I Was Mistaken as a Genius Mage in a Game

The morning had arrived.

Stepping out of the barracks, I trod on the damp piles of mud.

The soldiers stood with sharp discipline, keeping watch around the camp and tidying up the campsite. We were soon set to leave for the capital.

The journey continued for the next three days, but fortunately, no additional attacks occurred. I suspect all the Tauros around here were burned to a crisp by the lightning.

"Be careful, everyone."

"I hope you'll return next time as a better soldier."

In response to my farewell, Alter added a cold remark. It seemed like he still hadn't forgiven the absurd mistakes of the squad members.

I boarded the guest carriage at the entrance of the capital and entered the large castle, which was ridiculously huge.

After nearly two weeks of living on the ground, I hadn't properly slept. So, as soon as I arrived at the castle, I wanted to wash off the dirt and mud that had covered my body and collapse into bed to rest.

"They are waiting for your report, sir."

Without even a chance to shake off the dirt, a servant waiting at the castle's main gate spoke.

...It seemed I would have to postpone becoming one with the bed for now.

The representatives from each race were waiting for my report.

"I can't do it later, can I?"

"...All four of them are waiting only for your report, sir."

Ranked at the 3rd and 4th stars, I had the duty to face the leaders of each race and present my report to them directly.

And something that can be postponed isn't called a duty.

"Especially the Emperor is eagerly awaiting it. The food crisis hasn't been resolved due to the dragon that settled in the grain-producing area."

With Alter and Lir, I followed the servant’s lead toward the meeting room.

For some reason, small chairs were placed at intervals along the long corridor. It seemed they were set up while I had been away on the expedition for the past two weeks.

Thanks to this, I was able to rest in the chairs whenever I felt tired while walking down the kingdom's long, grueling hallways, matching the fatigue of the lengthy journey.

I hated myself for being touched by such thoughtful care.

After sitting down and getting up several times, we arrived at the meeting room.

As per the servant's instructions, Alter and Lir stayed outside, and I entered alone.

"Oh, you're here."

The leaders of each race, sitting around the round table, looked at me with different expressions.

The Emperor greeted me with a cheerful smile, the Grand Chief frowned with concern over my thin body and dirty clothes, the Dwarf King looked at me with half-drunk eyes, and the Elf Queen looked down at me with her usual condescending gaze.

"Report. What happened with the dragon?"

"I killed it."

I answered briefly to the Elf Queen's question. Due to the exhaustion from the expedition, my words came out sharper than I intended, and she flinched her eyebrows slightly, as if it bothered her.

"What else? Was there nothing more?"

"We encountered a high-ranking demon at the Enker Plateau."

"...What?"

At my disjointed report, everyone in the room looked confused.

The sudden shift from "I killed the dragon" to "We encountered a high-ranking demon" made them doubt their hearing.

In my life, I’ve never had to report what I went through to anyone. What should I do?

Could I have reported the details like other generals, organizing it clearly with the five Ws and H? Obviously, that would have been impossible.

Sadly, all I knew how to do was play with MIDI and instruments.

Endure by force! You chose this parachute!

"Huh... Well, are you telling a funny story to commemorate killing the dragon...?"

Since it was such a random turn, the leaders of the races looked at me, wondering if I was joking.

"...I guess I have no choice. Listen closely, let me tell you what happened..."

I started to ramble on about everything I went through, from the very beginning, without much organization. If I didn’t know how to summarize the events, then why not just say everything that came to mind?

Let them sort it out in their heads.

...Once again, I remind you, you chose this parachute!

"Now I understand the situation after hearing it. You suddenly encountered a high-ranking demon, huh?"

After about 20 minutes of long explanation, our story reached the point where we faced the high-ranking demon.

"You led just one squad and encountered a high-ranking demon? Most of them must have died. It's fortunate that you returned alive. What happened to Alter? Did he die?"

The Grand Chief spoke as if mourning the fallen soldiers, slightly bowing his head.

"No, there were no casualties."

"...What?"

The Grand Chief raised his head, looking puzzled, unable to comprehend what I just said.

Seeing the leaders of the races continuously widening their eyes at my words, I suddenly wondered if I might actually be a born storyteller.

Isn't an unexpected twist a weapon that grabs the audience? I think I heard that in a video titled 'How to Charm People' once.

I’m not sure why an 'unexpected twist' is needed in a military report though...

"You said you encountered a high-ranking demon, but how could there be no casualties or injuries?"

Even the half-drunk Dwarf King, who had leaned his upper body on the round table, looked at me with wide eyes, as if confused.

"For some reason, there were no mutations around it. Perhaps because of that, it seemed hesitant to fight me."

"...I see, if it was alone, that makes sense. Including you and Alter Heindel, the expedition must have been quite a burden for the demon, even if it was a high-ranking one."

"Guess I was lucky... Or should I say, unlucky to encounter a high-ranking demon in the first place..."

Grand Chief, what kind of ridiculous question is that?

Of course, it was unlucky.

Unbelievably unlucky.

"No mutations? If you and Heindel joined forces, couldn't you have killed the high-ranking demon? Why did you let it go?"

The Elf Queen, who had been quietly listening, asked in a somewhat puzzled tone.

