How the Shadow of the Marquis Lives

Episode 22

Why do young children stray?

It could be because of parental indifference, or it could be because of an inferiority complex that is hard to hide.

However, at any time, there is one biggest reason why children start to stray.

The twists and turns of a close classmate.

For the young master, Demian, who was one year older, was the trigger.

In short, this guy is also an idiot similar to Young Master.

However, he was much more sensible than the young master, and the cleanup was neat.

Unlike Marquis Agrid’s neglect of Cian Agrid after rumors spread a lot, Damian doesn’t have any such rumors and is not ignored by Duke Orcus.

Duke Orcus probably thinks of Damian’s actions as just playing with fire in his youth.

‘Because he’s a guy who thoroughly manages his image.’

You can tell just by looking at what he did to the beast child.

Damian, who is full of imperial supremacy and the idea of the chosen people, hates even contact with beastmen or half-elves. almost like mysophony.

On such a subject, isn’t he acting as a kind gentleman in front of everyone else’s eyes?

Face and image, and natural lineage.

He is a guy who thinks that protecting such things is the authority and dignity of the nobility.

‘I don’t know if he’s an ordinary acquaintance, but he’s got a high status.’

Xian did not know all of the young master’s friendships. Rather, there were many more things I didn’t know.

But Damian and Julio couldn’t help but notice.

It was because he was a high-ranking aristocrat who must learn to play the role of a shadow.

Thanks, it really hurt my head.

One of the Young Master’s acquaintances is a man like this.

In addition, just look at the way you talk or look at yourself.

“I’m really sorry, ah. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?”

It could be seen that he was more friendly with the existence of Cyan Agrid than he thought.

Sian clicked his tongue inwardly.

Were you and Damian this close?

It was completely new information for him, who only knew that the two knew each other.

I was thinking maybe it was just meeting occasionally and having a drink or something.

“Right, it’s been a while. Would you like to have a drink in the evening? invite me to my salon It’s a place where a lot of great people come.”

It’s probably a place where the nobility of the empire gathers.

I’m sorry, but it’s a specification that hurts like that.

For him who wanted to escape from the Agrid family, the position was like an enemy camp.

“I quit that position.”

“huh? Ahahahaha, it looks like you overheard the Marquis talking loudly? Don’t worry. Our Salon is a wholesome gathering of young blood contemplating the future of the Empire.”

“Even if there is alcohol in it?”

“It’s about a few drops of alcohol, and it serves as a lubricant for the story and is indispensable.”

That’s an ocean of agreement, but only with a few drops.

Furthermore, the fact that Xian said he quit was not exactly about alcohol.

He was talking about a drinking party with Damian.

“Sorry, but I don’t think I can accept your invitation.”

“hmm… … It’s been a while since I met you, but the reaction is lukewarm. The tone and expression are strangely stiff… … .”

Damian’s eyes narrowed as he looked at him for a moment.

Did you notice that it wasn’t real cyan?

I suddenly thought of that, but I couldn’t. Even if you have doubts, you can just pretend that you have changed and made a good choice.

do you think so

“Ha ha ha, boy! It must have been a long time since I felt ashamed of my older brother’s dedication. Good good. I’m not forcing you right now.”

He smiled as if he was in a good mood and reached out his hand to Julio behind him.

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Julio placed a black card with a golden line on the palm of his hand.

“It is a pass to come to our salon. take it.”

Whoa. Sian swallowed a sigh and grabbed the card Damian handed him.

It was an unnecessary item, but it would be an insult to refuse it face to face. Because that was the rule of aristocratic society.

But did you get the card?

“I’m just saying this just in case.”

Damian talked to Xian without letting go of the card.

“You must be friendly with the beasts of Jakarta or the flying flies of Glacier White Spirit, right?”

With the cards in between, the atmosphere between Damian and Xian instantly stiffened.

His mouth was smiling, but there was no smile in his eyes.

