Chapter 5: Chapter 5
* * *
Dusk and the darkness of the night sky interlocked like gears. Beyond the snow-covered horizon, darkness fell faster than on the ground.
"Dale."
At his teacher Sepia's command, Dale stretched out his arms. Before him was a undead rabbit, resurrected through necromancy, encased in an armor of ice. As he focused his consciousness on it...
Clink!
The frozen armor surrounding the rabbit shattered, exploding like a grenade. Countless ice fragments scattered in all directions.
A freezing explosion.
But the explosion didn't stop there. Immediately after the armor shattered, the frozen flesh and bones beneath also exploded.
Corpse explosion.
Following the ice fragments, bone shards from the body became sharp blades, flying outward. The double explosion finally ended.
A masterful art harmonizing the dual properties of water and darkness.
"You did well."
The destructive power could take out five or six heavily armored soldiers in one blow. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary explosion spell. However, Sepia noted the hidden techniques.
'The killing power was maximized through fragmentation.'
Dale had consciously shredded his explosives, emphasizing the shrapnel effect, much like a 21st-century grenade. Sepia, unaware of such modern technology, marveled.
'It's so elaborate that it's hard to believe it's the work of an 8-year-old.'
Magic is the embodiment of the user's imagination. Magicians induce a 'magical personality and form' that suits their purpose through conscious self-suggestion.
And 8-year-old Dale used a 'method of slaughter' comparable to seasoned battle wizards. He surpassed the combat magic doctrine of the imperial army, refined over centuries of war. What kind of world exists in this child's mind?
"It's all thanks to you, teacher!"
Nevertheless, this child smiled brightly after receiving praise. Sephia smiled complicatedly at the scene.
"I guess that's enough for today."
"Yes!"
At that moment...
Heehee!
A group of knights appeared on horseback beyond the dusky horizon, wearing black armor with the Duke of Saxony's coat of arms.
Not long ago, the Raven Knights, led by Lord Helmut, had gone to conquer a dungeon in the Demon King's Territory.
"Uncle Helmut!"
Dale waved excitedly. The knights, who were about to pass by, quickly turned their noses at the sight.
"What are you doing here, Young master and Sepia?"
"I am learning magic from the teacher."
Lord Helmut blinked in surprise.
"Already mastering magic!"
Lord Helmut muttered in disbelief.
"Yes, I'm just starting."
Dale smiled humbly, uncharacteristic for an 8-year-old.
"More importantly, Uncle Helmut, how did the dungeon conquest go?"
Helmut laughed heartily, tapping his breastplate.
"We conquered the dungeon safely!"
"As expected, Uncle."
A master of swordsmanship ranked among the continent's seven, leading the 'black cavalry'. The power of the Duchy of Jackson didn't rely solely on the Black Duke's necromantic skills.
"I, Helmut, swear to be loyal to the Duke of Jackson with my life to hand over this land safely to the Young master in the future!"
"Thank you, Uncle."
Dale smiled and nodded at Lord Helmut's loyalty. Sir Helmut then straightened his horse's reins.
"I will report to His Excellency the Duke."
"Be careful going in, Uncle Helmut."
"Yes, Young master!"
Lord Helmut pulled the reins, and his black war horse kicked the ground, its mane flying.
"This land will be yours one day."
Sepia muttered, gazing at the endless white mountains along the horizon.
"Indeed, it is a vast land."
* * *
That night, the Duke of Jackson's office was filled with vassals, including Lord Helmut, the elders of the Black Magic Tower, and Sepia, the elder of the Blue Magic Tower who tutored Dale.
"What about Dale's progress?"
The duke's first question was, of course, about his son.
"He has achieved mastery of the 1st Circle in both necromancy and water magic."
"Necromancy and water magic...dual properties!"
The Black Tower elder gasped.
"However, I believe I cannot teach Confucius dark magic any further."
Sepia's eyes turned to the Duke of Saxony, the greatest necromancer and warlock on the continent, and Dale's father.
It was absurd for a Blue Tower elder to teach dark magic.
"I would like to continue guiding him in water magic, as he wishes."
The Duke nodded. Elena still didn't know her son was learning necromancy. If Dale continued to desire dark magic, it wouldn't be Sepia's job to teach him.
"I will talk to my wife again."
The Duke ended the discussion about Dale.
* * *
Early the next morning, the Duke and Duchess' bedroom.
"Oh my, you came late."
Elena smiled quietly at her husband.
"You worked hard today too."
"Thank you."
She handed him a glass of wine, and he accepted with an unusually gentle smile.
"I have good news."
A rare kind smile, seen only by Elena. Even she once feared the Black Duke's notoriety.
"It's about our son."
"Dale?"
Elena's expression lit up at the mention of their son.
"The elder says he has already mastered the first circle of magic."
"Already!"
"Our child has a talent like no other."
The Black Duke's joy as a father was evident.
"As expected, our child is exceptional."
"There are definitely things that set him apart."
It was hard to describe him as merely a genius. Sometimes his demeanor was unnervingly mature.
"Still, he's our lovely child."
Elena's unwavering motherly smile was clear.
"He is our child, indeed."
The Black Duke's sentiment was the same.
"I want to impart him the strength to protect our land."
The Black Duke took a deep breath.
* * *
A few days later, Dale practiced magic on the plains outside the city, raising corpses and controlling cold air, refining his skills towards the second circle, under Sepia's instruction.
In the distance, a procession bearing the Duke of Jackson's coat of arms approached.
'Father went to Necropolis, where the Black Magic Tower is located, this morning. What kind of journey is it?' Dale wondered
Dale tilted his head in curiosity. The guard knights quickly knelt before the shadows that emerged from the carriage.
"Oh, mother!"
It was Dale's mother, Elena. She approached with her maids, and Dale swallowed his embarrassment.
"Were you learning magic here?"
"Yes."
Elena walked towards Dale, ignoring the recently resurrected rabbit hopping around. Sepia couldn't hide her embarrassment.
"This is...."
Even Sepia was flustered. Dale was about to speak when Elena interrupted.
"I made a promise to your father."
Her voice held no reprimand, only deep maternal love.
"The undead army he raised scared me as a child."
Elena spoke kindly.
"When he confessed to me, he was so scared he burst into tears."
"Mother..."
"Back then, I was young and immature. I can still see his embarrassment clearly."
Elena paused.
"But our land faces too many enemies."
With a resolve stronger than her kindness, Elena continued.
As the daughter of a count, she had grown up sheltered. But as the Duchess of Saxony, she understood the harsh reality of the empire, plagued by strife.
"I had forgotten that it is your father's strength, which defends this land."
"…"
"As the eldest son of a duke, I failed to see the burdens that you needed to shoulder."
Dale was speechless.
"This vast land and family, your father and I, and your new sibling."
"A sibling?"
"You wanted a sister, right?"
Elena smiled, patting her stomach. A faint life stirred within.
"It's a late birthday present."
Dale's wish had come true.
* * *
T/L Note:
Its described in such a way that its almost as if they already know its going to be girl... but that's just my opinion.
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