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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 18
“I’ve been watching you closely, Young Master.”
“How was it?”
“You’re impressive. Honestly, I’m in awe.”
Melin nodded briskly.
In the past month.
There was nothing that wasn’t impressive.
Not only had Chris achieved remarkable results in a short period, but what was especially impressive was how he handled the process of catching Kox.
Christian proved that he was not only a gifted warrior but also had a deep and strategic mind.
“I’m glad you think so. Does that mean I’ve passed?”
After observing him for a month, Melin had decided to make her judgment on whether she would serve him.
“No, not yet.”
Melin shook her head.
“I haven’t confirmed the most important thing yet. That is, strength.”
Melin’s blue eyes glowed eerily in the darkness.
“As a Demon, I cannot kneel before someone weaker than myself.”
Melin’s aura rose.
Indeed, 4th-star upper-level.
A Demon nearing the 5th-star—even without fully revealing her strength, Chris could feel his body tense.
It was an instinctual physical response.
“I believe the promised month hasn’t quite passed yet, though.”
“Heh, that’s true.”
Melin lowered her aura.
She licked her lips, as if somewhat regretful.
“I’m eagerly waiting for the promised time. I’m quite looking forward to it.”
Melin recalled the time when she had fought Chris.
Even though she was no match for him, he had seized victory by exploiting a brief opening. The shiver she felt when he caught her off guard still lingered vividly in her mind.
What kind of display would he show this time?
She was filled with a sharp sense of anticipation.
“If you don’t satisfy my expectations, I won’t kneel to you, Young Master.”
Chris nodded.
“I understand. But, may I make one condition?”
“What is it? Do you want to limit my strength again?”
Melin asked, her face showing slight disappointment.
However, Chris said something entirely different.
“No. What I’m saying is that during our duel, there will be no limitations.”
“!!”
“What I mean is, not just removing the restrictions on our Demonic Energy, but making it like a real battle.”
Melin’s eyes widened in surprise.
A real battle.
Using every means at their disposal.
This condition was one she would welcome, as she preferred the excitement of real combat over the structured framework of a friendly duel, but she tilted her head in confusion.
“You won’t hear any objections from me. But this will only make things more unfavorable for you, Young Master.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take it as an agreement.”
Melin furrowed her brows, unsure of Chris’s true intentions, but soon chuckled.
He seemed to be plotting something, but it didn’t matter much.
After all, the difference between her and Chris was absolute, and no amount of trickery would bridge the gap.
“Do as you wish. I won’t worry about whatever methods you employ. However, I do have one request.”
Melin smiled sweetly.
It was the smile of a predator watching its prey.
“I hope you put up a good fight and entertain me.”
With those words, Melin vanished, and Chris muttered to himself.
“Really, that ignorant woman.”
Chris glanced at his arm.
Even now, his body still had goosebumps from instinctively tensing up under Melin’s aura.
It was indeed a vast difference in strength.
He wondered if he could even hold on, let alone put up a fight.
But Chris said something unexpected.
“Just putting up a fight… I don’t want to do that.”
Melin had been hoping for a good struggle to entertain her, but Chris had completely different thoughts.
Instead.
‘I’ll win.’
An absurd thought.
Defeat a 4th-star, no, a Demon close to 5th-star?
That was impossible, no matter how much of a genius Chris was.
The difference in their strength was like that of a rabbit and a lion.
Even using the hidden power of light, defeating Melin was impossible.
‘But there is a way.’
Chris smiled slyly as he thought of a solution.
‘If my ability isn’t enough, then I’ll rely on my equipment.’
Equipment.
Using weapons to enhance his abilities.
But that, too, was a strange thought.
There was a limit to how much a weapon could enhance one’s power.
However, that was only in general cases.
Chris had a method.
A method that could allow a rabbit to defeat a lion.
A method that only Chris could use.
He immediately began to prepare.
* * *
“You’re going to the castle?”
“Yes, Father.”
Count Khazar tilted his head before nodding.
“Do as you wish.”
“Aren’t you going to stop me?”
"Why would I?"
"Well... you don't know what I might do once I go to the castle, do you?"
"I trust you."
Count Khazar replied briefly.
Over the past time, he had realized that his son had undoubtedly changed.
And not just that.
The time spent with Chris had been a continuous series of wonders.
‘Unbelievable talent.’
He couldn’t count how many times he had been astonished in a single day.
How should he even describe Chris’s talent?
Like a sponge that absorbs everything? Teach him one thing, and he understands ten? It wasn’t even that simple.
It was insane.
Count Khazar had thought that countless times in his head.
It was a series of scenes that were so unbelievable, even though he was watching with his own eyes.
When he watched Chris, he wondered if he was dreaming.
‘...It’s almost awe-inspiring.’
Count Khazar was startled by the thought that suddenly popped into his mind.
Awe.
But it was true.
His son really was like a monster.
So did that mean he disliked it?
Of course not.
‘He’s my son.’
Count Khazar said quietly to himself, knowing that no one could hear him.
