Chapter 23 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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"Leo."
"Ah, you're here, Melvin."
Leo greeted the student who had come to his dorm room. The student scanned the surroundings with a tense expression and asked.
"Uh, what's up? Why'd you call me?"
"Nothing major. First, take a breath. What would you like to drink?"
Leo gestured toward the shelf of tea leaves.
"Hmm, anything's fine for me…."
"Right, now I'll have to figure out what flavors you like from here on out."
Leo smiled in response and deftly brewed some tea, setting it down in front of the student.
"It's camellia. Classes are over, so I made something to help with fatigue."
"Ah, thanks."
"No problem. Hope it suits your taste."
"Th-thanks…. So, what did you call me for…?"
At those words, Leo sat down in the seat across from the student.
"Melvin. Do you happen to know what Pleroma's been up to lately?"
"Pleroma?"
The student's face paled slightly. His eyes, which had been darting about uncontrollably from nerves, turned toward Leo. The student replied in a sharp tone.
"Yeah, I know. They've been digging up graves nonstop. There was even an article yesterday about three bodies vanishing from a border cemetery."
"Hmm, you're well-informed. That's exactly why I called you."
The student tilted his head in confusion at those words.
"Me? What does that have to do with…?"
"I started a study group with some friends to research Pleroma's movements. As you know, they're getting bolder by the day. It's been over ten years since they showed up, and nothing's improved. There's a good chance they'll still be active by the time we graduate."
The student nodded.
"Yeah, probably."
"I heard from the professor that you want to join the imperial Pleroma task force after graduation."
Leo's words made the student's expression change completely. The student waved his hands in panic.
"Ah, I did tell the professor that, but… h-honestly, I don't think it's that likely. My grades aren't top-tier or anything. It's just a dream of mine. Haha…."
Wasn't his name called for the special class consent forms?
To rank in the department's top ten and still think that way.
Leo clasped his hands together and placed them on the table.
"Likelihood? I see it differently. I think people with your passion are rare. Lots of friends get fired up about Pleroma stories, but they're just shivering at headline scares without digging deeper."
"Yeah! That's true…. It's such a long-running issue that everyone's probably tired of looking into it deeply."
"Yeah, but not you. While other students toss out superficial fears now and then, you've always focused on the core. It's something I've noticed watching you for years."
The student asked with a slightly excited face.
"R-really? That's surprising. Did I come across that way?"
"Of course. That's why I think you're perfect for us. We're going to investigate Pleroma's crimes and predict their future patterns. If our system proves accurate, we could even pitch it to the palace."
The student's eyes widened.
Leo leaned in closer, not missing the change, and continued with a serious expression.
"If we can predict Pleroma's actions, we can reduce future victims, right?"
"C-can I really join you guys…? I'm not top of the class, and I'm not as smart as you, Leo…."
As smart as Leo…? Leo bit back a shiver rising on his skin, shook his head, and refocused.
"Of course. I think you're plenty good as you are. Are you hung up on your rank? That's just a number. Look at the bigger picture."
"No, no matter how I think about it, I'm not the right person. Sorry, but…."
He couldn't back out here.
Might as well see it through to the end.
Leo soothed the student, who looked ready to crawl under the desk.
"Melvin. Your skills aren't lacking at all. This is the hardest academy in the empire to get into. Being in the upper ranks here is something to be proud of. You cite your grades not reaching the absolute top as proof you're lacking… but paradoxically, those grades prove you're objectively not."
"…That's true, but…."
The student bit his lower lip and rolled his eyes around.
Good. Even with that reaction, he was mostly convinced. Leo smiled and continued.
"Actually, there's another big reason we chose you."
"What's that?"
"Trust is key for us. We're determined to stop Pleroma's rampage after over ten years. So our group's very existence can't leak to anyone. No matter what."
According to Lucas, not even a word should slip out. Still, better to say it this way.
"That's…! Of course! You think I'd tell the other kids? I wouldn't blab. Those guys don't deserve good deeds."
