Palton Everon, a magician of the Myeonghwandang and adopted son of Pigon Kaftalen.
The child chosen as his opponent for the duel was… his younger cousin Ruin.
They weren't connected by blood, but according to the family register, they were cousins. Just seeing Ruin standing there made Palton's head feel a little complicated.
What's with this brat? How can a kid be so arrogant?
He could dismiss it as nothing more than childish insolence from some countryside bumpkin who didn't know his place—or like a puppy barking at a tiger, unaware of the danger.
Or is it just because he has the Laingraim and Kaftalen bloodline behind him?
Whatever the reason, Ruin's heritage wasn't something one could ignore lightly.
To be precise, it wasn't the boy himself who was difficult to overlook, but the two people standing behind him.
Tch. They don't even suit each other. What's so good about clinging to them like that…
Casting a negative judgment on Kavel and Daisy, Palton shifted his gaze back to their son, Ruin.
He's the one who said it himself—that he's not weak, that he wants a proper match. Even if he gets hurt, it won't be my fault, right?
With that bit of self-justification, Palton let his eyes grow cold.
As long as I don't hurt him too badly, it's fine, isn't it? Controlling my strength is a bit of a hassle…
Compared to a boy who'd likely never been in a real fight, Palton had already survived countless battles and brushes with death. He was a true magician.
If he fought seriously, the child wouldn't last a few seconds.
Hmph. But maybe I shouldn't crush all his hope completely.
Deciding to show a bit of mercy, Palton resolved to let Ruin attack first.
But the answer that came back to his generosity was—
"Hah, are you sure you can handle it?"
Grit.
His mind told him it was a provocation, but his heart hadn't caught up yet.
Fine. If that's how you want it, then I'll end it right away.
Changing his mind at the last moment, Palton decided he would counter and finish it in an instant the moment Ruin began his attack.
Come on, Ruin.
Then—
Tak!
Ruin pulled the sword from his back and took a stance.
Palton quickly began casting.
"Shield."
A basic defensive spell— a mana barrier that blocked physical attacks.
Bzzzt.
An ivory shield shimmered into place before him, and Palton immediately muttered another spell under his breath.
Shock Wave.
A third-circle spell, said to be the most destructive and devastating of them all.
Palton intended to subdue Ruin in a single blow.
Ready and waiting, he braced for Ruin's strike.
But then—
"…Huh?"
Instead of rushing at him as expected, Ruin remained rooted to the spot.
What the hell is he doing?
From where he had started, Ruin hadn't moved at all—he was just standing there awkwardly, hips sticking out, holding his sword in a sloppy, laughable stance.
Don't tell me… is he planning to fight me like that?
Grit.
Grinding his teeth again, Palton glared at Ruin, his eyes sinking.
There's a limit to mocking someone. Even if he's just a child, this crosses the line!
If the boy's skills were truly that pathetic, then even engaging him was humiliating. Winning meant nothing, and losing wasn't even possible—this was the worst-case scenario.
"Sigh."
Palton let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
Step.
Ruin finally moved.
"Here I… go—wahh?!"
The moment he stepped forward, he lost his balance and flailed, swinging his black sword wildly.
Then—
Clang! Smash!
"…?!"
The ivory shield he had just cast shattered under the wild swing of Ruin's blade.
And then—
"Ah—no, no, can't fall over yet!"
Ruin stumbled forward another step, flailing to keep his balance—his sword slicing straight toward Palton as it shattered the shield.
"Damn it, tsk!"
Completely caught off guard, Palton staggered back and hastily cast the spell he'd prepared.
"Shock Wave!"
At his shout, the ground beneath Ruin trembled, energy surging violently.
But—
"Ahhh, crap!"
Thud!
Struggling to keep his balance, Ruin tripped and fell flat on the ground.
Rumble! BOOM!
Palton's Shock Wave exploded against empty earth, sending a thunderous blast into the ground where no one stood.
