The Illegitimate Who Devours Weapons

Episode 9

“Please keep only three things in mind.”

He held out three fingers toward his aunt.

“First of all, you must not tell anyone about me unless I give you permission. Not even to your eldest brother or your father.”

My aunt tilted her head as she watched my first finger fold.

“why?”

“I’m an illegitimate child. I don’t want to be exposed, and I don’t want to reveal it. From my aunt’s perspective, if she were here with me, there wouldn’t be much to talk about.”

“……why?”

My aunt’s face once again looked like she didn’t understand.

Family background, status, public opinion… There were many reasons, but it was definitely not something a 9-year-old could say, and it didn’t seem like her aunt would understand.

I roughly talked around like I was soothing a child.

“I would feel bad if someone kept talking about me. Don’t you feel the same way, Aunt?”

“Oh, I see. Me too.”

My aunt’s expression suddenly darkened as if she had remembered something.

I continued, folding one finger again.

“Second, my aunt will not lie to me again.”

“Lies? Why?”

“Because we have to trust each other. I will tell you the truth as best I can. So please don’t hide anything from me either.”

My aunt groaned like a child facing a difficult problem, then nodded her head in annoyance.

“Okay. What’s the last one?”

I calmly stated my conditions.

At those words, my aunt’s forehead furrowed.

“… … It’s too fatal. I don’t know much about it, but I told you not to promise something like that so easily.”

“I promise you that. And I will never ask you to do anything unreasonable. I will also do my best to keep the two things I mentioned before.”

My aunt kept her mouth shut and became lost in thought.

But, as befitting his personality, his worries did not last long.

“Okay! Is it done now? Tell me!”

My aunt raised her arms in the air and shouted.

That’s how my aunt and I began our collaborative relationship.

* * *

Almost a year has passed since the quiet departure ceremony of Gaju.

Lee Myeong-jeong was performing the duties of the head of the household as the head of the household’s representative.

The job of a head of household was harder than I imagined, and not because there was too much work.

However, since each agenda item in the household’s business had high importance, it was inevitable that it would take time to make a decision.

Even though she was so busy, there was something that Lee Myeong-jeong was interested in.

Young. His youngest brother, whom his father brought from outside. And his aunt, Lee Kyung-hwa, who decided to stay with him.

My aunt, whose way of thinking was so peculiar that she could be called eccentric, and the child who had something different from others had been doing something for several months already.

“Did the food not suit your taste?”

He asked his younger brother, who kept hesitating and unable to lift the spoon comfortably.

Since their first meeting, Lee Myeong-jeong often had meals with her youngest sibling and Lee Gyeong-hwa whenever she had time.

“No. It’s really delicious. Are you enjoying it?”

Lee Myeong-jeong narrowed her eyes and examined her younger brother’s body.

‘What a strange flow.’

Although he said that, my younger brother was very careful even when he was picking up a single spoonful of rice.

It’s because of magic.

A subtle magical power, so subtle that even he had difficulty pinpointing it, was flowing throughout his younger brother’s body.

‘… … Isn’t it amazing? How can they do something like that?’

It’s not like he couldn’t do it if his level was high, but his younger brother’s magical power was still at level 1.

In other words, it meant that at this point, with my brother’s age and magical power, that level of detailed control was impossible.

“I guess it’s because of the training I’m doing right now.”

I found myself stopping without realizing it.

“Did you know?”

“You too can do it when you become proficient in magic. It’s not like you were hiding it, is it?”

I felt bewildered when I saw my brother smiling.

‘No matter how much you try to hide it, how can you so easily detect what’s going on inside someone else’s body?’

As expected, he’s the eldest brother.

They say that if you become proficient in magic, you can do it, but I can’t even imagine how high of a level that would have to be.

“What on earth are you doing with your aunt?”

“It seems closer to research than training.”

“Research.”

Since it had come to this, Lee Myeong-jeong took it easy and looked at his younger brother a little more closely.

‘It’s absurd for someone of that age to be able to handle magical power like that, and even the way it’s used is different from any magical art I’ve ever seen.’

It’s amazing how the magic flows so smoothly for someone of her age, but it doesn’t seem to be completely smooth.

However, I think it would be right to see the changes as diverse, as they are properly controlled, rather than being uneven.

“It seems to be related to the use of magical power… … What exactly is its purpose?”

“Secret! It’s a secret! Myung-jeong, stop! I won’t tell you! Don’t even look!”

