Christian spoke in a calm tone.
“Let me repeat. I plan to have the Dark Magus Family under my feet.”
“!!”
Count Kazar was taken aback by this unexpected declaration.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“You still don’t understand. It doesn’t seem like a complicated story. I, Christian, intend to become the head of the Dark Magus Family.”
Count Kazar looked at him with eyes that seemed about to tear.
‘He’s shockingly surprised. He’d faint if he knew my real goal.]
Acquiring the Dark Magus Family was just an initial objective.
His true ambition was to reach the top of the Magic Empire.
To become the Demon King.
“And not just any Demon King, but one high in the ranks. Only then can I prevent the great turmoil.”
In the Magic Empire, there isn’t just one Demon King.
Multiple Demon Kings exist, with the highest-ranking, the Great Demon King, at the top.
Incidentally, the ‘Demon King of Bloodshed’ who caused the great chaos was the fourth in rank.
Thus, Christian needed to become at least the third highest, or even a higher-ranking Demon King.
‘At that level, I could enjoy the ultimate wealth and honor.’
Then, Count Kazar slowly opened his mouth.
“Do you think it’s possible for you to become the master of the Dark Magus Family? We are just a branch.”
“If one has the capability, even those from the branch family can be recognized for succession.”
“That’s just a nominal rule. And more importantly, aren’t you the most behind among your peers?”
He now understood his son had changed.
But the wasted years had not disappeared.
While Christian squandered time, other young pillars of the main family soared high.
And Ashed was flying the highest.
“Being behind is something I can catch up with in the future. Let me ask you, father, why do you think Ashed slandered me?”
“……”
Count Kazar fell silent for a moment.
It was certainly puzzling.
Ashed was a being so noble, incomparable to Christian. Why bother?
“I don’t know exactly. But I suspect it’s because of your talent.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Christian nodded.
“He was jealous of my superior talent.”
Originally, Ashed was acclaimed as the most talented among the next generation of the Dark Magus Family.
That was before Christian was born.
The title of the greatest genius had shifted to Christian.
It was clear that he had been sabotaged out of jealousy.
“Thinking about it, what a foolish thing to do. To commit such acts for such a reason, and at our age difference?”
Ashed was close to his mid-twenties. Nearly a decade older, he had envied his younger cousin enough to act out.
Nonetheless, Christian had been called a genius until his fall.
And the talent now residing in him was incomparable even to the one once praised in Christian.
“I am far superior to them. Overwhelmingly so.”
Though he had never directly compared himself to the other princes of the Dark Magus Family, it was certainly true.
There would be no one among the Dark Magus Family during the future great turmoil whose talent could match his.
Indeed, there was no one in the entire Magic Empire.
It wasn’t for no reason that the hero said the outcome of the war would have been different if Christian had learned swordsmanship or magic.
“Although I’m currently behind, eventually I will stand at the highest place. So much so, they won’t even dare to look me in the eye.”
The young heirs were never his real goal. Frankly, they weren’t even in his consideration.
His goal was to stand at the top of the Magic Empire.
That was his ambition.
At Christian’s arrogant statement, Count Kazar swallowed a groan.
‘How absurd.’
Such an impossible story.
But what could be said about that unflinching gaze?
It was not just an expression of determination to succeed.
It was a gaze that seemed to take it for granted that it would happen.
‘Is this confidence, or is it delusion unable to discern reality?’
Clearly, it would be madness.
Such an outlandish claim.
But was it because he was his father?
Or because of Christian’s firm gaze?
Perhaps it was due to the amazing behaviors Christian had shown recently.
The thought that Christian’s statement might not end up as mere delusion briefly crossed Count Kazar’s mind.
“In that regard, I have a favor to ask of you, father.”
“A favor?”
“Yes, remember I said I would ask you for a favor once I’ve shaken off my reckless ways?”
Christian said.
“Please use your authority to recommend me for participation in the main house’s Holy Black Ritual two months from now.”
“!!”
Count Kazar was visibly disturbed.
“The Holy Black Ritual, you say? But that is?”
The Holy Black Ritual.
It is a ceremony where descendants of the Dark Magus Family receive the blessing of ‘Dark Magic Power,’ their innate power.
However, it’s not just about receiving blessings quietly; participants must compete against each other, and the principle of survival of the fittest applies, awarding greater blessings to the stronger competitors.
The more outstanding one is over the competitors, the greater the blessing, but falling behind means receiving no blessings at all.
‘Furthermore, it’s the most important event for selecting a Prince.’
Christian thought to himself intensely.
Prince.
A title denoting the heirs of prestigious Magus families.
One must stand out during this blessing ceremony to earn the title of ‘Prince.’
“Since I too carry the blood of the Dark Magus Family, don’t I have the right to participate?”
“Of course, by lineage, yes. But don’t you know?”
Count Kazar shook his head in disbelief.
“To participate in the Holy Black Ritual, one’s Dark Magic Power must have reached 2-stars.”
This is because the cultivation of Dark Magic Power starts from 2-stars.
Therefore, the Holy Black Ritual is held once every three years, and during each event, young descendants, both direct and collateral, who have reached 2-stars participate.
