Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 938

…A fool.

That was Berik’s first impression when Ian faced him properly.

As the passing mages stared in surprise, Ian gestured towards the sofa, indicating for him to sit down. Berik’s head slowly followed Ian’s movements. He plopped down across from Ian and kept grumbling about a single gold coin.

“You just took the money I earned while getting stabbed in the side? That’s too much, don’t you think?”

“Didn’t you come here knowing that button belongs to the Magic Department?”

“I knew, that’s why I’m sitting here now. Are you a fool?”

*Crack.* Ian barely managed to keep his expression calm, despite the rising irritation. There was nothing more pathetic than being dragged down by a fool.

“…The Magic Department’s buttons are not only made of high-quality material but are also rare, making them worth more than a single gold coin. If anything, I’m the one who gave you extra money.”

“Who cares? It’s not like I earned it.”

*Ting!* Berik flicked the button back to Ian. His attitude was that if he didn’t earn it himself, he couldn’t put it in his pocket.

Ian looked surprised, glanced at the button for a moment, then rummaged through his inner pocket and took something out. It was a gold coin. The one with Berik’s blood still on it.

“Okay. Then, I’ll be going-”

*Swish.* But Ian pretended to hand it over and then pulled his hand back. What was he doing? Berik looked at his empty hand, dumbfounded.

“Are you messing with me?”

“I have something to ask.”

“Ugh, I don’t know, I don’t know. I went there for the first time that day, and I was pushed up there, so I don’t know anything.”

Berik was trying to back out preemptively, thinking that maybe the Imperial Palace was cracking down on gambling dens. It was obvious that he had no talent for lying.

Ian crossed his legs and asked,

“Do you have family?”

“Family? Yeah, I do.”

“How long have you been going to the arena?”

“Do you remember when you started eating?”

“…Your attitude is quite disrespectful.”

*Hmph!* Who cares? Berik picked at his ear and turned his head away, pretending not to know. He didn’t seem to know how great and respected mages were. Since he didn’t know the basics, he probably didn’t know that Ian was from a noble family either.

“What about your injuries?”

“Ah, right.”

Berik, who had been acting cocky, suddenly snapped to attention as if he had forgotten something. Then, he bowed politely, expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you for saving me. If not, my family would have starved to death like a string of sausages on the way to the afterlife. But I didn’t ask to be saved, so I can’t pay for the treatment. Not a single penny.”

It was absurd. Berik plopped back down on the sofa as if he had said everything he needed to, and his arrogant gaze returned.

Ian tilted his head to one side, supporting his head with his fingertips. Could this unruly fellow really be a magic swordsman? No, even if he was a magic swordsman, would it be right to introduce him to the Imperial Guard? For the sake of the Imperial Palace’s dignity….

“It’s been too long since I’ve seen my father’s face.”

“I guess it’s because of the three shifts.”

“Yeah. There aren’t enough people in the Imperial Guard. They’ve been short since my sister Sara died of tuberculosis two years ago. I’m going to apply as soon as this recruitment notice comes out. It’s the only way I can help my father.”

“The Imperial Joint Recruitment Period is coming soon.”

“Yeah, thankfully it’s after my birthday. I can participate.”

His worried conversation with Barsabe flashed through his mind.

In the past 10 years of war against the monsters, four people had already died in battle. And one had died of illness. The Imperial Guard was in desperate need of personnel.

Not only magic swordsmen could become members of the Imperial Guard, but only magic swordsmen could surpass the absolute evaluation criteria.

‘But the speed at which his wounds heal is too strange. I’d like to check it out.’

*Rustle.*

“Oh? There were snacks here? Hahaha!”

Berik found the snacks under the table and started munching on them.

Ian felt like he was facing an animal that could understand him. How could a person be so lacking in dignity? But he was determined to repay the favor he owed to Count Zak’s family, so he exercised his patience to the fullest.

“Is the reason you go to the arena for money?”

“Money, well, that too.”

It was a place where, if he did well, he could earn a month’s living expenses in a single day. For Berik, who had a large family to support, there were no other options.

Up to this point, it was normal. Whether they were fighters or gamblers, most people entered the arena for money.

But then.

“It’s fun.”

“What?”

“It’s fun. When I fight, my blood boils, and, and—ah, how do I explain it? Anyway, it’s fun. It pisses me off when I get beat up, but it’s twice as good when I get back at them later.”

Fighting spirit. The basic quality of a warrior and the essential virtue of a magic swordsman.

Ian smoothed back his hair that had fallen to the side and gathered his thoughts. He seemed to be pondering how to explain to him what a magic swordsman was and how much their existence was needed in the Imperial Palace.

“…The Imperial Palace is recruiting soldiers.”

“Uh-huh.”

His reaction was as if it had nothing to do with him. Berik was getting bored and was openly staring at Ian’s chest. He seemed eager to get the gold coin and leave.

“I want you to apply.”

“No thanks.”

An immediate answer. Ian had expected it, but he asked again to continue the conversation.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t pay. How much is a soldier’s salary? It’s so small.”

“The place I’m talking about isn’t the Imperial Defense Force, but the Imperial Guard. Have you heard of it?”

“Nope?”

What is that? A cook?

Ian leaned forward slightly and lightly touched Berik’s forehead with his finger. It was such a natural gesture that Berik blinked without realizing it.

“You have magic flowing through your body. You’re not a mage, but you’re not an ordinary person either. Have you ever felt that your growth is slow?”

Berik paused at the question that had pierced through his worries.

