WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 2

Text appeared before Ethan’s eyes.

[Item acquired!]

[Item: Handgun (C)]

However, this text didn’t explain much by itself.

"Glock 45? A handgun?"

And so, another set of text appeared.

[Archive acquired!]

[Archive: Handgun (D)]

[Skill acquired!]

[Skill: Marksmanship (D)]

Before Ethan could ask what archives, skills, and downloads were, he could already guess their meaning.

'A handgun is a weapon from Terra. Like alchemical cannons, it uses gunpowder to fire lead bullets, but It’s small enough to hold in one hand and easy to carry… I’ve never learned this before.'

Ethan looked down at the handgun in his hand, then disassembled and reassembled the slide on the nearby table. Next, he pulled the slide to chamber a round and took aim, aligning the sights.

'I’ve never practiced this either.'

Demi explained.

When Ethan pulled the slide again, a bullet ejected, which he casually caught.

"Is this the dark magic of another world?"

<It’s science.>

"I see. So that’s what they call magic in another world."

<That’s not…>

Ethan reflected on his newly acquired archives and skills.

"I understand this can kill someone. It’s impressive, though I can’t fully grasp it yet. But this alone doesn’t make me a great mage."

"Leveling up?"

Demi explained.

"Quests?"

Text appeared before Ethan’s eyes.

[Quest generated!]

[Quest: Pass Basic Magic Practice (D)]

Ethan read the text, looked at the object in his hand, then back at the text.

"Seems simple enough."

Ethan replied.

"I’ll do it."

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"He’s still attending class. Admirable courage. Is this the honor of a noble family?"

"Who knows? If it’s proven he can’t use magic, wouldn’t that be dishonorable?"

Hours later, Ethan ignored the snickering and walked down to the podium. He had always thought the tiered lecture hall for Professor Rivielton’s Basic Magic Practice class was excessive. It was too humiliating for someone who couldn’t use magic.

Professor Rivielton addressed Ethan.

"Ethan, this is your final practice."

"I know."

"Everything is prepared as requested. Does it seem adequate?"

"Yeah."

Ethan had asked Rivielton to shield him with a thin curtain and cast a light behind it so only his shadow would be visible to the students. This was a common practice to prevent others from seeing the specifics of a family’s unique magic. While it was not unreasonable, some students still mocked Ethan.

But Ethan paid them no mind.

'This seat wasn’t meant for humiliation.'

Ethan looked out at the students from the podium. For those who could use magic, this tiered lecture hall was a stage to showcase their abilities. It was meant for demonstrating small spells like creating a ball of light or a palm-sized illusion. Even minor successes could draw attention and admiration.

"Begin whenever you’re ready."

Ethan stepped behind the curtain and looked at the armored dummy—his target for this practice.

He drew the loaded Glock 45, aimed at the dummy, and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Even a 9mm bullet, propelled by gunpowder, created a deafening noise that could damage eardrums. The echo amplified the sound indoors. While Ethan and Professor Rivielton had anticipated the noise, the other students were startled and froze.

Rivielton asked Ethan.

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

Ethan hid the gun before Rivielton removed the curtain. Rivielton approached the fallen dummy.

"Impressive."

Kneeling to inspect the dummy’s armor, Rivielton began removing it.

"I’d say you’ve passed based on the noise alone, but for the sake of the students’ education…"

He held the armor’s front plate up to a candle.

Light seeped through the holes in the armor.

"It’s completely penetrated. That was a remarkable combat spell, Ethan."

"Thank you."

"I can guess the school of magic, but… this level of power is unprecedented. Is it an original spell?"

Original spells were created independently, and not learned from others. Ethan had to hide the fact that it was dark magic, so he let Rivielton assume it was alchemy. After all, it resembled alchemy both in appearance and magical theory.

"Yes, it is."

"Excellent. While I can’t discern its secrets, a spell capable of felling a knight is worthy of a combat mage. Although I wouldn’t recommend that path… Regardless, I thought you were lost at the start of the semester, but you’ve been working hard behind the scenes. Well done."

Rivielton patted Ethan’s shoulder. As far as Ethan could remember, no student had received such praise in this class.

"Thank you, Professor. So my exam…"

"Why are you even asking? Of course, you’ve passed."

As Ethan returned to his seat, text appeared before his eyes.

[Quest: Pass Basic Magic Practice (D) – Success!]

[Reward: 12 Experience Points]

[Reward: D-rank Lottery Coupon]

Ethan sat down and asked Demi.

<D-rank Lottery Coupon?>

Ethan remembered that the handgun archive was D-Rank. While the handgun itself and its usage were valuable, simply knowing about it didn’t seem particularly useful.

<No. To perform the lottery, you must be unconscious. In other words…>

As Demi tried to explain further, Rivielton announced the end of class. Ethan decided to listen to the rest in his room.

∞

"Ethan."

After finishing Basic Magic Practice, Ethan turned at the sound of his name. It was his sister, Arca. She stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the stone railing of the second-floor corridor connecting the lecture hall and dormitory.

"What brings you here, Sister?"

"I heard you passed Basic Magic Practice."

"Yeah, I did."

"For a normal magic school student, me saying this would be rude, but passing Basic Magic Practice is expected for some. I know you, and I trust you’ll understand what I’m saying."

"Go ahead."

"…Congratulations."

Ethan smiled.

"Thank you, Sister. It seems I can’t accept your earlier offer now."

"That’s unavoidable."

Arca averted her gaze, then looked back at Ethan.

"But I’d like to know how you managed to use magic."

Ethan had anticipated this question. Arca knew his limitations better than anyone. Ethan replied nonchalantly.

"Through research and practice."

"I’m sorry to say this, but your lack of talent isn’t something that effort can overcome. As Father said, people as magically inept as you are rare. You’re a magic dunce."

Demi asked.

<Understood.>

Ethan told Arca.

"Regardless, the important thing is that I can use magic now."

Arca raised an eyebrow.

"A secret, then? Fine."

With that, Arca left.

Ethan regretted it, but he couldn’t reveal that he’d dabbled in dark magic. While he thought Arca might understand and keep his secret, knowing about a dark mage and not reporting it was also a crime. Revealing the truth would be risky for both of them.

Demi asked.

As Ethan headed back to his room, someone called him from close behind.

"Ethan."

Ethan tried to turn at the unfamiliar voice, but he couldn’t.

Stab.

A horrifying sensation spread from his side and up his spine. He tried to scream, but only a bloody froth bubbled from his mouth. Ethan felt his strength drain as he collapsed, his eyes wide open. He tried to see who had stabbed him, but his peripheral vision was already darkening and blurring. He barely registered that he was wearing his uniform, but for Ethan, who was 'losing consciousness', it no longer mattered.

∞

Ethan died.

∞

Ethan opened his eyes in a dark space. The dark brick walls felt vaguely familiar, but it was still an unknown place. He noticed another presence in the space.

"Who are you…?"

A figure clad in smooth iron armor, with intricate gears turning within the joints, pistons moving up and down, and wires tightly supporting the structure. Behind the translucent helmet, a single bright red light glowed.

Ethan studied Demi carefully.

"A doll… or a puppet?"

Ethan looked around.

"Where is this?"

Ethan reacted to the word 'death.'

"Wait, so I am dead?"

<Yes. And thanks to that…>

Demi held out a dark box.

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