Reincarnated as a Genius Mage

There was something about this man known as K.

The way he walked commanded authority; not just from the people who knew and witnessed his might, but from random people who had just met him or saw him for the first time.

Even though he always hid his presence, pressure and aura; he couldn't hide the pure charisma that radiated from him.

The quiet enigmatic presence he carried was something the soldiers in the Jalozian side of the Levarian Army looked up to.

But no one knew what lay beneath the perfect warrior.

He wasn't the perfect warrior people thought he was.

He was a man riddled with guilt, shame, and sorrow.

___________

(POV: K)

Cough~! Cough~!

My cough keeps getting worse.. day by day.

The poison I've tried so hard to quell is starting to resurface again.

Now my vitality is being drained at a stupidly rapid pace.

I might die anytime soon.

I walk. Not paying attention to the rows of tents or the ass licking soldiers around me.

Every step I take reinforces the weight of the burden placed on my soul.

Every step I take reminds me that my worthless life is about to diminish.

My footsteps.. they no longer carry that youthful energy– that absolute might they carried ten years ago.

It's to be expected. A hundred and twenty something years old man. One poisoned and rotting like me shouldn't expect world shaking strength from my body anymore.

Damn that bastard Delarus. Damn him!

I scratch my forehead with my thumbnails.

But, really, why am I so angry at him?

Is it because he poisoned me? Or because he almost killed me? Or is it because of the fact that he made me realize that there is always a greater wall ahead?

No, I think I'm angry at him because.. I ran away, because he made me run away. He made me a coward that couldn't accept the terms of defeat.

I've been thinking about this for a long time now. What's the point? Why am I training the kid so hard to fight against Delarus? That man that returned from the Eastern continent a monster? If there's a level above the ninth core that I've not even formed, then I'm sure that's where Delarus is now, and I want to send Blank to him because?

A soft sigh escapes my lips.

I did say revenge is a thing for losers, but now I've fallen to the point that I'm leaning to the idea of asking the only one who carries my legacy to complete my revenge? Because I'm dying?

No. I'm not going to do that anymore.

My techniques. The blade art that I formed and mastered after twenty years of mastering different weapons; I'll give them all to Blank before I die.

I promised myself that I'd make his journey one step shorter.

So in my death, my legacy and my imprint on the world will survive through him and empower him.

I rub my nose with my index finger. A warm smile stretching on my lips.

"I'm such a good mentor."

I've stepped into the row of orange tents.

I walk toward the largest one at the distance, and I enter without knocking.

The air in here smells like that stupid tobacco he always smokes, and burnt candles.

The mat where he lies is the only thing in the tent.

Oh, there's a small wooden rack where he keeps his boots and uniforms.

"When are you going to learn manners, K." His voice echoes behind me.

A chuckle leaves my mouth as I raise my both arms slowly in a surrendering position. "You caught me."

He scoffs, "about time you all arrived. I just talked with Gislow. Come out, let's discuss."

I turn, my golden eyes catching the sight of his brown hair and restless green eyes that carry so much burden in them.

"Always formal. Won't you offer me a drink or something?" I ask in a light, playful tone.

A small smile forms on his lips as he pulls his tobacco from his brown hair.

Why does this guy always hang his smoke on his hair? Haha. It's funny.

"You saw the state of my tent. No drinks or anything." He says, his smile widening.

I shake my head, "what a bad general. You don't even drink with your men."

I walk out of the tent, standing side by side with him as we both look ahead, viewing the tents in the distance.

He nudges my shoulder with his, and I turn to face him with curious eyes.

"What is it?" I ask, staring at his face while ignoring his flashy blue uniform and blue cape.

"How's life been treating you?" He asks me.

I turn, looking forward once again. "It's so so. Same as usual."

He nods, taking a puff of smoke and breathing it out. "That sounds just like you."

"Yeah, what about you?"

"As usual. I'm dealing with filthy nobles. Killing filthy Orcs. Nothing much. Things have been rather dull since you killed the 5th Orcan general and went back to Ludia with the other S-ranks." He says.

I pinch my nose, holding back my cough, "didn't I tell you.. Cough.. not to smoke that thing next to me?"

"Oh, you're right. I forgot. Sorry about that." He puts out the fire of the tobacco and hangs it back on his hair.

"Okay, just be real with me. I know you want to ask something of me. I can detect it from the way you're fiddling your thumbs, and anytime you do that.."

"You're right." He says.

I let out a deep sigh as I stroke my white beard, "what is it this time?"

"You see, I've discussed this with Gislow and Terran too. I need you for this new mission, K. Me and two generals; one from the Petrian Empire, and the other from the Nayan Kingdom, we're going to hunt down the 3rd Orcan general. Our spies over at the 3rd Orcan general's camp in Elyrus bring word that he is somehow weaker, and the morale of their army has gone down as he's in that state."

I see. So we're going to set sail to Elyrus. I really hate the sea. We might have to deal with those mer people.

But still, a good fight is irresistible...

"Hmm," I continue stroking my beard. "When is this mission, and what are the rewards?" I ask.

His eyes brighten up, "does that mean you're coming?"

"I'm just asking because I'm a mercenary, Varlen." I respond.

He scoffs, "fine. The reward.. it depends on your contribution to the raid.. and the date? We're going three days from now."

It's been a while since I actually fought. I guess it won't hurt to stretch my limbs.

My lips curl with a slick smile, "count me in."