Episode 38
Tern’s mind sharpened like a blade.
He had now reached mid-level 2-star rank.
Even Tern himself was surprised by this sudden achievement.
It was a feat earned through relentless training, driven by the shock of Chris’s transformation.
“My brother’s probably only low 2-star at best. I can do this.”
He told himself that after beating him up thoroughly, this irritating feeling would finally fade.
Just then, creak—the training hall door swung open.
Tern’s eyes widened as he saw Chris step inside.
“!!”
Something was different.
Chris had seemed big before, but now it was on another level entirely.
He cast a large, imposing shadow.
“Tern?”
Chris tilted his head toward him.
His face looked even more handsome than before, but somehow even more infuriating.
“Have you been waiting just to get beaten up by me?”
Tern swallowed hard.
A wave of tension washed over him.
“…Please grant me the duel we agreed on.”
Chris yawned lazily in response.
“Alright, if your wish is to get beaten by me, I’ll make it come true.”
Tern felt an inexplicable unease at Chris’s casual tone.
But no matter how he thought about it, his own advantage was clear.
Tern was mid-2-star.
Chris was low 2-star.
Even if Chris had secluded himself for training, it had only been about two weeks. There was no way he’d made any major breakthroughs.
Sure, Chris had fought Melin with unbelievable effort despite being low 2-star.
Still, Tern was confident. He had grown stronger too.
Yet the moment he faced Chris, all his confidence dissolved like mist.
Like Chris said, this wouldn’t be a duel—it would be him getting beaten.
“…But I have conditions.”
“What are they?”
“Don’t use the Holy Sword.”
“Hmm?”
“Not the Holy Sword, nor any other magical tools. Only the family’s practice sword is allowed.”
Tern, feeling uneasy, laid down several conditions.
He remembered how Chris had used various tools to gain the upper hand in his duel with Melin.
“……”
Chris stared at Tern silently for a moment.
Tern’s face flushed red.
“Sounds like the kind of duel conditions those Alliance guys would set.”
“Tch, it’s not because I’m scared I’ll lose to you!”
Chris chuckled.
Tern’s face turned even redder.
‘Why is he so cute?’
Chris thought for a moment.
‘What should I do with him?’
Tern had originally been an enemy to ‘Christian.’
But was that still true now?
He saw the flushed, stubborn face—full of frustration and rivalry toward his brother.
It was exactly the kind of feeling a family member has for an older brother.
‘This brings back memories.’
Chris felt a sudden pang of nostalgia.
In his previous life, he had siblings too.
A miserable family from a miserable house, but there was one younger sibling who had treated him well.
‘I wonder if they’re doing alright.’
Though different in gender, that sibling was as cute as Tern.
‘Since “Chris” no longer exists in this world, I hope they’re not suffering because of me.’
He checked.
Because his original family was well-known, it wasn’t hard to find out what happened.
His original body was dead.
It seemed the moment he entered this body was when his original self died, so the regression must have had an effect.
‘Good thing.’
In truth, the original ‘Chris’ was better off never having been born.
But that didn’t matter now.
Thinking of his sibling made Chris feel a little emotional.
‘No need to treat Tern as an enemy.’
He could treat him like a younger brother.
With that in mind, he said:
“Fine, I’ll agree to your conditions. But I have one of my own.”
“What is it?”
“The loser of this duel will have to participate in the next Dark Star Ceremony.”
“!!”
Tern’s face stiffened.
Chris grinned.
“The Dark Star Ceremony is a battlefield of competition. The weaker one should just sit this one out, don’t you think?”
“……”
“I’m saying this for your own good. You’re my brother, after all—I don’t want to see you crushed at the ceremony.”
It was genuine concern.
If they both participated, they’d have to compete against each other.
Chris planned to trample all the competitors at the ceremony.
For Tern’s sake, it was better to join next time.
But Tern ground his teeth instead of thanking him.
“Shut up and just pick up a sword.”
Chris shrugged.
“If you don’t appreciate my kindness…”
He grabbed the wooden sword lying beside the training hall.
“I guess I’ll have to beat it into you.”
The duel began.
The result was… as expected.
Tern learned firsthand the greatness of his brother.
“That was too much.”
Count Kazar frowned.
Tern lay sick in bed, worn out from the duel.
“I’m sorry.”
“The healer says you’ll need at least two weeks to recover. You won’t be able to attend the Dark Star Ceremony.”
Count Kazar clicked his tongue.
In truth, this was exactly what Chris intended.
He had deliberately left Tern in no shape to attend.
‘Words alone wouldn’t have worked.’
For Tern’s future, he shouldn’t participate.
If he did, he’d just become a sacrifice. This was a brotherly act of consideration.
“May I speak with Tern for a moment?”
“…Sure. He seems pretty upset, so try to calm him down.”
Inside, Tern lay on the bed.
“Brother’s here.”