“It’s impossible for you, who just reached 1-star, to challenge the upcoming Holy Black Ritual. You’ll inevitably have to wait for three years.”
That was the natural expectation.
Typically, it takes at least 3 years, usually more than 5 years, to progress from 1-star to 2-stars, depending on talent.
Descendants of the Dark Magus Family, often being naturally talented, usually achieve 2-stars by around the age of fifteen.
“I cannot wait for three more years.”
“But there’s nothing that can be done, is there?”
“No, there is a way. I just need to reach the realm of 2-stars within the next two months.”
“!!”
Count Kazar’s eyes widened.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
To ascend to 2-stars in just two months?
Though he had heard countless absurd statements from his son before, this was beyond any level of absurdity.
“Even Lord Noga, renowned as a genius among the history of the Dark Magus Family, took more than a year and a half to reach the realm of 2-stars. And you say you’ll achieve 2-stars in two months? There’s a limit to the nonsense one can tolerate.”
Count Kazar frowned as he spoke.
Christian understood Count Kazar’s reaction.
‘Even the greatest genius of the Realm of light, the hero, took over a year to reach 2-stars.’
It took just over a year, and that incredible speed had shocked everyone around at the time.
So, indeed, reaching 2-stars in two months was nonsensical, but…
Christian grinned.
“Why don’t you take a moment to see what I can do?”
Christian drew his sword.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Just watch what I’m about to demonstrate. The Mud Sword Technique.”
“…You haven’t learned the Mud Sword Technique, have you?”
The Mud Sword Technique is a martial art of the Black Marsh Knights. Count Kazar had never taught the secrets of the Black Marsh Knights to Christian, who had become a wastrel.
“I picked it up by watching in the training grounds. I figured out roughly how to perform it.”
“What? That’s absurd!”
Count Kazar was dumbfounded.
“Just watch and see.”
“Alright.”
Count Kazar nodded.
Christian assumed his stance and began to perform the Mud Sword Technique.
And as Count Kazar watched the technique unfold, his eyes gradually widened.
In Christian’s hands, an unbelievable, impossible scene began to unfold.
* * *
‘Mimicking such basic swordplay is easy.’
As seen in the case of Melin, the Black Marsh Knights are a knightly order of sword mages.
A knightly order that uses both swordplay and dark magic.
Not just the Black Marsh Knights, but all of the Dark Magus Family do so.
Now, a question.
Why is it called the Black Marsh Knights?
It is because they use curse dark magic to weaken and overpower their opponents, much like dragging them into a swamp.
Therefore, the sword techniques they deploy often serve more to check or weaken the opponent rather than to deliver powerful blows.
The Mud Sword Technique is a swordsmanship specialized for such checks.
Once you understand the essence of the technique, mimicking it becomes much easier.
Swoosh!
From Christian’s hand, the first form, Throwing Dirt, was executed.
It was perfect.
Not just the swing of the sword, but the movements of his arms, the posture of his body, the movement of his feet, and even the flow of his magic power.
It wasn’t just the first form.
The second and third forms, too.
Movements of impeccable perfection unfolded.
‘How, how can this be?’
Count Kazar, who had mastered the Mud Sword Technique, could recognize just how accurate Christian’s execution was.
‘Did Vice-Captain Melin teach him secretly? No, that’s not her style at all.’
Even if that were the case, it would still be unbelievable.
How many days had it been since Christian had stopped being a wastrel?
Even if he had been taught non-stop for 24 hours, such proficiency would have been impossible.
Watching Count Kazar’s astonished expression, Christian grinned inwardly.
‘Well, this is just the basics. It’s not even that hard.’
It was merely basic swordsmanship.
Just follow what you see.
It was something that would infuriate the knights who had spent years sweating to master the Mud Sword Technique, but for Christian, it was too simple.
Thus, Christian decided to astonish Count Kazar a bit more.
‘It would be too bland if it ended with just imitation.’
After completing a demonstration of the Mud Sword Technique, Christian moved again.
And as Count Kazar saw the new form of the Mud Sword Technique that Christian unfolded, his eyes widened even more.
‘Different? How so?’
What Christian first demonstrated was the first form, an attack that checks the lower part to bind the opponent’s feet.
But it was slightly different.
Subtly.
To the extent that one not proficient in the Mud Sword Technique wouldn’t notice.
The path of the sword thrust was the same.
However, the position of the legs.
The twist of the upper body had changed.
And because of this, the movement of the sword became lighter and faster.
In line with the essence of the Mud Sword Technique, which is to check the opponent.
It was a subtle difference, but in actual combat, it brought about a significant change.
Not just with Throwing Dirt.
The second and third forms, too.
Christian made slight modifications.
Within the confines of the Mud Sword Technique, he made it more efficient.
“…….”
Eventually, the demonstration ended.
Count Kazar was speechless, his expression blank.
“How about that?”
“You… you…”
Seeing Count Kazar’s astonished expression, Christian grinned.
“Please contact the main house. Tell them I will attend the Holy Black Ritual in two months.”
An infuriatingly calm voice.
“Two months is enough. For me to reach the realm of 2-stars.”
In fact, he didn’t even need two months.
For reference, when Christian was in the Realm of light, it took him only one and a half months to reach 2-stars.