And—
"Whoa, what the—?! I could've died just now!"
Ruin exclaimed from the ground, staring at the explosion.
"…."
Palton could only stare blankly at the absurd, impossible turn of events.
The spectators were no different.
"Huh? He fell down."
"Yeah… but somehow that made him dodge the attack."
"…Was that luck, or skill?"
"Heh."
While most reacted differently, Pigon, who had suggested the duel in the first place, could no longer hold back his laughter.
And then—
"Ah, to hell with it."
Tap—swoosh!
Ruin suddenly sprang up from the ground and charged at Palton with astonishing speed.
Whshhh!
The sound of air being torn apart filled the hall as his black blade flew at a speed incomparably faster than before.
"Palton! Snap out of it!"
Pigon's sharp voice cut through, snapping Palton out of his daze. He tried to move—
Huh?
But suddenly, something sticky, oppressive bound his limbs.
…Killing intent?
A suffocating wave of murderous aura—so intense it made his hair stand on end—was pouring from Ruin.
The sheer pressure and dread were unlike anything he had ever experienced.
What is this? How could a child…!
Just the slightest lapse of focus, and it felt as if his head would be severed in an instant.
It was like standing before a natural predator—an overwhelming, hopeless fear.
Swoosh.
The black blade cut toward him.
It's over. I can't stop this.
Overwhelmed by Ruin's aura, Palton instinctively closed his eyes, accepting death—
"What are you doing? You're really not going to block it?"
The boy's voice rang in his ears.
"What? Damn it!"
Snapping back, Palton cursed and frantically cast the strongest defense he had.
"Barrier!!"
Bzzzzt! CLANG!
A golden shield sprang up around him, barely catching Ruin's blade.
But then—
"Duel over! The use of third-circle or higher spells is forbidden. Palton, disqualified!"
Pigon's cold, decisive voice echoed.
"Ruin!"
"Thank goodness. Oh, thank goodness!"
Kavel and Daisy cried out together, clinging to each other in relief.
"…Did he really just win?"
The other spectators, including the Daemaster Preon, could only stare in blank disbelief.
"You saw it, right? He shattered the magic."
"How is that possible? Was that luck too?"
"No way. Without aura, you can't break spells like that."
"Did anyone see anything strange about that sword?"
Only an aura-wielding swordsman could cut or dispel magic. The Kaftalen magicians of Myeonghwandang whispered incredulously among themselves.
But Pigon burst out laughing.
"Keh-heh-heh! What luck he has."
Looking at Ruin, he asked,
"Hey, nephew. That sword of yours—didn't it have Dispel magic enchanted into it?"
"Huh? Uh… maybe?"
"Ha! I thought so."
Satisfied, Pigon turned his sharp tongue toward Palton.
"You useless boy! How many times have I told you? Never let your guard down, no matter who the opponent is! Analyze them, find the weakness! Anyone could've seen that sword wasn't ordinary. What a disgrace."
He clicked his tongue and then rounded on the other magicians.
"And the rest of you! What are your eyes for? You've got two, but it seems one is a waste. Maybe pluck one out and put it to better use, eh?"
At his scolding, the magicians shrank into themselves, looking crestfallen.
Still, some muttered among themselves—
"Palton, you idiot! Losing to a child?!"
"Bad luck, that's all. He fell over and dodged a spell, and the sword just happened to have Dispel…"
"No, no. Luck's part of skill. On the battlefield, are you going to whine you died because of bad luck?"
"…Fair point."
Then came another murmur—
"But why did he suddenly use a fifth-circle spell at the end?"
"Beats me. Ask him later."
While they debated, Ruin smiled faintly and looked toward Pigon.
Thanks for the misunderstanding, Uncle.
Because in truth, what he had done was simple.
I reversed the formula.
Using Heaven's Seamless Fabric (Cheon-ui-Mubong), he instantly saw through Palton's magical formula, twisted it back, and cut straight through.
