Chapter 42

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 42 (42/324)

42

'Alright.'

Fire Arrow.

Since my body has memorized the activation method of this magic, the second time will be overwhelmingly easier than the first.

It has always been like that.

If I mix in the essence of the original technique, I might even be able to enhance its power to the next level.

After turning off the magic,

I smiled slightly at my empty right hand.

There were still countless second-circle spells left besides this one.

The first ones I would create would be the representative second-circle spells of each attribute.

Fire, water, wind, earth.

Since each attribute has its own strengths and weaknesses, it's best to use all four.

I began to focus my mind.

* * * * *

One day.

That was the time it took to create the mixed activation methods for the representative second-circle spells of each attribute.

Ice Fog, a water-based spell.

Wind Fist, a wind-based spell.

And Earth Wall, an earth-based spell.

Creating the mixed activation methods for these three was not difficult.

Because I had already raised my understanding to 100%.

'The affinity with attributes seems to be similar as well.'

Attribute affinity.

Each mage has attributes they are good at and those they are not. Usually, they excel in one or two attributes, but I was different.

All four attributes were showing good reactions.

'Kail, you bastard.'

Your body turned out to be much more useful than I expected.

To be precise, the mana channels in this body are extraordinary.

After completing the magic to a certain extent, I immediately called Leonhardt and Ersiel.

"Are you both free?"

"Do you have somewhere to go?"

"Yeah. I just thought of a place. Frenus. I want to go there."

At my words, the bodyguard knight immediately frowned.

I could guess the reason.

Frenus.

It was a medium-sized city right next to Trasden. If I had to define it in one word:

'A city of luxury and pleasure.'

It meant it was a great place to have fun.

Especially for rich heirs like Kail, it could be considered a paradise.

Naturally, during his wild days, visiting Frenus was almost a daily routine.

It was probably because of that.

I smiled at Leonhardt.

"I'm not going there to have fun like before, so don't worry too much."

"Then why..."

"There's someone I need to find."

Early May, 298th year of the Imperial Calendar.

This was the time when the protagonist of this game would be rolling around in agony.

In the arena, where slaves were gathered, to be precise.

It was an illegal arena.

The starting point when the protagonist is first chosen and moved to.

The protagonist of this game.

I don't know if he will be there or not.

But if there's even a 1% chance, I should definitely go and look.

Because this guy, as the protagonist, is truly a remarkable talent.

'In the early stages, two talents were randomly given.'

The talents given were all extraordinary. In about a month, he will attempt to escape from the arena.

If the game's story unfolds as I know it.

I don't know where he will go next.

Since the game has a high degree of freedom, there are no given routes except for the early arena.

So,

'I need to find him before I leave.'

Naturally, I plan to make him my subordinate next.

* * * * *

The illegal arena where the protagonist of this game is located.

It is situated in Frenus, the city right next to Trasden.

'The location is perfect.'

By using a mana carriage, it's a city that can be reached within a day.

'Baron Lemington governs it, right?'

Since it's a medium-sized city, the noble who governs it isn't of high rank.

Actually, being a baron is quite impressive.

Roughly speaking, it can be evaluated as a similar level to mine.

Although he is a baron, Baron Lemington isn't very powerful among his peers.

That's why bloodline is important.

Especially in a society with a class system.

Because I can stand on a similar level to a baron as the youngest son of a noble family.

The illegal arena is practically under the jurisdiction of Baron Lemington.

Otherwise, a place where all kinds of illegal activities thrive wouldn't be so active.

The arena manager is probably paying a lot of bribes to the baron.

'It should be easy to enter.'

Kail Seltarion.

He is one of the excellent customers on the VVIP list of Frenus.

It's only natural for him to visit a city of luxury and pleasure.

So, the baron is likely to welcome me without any suspicion.

'He'll probably treat the change as half a rumor.'

People usually only believe what they see with their own eyes.

Since my appearance has changed after overcoming the Hermesmure, he might be startled at first.

But if I show a slightly wild side, he'll surely relax, thinking my nature hasn't changed.

Just because my skills have improved doesn't mean my character has.

After making him relax, I plan to ask if there are any thrilling, bloody places.

He'll probably introduce the illegal arena with a "Sure thing" attitude.

If a fool is willing to hand over gold, why would he refuse?

He'll probably prepare the best viewing seat for me.

After entering the arena, all I need to do is find the protagonist.

'After finding him,'

I plan to try to buy him.

It's common to buy and sell slave gladiators.

However, there's a variable.

'This guy has talent, but I don't know what kind.'

Gladiators.

Gladiators in the arena are usually classified into five levels.

Lowest, Low, Middle, High, and Highest.

The criteria for classification are simple.

How well can they fight and make blood fly?

And how much can they excite the audience?

Roughly, that's how the levels are divided.

If this guy has knight-related talent, he would have achieved a high level by now.

If I offer a reasonable price, I can just buy him.

'They won't ask for a low price, though.'

They'll definitely think they've caught a solid fool and ask for a high price.

Or they might not sell at all.

If they have a talented gladiator, more customers will naturally come, so it might be a reasonable choice.

'Then I'll have to wipe them out.'

If the protagonist is there,

I must get him into my hands, even if it means wiping out all the scum in the illegal arena.

With the power of Leonhardt, me, and Ersiel, it shouldn't be difficult to take out the thugs.

The illegal arena.

Given its name, the people here can be considered the worst of humanity, indulging in evil deeds.

Murder, drugs, kidnapping, human trafficking.

These were their daily activities.

So, I have no guilt.

The only concern is the baron's retaliation.

'But the baron won't be able to move easily anyway.'

The 'illegal' label in front of the arena isn't there for nothing. If the place is shut down, the baron might go crazy, but if I demand an investigation, he'll likely face severe punishment from the imperial legal officials.

So, direct intervention is impossible.

It would be the same as admitting he backed the illegal arena.

At best, he might send masked men to attack on the street.

If I can get the protagonist,

'That's fine.'

I can accept it with a smile.

After all, I won't set foot in Frenus again after this visit.

'The best option is to just buy him cleanly with money.'

If that doesn't work, there's no other choice but to crush them with the hammer of justice.

If the protagonist is there, he's a slave gladiator now, so it should be easy to make him my subordinate, but if a little time passes, he'll start to soar with his talent.

'That's not acceptable.'

The difficulty of bringing him into my fold would skyrocket.

After all, when someone receives help during a tough and hard time, the impact is doubled.

The best time to extend a warm hand is now.

After finishing my thoughts, I immediately sent Leonhardt to Abel.

The purpose was to borrow platinum coins.

Just seventeen.

I would need to sprinkle about thirty gold coins for the arena entrance fee and tips.

In terms of money, it's about 30 million won.

While it's quite expensive for just entrance fees and tips, it's a place where all kinds of high-ranking officials gather, so it's almost mandatory.

Just like how the children of wealthy families in the modern world spend lavishly on pleasure, it's similar here.

If anything, it might be even more severe because it's a centralized system.

Fortunately, I had that much spare money.

'Seventeen platinum coins.'

The maximum purchase price I can offer to the thugs.

If I want to give more, I'd have to borrow a lot from Abel, but that would be a bit embarrassing.

I don't plan to ask the marquess for money either.

I already have the mana stone.

'He can't be a highest-level gladiator, right?'

He's probably a high-level gladiator at best.

In that case, this amount should be enough to buy him.

As long as the thugs don't inflate the price.

1.7 billion.

That's a high price for a gladiator.

'If they inflate the price, so be it.'

If they follow the script, that's all I need.

After Leonhardt borrowed the money,

I informed the marquess that I would be visiting the neighboring town and immediately set off for Frenus using a mana carriage.

* * * * *

One day.

That was the time it took for the mana carriage to reach Frenus. After presenting my identification and passing the simple inspection, as I casually looked around the city, knights began to approach.

Their purpose was simple.

Baron Lemington was looking for me.

Given that I used to spend a lot of money every time I visited, it was natural.

They probably wanted to provide special treatment in advance for the VVIP guest.

"Is the baron busy now? I want to see him immediately."

As soon as I finished speaking, the knights nodded.

"No, not at all. Then, right now..."

"Please guide me immediately."

The high-handed attitude, the condescending look, and the casual interruption.

Showing the same attitude as when I was a wild child, the knights' eyes slightly narrowed.

Of course.

That's the kind of look they had.

If I continue to show this attitude, it won't be difficult to enter the illegal arena.

Isn't it a thrilling space that suits a wild child?

Since I had already informed Leonhardt and Ersiel to act this way, my companions didn't show much change in their expressions despite my sudden change in attitude.

After moving towards the castle,

I waited for a moment, and Baron Lemington appeared.

His face was oily,

and his belly was bulging.

His appearance was a perfect example of a greedy noble.

He then greeted me warmly.

"Oh! Sir Kail. It's been a long time. You look much better!"

The one who greeted me started to look at my face carefully.

There was a faint hint of suspicion in his eyes.

He must be wondering if my character has changed as much as my appearance.

Now it's time to meet his expectations.

"Ha-ha! Baron Lemington! It's been so hard to get out of that damned annex. To visit this delightful city after such a long time... I've really missed it!"

"Hehe. I heard you were under house arrest. The marquess was too harsh. To keep a fine talent like Sir Kail locked up for so long."

"That's true. My allowance was cut off, and I had a hard time. Really, even if he's my father, isn't it too much?"

"A-ah! I understand Sir Kail's feelings completely."

Showing a slightly annoyed attitude in agreement with his words, the baron's eyes began to show relief.

The attitude I'm showing now is no different from before.

Casually putting my feet on the desk, the baron started to laugh heartily.

"Hehe, indeed! Sir Kail's heartiness is still the same!"

"I'm always the same. I live as if today is my last. My creed hasn't changed."

"A-ah. A man should live like that. Indeed, Sir Kail is a real man!"

I sent a satisfied smile to the baron, who was beaming.

"Without the baron's castle, how could I be so comfortable? Damn, I can't even rest properly at my own home."

"You've had a hard time. Feel free to rest. Would you like a drink?"

The baron took out a glass of whiskey after finishing his words.

"Of course! How did you know I like alcohol? You're the only one. Give it to me quickly."

Since I've already broken through the barrier near my scalp, I can remove the hangover with mana.

While passing the whiskey back and forth,

the baron started to look at me with a slightly relaxed expression, as if he was getting into the mood.

"To be honest, I was a bit worried about the rumors about Sir Kail."

"Worried?"

"I heard so many rumors that you had changed a lot. I always welcomed you as you are because I liked Sir Kail. I was worried that I might lose a good friend."

Friend, my ass.

He was probably worried about losing a good customer.

With Kail's spending, he could be considered one of the top twenty VVIP customers in this city of pleasure.

"Ha-ha! To get out of that damned annex, I had to act. If I hadn't pretended to change, I would have been stuck there forever."

"Hehe... Is that so?"

While the baron smiled contentedly at my words,

I pretended to be drunk and relaxed my face.

Showing a disheveled appearance, I smiled at the baron.

Now it's time to show him what a real wild child is like.