Reincarnation of the Forsaken Genius

Ch 16 - Episode 16

The Shiitake mushroom, famed in Hebron, is known for treating colds.

"I appreciate your help, young master."

"It's my job to look after what's mine."

"Tom, Mariam, Rahi, Jack, Elil."

All five were budding wizards. They had magic within them, but their abilities were average.

"Tom, how are you doing with magic training?"

"I'm, um, trying."

From his answer, it was clear he didn't even grasp it yet.

"Mariam."

"I can feel the magic. Controlling it is hard, but it's getting a bit easier. Given a few more days, I think I can get the hang of your training."

Unlike Tom, who only focused on learning magic, Mariam practiced controlling her magic whenever she could.

"Mariam, can you read?"

"Yes, young master."

"Read this to them."

"Hebron Basic Magic Handbook", a beginner's guide to magic that I wrote. While magic books can be worth a small fortune, none in the market are simple enough for self-study.

But when it comes to basic magic, I understand it better than any other wizard.

'At least 500 gold. If I make only three copies, the magic tower, the royal family, and the Vreio family will each want one. Then, it's either worth the price or it'll get stolen.'

While I was considering this bright yet tough future, Mariam asked me a question.

"What's this symbol?"

"I thought you said you could read?"

"Yes, but I've never seen this symbol before. This one, and this one, and this one too."

Mariam pointed at nearly every word.

Having been a maid in a small noble's house, her education was limited.

"Can anyone read this?"

The slaves and commoners stared blankly.

"I suppose I have to teach everything from the ground up."

Having magic doesn't mean much. If I wanted to train them into wizards, I needed to give them basic education.

"You are future wizards. You need to learn not only reading and writing but also basic math and geometry. Understanding the theory of magic is the foundation. I'll give you a month."

"What should we learn within a month?"

Tom raised his hand and asked.

Instead of answering, I frowned.

'Such average talents and standards, it's sad.'

I imagined this is how the Duke of Vreio viewed me. That thought irked me.

"Every day from 10 AM to 12 PM, there will be special classes. I'll teach them myself."

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Raei  Translations

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It didn't take long for me to realize I wasn't fit for teaching regular folks.

In my past life, I was part of high society. Everyone I interacted with had basic education, so I never had to struggle to simplify my words for them to understand.

'Let's see this through Lewis de Hebron's eyes.'

Lewis de Hebron was a noble, yet his knowledge was barely above common folk. The thought of Lewis de Vreio teaching magic theory to Lewis de Hebron gave me a headache.

'This is all new to me.'

If I were Lewis de Vreio, I could whip up a new theory with ease. But as Lewis de Hebron, I struggled to translate complex magical knowledge into everyday language.

While I was wrangling with the five magic hopefuls, the ruler of Serpens introduced a new chief wizard.

He was an old man, far past his prime.

I handed him a book I'd penned.

The ruler of Serpens glanced at the title, "Hebron Basic Magic Handbook," written on the cover. The chief wizard, eager to please, awaited his lord's permission to turn the page.

"Did you write this yourself?"

The ruler of Serpens seemed doubtful at first.

"It's not a big deal."

"A book on magic is not a big deal?"

"As stated on the first page, it's a top-tier book that covers magic basics."

The ruler of Serpens refrained from nitpicking.

He was starting to understand me.

The lord passed the book to the wizard.

"Master Bartman, would you please review this?"

As Bartman thumbed through the book, the lord filled me in on his background.

Bartman was a fourth-tier wizard. He had plateaued for over ten years and retired this year at the age of 63. He was helping out because he and the lord were from the same town, but Bartman seemed disinterested, like a man who'd seen all there was to see.

Swish.

Bartman turned the book's pages. Initially aloof, he grew more invested with every page, and soon, he was focused.

"What's your opinion?"

Bartman ignored the lord's question. No, he didn't hear it.

Finally, Bartman closed the book. Unbeknownst to us, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

As the lord of Serpens reached to touch Bartman's shoulder, I grabbed his wrist.

"Don't touch him unless you want our new wizard to die of shock. I don't know why he'd let his guard down like this in such a place...

"Tsk!"

Whether Bartman had a breakthrough or had lost his mind, he muttered gibberish and occasionally let out a chuckle.

Soon, Bartman opened his eyes.

His white hair sparkled. His eyes radiated a liveliness that wasn't there before.

Sob.

Bartman wept. His lips quivered and his nose reddened. He looked like he might burst into tears any moment.

Bartman turned to me, dropped to his knees, and bowed deeply.

"Fifth-tier wizard Bartman is in Lord Hebron's debt."

"Did... did you just say you're a fifth-tier?"

The lord asked, but Bartman offered no reply. His shoulders shook as he continued to prostrate himself.

He was weeping.

I allowed Bartman some time to regain his composure, then I asked,

"Did you have an epiphany?"

"My former mentor always warned me not to overlook the fundamentals. Now I understand why."

Bartman had delved into the 'Hebron Basic Magic Handbook' I'd authored and had ascended from the fourth tier.

