Chapter 21

FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage

I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan

[Author/Original: Yuin]

[TL: Dekor]

[PR: Spades]

Chapter 21

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Chris headed toward the secret training ground.

Melin was walking ahead, humming a tune.

Her face was bright with anticipation, clearly excited.

"Are you well prepared?"

"Yes."

Chris nodded.

"You can look forward to it."

Melin glanced at Chris's hand.

Chris was carrying Grunade wrapped in cloth.

"Is that what you're using to face me?"

"Yes."

"Hm. I don't know what kind of weapon it is, but a weapon alone can't close the gap in skill."

It was true that a master wielding a wooden sword was stronger than a novice with a legendary blade.

"But an exceptional weapon can narrow the gap in power."

It was a curious statement.

Melin tilted her head.

They soon arrived at the training ground. Though it was an unofficial duel, Count Khazar and Therne had come ahead of time to observe.

However, there was one more person standing there whom Chris had never seen in the household before.

'A woman?'

She appeared to be in her early thirties.

But appearance meant little—when one refined dark energy intensely, aging was suppressed.

A face he had seen somewhere before.

Chris realized the woman looked exactly like Count Khazar.

Black hair and crimson eyes—traits unique to the Dark Mage Household.

'Ah.'

Realizing the woman's identity, Chris bowed his head in greeting.

"I greet the Captain of the Shadow Knights of the main household."

The Shadow Knights (黑影 기사단).

They were the knight order directly under the main household!

'A big shot.'

Chris was slightly flustered by the unexpected figure's appearance.

The Shadow Knights were the order that directly served the Patriarch of the Dark Mage Household.

They were in charge of secret missions, internal inspections, investigations, and more.

In other words, this woman was one of the true powerhouses within the household.

And the most important part—The woman smiled gently.

"Yes, it's been a while, nephew."

Nephew.

That meant he was recognized as part of the main bloodline of the Dark Mage Household.

She was the daughter of the Patriarch, and the biological sister of Marquis Langham, the Acting Head currently leading the Dark Mage Household in the Patriarch's stead.

'Why is such a major figure suddenly here?'

Count Khazar explained.

"Sister Merian is here unofficially because of something related to the butler, Cox."

For reference, Count Khazar was also of the Patriarch's bloodline.

He was the youngest son of the Patriarch who had branched out and established a cadet family.

The Shadow Knight Captain, Merian, added an explanation.

"The Patriarch took an interest in the matter you caused."

It was an unexpected revelation.

'I thought the Patriarch had completely withdrawn from household affairs?'

Sensing his doubt, Merian offered an explanation.

"What you did was rather audacious, wasn't it?"

"..."

"So the Patriarch gave me a special order."

"To properly investigate the matter?"

Chris looked slightly troubled.

If the Patriarch got involved, the situation with Aeshid could spiral out of control. An unexpected variable like this was unwelcome.

But Merian shook her head.

"No, the Patriarch wouldn't personally step in over a petty squabble between youngsters. What he instructed me to do was to come and see you."

"!!"

"He was curious about you."

Chris swallowed hard.

It was something he hadn't expected.

But it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

'This is an opportunity. A chance to catch the Patriarch's eye.'

The Patriarch.

Duke Nordian, the Demon Lord (마군주).

If the Demon Emperor was the emperor of the empire and the Demon Kings were rulers of subordinate kingdoms, then the Demon Lords were grand dukes.

Duke Nordian was not only the head of the Dark Mage Household but also the grand sovereign who ruled the eastern region of the Southern Magic Nation.

An 8-Star level Dark Being who had lived for over a century—a monstrous existence.

Although he had handed over all authority to his son, Marquis Langham, and no longer involved himself in household matters, his presence in the Dark Mage Household remained absolute.

"So, hearing that there was to be a duel today, I decided to observe it."

Merian tilted her head.

"Is this alright? From what I can tell, you're still only 1-Star. Am I right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"A duel with Melin when you haven't even reached 2-Star?"

Merian continued.

"And it's not a sparring match for learning, either. From what I've heard, it's a full-force combat duel. I doubt you can put up any sort of fight. On top of that, they say you're the one who proposed this duel?"

It was clear Merian didn't approve of this duel.

Many Dark Beings despised the idea of the weak overstepping their bounds and acting arrogantly toward the strong.

'Especially since Merian is known to have a particularly authoritative personality.'

Chris looked at Merian's face.

Outwardly, she wore a gentle expression—but it was a facade.

That woman was anything but easy.

'She's extremely cold and calculating. That's why she commands the Shadow Knights who oversee internal surveillance of the household. More than anything, once you fall out of her favor, there's no getting back in.'

In that sense, today was far from ideal.

If he showed an unsightly performance in today's duel, Merian would come to regard him very poorly.

If things went poorly, word would reach the Patriarch's ears, and it could cause complications in Chris's plan to take control of the Dark Mage Household.

"How about it? Will you call off the duel even now?"

Merian gave Chris a chance.

Chris gave a faint smile.

'You'd look down on me either way.'

If he backed down now, that would be counted against him in its own way.

The die had already been cast.

"No, I'll go through with it."

Chris turned to look at Melin.

With a soft rustle, the cloth in his hand fell away.

And when the item wrapped inside was revealed, everyone's eyes widened as if about to split open.

"I have my own reasons for doing this."

The broken Holy Sword, Grunade, appeared.

* * *

"Is that… no way."