“Remember, Xian. The land they are occupying is one day our empire will have to trample on.”

All the glory and praise of the continent will be with Somer, always remember that this peace is only temporary.

The guy asked for it.

With eyes resembling those of the Duke of Orcus.

Seeing that, Xian.

“I don’t know about difficult things.”

With a sad expression, he took out only the card.

Demian, who took the card he was holding, blinked a couple of times, then smiled.

“You still don’t seem to be interested in this. Well, let’s do this later. Let’s go, Julio.”

“yes.”

Damian turned around and left without leaving a trace of regret.

While accompanying him, Julio turned around once.

Giulio’s expression as he looked at Xian was stern. An expression as if looking at a disgusting insect.

After taking a glance at the two leaving, Xian properly shoved the salon card into his bosom.

‘I guess I’ll just put it in a corner.’

It’s a useless card if you’re not going to advance into politics.

Unlike Ran’s family, it is difficult to use Salon’s aristocrats for their own purposes.

As long as they gathered at Damian’s salon, they would be influenced by Agrid and others in big and small ways.

Best to ignore.

After coming to that conclusion, he continued on the path Xian had taken.

* * *

-Giyiing.

Seeing the sand golem in action, Xian moved.

“Ravi.”

“Ugh!”

The energy of the night released from his wrist and began to take the shape of a sword.

The sword, a spirit form, had the optimal shape to fit Xian’s hand.

Specs that have been tested and customized countless times over the past few days.

A sword that had been forged out of its spiritual body and possessed a tangible substance was placed in his hand.

‘It’s okay.’

After swinging the sword a few times, the corners of his mouth loosened.

I’ve used many swords in the meantime, but it was the first sword that stuck to my hand like this.

It was as satisfying as if the body and the sword had become one.

‘Sword and gloves.’

A black sword created with sword spirits.

And the Gauntlet of Power worn in the right hand holding the sword.

Looking at the shape, I think it should be called a glove, not a gauntlet… … .

Well, since the producers gave it this name, there is no reason to change it.

‘… … .’

As soon as I breathed magic into the gauntlet, I felt it.

The body is overflowing with energy and itches. The muscles in my body felt like a spring pulled to its limit.

However, although he was certainly overflowing with energy, there was one thing that was bothering him.

‘I’ll have to check it myself.’

Xian raised his head.

“Guuu… … .”

The sand golem came stomping with a club. Last time it took me quite a while to get all the sand off him.

Now there’s a rabbi, a new sword, and a power gauntlet.

It will be markedly different from before.

Awesome!

The right arm of the sand golem fell like a club at his single sword.

Quickly, watching the falling sand, Xian retrieved the sword.

As I thought, the sand golem I faced again was much easier than before.

Previously, it took quite a few attack attempts to break through its defenses and deal damage.

but.

‘also.’

he smiled bitterly.

The growth trend was clearly visible, but at the same time, the problems were also sensed.

‘Because my strength is much stronger than usual, the distribution of power is messed up.’

To handle a weapon is to freely control the weight of the weapon and one’s own strength.

It is the basis of all weapon skills, not limited to silk swords.

It is said that simply striking with strong force is not the end.

It was different from when Ravi was obtained and mana increased significantly.

Unlike mana, which was clearly felt, this ‘power’ that was raised through witchcraft was very ambiguous and fuzzy like smoke.

It took a day or two to adapt to the increased mana, but this power seemed so difficult.

‘The Goblin King used to simply strike without any skill.’

That’s why he was able to knock him down without any injuries.

If he had been a master at freely handling the power of this tattoo, he wouldn’t have died so easily.

that means that.

‘I need practice.’

If you can handle that power freely, you can grow much more.

“Whoa.”

Feeling the power overflowing inside his body, he looked straight ahead.

You need a practice partner. The sand golem is good, but this one is not enough.

No worries though.

somewhere here Isn’t it the Everwhale of the world?

This school was literally overflowing with people who could be used as practice opponents.

