FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage
I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan
[Author/Original: Yuin]
[TL: Dekor]
[PR: Spades]
Episode 50
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For Langham to speak so gravely, it must be no ordinary challenge.
How tough would it be?
'A bit of difficulty keeps things fun.'
More importantly, Christian knew.
The greater the challenge, the grander the reward.
No, reversed.
The reward's unimaginable scale made the challenge daunting.
Worth enduring.
And above all.
'Doesn't seem *that* hard?'
Instinct.
Difficulty was relative to mediocrity.
Even geniuses were ordinary by Christian's standards, so this felt doable.
"…Three months. One day late, and you lose lord eligibility."
"Understood. I don't think… it'll take that long."
Christian grinned.
His confidence irked Langham, who glared, frowning.
"Enough talk. Leave. I'll discuss the second trial if you reach 3-star in three months."
His tone implied failure was certain.
Christian bowed lightly and left.
Then realized a problem.
'Who'll teach me the Dark Mana Arts?'
The clan's secret arts.
Passed orally.
Even a genius like Christian needed a teacher.
'The elders will all refuse.'
Branch members had designated instructors.
But their version was inferior.
Missing key main-line precepts.
'I can't learn that garbage.'
He needed the complete main-line arts. Problem: no teacher.
'Steal it? No, that won't work.'
Stealing top-tier arts wasn't impossible.
He'd mimicked hero Evan's swordsmanship house arts by repeated observation.
But that worked because the hero's party was always together. This was different.
'Hm, need a plan. Worst case, learn the branch version and deduce the main-line precepts…'
Arms crossed, pondering, when an unexpected voice rang out.
"Still causing trouble like a reckless fool."
"!!"
He turned to see an unexpected figure glaring disapprovingly.
Calm demeanor.
But eyes radiating inner strength.
Merian!
"Greetings, Aunt."
Christian bowed.
'Why's she here?'
Merian had never visited him.
She had a purpose.
"May I ask… what brings you?"
"…"
Merian, lips pursed, just stared intently.
Puzzling.
"Aunt?"
"Have you found a master for the Dark Mana Arts?"
"…You?"
His eyes widened.
Unexpected help!
A 6-star mage and clan powerhouse, she'd be more than ideal.
But she shook her head.
"Not me."
"Then who?"
Merian's lips tightened.
A complex emotion flickered in her eyes.
Then, an unimaginable name.
"The Patriarch."
"…What?"
Christian blinked, dumbfounded.
She repeated, ensuring he heard.
"The Patriarch will personally teach you the Dark Mana Arts."
---
Patriarch Nordian's direct guidance!
Completely unforeseen.
"Follow me."
Merian spoke coldly, turning.
But the direction was odd.
The opposite way.
"Not to the Patriarch's annex?"
"Want rumors by going there? His guidance is unofficial."
Christian nodded.
His brief meeting with Nordian stirred the clan.
Direct teaching? That'd be chaos.
"The Patriarch hasn't personally taught in ages. None in your generation."
Even genius Ashd never received it.
"Such favor is surprising."
"Favor?"
Merian frowned.
"I'm not sure 'favor' fits."
"What?"
She hesitated.
"You'll see. He's not a kind teacher."
Creak.
They entered an isolated building at the estate's edge, descending a staircase.
As they did, Merian offered advice—or a warning.
"None of our siblings fully followed Father's teachings."
Siblings.
Christian's father, Count Kazar, Merian, even 7-star Langham—all failed to master Nordian's lessons.
'How harsh is his teaching?'
Merian gave him an odd look.
"But you might be different."
"Hm?"
"Didn't you say? You're a genius."
A pointed remark.
"Prove it. This chance won't come again."
Christian understood.
Learning from the Patriarch wasn't just about a great teacher.
It was a chance to gain his favor.
Grateful for Merian's support, he grinned and bowed.
"Thank you, Aunt. You're the best. I'll live up to your expectations."
