The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority Chapter 79 : Preparing One's Self to be Thrown into the Spid

Preparing One's Self to be Thrown into the Spider's Web (2)

There were two months left until the deserted island survival exam, which would determine the top student of the first sester this year.

Ian organized the things he had to prepare.

'First of all.'

He would absorb all the remaining aura in Vladiark and raise his level to lower late-stage Swordmaster.

Currently, Ian's level was at the entry of Swordmaster.

And there was still about a third of the aura left in Vladiark that he hadn't absorbed yet.

'To completely absorb it all and make it my own... that should take about two weeks.'

On weekdays, he would return as soon as his duties at the Sword Dragon Hall were done and train his aura until dawn; on weekends, he would pull all-nighters. By doing so, he should be able to absorb all the aura stored in Vladiark within about two weeks.

'Two weeks... it's a little tight, but there's no big problem. As long as there are no unexpected variables.'

Then, what ca next?

'Second.'

He would project and acquire the storage magic of the subspace artifact.

'This is the most important task.'

Aris had forbidden the use of the sword received during the Sword Selection Ceremony in this deserted island exam.

There must have been so sche behind adding such a condition.

If he wanted to secretly carry Vladiark in preparation for any traps she might set on the island, he had to make sure to project the storage magic.

'This will take about a month and a week more.'

Magic that manipulated space-ti, like subspace storage spells, belonged to the most rare and difficult branch.

Very few could handle it even among the seventh-circle mages—the highest level attainable with a human body.

Those who could use space-ti magic were almost all great mages above the 8th-circle, monsters who had either given up on or transcended the human body to beco sothing else.

Even though subspace storage magic had a lower level of difficulty among space-ti magics, its complexity still placed it in the highest tier.

To compare it to aura levels, at least early-stage Grandmaster or above would be required.

'To think I can acquire such an amazing spell in just over a month.'

It was thanks to Vladiark and countless fortunate encounters.

If he were still at the Expert rank instead of Swordmaster, it would have taken at least half a year, or over three years at worst.

'Of course, even three years would be astoundingly fast compared to ordinary mages.'

Without the Authority of Projection, subspace magic was sothing he'd have trouble handling in a lifeti, let alone three years.

It was a mont when he once again realized the overwhelming performance of this transcendent authority: to be able to use a magic that even genius mages might need decades to learn, in just a month.

'Aside from those two things...'

The rest were simply daily tasks.

As usual, training his swordsmanship and physical fitness together with Sophia.

Bringing Charlotte into the annex to help with housework, just as the Heavenly Sword Lord had requested.

And...

He simply had to live quietly at the Sword Dragon Hall for two months, so that Aris wouldn't hatch any new sches.

'I'd like to get closer to Yuria before the exam if possible.'

But if he were to show such a closeness, Aris might be provoked.

Aris saw Yuria as nothing but an obstacle to succeeding the family head.

If he showed any closeness to Yuria, there was a good chance Aris would believe Yuria was coveting Ian, whom she had marked for herself.

If, due to such a misunderstanding, that crazy woman tried to harm Yuria, all of Ian's painstaking plans would collapse.

Until Ian was able to handle Aris perfectly, it was best to avoid provoking her and quietly focus on his growth.

'Haa... Aris...'

He hadn't entered the Sword Dragon Hall just to tiptoe around and mind her moods.

He had co to build as many happy mories as possible with Yuria and Sophia.

'Tsk.'

But with things already at this point, complaining wouldn't change anything.

Besides, the situation wasn't even that bad for him to grumble about.

'Alright. Enough with the spoiled complaints.'

There would always be so disappointnts.

If nothing was lacking, then he'd be a god, not a human.

It was his job to resolve these issues for the sake of those he cared about.

–Nod.

With that, Ian got up from his desk.

He burned the densely written plan with the fla of a scented candle.

Before he knew it, it was deep night with the moon at its zenith.

Sophia was sound asleep on the large bed, breathing softly.

