Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 8

Did I just hear something wrong?

I wondered.

Raido, of all people—that crazy old man who was the strongest and, admittedly, incredibly skilled—was asking if he could become *my* disciple.

Even Kim Yu-hyun, once called the Supreme, had swallowed his pride and begged to be taught martial arts, barely managing to become his disciple!

‘This is a jackpot!’

If I had carved my name into the world of Murim [a world of martial arts masters] with the sword, here was Kim Yu-hyun, a man who would once again make history with martial arts alongside the sword.

It couldn’t be said that all of it was thanks to Raido.

Kim Yu-hyun’s martial arts were based on Raido’s teachings, but he gradually modified and further developed them.

However, the foundation was clearly inherited from Raido.

I could become like Kim Yu-hyun, who used only his fists to beat down the *cheonjok* [a mythical race]!

“Raido-nim, does becoming your disciple mean you will teach me magic?”

Of course, I had no intention of taking the bait so easily.

I needed to test the waters and see what Raido wanted and what he was thinking.

But Raido didn’t seem to have any such thoughts, as he blinked his eyes and then exclaimed, “Ha!”

“The brat is already trying to read me.

If you’ve figured out my identity with just that much speculation and evidence, then you must already know my true self, haven’t you?”

“That’s…”

“What good would it do to teach magic to the eldest son of the Klauzen family in the first place?

At best, you’d use magic to start a fire and then go to the campsite to grill meat. Do you think I don’t know that your family is martial to the bone, even if you try not to show it?”

As Raido said, the Klauzen family had risen to prominence through the sword from the beginning.

They were recognized for their abilities and were entrusted with the border region, eventually rising to the rank of Frontier Count, possessing influence comparable to a marquis.

“You’re saying… you’ll teach me martial arts.”

“Yes.

Tell me if you don’t want to.

I have no intention of forcing someone who doesn’t want to learn.”

“…”

Dududududududududu―.

You said you didn’t like it.

But why are you tapping your feet nervously, as if you’re sulking?

“…”

Dududududududududu!

At this rate, you’ll drill an oil well.

If someone from modern times was sleeping underneath, they’d come up and complain about the noise.

“Um, Raido-nim.

Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you suddenly trying to take me as your disciple?”

“Don’t try to know.

You’ll get hurt.”

At those words, Zion immediately shut his mouth.

Given Raido’s character, the phrase ‘you’ll get hurt’ wasn’t a warning.

It simply meant that if you asked one more question, you might get hit.

“Don’t ask why.

Just answer.

Yes or no.

Good or bad.

Will you or won’t you.

That’s all you need to answer, you brat from the Klauzen County.”

Zion was momentarily angered by the word ‘brat,’ but it was all true.

In the novel, Zion Klauzen was just a golden spoon [born into wealth] with nothing to show for himself until he was twenty years old.

“My answer is…”

Isn’t it obvious?

I’ll definitely say yes, I’ll say I’ll be a disciple!

Raido had no doubt that such an answer would come from Zion’s mouth.

Those who don’t know will never know, but those who know about him to some extent will cling to him like a dog, panting, if he says he’ll teach them martial arts.

Raido had never taken in a disciple before.

Neither magic nor martial arts had been officially taught to anyone.

If it hadn’t been for Kim Yu-hyun, who appeared a few years ago, Raido’s martial arts might have died out.

He was that strong, but he was that uninterested in disciples.

But now, he was proposing to take in a disciple, even though the other party hadn’t even mentioned it.

“I refuse.”

“Okay, okay.

Then from now on, I’ll be your teacher… what?”

What the hell?

Did I just hear something wrong?

Raido blinked his eyes and, in an unbelievably short amount of time, rushed to Zion’s front.

Then, with his old man’s body, he lifted the vibrant twenty-year-old youth with one hand.

“You little shit, what did you just say?”

It was a completely unexpected answer.

Refuse?

You don’t want to be taught?

You don’t want to be my disciple?

You don’t like ‘me’?

It was the first time he had heard such words, the first time he had experienced such a situation.

Raido momentarily forgot that the young man in front of him was the son of Lichten, who was quite close to him, and glared at him as if he would devour him at any moment.

“Okay, you must be out of your mind and misspoke, right?

You’re just scared because you’re a coward…”

“I’ll say it again, Raido-nim.

I have no intention of becoming your disciple.”

A calm voice, without a trace of fear.

Raido wondered if he was dreaming, then burst into a hearty laugh.

“Ah, damn it.

Am I getting senile these days?

Did I say something wrong?

That’s strange, I’m sure I’m saying it right.

I clearly said I wanted to take you as a disciple, and you answered yes, right…?”

“I refuse.”

The answer ‘I refuse’ flowed from Zion’s mouth for the third time.

Raido stared blankly at him, sighed, and then put Zion down.

Even though he had faced Raido’s murderous aura head-on, Zion coughed a few times and began to straighten his clothes, which had been disheveled by being grabbed by the collar.

Raido stared at him blankly, then slumped down on a chair, rubbed his forehead, and said,

“…You’re really a crazy bastard.

You’re completely out of your mind.”

“I’m perfectly sane.”

“You’re saying a sane person would refuse my teachings?”

“It’s a matter of taste.”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me the reason.

Why would a piece of trash like you reject a path that could instantly turn you into a human, or even more than that?”

It was a sharp criticism.

In fact, Zion desperately wanted to receive his teachings.