"Hmph. Smooth talker."
"I'll bake tasty cookies next time."
She scoffed but didn't refuse.
At the staircase's end, an unexpected sight.
A vast underground training hall, magically lit.
Head Butler Simon stood there.
Beside him, an unfamiliar figure sat, eyes narrowed.
Christian tilted his head.
'A kid?'
About seven years old?
A small boy.
Clan-typical black hair.
Half-closed, blood-red eyes.
Empty gaze, like he was asleep.
Young, but not cute—eerily chilling.
'A kid like that in the main house? Wait, could it be?'
A familiar feeling hit, and his eyes widened as he realized.
Merian confirmed.
"Greet him. The Patriarch's avatar."
"!!"
"His health limits movement, so he uses an avatar for external matters. A child's form reduces mana strain."
Christian was stunned.
'Avatar manifestation is 7-star illusion dark magic. The Patriarch's reached 7-star in illusions too?'
At its peak, illusion magic could materialize illusions.
Avatar manifestation was a top-tier 7-star technique.
Shocking, as Nordian mastered not just the clan's arts but 7-star illusions.
The boy's half-closed eyes snapped open.
Empty gaze filled with blazing red light.
A giant's presence settled in the small body.
Nordian's consciousness descended.
A mere glance felt like heavy gravity crushing the hall.
Christian bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Patriarch. I came as summoned."
Nordian, adjusting to the boy's body, creaked his limbs.
Then fixed his gaze on Christian.
[Did Merian tell you why I called?]
"Yes, to teach me. I'm grateful for your generosity."
[Generosity, hm. You could call it that. Your feats surprised me. Over 90% purity Dark Mana Essence. Remarkable. I misjudged your vessel.]
Unexpected praise.
Deserved, perhaps.
The first since the ancestor.
'He can't pinpoint my exact purity either.'
Everyone guessed over 90%, not perfect 100%.
Due to his Dark Mana Essence's unique trait.
At 100% purity, its nature subtly shifted.
Still Dark Mana Essence, but different. Christian couldn't fully grasp the change.
This difference masked its true 100% purity.
[But.]
Nordian's expression chilled.
His true face was gentle.
His heart might be a viper, but his wrinkled visage seemed kind.
In the boy's face, that warmth vanished, leaving icy coldness.
[I can't simply praise your deed. You know why?]
"Yes."
Langham's reason.
High-purity Dark Mana Essence hindered realm advancement.
[Frankly, a foolish choice. Even below 80%, I faced immense walls. I succeeded late, but much delayed.]
Nordian reached 8-star past seventy.
Far later than other mage lords.
[Luck played a part. Without it, I'd have died in vain. Excess Sacred Darkness was poison.]
"…"
[I ordered my kin: over 70% is poison, don't absorb it.]
The main-line's unwritten rule came from Nordian.
[Yet over 90%. Perhaps beyond the ancestor.]
He chuckled dryly.
[The ancestor said without the Demon Emperor's grace, he'd never have succeeded. I can't fathom the walls you'll face.]
Then, an unexpected offer.
[I propose this. If you wish, I'll lower your Dark Mana Essence's purity.]
"…What do you mean?"
[Exactly that. My power can turn part of your Dark Mana Essence to void and infuse another attribute. Since it's recent, it's possible. I'd reduce it to… 80%.]
Changing mana's attribute.
Was that possible?
Astonishing power.
Nordian's reputation as a top mage lord was no exaggeration.
[It's difficult and tedious. But I offer this because I value you. Your vessel is extraordinary.]
He feared a promising talent would wither against an insurmountable wall.
A high evaluation.
[80% is high, but with your talent, you can handle it.]
80% was Nordian's ideal balance for Christian.
Beyond was greed.
[Without overreaching, you could succeed me as a mage lord.]
Merian, listening, looked shocked at the praise.
But.
"I'm sorry. I decline."
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