Chapter 38 Magic Genius?!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Mastering a single magic, even the lowest level Fireball Technique or Water Arrow technique, was the only way Aki felt he had truly become an extraordinary ability user.
It was the same logic as moving from D-rank to C-rank. It didn’t make him much stronger, but it served as a threshold.
Besides, magic was cool. Constantly swinging his fists didn’t fit his pretty-boy image.
”Well, since you’ve more or less mastered close-quarters combat, you can indeed start to touch upon magic,” Akeno said. “Moreover, you can begin to exert your Magic Talent sooner.”
Aki nodded wildly, secretly hoping for a red-haired, busty big sister to give him some close-contact guidance.
”Here, take this book first. It has many practical low-level spells inside.”
Akeno pulled a black-covered book from her cleavage and handed it to Aki.
”These are all quite simple. Once mastered, they can play an unexpected role in battle.”
Aki stared at Akeno’s broad chest, amazed she could actually store things in there. Seeing it with his own eyes, he was momentarily dazed.
”What are you dazing for? Take it,” Akeno said.
She playfully tapped Aki’s head with the corner of the book. “Don’t look. You can’t learn this trick.”
Aki laughed and took the magic book, which still carried a faint fragrance. On the glossy black cover, a red pentagram magic circle emitted a mysterious aura. Even before opening it, he could tell this book was out of the ordinary.
It was usually difficult for ordinary people to learn even low-level magic. Apprentices usually learned spells one by one from a master. However, the magic in this book was the accumulated legacy of the Gremory Family. If it were truly ordinary, Akeno wouldn’t carry it so close to her body. Even with her A-rank strength, she hadn’t fully mastered some of the spells within.
Magic relies heavily on talent and compatibility. Akeno excelled in lightning magic, but she couldn’t afford to ignore other types. Some spells were simply too useful-like Space Magic, Space Magic, and more Space Magic.
Whether it was long-distance teleportation, mid-combat blinking, or the essential storage space for logistics, everything relied on Space Magic. It was useful, but also the most difficult to master.
Opening the magic book, the fragrance grew stronger. Aki rubbed his nose, remaining as steady as Liu Xiahui¹. He had already handled the real deal; this level of temptation wasn’t enough to make him lose his composure.
He steadied himself and studied the contents. The first page contained basic elemental spells: Fireball, Water Arrow, Lightning, Wind Blade, and Earth Spike. Following those were slightly harder spells like Transformation, Swamp, and Charm. The further back he went, the more difficult-and powerful-the spells became.
Each spell was accompanied by printed instructions and handwritten notes. These were likely the insights and tips left behind by the book’s previous owner, Akeno, when she learned them. Aki, who was initially confused, began to find a clue thanks to these notes.
While Aki was absorbed in his studies, Rias finished her bath and walked out wrapped in a towel. She glanced at him indifferently, completely unbothered by the spring light² she was exposing as she changed into new lingerie and her school uniform.
Unfortunately, Aki’s soul was sucked away by the mysteries of the book. He missed a prime opportunity to witness the scenery.
By the time he came to his senses, Rias had finished changing and was sipping tea in a chair.
Aki closed the book excitedly. “Akeno-senpai, thank you. I’d like to study this for a while.”
”That book is yours now,” Rias said, answering for Akeno.
Magic knowledge was the property of the Gremory Family; only she could make that decision. In truth, if Rias didn’t have a special attitude toward Aki, Akeno would never have given him this book. In the Inner World, techniques are not easily shared. This book was a hidden fortune, especially with Akeno’s notes. Out in the world, it would trigger a bloodbath. For an apprentice, it was a golden road to becoming a Mid-Rank Mage.
Aki was overjoyed. “Thank you, President!”
He guessed the book was special, but he didn’t realize its value far exceeded his imagination. Tucking the book away, he asked curiously, “President, when did you get here?”
”I’ve been here. I just went to take a bath.”
After some small talk, Aki left. He couldn’t wait to start. Imagining himself wielding fire and thunder, sending enemies scurrying, he confidently began his first lesson.
Three hours later.
