I am Kurt Von Ritzburg

While I got a sword for demon hunting, there is still something left for me to do in this Beans Workshop. And that is to meet and obtain my first follower – Mark Bean.

Originally, I thought of only being acquainted with him, but now the situation has changed. I have decided to make him my follower.

And now you must be thinking, why do Kurt want to make Mark Bean his follower? Then get ready to be shocked by my superb villain mind.

"I have business ideas. And to manage, I am sure I can find someone. But… Who will make the items based on my ideas?"

And in this scenario, who could fit the best except Mark Bean. He is a blacksmith, and has a potential of being a high-class magician. He could serve as both a manufacturer and a bodyguard.

Though he can't make the items now, I am investing in him for the future. But how to make him my retainer?

"Harold-san. I still have something to ask."

"What is it, Kurt-sama?"

He had some kind of strange gaze on me but I ignored and asked him about Mark Bean, being ignorant about it.

"Is that your son?"

"Yes. His name is Mark."

Mark heard me and his father talking about him and hid away a bit from my sight. He seems to be nervous about meeting a noble just like his father.

'The deterrence effect of a noble is too widespread. No wonder original Kurt went around announcing his name and no one did anything to him.'

Though he got his ass kicked by fellow good willed nobles.

"Can you call him?"

"Yes. Mark, come here."

Harold quickly called him and listening to his father's orders, Mark came with a hesitant pace and throwing occasional looks on me with caution in his eyes.

I looked at him with a stare, acted as if I am observing him deeply. And then, I said it in front of everyone.

"Hmm… I am sure."

"What are you sure, Kurt-sama?"

"Mark has an aptitude to become a magician."

For commoners who idolize the Sage and the Guru to an extreme, becoming a magician is a dream for most of them.

But most of them lack the aptitude for it. And they take the roads to become knights which is tough, but at least achievable.

"W-What?! Are you sure, Kurt-sama?!"

I could see the eyes of joy not only on Harold's face but also on Mark. He seems to quite hyped up on the fact that he could to become a magician like the Sage.

'The influence of the Sage is really too much.'

Let alone the high nobles, even the King bows his head in front of the Sage. The power structure is messed up because of him.

'It's good that the Sage is a good-natured person.'

Finding his powers to be powerful enough to imbalance the society, he went to live in forest. If I was in his place, I would have fully abused my powers and lived an extravagant life.

'Maybe because of my selfish mindset, I am reincarnated as a villain.'

"Yeah. I am certain about it. How about I teach him magic?"

"R-Really?"

"Yes. Think of it as an apology for me to destroy your floor. But he has to become my retainer."

"Just that?"

Harold seems to be bewildered that the cost of teaching magic is that low. But all that is what I need.

"Yes. Just that. So, what do you think, Mark? Want to learn magic?"

I already knew the answer. That twinkle in his eyes can't be hidden away. And in matter of seconds, I heard the answer I wanted.

"Yes! Please teach me magic, Kurt-sama!"

And with that, The Sword Smith – Mark Bean has been acquired!

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"Please come again, Kurt-sama. I will make your weapons in future for free!"

"Alright. You better not forget it."

And after that, I sat on the carriage and bid farewell to the Beans Workshop. And while leaving, I thought of all of my gains in this trip.

I got Mark Bean. Though I left him back in Beans to make sure he learns all of his father's blacksmithing skills. 

I got a weapon. Though not special, it led me to know my compatibility with all weapons.

I got a business idea and even though it will take a bit of time, it is guaranteed to make me filthy rich.

And with all that, I even got a promise of lifetime support of my weapons which is a bonus.

So many benefits… I had a stroke of good luck today.

It didn't take long for to return back to the house where my father didn't wait and called me right after my arrival.

"Kurt, did you get your weapon?"

"Yes."

"Do you anything else?"

"No. I think I have everything for departure."

"That's good. And Kurt?"

"Yes, father?"

"Be safe."

"Yes."

Looking at his worry towards me made my heart warm a bit. But I failed to notice that wicked smile on his face as I turned around and left the office.

"Kurt!"

As I entered my room, I looked at the figure and my eyes started to palpitate. How? How could it happen?

And that's when I understood the meaning of his words – Be safe.

'That senile old man!'

"I heard that you are about to become a demon hunter. I forbid it!"

"What are you doing here, Mother?"

And the figure in front of me is my mother, the one who suffocated me to death just as I reincarnated to this world.

'And here I thought my day was going too well.' 

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