Ch. 218
I’m a genius, after all. Stroking my chin, I stopped in front of the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Akia.
Before going in, I looked up at Ash to finalize the plan forming in my head, but he seemed unable to find a place to rest his eyes and was being as awkward as humanly possible.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t introduced them yet. I’d been too busy comforting Bright while he cried… no, scolding him.
“Ash? It’s late, but say hello. I think I’ve mentioned him before. The idiot senior who asks me to marry him every day. Bright Kenian—despite how he looks—graduated top of the Ministry of Magic. A Class 3 Master, pretty useful talent.”
“Geenie, I’m Class 4 now…”
“Oh, I don’t care.”
I gave him a bright smile.
Ash looked utterly wounded.
“Geenie…? You didn’t need to embarrass him that much…”
“Huk… being scolded with a smile… I’m so touched. I’m happy! Geenie!”
Ugh. Disgusting.
“I missed that expression too…! I thought I’d never see it again!”
Ash, being perfectly normal, didn’t yet understand what kind of man Bright was. Such a waste of a decent face—he’s quite the pervert.
He’s formidable in that no amount of scolding breaks him.
“Don’t overdo it, senior. I might kick you out if you act creepy.”
“That’s too much! We just met again!”
“Who cares? My life was fine without you. Doesn’t matter if you’re here or not.”
“…Ugh, I love being scolded.”
Sigh. A pervert indeed. I let out a deep sigh and walked into the restaurant.
Like everywhere else in this city, it was packed, but I immediately spotted the group by the window. I headed toward them and introduced Ash and Bright.
“Senior, this ordinary-looking man is the party leader I’m indebted to. Ash, a swordsman. If he wanted to, he could kill everyone here and escape without getting caught, you know?”
“That’s amazing! Nice to meet you.”
“Yes… Yes? Geenie! What kind of introduction is that!”
“It’s important to know the current state of military power.”
Ash seemed shocked by Bright—who enjoyed pain—and forgot how I’d introduced him.
Standing beside Chad, I continued introducing the others.
“Oh? You’re here?”
“Who’s that?”
Pointing around the table:
“These are the rest of the group. Chad, Enk, Gale. And this is Akia, the doctor I’m indebted to. He’s not officially part of the group, but we’ve traveled together.”
“What? Geenie? Are you hurt?”
“No, I took medicine to grow taller.”
“Ah! I was worried you had internal injuries.”
“And although he’s not here, there’s Lox—unlikable guy. I hope he doesn’t come back, but he’ll probably join us soon.”
The group, mid-meal, choked and sputtered as I casually introduced them.
“Uh… hello…?”
“Oh… is that the guy who knew you?”
“Yeah. Bright Kenian, my academy senior. Senior? Say hello. These are my friends.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Bright Kenian. Geenie’s friends are my friends. Though Geenie often says friends are like enemies.”
His eyes were swollen, voice hoarse from crying—a chilling entrance.
“Senior is the eldest son of the most famous—no! The only Wizarding Family in Dmitri. He’s an idiot, but some say it’s because he’s too much of a genius. I don’t buy that, though.”
“…Why are you introducing me in so much detail?”
“Because we’ll probably travel together for a while.”
You can’t spit on a smiling face. Especially not mine—radiant and glorious.
“With us…?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re the only one who knows, right?”
“Yeah.”
“…You didn’t even ask him! Geenie!”
Chad questioned me repeatedly, and Ash landed the final blow.
Sigh. Such normal thinking. People need to be flexible.
“We need a mage anyway, right? Didn’t you learn that this time? How can you kick away talent like this?”
“No, but his opinion—”
“Huh? What is it? Are you talking about me?”
“Senior, these friends of mine are short on members. And coincidentally, there’s no mage. You’re a mage, right? Perfect fit.”
“Geenie… you can’t just call a precious mage—”
“Okay, I don’t know what’s going on, but I just have to help, right? Travel with you? That’s easy.”
There were a few things Ash needed to know about Bright—namely, he’d do anything I asked.
That’s why he was once a potential marriage candidate. He had his strengths.
“Geenie, just tell me what to do. Anything.”
Behold—the attitude of a servant trained for nine years! I’ve already taken his liver and gallbladder!
“Geenie! I’ll find my own companions! I don’t need this help!”
“…Are you ignoring my sincerity?”
“You know that’s not what I meant!”
“You said you liked me, right?”
“That’s not… related…”
“Then do as I say. Like Bright.”
Ash froze at the unspoken threat, then froze again at Bright’s enthusiasm.