Feeling his empty Mana pool, Aki lost his dreams. He discovered his magic talent was average. His supposed ‘genius’ status was only because he had directly acquired the Magic Power Extraction skill. It took three hours to drain his Mana just to cast one spell. And that fireball was so unstable it nearly burned his eyebrows off.
Comparing himself to Akeno’s notes, he realized the truth. He wasn’t strong, but he wasn’t hopeless. With decades of work, he might become a High-Rank Mage. He could have accepted this if he hadn’t expected to be a genius. Finding out it was an illusion was painful.
He felt terrible, especially compared to his talent for brawling.
”Maybe fire just doesn’t suit me.”
Once his Mana recovered, he tried other elements. Water, Earth, Wind… the results were the same. His best compatibility was with Spirit magic because he had absorbed a soul, and his worst was Earth.
His talent points were all spent on being a brute rather than an elegant mage.
After a night of contemplation among the smooth bodies of the Takamine sisters, Aki persuaded himself. If the talent wasn’t there, he needed a new approach. Instead of working twice as hard for half the result, he would just get closer to girls. He could acquire skills directly. Being strong was temporary, but being cool was a lifetime pursuit.
He was determined to be a noble mage. However, he wouldn’t abandon his brawling. It would be his ultimate trump card. His fight with Hakada Tetsuya had taught him that one key skill could change everything.
—
Summary:
Aki receives a high-level magic book from Akeno and Rias, containing the Gremory Family’s legacy and Akeno’s personal notes. Despite his excitement to become an elegant mage, his first training session reveals a harsh reality: his natural talent for magic is remarkably average. He realizes his previous success was due to a ‘cheated’ skill rather than innate ability. Ultimately, he decides to double down on his unique method of acquiring skills through social bonds to bypass his lack of natural aptitude.
—
Trivia:
- Akeno’s note-taking: Shows her diligence and suggests that even A-rank mages struggle with higher-level magic, setting a realistic power ceiling.
- Aki’s Spirit compatibility: Hinting that his unique soul-absorption nature might lead to specialized mental or soul-based magic rather than standard elementalism.
- Rias’s ‘Special Attitude’: Points toward a deeper level of trust or investment in Aki than previously stated, justifying the gift of a family heirloom
—
Character Insight:
Rias and Akeno demonstrate significant trust in Aki by gifting him Gremory property. Aki’s internal conflict shows a shift from arrogant expectations to a pragmatist’s resolve.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduction of the ‘Inner World’ standards where magic knowledge is a guarded commodity. Introduction of the Gremory Family’s standing as a source of elite magical knowledge.
—
TL Notes:
The term ‘Little White Face’ (pretty boy) carries connotations of a man supported by women, fitting Aki’s living situation. The ‘Liu Xiahui’ reference highlights the protagonist’s attempt at self-restraint.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Aki – TIMEOUT: No response (20.0s) – Unknown error
• Akeno – Himejima Akeno, Rias Gremory’s Queen and vice-president of the Occult Research Club, is a stunning A-rank devil with long silky raven hair tied in a hip-length ponytail, purple eyes, and a voluptuous figure often clad in her school uniform—red pleated skirt, sheer black stockings, and elegant “purple armor” attire. Though dominant and teasingly maternal toward Aki, she hides a bashful, maidenly side, still possessing her first kiss and easily overwhelmed by lust or embarrassment. A member of the prestigious Himejima clan, she wields lightning magic, mentors Aki with a kind smile concealing a sadistic streak, and balances regal poise with vulnerable, endearing moments of innocence.
• Rias – Rias Gremory, the 17-year-old pure-blood High-Class Devil and President of Kuoh Academy’s Occult Research Club, is the authoritative Crimson Ruin Princess of Kuoh Town—long crimson hair, crystal-like crimson eyes, and an explosive, elegant figure always clad in her school uniform. Determined and observant, she fiercely protects her peerage, mentors Aki as a big-sister figure, oversees his training, and is currently frustrated by her inability to reincarnate him, driving her to meticulously facilitate the ritual as both leader and guardian.
• Tetsuya – A third-year student with a monstrous ‘Stage Two’ transformation ability. He is physically imposing but lacks tactical depth.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply