Chapter 7

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 7 (7/324)

7

Leopold.

This stern knight was utterly flabbergasted by the scene before his eyes. Even his usually poker face was completely shattered.

'What is this?'

When the Fourth Son first visited the library.

At that time, he thought it was just a momentary whim.

Kyle.

The fact that he had no talent was already widely known within the Marquess family.

Even though he showed a sudden change, his heart was filled with worry.

The Fourth Son's eyes, as he looked towards the library, were brimming with hope.

Hope.

It's a good word.

But hope for an unattainable goal can quickly turn into despair.

That's why he was worried.

That this hope would once again turn into despair.

"Don't worry. If this method doesn't work, I won't revert to my old ways, so don't worry."

Those words seemed to be filled with sincerity.

From that moment on, the Fourth Son began to change significantly.

A month.

During that time, he studied magic books every day without fail and never stopped exercising, even when drenched in sweat.

His behavior also changed.

His tone didn't become stern, but he always smiled at those below him.

Compared to before, it was a significant improvement.

One day.

"Leopold."

"Yes."

"Hermemus."

"..."

"It seems he has found a way to overcome it."

"Really?"

Instead of answering, he quietly raised one hand.

A flame began to rise from his hand.

Fire.

It was one of the simple 1st Circle spells that any mage could cast, but Leopold's heart beat faster than ever before at the sight.

The fact that he had cast a spell.

It was proof that he had overcome the constraints of Hermemus.

The Expert Knight knew exactly what this meant.

Kyle Seltarion.

His talent might be unimaginably vast.

He was sure of it.

But the scene before him now surpassed even his imagination.

"How... Is this really a Magic Missile?"

"It is. You saw it, didn't you?"

Magic Missile.

A spell that showed the power of a grown man's full punch.

But the result now far exceeded that common knowledge. Of course, it wasn't impossible for a 1st Circle spell to show the power of a higher-level spell.

A high-circle mage could show much greater power by pouring mana into a spell.

But.

The Fourth Son was not a high-level mage.

"Exactly how did you do that?"

Kyle smiled slightly.

"I just tried it, and it worked."

He gave a very simple answer.

* * * * *

Not only the knight beside me was surprised.

The power was so great that even I was wide-eyed. I managed to answer calmly, but my heart was racing wildly.

'What is this?'

The magic used by players was indeed more convenient and powerful than that used by NPCs, but it didn't show this level of power.

'About 1.5 times, right?'

As far as I knew, the power enhancement was roughly that much.

But the power shown now was at least 4th Circle or higher.

What is going on here?

My mind began to race.

Overcoming Hermemus.

This news will spread eventually.

I can't hide it even if I try. As his face and body become healthier, everyone will realize the truth.

So, it's best to go with the concept of a talented mage.

'But this is a bit much.'

Overcoming Hermemus.

This instills hope for the future, but it doesn't mean he can be a powerful asset right now.

No matter how talented, time is needed to become strong.

That's the general perception.

But if the news that he can use such powerful magic spreads?

'This will be exhausting.'

The Marquess has four children.

The eldest is Abel Seltarion.

The second is Adolph Seltarion.

The third is Duke Seltarion, and the fourth is, of course, me.

The second, Adolph.

'He was an irredeemable villain.'

The reason the Marquess family was wiped out in the early part of the story.

It was due to the succession ceremony.

The succession ceremony is two months away.

As the ceremony approaches, almost all the family's factions are split into two major groups.

Abel and Adolph's factions.

Abel, the eldest son, is kind, gentle, and a skilled knight.

Adolph, on the other hand, is cold, the most talented among the young knights of the Marquess family, and has a cruel nature.

Currently, these two are in a fierce competition for the succession. However, the Marquess's heart leans towards Abel.

The villains wouldn't miss such an opportunity.

They began secretly approaching Adolph quite a while ago.

On the day of the succession ceremony.

Adolph, guessing the Marquess's true intentions, joined the villains out of a desire for power and drew his sword.

Accepting the power of the so-called Dark Army.

This wasn't limited to the Marquess family.

From most influential noble families to the royal palace, the villains' influence had deeply penetrated.

That's why the central continent, where humans have settled, is in such a mess.

From outside the central continent, the villains have been slowly infiltrating for decades.

They are quite meticulous and powerful.

'Ugh.'

In this situation, what would happen if the news of my immense power spreads?

It's a predictable outcome.

Abel might let it slide, but Adolph.

'He would either try to recruit me or kill me.'

He is not the type to overlook such a variable with a smile.

Adolph, who has accepted the power of evil, is strong enough to match the Marquess, who is a Sword Master. I, a mere 1st Circle mage, am no match for him.

A Sword Master.

A monster that can only be matched by a 7th Circle mage or higher.

Being noticed by him now would be the worst-case scenario.

'But telling this news is also a problem.'

It's doubtful that a reformed troublemaker would be believed for such a significant matter.

More importantly, there is no evidence that he has accepted the power of evil. This power only flows out once it is fully activated.

It's not like evil spirits will jump out when priests sprinkle holy light.

This will likely follow the same pattern.

Even if it doesn't, I have no intention of testing it.

A single word could cost me my life.

'The current perception is just right.'

A reformed troublemaker.

And a 1st Circle mage overcoming Hermemus. He could be a great asset in the future, but not immediately useful.

This level of perception is the best.

Adolph likely evaluates me at this level. He has spread information to the spies he placed throughout the annex.

Spies.

One of the talents written on the head of a maid passing by with a simple smile. If I didn't have the ability to see through disguises, I wouldn't have known who the spies were.

The sender was obvious.

It couldn't be the kind eldest brother, and the third son is just a one-man show.

The only one left is.

The cunning villain, Adolph.

These maids, whom Kyle has seen for a long time, must have been spies planted long ago. To have a surveillance network even on a troublemaker.

He is a meticulous person.

The only fortunate thing is that he didn't send highly skilled spies.

The talents of the spies I saw were not particularly high. This made it easy to use them to my advantage.

'Two months from now.'

Before the succession ceremony begins, I need to build my strength while avoiding the villains' eyes.

I opened my mouth to Leopold, who had seen me.

"Hey."

"Yes."

"Was anyone around?"

"No one caught my senses."

Leopold is an Expert-level knight.

There aren't many in the Marquess family who can evade his senses. Incompetent spies would likely be weeded out. That's why I always brought him along.

Is there a better bodyguard than a human radar?

This means that the only person who saw my magic just now is this knight.

Adolph wouldn't assign an Expert-level knight to watch a troublemaker.

'Good.'

Now, I just need to seal the mouth of the only witness. Fortunately, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Leopold.

His favorability, which had steadily increased over the past month, now points to 43.

"Can you keep this a secret today?"

"Even from the head of the family?"

"It's difficult to tell him right now."

Remton Marquess.

A character who likely dies in the early part of the story due to the chaos caused by the second son.

I don't know him well.

From what I vaguely remember, he seemed to have some affection for Kyle.

But that doesn't mean I can trust him enough to tell him this news immediately.

I haven't actually met him since entering Kyle's body.

Leopold frowned at my words.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

If his favorability was still negative, he would have refused outright, but now we are quite close.

He has a lot to think about.

This is why trust is scary.

I casually mentioned.

"This power is dangerous. You know the next power struggle in the Marquess family is intense, right?"

"..."

"This isn't just a variable; it could cost me my life. I'm not saying I don't trust my father, but there's no reason to tell him rashly. The fewer people who know a secret, the better."

"I understand what you mean."

"So, can you keep it for just two months? After that, you can tell my father."

"..."

Stop thinking so much, you bastard.

It seemed I needed to drive the point home.

"Leopold."

"Yes."

"Whose bodyguard are you?"

I asked, looking into his eyes.

To make him realize his duty.

A choice.

To follow me or follow Remton Marquess.

A favorability of 43.

I have shown him a vision to some extent, so the odds are in my favor.

While Remton currently rules the Marquess family, a generational change will happen soon.

It's time for his bodyguard to find a new anchor. And I am a coin that is expected to skyrocket.

I'm not asking him to betray the Marquess, but there are valid reasons to keep this secret.

Considering all these factors, following my words would be beneficial for him.

?

A moment later.

His lips opened, as if he had made a decision.

"Exactly two months."

"Right. Two months."

Two months.

That's enough time.

More than enough time for a troublemaker to become a meaningful variable.