The Second Son of House Jack

“Oh, you must be unfamiliar with this place as an outsider?”

Fel, the second son of House Jack, said.

“The most feared calamity in the Sand Plateau and floating islands is the Lightning Calamity. Warriors who have faced and defeated this calamity are called lightning hunters.”

“Is it possible to… defeat lightning?”

“Nothing is impossible for a mage.”

Fel displayed a confident smile.

He said he had subdued two instances of the Lightning Calamity.

But it was hard to understand. Fighting a calamity inevitably draws in other calamities. Didn’t the annihilation of Sena School Nomad begin with the battle against the orc?

In the Saharan Plains, confronting calamities was treated almost like a taboo.

Yet Fel remained composed.

“Well, there are times when one must fight. Besides, Trimacos City in the Saharan Plains and Lanciel City on the floating islands are quite different.”

He revealed a peculiar pride as he looked down at me.

“So, boy? You still haven’t answered. What’s your name and destination?”

He’s subtly pressuring me.

I looked at Yuria and Monggu before nodding. They introduced themselves first.

“I am Yuria Lin, only daughter of Herman Lin and Sonya Allen.”

“I’m M-Monggu, son of Mir and Garam. I, I don’t have a family name.”

Not having a family name is nothing special. It just means Monggu’s parents were both orphans. Not uncommon in the wilderness.

Finally, it was my turn.

“I am Baek Jun-woo, only son of Baek Ho-ryang and Baek Song-i. We were originally students of Sena School Nomad, but we encountered a calamity midway that wiped everyone out. We survived by sheer luck. We’ve just entered the Sand Plateau looking for a new place to settle.”

For some reason, Fel’s gaze narrowed as he examined us.

“That’s unfortunate. But, boy? Something is strange. You managed to salvage a teleportation barrier during all that? And it appears to be quite an expensive item, too valuable for a regular School Nomad? Two mages among wandering nomads, young as you may be… Excuse my rudeness, but may I ask about the origin of that teleportation barrier?”

…What’s this about?

His questioning seemed odd. Does he think we stole this? Well, we did take it… but it was self-defense.

Wait, even before that, they’re not city patrol or anything… what gives them the right to interrogate us like this?

“Yes, we took it. There was a group of bandits who targeted us, thinking we were easy prey since we’re just three kids. But… that happened in the Saharan Plains, not here. I don’t understand by what right you’re persecuting us like this?”

I glared at Fel.

Though his strength might be greater than expected, I had no reason to back down first.

I was also interested in his secret for hunting lightning, but I couldn’t dwell on that when he was picking a fight.

Like a bee with its stinger, I needed to show him that stinging us would hurt. Dialogue is only possible between equals.

A tense atmosphere settled between us.

“Rights… to ask me that, you truly must be an outsider who knows nothing.”

A cold sneer in his young voice.

I was calculating whether drawing my sword first would be advantageous. I imagine Fel was doing the same.

But the tension dissolved at an unexpected moment. One of the attendants standing behind Fel Jack suddenly interrupted.

“Wait… Baek Song-i? Baek… Ho-ryang? Do you know what your mother was doing about fifteen years ago?”

“Ahur! The young master is speaking!”

It was a middle-aged man named Ahur. Another companion quickly restrained him, but Ahur pushed him aside and formally requested permission from Fel.

“My apologies, young master. I might be able to identify these people. May I… if it’s alright?”

“Hmm… that would be good. Do as you wish.”

Fel took a step back from me while keeping his wary gaze. As he retreated, I heard him ask his attendants:

“Baek Song-i? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.”

“Ah… now that you mention it, I think I’ve heard it too. Hmm… who was it…”

What’s this? They know my mother’s name?

I answered with a puzzled expression.

“Fifteen years ago… that would be before I was born. My mother would have just completed her continental crossing. I heard she met my father around that time.”

Ahur’s eyes flickered with emotion.

“And your father’s occupation was…”

“He was a hunter.”

“…Right. A hunter.”

For some reason, Ahur ground his teeth and examined my face closely.

“White hair… yes. I think I heard something about that. Looking closer… you resemble your mother.”

“Yes, people tell me that. But… do you know my mother?”

A bitter smile appeared on Ahur’s lips. He turned to Fel and said:

“Young master… these kids’ identity is certain. They’re definitely nomads from the Saharan Plains. They’re not bandits or spies from elsewhere.”

“Is that so? If you say so, it must be true. But… are you crying?”

“No, not at all.”

Ahur turned away in embarrassment.

His companion suddenly exclaimed as if remembering something.

“That’s right! Ahur! Come to think of it! Isn’t Baek Song-i that woman you talk about when you’re drunk? Your first love who never gave you a second glance but married some unremarkable hunter and even had a child with him? Don’t tell me… this kid is that woman’s son?”

“Shut up!”

Ahur tried to cover his companion’s mouth while his friends kept prodding at his painful spot.

…I feel like I just heard something really heartbreaking.

“Now that you mention it, fifteen years ago… I recall meeting an explorer who crossed the continent. Could that have been your mother? Is she now…”

“She passed away.”

“That’s truly unfortunate.”

Fel looked at Ahur and me with sorrowful eyes. His gaze had softened considerably from before.

Eventually, he regarded me with renewed interest.

“So you really were born in the wilderness and achieved this on your own! A true genius. You said you plan to settle in the Sand Plateau?”

I hadn’t actually intended to settle, but I answered affirmatively for now.

“Excellent. Would you consider traveling with us? We’re crossing the Sand Plateau on our way to Lanciel City. The plateau is under Lanciel City’s protection. Visiting the city would be beneficial in many ways. With your skills, you might even qualify for citizenship.”

This was an unexpected development.

I had thought we would establish positions through a show of force, assess each other’s abilities, and clarify our stances before beginning any conversation…

It seems my mother was more famous than I realized.

+ – + – +

“You are now my guests.”

Fel Jack’s attitude changed dramatically. He was convinced I was an ordinary nomad.

The wilderness is an unregulated place. It’s difficult for outsiders to know about families who lived and died there ordinarily, unless, like Ahur… they carried a first love in their heart.

Additionally, my age and white hair served as definitive proof of our identity.

However…

“But why did you investigate our identity? Do caravans normally concern themselves with such matters?”

This differed from my understanding. Whether I was a bandit or just a passing mage shouldn’t matter to a caravan. In the wilderness, everyone pursues their own interests. Unnecessary meddling only increases unwanted risks.

Fel responded to my question with that same proud expression.

“Things are different from the regions below the plateau. Here, Lanciel City provides protection.”

“Lanciel City… protects this area?”

A city protecting the wilderness? This too was news to me. Cities aren’t typically so friendly to us.

It’s strictly a give-and-take relationship.

Cities are places we visit with money to buy expensive magical items or pay entrance exam fees. Besides transactions, we have no business there.

Survival is entirely the nomads’ responsibility; cities don’t care at all.

‘If you don’t like it, improve your skills and save money to earn citizenship.’ This was simply how the world worked. That’s why I was confused.

Fel showed goodwill by answering all my questions in detail.

“It’s primarily a philosophical matter. Our Lanciel City is affiliated with the Academy. There are other complicated circumstances, but… that’s the main reason.”

“The Academy?”

“Ah, outsiders really are clueless. Such a problem…”

Fel shook his head and explained.

Seven forces compete at the Tower of Covenant.

The White Executioners, “The Order” – the only non-mage force that hates mages.

The fanatics who wish to remake the world through magic, “Truth Tower.”

The traitors plotting the world’s destruction, “Ragnarok.”

The mad scientists who would abandon humanity for magical research, “Magic Tower.”

The psychopaths who claim non-existent equilibrium and wage war for mechanical balance, “Druids.”

The pigs who exploit even approaching doom for present pleasure and profit, “Society.”

And finally, the oldest mage collective that spread magic throughout the world, seeking to prevent the end and guide humanity, “Academy”… according to Fel.

“Sadly, the Academy’s power has diminished greatly. But Lanciel City still belongs to the Academy. We don’t hesitate to fight calamities to protect humanity. Even now… the same holds true!”

After saying this, Fel gazed far away toward where the Sky Bridge was located. His eyes reflected firm determination.

Though he appeared to be only in his mid-twenties… his speech was musty, and his eyes were serious at odd times.

I rubbed my hands awkwardly and followed his gaze.

“Is there something in that direction?”

Fel displayed a fierce smile.

“There is. Perhaps because calamities have decreased in the Saharan Plains? As if to fill that void, calamities here have increased. I’ve received intelligence that the Calamity of Lightning has occupied the Sky Bridge. If that passage is blocked, the people of the Sand Plateau will struggle to obtain food and many will die attempting the dangerous cliff path down to the Saharan Plains. In other words, it’s time for my third hunt to begin.”

I stared at Fel with wide eyes.

I hadn’t expected this at all.

What? So we’re heading into battle right now?

And he casually invited us to join?

While on the way to war?

Fel laughed at my surprise.

“Haha! Sorry for not telling you sooner. But what do you think? Care to join the fight? You can stay back if you prefer… but isn’t fighting calamities a mage’s duty?”

The audacity was astonishing.

Inviting complete strangers to a life-or-death battle?

In the Saharan Plains, this would deserve a barrage of curses.

Yet Fel invoked the unfamiliar “mage’s duty” to impose moral pressure.

‘Are all Academy-affiliated mages this cringeworthy and unreasonable?’

I felt repulsed.

But my mouth responded:

“Gladly! I grind my teeth at the thought of calamities. I’ve defeated the Night Calamity several times, but the Lightning Calamity would be my first. Since I plan to live here, I should learn about the local calamities.”

“Oh? Haha! I like your spirit! You’ll fit in well with us.”

Fel slapped my back with a thump!

Though he looks like a slender, refined young master… he acts like an old man.

He’s somewhat burdensome, but this was an unexpected opportunity.

The lightning hunter’s method of fighting the Lightning Calamity.

I’ll steal every detail, without exception.