FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage
I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan
[Author/Original: Yuin]
[TL: Dekor]
[PR: Spades]
Episode 26
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Everyone in the family expected Loin de Barron to monopolize the blessings of this Black Sanctification Ceremony.
The ceremony's blessings were distributed according to the law of the jungle—the strongest participant claimed the lion's share.
'They say Loin will become the sixth lord immediately after receiving the blessings.'
In other words, Loin de Barron was Chris's rival in this ceremony.
"Yes. Loin opposed your participation," Count Kazar said. "And here's what he said…"
"It's fine. Tell me exactly."
"…Chris, he said he won't share the Black Sanctification with a disgrace like you. Other branch family members attending the ceremony agreed with him."
"Hmm."
Chris crossed his arms.
Count Kazar shook his head, visibly troubled.
"I'll speak to the main house again. You're not the fool you used to be, so I'll make them see reason. If that fails, I'll ask your aunt for help."
By aunt, he meant Marian.
Given her fondness for Chris, she'd likely lend a hand.
But Chris shook his head.
'I can't ask for help over something this trivial.'
"No, don't do that. I'll handle this myself."
"Chris?"
"By the way, is the Tyramine Count's family among the branch families attending this ceremony?"
The Tyramine Count's family.
Like the Kazar Count's family, they were one of the three branch families supporting the Dark Mana Clan.
"Yes, the third son of Count Tyramine is set to participate. He was one of the loudest voices against you, I hear. That wretched fool."
Count Kazar spoke with a hint of anger.
Despite his stern demeanor, he had a soft spot for his son.
"Don't get upset."
"How can I not? That Tyramine family, who do nothing but play with beasts, dares to act so arrogantly. With a ridiculous name like Tiramisu, no less."
As Kazar's reaction suggested, the branch families were rivals.
The Kazar family specialized in curses.
The Tyramine family excelled in beast-taming dark magic known as Demon Training.
'Hm, tiramisu is definitely overrated. Cake's all about strawberry cream. Like how steak's all about sirloin.'
Chris briefly wandered off-topic before shaking his head.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry? You might not even get to participate!"
"That won't happen. I have a plan."
"What do you mean?"
"If they're calling me unworthy, the solution's simple. I'll show them I'm qualified."
"!!"
Chris flashed a sly grin.
"Conveniently, I hear it's time for the Tyramine family to hunt for the Black Pill's materials. Is that right?"
"…Yes, it is."
The Black Pill.
One of the Dark Mana Clan's prized elixirs.
They hunted a beast called Karazov using a method exclusive to the Tyramine family to obtain its materials—an annual event known as the Black Pill Hunt.
One unique aspect was that the hunt was led by the family's young heirs.
It doubled as a rite of passage.
"Contact the Tyramine family. Ask them to let me join the Black Pill Hunt as a driver."
"!!"
"Drivers who herd the beasts don't have to be from the Tyramine family, right?"
Count Kazar looked puzzled.
"That's true. They usually assign it to subordinate mages. But why do you want to do this?"
"Didn't I say? I'll prove my worth. And since the third son leading the hunt is the one who opposed my participation, it's perfect."
Chris smirked.
"I'll teach him a lesson."
There was another reason.
Chris intended to secure a Black Pill during this opportunity.
How? Through a secret technique only he could use.
For that nameless third son, this hunt would be a nightmare.
---
The Magic Empire, situated in the central-northern part of the continent.
In its south lay the Southern Magic Kingdom.
Ruled by the seventh-ranked mage, the Demon King of Clear Stream.
In the eastern part of the Southern Magic Kingdom stood a formidable family.
Endlessly sprawling lands.
A grand mansion, its opulence rivaling any royal palace.
The Dark Mana Clan.
A renowned noble house, not just in the Magic Empire but across the entire continent.
Deep within lay a forbidden sanctuary untouched by outsiders.
The Lion's Den.
The residence of the old patriarch.
Was it just a feeling?
Though the building appeared ordinary, it seemed to exude a majestic aura from the outside.
"Patriarch."
A woman stepped into the grounds.
It was Marian, Chris's aunt and leader of the Black Shadow Knights, whom he'd met recently.
"May I enter?"
"Yes, come in."
Surprisingly, a gentle voice answered.
Marian took a deep breath.
She was the patriarch's most favored kin. Yet, meeting him always made her tense.
Steeling herself, she opened the door.
"I greet the patriarch."
Marian bowed.
Inside sat an elderly man with graying hair.
Wrinkled skin.
Age spots dotting his face.
He looked frail enough to belong in a coffin, but Marian didn't dare underestimate him.
