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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 38
Teren thought sharply.
He had now reached 2-star Middle.
A surprising achievement—even for himself.
It was the result of training like a madman, driven by Chris’s transformation.
‘He’s probably still stuck at 2-star Lower at best. I can do this.’
Once he beat him up properly, this irritating feeling would probably go away.
Just then—creak—the door to the training hall opened.
And when Teren saw Chris emerge, his eyes widened.
“!!”
Something was different.
He had looked big before, but now it was on a whole other level.
It felt like a giant shadow had fallen over him.
“Teren?”
Chris tilted his head toward Teren.
His face looked even more handsome than before—and somehow even more aggravating.
“Were you waiting for your big brother because you wanted to get smacked around?”
Teren gulped.
He felt tension in the air.
“…Please honor our promised duel.”
Chris yawned as he replied.
“Sure. If getting beat up by your big brother is your wish, then I’ll grant it.”
Chris’s disinterested tone made Teren feel strangely uneasy.
Still, no matter how he thought about it, he was sure of his advantage.
Teren was a 2-star Middle.
Chris was a 2-star Lower.
Even if he had done some intense training, it had only been, what, two weeks? There was no way he could’ve made significant progress.
Of course, Teren remembered that Chris had put up an unbelievable fight against Melin despite being only 2-star Lower.
But still, Teren was confident. He had grown stronger, too.
Yet the moment he stood face-to-face with Chris, all the confidence he had built up vanished like a bubble.
Just like Chris had said—it didn’t feel like a duel. It felt like he was about to get beaten down.
“…On one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Please don’t use the Holy Sword.”
“Hm?”
“Not just the Holy Sword—no other magical tools either. Only the family’s training sword is allowed.”
Teren, uneasy, began setting all sorts of conditions.
He remembered how Chris had gained the upper hand during his duel with Melin by using various tools.
“……”
Chris silently stared at Teren for a moment.
Teren’s face flushed red.
“…It’s not because I’m scared of losing to you or anything!”
Chris let out a quiet chuckle.
As Chris laughed, Teren’s face turned even redder.
‘Why is he so damn cute?’
Chris thought to himself for a moment.
‘Still… what should I do about him?’
Teren was originally an enemy of “Christian.”
But is that still true now?
He could see that flushed, fuming face.
A face filled with resentment and rivalry toward his older brother.
It was the exact look of someone seeing their sibling—as just a brother.
‘This brings back memories.’
For a moment, Chris felt a wave of nostalgia.
In his previous life, he had a sibling, too.
A trashy family from a trashy house, but there had been one younger sibling who had treated him well.
‘I wonder if they’re doing okay.’
Though the gender had been different, their cuteness reminded him of Teren.
‘Since “Chris” no longer exists in that world, they shouldn't be suffering because of me.’
He had checked once—after returning.
To see what became of his former self.
Since his original family had been quite famous, it wasn’t difficult to confirm.
His former body had died.
Judging by how death occurred the moment he transferred into this body, it seemed the regression had affected things.
‘It’s for the best.’
To be honest, the original “Chris”... probably should never have been born in the first place.
Anyway, that wasn’t important now.
The thought of his past sibling made Chris feel a little sentimental.
‘No need to treat Teren as an enemy.’
It might be fine to treat him like a younger brother—just a bit.
With that in mind, he spoke.
“Well, fine. I accept your terms. But I’ve got a condition too.”
“What is it?”
“Whoever loses will participate in the next Dark Baptism instead.”
“!!”
Teren’s face stiffened.
Chris raised the corner of his mouth in a sly smile.
“The Dark Baptism is a battlefield of competition. Wouldn’t it be better for the weaker one to sit it out?”
“……”
“Just saying this for your sake. You’re still my little brother, and I’d rather not crush you in front of everyone.”
He meant it sincerely.
If they both took part, they’d end up competing.
Chris was planning to crush all rivals during the Dark Baptism.
For Teren’s sake, it would be better to participate next time instead.
But instead of appreciating it, Teren ground his teeth.
“Shut up and draw your sword.”
Chris shrugged his shoulders.
“If you don’t understand your older brother’s feelings…”
He picked up the wooden sword that was placed beside the training ground.
“I guess the only way to make you understand is by beating you.”
The duel began.
The result… was as expected.
Teren came to understand his older brother's greatness.
* * *
“…That was too much.”
Count Khazar frowned.
Teren was lying in bed, still suffering from the aftermath of the duel.
“I’m sorry.”
“The healer says you’ll need to rest for at least fifteen days. You won’t be able to attend the Dark Baptism.”
Count Khazar clicked his tongue.
In fact, this was all according to Chris’s plan.
He had intentionally made it so Teren couldn’t attend the Dark Baptism.
‘He wouldn’t listen if I just talked to him.’
For Teren’s future, he shouldn’t attend the Dark Baptism this time.
Even if he did, he would just end up being a sacrifice, so as a brother, Chris had made this consideration.
“May I have a moment to speak with Teren?”
“…Fine, he seems very upset. Try to make up with him.”
Upon entering, Teren was lying on the bed.
“Brother, you’re here.”
“......”
Teren didn’t answer.
He turned his head away.
A gesture saying he didn’t want to talk.
