REAPER SCANS

I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan

[Translator – Jreaming]

[Proofreader – Harley]

Chapter 16

Chris spoke without wavering. 

"Let me make it clear. My goal is to have the Dark Magic Clan submit to me."

Caught off guard, Count Kazar found himself dumbfounded. "What are you suggesting...?"

"You still fail to understand. It's not as complicated as it seems. I, Christian, am saying that I will become the head of the Dark Magic Clan."

Count Kazar's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the audacious declaration.

'He's genuinely shocked. If he knew my true goal, he'd probably faint.'

Taking control of the Dark Magic Clan was merely the first step. His ultimate goal was to reach the pinnacle of the empire.

To become a Demon King.

'But I need to be a high-ranking Demon King. Only then can I prevent the Great War.'

In the Magic Empire, there was more than one Demon King. Several Demon Kings existed under the highest-ranking Demon King, the Demon Emperor.

Interestingly, the Demon King of Carnage, who instigated the Great War, was the fourth-ranked Demon King.

Therefore, Chris had to become at least the third-ranked Demon King.

'If I can achieve that, I can enjoy limitless wealth and fame.'

Just then, Count Kazar slowly began to speak. "Do you genuinely believe you can become the ruler of the Dark Magic Clan? We are merely a branch family."

"I'm aware that even someone from a branch family can be recognized as a successor if they possess the necessary ability."

"That is just a nominal regulation. More importantly, you are lagging significantly behind your peers, are you not?"

Now, he acknowledged that his son had changed. However, the wasted years couldn't be erased. While Christian had spent his time recklessly, the other young pillars of the main family had been soaring higher and higher.

Among them, Eschid had flown the highest.

"But lagging behind can be corrected. Let me ask you, why do you think Eschid tried to sabotage me?"

Count Kazar fell silent for a moment. 

It was indeed puzzling. Eschid was far superior entity to Christian, so why would he interfere?

"I am not certain, but I can guess that it is because of your talent."

"Yes, you're correct." Chris nodded in agreement. "He resented me because my talent surpassed his."

Originally, Eschid was hailed as having the most exceptional talent among the Dark Magic Clan's next generation—until Christian was born.

The title of the greatest genius then shifted to Christian.

It was clear that Eschid had tried to sabotage Christian out of fear or jealousy.

'Looking back, it's ridiculous. All this over such a trivial matter, especially given our age difference.'

Eschid was nearing his late twenties, yet he had stooped so low out of envy over his cousin, nearly a decade his junior. 

Regardless, Christian had been acclaimed as a genius until he became a bastard. The one who had taken over Christian's body, acknowledged as a genius himself, had a talent that far surpassed Christian's. 

"I am superior to them. Overwhelmingly so."

Although he hadn't personally met the successors of the Dark Magic Clan to be able to make a comparison, he was confident of that fact.

In the future Great War, there wouldn't be any genius among the Dark Magic Clan who could match his talent. In fact, none would exist in the entire Magic Empire.

It wasn't without reason that the Hero said that if Chris had learned swordsmanship or magic, it could have altered the outcome of the war.

"Even though I'm behind now, I will eventually stand at the highest place—so high that they will not dare to look at me directly."

He wasn't interested in mere successors. They didn't matter to him. 

His goal was to reach the pinnacle of the Magic Empire. 

Hearing Chris' audacious words, Count Kazar stifled a gasp.

'What in the world...?'

It was an outrageous, impossible proposition. But those unwavering eyes, what did they mean?

It wasn't a declaration of determination. His gaze suggested that it was all a foregone conclusion. 

'Should I consider that to be his confidence or delusion, blurring his ability to make rational decisions?' 

No doubt it was a delusion, an absurd, hollow tale. But was it because he was his father? Or was it the unwavering determination in his son's eyes? Perhaps it was his recent transformation. 

The idea that Christian's declaration might not be mere delusion briefly crossed Count Kazar's mind. 

"In that regard, I have a request for you, Father."

"A request?"

"Yes. Do you remember I mentioned I would make a request once I'd entirely shed my reckless ways?" Chris continued, "Use your authority to recommend me to participate in the Sacred Dark Rite happening two months from now."

Count Kazar looked surprised. "The Sacred Dark Rite? But that is..."

The Sacred Dark Rite was a ritual in which the descendants of the Dark Magic Clan received the blessing of their inherent power, 'Pure Dark Energy'.

However, it wasn't as straightforward as merely receiving a blessing.

The participants had to compete, and in accordance with the survival of the fittest, the stronger ones received more significant blessings. The more superior you were to your competitor, the larger the blessing you received. However, if you lagged behind, you received nothing.

'It's also the most critical event for selecting successors.' 

The title of ‘Young Lord’ or ‘Young Lady’ was bestowed upon potential successors. They had to excel in this blessing ceremony to earn this title.

"As a descendant of the Dark Magic Clan, don't I have a right to participate?" 

"Sure, if we only consider your lineage. But are you not aware?" Count Kazar responded, shaking his head vehemently. "To participate in the Sacred Dark Rite, your mastery of dark energy must reach 2-star."

This was because pure dark energy could only be harnessed from the second star onwards. As a result, the Sacred Dark Rite was held every three years. Each time, members of the main and branch families who had reached 2-star would participate.

