Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 12: Progenitor (2)

“My disciple? Did you happen to drink some kind of elixir in this short time?”

Master grabbed my wrist, sounding uncharacteristically bewildered.

“An elixir? Well, nothing really comes to mind. What’s the matter?”

“You see...the mana I sense from you has increased dramatically~”

“Isn’t it thanks to your lessons, Master? If I had to choose between an elixir and your teachings, I’d choose the latter without hesitation.”

“Duran, what was that about my lessons again? Did you hear what Risir just said? Did you, did you?”

<The boy would applaud just seeing your face. Still, considering Risir’s rapid growth of magical power... it does seem your lessons are effective.>

“Really?”

Master looked pleased yet unconvinced.

“But this growth is beyond what can be explained by effective lessons alone, you know?”

“Could you explain it in terms simple enough even for someone like me, Master?”

“Let’s see. Shall we say your expected mana growth from today’s lesson was 1?”

“Did it grow about 5 times?”

“No? I’d say roughly 50.”

“...Magic, it’s too easy. It’s so boring I feel like dying.”

I gazed into the horizon, dejected. This must be how great sages who realized the truth of reality felt.

So this is how trivial the world was...

“Look at my disciple all proud. But he’s earned that right now, mhm.”

<Could you folks pick only one of either the arrogant disciple or the doting master? You’ll ruin his upbringing.>

“Actually, this change in Risir is difficult to achieve through ordinary magic training, even considering innate talent.”

“...But I really have no idea how—Oh, maybe the use of my Intrinsic Color on Fienne had an effect?”

“Probably not. If so, there should have been a change when you sent Gogos back to the ground too. My disciple?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Could you tell me all the details of everything that happened after today’s lesson?”

As I recounted the events, Master’s gaze shifted to Fienne at some point, smiling.

“You tried to bewitch my disciple?

“...”

“...And you stole his lips?”

“Eek!”

<Isn’t that irrelevant? They’re going to be engaged anyway.>

“Going to be, which means they technically still haven’t, right? Not to mention the engagement itself wasn’t based on pure motives either. And also also, considering how things are going, it seems the engagement will eventually break off?”

<Strange. She was never such a suffocatingly clingy woman before.>

“Do you mind not misunderstanding? I simply wish that my disciple’s bright future won’t be confined to being a son-in-law.”

Master took a moment to ponder on something, then shook her head.

“Yeah, I still don’t get it. What a shame. If I could figure out why and apply it to our lessons, it would greatly help solve my disciple’s chronic problem.”

My chronic problem... I recalled Master’s evaluation of my magical aptitude.

-Oh my disciple, it would’ve been so much better if you could have begun your magical study just a little faster. Or if you’d at least received proper lessons in the sword... I can’t help resenting Bendel for that.

Magical aptitude is divided into two categories: magical power, the ability to accommodate mana; and resonance, the ability to control mana.

According to Master, I was born with extraordinary resonance but ordinary magical power, which she attributed to the Bendels. Magical power is more greatly influenced by acquired factors than resonance, and it was literally neglected due to the Bendels’ disregard.

Magical power resembled muscles. No matter how great the talent, it required consistent training, investment, and care. Those who wished to shine on the path of magic and sword had to lay the foundation before the age of 10, at the latest.

In the case of nobles, they did this from infancy by use of elixirs and the like, continuously exposing themselves to mana.

-In other words, he’s been at a disadvantage for practically his entire life. Risir is a noble after all.

-Duran, that’s too cruel an expression. My disciple, it’s okay. I’m by your side, aren’t I?

-I’m asking just in case, but Master, at what age did you start learning magic?

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

-Can’t say. I don’t really recall.

-It means she started from such a young age that she can’t even remember. Plus, that’s when she learned all sorts of things under her master, and consumed all kinds of goods similar to elixirs. The forest is rich in such things.

-I was not particularly surprised, for that was the natural order of the world that revolved around the rich and talented. Had I been surprised, I would have been disappointed in myself. Because it would be proof that I still could not face reality.

-Oh no~ My disciple sounds like a shut-in mage who drowns in alcohol and smokes for daily sustenance~

-Looks like pain draws out the poet in the boy. I like it. How about leaving him like that for a while?

Going by Master’s words, I had essentially lost 8-18 years of potential growth. To catch up, I’d need to work incredibly hard, with dim prospects of success. As magical power was basically muscles, there was a limit to how much it could grow in one training session.

Pushing yourself to make up for lost time doesn’t compensate for the time already lost.

-Still. Still, still. You don’t need to be too disheartened, okay? Your innate magical power is as excellent as your resonance. At this rate of growth, I’d say you’d reach the 3rd Rank within at least 2 years?

1st Rank is the level of initiation. 2nd Rank is the level of apprenticeship. 3rd Rank is the level where one starts to be recognized as actually capable.

