Chapter 74
‘What is that?’
It was a vision of Nordian in his youth.
He stood firm against the enemies swarming toward the Dark Maga.
And then, he emerged victorious.
The Dark Maga’s mages cheering alongside him.
A flourishing Dark Maga, thriving in unison.
The Baron’s flag fluttering high in the sky of the Mage Empire.
It was an illusion crafted to express the glory of the Dark Maga that he had pursued his entire life.
“!!”
The brief vision faded, and Nordian’s eyes snapped open.
“…Master?”
Merian asked cautiously.
“If it caused you discomfort, I apologize. I was careless. When that boy said he wanted to make a rough yet refined chocolate to suit your tastes, I should have guided him better.”
“…No.”
“What?”
“It was excellent.”
Merian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The head of the family chuckled softly.
‘Such a bold kid.’
He had even mixed illusion magic into the chocolate.
This was no ordinary skill for a mere three-star mage.
Christiang was sending a clear message: he wasn’t playing around.
And the content of the illusion?
‘He saw right through my heart.’
The iron strength of the Dark Maga.
Its rugged, unpolished nature.
Yet the chocolate’s rich, luxurious flavor symbolized the prosperity of the Dark Maga.
Christiang had combined the illusion and the taste of the chocolate to express everything Nordian had longed for his entire life.
And then—
‘Damn kid. That final scene.’
In the last scene, Nordian was surrounded by his family.
Though he had long since become a steel man, having forgotten such things as familial love, he hadn’t always been that way.
There was a time when he held his children warmly in his arms.
‘Is this a gift from my grandson? He wants me to take it well.’
A brazen message, as expected.
‘…Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve received a gift like this from my children or grandchildren.’
It wasn’t that he suddenly yearned for family ties, but still, the feeling wasn’t unpleasant.
This time, with a lighter heart, he ate another piece of the chocolate.
No illusion unfolded this time, perhaps because it was only set to appear with the first piece.
He could savor the true flavor more fully.
‘…This is an incredible taste. Better than anything I’ve ever had. If only he spent this much time refining his magic instead of chocolate.’
He muttered lightly in complaint.
Suddenly, Nordian stiffened.
A faint, strange sensation washed over him.
A refreshing clarity.
A stimulation of life force.
“Master?”
“…Did Christiang make this?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Nordian fell silent.
‘…This is definitely the Activation Pill of the Uiseon family. The one said to extend lifespan.’
A rare elixir, known for its difficulty to produce and scarce ingredients, with each pill costing over three million rupees in materials alone.
‘…No, it’s different.’
The Activation Pill of the Uiseon family is known for explosive expansion of vitality.
But the effect of this chocolate was subtle.
So subtle that one might not notice it without focusing.
Yet that subtlety was exactly what suited Nordian.
His life force was already at its limit, held together only by forbidden arts.
Excessive activation of vitality would be poison to him.
This gentle infusion was far more beneficial to his condition.
Only then did Nordian realize the chocolate Christiang had given was divided into over fifty small pieces.
It was meant to be consumed gradually over time.
‘How on earth did Christiang make something like this?’
Nordian frowned deeply.
“Um… Master, here is a letter from Christiang.”
“A letter?”
“Yes.”
He had instructed that if the gift was well received, this letter should be delivered.
Written in a polite hand, the letter read:
—If my gift displeased you in any way, I apologize.
As your grandson, I prepared this present using my secret technique, hoping you would accept it kindly.
I am striving to meet your expectations. At the Grand Competition, I will surely show results and make you proud as your grandson.
Nordian couldn’t help but laugh.
Though the letter was somewhat roundabout, it carried several clear intentions.
First, the phrase ‘secret technique.’
—This medicine is my secret skill. Please do not pry into it.
And more importantly—
—I will definitely show results at the Grand Competition.
Nordian understood what Christiang wanted in return for his gift.
“Christiang said this is a gift from him as your grandson?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“In that case, it’s only proper I respond as his grandfather.”
“Master?”
Merian and Simon looked surprised.
A response meant helping Christiang.
But Nordian had declared he would not interfere in family affairs.
“Ha. I’m not saying I’ll take his side. I can’t meddle in family matters. Besides, if I help him, it might hinder his growth. So I won’t.”
“Then?”
“Didn’t I say? I’ll respond as his grandfather, not as the head of the family.”
Nordian said with a playful tone.
“I will attend the Grand Competition myself.”
“!!”
“As a grandfather, it’s only right to see how well my grandsons have grown.”
Christiang’s intention in the letter was clear.
He wanted Nordian to come watch him at the competition.
And Nordian had agreed to that request as a grandfather.
Thus, a decision was made that would shake the entire family to its core.
Clang!
Presia dropped her teacup.
“What? The Master himself will attend?”
Something she never imagined.
Presia bit her nails tightly.
‘What sudden whim has taken that old monster?’