"It is impossible for you, who has just reached 1-star, to challenge this upcoming Sacred Dark Rite. You will have to wait three years."

That seemed like the natural conclusion. It took at least three years for a 1-star to progress to 2-star—it was usually five years, even more than that if they lacked talent.

Those born of the Dark Magic Clan’s blood possessed great talent, and it was very common for them to reach 2-star at the age of fifteen.

"I can't wait three years."

"But there is no other way, is there?"

"Yes, there is a way. I need to reach 2-star within the remaining two months."

Count Kazar's eyes widened and he said, "What nonsense."

Reaching 2-star in just two months? Throughout his absurd remarks so far, none had been as outrageous as this.

"Even Elder Clan Head Noh, revered as the most exceptional genius in the Dark Magic Clan's history, took over a year and a half to attain 2-star. And yet, you are suggesting that you will achieve it in a mere two months? There is a limit to how outrageous your assertions can be," Count Kazar countered, his brow furrowed in disbelief.

Chris could understand Count Kazar's skepticism. 

'Even the Hero, the brightest luminary of the Dominion of Light, took slightly over a year to achieve 2-star, as far as I recall.' 

This phenomenal pace had left everyone flabbergasted at the time. So, the notion of reaching 2-star in just two months did indeed seem preposterous, but...

Chris smirked.

"Would you like to watch something interesting for a moment?"

Chris drew his sword.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Just watch as I demonstrate. It's Mud Swordsmanship."

"...But you have not learned Mud Swordsmanship, have you?"

Mud Swordsmanship was the swordsmanship of the Black Swamp Knights. Count Kazar had not taught the ruined Christian any techniques of the Black Swamp Knights.

"I got a rough idea of it by watching at the training grounds."

"What? That is absurd." Count Kazar was left dumbfounded.

"You'll recognize it when you see it. Just sit back and observe."

"…Alright."

Count Kazar gave a nod of agreement. Chris then assumed a stance and started demonstrating his Mud Swordsmanship. As he watched, Count Kazar's eyes widened progressively. 

An unbelievable, impossible spectacle began to unfold right before him.

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Reaper Scans

Translator – Jreaming

Proofreader – Harley

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'Emulating basic sword techniques like these is a piece of cake.'

As observed with Mellin, the Black Swamp Knights were composed of spellsword knights. It was a knight order that utilized both swordsmanship and dark magic.

Not just the Black Swamp Knights, but the entire Dark Magic Clan was like this.

So why were the Black Swamp Knights called the Black Swamp Knights?

It was because their specialty was weakening and subduing enemies through curse magic, as if miring them in a swamp.

Thus, their sword skills focused more on controlling and weakening opponents than delivering raw power.

Mud Swordsmanship was a style specialized with that intention. Once a person understood the essence of swordsmanship, imitation became much easier.

Swish!

Chris executed the first move, Mud Splatter.

It was flawless.

Not just the sword swings but the movement of his arms, body postures, footwork, and even the flow of his dark energy.

It wasn't only the first move.

The second, the third as well.

Motions of impeccable perfection unfolded.

'How... how is this possible?'

As someone proficient in Mud Swordsmanship, Count Kazar could understand just how precise his Mud Swordsmanship was.

'Did Deputy Commander Mellin teach him separately? No, that does not align with her personality.'

Even if that were the case, it still seemed far-fetched. He had just been a bastard a few days prior. Even with constant instruction over the past 24 hours, achieving this level of mastery seemed impossible.

Seeing Count Kazar's stunned state, Chris chuckled to himself.

'Something like this? It's nothing impressive.’

It was just foundational swordsmanship.

All he had to do was mimic what he saw.

Black Swamp Knights who had sweated blood for years to properly learn Mud Swordsmanship would be infuriated hearing this, but to Chris, it was all too simple.

So, Chris decided to surprise Count Kazar a little more.

'Ending with mere imitation would be too mundane.'

After one round of Mud Swordsmanship demonstration, Chris moved his body once again.

Upon seeing the new form of Mud Swordsmanship Chris performed, Count Kazar's eyes grew even wider, as if about to burst out of their sockets.

'His form is different? But…'

Chris initiated the first move, an aggressive strike designed to bind the opponent's feet. However, a subtle difference was present. It was so minute that only a master of Mud Swordsmanship could discern it.

The sword traced the same path, but the positioning of the legs and the twist of the torso had altered. As a result, the sword's movement had become lighter and swifter.

This was in line with Mud Swordsmanship's objective to control the opponent. A minor variation, but one that could create a significant difference in an actual fight.

It wasn't just with Mud Splatter.

The second move, the third move as well. Chris made slight adjustments to execute Mud Swordsmanship even more efficiently within its intended framework.

Eventually, the demonstration came to an end. Count Kazar couldn't utter a word, his expression blank.

"What do you think?"

"You... you..."

Seeing Count Kazar's shocked expression, Chris smirked. "Contact the main house. Tell them I'll be attending the Sacred Dark Rite in two months."

His voice was so calm it bordered on audacity. 

"Two months is more than enough for me to reach 2-star." 

In reality, he didn't even need that much time. 

For reference, in the Dominion of Light, Chris had taken one and a half months to reach it.

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