Nordian, the Demon Lord.
An 8-star mage.
That was his true identity.
Marian couldn't fathom the ocean-like power residing in that gaunt frame.
"So, did you observe him?" Nordian asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, patriarch. As you commanded, I evaluated Christian."
"What did you think? Was he decent enough?"
"No."
As Nordian's face fell, Marian continued.
"He wasn't just decent—he exceeded all expectations."
"!!"
"A genius. No, beyond that."
Nordian looked mildly surprised.
It was the first time Marian had praised someone so highly.
"Is that true? How does he compare to the other young ones?"
"There's no comparison."
Marian was resolute.
The main family's lords were all exceptional.
But Christian's talent, as she saw it, far surpassed even theirs.
'The problem is it bloomed too late.'
Marian's expression turned regretful.
The gap was too wide.
But.
'I don't think I'll lose to them.'
Christian's words.
Marian gave a faint smile.
They didn't sound like empty boasts.
From what she'd seen, he might actually pull it off.
"Hmm."
Nordian propped his chin on his hand, tilting his head.
"Hard to believe. The Christian I saw before was just a pompous fool who thought himself a genius."
Though separated by the branch family, Christian was Nordian's blood kin.
Grandfather and grandson, to be precise, since Count Kazar was Duke Nordian's youngest son.
Naturally, they'd met.
'He was pathetic. Barely any talent, yet arrogant enough to think himself great.'
Nordian thought coldly.
His gentle demeanor was mere facade.
He was colder than anyone.
No matter how close the kin, if they lacked value, he wouldn't spare them a glance.
"I thought so too. But I was wrong."
"Wrong?"
"Yes, he's completely different now."
Nordian looked intrigued.
He trusted Marian's judgment.
If she spoke so highly, that little troublemaker had indeed changed.
"Then, do you think he can fulfill my ambition?"
"…"
Marian couldn't answer.
Nordian's ambition.
The reason he defied death itself through forbidden magic to prolong his life.
"…I don't know."
Marian answered hesitantly.
His ambition wasn't something mere talent could achieve.
But.
"I believe he could be the closest to fulfilling your dream."
At that, Nordian fell silent.
Then he let out a low, chilling chuckle.
A sharp pressure emanated, as if the air itself screamed in fear.
"I see. If you say so, I'll keep an eye on him. Though it seems he won't be joining the Black Sanctification?"
"That's the current sentiment within the family."
"Hmm."
Nordian crossed his arms.
"Will you intervene?"
"No, that goes against principle. I can't step in for something so minor."
Nordian had delegated all authority to his son, Marquis Langham.
For now, he was merely observing.
"Besides, if he can't overcome such a hurdle, he's not the one I seek."
Marian nodded.
A single cough from Nordian would not only secure Christian's participation but also grant him treatment equal to the other lords.
But that would be meaningless.
"What I seek isn't a pampered greenhouse flower raised on praise, but a born predator who dominates all through their own power."
Talent alone wasn't enough.
They needed to shrug off any obstacle and force the entire Dark Mana Clan to its knees to fulfill Nordian's ambition.
"But if he can't join the Black Sanctification, he won't even get a chance. To master the Dark Mana Clan's magic, receiving the ceremony's blessing is essential."
Was it the cookie tribute paying off?
Marian was subtly asking for help.
Indeed, the strength of the blessing received during the ceremony greatly influenced one's mastery of Dark Mana.
Without any blessing, even a genius like Chris couldn't fully harness it.
Marian wanted to give him at least a fair shot.
"Hmm. You seem quite taken with him."
"…I'm sorry."
Nordian spoke playfully.
"I'll watch how Christian handles this. If he's as you say, he won't bow to such a petty obstacle."
Instead of helping, he'd evaluate how Christian tackled this challenge.
Marian said no more.
'That's just how he is.'
The more Nordian saw potential in someone.
The brighter their future seemed.
The harsher he treated them.
Like a lion pushing its cub off a cliff, he wanted them to overcome adversity and rise stronger.
Survive every trial, and they'd earn his favor. Falter, and he'd turn away without a second thought.
"Pi-jeong."
At Nordian's call, a figure appeared out of nowhere.
No sound, no presence—as if rising from a shadow.
A handsome man with refined features bowed.
"You called, patriarch?"
"Cl-cl, yes."
"It's been a while, Marian."
Marian's expression soured.
As the man smiled, sharp, beastly fangs glinted.
A high-ranking vampire of the True Blood Clan, with a blood-red sword tattoo on his temple.
A mark of mastering the Blood Sect Technique, a secret art of the Blood Sword Mana Clan, to a high level.