Like a Different Person

Riezel certainly knew why Senna took pleasure in his misfortune.

Because, in the eyes of the general public, the status of a magician was undoubtedly higher than that of a swordsman.

This was not only because those qualified to become magicians were rare, but also due to the national situation.

For the sake of war, for combat power, countries needed Tactical-Class Magicians and Strategic-Class Magicians as military weapons. Therefore, whether in any country, the training and emphasis on magicians far surpassed that of swordsmen.

This could be observed from the existence of national magic schools like Spriller Academy in this world.

Schools specialized in training magicians were present in all major countries, but there was not a single one exclusively for training swordsmen.

Therefore, in the eyes of the world, magicians were considered noble, a symbol of status. Simply becoming a Tactical-Class Magician or a Strategic-Class Magician could easily grant one a title, turning them into a noble. Such national policies made countless people dream of becoming magicians, and that was self-evident.

Even for those with insufficient innate magical energy, lacking natural talent, and unable to learn and use tactical-class or strategic-class magic, being a magician specializing in combat-class magic alone could still accomplish many things.

For example, as mentioned earlier, the slavery contract could only be cast by a magician. If a slave trader wanted to engage in this type of business, they would undoubtedly have to pay a hefty sum to hire a magician.

This applied to various aspects, such as writing magic spells into magic crystals to create various magic items, collaborating with blacksmiths to manufacture magic weapons, and other tasks that required magicians.

Tasks such as crafting potions with unique effects, designing magic defense systems, and undertaking special construction projects were impossible without magicians.

Thanks to this, magicians with even just combat-class magic were sought after by various factions. Mastery in combat-class magic alone could ensure formidable combat power. Magicians were respected and adored wherever they went.

In contrast, swordsmen, relying on swordsmanship, might become stronger than most magicians in combat. However, apart from combat, they could hardly do anything else.

Therefore, a magician switching to swordsmanship and becoming a swordsman was seen by most people as a self-demotion—from a noble upper-class individual to an ordinary individual.

Unless truly unavoidable circumstances arose that forced them to change, no magician would willingly transition to becoming a swordsman.

If Riezel chose to study swordsmanship, he would basically be giving up the path to becoming a noble and a rare prodigy. Unless he achieved great feats or became an unbeatable figure like a Sword Saint, gaining recognition and nobility as a swordsman would be extremely challenging.

If Riezel came from a noble background, there might be a chance to inherit the family and become a noble. However, being a commoner, and even a rural one, after studying swordsmanship, expecting the same admiration and acclaim as before would be impossible.

Senna precisely took pleasure in this, feeling a sense of 'Schadenfreude'. {T/N: Schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, pain, or humiliation of another.}

But—

"Still better than continuing to be a failure, right?" Riezel's expression remained calm as he glanced at Senna. "Moreover, with my magical energy, after switching to swordsmanship, my combat strength should not decrease but might even increase. Dealing with a few student-level magicians should not be too difficult."

Hearing that, Senna's complexion immediately stiffened. The rest of the group were also startled by his words, falling into silence.

"That... Ahahaha..."

Archie, who sensed trouble, quickly laughed awkwardly, preparing to defuse the situation. However, before he could do so, Riezel had already changed the topic.

"Since everyone wants to see different things, let's split up for now." Riezel suggested. "Let's meet back here in an hour, alright?"

While saying this, he glanced at everyone in the group.

"Okay."

"Let's do that."

"I have no objections."

"Me neither."

Under Riezel's influence, the four tall, short, fat, and skinny youths in the group unconsciously responded.

This time, Archie's complexion slightly stiffened.

"Alright then." Riezel, without further ado, left, while Ain and Ian followed suit, mimicking his steps.

The onlookers couldn't help but cast envious glances at him, impressed by the outstanding appearance of the two women following him.

Shortly after, Carrera and Sylvanie also left.

Only Archie and the other five remained, standing in place, momentarily losing all reaction.

After a while, Senna was the first to express anger.

"Dammit..." Senna muttered through gritted teeth. "That country boy really thinks he can boss us around? Who does he think he is?"

Archie remained silent, his expression not looking too good.

The four tall, short, fat, and skinny youths dared not even make a sound, timidly standing in place.

Why did they respond so obediently to Riezel's orders just now? Were they tired of living? If Archie pursued this matter, they would be in trouble.

Fortunately, Archie, though displeased, did not vent his anger on them. Rather than being angry, he felt more puzzled.