"Grunade?"

Everyone recognized Grunade. Only young Therne blinked, not knowing what it was.

Merian asked,

"Child, are you seriously planning to use Grunade to fight Melin?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Ha."

Merian let out a laugh in disbelief.

"I already knew you were reckless, but to this extent? Ridan."

"…Yes, sister."

Ridan was Count Khazar's name.

His full name was Ridan van Baren Khazar.

"What is this about? Weren't you the one who kept bragging endlessly about how Christien had reformed from a scoundrel into something admirable?"

Count Khazar's eyebrow twitched.

Unbeknownst to Chris, Count Khazar had boasted endlessly about his son to his sister.

"…He has changed. Christien is no longer the wastrel he once was."

"And yet he's using a Holy Sword in a duel? Even ignorant young Dark Beings wouldn't do something so foolish."

"..."

Count Khazar fell silent.

There was nothing he could say to that.

What Dark Being in the world would go flaunting around with a Holy Sword?

'Why the hell would that brat Christien pull something like this now of all times…'

Count Khazar sighed inwardly.

He knew full well that his son had changed.

And he was also aware of just how incredible Chris's talent was—so unbelievable, even he had trouble accepting it at times.

That's why he'd boasted so much to his sister when they finally reunited.

But she didn't seem to believe much of it.

To his sister and the rest of the main family, Christien still existed only as the reckless good-for-nothing they remembered.

– Hopefully, he's changed even half as much as you say.

Even with that cold remark, Count Khazar didn't bat an eye.

He believed that once she witnessed today's duel herself, even his sister would come to realize just how exceptional Chris truly was.

Of course, it wasn't as if Count Khazar believed Chris would actually defeat Melin.

That was impossible.

However, even if he lost to Melin, he believed that Chris's unbelievable talent would still allow him to show something remarkable.

But then…

'To do something as absurd as bringing a Holy Sword?'

Count Khazar scowled deeply.

At that moment, Chris's voice rang out, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"Is it wrong to use a Holy Sword in a duel? As far as I know, there's no rule forbidding it."

"Are you seriously asking because you don't know?"

Merian shook her head.

"Handling a Holy Sword is impossible, isn't it? No, it's not just impossible—it's dangerous."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. The Holy Power within it will burn you alive."

Merian clicked her tongue.

'As if it wasn't enough to challenge a 4-Star Upper Dark Being without knowing his place—now he's bringing a Holy Sword?'

She thought there was nothing more to see

.

'I shouldn't have even bothered coming.'

"Even the Patriarch himself failed to wield that broken Holy Sword. Stop this nonsense."

It was a shocking statement.

Even Duke Nordian, the Demon Lord, had once attempted to use the sword?

But he'd failed, she said.

"I see. I understand what you're saying. But then, what is this?"

Clack.

Chris released the binding clasp that sealed the Holy Power of the sword.

Then, he gripped the Holy Sword in his hand, and everyone gasped.

"It's dangerous!!"

"Drop it, now!"

The Holy Power was about to be unleashed.

"Christien!! You fool!!!"

Count Khazar rushed forward in a panic.

He wanted to pull it away before it could harm his son.

But the distance was too great.

'No!!'

As the Holy Power was about to erupt, Count Khazar's face turned pale.

And then—

Nothing happened.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The entire place fell into silence.

Count Khazar froze in place.

Now… now was the moment when the Holy Power should have exploded… and yet, there was only stillness.

Chris lightly swung the sword back and forth.

"This feels fine, actually."

Merian stood stunned for a long moment, then finally managed to speak.

"That Holy Sword… is it broken?"

"Not sure? Want to see for yourself?"

Chris casually tossed Grunade to Merian.

She caught it—and her eyes flew wide open.

Fwaaah!

The Holy Power had manifested.

Of course, Merian wasn't harmed.

As a high-ranking 6-Star Dark Being, she quickly summoned her dark energy to counter the Holy Power.

Crackle!

Like fire clashing with water, the opposing forces collided, and Merian hastily hurled the Holy Sword to the ground.

"Doesn't seem broken to me."

"This… what is this?"

Merian stared at Chris in disbelief.

And it wasn't just her.

Count Khazar, Melin, even Therne—all of them had their eyes widened as if they might tear apart, staring at Chris.

Chris picked up the Holy Sword lying on the ground.

In his hand, the sword remained still and silent.

"How are you doing that?"

"Not sure? It just works for me."

"…What? That's absurd!"

"Of course it's a lie. It's a trade secret, you understand? But I'll give you one hint. Aunt, do you know why I became such a wastrel?"

"…Wasn't it because you grew arrogant from your talent?"

"Bingo. So then, how do you think I'm able to wield this Holy Sword?"

Merian fell silent, understanding what Chris meant.

Unbelievable as it was, this brat was now telling her that he could wield the sword because he was a genius.

"…Even the Patriarch, one of the greatest geniuses in the history of the Dark Mage

Household, couldn't bring Grunade under control."

In other words, stop getting ahead of yourself.

But Chris responded with an even more outrageous claim.

"Is that so? That's strange. It works for me. Perhaps I'm an even greater genius than the Patriarch?"

"…What?"

Chris gave a sly smile.

"In any case, there's only one thing I can say for sure. In the entire Magic Empire, the only one who can wield Grunade is me—Christien."

He pointed the Holy Sword toward Melin.

"The introduction was a bit long. Let's begin now."

The duel had begun.