I became his teaching assistant, I would be able to carry out separate activities relatively freely.

‘I should give it a try.’

I nodded.

“Drew, order more if there’s anything you want to eat. I’ll pay for the rest.”

“Oh, really?”

His eyes sparkled. I found the guy who had told me the right way endlessly adorable, so I could buy him as much as he wanted.

“Excuse me!”

Just as Drew raised his hand to order again,

Creak!

The door of the restaurant opened. A beautiful young man, looking three or four years older than us, entered the restaurant.

[What’s with that gigolo-looking guy? He’s so annoying.]

To roughly translate Oberon’s words, he was saying that he was very handsome.

“Oh… Look at that young man.”

“Wow, amazing. He’s really cool.”

It was enough to draw the attention of everyone inside.

‘But why is he coming this way?’

His steps were heading towards the table where Drew and I were sitting.

‘…Who are you now.’

My hand reached for the dagger hidden in my pocket. A situation might occur.

“You were here, Young Master.”

But the young man’s voice made me stop my hand from grabbing the dagger.

‘…Admun?’

It was his voice. Once the shabby appearance from yesterday was gone, his hidden beauty was revealed.

“Ian, do you know him?”

At Drew’s question, my heart sank.

[He has red eyes right now!]

I had used the name Ain Khan with Admun. I had no choice but to hide that I was from the Delema bloodline.

‘Ugh, why now of all times!’

Admun also frowned as he saw my eyes.

“Young Master. There are many people here, so let’s talk outside for a moment.”

With that, Admun grabbed my wrist.

* * *

In the southeastern part of the continent.

In a place filled with palace-like buildings. Deep within the Delema territory, Laxon Delema was narrowing his eyes.

“Has there been any unusual activity?”

“No. It seems he eats in the market instead of the Magic Tower in the evening. Other than that, there were no special circumstances.”

“The market… Well, it’s his first time leaving Delema, so he might be curious about the outside world. Good job. Don’t bother following him outside the Magic Tower. If the tail is too long, it could cause misunderstandings.”

“Understood. Ah, and there was one more thing that bothered me.”

Laxon’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Something bothering you?”

“Yes. He seemed to be associating with Grentel’s daughter.”

“Grentel… What kind of child is she?”

“She entered the academy with Viewray two years ago, and what’s unique is that she wields Azure Flame.”

“Interesting. Well, talented guys recognize each other.”

The corners of Laxon’s lips twisted. The smile reflected in the moonlight seemed eerie.

“I see. Is that the end of the report?”

The man kneeling before Laxon carefully opened his mouth.

“Um… But, is the man named Alloy also one of Laxon’s people?”

“Alloy? Isn’t he an instructor at the academy?”