Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family

7. Teach Me Some Magic (1)

I didn’t know much about it until my older sister mentioned it, but being a “disciple” has significant meaning for a wizard.

“Wizards generally cultivate successors through a process called ‘transference.’ Although ‘universal magical education’ became common after the era of Canaxus, exceptional wizards still receive personal tutelage from renowned wizards, inheriting their mana upon their mentor’s death…”

I closed the book with a snap.

In short, this is it.

Sidraine isn’t just looking for a simple apprentice; he’s searching for a successor.

For an 8-chain wizard to be seeking a successor means his standards are incredibly high.

And it means my talent is exceptional.

Whoosh.

I opened my hand, and a fireball spell instantly formed from the rearranged mana.

Indeed, casting chain-level spells without circles is impressive.

“Hearing about it makes me feel like I’m glowing with energy.”

I pulled out the crystal orb my sister gave me for contacting her when I missed her and infused it with mana.

Soon, my sister’s voice echoed from the orb.

– Is that you, my little brother?

I felt a rush of happiness.

“Sis, sorry for calling suddenly.”

– No worries. I was just coming back from finishing up some research with my professor! What’s up, little brother? Did you miss me?

“Yeah. I missed you.”

– Hm. Sounds half-hearted.

“No, it’s true.”

– You’re different as always. Clair doesn’t even show her face these days…

The dynamic between sisters is always a mystery.

– So, what’s going on, little brother?

I briefly explained what happened today to my older sister.

Her voice was filled with surprise.

– What? You used chain-level spells, Dane?

It seemed my sister was more astonished by my use of magic than by the tower master’s offer to make me his disciple.

“Yeah. It worked when I tried.”

– It worked when you tried…?

My sister’s laughter rang out.

– If my professor heard this, he’d freak out! Hm… Though your mana affinity was always high, this is unexpected…

It seemed my achievement was indeed impressive, considering my sister’s reaction.

“Circles are responsible for refining and circulating mana. But my mana is already so pure that it might not need refinement, right?”

– That’s a plausible hypothesis. We should test it. Dane, I’ll send a mana stone to your room’s transporter later. Could you infuse it with your mana and send it back?

“Sure.”

That’s my sister.

Always quick to grasp things and act.

It’s true my mana is exceptional.

But in terms of understanding magic theory, I can’t compete with my sister.

Despite being only 26, she has reached 6 chains and developed numerous practical artifacts.

Her inventions are so popular among both wizards and nobles that her brand name sells out quickly.

Some of her items are said to be almost impossible to obtain even at a high price…

One of those is this compact crystal orb that greatly improves sound quality and connection speed while being portable.

The transporter device she mentioned is another.

It seems my sister has chosen a career in artifact and magical item development.

Being a wizard and inventor suits her well.

– But seriously, casting chain-level spells without circles… There’ll be a stir when you get to the academy.

“I want to keep a low profile.”

– That’s impossible. Exceptional talent always stands out. But if anyone bothers you, tell me! I’ll deal with them!

That’s both intimidating and reassuring.

After all, my sister once broke the nose of a boy who tried to harass her.

That boy was supposedly the second son of the Dwell Ducal House?

My sister continued with keen interest.

– Could it be that your mana becomes purer over time, even without circles? We need to observe that. Oh, Dane, my professor is calling. Darn, I should have charged him for this crystal orb instead of giving it for free…

It seems academy professors are demanding people.

Otherwise, my sister wouldn’t be like this.

Or maybe it’s just her personality… Not something I should say out loud.

– I have to go!

“Okay, sis. I’ll be in touch.”

– Sure! Don’t forget to send the mana stone!

After the crystal orb quieted, I put it away.

And I concluded.

I might have discovered an unprecedented path.

No, I certainly have.

I drew my mana.

It felt so familiar that I never thought about it, but this mana is incredibly dense and pure.

“Is there a dragon’s heart in me?”

The ancient magic kingdom of Arcana left evidence, but dragons are mere myths without any proof.

Laughing at my silly thought, I recalled Sidraine.

The old man is probably suffering now.

Mana backflow can be fatal for wizards.

Despite that, he managed to use magic, proving he’s indeed a tower master, but he’s paying the price.

