WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Haruto

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Dark Fantasy Doctor Was Mistaken for a Saint ◈

Chapter 18: New Skill Tree Unlocked?

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* * *

A few days after taking Erika on as my assistant,

I turned twelve.

“Happy birthday, Julian!”

Amid congratulations bursting out from every direction, the birthday party passed by like a storm.

There were mountains of gift boxes sent by the Merkuer Trading Company.

Father making a huge fuss, wiping away tears as he said, “Our Julian is already twelve!”

And even Freya awkwardly handing me a handkerchief as a birthday present.

Once the chaotic party was over and I had finished dinner, I returned to my room to look through the gifts.

Knock, knock.

When I opened the door, my mother was standing there.

For a moment, I thought she was a ghost.

It was late at night. Everyone was asleep, yet she had come herself instead of sending a servant or maid.

“Julian, come to the study for a moment.”

She even looked extremely serious.

Too nervous to ask why, I followed her.

‘What? What on earth is going on?’

The atmosphere outside the study was grim in every sense.

Guards stood on both sides of the hall.

There were another two beside the study door.

Usually, only one guard watched this corridor. Now that there were four, my body tensed without me realizing it.

The guards silently lowered their heads as Mother and I passed.

They normally greeted me warmly, so their silence made it feel like something truly serious had happened.

Creak.

A guard silently opened the door for us.

Inside, Father was waiting.

The door closed behind me, and Mother locked it from the inside.

“Sit down, Julian.”

Father pointed toward the sofa.

The atmosphere was incredibly heavy.

It would not have been strange if some secret about my birth came out at any moment.

Could it be? I was not adopted. I was actually their illegitimate child?

‘No way.’

The two of them only stared at me without saying anything, so I was so nervous that I started imagining nonsense on my own.

At last, Father broke the silence.

“You are twelve now.”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I have grown up safely.”

“That is not something a child your age should say... Sigh. Never mind.”

The head of the house let out a sigh.

“This was not something we could discuss at your birthday party, so we called you here. Under Imperial law, you may begin learning magic once you turn twelve. Did you know?”

“Yes, I did.”

There were two broad abilities needed to use magic.

The minimum cognitive ability needed to understand the world,

and the physical sense needed to feel mana.

Once a child reached twelve, those two requirements were generally considered to be in place.

Father nodded, apparently pleased that I understood quickly.

“Then it is time for you to learn how to become a noble.”

How to become a noble.

The moment I heard that, I understood why the atmosphere was so tightly controlled.

Magic was the minimum requirement for becoming a noble.

Not every mage became a noble, but every noble had to know how to use magic.

That was how they fulfilled their duty as nobles.

‘So that was why.’

Only then did I understand the heavy atmosphere.

Passing down magic was a major matter for a noble house.

Who received the training could reveal the next heir, and the type of magic they learned could give others some idea of the house’s future direction.

There was no reason to let that information leak outside.

“Good. I will explain what comes next.”

Naturally, there was an order to learning magic, just as basic education had elementary, middle, and high school courses.

“First, you will learn the basics from a private tutor.”

As the name implied, a private tutor only taught the foundations of magic.

The nature of magic, basic formulae, principles of activation, and identifying the types of magic for which I had an aptitude.

But they never taught anything beyond that.

Once mages had acquired a certain foundation, they had to walk their own path.

If their path resembled that of their tutor, their connection might continue. Usually, though, they parted ways with their tutor there and moved on to the next stage.

Father did not say much about that part.

“That is a matter for much later. The tutoring course alone usually takes three years.”

Mother, who had been listening quietly beside Father, smiled gently.

“Do not push yourself too hard. Take your time and learn.”

I could not bring myself to say it to that smile.

It probably would not even take a few months.

* * *

Three months later.

“...Can this really be possible?”

My tutor, Schmitt, muttered with a dazed expression.

Mother had hired him, and apparently he was the most sought-after private tutor for noble children.

And he really was an excellent teacher.

“I have taught for more than thirty years, but I have never seen a case like this.”

“It is because you taught me so well.”

