Reincarnated as a Genius Mage

"So... you're a mage now?"

Jennette asks, a curious glint dancing in her eyes.

She's leaning on the wall of my room. Her eyes focused on me— who's lying down on my bed, with my legs and hands spread wide.

My heart keeps pounding erratically, the thrill of victory spreading a special warmth throughout my body, causing a mad grin to plaster on my lips.

"What do you mean 'mage'? I don't even have my first circle. I'm only an apprentice until I get it, and learn some spells.. but still.."

My palm stretches wider as I raise my hand up, clenching my fist in the air.

"That'll be very soon." I say.

Jennette lets out a soft chuckle.

And I turn my neck— shifting my gaze to her direction.

"Why are you laughing?" A puzzled expression is present on my frowned face as I tilt my head.

"Nothing, I'm just.. I'm reminded of myself. Of the time I won my first duel." Her tone is warm, almost nostalgic.

My brows arch slightly.

"Oh, that's right. You're a 2nd circle mage. Hmmm, have you found your breakthrough yet?"

I know she hasn't, I can see the two green rings revolving around her after all. But, it's the only question I can ask her that won't trigger any sad memories.

I have a lot of things I want to ask her. Questions like if she went to the academy, if she's a certified mage, where she's really from, how she got here. But.. I don't want to poke Into a past memory of hers that's probably sad. So I'll wait, until she tells me on her own.

And as soon as she hears my question, her facial expression slumps into a familiar expression... Sadness.

"It's.." she forces a fake, awkward smile on her lips. "Forget that, you're going to the academy soon.. How do you feel about that?"

A bitter smile pastes on my lips.

She changed the topic. I see, she prefers not to talk about it.

"About tha—"

Knock! Knock!

"Who's there?!" My voice is loud, and tinged with a sprinkle of annoyance.

Who could be the person that abruptly cut my conversation with Jennette? And it's been a while since I had a nice conversation with her.

"It's me, young master."

My eyes widen.

I recognize that voice.

"Sin Morderego?"

Jennette quivers slightly. Just slightly, but I could still spot it.

She begins adjusting her clothes, and clearing her throat. Her face subtly flushed.

A mischievous smirk plays on my lips, and l cast my glance at her.

Our eyes meet, and I mouth without speaking 'I'm gonna tell him.'

Immediately, she starts shaking her head and crossing her arms in the air, signaling that I shouldn't.

She's also gesturing with her hands, begging me not to say anything.

"Ehem, come in Sin."

He opens the door quickly, and he walks in.

On the bed— I sit down, adjusting my posture.

It's been a while since I saw this stoic face of his.

This asshole. His face is still annoying as ever.

Three years ago, he looked so threatening, and domineering. But now, he's... less threatening and domineering.

His eyes are narrowed and locked on me. He doesn't even cast a small glance at Jennette as he strides past her, moving toward me.

"You remember my name."

A smirk stretches on his lips.

Oh, those rings around him.

There are six red rings around him.

So he's a six-circle mage, and he looks no older than 35. Scary.

"Of course, I'll be a fool not to know the name of the Captain of the Flameworth's Mages." I shrug "Plus, you did tell me to etch it into my heart."

He rolls his eyes, and his lips squirm— tightly sealing a tugging chuckle.

"You've become even more sharper since I last saw you. Back then, you were like a newly hatched chick, but now.. you're a... slightly grown chick."

The left side of my lips slowly rise up, "Uh, thank you.. I guess?"

Jennette is standing at the corner. Her head low as she's trying hard to cover her flushed cheeks.

I never thought she can act this way. Guess love makes even the most regal people act like naive fools. Haha, I should know more about that than anyone.

"I didn't think you'd actually survive back then." he says, his tone flat and annoying.

"But then I did, and I shocked everyone in the family by doing so. I've heard that a lot." I snort.

"Yes. But I'm not here to discuss that."

"Oh? then why are you here?" My tone softens into an inquisitive one. Like that of a job interviewer.

And I adjust my posture. Straightening my back.

"I'm here for two reasons. One; to tell you that— under my guidance, you're going to the academy in two months. That's when the new session is starting, and you'll take your entrance test and everything. Two; To make it known to you that... I want to support you."

My brows curve upward, and I open my mouth. Forming an 'O' shape as I hear his second reason for visiting me.

"Support me? As in.. supporting me in the fight against my other brothers and sister to become the next head of the Flameworths?"

On my thigh— I rest my elbow, relaxing my chin on my fist.

"When George and Jiley exist? Pfft" I scoff at the ridiculousness of his declaration.

He grimaces, his lips tightening. And then it softens back as his blue eyes relaxes. "Yes. I see great potential in you. One that far surpasses that of your siblings. And I have no doubt that you'll be able to become the patria–"

"I have no interest in being the head, Sin. In fact, I have no interest in this family at all." My stern voice echoes dramatically as I speak.