Chris chuckled and sat down beside him.
“Are you sulking? You’re just like those bratty alliance members. How about joining the alliance instead?”
“How dare you insult me like that!”
Teren immediately shot up in a huff, clearly irritated.
Teren was seething.
“Why did you do that?”
“What? You asked to be beaten, so I gave it my all. Why are you mad?”
“It’s not that, you did it on purpose to stop me from attending the Dark Baptism, didn’t you?!”
Chris didn’t deny it.
Teren glared at Chris with eyes still red, as if his anger hadn’t subsided.
‘Hmm, if I’m not careful, he might end up crying.’
To be honest, Chris understood Teren’s position. The Dark Baptism was an incredibly important ritual for the Dark Magus members.
To be forced to miss it like this naturally caused Teren to react like that.
Chris decided to try calming him down.
“I did it for your own good.”
“What kind of excuse is that?!”
“I did it because I want you to be strong.”
“…….”
Teren tightly closed his mouth.
“What nonsense…”
“Did you hear my goal?”
“…Are you trying to become a Confucian?”
“Yes, I intend to take control of the Dark Demonic Energy. But to do that, it will be difficult with just my own strength.”
This was the truth.
No matter how exceptional he was, it was impossible to achieve his goal with just his own power.
His goal was to stand at the top of the Magus Empire, not just control the Dark Demonic Energy.
It was impossible to do it alone.
He needed those who would help him.
“I want you to become my strength. As my younger brother. But if you participate in the Dark Baptism with me, you’ll lose the opportunity to acquire the Dark Demonic Energy due to competition.”
“……”
Teren couldn’t respond.
The image of Chris he had faced during the duel.
It was overwhelming.
Was there even a chance of defeating Chris in the competition at the Dark Baptism?
“More than anything, you don’t really need the Dark Demonic Energy.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The Dark Demonic Energy isn’t suited to you. What suits you is the ‘Grey Demonic Energy.’”
“!!”
Teren’s eyes widened.
Just as mana of light splits into several branches, magic also had many types.
Up to the 2-star rank, common attributes were learned, but around the transition from 2-star to 3-star rank, the type of magic’s attribute would be determined.
This was why the Dark Baptism was held when one reached the 2-star rank.
Once someone reached the 3-star rank, their attribute would be set, and it became difficult to accept the Dark Demonic Energy.
“The Dark Demonic Energy is a superior, great attribute of magic. But that’s only if it’s suited to you. If it doesn’t suit you, it’s better not to learn it at all. What suits you is the ‘Grey Demonic Energy.’”
The Grey Demonic Energy.
A type of magic specialized in cursed black magic.
“…How do you know that, brother?”
Teren growled as if he couldn’t accept it.
Chris thought to himself.
‘I saw it in the future.’
During the Age of Ruins, Teren had become famous for his powerful cursed black magic.
But he never reached a higher rank, and that was because of the type of magic he possessed.
To reach a high rank with cursed black magic, the attribute of the magic had to be Grey.
“Isn’t it easier to learn curse magic compared to swordsmanship?”
“…That’s true.”
“It’s because of your natural affinity. Of course, I’m not forcing you. But think about it. Which would be more beneficial for your future? It’s not impossible to accept the Dark Demonic Energy after learning the Grey Demonic Energy.”
As a member of the Dark Demonic Energy, giving up the Dark Demonic Energy was a difficult thing.
Fortunately, the Dark Demonic Energy was a superior attribute, so it was possible to learn it alongside others.
However, if someone had already learned another magic, the efficiency of accepting the Dark Demonic Energy would naturally decrease.
“I want you to first learn the Grey Demonic Energy, then accept the Dark Demonic Energy. This is advice from your older brother.”
“…….”
Teren fell silent.
He was deep in thought.
Chris shrugged his shoulders.
“Think carefully about it. Oh, and this is a gift.”
Chris handed him a small pouch.
“It’s Grey Pill.”
Teren’s eyes widened.
“I found it on the way. You can have it.”
“W-Why are you giving me such a treasure…?”
Chris briefly thought to himself.
‘I ate something better.’
Since he had eaten the Black Pill, the Grey Pill, a lower-grade pill, wouldn’t be very effective for him.
If it wouldn’t help him, it was better to give it to someone else and at least get some credit.
“You’re my younger brother. There’s no other reason.”
“!!”
Teren’s eyes trembled. He tightly bit his lip.
“Why… Why are you…”
He hated his older brother, Chris.
It annoyed him.
And those feelings hadn’t changed even now.
- You’re my younger brother. There’s no other reason.
That was all.
It wasn’t just that.
He knew that he was suited for curse magic.
It was something only someone truly interested in him would know.
‘…Do you think this will make me feel better?’
Teren shut his eyes tightly.
But even he could feel it.
The resentment he had toward his older brother was slowly fading.
“…Please apologize.”
“What for?”
“…For living like a madman before. The pain Mother went through because of you. Please apologize for all of it.”
Chris looked somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t known that Teren was thinking this way.
“I don’t want to apologize.”
“……!!”
“Instead, I’ll make a promise.”
Chris grinned.
“I’ll show Father, you, and… Mother something that will make their eyes light up.”
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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