Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 13

I wrapped up the lesson at an appropriate time before Leila was fully exhausted.

If she were to retire to her room from exhaustion before the celebration finished, Duke Thermion would be put in an awkward situation.

Once Father and Duke Thermion noticed that my lesson with Leila was starting to wrap up, they departed extremely ‘quietly.’

At least, I am sure that is how they thought they left.

Those two managed to extract themselves from the bushes with enough noise to wake the dead.

It did not look like Leila noticed them. I also pretended not to notice the entire time.

“Whew. It feels nice out.”

While walking with me, Leila suddenly took a deep breath.

“Wow. The air is so clean. Why didn’t I notice this before?”

“If you repeatedly breathe and release, your senses will sharpen. Once you get the feel for it, you can form a core or circle.”

“Ah ha. I wonder when I’ll be able to form a core?”

“I suppose whenever you learn to release magic at will? Have you got a feel for it now?”

“I think I will need to practice in front of a mirror some more. But I think I’ll be able to do it myself when I go back home! Thanks, Dane Sogres.”

Even while Leila was gasping for breath, she did not forget to thank me. What a commendable kid.

“But how in the world do you know all this? Honestly, I thought there were no kids my age who were better than me, but…”

Leila is someone who can recognize her own shortcomings.

And to Leila, I was incredibly condescending saying, “I read about it in a book.”

“…Do you realize how condescending that sounds? How is that even possible?”

“It’s all there in books.”

“Yeah. And so just by taking those books, reading what’s written, and applying it in practice… you learned? Never mind. I’m an idiot for even asking.”

I had a feeling I would get smacked if I nodded in response, so I didn’t. I am sure her hand could leave quite a mark.

“Anyhow. Guess you’re some genius, huh? People call me a genius often, but compared to you, I’m nothing.”

This time, instead of feeling down, Leila looked more like she had discovered something amazing.

“When most people are unable to even have a single talent, with summoning, magic, and spearmanship… you have three, don’t you?”

I also have assassination and swordsmanship. But she probably would not believe me if I told her that right now.

“Then I guess you’ll enroll in the academy later? That’s where all the geniuses of the Empire gather.”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“What? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of not going?”

I titled my head at her words.

“Is it really somewhere I have to go?”

“Of course it is? What do you think the goal of the academy is?”

“For studies?”

“No. It is where the nobility’s power is formed. One starts building one’s network at a very young age.

Even at age seven, Leila had a good idea of how the world worked.

“It would be a great loss if someone like you didn’t go to the academy. You are the only son of Count Sogres, have outstanding talent, and you’re even…”

“I’m even?”

“…Good-looking.”

I burst out laughing.

“I am not thinking of going to the academy, yet.”

“Really? Not at all? Are you going to be boring and just stay here all your life?”

“Why? What’s wrong with staying here? There are mountains of books I can read in the library and I have plenty of things I can learn from my parents.”

“There is that, but… don’t you want to play with other kids? Aren’t your sisters both at the academy?”

“If I want to go there later, I’ll go at that time.”

The academy may not be the right path for me.

But that does not mean I would never consider it.

I do not hate the academy or anything. On the contrary, I’m quite curious about it.

The majority of the nobles I encountered on the battlefield in my past life had attended the academy and therefore brought up various stories about it.

Leila’s eyes sparkled at my reply.

“If you do, be sure to let me know, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Leila then smiled with relief and opened her arms wide.

“It was a good thing I came with my father for this inspection tour. Normally, I wouldn’t want to tag along.”

“Why not?”

“It’s boring. I have to always stay cooped up in the carriage and if I play a little prank on the knight guarding me, they are at a loss at what to do. But here, I got to learn about the weak points in my swordsmanship and even learned how to release magic from you! Now I won’t be bored as I travel with him!”

I felt proud when I saw her smiling widely.

On the other hand, it was remarkable to me that, thanks to Leila, I have developed an unexpected tie to Duke Thermion.

“That’s why you have to come next time, okay? You need to come see how much I have practiced and all. Since I have to leave tomorrow.”

Duke Thermion was scheduled to leave our castle the next day.

“Okay. I’ll send a letter if I head to the capital.”

“Good!”

Leila was humming excitedly then asked suddenly, “Oh, so Dane, what is it that you want?”

“Ah, what I want?”

“Yeah. You helped me with my wish. But you didn’t tell me what you wanted for yours.”

I flashed a meaningful smile and said, “I’ll tell you whenever I get to the capital.”

* * *

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[Translator – Kyuri]

[Proofreader – Alissa]

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“Haha, if only I wasn’t a duke, I’d have stayed for a month before leaving.”

“Don’t say that. That sounds horrible.”

“Horrible?! How could you?!”

“We spent days and nights together on the battlefield. That should have been enough. Why would you want us to spend that much time together again?”

“Ha, I’m canceling my departure! Looks like I need to stay for two more months!”

From watching the two of them bicker, one could see the depth of a friendship forged on the battlefield that transcends their respective positions.