He, too, was a father.
What father wouldn’t be happy to see his son so exceptional?
His son, who had once been a reckless fool, now gave him great joy every single day.
Of course, he didn’t show it on the outside.
Instead, Count Khazar said,
“If you need anything, you can claim it in my name.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, anything is fine.”
Chris looked slightly surprised before smiling.
‘An open check for pocket money. He’ll regret this.’
He’d been wondering how to gather some starting funds, and now he was thinking of sneaking out a family treasure or something. This worked out perfectly.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Alright.”
With light steps, Chris headed towards his room to prepare to leave.
[Young Master... I’ve finished preparing...]
Banshee smiled with a pure face while wearing a bright outing dress as a transparent spirit.
[Since this is... my first outing with the Young Master... I tried to make myself look beautiful...]
Stop decorating yourself, Banshee!
The problem was, she really did look beautiful.
If it weren’t for the fact that she was a ghost, she would have been quite cute and delicate.
"...Didn't you say you weren't coming?"
[Hoho... You're worried I might be uncomfortable? Don't worry. But... serving the Young Master is my joy... Please don't worry.]
Chris furrowed his brow.
‘That’s not what I meant... By the way, when can I get a human servant?!’
As soon as he shed the reputation of a reckless fool, he tried to get rid of that Banshee, but he heard an earth-shattering story from Count Khazar.
- A human servant? That’s not possible.
- Huh?
- Didn’t that Banshee form a master-servant contract with you, Christian?
This was from before Chris had entered this body.
It was impossible for a high-level ghost like Banshee to do maid work without reason, so they made a master-servant contract instead.
‘With Banshee around, there's no way a regular human could become my servant. Ugh! Why is this happening? Why, when I was born with a silver spoon, do I have to serve a ghost?’
At least it was a limited-time contract, so it could be terminated once the agreed-upon time had passed.
Five more years?
Chris wasn’t willing to wait that long.
‘When my dark magic level rises, I’ll just force the contract to end.’
Honestly, he had gotten used to living with Banshee to some extent, but he still couldn’t give up on the dream of having a human servant.
[It’s already... all prepared... should I not go? I was looking forward to it.]
Banshee spoke with a sulking expression.
‘Don’t act cute with that face, Banshee.’
Chris grimaced.
Still, since Banshee probably had feelings, and it seemed like she was genuinely upset, he cleared his throat.
“You can’t show yourself in front of ordinary people.”
[Young... Master?]
“You can't release your spiritual energy either. Got it?”
[Thank... you! As expected, Young Master... is so amazing!]
Banshee was so happy that she flew around joyfully in the air.
From what he overheard, it seemed like she wanted to go out for a stroll.
‘How many years has she been in that mansion? I heard she’s a ghost that’s been stuck there for decades at least.’
No doubt, after that long, she must have longed to go outside.
“Anyway, I’m about to leave... Why are you here?”
Chris frowned when he saw the unexpected visitor.
It was Teren.
“What are you planning to do at the castle?”
“Hmmm.”
“You’re not going there to do anything reckless again, are you?”
Teren began to pick a fight.
Chris crossed his arms and thought.
‘Why is he so cute?’
Chris teased Teren a bit.
“Are you perhaps worried about me?”
"Worry about what! Why would I worry about you, brother?"
Teren jumped up and retorted.
"I'm just...!! I'm worried that you'll become a disgrace to the family again!! You may seem like you're better now, but who knows when you'll change again!"
"You're right."
"Huh?"
"I'm actually going to gamble."
Teren's face froze in shock.
"Wh... What did you say?"
"Gamble."
Chris grinned.
"I even got some money from Father... Do you want to come with me?"
Of course, Count Khazar had never imagined that Chris would go gambling, so he gave him money without any hesitation, but that didn't matter.
Chris wasn’t actually going purely for gambling.
More precisely, he had something he intended to extract under the pretense of gambling.
‘This works out well. I needed a sucker to use as bait. That naive guy is perfect.’
Chris carefully lured Teren in.
"As a magician, it's only natural that you should know how to drink or gamble. Gambling, as long as it stays within legal bounds, is a healthy amusement, even the Demon Lord recommends it."
"......"
"Oh, but I guess you’re too innocent to do something like gambling. All you know is training, right? Gambling is just like card games. You've never even played a card game, have you?"
"I've... played card games. I'm better than you."
"Really? Impressive. Still, actual gambling with money would be too much for you, so I'll go to the gambling house alone."
You can stick to card games like a kid.
Gambling is an adult’s game.
Chris's provocation made the competitive Teren, only 13 years old, flare up.
"No, I’ll go."
Teren took the bait.
"I’ll go and make sure you’re not causing any trouble. And... while I'm at it, I’ll knock you down a peg. Gambling, it’s nothing! It's just like card games, isn't it?"
Chris chuckled softly.
Teren's eyes were filled with competitive spirit.
A competitive spirit directed at his older brother.
And... unlike before, his eyes now looked much more like a real younger brother.
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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