Raido’s martial arts were among the most powerful in the kingdom, or even on the continent.

So much so that Kim Yu-hyun wondered whether to draw his sword or use his fists.

‘But…’

However, there was a serious problem with Zion Klauzen’s body.

To be precise, a serious ‘defect.’

‘God damn it!

Of all things, this bastard is a mana cripple!’

On the continent, mana wasn’t just a privilege for wizards to use magic.

It was a type of power that existed everywhere in the world, in all things, and Kim Yu-hyun also called it inner energy.

Using it, swordsmen could sharpen their swords more keenly, and wizards could amplify their magic to be larger and stronger.

To become stronger, to improve one’s skills, it was essential to know how to approach mana.

‘If he had even a little bit of mana sensitivity, it might be different.

But it’s impossible for this bastard!’

The reason why Zion Klauzen was the ‘weakest’ villain.

Of course, his inconsistent personality and various flaws also played a part, but the biggest problem was that he was congenitally unable to handle mana itself.

Even among commoners, there were those with excellent mana sensitivity who became great wizards or more easily increased their affinity with spirits, or even further blossomed their talents as swordsmen.

But Zion Klauzen, the first in line to inherit the Frontier Count’s territory, the eldest son of the Frontier Count, had not a single speck of mana sensitivity.

‘Maybe that’s why he had so much dissatisfaction with the world and was so incredibly jealous.’

The reason why Zion Klauzen ground his teeth at Kim Yu-hyun and cursed and hated those around him also stemmed from there.

He couldn’t do anything because his ankles were tied down by mana, but some nobodies who weren’t even nobles were handling mana and monopolizing the attention of the central nobles, as well as the eyes of the royal family, so he was probably dying of envy.

“You want to know the reason?”

“Yes.

Why would you reject my offer when you have less than a rat’s dick?”

“…”

Perhaps Raido, who was a court wizard, knew a way to create even a little bit of mana sensitivity.

Zion wondered if he should ask, just in case.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

But Zion’s thoughts ultimately didn’t lead to action.

‘What is this now?’

He didn’t know when he had entered, but an elderly butler was standing behind Zion with a very respectful demeanor.

“Hmm.”

Raido checked the butler’s face, clicked his tongue, and then stood up.

Then, he began to loosen his arms, rotating his shoulders.

“Okay, I knew you’d show your handsome face sooner or later.

Sebas.”

“Such rough language.

You’ll get scolded by your daughter again.

Raido.”

“Don’t talk about Lucia.”

“If you don’t want to hear about it, shouldn’t you become a better father first?”

“…”

Damn it, hey?

What are you two old men doing all of a sudden?

Raido and Sebastian were engaged in a fierce battle of nerves with Zion in between.

The chilling energy that made you cower just by looking at it, the piercing glares that poured down in streams, made Zion’s body shrink.

‘Why the hell are these guys causing a ruckus in my room!’

The former court wizard, and a man stronger with his fists than magic.

The former royal secret guard knight, and one of the two swords of the County.

The two of them were growling, exuding an atmosphere as if a bloodbath would break out at any moment.

If a fight really broke out, at least half of the County’s castle would be destroyed, so Zion decided to step in at the risk of his life.

Of course, by asserting the honor and authority of Zion Klauzen of the Frontier Count’s territory.

“Sebastian?

What are you doing right now?”

“Young Master.”

“He’s my guest.

Whatever the reason, he’s talking to me, so don’t interfere.”

“…Understood.”

Sebastian bowed his head as if he would step back for now.

When his opponent retreated obediently, Raido also crossed his arms and only let out a dissatisfied snort, without continuing to provoke Sebastian any further.

‘Maybe it’s better this way?’

Zion Klauzen originally didn’t know Sebastian’s true identity.

So the current Zion was also having a bit of difficulty and awkwardness in dealing with Sebastian, but rather, Sebastian took the initiative to reveal his true self in front of Zion.

“Raido-nim.

I think some explanation is needed.”

“Hmm?”

“Starting with how the County’s butler, Sebastian, entered this room at some point, and how he’s talking as if he knows Raido-nim very well, and at the same time, how he’s not shaken at all even though he’s facing Raido-nim head-on.”

“Puhahaha!

Okay, I’ll tell you.

That bastard who’s standing next to you and playing the ridiculous butler game!

In fact, he’s a guy who used to be in the royal secret guard knight!

He was one of the top dogs in the kingdom!

And that guy is working as a butler!

Ahahaha!

Isn’t that funny?”

Would that be funny?

Funny my ass.

I already knew all that, you bastard.

“…Is that true?”

Of course, Zion immediately put on an act as if he had just found out.

Thanks to that, Raido was laughing as if he was going crazy with amusement.

“He used to fight with me all day long, he was a really tiring bastard.

Just thinking about that guy wearing such a disgusting outfit and growing a *meosissge* [stylish/cool] beard while saying ‘Young Master, Young Master’ makes my dick fall off!

으하하하!”

“Shut that mouth.

I want to tear it off because it’s too loud.”

“You?

Me?

It’d be faster for your sword to be shoved up my ass!”

It was hard to tell if they were on good terms or the opposite, but one thing was certain.

‘I need to do an Itachi here [referencing a character known for mediating conflicts].’

There were already two crazy bastards that were hard to handle.

It was fortunate that Kim Yu-hyun wasn’t here, but if those three were gathered in this place, Zion felt like his brain would disappear completely with the pleasant imagination.