"......"

Ian gently brushed away the strand of hair stuck to Sophia's lips and lay down.

Tomorrow, a busy daily routine would begin.

* * *

The morning of the new school term.

The Sword Dragon Hall's schedule proceeded as if they were preparing for end-of-term exams.

The end-of-term exam this sester was a deserted island survival.

Accordingly, the classes and training focused on wilderness survival skills, camouflage, ambushes, countering surprise attacks, and other content necessary for surviving on a deserted island.

"Uwaaa!!"

During the break after the written test on distinguishing dicinal herbs and poisonous plants, Sophia frantically ruffled her own hair.

"F-fifty-seven...!? I thought I'd get at least 80! Waaah! It's so hard to tell the plants apart! No matter how much I look, I just don't get it! Heueeung..."

Sophia collapsed onto her desk as if she were lting.

Ian quietly patted her on the shoulder.

"You just haven't had enough practice yet. If you keep at it, it'll get easy to tell them apart soon."

"Uu... What score did you get, young master?"

"?"

Ian glanced sideways at his own test paper.

100 points.

For a mont, he wondered if he should intentionally answer so questions wrong to avoid drawing unnecessary attention with an overly high score.

But he thought it over and just marked them all correctly.

It wasn't as if Aris would lose interest just because he got a few questions wrong, and since written exam scores and class attitude factored into picking the top student, he decided to keep it perfect.

'Luckily the written test was easy.'

He rembered living almost like a primitive person in the forest with his comrades during the Hisperion civil war in his previous life, so it was simple for him.

Thanks to that experience, basic distinction between poisonous and dicinal plants wasn't difficult at all.

"Oh, wow! 100 points?!"

Sophia saw all the circles on Ian's answer sheet and collapsed again atop her desk like a deflated balloon.

"Ugh... I thought at least I'd finally beat you in a written test, young master...!!"

Ian laughed out loud at the sight of Sophia.

"......?"

At that mont, he sensed a gaze from nearby.

When he imdiately turned his head, he saw Hector glaring at Ian from among his group.

"... Tch."

After glaring for a mont, Hector clicked his tongue and looked away.

"......"

Ian clicked his tongue with a hint of regret.

'If he's going to pick a fight, he should just do it quickly.'

For days now, Hector had only been glaring at Ian.

He never spoke nor tried to physically bump into him.

Occasionally, he'd show a wicked smile, suggesting he was up to sothing sneaky.

'Maybe I should go deal with him myself.'

He sotis thought that, but for now, it was best to hold back if possible.

Hector might seem like nothing but a thug, but he was actually the direct son of one of Hisperion's most prestigious vassal families.

By vassal family rank, his house was several steps above the Greysel family.

If Ian carelessly provoked him, he'd be hard-pressed to avoid a severe penalty.

Since disciplinary records would also affect the selection of the top student, it was wisest to endure for now.

'A good opportunity will co soon anyway.'

Dealing with Hector should be saved for practical training or exams.

At those tis, he could publicly beat him to a pulp, right up to the brink of death.

That should make Hector behave himself from then on.

Unless he actually wanted to suffer even worse consequences.

"......"

Having organized his thoughts, Ian turned his gaze away.

Then, as he was opening his textbook to prepare for the next lesson—

–Tap.

"...?"

A slip of paper fell out from between the pages.

'What's this?'

He picked it up and unfolded it. The handwriting was all too familiar.

'Yuria?'

It was unmistakably Yuria's handwriting.

'The content is...'

–Ian Greysel. Co behind the old school building's storage after class. I have sothing to say.

–Note: Don't let anyone see you. Co alone. Make sure you're by yourself.

That was all.

'Why is this so suspicious...'

She didn't even write her na.

Had he not recognized Yuria's handwriting, he might have ignored it.

As Ian tucked the note away, the instructor ca in and started the theoretical lecture.

–Riiiiiing!

Soon, all classes and training for the day ended, and the bell rang signaling the end of activities.

"Uu... I'm hungry, young master... Let's go ho, quick!"

"Go on ahead today. Go with Miss Charlotte."

"Huh? What about you, young master? Aren't you coming with ?"

"I have sowhere to stop by."

"Where?"

"Sorry. I won't be late. I'll co back before dinner. See you soon~!"

Ian brushed off Sophia's questions and headed toward the storage building behind the old schoolhouse.

"Tell where you're going!!"

Sophia's voice ringing from behind, but since Yuria told him to co alone, he couldn't tell her.

–Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Behind the old school building's storage, where few people ever walked.

With weeds growing up to his knees, it was hard to get through.

"You're here quickly. Ian Greysel."

When he arrived, Yuria was already waiting.

"This note. Did you send it, milady?"

Ian asked, even though he already knew.

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I have sothing to tell you."

Yuria stretched her neck out, scanning behind Ian, then glanced over her own shoulder before beckoning Ian closer.

"Co a bit closer."

"......"

Ian did as she said and stepped closer.

Only when he was right beside her, a handspan away, did Yuria give a nod.

"Let borrow your ear for a second. I have to say this quietly."

"......"

Ian nodded and leaned in to listen.

It was a request he would never have agreed to from anyone else.

"Alright, then..."

Yuria cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered in Ian's ear.

"... I wanted to let you know, you might be in danger."

"...?"

Ian blinked and turned toward Yuria.

"Ack, wah!"

Yuria jumped back like a startled cat.

"M-my lips! We almost touched!"

"Ah. Sorry."

But what did she an?

What's this about being in danger?

"Huu..."

Placing her hand on her chest, Yuria steadied herself before again cupping her hands at her mouth.

"... My sister seems really interested in you. ... You might not understand just from that, but this is bad news for you."

"Ah."

So, that was what this was about.

As if he wouldn't understand.

He knew better than anyone.

"By 'your sister' you an?"

"Aris Hisperion... She joined the Sword Dragon Hall this ti, right?"

Of course.

Ian already knew Aris was plotting sothing against him.

Even so, he didn't show it on his face.

Right now, he wanted to hear more of what Yuria wanted to say.

"Could you explain in more detail?"

"Yes. I know it's... a lot to process all of a sudden. But you have to believe . I'm not saying this to deceive or confuse you."

There was a pleading earnestness in Yuria's eyes.

"... You trust , right?"

Honestly, it was the kind of face he wanted to tease a little.

"No."

"Y-you have to trust ! You're really in danger! If you're late, it might be too late!!"

Yuria stomped her feet and shook Ian by the collar.

Ian suppressed the corners of his mouth, which wanted to curl into a smile, and nodded.

"All right. I'll listen, at least."

"Huu... Okay. You don't have to trust , but at least hear out... You really need to be careful."

She glanced all around once more. Then Yuria leaned close to Ian's ear again.

Ian listened quietly.

Yuria's warm breath tickled his ear.

"My sister... I an Aris Hisperion... she's not as nice as everyone thinks."

–Whoosh!

After saying this, Yuria glanced sideways at Ian to gauge his reaction.

"......"

Ian looked down at Yuria with a calm face.

She nodded and leaned in again.

"To be honest, she's almost like a murderer...! I know it sounds sudden and crazy...! But you really have to believe ...!!!"

Ian didn't think it was crazy or shocking.

He was touched.

'This is not sothing she could bring up easily...'

That she cared enough about him to tell him this...

'Yuria... you really...'

Just like in his previous life, she was coming to save him again.

"And take this."

Yuria removed a ring from her finger and held it out.

"It'll help you if you're in danger."

"This is...!"

Ian's eyes lit up when he saw the ring.

The ring that Yuria offered was a priceless heirloom made from the teeth she shed as a child.

Heavenly Bone Ring(天骨輪).

And—

If Ian used it, it would allow him to accelerate his plan more than twice as fast.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】