Reincarnated as a Genius Mage

"The Patriarch is not available."

A rough-looking young man– probably in his 20s says to me. His hollow black eyes stare down at me with disdain, and his neat blue hair is the only striking feature of his.

Why's he glaring at me like we're enemies?

"You'll have to come back later."

My brows furrow, and my eyes squint into a fierce glare that locks with his black eyes.

"And where did he go?"

My voice– I make it sound as cold as possible, even though it still carries a youthful flair. I can no longer standby and continue being intimidated by people no older than me.. mentally.

He instinctively raises his eyebrows as he hears my question.

"Did you not hear me?"

I press, my voice still layered with subtle authority.

His eyes narrow, "He's.. he's on a mission."

"Tsk."

I planned to see it one more time– the eight red rings around him. The rings only exist on individuals with circles.

The door– I open it, "Faleso right?"

That's his name. But he doesn't reply, he just watches me with open disgust.

"Notify him of my visit when he returns."

My voice is calm as I command him– Alexander's secretary. And I walk away.

He should be gnashing his teeth and clenching his fists by now– angered that an illegitimate bastard ordered him.

But it doesn't matter to me. My problem right now is that I have to go listen to those bland class two lessons. Tch.

_______________________

[Alexander POV]

"I really hate my life."

My destination is a rundown inn. I'm not far from it now, I can even smell the alcohol from here.

It's a rundown building. The blocks look like they'll collapse anytime soon and the wooden roof is already cracking.

But somehow, the stupid drunks and other stupid commoners in this city love the place.

The man named Kairo; I've been tracking him for three days now at the order of the Emperor. He's a grand swordmaster from the Kafer Empire. He's a living pinnacle at the apex of swordsmanship.

He's hailed as one of the ten great lances, and he was given the nickname, Golden Swordsman.

But I don't care about all that. No one here in the Jalozi Empire does. All we care about is the reason he– a power house from a non allied Empire snuck into our Empire illegally through a ship bringing in imported goods.

Just what the hell is he up to?

From the seaport where the ship he smuggled into landed, down to this place. I've been tracking him.

But I didn't think a man as renowned as him would stay in an inn like this, in a city like this. Even if it's called the city of beginnings– Ludia.

A sigh slides through my lips.

I've not eaten cake for three days now... I feel empty.

Finally, I arrive at the front, wooden door of the inn.

I slam the door open with a kick, and I walk in.

Hm?

All the people who were shouting and laughing seconds ago, go mute as soon as they see me.

"I-I.. is.. isn't that?"

"Sh– shut up. Hush, do you wanna die?"

They're like squealing rats. Except, rats don't whisper. Or, do they..

The air here is dead– the whole place reeks of alcohol.

The drunk men all sit on wooden chairs and tables.

On the ceiling; various chandelier-like structures with lit candles on them are hung.

With each chandelier I walk past; the fire on the candles flicker, cracks and changes its color. From yellow to blue, and from blue back to yellow again.

It's not like I do it on purpose. Flames bend to my mere presence— to my authority as the ruler of fire.

Everyone in the room– they're all shrieking, and shivering in fear.

It's a routine at this point. They all recognize me. Good..

The old inn keeper at the counter is hiding under the counter; refusing to come out.

I'm so tired of this.

My jaw and fists clench and my heartbeat increases subtly.

The heat in the room spikes, and everyone present in the room now have more than my mere presence to deal with.

At the far corner of the inn, where no other person is drinking at. A man is seated there. His head never shifts, and he never even gave me so much as a glance ever since I stepped into this room.

That composure.. only a mage above five circles can have it. Same thing with swordsmen– Only expert swordsmen and above can have that level of composure. The heat I'm emitting is no joke. It isn't just for show.

Slowly and cautiously, I approach him. Taking my time with each step.

"If it isn't the loyal dog of the Emperor..."

His voice– gruff but calm echoes loudly in the silent and fear stricken room.

Slam!

He slams his empty wooden mug on the table, wiping off the drool of alcohol that drips from the corner of his lips.

"Alexander Von Flameworth."

I'm not too far from him. I can see his facial expression now.

He's smiling?

His grin is wide and rough– like that of a mad man.

This man. He's nothing like his reputation deemed him to be. The Golden Swordsman is supposed to be a refined and regal. But this.. he...

"Are you Kairo?"

My voice– low and bitter. I can't believe this sorry sight is supposed to be the Golden Swordsman.

"What do you think boy?"

He turns his neck, and for the first time; his eyes meet with mine.

Ah...

I recognize it. I see it through his eyes– the gateway to the soul.

His golden eyes are fierce, beautiful in fact. But I know it when I see them. Dead eyes.

He's just like me.

His rough, long, mane-like white hair flows down his back. It's unkempt and dirty; like his unshaven long beard.

"Kairo Rolerville. Under the command of Emperor Jolari Felaz Jalozi, you are to foll–"

"Quit the bullshit." He says, cutting me off from my grand speech.

He... Cut me off? Wait. He? Cut? Me? Off?

"What?"

I ask, my voice tinged with barely concealed venom.

It's slithering around my heart again. Squeezing it tightly.. it's anger.

"I said quit the bullshit. Get out."

Alright, I'll just take him to the Emperor half-conscious. But– He's the Golden Swordsman, a grand swordmaster. Will I win?

He outstretches his middle finger toward my face.

Golden Swordsman? It doesn't matter. He's dead.

My palm; I open it, and immediately, a ball of flame hovers on it.

And then I clench my palm, crushing the ball of flames.

Immediately, the flames spread out around my fist, coating my black hand glove with fire.

You are to come with me. This is your last chance.. If you keep refusing..."

His free hand starts trailing toward the hilt of his sword; strapped in the sheath on his waist.

"Hoho. Finally, some fun for the first time in a long time?"

Shing!

He draws his sword, and slowly stands up.

So this is the presence of a grand swordmaster.

A cruel pressure weighs down on me, forcing me to kneel.

A smirk plays on my lips. And, I release my own pressure.

The temperature in the room shoots up dramatically. Hot breeze blows through the entire inn, blowing the candles off.

The whole inn is dark, and the only source of light creaks in from a small window, and my fire coated fist.

"Impressive."

He says as his eyes shine with a golden glow in the half-darkness of the room.

Slowly, I make my way toward him. Slowly, he makes his way toward me too.

As I draw closer to him, the pressure on me Increases.

Sparks fly as he scrapes his sword on the ground. Making an annoying sound.

The fire coated on my fist turns blue.

I'll enjoy this.

"Don't disappoint me, Kairo."