Any spell struck in its weak point could never hold.
It's not much different from a Dispel anyway.
Ruin had intended to say the power came from the sword he'd obtained at the Laingraim Sword Treasury, so Pigon's convenient assumption was a blessing.
But the sword's spirit thought otherwise.
[What? Dispel?! Enchanted?! You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?!]
Come on, doesn't it sound impressive? A sword with Dispel magic enchantment.
[Impressive? IM-PRES-SIVE?! Damn it all… urghh…!]
Foaming with rage, the sword spirit collapsed unconscious.
"Now, everyone eat slowly. There's plenty prepared," Daisy bustled about, serving food.
"And since today's special, I'll bring out the good wine I'd been saving!" Kavel declared, beaming.
"Brother-in-law, you're the best!"
"Master, you're amazing!"
Despite the heated duel earlier, everyone was now cheerfully gathered around the table.
To be exact—it was because Pigon had loudly declared,
"Enough of that! Let's all eat together!"
—and no one could resist.
Thanks to Ruin's victory, Pigon kept his word and stopped summoning him to the Kaftalen family.
And since Pigon honored his promise, Daisy relented as well, offering food as a show of goodwill.
Thus began a noisy but joyful feast.
Moments ago, they'd been at each other's throats, but now laughter filled the air.
Meanwhile—
This is strange.
Ruin looked around the table with a puzzled expression.
The sword spirit noticed.
[Why are you fidgeting like a rat with its tail on fire?]
Isn't it strange?
[What is?]
No one's questioning it. No one's even suspicious.
[Suspicious of what?!]
I mean… sure, I made it look messy, but I still beat Palton—the so-called genius. Shouldn't they be reacting more strongly?
[You wanted this outcome, didn't you? That's why you staged it that way.]
True, but still…
[You told them yourself, didn't you? That your sword had Dispel magic enchanted into it!]
I didn't actually say that.
[Close enough, you brat!]
The sword spirit seemed to loathe being mistaken for an enchanted sword.
What's the big deal? Ruin thought, baffled. Must be some overblown pride of an Ego Sword.
Still, isn't it weird? Palton's way more skilled and older than me. I beat him, and yet… not a single person doubts it.
[Because you disguised it as luck, fool.]
But not one person questions it? Ruin muttered, feeling slightly indignant.
And I beat someone they called a genius. Shouldn't they be calling me something like "a once-in-a-century prodigy" or "the greatest talent of the age"?
[Shut it, brat! Greatest talent my ass!]
The sword spirit raged, and Ruin only chuckled, scratching the back of his head.
Ah, I was kinda hoping for that.
[Nonsense!]
Ruin let the spirit rant without replying further. He hadn't done it for recognition anyway. His words had just been to tease the sword.
But then—
Not everyone seems to feel the same way…
Ruin's gaze drifted to Palton Everon, who sat slumped with a vacant look, like half his soul had left him.
Losing so humiliatingly to a younger cousin was not something he could process.
And everyone else seemed to sense it too—no one approached him. They knew it was better for him to overcome it on his own rather than be offered pity.
While Palton sat there untouched, food before him growing cold—
[Tsk, what's that fool doing, ignoring a feast like this?]
Would you be able to eat in his shoes? Honestly, this is the proper reaction.
[Bah, enough about him. Hurry up and eat that meat, Ruin. Look at the juices dripping off it—it must taste divine.]
But instead of reaching for the food, Ruin stood up.
[Huh? Hey! I said eat the meat, not get up. What are you doing?]
This is more important.
[More important than meat?! If you don't eat now, someone else will—]
At that moment, Pigon's voice rang out.
"Oh ho, this meat looks amazing! This one's mine, hahaha!"
[Nooo! My meat!!]
The sword spirit howled in despair, but Ruin ignored him and walked over to Palton.
Then, with an innocent smile, he said,
"Palton-hyung, did you know you've got a drawing sticking out of your belt pouch?"
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T/N:
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