These are the students who are willing to challenge themselves.

“I’ll have to go tighter in the future.”

The cadets who challenged Xian and were broken, or who were thinking of challenging him in the future.

Spitting out words that would have frightened them if they heard them, Xian raised his sword.

* * *

There is a place called Dalian Square.

It is one of the plazas within the academy grounds, and the academy side facilitates students’ smooth fights… … It was created to encourage Dalian.

In the early days of admission, sparring was held everywhere on the site, but now it is almost always held here.

The place is also large, and Dalian opponents are also easy to find, and above all.

‘Because the infirmary is nearby.’

An infirmary is located nearby. In order to be able to immediately treat the injuries received in Dalian.

Talk about a very good location.

Xi’an took advantage of the empty class time to visit Dalian Square.

Students can be seen gathering all over the spacious grounds.

Some of them were wielding weapons and sparring among themselves.

Everyone has their eyes on the rank of the ring, and they are all gathered around.

Those who, as Instructor Tail said, ‘can’t stand their numbers’, want to raise their rank even by one level.

Xian looked at them for a moment.

‘The gang is divided.’

At first glance, it looks like they are just randomly spreading and gathering, but if you look closely, there are three main streams.

The students of Somer Empire, the prisoners of Jakarta, and the half-elves of the Fairy Palace.

No matter how classmates go to the same school, it can’t be helped that people of the same race come together.

Regardless of that, there were a lot of people who got along well, but there were few of them.

‘It has nothing to do with me.’

While looking over the gang, Xian searched for a suitable Dalian opponent.

His goal right now is to adapt to the ‘power’ of the Power Gauntlet.

Who would be best to stick with for that?

With the same human students? Or the beasts with good physical abilities? I have a feeling that sparring with the half-fairies won’t be very helpful in adapting to power… … .

“Hey, isn’t that him?”

“Is that him?”

“No. 1 freshman, No. 1. Looking at the ring, is it correct?”

The students around him whispered and looked at Xian, who was looking for prey.

Senior students only with curious eyes. The first graders, who are classmates, look contemplating whether to take on the challenge or not.

In the meantime.

Someone stepped out of the gang where Somer’s students were gathered.

“Hey, Xian.”

Xian looked back at him.

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Julio Adelheit.

It was the same guy who had glared at himself with sharp eyes earlier.

As soon as he came out, the students of Somer and the students of Jakarta and Fairy Palace began to look this way.

Sian didn’t know it, but Giulio held a fairly high position in Somer’s faction.

Because the leader of that faction was Damian Orcus, whom he serves.

In other words, from the side of the faction in Jakarta or the fairy palace, Julio was no different from the second-in-command of the rival faction.

“What is it?”

Of course, Xi’an is unaware of all this.

He only knows one thing.

Right now, he needs an opponent to fight against.

“I hear your dirty rumors even if I cover my ears. Aren’t you ashamed of sticking to Confucius and trying to drink sweet water?”

It’s just that the man in front of you is holding hostility towards you.

“The one who taught me that is the Confucius you say.”

“You should have learned well. Take good care of it so that rumors don’t spread, and don’t leave behind. But didn’t you?”

he raised a finger.

In an instant, Xian felt his body stiffen.

No, it’s not that it’s stiff. My body didn’t move as if it was under a restraining spell.

“I think that if you are around, it will only interfere with Confucius’s progress. What do you think?”

“… … .”

“Or do you have any ideas? Well, it doesn’t matter. If you get hit, you’ll think of something.”

Unlike when he was with Damian, Giulio laughs and speaks harshly.

I have no thoughts of getting involved.

Without bothering to answer, Xian wriggled his right hand.

Black energy is released from the imprint on the wrist.

Tata-tan-!

It formed the shape of a sword, and at the same time cut off all the invisible threads that bound Xian’s body.

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Julio’s laughter stopped.

To him, Xian spoke with a faint smile.

“Do it if you can.”