Given that the perception of me in their minds was that of "a genius mage who survived against a great lord without learning any magic," it wasn’t strange for her to have such doubts.

"The battleground wasn’t ideal. Both Alter Heindel and I are lightning mages, and if we fought there, the fire would have spread in an instant, and most of the wheat would have been lost."

"That makes sense."

The Emperor, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement.

"Certainly, the goal of your expedition was to capture the dragon on the Enker Plateau, which is the largest grain-producing area in the continent, and recover the food supplies. Not engaging in a battle there was a wise decision."

The Grand Chief also nodded and supported my judgment, agreeing that it was not a mistake.

"...Wouldn't it have been better to fight in a different place? Even though it's not as grand as a great lord, killing a high-ranking demon would have been a great help to humanity."

The Elf Queen looked dissatisfied, as if she regretted not killing the high-ranking demon right in front of her.

Some say it's fortunate that I came back alive, while others scold me for not killing the high-ranking demon.

What am I supposed to do about this?

"Of course, I didn't just let it go without doing anything."

I took out the bracelet made from the "Devil’s Contract" from my robe pocket. It had fallen off my wrist naturally exactly 72 hours after the deal was made.

"That..."

They all leaned forward with puzzled looks.

"I demanded the withdrawal of all demons and mutations from the Achiliptius Forest region as the condition for letting it go."

"Oh..."

The Elf Queen finally smiled faintly and looked at me.

"Clearly, a genius is different."

...She seems to be complimenting me, but somehow, due to her tone and attitude, I didn’t feel entirely happy about it.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

"The Achiliptius Forest region is a military strategic point connecting the 'Baller Land,' where the Swordmaster and his party are currently battling, to the capital. It has many places to hide, and due to the rugged terrain, it had been impossible to carry out a reclamation operation..."

"Excellent choice! Ha, our Swordmaster truly has a sharp eye for people!"

"Your voice is too loud, Dwarf. And now, I think it’s time to praise this little one, not the Swordmaster."

"Hehe, did I say our promising Swordmaster did anything wrong? Praise both the Swordmaster and our genius prospect. It’s fine to praise both! What’s all the fuss about?"

I couldn’t understand why the Elf Queen and Dwarf King had to sit next to each other, so I shook my head and looked at the Emperor.

Shouldn’t those two be seated as far apart as possible?

"Hehe..."

The Emperor just gave a wry smile, as if embarrassed.

"Anyway, the Achiliptius Forest region is now an uninhabited zone. As soon as I’m ready, I plan to lead soldiers there and set up a forward base."

The Achiliptius Forest region is where the Lightning Spirit is asleep.

If I wake the spirit and commune with it, I will receive special rewards that can’t be obtained by ordinary means. These rewards are essential for my bizarre mage build.

To make sure the leaders in front of me continue to misunderstand me as a "once-in-a-lifetime genius," I had to level up quickly.

"Are you planning to lead it yourself?"

The Grand Chief asked in a slightly worried tone.

Even though my achievements were outstanding and my magical talent exceptional, it seemed there was some unease about entrusting me with the operation.

It was only natural.

Even though I had been recognized by the Swordmaster and became his party member, earning a general-level rank in one go... Naturally, I didn’t have the leadership skills to match it.

I lacked the skills to command.

And I realized that painfully during this expedition. When Alter raised his voice to warn and lash out at the soldiers who had made mistakes, I didn’t say a word.

"Of course not. I have no military experience, so it would be better if you assigned me a capable commander."

The most important thing for a parachute is to know one’s place.

It’s smarter to bring a reliable adjutant than to insist on stubbornness.

"I’ll prepare the operation and set the departure date as soon as possible. I’ll assign you a trustworthy adjutant."

"Thank you."

After that conversation, I left the meeting room after greeting the leaders of the races.

Just before I left, the leaders gathered their staff, spread maps, and seemed absorbed in military discussions.

"Hah."

As soon as the large door closed, I let out a sigh of relief.

Though I didn’t show it, I had been anxious the entire time during the report, afraid I would make a ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ mistake, and fatigue had piled up on me.

"Are you that tired?"

Lir, who had been waiting outside with Alter, asked with a worried expression.

I didn’t have the energy to reply. I just nodded and let out a deep sigh.

"Shall I carry you?"

Noticing my poor condition, the middle-aged servant carefully asked.

No matter how I felt, being carried by a man over fifty when I was barely in my twenties was a bit... strange.

"Sure."

It was good.

Very good.

"...Really?"

Lir asked in a surprised tone, but I ignored her and let my body rest on the middle-aged servant's back.

"Well, I’m probably lighter than Lir... Doesn't it matter?"

It was the truth.

Lir might not know, but whenever I looked in the mirror while showering, my body looked like a skeleton with family draped over it.

Comparing myself to an elf with a decent figure was an insult!

"...Ugh..."

Lir blinked in disbelief and muttered something before closing her mouth tightly and pulling the brim of her muddy hat down, bowing her head.

"Good night."

Ignoring her, I waved goodbye to Alter and Lir while being carried by the middle-aged servant.

I didn’t even have to walk to get to my room.

‘I’ve made it.’

After becoming a member of the Swordmaster’s party for nearly two weeks, I had finally tasted the true flavor of power.