He had been fighting in the back alleys since he was very young. After passing through his childhood of winning with sheer grit, he realized that his skills were clearly lacking when he entered the professional fighting scene. The problem was that no matter what he did, his skills didn’t improve much.

“Y-yeah, that’s right.”

“That’s because your power won’t manifest unless a mage opens your Qi [life force]. I slightly opened your path while healing your wounds yesterday, and your absorption rate was high.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It means you can gain even greater power than you have now. A power that no one can touch.”

Berik’s heart pounded. The strongest person in the world, untouchable by anyone!

But he soon came to his senses and tilted his head back slightly. Ian’s finger, which had been touching his forehead, moved a little further away.

“No. If it’s about doing something with magic, then I refuse. I want to get stronger with my own power.”

“It is your power. Magic is just, how should I put it, it only serves to awaken your latent power.”

“My power?”

“How far you grow will depend on you, right?”

Excitement and anticipation seeped into Berik’s eyes, making them sparkle.

Without realizing it, he leaned forward again and touched his forehead to Ian’s finger. The sight was so funny that a smile appeared on Ian’s lips.

“Then what do I have to do?”

“I’ll inject magic, and you’ll train.”

“Training is just like I always do-”

“You can’t go to the arena anymore.”

“Huh?”

“I told you, the Imperial Guard. You’ll be serving the Emperor closely, so cut ties with that place. It’s better for you and your family.”

A moment of silence passed between the two. Berik cautiously asked,

“How much do they pay?”

“It depends on your starting rank, experience, and test scores, but it won’t be much different from what mages earn. I can check the detailed salary if you want. But probably…”

Ian spread out the fingers he had been using to touch his forehead and wiggled them. Berik immediately expressed his dissatisfaction.

“Five gold coins a year? That’s so stingy! I can earn that much in a few fights-”

“A month.”

Berik’s face froze as if it had broken down.

“That’s the monthly salary during the probationary period. Of course, welfare for you and your family is separate. It’s a bit early to say this, but you probably won’t have anywhere to spend your salary. The Imperial Palace will take care of everything.”

“……!”

“Once you’re converted to a regular employee, as I said, I’ll check-”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it! Please let me do it!”

Berik stuck his head to Ian’s palm. There was nothing more to hear. His sister had already been against him going to the arena. More than anything, there must be stronger people in the Imperial Palace than in the back alley gambling dens, right? And surely, they’d have all the food he could eat….

“Wait. Is there a cafeteria too?”

When Ian nodded with a smile, Berik’s eyes glazed over. A cafeteria! Surely, no one would say anything if he ate like crazy? Probably?

“The Imperial Palace will issue a recruitment notice soon. Only those who rank high will be selected for the Imperial Guard. Until then, you need to practice opening your magic and focus on training.”

He would have to ask Barsabe or Count Zak’s family for training. He was busy with the Magic Department and wasn’t a specialist in that area.

Berik wiggled his butt as if urging him to do something.

“Okay, okay! Just do it already.”

“There are conditions. First, be polite.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Second, control your power.”

“Geez, you talk too much.”

“Third, be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Hmm. I’ll see about that? It’s not coming from my heart yet.”

He was good for not lying. Ian chuckled and released his magic.

*Zzzing! Zzzing!*

As Ian’s eyes instantly turned gold, Berik’s lips parted in surprise. It was a strange sensation. It felt like the blood in his whole body was heating up, and each of his organs was writhing and twisting.

Berik staggered and grabbed the table, and Ian withdrew his magic.

‘Did I put in too much?’

But his worries were short-lived as Berik chuckled and raised his head. His eyes gleamed fiercely through his red hair.

“Wow, what is this? I feel like I could fly.”

“Your senses have become more sensitive. In a moment-”

Before Ian could finish speaking, Berik punched the table with his fist, splitting it in half.

*Crash!*

*Crack!*

“……!”

“Oh! Crazy! Look at this! It’s splitting! It’s splitting! Hahaha!”

*Crash! Bang!*

*Thud! Thwack!*

Berik was running around in amazement, unable to control his power, and began to smash everything around him.

Then, he suddenly felt a chill. When he turned around, he saw Ian smiling gently.

* * *

“No, I mean, we agreed to deal with this later. The Administrative Department can’t understand a word!”

“Please say that to the Administrative Department.”

“Damn it, I really want to-”

Arena, who was walking quickly through the hallway while exchanging reports with the mages, paused, puzzled by the sudden vibration.

“Did you hear that?”

“Yes?”

*Crash!*

“Ah, yes, I hear it.”

“What’s all that commotion? Ugh, did Ako cause another accident?”

Arena frowned and quickly walked towards the lobby. She saw some mages coming from that direction, and they were all hurrying along with their heads down as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

“Hey. What’s going on in the lobby?”

“I don’t know.”

“What? You just came from there?”

“Minister, you should go see for yourself. Ian grew up more violently than I thought. I shouldn’t mess with him in the future.”

“What? Ian?”

Arena was confused and hurried towards the lobby. There, she saw tables and chairs scattered in ruins. A strange man with red hair was lying face down, being punished. And next to him, Ian was calmly wiping his hands with a handkerchief.

“I-Ian?”

“Ah, Minister. I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up soon.”

“No, cleaning up isn’t the problem-”

What, what happened?

Then, the red-haired man slightly raised his head and looked at Arena and the mages. He didn’t seem to be getting punished, even though he clearly was.

“Hello?”

Berik greeted them with a hee-hee smile.