"Huh?"
Palton, who had been sitting in a daze with a vacant look on his face, turned his head at the sound of a child's voice by his ear.
"Hey, there's a picture sticking out of your pocket. It's about to fall… huh?"
Whoosh!
"Ah, got it!"
Before he realized it, a small drawing was already in Ruin's hand. Seeing that, Palton hastily reached out, shouting.
"W–wait! Give that back, quickly!"
But Ruin, already holding the picture, tilted his head as he studied the shape drawn on it.
"A snake with wings?"
"Give it back right now—what? What did you just say?"
"Mm-mm, not 'you.' It's Ruin, Palton-hyung."
Ruin wagged his finger, demanding that his name be called properly. Palton hurriedly corrected himself, his voice flustered.
"Wait, you… no, Ruin. You think this looks like a snake?"
"Yeah, that's right."
With an innocent nod, Ruin continued.
"Look here. The shape's like a snake, but it has wings. That's definitely a winged snake. Hm, but I feel like I've seen it somewhere before. Strange."
"You've seen this before? Where? When?!"
Palton, almost ready to pounce on him, asked desperately. Ruin paused, pretending to think hard.
Then—
"Ah, I remember! Paterion. The Paterion family crest looks like this!"
"What?"
At Ruin's words, Palton reacted with an expression far more intense than Ruin had ever seen from him.
"Are you saying… this is really the Paterion crest?"
"Mm-hm. The Soaring Wing Duke, Paterion!"
The moment Ruin answered, Palton's eyes turned chillingly cold. He quickly glanced around, then flicked his fingers.
Bzzt!
In an instant, a faint barrier formed around them.
"Hey, Ruin. Tell me exactly what you mean. You said this looks like the Paterion crest?"
He had deployed a sound-blocking spell so no words would leak outside. His tone was urgent.
Seeing that, Ruin looked at him with a curious glint in his eyes.
Oh? Interesting.
Right now, inside this house, the head of the Myunghwan Hall of Kaphtalen and his elite subordinates were dining. Most of them were high-ranking battle mages—skilled and experienced.
Yet Palton Eberon had fooled them all and erected a sound barrier in secret.
His true ability might be far beyond what Ruin had assumed.
At the same time—
[His mana is remarkable. That one has been hiding his strength.]
Even the Sword Spirit muttered in quiet admiration.
Then—
"Hm?"
Tilting his head, Palton muttered in surprise.
"What's this? Can you see this barrier?"
"Huh?"
"The barrier around us. Can you see it?"
"Whoa, so that's a barrier?"
Feigning shock, Ruin widened his eyes. Palton let out a helpless laugh and nodded.
"Ha, yeah. It's a barrier made of magic. It keeps sound from leaking out."
Having explained, Palton now looked more relaxed, even somewhat proud.
"Ruin, it seems you've inherited Kaphtalen's gift. You should learn magic instead of only swordsmanship."
"Huh?"
"I don't mean your sword skills are lacking, just that…"
He trailed off, recalling the bitter memory of his duel, his expression turning sour. Then he shook his head and continued.
"Anyway, if it weren't innate talent, you wouldn't be able to see the magic I cast. Look over there—none of those people even realize there's a barrier here."
Clearly proud of his spell, Palton smiled as he explained. Ruin inwardly nodded.
Indeed, he could fool even Myunghwan Hall's elite.
He had assumed Palton was just entering the 5th Circle, but this was more like the peak of 5th—perhaps even 6th Circle.
The 6th Circle qualifies one as a Grand Mage.
In the Mage Tower's hierarchy, beneath the Tower Master were the Vice Masters and the Council.
Only mages of 6th Circle or higher could join the Council, and each Tower had at most ten of them—rare and precious assets.
If Palton truly was a 6th Circle Grand Mage…
Could he actually be stronger than Pigon?
With the memories of No. 1872, Ruin knew firsthand how those born geniuses could display unimaginable power. The thought wasn't entirely impossible.
But then—
[Careful. One of them has noticed.]
"…?"
At the Sword Spirit's warning, Ruin glanced over—only to see Pigon, the Myunghwan Hall Master, chatting and laughing casually.
Yet Ruin caught the tiny flicker in his expression.
Of course. Pigon noticed.
Ruin quickly revised his earlier high estimation of Palton.
Regardless, Palton now seemed calmer.
"So tell me more, little brother."
"Not 'little brother.' Ruin."
"Yes, Ruin."
He smiled faintly, nodding. Ruin pointed at the picture.
"The drawing's crude, so I can't be sure, but it looks similar to the beast on the Paterion crest."
"Go on."
"See? The four wings, the sharp head, the thrice-coiled body. That's all similar to the Soaring Wing Duke Paterion's symbol—the Cortelus."
"You're saying this is a Cortelus?"
"Yeah, that's what I think."
Speaking as if it were obvious, Ruin left Palton frowning, staring at the picture.
But no matter how he looked, all he saw was a crude green dragon, nothing like the winged snake Cortelus he knew.
[Wait, what? How on earth is that Cortelus? Anyone can see it's just a baby green lizard! Ruin, is something wrong with your eyes?!]
The Sword Spirit practically shrieked, protesting Ruin's claim.
But Ruin only smiled inwardly.
Exactly. It's clearly a dragon, not a snake.