"Right. From watching you all this time, you think deeply and don't speak carelessly. We need someone as cautious and responsible as you."
At Leo's words, the student hesitated, his lips twitching.
Just need to wrap it up now.
Leo met the student's eyes and spoke earnestly.
"Melvin, I want you to research with us. What do you say? Do you want to do this, or not? Just tell me that."
* * *
Sandy hair swayed before my eyes.
Blonde was a first, and it felt awfully strange.
I had to leave the school grounds for fresh meat, but wandering the streets with black hair and pink eyes would give me away immediately, so I couldn't go as is.
I could use the drug's side effects to change my eye color like before, but students who know my face might be out and about, so for safety, I changed my hair color too.
So I just used divine power.
It was a spell I'd memorized recently, and since the incantations varied by color, I hadn't had a chance to test it, but luckily it worked. Just in case, I also cast a mental manipulation spell to impair perception.
'If I hadn't picked divine power at the start, I'd have been in trouble.'
That's what I thought, but actually the opposite. I chose it knowing its applications. I couldn't waste a once-in-a-lifetime chance to embody knowledge on something merely useful.
Divine power is force created by artificially altering naturally manifesting mana, and it has the property of changing the nature of whatever it touches.
The mental manipulation, the hair and eye color spells—all stem from that trait.
Anyway….
'Even the eyelash color changed, totally alters the image.'
I glanced at my reflection in the metal while waiting for the public slaughterhouse manager's reply.
The manager asked with a surprised face.
"One bottle of blood? What for?"
"I'm writing an animal magic potion experiment report and want to try adding a new ingredient. Can I get some here?"
I curved my eyes softly, trying to convey pure intentions.
For this moment, I hadn't changed out of my uniform.
The manager glanced at the emblem on my jacket and replied.
"Hmm… I've heard blood sometimes goes into potion ingredients."
"Right? It boosts effects a lot. Still, with all the Pleroma rumors lately, it's a bit off-putting to use."
"Can't let those creeps interfere with your studies. What animal's blood do you need?"
"Any animal's fine."
"Really? I'll check if we have any freshly drawn. Wait a sec."
The manager turned and entered the nearest slaughterhouse building. Less than five minutes later, he emerged with a black glass bottle.
He placed it in a paper bag and handed it over.
"Sheep blood."
"How much do I owe you?"
"No charge. It's all getting tossed anyway. Cool experiment. Good luck."
"Yes, thank you."
I smiled gently, took the bag, and headed out to hail a passing carriage.
By the way….
'Why is this kid so smooth?'
Like a flowing stream, perfectly natural.
I adjusted the communication magic tool Leo had given me on my ear.
Leo had handed it over saying to let him know later if he said anything wrong, but there was nothing to point out.
I checked the time.
8:30 PM now. I'd reach school in 30 minutes. The divine power absorbed into my skin would wear off in an hour.
'About time.'
My turn soon.
* * *
"Melvin, there's something you need to know."
Leo spoke as he led Melvin underground.
"What?"
"Truth is, there's someone in our group who might feel a bit off to you. I get how you'd feel, but they're essential for us. You might be shocked… can I explain later?"
"Huh? Sure! I'm fine with anything!"
Melvin replied enthusiastically.
Leo forced a smile and opened the door to the room at the end of the first basement level.
"You're here?"
"…Huh?"
Melvin's face froze upon seeing the person seated there. Leo hurriedly patted his shoulder.
"Melvin. I know you're shocked…."
"Wh-wh-what?!?"
"Wait! Hear me out. We need Lucas. I know what you're thinking, but…."
"No, why is he here?! Isn't he the last person who should be?!"
Even with Leo's explanation, Melvin couldn't shake his panic.
Narke, who had arrived before Leo and sat next to me, watched the student's reaction with keen interest.
I approached him with a gentle smile.
"You're Melvin, right? Thanks for showing me the way before."
"Ah, n-no… wait, something's wrong…."
"No. Listen carefully. First off, everything you think you know is a misunderstanding. Let's start there."
I let out a deep sigh.