Usually, nobles strive with all their might to reach 3rd Rank before becoming adults. Some even reach 4th Rank before their coming-of-age ceremony—in which case, well, a celebratory banner is hung at the family manor.

Both the eldest son and youngest child of our family fell into this category. Needless to say, the bastard was at 1st Rank.

Regardless, I decided to find comfort in my situation rather than be disappointed. Considering that I’m 18 years late, it’s still something to stand at the same starting line as others in just 2 years.

“Master. Didn’t you say I gained 50 times the expected result? So, does that mean I’ve essentially shortened the time to reach 3rd Rank by 50 days?”

“Mm. It’s not that simple, but well, guess there’s no need to be overly picky about such happy news. It’s not like I’m Duran.”

<Because I’m a book.>

I gained 50 days. That put an interesting perspective on what happened to me.

Besides, it’s not like anything would change even if I pondered over a problem that even Master couldn’t solve. I just earnestly hoped that I’d encounter much more of this luck.

“Now then.”

Master clapped to refresh the atmosphere.

“Would you excuse me for a moment?”

Then she approached Fienne, still on the ground, and began examining the girl carefully before nodding to herself.

“As expected. Your power has greatly weakened, but it isn’t completely gone.”

“Oh. Then shall I use it once more? My Intrinsic Color. I’ll make that Progenitor power or whatnot disappear for sure this time.”

“R-Risir...! Just why are you doing this to me...!”

“Remember this, Fienne. A wounded man becomes a beast. You never know what he might do, so remember to take care when playing with a man’s pure heart. This is a lesson from your big brother.”

“You weren’t even affected by my power in the first place!!!”

“And that’s why it hurts all the more. How nice it would have been if I were under control and knew nothing. It was short, but I thought of you as my one and only little sister.”

“Arghh—L-little sister!? How much of a child are you going to treat me as!? No. I shan’t tolerate such mockery anymore. Look at how extraordinarily s-special I am! How beautiful my existence is...”

Fienne stopped glaring at me halfway through, her snow-white face flushing to a peachy pink as she averted her gaze.

“Why are you getting embarrassed over your own words?”

“I-it’s your fault!!! It was my first time! That I went that far... But you keep treating me like a child... teasing me... humiliating me...”

Fienne sobbed, peeking up at me.

“Is that how you really feel, R-Risir...? Am I nothing without my power...?”

Blast it. She really is one of those Progenitors. What powerful mental manipulation!

The way she sobbed looking like a baby bird, it made me feel like I was the bad guy.

Dominated by that magical sense of guilt, I bent down and offered my hand to Fienne.

“...”

She took it without fuss, albeit with a pout and some sniffles.

I took out the handkerchief I carried, which a gentleman should, and dusted off Fienne’s dress. Then I flipped the handkerchief and wiped the tears around her eyes.

Fienne pursed her lips, shooting a grumpy look at me. She really did look like an adorable child when she acted like this.

I couldn’t suppress a fatherly smile at the sight.

“...”

Suddenly, Fienne averted her gaze.

“Fienne?”

When I called her name, confusingly, she closed her eyes and puckered her lips.

What’s gotten into this young lady again?

Ignoring that, I brought the handkerchief to her face.

“Now. Blow!”

“...What? Blow?”

“Blow!!! You need to blow your nose, right? Now Miss Fienne, if you’re a true lady, you’d know how important it is to keep neat appearances, right~? Come on, blow~”

“B-blow my foot! I-I’m not going to do that!! A-are you crazy!? Just what do you take me for?!”

Fienne backed away in a rage and pointed a trembling hand at me.

“Y-you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you...! I know! You’re actually treating me like a child because you’re embarrassed...! Ha! Men and their pride!”

She tried to mock me with a sneer... but with her trembling voice and teary face, it only made her look cute.

And she’s supposed to be older than me?

...Mkay. You can be the elder, then.

At that moment, Master poked my shoulder.

“My disciple? Appearances aside, she’s quite a kind girl. So don’t be too mean, okay?”

“I’m sorry? You’re talking about this girl, who was toying with other people’s brains?”

“Hearing her story, she seems to be quite generous in her methods. Even when taking blood, she does it to a degree that isn’t life-threatening. And when using mental manipulation, she leaves them with some self-awareness too.”

<Progenitors are usually extremely arrogant beings who treat all existences other than their own kind like livestock or food. Considering that, this girl is certainly an unusual case.>

She was such a tactful girl?

Fienne didn’t know what to do under my gaze.

“D-don’t look at me with those eyes like I’m some praiseworthy child! I just, just...I didn’t feel the need to do that much to those servants!”

“In other words, you didn’t use your power recklessly?”

“I’m different from the vulgar fools who don’t know such restraint.”

She seemed quite confident on this subject, proudly asserting herself unlike earlier.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the disparity.

“Sure enough, you are different.”

“What are you going to say next...”

Despite warily shrinking back, Fienne couldn’t hide the subtle upward curve of her mouth.

“Miss Fienne?”