“……”
Tern didn’t respond.
He turned his head away.
A clear sign he didn’t want to talk.
Chris chuckled and sat beside him.
“Pouting, huh? Like those stingy Alliance guys. Maybe you should just join them instead?”
“How dare you say that!”
Tern immediately snapped back, like a child.
He huffed and puffed.
“Why did you do that?”
“What do you mean? You said you wanted to get beaten, so I gave you a hard time. Why are you mad?”
“That’s not it! You did it on purpose so I couldn’t attend the Dark Star Ceremony!”
Chris didn’t deny it.
Tern glared at him with reddened eyes, still fuming.
‘Hmm, if I’m not careful, he might cry.’
Actually, Tern’s reaction was understandable.
The Dark Star Ceremony was a very important ritual for members of the Dark Mage faction.
Being forced to miss it was naturally upsetting.
Chris decided to soothe him.
“I did it for your own good.”
“That’s not something you say!”
“I want you to be my strength.”
“……”
Tern sealed his lips tightly.
“That’s nonsense…”
“Have you heard my goal?”
“…To become a Duke?”
“Yes. I intend to take control of the Dark Mage faction. But I can’t do it alone.”
This was true.
No matter how talented he was, he couldn’t achieve his goal by himself.
Not only the Dark Mage faction, but the entire Mage Empire’s pinnacle was his aim.
Being a lone wolf was impossible.
He needed allies.
“I want you to be my strength—as my brother. But if you join me at the Dark Star Ceremony, you’d lose in competition and miss your chance to obtain the Dark Mana.”
“……”
Tern had no reply.
The image of Chris during their duel was overwhelming.
Could he have stood a chance competing against Chris at the ceremony?
“Besides, you don’t really need the Dark Mana.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Dark Mana is a superior type of mana above all others. But only if it suits you. If it doesn’t, it’s better not to learn it at all. What suits you is ‘Ashen Mana.’”
“!!”
Tern’s eyes widened.
Just as light mana splits into various types, mana itself has different attributes.
Up to 2-star, everyone learns common attributes, but when advancing from 2-star to 3-star, the mana’s attribute is determined.
That’s why the Dark Star Ceremony is held at 2-star rank.
Once you reach 3-star, your attribute is fixed, and accepting Dark Mana becomes limited.
“Dark Mana is a great attribute above all others. But only if it fits your aptitude. If it doesn’t, it’s worse than not learning it at all. You’re suited for Ashen Mana.”
Ashen Mana specialized in cursed black magic.
“…How do you know that, brother?”
Tern growled, struggling to accept it.
Chris thought silently.
‘Because I saw the future.’
During the Age of Ruin, Tern was famous for powerful cursed black magic.
But he never rose beyond a certain level, and that was because of the type of mana he possessed.
To reach high levels in cursed black magic, the mana attribute must be Ashen.
“Isn’t learning curses much easier than swordsmanship?”
“…That’s true.”
“It’s because of your aptitude. Of course, I’m not forcing you. But think about which path will benefit your future. Learning Ashen Mana doesn’t make it impossible to accept Dark Mana later.”
As a member of the Dark Mage faction, giving up Dark Mana was difficult.
Fortunately, Dark Mana is a superior attribute that can be learned alongside others.
Though if you learn another mana first, your efficiency in accepting Dark Mana naturally decreases.
“I want you to learn Ashen Mana first, then accept Dark Mana. That’s my advice as your brother.”
“……”
Tern was silent.
He was deep in thought.
Chris shrugged.
“Think it over. Oh, and here’s a gift.”
Chris tossed a small pouch to Tern.
“Mana pills.”
Tern’s eyes grew wide.
“I found them lying around, so you can have them.”
“W-why would you give me such a treasure…?”
Chris thought to himself.
‘I’ve had better.’
Since he’d eaten ebony, the lower-grade mana pills were less effective for him.
Better to give them away and get some credit.
“You’re my brother. No other reason.”
“!!”
Tern’s eyes trembled. He bit his lip hard.
“Why… why on earth…?”
He hated his older brother, Chris.
He was annoyed.
And that feeling hadn’t changed, not even now.
— You’re my little brother. That’s all there is to it.
But that wasn’t the whole story.
He also knew he had a knack for curse magic.
Something only Chris could tell by watching him closely, even if he pretended not to care.
‘…Does he really think this will make me feel better?’
Tern squeezed his eyes shut.
But even he could feel it— the old bitterness toward his brother was starting to fade.
“…Please apologize.”
“For what?”
“…For living like a reckless fool before. For all the heartache Mother went through because of you. Apologize for all of it.”
Chris looked a little surprised.
He hadn’t realized Tern felt this way.
“I don’t want to apologize.”
“……!!”
“Instead, I’ll make you a promise.”
Chris grinned.
“From now on, I’ll show you, Father, and even Mother something so impressive it’ll make your eyes snap wide open.”