“In any case, you were here for at most a day. Don’t you want to stay for at least a few more days?”

“My southern area inspection schedule has piled up. If I were to have my way I’d stay for two, no, three months chatting with you and fully enjoying the scenery in such a nice place as this.”

Unfortunately, Duke Thermion was not in these parts to visit the Sogres castle and enjoy himself.

The southern area inspection.

Now that years have passed since the war ended, as a duke of the capital, his main duty is to assess the public sentiment of the citizens and keep an eye on the nobles’ actions and movements.

With the celebration now done, he was leaving for his next destination.

“However… I did want to discuss marriage between my son and your eldest daughter.”

“Oh, about that… Mm. I guess you haven’t heard the news?”

“News?”

“Arabella had used magic to smash some meddling boy’s nose.”

“…….”

“You almost had the opportunity to be called to the academy as a guardian.”

“His nose…?”

Duke Thermion broke out into a cold sweat.

He knew she was a bit wild but had never imagined she could be that bad.

“Yes. So, mm, I suppose you can say the matter of marriage for my eldest daughter is a bit out of my control for now.”

“Hahaha. I’m not sure she would take a liking to my son then.”

“But I heard your eldest son has made a name for himself in swordsmanship.”

“Name? Not even. He is only Dual Class. What knight has only two cores?”

Duke Thermion continued.

“I’ve met kids his age with three cores already. On the battlefield, even.”

“Ah. You’re talking about that person. It’s a shame. If it wasn’t for the battlefield, he could have grown into a good rival.”

“It left a bitter taste in my mouth. Since I had to take his life with my own hands.”

Duke Thermion recalled memories of the warrior named Argrik who resisted and refused to surrender until the end.

For him to have been a Triple Class at that age…

If he had lived, he would probably be one of the Hexa Class warriors of the Drenik Empire by now.

“Anyhow, I apologize for not being able to give you a more satisfactory response.”

“Haha, why apologize? I’m pretty happy to have found a more interesting friend.”

“Interesting friend?”

“I am speaking of your son, Dane. Why are you pretending you don’t know? Haha.”

Duke Thermion laughed out loud.

“I am anticipating the day when he faces my daughter. Of course, she lacks a core and is only at the beginner stages of swordsmanship now, but I guarantee that she is as talented as her two brothers.”

“Her gaze did seem a bit extraordinary.”

“Haha, is that how you see it? Well, how about we discuss a marriage between my daughter and your son instead?”

At that point, a knight tried to catch his attention.

“Duke, it is time for us to leave now.”

“Ah. Is it already time?”

Duke Thermion reluctantly nodded.

“Then, count, I will be off now.”

“Please be careful. The southern area may be warm but sometimes the weather can be unpredictable.”

“Mm. I’ll keep that in mind. Oh. But before I go, I wanted to have a word with your son. I wanted to finish what we were talking about in the morning.”

“Sure. Dane, come over here.”

Dane approached at his father’s prompting and paid respect to the duke.

“Duke Thermion.”

“Did you manage to complete your training this morning?”

“I don’t think one can ‘complete’ training. The moment you ‘complete’ training is the moment you stop growing.”

Duke Thermion laughed, quite satisfied at Dane’s response.

“Count, you have done a great job raising your son. He won’t be discouraged by anything at this point.”

“I am grateful for your kind words.”

Duke Thermion suddenly asked, “Since it has come to this, I want to ask you something.”

“Please go ahead.”

“What are you training for?”

Dane replied without needing any time to think.

“I train for myself.”

Family.

House Sogres.

The Empire.

Instead of the numerous responses people expect, Dane pulled out a response that confused everyone.

Shortly after, “Ahahaha!” Duke Thermion burst out laughing.

“That was truly a great response. It was honest and decisive. And bold.”

Duke Thermion asked, “Why do you think that?”

“Because training is a part of who I am.”

An interested smile appeared on his lips indicating approval of Dane’s proper response. Duke Thermion was not the only one who was listening to this response. Count Sogres was also waiting for Dane to continue.

“No one can train in your place. Having talent is a part of who I am and unleashing that talent is also a part of who I am. Through training, one can be an asset to one’s family and empire, but ultimately, everything is for me.”

Dane continued, “Training to make someone happy or to make someone proud is what I consider only temporary motivation.”

“Excellent. A truly excellent response.”

Duke Thermion smiled, quite pleased.

Count Sogres, who was sitting next to him, had nothing to say.

“Are you sure your son is only seven?”

“There are times I think he must be 70.”

“Haha. How did he grow to be so wise?”

Count Sogres slowly nodded.

‘My Dane is all grown up now.’

On one hand, he felt a bit sad about it.

At an age when he could be throwing tantrums, Dane held thoughts like this instead.

“I have a gift prepared for you. I had one prepared for your birthday, but it looks like I should give you an even better one for making me feel so satisfied.”

Duke Thermion gestured with his hand and said, “Bring me that crest.”