My aunt suddenly interrupted and waved her hand.

Lee Myeong-jeong turned her gaze from Lee Gyeong-hwa to her younger sister with a slightly hurt face.

But even my trusted younger brother shook his head.

“Why do you make me feel so alienated like this?”

“Once it’s completed, you will naturally recognize it.”

“What on earth is so great that you don’t even teach it to your brother?”

“It’s not something you should worry about, hyung.”

A polite refusal to ask any more questions.

Lee Myeong-jeong smiled bitterly and shook her head.

“What a spicy guy.”

I couldn’t tell what that peculiar flow of magical power meant, but I could tell how delicate a sense it required to operate it.

‘I’m saying he’s not just a child.’

He’s the guy who used to call his older brother, who was practically his uncle, a competitor.

I felt like I would get a big nosebleed if I kept being too cute.

‘… … Every time I see him, I think he’s an extraordinary kid.’

That’s how much that child is, who hasn’t even fully grown yet. What will happen to him in 5 or 10 years?

‘Am I nervous right now? With that kid?’

I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of being nervous towards my younger brother who is over twenty years older than me.

It’s a strange feeling.

It’s still far away, but it feels like someone is chasing me from behind.

How long has it been since I’ve felt this way?

“Don’t be so cautious. It’ll take you a long time to get to where I am.”

I looked at my eldest brother at those words.

I felt a strange heat in my eldest brother’s eyes.

He said, putting down his spoon.

“It won’t take that long.”

“What? Haha!”

‘Are you finally seeing me as a competitor?’

I like my eldest brother.

I respect and even admire his character, talent, and abilities.

But at the same time, I want to beat my eldest brother. Not just my eldest brother, but anyone in this family. Even my father, who stands alone and proud.

Thinking that far, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Whether he’s my rival or my father… … I still haven’t been able to properly master even one magic technique.’

Why my life has been difficult lately.

It wasn’t simply because of the first proper magical technique I had learned, nor was it because of the arduous training.

It was because of this magical research.

* * *

“Honey, what on earth did you do this time? I need an explanation.”

“So it’s not a baby… … .”

“Okay! Just call me by my name! Open!”

“So it’s not Agado or Yeol-i, it’s Yeong… … Phew, call me whatever you want.”

Training ground number 1, Sungmujang.

As soon as Kyung-hwa Lee saw the magic trick her nephew showed her, she pouts and starts acting like a spoiled child.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s zero or ten! You’re not a baby anymore! You damn little brat!”

“You ask for it.”

Kyung-hwa Lee grumbled and kicked the rocks in the training ground with her foot.

“I, I worked hard for ten years to achieve this, so why did you do it right away? And you even applied it!”

She completed the notebook she had spent her entire life creating without even understanding it, and applied it in a short period of time.

I’m glad she cleared the blockage. I’m glad… …but I don’t know why I’m so upset.

“It’s already been several months since I’ve been here. And this is all my aunt’s… … .”

“Shut up! Heh! I’m an idiot. I’m stupid. But you’re a genius… … .”

Kyung-hwa Lee looked at her nephew’s fist with a gloomy face.

Woohoo-.

A fist stretched into the air.

People with low magical skills may not know, but the flow of magical power operating within it was at an incredible level.

“How is it that the use of magical power when wielding a sword is different from the use of a fist…?”

“I just tried to apply it to the fist and leg technique and it worked. I just came up with a new idea, and in fact, my aunt and I created it at the same time.”

“I wonder… … ?”

“Yes, it was possible because my aunt was there.”

“Am I stupid?”

“sure.”

“Hehehe-.”

Kyung-hwa Lee nodded with a grin.

Then he paused.

‘Huh? But why do I feel bad?’

Why do I feel like I’m being made fun of?

I couldn’t figure it out.

“by the way.”

Kyunghwa Lee’s eyes sparkled.

Although I was jealous, it was true that there was progress.

“Is it because you’ve become very familiar with the fact that it can be applied like that?”

“Yes. But it’s still difficult.”

Nearly a year has passed since the deal with my aunt.

During that time, I began studying magic with my aunt.

The basis of that research was my aunt’s research data and my infinite memories.

“It’s bound to be difficult. You know that.”

“Yes, I know. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying.”

Ancient magic does not deal with magic sources, so it cannot efficiently change or store properties.

According to my aunt, in ancient times, magical powers were considered a talent bestowed from heaven.

