FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage
I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan
[Author/Original: Yuin]
[TL: Dekor]
[PR: Spades]
Episode 34
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Simon's face was tense, a stark contrast to his usual nonchalance.
'Even pushing my blood clone technique to the limit, it'll take at least five minutes to get there.'
Five minutes.
Not long, but could Christian hold out that long?
Given the power gap, the demonkin could slit Christian's throat ten times over in that span.
'Please, just stay alive.'
Even as Nordian's trusted aide, letting a Dark Mana Clan heir die would be a disaster.
Hoping the brash young lord could pull off a miracle and survive, Simon activated his blood clone technique.
His body dissolved into crimson mist and vanished.
---
[Holy sword? Clever idea, but you miscalculated.]
The demonkin laughed confidently.
[A holy sword without radiant mana can't possibly deal a fatal blow to us beings of evil.]
Holy swords were devastating to Gehenna's wicked entities.
But as the demonkin said, without radiant mana, a holy sword was half-baked.
Mana was nature's essence transformed into power: dark for mages, light for mana. Radiant mana was the pinnacle of all mana types.
The Hero's power.
Only when paired with radiant mana did a holy sword unleash its true might.
"Sure, without radiant mana, even a holy sword can't bring you down."
Chris nodded, agreeing.
But then.
"Why do you assume I can't use radiant mana?"
[What?]
Chris turned inward, focusing.
He gazed at his mana core, below his navel.
His core was dual-layered.
Like an outer and inner shell, the outer 'dark mana' enveloped the inner 'mana.'
He stirred the inner mana, deep within.
'Been a while since I felt this.'
Unlike the wild, domineering dark mana, the pure, clear mana spread through him.
As if changing clothes, Chris's aura shifted entirely.
Savoring the clarity, he stepped forward.
[Wh-what?! Impossible!]
Realizing what was happening, the demonkin shouted in shock.
[How does a mage like you wield radiant mana?!]
"Because I'm a genius."
Chris smirked.
The broken holy sword began to hum softly.
A resonant cry, like a shout of joy.
Brilliant light gathered on the blade.
The constellation's power within the sword awakened through radiant mana.
The 'Shine Blade.'
'One chance.'
Chris swallowed the blood surging in his throat.
His current strength couldn't fully channel the sword's celestial blessing.
Forcing it out, he could manage just one strike.
The strain of exceeding his limits made his mind hazy, but he held on.
One shot was enough.
[Grr… impossible…]
The demonkin staggered back, trembling in fear.
It sensed it.
What would happen if that power hit.
"You promised not to dodge, right?"
Chris raised the sword.
He stepped forward.
Each step he took, astonishingly, the demonkin retreated.
An unbelievable sight.
It was futile.
A promise staked on a soul to a demonkin or demon carried absolute binding force.
No counterattack or evasion was possible.
Chris narrowed his eyes.
Right foot back.
Left foot forward, assuming a stance.
An invisible line stretched from his sword to the demonkin.
He moved the blade along it.
Not Dark Mana Clan swordsmanship.
A secret technique of the Hero.
A sword art passed down only to the true heirs of the 'Swordsmanship Clan.'
Death Sea Slash.
A single ray of light cleaving a dead sea.
Blood surged again from pushing beyond his limits, but he endured and thrust.
A majestic beam of sword light surged toward the demonkin's chest.
Radiant brilliance pierced the evil.
A burst of light erupted from within the demonkin.
His strength limited the light's volume, contained within the creature's body.
But it was brighter than any light.
More than enough to annihilate a lesser demonkin.
[How… this…]
The demonkin raised a trembling hand.
Its last act.
From its fingertips, it turned to dust, scattering, then vanished entirely.
Obliterated.
"Urgh!"
Chris vomited blood.
His body was a wreck.
'Good thing it worked. That was half a gamble.'
As a Light Faction member, his skill was 3-star.
Using Shine Blade and the Swordsmanship Clan's advanced Death Sea Slash was reckless, but he'd pulled it off.
'Exhausting.'
His vision blurred.
The demonkin's malice and his overexertion were shutting down his consciousness.
'A quick nap should be fine.'
He sensed rapid footsteps approaching from afar.
Not enemies.