The existence of wizards is scarce to begin with, and the majority never progress beyond the third tier. Merely being a fourth-tier wizard offered a substantial advantage on the battlefield. Upon reaching the fifth tier, one could serve as a guardian wizard, safeguarding a large city.

Bartman had transformed into a wizard unfit for Hebron.

"You truly are indebted to me."

"Yes, my lord."

"Stay in Hebron for a while and lend a hand."

Bartman glanced at the lord of Serpens.

Upon the lord's nod of approval, Bartman courteously replied,

"I will heed the command of my benefactor."

Bartman was assigned to the magic research room.

It was the space where the five wizard candidates honed their mana skills.

Bartman would be instructing the prospective wizards of Hebron, and he was likely to be summoned often and inundated with work.

Until he felt ready to depart from Hebron.

"Has Baron Nurha obstructed the exit of the eastern forest?"

"Yes, my lord. There's a toll of one gold per person each time you pass through the exit. It's ten gold for a carriage."

In response to the frequent passage of the Serpens lord's carriage, Baron Nurha had instated checkpoints and deployed soldiers to the exit of the eastern forest.

Technically, it was Hebron's territory.

Though potential disputes could arise.

"What audacity. Summon Knight Brown."

Shortly thereafter, Hebron's sole knight, Brown, appeared before me.

He seemed changed. His gaze was piercing, his posture markedly improved. Like a finely honed blade, he looked the part of a seasoned battlefield veteran.

"Did you summon me, my lord?"

"The exit of the eastern forest has been blocked. Go and clear it."

"Yes!"

Brown didn't hesitate.

He rallied his troops and made for the eastern forest.

Brown had previously widened the path through the eastern forest by mobilizing his soldiers. The route was now wide enough to accommodate three carriages at once.

The Lord of Serpens approached me, furrowing his brow.

"Baron Nurha has five knights in his faction."

"Did these five obstruct the forest exit?"

"Well, not exactly, but..."

"Then it's no problem. Even if two of Nurha's knights confront Sir Brown, they won't stand a chance. If it's three, it'll be a close fight, and with four, Brown would be at a disadvantage. But, surely a group of knights wouldn't ambush Sir Brown all at once, would they?"

Brown's swordsmanship bore the influence of Duke Vreio's techniques, and his aura training methods had been modified accordingly.

Brown's prowess had grown immensely, surpassing the expectations of a rural barony such as ours.

Sir Brown returned. He'd encountered two knights and emerged victorious. Consequently, one knight perished, and the other was left incapacitated.

Baron Nurha's household was now left with only three knights. One of them was on the brink of retirement, so in essence, there were merely two active knights.

"Excellent work. Here are 20 gold pieces."

"Thank you, my lord."

Brown's response was tepid. He thanked me, yet didn't retreat.

"Do you desire something else?"

"I seek a duel with you, my lord."

Brown, who had always been humble, locked eyes with me.

His fervent gaze mirrored that of a dream-filled lad.

Until recently, Brown was approximately on par or slightly less skilled than Nurha's knights.

This was because he had been inadequately nurtured in Hebron.

But Brown had transformed. He'd overpowered Nurha's knights, and that experience had spurred further growth.

He acknowledged his advancement, attributing his progress to my guidance.

"Conserve your energy for now. A war is imminent. We'll revisit this after the war."

"Yes!"

Only then did Brown rise from his seat, taking his position by my side.

"Lord Serpens."

"Yes, my lord."

"It could begin within ten days, perhaps even today."

Lord Serpens shrugged.

Although it was only Sir Brown, Lord Serpens, and myself in the chamber, Serpens lowered his voice.

"...We are prepared."

"Then there's no need for delay, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Serpens was an efficient merchant. Owing to him, Hebron had secured its war funds. Soldiers were armed with an assortment of weaponry, and emergency supplies, including rations, cloth, and makeshift tents, were amassed in anticipation of a potential protracted war.

"Brown."

"Yes!"

"Mobilize the troops. Leave the defense of our territory to the reserve forces and lead all regular troops towards Baron Nurha's lands."

"Yes!"

44 regular soldiers, 100 enslaved soldiers, one knight, and the lord himself were deployed. A fifth-tier wizard named Bart also joined, though he was not to participate in the battle.

It was a formidable force for a baron's household.

Beside me, Serpens voiced his concern in a rush.

"Starting a civil war without a formal declaration violates the kingdom's laws!"

"I plan to do so regardless. Killing two birds with one stone."

"But, but..."

Serpens looked at me with a peculiar expression.

He seemed disheartened by my decision.

"Do you think the royal family cares about a rural baron's household? At most, they check annually if the taxes have been paid on time. And you're worried about civil war contravening the kingdom's laws? No. The royal family benefits from civil unrest. It allows them to impose substantial taxes on the victor. That's the reality of the Xenon Royal Family."

"There are innocent people in Baron Nurha's territory."

The last time I ventured into Baron Nurha's lands, it was tranquil. The marketplace bustled with people, and although minor disputes occurred, they had never witnessed war. No nearby threats loomed over Nurha.

"Do you perceive me as a bloodthirsty warmonger? I am Lewis de Hebron, a descendant of the founding contributor of the Xenon Kingdom."