Because of this, ancient magic developed in a different way.

It was the detailed use of magical power that dealt with each and every vein of the body through which magical power flowed.

The magical power of Mujin corresponds to that.

It is said that a great scholar can extract tens or hundreds of facts from just a few.

As soon as my aunt saw the magical power I displayed, she greatly improved the shortcomings of the magical power she had created.

“I know. I’ve walked that path myself. It’s always hard at first. If it were just restoration, it would be okay… … But that’s not what we’re doing.”

Kyung-hwa Lee’s eyes sank deeply.

“A new magic that uses both the magic source and ancient magic. You can do it.”

Lee Kyung-hwa had a secret wish that she absolutely wanted to achieve.

As a source of magic, it accumulates magic power and changes its properties.

The Magic Road is for controlling and actually operating magic power.

Magical arts that combine advanced modern magic theories with practical ancient techniques. That was the dream that Lee Kyung-hwa dedicated her life to.

“I want you to learn quickly. Then I can tell you everything I’ve been researching, and also the finished things or things I’ve made myself. I started out old and couldn’t learn it perfectly, but you will.”

This isn’t finished. It’s still a work in progress.

So I couldn’t know where it would end or how far it would go.

‘No. You can do it. This kid.’

Kyung-Hwa Lee clenched her fist.

“Why is it a problem if you start later in life? Then, can’t you learn it too, Aunt?”

“Yeah. To be exact, I can’t learn it properly. The longer I work with the magic source, the more I lose the ability to learn two things at the same time. It’s like I’m regressing.”

“I see… … But it’s still quite tiring to keep operating like this.”

“Think of it as a process of awakening your dull senses. If you want to awaken the sense of using the magic path, it’s best to do it without stopping. Fortunately, you’re only at level 1 and haven’t been practicing for long, so you’ll adapt quickly.”

“But I haven’t been able to operate it properly yet. I’ve only just gotten a feel for it.”

“It took me five years to get to that point, but you did it the moment you heard about it. And now you’re applying it… … You’re a genius. Don’t be so impatient.”

My aunt talked about my talent, but I felt hungry for my growth.

The first brother I saw today was like that, and there is also a third brother who beat that first brother.

And above that, there is the father, Lee Tae-shin, who has reached unimaginable heights.

There were so many monsters in this family. I wanted to defeat them all.

“Aunt.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Aunt, did you see your father when he was young?”

The aunt nodded.

“If I complete this and keep working hard… … will I be able to surpass my father?”

Lee Kyung-hwa was troubled.

Lee Tae-shin. His eldest brother.

Surpass him?

I couldn’t even imagine.

“I don’t know. My first brother is someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“I also felt that I was different from other people, but first of all, my older brother… … is different. Really different. To be honest, whether it’s the top priest, the saint, or the head of the Guryongchae… … I don’t understand comparing him to my older brother. In my opinion, they’re completely different.”

“… … .”

Matapju, Seongja, and Guryongchaeju.

All the names mentioned were powerful figures who looked out over the world.

These are the strong people that I find burdensome to even look at now.

Yet my aunt placed my father above them.

Father, it’s not for nothing that the title of strongest is mentioned about Lee Tae-shin.

“Hehehe.”

Lee Kyung-hwa laughed quietly.

An expression that makes it obvious what he’s thinking.

“But I can see that. You have something that your brother doesn’t.”

“yes?”

Lee Kyung-hwa continued talking with a sly smile.

“You are different too. You are very different. But you are different from my brother. And you are walking a path that no one could have imagined. A path that even my brother, who is a different person, could not have imagined. So… … you are different too. Oh, what are you saying? Me.”

I was even amazed at my aunt’s woeful vocabulary, which would pop up even when it wasn’t related to ancient times.

But I think I know what you’re trying to say.

I smiled at my aunt.

‘Yeah, when did I ever live with such exhausting thoughts?’

I have always tried hard.

I should have been using my horsepower more reliably rather than worrying about such annoying things.

That was when.

“master!”

At the entrance to the training grounds, I saw the nanny running towards me, shouting and panting.

“Nanny? Why did you come to the training ground?”

“Here, take this.”

The nanny urgently handed me something.

It was a white envelope, and on it was printed the emblem symbolizing the Sungmu family.

“Huh? What? What is it?”

My aunt looked through the envelopes with wide eyes.

“You’re finally here.”

I opened the envelope slowly.