Sin's brows furrow, his expression darkening. He must find my sudden exposition confusing and odd.

My neck turns, my eyes capturing the shock on Jennette's face. I think if Sin wasn't here she'd have choked me with 'what the hell are you talking about?!' questions.

But then I remember something as I see her face. And I turn to look at Sin. A mischievous smile present on my lips.

"Do you have anyone you're interested in?"

He flinches subtly.

"Pardon?"

"I asked. Do you have anyone you're interested in... romantically?"

Jennette's hands cover her face. And I'm barely holding back a loud cackle.

"How.. how does that relate to the subject we're discussing?"

A loud sigh leaves my mouth. Stoic guys are the worst I swear.

"Just answer the question."

His skin starts reddening— I think he's annoyed. Pfft. Probably.

He just clicks his tongue, and he turns to leave.

"I see you don't take me seriously, Young Master Charles. But I have passed on my message. Please do prepare to leave to the academy in two months time."

Tch, dunce guy. I was just about to play master matchmaker. But, I doubt he'd like a commoner maid anyway.

As he strides, he halts mid-step. His eyes scanning Jennette, and she flinches and avoids eye contact, her eyes darting wildly.

And then he continues walking towards the door.

"Hey, did I say you can leave?"

He stops again.

His voice drops low. Venomous, and filled with barely restrained wrath, "you're getting more brazen, Young Master."

The air around him distorts, and the natural pure mana flowing in the air around him gets corrupted by the dark red flame mana seeping out of him, causing the temperature in the room to increase.

Now I can see why the temperature in the room always increases when these monsters are angry.

The elemental mana in their body corrupts the pure mana in the atmosphere around them.

I'm not bothered by his display of anger, because now, all it does is make my skin feel a little heat, and the gravity pressing on me becomes a little more heavy, but that's it.

I've been training every day with a boulder on my head for two years, so this much gravity is nothing.

"Quell your little display, you're making my maid uncomfortable."

Jennette's fanning her face with her hands because of the heat..or maybe it's because her face is flushed. But whatever the reason, he should stop this.. thing he's doing.

But why's he so angry? I mean, It's just a simple question.

And before two months... I'm gonna be gone from this family anyway. Because I can already feel it. My mana has exceeded the threshold that can stay in my cells. I can't save anymore mana in my body cells, I need to create my first circle.

He raises his middle finger to me in response, and he walks out of the door.

A soft chuckle leaves my mouth, "asshole."

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Jennette races toward me as soon as Sin leaves the room, and she starts hitting me.

Although none of her hits hurt, I'll still play along with her.

"Ouch!"

"You're so lovesick." My laugh never stops as I continue teasing her.

***

It's time for me to ascend to my first circle.

To be honest, I'm scared.

They say the creation of the first circle hurts like hell.

They say the pain would feel like you're going to die when you create your first circle.

I've tasted death before.. and it wasn't quite sweet.

But, in as much as I'm scared, I still have to grit my teeth and do it.

I'm seated on the cold tiles, in a lotus position, like always.

I'm shirtless, only wearing my underwear.

I've made my plans— I'm leaving this house soon.

To hell with them all.. and their family, and their patriarchy, and their stupid power disputes. I don't care. I'm going to chase power.

A different power.. The power to bend my fate, and the power to return home.

But all that depends on this step I'm about to take.

So why should I fear this pain?!

What's more painful? This pain that'll last a few minutes before I complete my circle, or the pain that'll last my entire lifetime because I couldn't change my fate, and because I decided to remain a coward?!

All these years— I didn't train like I was gonna die just so I'd give up before my real journey even started.

To hell with this world.

To hell with the pain I'd feel.

Ascend!

Ascend to the first circle!

"Argh!!!"

In my heart— I gather every mana accumulated in every cell in my body.

It's like everywhere in my body is being torn off piece by piece. Like my muscles are slowly getting ripped off.

"Nnngg!"

Muffled groans escape my clenched teeth as I bite down hard.

A unique blend of the quad colors of elemental mana glow in my body.

My eyes have gone blind.. I can't see.

I can only feel. And what I feel right now.. is Pain.

"Arrghnng!!"

Something's gripping my heart, squeezing it tightly like it'll burst it.

"Yes, this is it.. this is the key to my world!"

The pain is worth it.

But it's excruciating. And slowly, but surely, I can feel the circle— weaved by my mana, forming around my heart.

The pain is settling down now. Subsiding gently.

Huh?

A familiar burning sensation that threatens to burn my very being and soul to ashes starts rising from within me.

"Wait! No! What!"

It's the flame of eternity.

"Wha– what is it doing?!"

It's burning my heart, and the ring of interlaced mana around it to ashes.

"No!"

I'm trying to stop it, but the flames do not bend to my will. I do not have the authority to control it yet.

Is this the price one must pay to gain power?