The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family - Chapter 344

Capítulo 344: Au Revoir

Night had fallen over the Rikxia Empire’s vast capital. High above the towering stone buildings, the stars shone with a brilliant, cold light, scattered across the dark velvet sky.

Below, the streets were surprisingly lively. Though a tension hung in the air—a quiet nervousness that everyone felt but nobody spoke of—the citizens carried on. More soldiers patrolled the main roads than usual, their polished armor reflecting the gaslights, but the common people seemed to take this simply as extra protection. They continued their nightly business, choosing routine over panic.

Klaus walked among them, invisible to the noise. All his preparations were complete. Dudu was ready, the Ice Sword brooch was safely tucked away, and the plan to fly north was set. He could have left hours ago and already be far from the city. But he couldn’t.

Despite his immense strength, his political power, and his Transcendent nature, Klaus felt the need to anchor himself. He needed to be reminded of the simple, honest flow of human life before stepping onto the path of war and empires. That anchor was a place where the mundane made him feel whole: The Silver Crown tavern.

He approached the familiar wooden front, slowing his pace.

There she was, standing just outside the door, helping a wobbly customer. Samantha was laughing, her face lit by the warm glow spilling from the tavern entrance.

“Thank you, Samantha, I promise I won’t drink like that again,” the old man slurred, already blurring his words.

“Come on, Uncle! If you don’t drink like that anymore, that’ll mean less Copper coins for us,” she replied, her voice filled with easy humor.

“Ah! Then tomorrow I’ll be spending a silver coin!” the man declared with enthusiasm, a visible regular who loved their playful banter.

Klaus simply watched the exchange, finding peace in their simple, joyful interaction. Once the old man stumbled happily into the night, Klaus walked slowly toward her.

Upon seeing him, Samantha’s eyes instantly brightened. She lifted a hand and waved.

“Arkadius!” she called out.

The name felt strange now. After learning the true, painful history of the original Arkadius, being called by that name was suddenly heavy. He approached her anyway, giving her a gentle nod.

“How have you been, Samantha?” he asked.

“Quite good, thank you. How about you? You look even better than last time.”

“How so?”

She tilted her head, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know how to put it, but every time I see you, you look like someone who is becoming more and more himself.”

Klaus just looked at her, his usual mask of calculation melting away, replaced by a genuine smile.

They both walked inside, and the small group of patrons who had been present during his last visit greeted him with loud, heartfelt cheers.

“OOOH, Arkadius is back!”

“Arkadius, our champion!”

“Come, have a drink with me! I’ve been training, and I plan to steal your crown tonight!” yelled another visibly happy drinker, referencing the time Klaus won a friendly contest.

Marcus, the burly owner of the tavern and Samantha’s father, walked over, wiping his hands on his apron. “Good to see you, son. Drinks are on me tonight!”

The whole tavern erupted in cheers again, welcoming him back into their noisy, comfortable world.

Klaus settled in, drinking with everyone and making small conversation here and there. Though the alcohol had no effect on his Transcendent body, the feeling of the moment was deeply relaxing. Listening to other people’s simple stories, their small joys and small problems, somehow made his own burdens feel lighter, briefly forgotten.

Near midnight, Klaus quietly left the pub with Samantha. She was pleasantly tipsy, having insisted on drinking a few with him. Before leaving, Klaus had quietly settled the tab, leaving enough copper and silver for everyone to keep drinking for a long time. All the regulars knew ‘Arkadius’ was a noble—a rich and kind one. They didn’t know he was of the Royal Family, but Samantha, at least, had suspected he was a Lionhart.

They walked side-by-side in comfortable silence, the street mostly empty now, the air cool.

“What’s on your mind?” she finally asked, breaking the quiet.

“I will be leaving for a place far away tonight,” Klaus confessed simply.

“So tonight was your way of saying goodbye.”

“You could say that.”

“How long will you be gone?” Her voice dipped slightly, a hint of sadness she tried to mask with a forced smile.

“Probably a while.”

“I see.”

Klaus stopped, turning to face her completely. “There’s also a confession I need to make to you.”

Samantha’s face instantly flushed red, her eyes widening. She clearly expected a romantic declaration. “Oh! I’m listening,” she said, looking down at her boots, embarrassed by the sudden, serious turn of the night.

“My real name is not Arkadius.”

She blinked, looking up at him with a surprised, almost disappointed expression. “What?” Then she chuckled softly. “Well, I figured Arkadius was probably a covert name. I know you’re a Lionhart, isn’t that right?”

Klaus smiled gently, acknowledging her sharp observation.

“So, let me introduce myself again,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “I’m Klaus. Klaus Lionhart.”

Samantha’s eyes grew huge, her jaw dropping. “K-K-Klaus? As in the Klaus Lionhart? The youngest Swordmaster in our entire continent?”

He gave her a small, amused nod, then laughed.

“Wait!” She suddenly threw her hands up, the tipsiness making her dramatic. “Does that mean you’re underage? Oh my God, I’ve been serving alcohol to an underage customer! Do you want the Emperor to have my head on a spike, or what?”

“Well, mentally, I’m already of age. Age is just a number, don’t you think?” he said, his composure so complete that she couldn’t argue with his logic. No one who looked at his tall, handsome, and mature face, with his long, serious hair, would ever think he was anything less than twenty years old.

She sighed dramatically, then reached out her hand, a genuine, warm smile finally returning.

“Nice to meet you, Klaus.”

They shook hands slowly under the bright moon and the scattered stars. With this last piece of personal business concluded, the final anchor was weighed. It was time for Klaus to leave for the Ice Palace.