“No. I only taught as I always do. You may take pride in that part.”

That was embarrassing when he put it that way.

“Especially in alchemy, there is nothing left for me to teach you. Your understanding of the structure and transformation of matter is...”

“I was somewhat familiar with that area.”

“You were familiar with it?”

“There are circumstances...”

I could hardly say, ‘Because I am a Director at a pharmaceutical trading company.’

So I smiled vaguely and let it pass.

I made it sound as though I had simply always been interested in the field.

Schmitt nodded without prying further.

“You should pursue alchemy, Young Master.”

Yes. I already am.

I already have a company. It is enormous. It was promoted to a second-rank trading company this time, too.

“...”

“...”

After finishing his sentence, Schmitt fell silent.

Anyone could see that he had something else to say.

But he held back and said goodbye instead.

“It was a pleasure teaching you, Julian. I hope we meet again someday, should our paths cross.”

“I am grateful for the past three months as well.”

“I was happy to find teaching rewarding again after so long. Thank you.”

With a gentle smile, Schmitt left the room.

As soon as I saw him off, I made sure no one else was around and walked over to my bed.

Then,

I buried my face in the pillow and groaned.

“Uuugh...”

It had been exhausting pretending I was fine.

I thought I would be able to coast through it with twenty-first-century scientific knowledge.

After all, I had followed a course that I considered fairly elite even among twenty-first-century science students.

I thought I would complete the entire course in three months, then finally say,

‘Ah, so this is all the magic in this world amounts to. It is so dull I could die.’

I thought I would get to do something like that.

But life was not so easy.

The scientific principles remained the same.

The problem was that science was not the only thing involved.

I had to know folklore, mythology, and even religious and philosophical symbolism.

‘Why is salt a symbol that drives away evil spirits?’

‘Why is silver an inhibitor for werewolves?’

‘Why is lead a catalyst that imprisons souls?’

How should I know? It was just that way.

In this world, those rules were as fundamental as gravity and electromagnetism.

‘And what is this business about the caster’s state of mind?’

Symbols, inhibitors, catalysts, mindset, faith, intention...

Then add scientific knowledge on top of all that.

For a rational, logical twenty-first-century surgeon, magic was a discipline with far too many superstitious variables.

Still, since I was aiming to be a genius, I could not allow myself to stumble around during class.

So every day, I previewed the next lesson beforehand, then acted like a genius who understood everything instantly the following day.

‘This damned genius persona... I can’t keep this up.’

But if I let things continue like this, it felt as though the act would fall apart.

So I had to hype myself up internally now and then.

Wow, finishing in three months? This is insane. Absolutely insane.

...Damn it.

Trying to follow a stork when I’m only a short-legged bird is making my legs hurt like hell.

‘Setting a goal to finish within three months was a mistake...’

Still, I could not compromise.

It would be a little strange if a genius protagonist spent the full three-year course learning magic for three whole years.

So I studied like I was speedrunning it.

This was not something anyone should do.

Thanks to that, I got to experience the feelings of a Korean exam student again for the first time in twenty-five years.

Stay strong, students. You have it rough.

Though you will have to keep studying after you get into college, too. What a shame.

‘In other stories, they learned it with one click.’

Was magic not supposed to work differently in other stories?

You woke up and it was carved into your body, or a skill window appeared while you slept.

At the very least, it was a fantasy world, so learning each thing one by one was exciting enough to give you dopamine.

What was this? Give me some free gains too.

‘...Well, it is over now, so that is enough.’

All I could do was wait for the rest.

After working this hard, the power of misunderstanding would surely take care of everything else.

* * *

While Julian buried his face in his personal bamboo grove, his pillow, and vented his feelings,

Schmitt went to the study to report the final results.

“So, what is it that you wish to say, sir?”

Hendel, Julian’s father, asked.

Across the desk, Schmitt let out a heavy sigh.

The gentle smile he had shown Julian moments before was nowhere to be seen.

“...Baron, may I speak honestly?”

“Go ahead.”

Schmitt soon spoke carefully.