She disliked Nordian.
He was the one who had blocked her husband, Marquis Langham, from becoming head of the family.
But Nordian’s influence was absolute.
If he so much as lifted a finger, everything she had built could collapse in an instant.
‘No. I shouldn’t think of it only negatively.’
Presia calmed her gaze.
‘This is a chance to trample Christiang in front of the Master and showcase Maysak’s excellence.’
It was actually a good thing.
She had prepared thoroughly for this Grand Competition.
To highlight Maysak and bring about Christiang’s downfall.
In front of Nordian, Maysak would spread his wings and soar.
Using Christiang as a scapegoat.
The day of the Grand Competition arrived.
The venue was the mansion’s grand ballroom.
Countless mages bustled about.
Not only the family elders and senior members but even ordinary mages had gathered.
It was no exaggeration to say most of the family’s mages were present.
All because of Nordian.
‘The Master himself will watch.’
‘Who knows when we’ll see him again if not for this occasion?’
Nordian commanded the respect of the Dark Maga’s mages.
So news of his attendance drew such a crowd.
And this was exactly what Christiang had intended.
‘Good thing the Master caught on to my plan.’
Christiang smiled quietly to himself.
‘If I’m going to show something amazing, I want a big audience.’
Among those gathered, few paid attention to Christiang.
But he was confident.
After today’s competition, no one here would forget his name.
“…You’re here, you miserable bastard.”
At that moment, Maysak approached Christiang with a bitter smile.
“Prepare yourself. You’re going to suffer the worst humiliation before the Master today. Everything’s already set…”
“Shut up. Mama’s boy.”
“…What?”
“So in the end, you had to get your mother’s help to pull your tricks. What’s so proud about that, bragging like you do? Don’t you even feel ashamed being a mama’s boy?”
“You…!!”
“Wanna make a bet?”
“…What?”
“Who’ll be the one humiliated at this competition. If you win, I’ll leave the family quietly. But if you lose…”
Christiang curled his lips into the most obnoxious smirk he could muster.
“You’ll serve me as your elder brother. No, I don’t want a moron like you as a younger brother. If you lose, you’ll be my servant. I’ve been needing a human servant anyway, so I’ll put you to work. Even a moron like you can handle cleaning. How about that?”
Maysak’s fists trembled with rage.
“I’ll kill you for sure.”
If looks could kill, Christiang would have been torn to pieces many times over.
Maysak’s glare was fierce enough to do just that.
Christiang just shrugged, and Maysak ground his teeth and stormed off.
Then another voice spoke up.
“You’re rude.”
It was Jupien.
She said with her doll-like face.
“But this time, you did well.”
“Did I?”
“Yeah, that guy’s annoying.”
Jupien frowned deeply as she watched Maysak venting his anger nearby.
Then, unexpectedly, she said:
“Want me to help you fight Maysak?”
Christiang looked puzzled.
“…You? Why? Didn’t you dislike me?”
Jupien frowned again.
“I just don’t like seeing you get beaten up by others for no reason. I have to be the one to take you down.”
“Oh, really? But I think it’ll be impossible for you to ever beat me.”
Christiang had already surpassed Jupien’s level.
‘Or maybe not?’
Chris narrowed his eyes.
Three months had passed.
It didn’t seem like Jupien had been idle during that time.
His strength had grown by leaps and bounds compared to before.
Originally, Jupien’s rank was upper three-star.
But now, it felt like he had surged forward, almost reaching four-star.
“You’re such a pain. Anyway, be careful and brace yourself. I’m going to crush you.”
Jupien said that—whether it was a warning or a curse, Chris couldn’t tell—and then disappeared.
From afar, First Lady Yurian caught sight of Chris and waved brightly, her face lighting up as if she were genuinely glad to see him.
‘The First Lady is impossible to read.’
Chris made a strange expression.
Her attitude didn’t seem fake.
Having dealt with countless types of people, he could instinctively tell when someone was putting on a facade.
But Yurian was different.
She didn’t come across as insincere, which only made things more confusing.
Could that warm expression really be genuine, not just a mask?
‘Anyway, it looks like everyone who’s supposed to be here has gathered. Second Lord Ashid probably still hasn’t healed the core injury I dealt him, and the First Lord still hasn’t shown up this time either.’
The First Lord, the madman Sherard.
Chris had heard that he had returned to the family, but he had never seen him in person.
‘I need to check on the First Lord as well.’
He knew nothing about Sherard.
Even the dark gossipers had no information on him.
“There was a mad prince called the Madman of the Dark Maga, but I don’t know the details. He ran away before the chaos started and disappeared.”
Chris needed to find out whether Sherard was someone to be dismissed or someone to be wary of.
‘Once the grand tournament is over, I’ll have to go see him myself.’
Just then, a loud shout rang out.
“The head of the family has arrived!”
“!!”