Bright had strengths, but he also had glaring weaknesses. Mostly involving me.
“Ah! You’re my companion! I couldn’t be happier!”
“…Companion? What companion?”
“People who love Geenie! We called it the ‘Geenie Lovers,’ but Geenie said it sounded like a laxative, so we stopped.”
“Stop it!”
“Then I should help even more. Geenie’s too good to love alone. I don’t get why others don’t love her? These days, people love her like a trend just from rumors, but that’s not real love!”
This was why it was safe to leave him with Ash…
“Do you know Geenie’s birthday? Her favorite torture method? Want to do a hundred-question quiz about what you like about our Geenie? I have it printed out—”
“Bright, enough.”
While I held back Bright, Chad and Enk whispered loudly enough for a ghost to hear.
“Looks like another weirdo rolled in…”
“Are all geniuses like that…?”
“My mom told me not to play with weird kids.”
I needed to show them one more benefit before a rebellion formed.
“Ahem! Everyone, don’t be shocked. There’s another advantage to taking senior in!”
He was already a rare mage, young, fast incantation, skilled in attack magic and Communication Magic. But his true value lay elsewhere.
“Despite his looks—this man!”
“…?”
“Is a noble! And a direct descendant of a Count’s family! How about that? We can use it when we go to Toomdra! Free pass!”
A Count ranked high enough that even if he executed a Baron on the spot for misbehavior, he’d get away with a light punishment.
To commoners, Counts were unreachable beings.
“Geenie! I’m so happy I can help you! I’m glad I was born noble!”
[With Bright next to you, Master looks normal.]
“…Hic.”
“Why isn’t anyone happy?”
I brought a noble! Although he rolled in himself.
Why was Akia trembling? Afraid of nobles?
I’d heard commoners felt that way, but this was my first time seeing it. I was a noble myself, after all.
‘If they realized someone from the Imperial Family was here, they’d faint while awake.’
Not only Akia—everyone looked uneasy. Nobles weren’t always well-received. In moments like this, I remembered my privilege.
Class society creates an unbridgeable gap. Nobles are rarely welcomed by commoners. They’re people who dominate, who can ruin lives, who wield power without being resisted.
And above nobles are the Imperial Family—those who rule the rulers.
“Geenie.”
Ash’s worried voice pulled my gaze. He looked uncomfortable at the mention of noble status—for reasons opposite the others.
He hated people bringing up the fact he was Imperial.
“Noble status isn’t used for that.”
“When else if not now? Power exists for the unfortunate.”
“…Don’t phrase it like that. It sounds noble… but twisted when you say it.”
Sharp little brat.
“Think! How tragic—coming all this way, only to miss Toomdra. I’d be the most pitiful person in the world.”
I raised my voice to shift the atmosphere—but suddenly became curious.
In the Path of Trials, the princes conceal their identities and gather companions.
But when do they reveal the truth?
And how are they forgiven?
If a companion gets angry and abandons them, isn’t that a weakness caused by failing to earn trust?
The Path of Trials is simple: five companions vs. five companions, trust and strength determining the throne.
But if even one defected…? Refused to fight for their prince…?
‘I’ll need substitutes in case that happens.’
I’d been too relaxed this time.
I needed more than five. Chad, Enk, Gale weren’t enough—not even close.
Even adding myself and Bright wasn’t secure.
If one turned away, Ash would become a miserable loser. That’s why trust was crucial.
The real world was far different from theory.
“Um… Geenie? Just making sure—you know, right?”
Bright interrupted while I was busy worrying about others—something I didn’t normally do. He knew how much I hated focusing on myself.
“What are you talking about?”
“That your family received the title of Count thanks to you. His Majesty gave many awards after that incident.”
He probably assumed I wouldn’t know since I never go home. Bright continued happily.
“If you say ‘Crowell Family,’ there’s nowhere you can’t go on the continent. The Kenian family can’t compare now. With your name, you’ll get VIP seats anywhere.”
Well, of course. I’m not only a national hero—I’m a hero to picky nobles.
Most nobles fear or belittle heroes, but I wasn’t like that.
How many nobles had I saved? I lost count ages ago. Including royal heirs. And the Emperor.
As long as they’re grateful, my world won’t collapse.
“Uh… why is the Crowell family coming up now?”
Good question, Chad. Using your brain for once. Bright beamed.
“Because Geenie is Geenie Crowell. The only daughter of the Crowell family! The light of this era, the one who shines on her own, the one loved by dragons! The genius Spirit Mage, Drike Academy is proud of!”