I Have been Reincarnated As a Lazy, Arrogant Noble, but When I Destroyed The Scenario Through Effort, I Became The Most Powerful With Extraordinary Magical Power - 92

Chapter 92: Cecil Antwerp

I still remember the first time I saw Battle Universe.

As a mischievous child, I used to find boxes and flip them over just for fun.

And then, small figurines… several of them tumbled out.

“Cecil, you can’t do that. These are precious, you know.”

“Daddy, what are these?”

“These are called Battle Universe, Cecil. They might be a bit too complex for you.”

“What about this one? What’s this?”

“This one is a knight, and this one is a wizard. They are very strong and protect everyone.”

“Wow, I want to play with these too!”

“But it’s a bit too difficult for you, Cecil. Let’s play something else…”

“No, I want to do this!”

I didn’t really understand the rules, but just moving the small pieces around was enjoyable. The little figurines with swords and staffs moved forward and defeated enemies.

Even at a young age, I knew it looked cool.

From that day on, I always had figurines in my hand. It was much later that I realized they were chess pieces.

“Alright, now the wizard is in front—”

“…I lost… No way… Cecil, you’re amazing, you have a talent!”

When I turned six, I fully understood the rules of Battle Universe and defeated my father.

I later found out that my father was really strong (apparently).

When I turned seven, the local adults who were considered strong refused to play with me. I was from a noble family and fairly well-off, so I didn’t have trouble finding opponents.

“Cecil is amazing.”

“Cecil-chan is a genius!”

“This child is going to achieve great things in the future!”

It was fun. Not just receiving praise but also because I could get so absorbed in Battle Universe that I forgot about time.

When I was eight, I learned about a tournament gathering players from various countries and decided to participate. I managed to win the championship.

People called it an incredible achievement, but honestly, no one was a match for me.

That’s when I began to notice the change around me.

“Hey, Dad, let’s play Battle Universe!”

“I’m busy, and besides, I can’t beat you anymore. Wouldn’t it be boring to play with me?”

It wasn’t like that at all. But those who played with me didn’t seem to be having fun.

Even in tournaments, the players didn’t seem to enjoy it when I smiled and showed excitement.

I didn’t understand why. Wasn’t everyone supposed to like Battle Universe?

When I entered the noble school, I was initially treated as a celebrity.

Everyone eagerly challenged me to matches, but then it abruptly stopped.

Even when I tried to join the circle of those who loved Battle Universe…

“Sorry, Cecil-san, but we’re on a different level…”

“Yeah, that’s right. Playing with you wouldn’t be enjoyable, right?”

Before I knew it, I was isolated.

From a young age, I didn’t struggle with academics. People often asked me why, but even I didn’t know.

I just wrote down what I learned, that’s all.

But there was one thing I was bad at—magic.

“Cecil, if you can’t do this much, people will make fun of you.”

“Yes, teacher.”

The problem was clear—my lack of magical power. Even if I tried to construct spells, I didn’t have enough.

I didn’t need to become stronger; being born a noble gave me a title as a magic user.

But I always looked at the figurines and felt envious.

“I…wanted to be like you all.”

The Battle Universe pieces were modeled after legendary heroes.

Grist Knight, called a hero, and the world’s strongest wizard, Remly.

I wanted to become like them.

But I didn’t have that talent.

“Congratulations, Cecil! You passed!”

“You’re amazing, Cecil.”

“Thank you, Mom, Dad.”

I enrolled in the Noble Magic Academy because I knew my parents would be pleased. I was aware that I wouldn’t become much stronger, but the school placed value on academic achievements.

However, deep down, I thought I might change just a little.

Become strong and be like the knights and wizards I admired.

But reality was not so kind.

“First place, Weiss Fancent. Second place, Alan—”

I excelled in academics at the academy, but in terms of physical strength and magic, I was at the bottom.

But in Noble Society, it didn’t matter; I was respected for being a noble and my point of view was valued.

Yet everyone in this world admired the strong.

Without exception, I did too.

I used to watch strong people and thought they were the protagonists of this world.

But I couldn’t stand at the center of it all.

I could only indulge in my favorite game and keep myself different from them.

At that time, I saw someone on the other side in the library.

—Weiss Fancent.

Surprisingly, the book he held was a history book of Battle Universe.

My cheeks relaxed involuntarily.

I knew of his infamous reputation, but his behavior within the academy was completely different. But such things were common in history.

Suppressing my racing heart, I approached him, and he expressed his desire to play Battle Universe with me.

But I was also anxious.

Many people initially approached me with enthusiasm, but their expressions gradually clouded.

That was frightening.

But—he was different.

“Once more, Cecil.”

Even if he lost, he kept challenging me, always looking ahead, wanting to defeat me.

I could never do something like that.

That was cool.

And surprisingly, he had a request for me.

A story about an impending disaster.

It might sound insensitive.

But I felt like he was extending a hand to bring me to this side…

I felt like the hero who had been standing at the edge of the classroom had suddenly taken my hand.

Of course, normally, I wouldn’t believe it.

But Fancent-kun was trying so hard to beat me.

That seriousness came through in the game.

From then on, I talked with him about the impending disaster every day.

Considering all possible scenarios, researching past literature, I wanted to protect everyone.

When the disaster actually came, I was honestly terrified to the point where I wanted to run away.

With my words and actions, many lives were at stake.

The pressure became a reality.

But Fancent-kun faced it head-on.

That was cool.

“Cecil-san, thanks to you.”

“Cecil, you were amazing!”

“As expected of Cecil!”

From then on, I started gaining recognition from various people.

Not just in Battle Universe.

But for myself.

I was genuinely happy.

But… I always stayed in my comfort zone.

Unlike those who sweated, bled, and risked their lives, I…

“—Chloe-sensei, I have a request.”

“Cecil, what’s wrong?”

“…I want to become stronger.”

Unlike Milch Sensei and Darius-sensei, Chloe-sensei didn’t have a lot of magical power.

However, she became a teacher at the Noble Magic Academy and achieved remarkable feats even during disasters.

Chloe-sensei knew how to fight even with limited magical power.

But it required tremendous effort.

“Is this all you’ve got? Is that your determination?”

“No… I can do more.”

I discarded all my previous indulgence and started practicing, deliberately exerting all my limited magical power to its fullest.

In this world, very rarely, there were people born without any magical power.

However, those people had exceptionally high physical abilities by birth.

And Chloe-sensei knew how to create such abilities even after birth.

By intentionally releasing all magical power and constructing a spell with the resolve to lose her life, all magical power would vanish from her body, and every attack would become lethal.

“Sensei, the current me…”

“Yes, Cecil. Remarkable speed and potential. You’ve worked hard.”

But in return, I gained speed.

This was a double-edged sword.

If I took a single hit, I might suffer severe damage and even lose consciousness.

But that was fine.

I wasn’t just a pawn observing from afar.

At the cost of everything, I will—Fancent-kun, I will defeat you.