[Then why are you spouting nonsense about it being the Paterion crest?]
There's always a bigger plan. Now hush. Keep talking, and no more meat for you.
At the threat of losing food, the Sword Spirit sulked into silence.
Meanwhile, Palton was still staring hard at the picture.
Look all you want. There's no way this resembles the real Cortelus.
After all, the drawing came from his fading memory. It couldn't perfectly match the true Paterion crest.
But—
The truth is, I haven't lied.
Ruin recalled information he had gathered in his past life as No. 1872.
Palton Eberon—bearing the surname given only to Kaphtalen's illegitimate children or adopted sons—was a child Pigon had found in a ruined village.
While that was unusual, it wasn't enough to impress someone like No. 1872.
But Ruin remembered him clearly for one reason—
The Paterion family destroyed his home and killed his family.
Very few knew the truth. Likely only Pigon, the Kaphtalen Lord, and Paterion's Shadow Commander.
But since Kaphtalen had allied with Paterion, they had no reason to avenge him.
And Pigon, while fond of Palton's talent, wouldn't defy the clan's will just for his sake.
Palton himself didn't know the culprit.
The only thing left in his memory was the blood-stained Paterion crest—
[The winged serpent.]
Nothing more.
And so, mistaking it for a dragon, he searched alone for his sworn enemy, quietly gathering information.
In a way, he's pitiful.
No matter how talented, a single man couldn't stand against a thousand-year-old family.
But for Ruin—
He could become the blade I plunge into Roven Paterion's heart.
That made Palton indispensable.
I have to bring him to my side.
Resolving to make Palton his ally, Ruin smiled faintly.
"Perhaps you're right. The winged serpent, Cortelus…"
Palton muttered, his gaze sharp as he studied the picture again.
To him, who had always believed it was a dragon, the mere possibility it might be a serpent brought a sense of relief.
"But why do you carry this picture, anyway?"
Feigning innocence, Ruin tilted his head. Palton shook his head as if it were nothing.
"I'm… looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
"Yeah."
Perhaps because Ruin had broadened his thinking, Palton's tone was warmer, friendlier.
"Then should I help?"
"No, it's fine."
"Why not? I'm good at finding people. Once, with my father—"
"This isn't something you should get involved in, Ruin. It's mine to do."
Palton's voice was firm, almost solemn, cutting him off.
Just then—
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
A sly, playful voice interrupted, and a man with a wide grin slung his arms around their shoulders.
"…Master."
"Uncle!"
It was Pigon Kaphtalen, beaming as he teased them.
"So, when did you two get so close? Don't tell me you bonded after fighting each other?"
"Hehe, I came looking for hyung so we could eat together."
"Oh, really? That's excellent, Ruin. Very good behavior."
"Good behavior? I just wanted to share a meal…"
"Yes, and that is precisely what makes it a fine act."
Pigon chuckled, ruffling Ruin's hair before glancing at Palton. His eyes lingered on the paper in Palton's hand.
Tap.
Palton smoothly tucked the picture back into his pocket and spoke first.
"Have you finished eating?"
"Hm, yes. More or less."
"Are we leaving right away, then?"
"No, not yet. The banquet isn't over. It's been a while since I saw my sister—I should enjoy myself a bit longer."
The way they spoke, each holding back what they really wanted to say, made the air feel tense.
When Pigon's gaze flicked toward Palton's pocket, Ruin quickly cut in.
"Um, Uncle."
"Hm?"
"Earlier, Palton-hyung said I might have talent for magic. Is that true?"
"What, magic talent?"
Pigon's eyes lit up with sudden interest. He looked between Palton and Ruin.
"Palton, explain yourself. Magic talent?"
"Well, it's just that…"
Unwilling to reveal the sound barrier, Palton hesitated, searching for words.
At that moment—
"Of course he does!"
"Daisy?"
Daisy, who had been serving food, suddenly appeared, her voice sharp.
"Whose child is Ruin? Of course he has magic talent."
"Keh-heh-heh. Well, if he inherited your blood, Daisy, I suppose that's obvious enough…"
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't like your tone."
"Whoa, I only meant that his talent must be outstanding. Don't take it the wrong way."
Backing off, Pigon raised his hands. Daisy glared but then turned to Ruin with a soft smile.
"Pigon, if you fill Ruin's head with nonsense again, I won't let it slide."
Just then—
"Brother-in-law! Come, have another drink."
Called by Kabel at just the right moment, Pigon waved his hands.
"Yes, yes, I'm coming, brother-in-law. Duty calls. I'll leave you two for now."
He hurried off, leaving Palton to sigh in relief.
"Phew."
But before he could fully exhale—
"Be careful, nephew."
"…What?"
Daisy's voice was low, warning.
"The people here are sharper than you think. If your little spell had gone unnoticed, you'd already be dead."
"…!"
She had just told him outright—several people had seen through his magic.
Then Daisy turned, smiling gently at her son.
"Ruin, sorry I haven't had time to talk properly. Play with your brother for now. I'll speak with you later."
"Yes, Mother."
Ruin nodded, and Daisy walked back toward the kitchen.
Palton, still stunned by her words, sat frozen.
Leaning closer, Ruin whispered softly.
"Palton-hyung, if you ever need help, just tell me. I'll be there."
"…."
But Palton, still in shock, couldn't respond.
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T/N:
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