But then she flinched at Master’s call.

“Could you make a promise to me? That you won’t ever be rash with your power?”

“...Why should I?”

<Because your big sis Pamon here is scarier than you’d think. You can try refusing. Oh she’ll be glad to have a reason to take you straight away. You’d end up used in all sorts of experiments.>

“I’ll p-p-p-promise...!”

Fienne’s strong front didn’t last long, as she immediately lowered her tail at Duran’s brutal words. Curiously, she seemed to fear Master more than me, even though I had neutralized her power.

“My, such a good girl.”

Master smiled brightly and took Fienne’s hand, tracing her palm with an index finger.

Fienne slightly frowned. A thin red line had appeared on her white palm.

“My disciple?”

Master pressed Fienne’s injured palm against my mine.

“...”

As Master whispered something under her breath, a strange power enveloped our hands.

“Miss Fienne. You’ve made a clear promise, alright?”

“Y-yes...”

The moment she answered, a wave of some power originating from the palm traveled upward, surging into my chest.

“Ah!”

“Oh.”

Fienne and I exclaimed in surprise, stepping back slightly.

Master nodded satisfactorily at the sight.

***

[Beneficial effect detected]

[The Mage's Pledge is attributed to you]

[Target: Progenitor Fienne]

***Afterward, Fienne and I parted ways with Master and returned to the Bendel manor.

-Due to being normalized, Miss Fienne’s power has weakened and her control over her servants has destabilized—but it will only be temporary, you see. She hadn’t allocated so much power to controlling them in the first place. Oh and by the way, Miss Fienne. Do you mind helping my disciple using that power of yours?

-...How may I help?

-It’s simple. Please withdraw from the marriage. The family will then naturally lose interest in my disciple again, and he can leave Bendel amidst their indifference.

-How about completely releasing your control and creating chaos, then escaping in the confusion?

-Duran, really. Wouldn’t that put Fienne and Risir in a difficult spot? Do you want them chased by the Church and the Imperial Family? Ah. Maybe it’s actually not a bad idea to go through it once, just for a learning experience?

-You know what, I’m sorry. Please don’t go insane on me.

We etched our last conversation with Master into our minds.

“My lady...!!!”

It was as Master said. When Fienne and I returned to the manor, the place was in an uproar.

Galant only remembered that Fienne and I had left the manor together. As a result, I had become an inconsiderate bastard who dragged an unwell young lady outside.

“Sir Risir? Would you care to explain what happened?”

While Bendel’s butler questioned me, the head of the Diltan family and their retainers stood behind, watching the scene.

It was a gesture prepared by Bendel to save face for Diltan.

“You bastard...”

Suddenly, a beautiful man with flowing long hair rushed at me, grabbing my collar.

“How dare you take a sick child outside like that?!”

“Lord Kalan!!!”

He was Fienne’s elder brother, should I say? The eldest son of the Diltans.

“Everyone, please stop...!”

At that moment, Fienne shouted.

Cough!

Cough!

The chaotic atmosphere immediately settled as everyone focused on her.

“Sir Risir strongly tried to stop me, yet I was the one who insisted. So please, don’t blame him.”

She wasn’t the little girl who was crying and throwing a tantrum like before.

As the graceful young lady of captivating charm pleaded earnestly, the atmosphere in the room immediately softened.

“...Sir Risir. The patriarch is calling for you.”

Starting with Bendel’s butler, the crowd dispersed one by one.

“Let’s go, Fienne.”

Kalan glared at me while trying to take his sister away.

“...”

But Fienne held onto my hand and wouldn’t let go.

“Fienne?”

“Brother. I’d like to stay with Sir Risir a little longer, if that’s alright?”

“But your condition...”

Fienne raised her hands, smiling bravely.

“Maybe it’s thanks to my outing with Sir Risir, but I feel exceptionally well today.”

“...”

Kalan shot me a disapproving glare, clicked his tongue, and walked away.

“What on earth is so special about that bastard...”

He muttered under his breath, clearly meant for me, his words laced with irritation.

Soon, only the two of us were left in the place.

“...”

I stared at Fienne, dumbfounded.

“...What, are you going to speak nonsense again?”

Fienne was back to being the little girl I knew again, awkwardly averting her gaze.

***The butler gave notice of the patriarch’s summons.

I spent a short time with Fienne before parting ways, then I went straight to the patriarch’s office.

“We are discussing the marriage between you and Miss Fienne.”

As soon as I entered, he left me standing and immediately got to the point.

“In the meantime, you are to behave and be ready for the result.”

And that was it.

Throughout the conversation, the patriarch’s gaze remained fixed on the documents of his desk.

“I have something to say.”

I gazed at the crown of his head as I spoke, thinking I had found just the right timing.

“I’m thinking of leaving the family.”

“...”

Oh, so now you’re looking my way.

The patriarch’s expression suggested he couldn’t quite believe what he had just heard.