Reincarnated as a Genius Mage
Chapter 69: I believe I can fly

Chapter 69: I believe I can fly

I believe I can fly..

I take one step forward.

I take two steps forward.

I believe I can touch the... sky..

"Finally, walking more than five steps I see." K speaks, his voice— a brutal reminder that I’m still somehow surviving in this living hell.

The braces on my wrists— I’m used to their weight now. K said I should never take them off anymore.

The grueling afternoon sunlight dances on my bare skin.

I’m dressed in.. what am I saying? I’m wearing only pants. A black, leather pair that K brought from who knows where. But, at least, it’s an upgrade from the underwear I was wearing a month ago.

The braces on my ankles— I’m not yet used to their weight. And because of that, walking more than two steps at a stretch have been a problem to me for the past week. But since yesterday, I’ve been walking more than five steps with them.

I turn to face him, my eyes are narrowed into an annoyed glare, "tch." after taking seven steps, I stop.

"You’re almost there, boy." He says as he walks toward the steps leading to his house, and with a low grunt, he sits down on the last step, "you’re almost there.. do you know.. It’s been a month, and you can already walk with the braces... Ha! How ridiculous.." He grabs a small rock on the ground, and he starts throwing it and catching it, "do you know how long it took me to walk with those same braces?" He asks.

I take in a large breath, and I breathe it out, and continue walking. Paying no mind to what he’s about to say.

I’ve heard it one too many times. ’Charles, you’re the first quad affinity mage!" Or ’Blank, you’re the first one to reach C-rank from E-rank in only a year!’ or ’you’re the first one to..’

First, first, first, first.. genius, prodigy, anomaly. All of those flashy titles, but I’m just a man who’s in a world which he can’t call his own, chasing after something that seems impossible.

All these flattery, all these nonsensical praises— they annoy me, they bother me. In fact, I find them—

"Arghh!" I groan, I don’t know if I’m groaning because I’m walking when the weight on my ankles feel more heavy, or if I’m groaning because of this.. I don’t even know how to describe this feeling.

"It took me a year. And even I was called a genius for that. But you, you’re the first to–"

"I know. I’m the first to walk with these brace nonsense after just one month, right?" I ask. The subtle annoyance boils deep in my throat, but I keep it together. Barely.

"..." He doesn’t respond. He’s just staring at me. His gaze digging two holes at the back of my head.

Okay, maybe I got too emotional, haha.

"Anyway, Blank. Once you fully get used to the braces, we’re going to begin combat training. And I’ll teach you how to master that blade of yours. That circle, ring-like.."

"Call it a Chakram." I cut him off, "the blade— call it a Chakram." I add.

He nods, "yes, I’ll teach you how to master it. The Chakram."

As I pause again, after taking five steps this time. I slump on the ground.

–Huff– –Huff–

I’ve been at this since I woke up.

"Huff.. Huff.. But, you’re a swordsman.. surely you don’t know how to wield a blade like that. You mastered the sword." I speak in between long breaths.

"Hmm, yes, you’re right in a way. But, you’re also mistaken. You see, I’m a grandmaster swordsman. One that has cultivated pure mana through my mana pathway and formed eight cores.

Although, I am yet to reach the legendary ninth core, or even fathom how to reach it, I can still proudly say that I am leagues above almost every swordsman in this world. And my wisdom in the art of the blade far surpasses just a sword.

During my long years of life, I have mastered many weapons; the spear, the bow and arrow, daggers, shield, you name them all.

I did all that in a desperate attempt to peer above the eighth core. To find the enlightenment needed to get there. And I think I’m on the right track. I discovered that one path doesn’t lead to the ninth core, but all paths do.

And by all paths, I mean, mastering all weapons. So, that’s why I’m confident in teaching you how to wield that.. Chakram. It would be no different from a sword or dagger. Haaaah,

...You know, the sword is my favorite weapon. I was trained as a swordsman untill I reached the eighth core after all."

What is– I.. I don’t understand anything at all.

"What.. what is the meaning of everything you just said? Path? All paths lead to the ninth core? There’s no one else in this world that’s an eighth core? What.." I ask. My voice’s low, aiding my confusion.

He shakes his head, and he lets out a deep sigh. "You would not be able to understand any of the things I just said. For now at least. So, just pretend like you didn’t hear all that, and just keep in mind that I can teach you how to wield the Chakram. It doesn’t even matter how you wield a blade. All that matters is being able to effectively fight against your enemies with it. And that brings me to the ultimate goal of all blades— dismembering souls." He speaks, and he’s talking fast. Too fast for me to properly digest what he’s saying.

"K.. I– you’re doing that thing again. Where you say things I can’t comprehend casually like I’m supposed to know it." I voice out barely.

"Oh! That’s right! I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You know, I wasn’t always like this.. if it wasn’t for Alexand–"

I stand up immediately from the ground.

Yeah, he isn’t going to stop rambling today. That’s enough, I have to do this until night time. I must start running with it so I can finally learn what this guy’s planning for me.

I start walking again. I drag my first leg, the weight braces weighing down on it, stopping me from moving.

But the veins in my calf bulge, and I apply enough strength to push it, and I move.

First step.

"He always talks about his son. Charles! Charles Charles Charles! Every single time we meet! And then I’m like, who’s this Charles you’re always.."

God, I wish there were ear muffs or something. I’m tired of listening to his ramblings.

I take the second step.

And then, I start singing it inside my head, to distract myself from K’s ramblings. My daughter— Margie’s favorite song.

Haha!

She heard it once and couldn’t stop singing it, even until the last day I left my house.

She made me sing it every morning when she woke up and saw me in my study. And every night before she slept.

I believe I can fly...

I take another step.

I believe.. I can touch the sky..