Likely help, alerted to the crisis.
As he relaxed to close his eyes, a chill ran through him.
Someone was watching.
From beyond the Gehenna rift.
Not visible, but he felt it.
An immense presence, far beyond the demonkin, observing him.
[Intriguing.]
"!!"
His fingertips trembled.
Not by choice.
His body reacted instinctively.
A deep, piercing evil.
No, it was so pure it transcended evil.
Like a law forming one axis of the world.
[My name is Mephina. One of Gehenna's Seven Seats.]
A sultry whisper echoed in his fading consciousness.
[I'll be watching you.]
A voice, entrancing yet seductive, like sinking into a swamp.
[Don't disappoint.]
---
The day's events sent shockwaves through the Tyramine family.
The Karazov's rampage!
Followed by a demonkin's appearance!
Both were unthinkable disasters.
Normally, the young mages at the Black Pill ritual would've been wiped out.
Yet not a single death.
All thanks to Chris.
The one their mages had scorned as a disgrace.
"Is Young Master Christian still out?"
"Yeah, still unconscious, I hear."
"…Worrying."
"…Yeah."
The Tyramine mages spoke heavily.
"Without him, the Karazov would've killed us all."
"The Karazov's the least of it. He faced a demonkin. To protect us."
How Christian fought it, they didn't know.
By the time they arrived, the demonkin was gone.
Likely reverse-summoned.
Demonkin had to return to Gehenna after a time due to restrictions.
Regardless, without Christian, they'd all be dead.
He was their savior.
Recalling how they'd dismissed him, their faces grew somber.
---
Some time later.
Chris blinked awake, dazed.
He was in a bed, in a manor.
'Where am I? The Tyramine estate?'
Seemed so.
The room bore their crest.
He must've been carried here while unconscious.
'The malice left my head a bit sore, but my body's fine. Black Pill's safe too.'
Checking himself, he sighed in relief.
For an unexpected demonkin encounter, it wrapped up well.
'Mephina, huh. Got some unwanted attention.'
A demon's interest.
Not uncommon.
Rising stars in the Magic Empire or Light Faction often drew demons' or constellations' gazes.
Some became 'contractors,' gaining blessings for rapid growth, but that wasn't for Chris.
'No way I'm contracting with a demon.'
Personal creed: no dealings with demons.
More importantly, he didn't need their blessings.
'Only losers rely on that.'
He was confident he could reach the Magic Empire's peak with his talent alone.
'No big deal. Demons can't directly meddle with me.'
At most, demons and constellations could tempt with contracts or offer blessings.
'A Seven Seat demon's not even that high-tier.'
He brushed off the demon's interest.
'Nobody's coming? I'm starving. How do I call a servant?'
Just then, the door opened.
Not a servant.
A towering, mountain-like figure.
Yet somehow petty-looking.
Count Tyramine!
Chris, startled, sat up.
"I greet the count."
"No, no, stay down."
With a massive hand, Count Tyramine gently pressed him back onto the bed.
He peered down at Chris with tiger-like eyes, blinking.
"??"
As Chris looked puzzled, the count did something unexpected.
He bowed.
"Thank you."
"!!"
"I heard everything. You saved Alos and our mages. We owe you greatly."
He apologized and thanked Chris in one breath.
"We wronged you, yet you helped us. I'm ashamed and grateful."
Chris inwardly felt awkward.
'Saving them from the Karazov was my own setup, though.'
No need to spill the truth.
Time to cash in.
"No need for thanks. I did what was right."
"Right?"
"Yes, we're family, aren't we? Helping in a crisis is only natural."
The count looked struck.
"Family? Right, we are."
Though distant, the Kazar and Tyramine families shared blood.
The count felt even more ashamed.
'To think I was so petty toward this boy.'
"Anything you want? Name it, and I'll grant it within my power."
Chris pondered.
'What's the best reward?'
He had an idea.
The Gray Pill.
He'd swapped it for the Black Pill, but claiming the Gray Pill as a reward would be nice.
Then another idea hit.
He studied the count's face.
Petty at times, but bowing like this showed he wasn't entirely bad.
A better gain than the Gray Pill came to mind.
Something far more valuable.
'I can get a Gray Pill later.'
Chris spoke.