"I'm not out to harm you. Just hear me out a bit. I'm already tired thinking about explaining to everyone."
"No, misunderstanding? Explain what…."
Melvin shook his head in disbelief, still shocked. I draped an arm around his shoulders, which Leo was holding, and led him to a seat.
"Yeah, I figured you'd react like this. I get it. I'll explain everything, so sit down."
"Uh, uh… o-okay…."
The kid looked half-dead. I kept my gentle smile while clicking my tongue inwardly.
Leo looked at Melvin with pity.
"…But, hold on. What's that…?"
Melvin finally pulled himself together and pointed at the teacup in front of me.
He probably hoped I'd say it was tomato juice with layers separating or dyed soup… but no.
"Sheep blood."
"What?!?"
Bam—!
Melvin jumped up with the most violent reaction yet, knocking his chair over backward. Narke quickly steadied the wobbling cup with magic.
"Calm down. This is my explanation to you."
I stirred the separating layers with a teaspoon and took a sip of the blood.
Then, overwhelmed by the fishy smell and revulsion, I bolted to the bathroom and puked.
The clumpy texture lingered on my tongue. The alien sensation of eating something inedible surged up.
"Oh no, should I have stopped you?"
"Urgh…."
I heard Narke's laughter-mixed concern followed by Leo's sigh-like complaint. I staggered back out like a zombie and plopped into the seat across from Melvin.
"A-are you okay…?"
Melvin reflexively spoke upon seeing my face, then caught himself and eyed me warily again. I replied in a raspy, elderly voice.
"Does it look okay? Still, if this clears up the Pleroma misunderstanding, I'll do it as many times as needed."
"N-no, anyone would puke drinking fresh blood…."
"Anyone? Those corpses would've chugged this long ago. Mix in someone else's mana, and they absorb it right into their bodies. You know it's the most familiar ingredient for them, right?"
I spoke gravely, then clutched my throat.
Leo was urgently gesturing for me to go to the bathroom.
"…Sure, that's true, but… no. Wait. Even they could fake this much…."
Sensing my stomach truly churning, I jumped up again and puked once more.
Melvin, now doubting his beliefs, looked troubled, glancing between me, his friends, and the blood cup.
"...."
"Poor guy, for real."
"I can handle anything else, but blood's a no-go."
I replied weakly to Leo's words and shook my head. Even after multiple purifications, blood was blood. It was like boiling muddy water—no one would willingly drink it.
Melvin eyed me with confusion and lingering wariness.
"…Th-then, what about that servant you killed? That was a huge scandal ten years ago…!"
Good.
I curled my lip slightly upward.
There were various grounds for believing I was Pleroma.
Midway through addressing one piece of evidence I'd demolished, he'd veered off to question another—that alone meant he was half-shaken.
Starting with the blood for a strong shock was the right call.
'And after this, I have one more weapon to shatter his faith.'
Anyway, the true culprit in that murder wasn't me, but my brother.
But the case never faced imperial investigation. It ended with an internal family probe, thanks to the brother's tearful defense of his sibling. The family's influence then suppressed all media coverage.
Since the victim was someone my brother had picked—raised alone in the territory without family—no one pushed for imperial scrutiny into his death.
'…Killing innocents just to bury one sibling.'
Thinking about it again left a bitter taste.
Thanks to the lies, no imperial probe meant no detailed records.
Which meant I could spin a story in my favor using this case.
But I didn't want to lie using someone else's death. Nor was revealing the truth now a good idea.
No need for an overly detailed script on every element—just omit some sentence parts, adjust word order and pauses, and subtly shift focus so the before-and-after narratives blend into one in his mind. Make it seamless where the prior topic ends and the new one begins.
"It's not the truth."
I answered curtly and kept speaking without giving Melvin time to think.
"You must wonder why I let such a disgraceful rumor spread unchecked. You're probably still unsure if it's really a rumor."
"…Yeah, right."
Melvin stared at me, eyebrows furrowed desperately, refusing to drop his guard.
I looked straight into his face and replied.
"Of course. It's a rumor I started myself."
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