“Please listen closely to what I am about to say, and do not misunderstand me. The Young Master possesses an ability to keep up that surpasses anyone I have seen. In theory, I can say that he is more accomplished than any student I have taught.”

Schmitt paused after saying that.

Countless concerns swirled through his mind.

Would it truly be all right to tell them this directly?

It was the sort of news that might make the head of the house throw an ashtray at his head on the spot.

He had met plenty of nobles like that.

But Schmitt quickly steadied himself and continued.

“However, I believe it would be best for him to give up on becoming a mage...”

“...What do you mean?”

At Linie’s question, Schmitt hurriedly lowered his head.

No matter how carefully he had phrased it, the meaning was extremely rude.

In other words, your son has no talent for actual casting.

He should just become a researcher or something.

That was roughly what he meant.

As she listened beside Hendel, Linie’s hand stopped above her teacup.

“Could you explain in more detail, Mr. Schmitt?”

“Yes, Madam. We held a practical examination during the latter half of the lessons.”

Schmitt began counting on his fingers.

He was listing the subjects they had covered.

“His theoretical scores were perfect. Ice, lightning, fire, alchemy... Ordinary young noblemen usually show talent in only one field, but the Young Master has mastered every field. He completely understands the principles behind spell formulae.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“Though he understands the theory, he cannot activate any of it.”

Hendel’s brow furrowed.

“Not even one spell?”

“No. Not a single one.”

Schmitt sighed.

“Baron, Baroness. Theory and practical magic are different.”

Schmitt wrote words in the air with his finger.

It was a basic condition statement from a workbook, something nobles had memorized like a formula.

“In theory, do we not begin by assuming the conditions? For example, ‘You wish to activate magic in a <cemetery> at thirty-two degrees Celsius and eighty-five percent humidity.’”

“That is true.”

“Under such assumed conditions, the Young Master constructs perfect spell formulae. The problem is...”

Schmitt trailed off.

“In practical situations, no one tells you those conditions.”

“...”

“One place may be thirty degrees, another fourteen. Humidity changes in real time, and the conditions change again whenever magic is activated. Furthermore, every location possesses different symbolic resonance.”

Understanding what Schmitt meant, Linie asked cautiously.

“Surely you are not saying Julian cannot sense symbolic resonance?”

“Yes.”

Hendel, who lacked knowledge in this field, folded his arms and requested a fuller explanation.

“Explain it further. I am ignorant of this subject. What do you mean by symbolic resonance?”

“I will use ice magic as an example.”

Schmitt held out his palm and formed a tiny piece of ice above it.

“To activate ice magic here and now, you must first gauge the temperature and humidity through your skin. At the same time, you must sense the aura of stillness and oblivion that permeates this space.”

“Hmm...”

“With lightning magic, you need a sense for reading electrical potential difference and atmospheric conditions, as well as a sense for finding places where the aura of fury and pride gathers.”

“And you are saying he lacks that?”

“Yes. The Young Master lacks both magical bodily senses and sensitivity.”

At those words, Linie set down her teacup and nodded.

“Certainly, those are not things that can be taught.”

Schmitt lowered his head.

“The Young Master understands everything perfectly with his mind. His body simply cannot keep up.”

Silence filled the room.

Hendel broke it.

“...Then what is your conclusion?”

“Among nobles, people like the Young Master are called Twilight Fireflies.”

A Twilight Firefly.

Hendel knew the expression as well.

They shone brilliantly at sunset, only to disappear when night fell.

It referred to young noblemen and noblewomen who shone brightly in childhood but could not join the ranks of nobles once they became adults.

“Are you certain, Mr. Schmitt?”

Hendel’s brow tightened at the comparison.

Schmitt nodded.

“I believe the Young Master can only follow the path of a magician.”

A magician.

Those who could only research spell formulae, had to draw formulae in advance, or barely managed to use magic with the help of magical tools.

They could still become nobles, but it was exceptionally difficult.

“Then are you saying it is truly impossible for him to become a mage?”

“A mage is...”

A mage was someone who could freely wield magic anywhere with nothing but a magic staff.