"Why does it feel like he's changed somehow?" Archie doubted. "Was he the type to give orders to others before?"

He felt that the current Riezel's demeanor seemed unfamiliar, like a different person.

Senna, however, didn't find anything strange.

"What's so odd about it?" Senna coldly snorted. "He's climbed up with the Frenzel family. Maybe he thinks he's made it and looks down on us low-ranking nobles, that's why he's acting so arrogant now."

Upon hearing the Frenzel family, Archie's eyes flickered, but Senna's words were clearly not finished yet.

"Hey Archie, why do we still need to invite that country boy out?" Senna asked, visibly upset. "He can't even become a magician anymore, and we're going to be from two different worlds from now on. The academy is even discussing whether to cancel his enrollment and expel him. You said before that he became worthless, and we shouldn't bother with him anymore. So why suddenly invite him out again?"

"You don't understand..." Archie said expressionlessly. "He, as a person, may have lost his value. But he struck luck and formed a connection with the Frenzel family. This relationship, if left unused, would be a waste, no?"

"...You're right." Senna licked the corners of his lips. "If we can get to know Marquis Frenzel through that country boy, then we'll have a powerful backing."

Upon hearing that, Archie also smiled, but it was a cold smile.

'If Marquis Frenzel can put in a good word for me, my father will surely stop considering my useless elder brother as the heir, right?' Archie clenched his fists and became more determined.

That was his goal.

His family was on the verge of appointing its new head soon.

The next Count Rhein and head of the Rhein family were about to become known throughout the royal capital.

But a problem lay here.

In this world, titles and family head positions could be inherited by descendants, but in most cases, it was the eldest son who took over as the heir.

Of course, this wasn't absolute.

If the eldest son was incompetent, some sensible nobles would consider a child with better abilities as the heir.

However, such people were the minority.

Most nobles, when choosing an heir, tended to favor the eldest son.

Archie's father, the current head of the Rhein family, had been one such person.

Archie could be sure that, compared to himself, his father would have preferred to choose his elder brother as the heir.

This made him very unwilling.

In terms of ability, he believed he was not inferior to his elder brother, and in many aspects, he even surpassed his elder brother by far. In terms of connections, although he seemed to be fooling around outside, he had also built a considerable network.

On the other hand, his elder brother had mediocre magical energy and couldn't even become a magician. His elder brother's swordsmanship had been disappointing as well since he couldn't even defeat a bodyguard.

In every aspect, his elder brother had been mediocre and incomparable to him.

Yet, his father still believed that the eldest son should be the heir.

Why?

Just because that damn brother of his had been born one or two years earlier?

He refused to accept that bullshit!

'As long as I can establish a connection with the Frenzel family, my father should choose me as the heir even if he's reluctant, right?'

After all, that woman was a prominent figure in the kingdom, one of the continent's only eight Strategic-Class Magicians, possessing the power to determine the future of the entire country.

Being able to form a connection with such an existence was a great fortune for the Rhein family. For the sake of the entire family, his father, as the head, would undoubtedly choose him as the heir, striving to maintain this relationship.

"Let's go and do our own things for now..." Archie said to the rest of the group. "When the opportunity comes, let Riezel introduce us to Marquis Frenzel."

""Yes.""

Senna and the other four immediately nodded.

===

On the other side, Riezel had long since forgotten about Archie and the others. Following the directions on the sign, he arrived at a store specializing in selling swordsmanship books.

"Welcome."

The store owner immediately stepped forward personally and greeted Riezel.

"Excuse me, are you looking for swordsmanship?"

He glanced rather impressively at Ain and Ian, then turned to Riezel, who clearly held the leading position.

"Yeah..." Riezel glanced around and asked. "What kind of swordsmanship do you have here?"

"We have many swordsmanships, a total of 1137, including 840 elementary swordsmanship and 297 advanced swordsmanship." The store owner respectfully explained. "Most of these swordsmanship come from various territories within Jinas, with a few originating from other countries. Which one would you like, sir?"

"I don't care about their origin..." Riezel glanced at the store owner. "I just want to see some special swordsmanship. Got any?"

Upon hearing that, the store owner first paused, then shortly afterward, made a bitter smile.

"Sir, please don't joke around..." The store owner flashed a wry smile. "Special swordsmanship usually appears at auctions. How could it possibly be found in a store like mine?"

Although Riezel understood what the store owner meant, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed upon hearing that.