Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 6: Trash

The breakfast I had in the luxurious mansion was quite satisfying.

A pleasant aroma, a soft texture, a balanced harmony, and the taste-enhancing cutlery.

Even in this world, enjoying good food was one of Kaplan’s small joys.

However, it would have been a more satisfying meal if the boy’s sister hadn’t been staring daggers at him.

“A woman who embodies the essence of a knight.”

Scarlet Judith. That was Flan’s brief impression when he encountered her.

The first thing that caught his eye was her jet-black hair, dark as midnight.

It was tied up like a ponytail, yet it was still quite long. It must have been rather inconvenient for a swordsman.

But as a woman, it was splendid. It undeniably doubled her attractiveness.

She also had the red eyes that symbolized this family.

However, there was a slight difference.

While the boy’s eyes resembled clear jewels when seen in the mirror, the female knight’s eyes were more like blazing flames.

“You’ve become quite skilled with your cutlery.”

Her sharp gaze and tone were like a sword in themselves.

Seeing no gaps in her demeanor, she must have been a rather renowned knight.

The boy nodded appropriately at her words.

Although he was born of humble origins, he had lived like a noble after proving many things.

As such, these small habits had naturally become ingrained in him.

Moreover, after reading through books about this world all night, he realized that table manners in this world were the same as in his previous world.

“Have you been practicing?”

“Not really.”

At that, Scarlet scrutinized the boy with eyes that seemed unsure of his true intentions.

It was only natural. Flan usually trembled like a leaf whenever he sat across from Scarlet.

But today, he was quite proficient with his cutlery, and he wasn’t nervous at all.

“Trash.”

Trash. In the middle of the meal, Scarlet suddenly muttered the word.

Was there something to throw away, and was she calling the maid over? Flan ignored it and continued his meal.

“Hey, trash.”

She muttered again, and their eyes met in midair. She was staring blankly at Flan.

“Trash… don’t tell me she’s referring to me?”

“Who else could it be? In the House of the Flame Knight, anything that isn’t even good enough to be kindling is called trash.”

Even so, does she really call her brother trash?

This family is quite something. Flan quietly continued to move his cutlery, ignoring her.

He had no reason to be upset by Scarlet’s words. After all, she was just another person to him.

“I heard you applied and got accepted into the Academy’s Magic Department.”

Flan nodded nonchalantly. That seemed to be the case.

“Do you plan to continue attending?”

Her sharp gaze and endless questions were starting to become irritating.

He just wanted to enjoy his meal, but the constant interruptions were becoming increasingly annoying.

If one of his students had done such a thing during a meal, he would have used telekinesis to pull on their ear.

But this was the boy’s house, and the person in front of him was his sister.

That fact gave Kaplan a bit more patience.

Meanwhile, Scarlet pressed him further.

“Trash. I’m asking if you plan to continue attending.”

“I should.”

It was only natural that his interest in the Academy, which claimed to pursue truth and wisdom, had grown.

He moved the fork and knife smoothly.

He pierced the adequately cooked steak with his fork, cut it into small pieces so that the seasoning wouldn’t smear on his mouth, and put it into his mouth.

He thought the flavor was a bit lacking when he felt Scarlet’s subtle gaze.

“Why do you keep staring at me?”

“……”

Scarlet quietly licked her lower lip as she observed her brother.

He had changed a little.

No, it wasn’t just a little change.

His demeanor was full of elegance and refinement. His self-confidence bordered on arrogance.

What could it be? Even his way of speaking had completely changed.

She propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought. What had happened to cause such a change?

As she stared intently at him, an unexpected voice from Flan struck her ears.

“Disgraceful.”

Their eyes met in midair.

“Is propping your chin during a meal part of this family’s etiquette? I don’t think so.”

“…Ha.”

Scarlet let out a snort of disbelief.

Did he just reprimand her? While his point wasn’t wrong, the boy was utterly oblivious to his own status.

“Trash. You shouldn’t be so confident.”

Scarlet impatiently slapped down a sheet of paper with a loud snap.

“The North was freezing cold.”

Her expression turned more serious as she continued.

“I endured by cutting down enemies, cutting down sleep, cutting down the cold, cutting down everything. Do you know why?”

Frankly, Flan wasn’t interested in her reasons.

However, he wasn’t so rude as to continue eating while someone was speaking seriously, so he quietly put down his fork and knife.

“Judith.”

Scarlet pointed to the emblem on her uniform—a single sword blazing with flames.

“It was all for Judith. The prestige of our family, which we’ve built up, must never be tarnished. But…”

Scarlet gently pushed the paper toward Flan with her fingertips. He quietly accepted it and looked it over.

**[ F ]**

The Academy’s insignia, several subjects, the fact that he had passed.

There were various things written on it, but in the end, the grade was the key.

“I received this report as soon as I returned. Did I come back just to receive this kind of trash?”

Flan didn’t have much of a reaction.

It didn’t matter what kind of treatment he received at the Academy or how skilled he was. None of that was important.

The only thing that mattered was that the soul of a Grand Magician now resided within the boy’s body.

His calm expression and silence only made Scarlet angrier.

“Quit.”

Scarlet said, placing her knife and fork down with a loud clatter.

“What?”

“Of course, the Academy. Drop out of the Magic Department and reapply to the Swordsmanship Department.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll no longer be a Judith.”

Scarlet’s voice burned like embers.

“You’re a disgrace to Judith. Don’t think I’ll be as lenient as the head of the family. I have no intention of letting you tarnish the family’s reputation.”

“Tarnish?”

“Yes, tarnish. The fact that you, a member of a knightly family, applied to the Magic Department is enough to make you a laughingstock.”

“Hmm.”

“And your grade is the lowest, too. Aren’t you ashamed of being a disgrace to the family?”

The atmosphere was tense, like walking on the edge of a blade.

The maids standing around were on the verge of tears, some clutching their aprons in fear.

However, Kaplan quietly curled the corners of his lips.

“What if I don’t tarnish it?”

“What do you mean?”

Scarlet’s expression hardened. Her red eyes burned quietly.

“What if I don’t tarnish this family’s reputation, but instead bring it even greater honor?”

“A low-grade… are you joking with me?”

Scarlet’s expression was the same as someone who had once disregarded the powerless Kaplan long ago.

So, it felt familiar.

After a moment, Scarlet called out to Flan again.

“Hey, trash.”

“What?”

“Do you know what word knights like the most?”

Duel? Well, as someone who had walked the path of a magician, he wouldn’t know such a thing.

“Proof.”

“Proof?”

“Yes, proof. What can you, who has never proven anything, possibly do to bring honor?”

Proof.

Proof, huh.

He mulled over the word once, twice, and then involuntarily chuckled.

To his surprise, it was the same as his favorite word.

“I can prove anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes. All I want to do is practice magic.”

After wiping his hands with a handkerchief, Scarlet rubbed her chin with her hand.

“Anything…”

It was the first time she had ever seen her brother act this way. She was a little curious about where this confidence came from.

With a slightly puzzled expression, she asked,

“What if you can’t prove it, even if I give you time?”

“I’ll accept the condition. Whether I’m expelled from the family or forced to take up a sword.”

Scarlet pondered for a long time.

“Then let’s do this.”

Finally, she made a decision.

“The deadline is the midterm evaluation. Raise your grade to the highest level. Also, during your time in the Magic Department, you must never mention that you’re from the Judith family.”

Scarlet placed her clasped hands on the table and propped her chin on them.

“This is my final mercy. How about it?”

“I accept.”

Flan nodded easily.

“In return, if I succeed in proving myself, never interfere in my affairs again.”

“If you succeed, I won’t. But if you fail, Judith will…”

“I’ll be going now.”

Kaplan quietly stood up from his seat.

There was no reason to listen to Scarlet any longer. After all, he wasn’t planning on failing.

A few memories from the past surfaced and scattered.

There were always people who demanded proof from him.

He had proven countless things. And the reward he asked for proof was always the same.

Don’t interfere with him anymore.

That was enough. Whether they cursed or praised him, as long as they didn’t interfere, he didn’t care.

“…The meal isn’t finished yet, where do you think you’re going?!”

He heard an angry voice from behind, but he didn’t

stop.

“Shall I get going?”

It was time to head to the Academy.

Once again, he would simply prove himself.

◈

The Academy uniform felt awkward.

In any case, I had left the mansion. I planned to just walk.

My brain remembered the path I took with Becky. I intended to walk in the opposite direction and head to the Academy.

“Young master, I’ll take you there.”

A carriage I hadn’t seen before was waiting with a servant.

It looked no different from a typical carriage, except it had four wheels.

The only difference was that there were no horses pulling it.

“I’ve seen this before.”

On the first day at the mansion, while staying up all night, I had seen an overview of this vehicle in the library.

It was called an automobile.

“Miss Scarlet ordered that I assist you with your commute until the midterm evaluation.”

Regardless, my gaze and interest were solely on the automobile.

I was curious about how it moved without the power of horses.

“Make it move.”

“Pardon? But young master, you should get in first…”

“Hurry up. Just a little is fine.”

The servant hesitated before climbing into the front seat. After a moment, a rumbling sound was heard, and the vehicle began to tremble.

I examined it from various angles, moving around it.

Not only its exterior, but I also placed my hand on the trembling vehicle to feel the flow of mana inside.

“Four.”

There were four containers in the core, each holding mana.

They continuously performed their function, repeating intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust.

Had this world progressed in such a way?

It was somewhat pleasing. Perhaps it even sparked a bit of competitiveness.

“Young master… we should get going soon!”

“Get in.”

“Yes!”

I observed the scenery outside the window.

I hadn’t noticed it while walking with Becky at night, but the outside bathed in the brilliant sunlight was quite a sight.

A huge main gate that made me wonder if it led to another world, a path filled with vibrant flowers and trees.

Buildings so numerous that it was impossible to count them all.

All of it encompassed Merhen Academy.

…The place where I would prove myself.

“You did well.”

“Yes!”

Once I got out, there was much to get used to. First of all, the large crowd.

Students, faculty, and people who appeared to be other staff… I was aware of them, but seeing the crowd in person was like looking at a cloud.

As I stood there, pondering what to do next, someone called out.

“Hey!”

At the same time, a loud, clear voice echoed. My expression naturally crumpled.

I turned around to identify the culprit.

“…You.”

A girl with red hair flowing down to her waist was looking at me.

“Flan!”

Yes, it was Becky.