Naturally, such elites had little difficulty becoming nobles.

But,

“I am sorry.”

Julian was not one of them.

Schmitt did not need to explain that.

Hendel understood the meaning without hearing it to the end.

“I understand.”

Hendel’s voice sank.

In the Empire, magicians were merely skilled professionals. They were not considered mages capable of retaining a noble title.

If Schmitt’s words were explained in terms Julian would understand, he was saying this.

“Your son probably cannot get into medical school. It would be best to look for another talent.”

It was not that Julian had no talent.

It was simply not the kind of talent that would make life easy in society.

Julian himself did not consider it a major issue, but his parents saw it differently.

“Mr. Schmitt. Tell me only this. Do you think Julian can inherit the noble title?”

For nobles, magic was not merely an academic field. It was a weapon and a means to rise in the world.

Their privileges came from the military strength that allowed them to fight magical beasts beyond the walls.

Hendel’s concern was therefore reasonable.

No matter how exceptional Julian’s talent was, if he could not become a mage...

He would likely be the first pushed out of the noble society’s food chain.

“Tell me plainly, Mr. Schmitt.”

“He can succeed as a magician or scholar. But as a noble or mage...”

Schmitt trailed off.

Pain flashed through Hendel’s eyes.

He knew better than anyone how merciless this ecosystem was.

But only for a moment. Hendel nodded.

“I understand. Thank you for telling me.”

“Then I will take my leave, Baron.”

After Schmitt left,

a heavy silence settled over the study.

By the time the steam rising from the teacups had faded,

Hendel was the first to speak.

“My dear.”

“Yes.”

“I was a dullard.”

Linie turned toward him.

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“I was born slow. It took me five years to learn the foundations of magic. Even then, I barely managed by learning it through my body.”

Hendel looked out the window.

“Still, it was all right. My body could keep up. In magic, even if the mind is slow, things work out somehow as long as you have the senses for it.”

Linie did not answer.

“But Julian is the opposite. His mind is at least ten times better than mine, yet they say his body cannot keep up.”

“...Yes.”

“Is that not even crueler?”

Linie’s hand clenched the fabric of her skirt.

Cruel. It was true.

You understood, but you could not do it.

Linie knew better than anyone how frustrating that was.

It was also why House Nihirit had needed to take Hendel in as a husband who joined their household.

“Phew... Let us not tell Julian.”

Hendel said.

“I do not think there is any good in him knowing.”

“...All right.”

Linie nodded as well.

But her heart felt heavy.

Falling from the ranks of nobles.

It meant more than simply changing one’s status.

‘This world shows no mercy to those who fall.’

Linie remembered the words her mother had told her as a child.

Those above crush your wings so you cannot rise again.

Those below tear off and devour your arms and legs to make themselves a ladder.

And those even lower carve up whatever remains merely to vent their resentment.

That was why people in the Empire struggled so desperately.

Not to rise,

but to avoid falling.

“I hoped Julian would never have to go through what I did...”

Linie covered her face with both hands.

Before she met her husband, how much pain and anxiety had she endured?

Knowing that well, Hendel held her.

“It will be all right, my dear.”

Hendel’s heart felt as though it were breaking as well.

Yet at the same time, he did not let go of hope.

“He is a child who creates miracles.”

He knew well what miracles Julian had created through effort.

“He will be all right.”

Having watched Julian from the closest place, Hendel believed in him.

He knew how difficult that path would be.

But as a parent, all he could do was support him on it.

* * *

Meanwhile,

in the laboratory.

“Hehe.”

Julian let out a foolish laugh as he looked into a flask.

‘I should have learned magic much sooner.’

Julian already knew better than anyone that he could not become a mage.

But it did not lead to despair.

In this genre, when one route was blocked, an irregular route opened.

‘They are practically telling me to go into alchemy.’

He grinned as he watched pig intestines bubbling inside the flask.

‘Do I really need to become a mage? I can regulate temperature just fine with everyday magic.’

For a misunderstanding-story protagonist like him, being unable to become a mage did not matter much at all.

Footnotes:

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