So, he’ll be staying for a while longer.

Not that it matters much…

“Wait.”

I don’t know the rearrangement codes for second-chain spells.

Since my sister left for the academy, we haven’t spent as much time together.

We kept in touch through letters and the crystal orb, but teaching rearrangement codes requires significant time.

I couldn’t ask my sister to spend all day teaching me codes during her rare visits home.

That made me think of the “debt” Sidraine owed me for saving and detoxifying him in the forest.

“Maybe I could ask him to teach me the magic codes?”

I never forget debts.

I collected every one, even on the battlefield, unless I died.

* * *

Sidraine was in agony.

It seemed even the slightest use of mana had backfired.

“I’m dying here.”

Originally, he planned to recuperate for about a week, but now it looks like it’ll take twice as long.

If only that kid had agreed to be his disciple, none of this would have happened.

“What on earth should I offer?”

Should he propose an incredible artifact?

Or teach a unique inherited spell that only he knows?

‘No, that’s too much.’

If the kid learns and runs, there’d be no way to prevent it.

With such talent, he could surpass his teacher one day.

“Then… a recommendation letter?”

Since he’s going to the academy, that might be useful. Getting a recommendation from someone influential could boost his admission scores.

But a recommendation letter from a tower master is nothing compared to the prestige of being Count Sogress’s youngest son.

His older sister is a magical genius, and his younger sister is reputed among summoners.

‘Should I study the genetics of this family instead?’

While Sidraine was lost in thought, there was a knock on his door.

“It’s Dane Sogress.”

“…!”

Sidraine swallowed dryly.

Maybe he’s here to apologize?

Or changed his mind?

“May I come in?”

“Y-Yes, come in.”

The door opened, and Dane appeared.

Still infuriatingly handsome.

“How are you feeling?”

“Ugh. Awful. Aging bones ache. I overused my mana earlier… ouch.”

He looked more like a worn-out laborer than a tower master.

But his attempt to garner sympathy failed.

“I told you not to.”

“…Ugh.”

Sidraine gave up.

“Are you not interested in magic?”

“No.”

“Then why won’t you be my disciple? Or do you already have a mentor…?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

Dane replied simply.

“I don’t want to limit my career to just being a wizard.”

Then what does he want to do?

“A magic spearman?”

“No. A magic spear-assassin-summoner.”

Sidraine’s hands trembled.

He must be joking.

Who talks about such nonsense?

And Dane added more.

“I’ll also be a swordsman.”

“Damn it.”

Some students of magic do lose their minds.

That seemed plausible without knowing Dane’s previous life as a soldier.

“Not even if this is your only chance?”

“No.”

“Ugh…”

Sidraine genuinely groaned.

He couldn’t give up yet.

“Are you interested in a recommendation letter?”

“A recommendation letter?”

It seemed to catch his interest.

“Yes, a recommendation letter. If you’re going to the academy, my recommendation can bypass the troublesome entrance exams and give you a great starting reputation.”

Dane pondered briefly.

Sidraine’s heart raced.

‘Could it be?’

Finally, Dane nodded.

“Yes, that sounds good.”

“Right! You understand now!”

Sidraine cheered.

Dane asked.

“Can I ask for something else along with it?”

“Of course! Anything! The recommendation letter isn’t a big deal! Haha!”

“I’m curious about the second-chain mana rearrangement codes. Can you teach me those too?”

That’s easy.

Even though he’s currently in bad shape, he’s still an 8-chain wizard and a tower master.

“Ahem. I know all the second-chain rearrangement codes.”

“That’s great.”

“Ha ha, yes, it is.”

A child after all.

A recommendation letter and second-chain codes.

I could give those a hundred times over.

“Shall we start lessons now? Even in this state, it’s no problem!”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Sidraine clenched his fist under the blanket, feeling triumphant.

“Then this will clear your debt from the forest.”

“What?”

“You said I could ask for something in return for saving you.”

“…”

Sidraine was speechless.

“Isn’t that right?”

He had been played.

Completely.

By a 14-year-old kid!

Though he didn’t look like one…

“A debt is only one!”

“I saved you from the forest, detoxified you, and carried you here. But I’ll consider the carrying a free service.”

Sidraine realized what it felt like to have a headache.