Athena's General Reincarnated in Another World

Nathan Evenhart:

The carriage began to move.

We all thought this was a waste of time.

There was a path through a small grove—ten minutes on foot at most.

But because of the carriage and the congested streets full of soldiers, it would likely take the same amount of time, or even longer.

As the carriage advanced, I looked back toward the window of my room, which was on one of the upper floors of the mansion.

What brought me comfort was knowing that my mother was there, right beside Cylla.

"It's going to be okay, Nate," said Chloe.

Before I could reply, I felt someone grabbing my hand.

"I was really scared…"

Kinue rested her head on my shoulder.

"I thought something had happened to you. When that creature appeared… I thought we were going to die. Don't scare us like that again, Nathan… You're special to me."

I gently ran my fingers through Kinue's hair to calm her.

Chloe leaned her head against my other shoulder.

"Where do you think those things came from? Why would they attack the academy?" my cousin asked.

"By the name they gave it… it doesn't sound like a place from the other continent," Kinue added.

"Whatever it is… I promise I won't let anything happen to you," I said.

They both lifted their heads and looked at me.

Suddenly, Kinue gave my nose a light pinch.

"No trying to play the hero, Nathan. Let the authorities handle it. Please… don't do anything reckless. Yo-you… you're going to be… the father of my pups," she said, her voice growing softer with each word.

"She's right… but if you do try something, let us help you," Chloe added.

***

We stepped down from the carriage and thanked the elven escort.

The massive mansion stood on an expansive estate.

I glanced at the two girls beside me—they looked a little nervous.

I had a pretty good idea of what they wanted to talk to us about.

My aunt had told us they'd be questioning us, not out of suspicion, but to hear our side of the events…

Especially mine.

Because I was the one who had come into contact with a demon.

Over these last few days, I hadn't gone into many details with my family.

I told the story from the perspective of a student, as someone who had no idea what those creatures were until I came face-to-face with one.

As we walked, some soldiers greeted us. My cousin and I wore our public insignia as high nobility, the gold-handled sword in its sheath.

The place was bustling with people moving everywhere mostly political officials and personal aides.

I noticed a few academy students sitting on benches outside a nearby door, probably waiting for their interrogations.

"Good afternoon, are you from House Evenhart?" a woman greeted us. "My name is Abigail. I'm a retired general. I'll be guiding you to the Majesties."

"Where's my mother? The Duchess Margaery?" Chloe asked as we walked.

"Most likely in a meeting," Abigail replied. "The attack on the academy was essentially an attack on the sovereignty of every authority on the continent. We're doing our best to contain the information, but at some point, word will spread. We're trying to handle it the best way we can—and for that, we'll need your cooperation. Several high-ranking nobles have already been questioned. All we ask is that you share your version of what happened, from the moment you entered the elevator onward."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I saw more students from the academy being escorted by soldiers ahead.

"Those students are being questioned under the supervision of commanders from all four kingdoms," she said, referring to the group we passed. "But you two hold positions far too high to be subjected to that kind of scrutiny."

"So, your interrogators… will be the royal families themselves," she added, clearly referring to me and my cousin.

As we continued walking, a figure approached us—

A tall man, with a long scar down his face. His gaze was sharp and stern.

"Grand Duke John, I'm escorting these three to the private wing," Abigail informed him.

Grand Duke? Which kingdom is he from?

"I need a word with one of them first. It's a military matter from my realm," he said, his eyes locking onto mine.

"As you wish," Abigail responded.

The man looked directly at me.

"Nathan Evenhart, come with me."

"Me?" I asked, caught off guard.

"Yes. You've violated a law under my jurisdiction," he said as he stepped closer. "Possessing an Unregistered Enchanted Relic is a violation of noble protocol. I need you to come with me to handle the paperwork and formally register it in your name. I'm the Grand Duke in charge of military affairs for the kingdom."

So he's from the Asalon family…

***

I followed Grand Duke John down a corridor.

We had descended several staircases into a lower, more secluded level of the mansion.

"John? What are you doing here?" came a voice from an adjacent room.

I turned to see Queen Agnes, accompanied by her retinue.

"I'm just handling some administrative matters regarding the enchanted relic of Heir Evenhart," he replied.

"Now? That boy's been through enough lately," she said, concerned.

He sighed.

"This is my job… and since I'm here, I figured I might as well finish it."

The queen stepped closer to me and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Nathan Evenhart, as your queen, I want to personally thank you for protecting my children during the attack," she said kindly. "I'm sorry that you have to deal with this matter of protocols now. I know your mind must be burdened by everything that's happened."

She pulled back slightly.

"I'll be waiting for you here—so we can head to the meeting together," she said with a warm smile.

"Alright..." I replied.

Then she lightly poked my cheek.

"That face is far too handsome to carry such a neutral expression," she said with a wink.

"Cheer up— It's not every day you get the honor of speaking with a very beautiful queen."

The Grand Duke nudged me.

"Let's go," he said simply.

I followed him down the corridor and descended another staircase.

We walked toward a quiet room.

No one else was around.

As soon as I stepped inside, he closed the door behind us.

There were two chairs—facing each other.

"I thought I was just signing a few papers," I said, glancing around. "But this looks suspiciously like an interrogation room."

He calmly walked over and sat down.

"That's because it is an interrogation. I need some answers about your relic… and about your familiar," he said, gesturing for me to take a seat.

I sat in the chair, facing him directly.

"First, let's settle the matter of the sword," he said, pulling a form from his storage bracelet. "Do you have it with you?"

"I do…" I replied.

"Let me see it," he said.

I did as he asked and took it out from my storage bracelet. I tossed it toward him.

The Grand Duke caught the sword and stared at it for a few moments.

"According to the laws of the kingdom," I began, "a noble has several years to register an enchanted relic. As long as I'm within that time frame, I'm not breaking any regulations."

Though if I go past that deadline… I suppose I could just lie about when I acquired it.

"Correct," he said. "Just like your familiar—the moon panther cub—you still have time to formally register it. But since we're here already… why not get the process over with?"

He kept looking at the Cursed Blade.

"I want you to tell me where you got this sword, and what it does."

"This enchanted relic was forged," I answered. "My family found an artifact during an excavation on our land. My aunt decided to melt the original weapon down and reforge it into a sword."

"Ah, I see. And what does it do?"

I sighed.

"If the blade touches skin, it causes a burning sensation. But it's only the pain of a burn—it doesn't inflict any physical damage."

The Grand Duke gave me a curious look, but he lightly touched the blade— then quickly pulled his finger away.

"Interesting…" he muttered.

"May I take my sword back?" I asked.

He looked at the blade again, then tossed it back to me. Just as I was about to store it again, he grabbed my arm.

"We're not done yet," he said. "My nephew reported that your sword somehow flies back to your hand. You haven't mentioned that part. Remember—lying to me is a serious offense."

I tossed the sword to the ground. Then, channeling mana into my hand, I summoned it back.

It shot through the air with a magnetic pull and landed right in my grasp.

The Grand Duke's eyes went wide.

"Electromagnetism!" he said, rising from his chair.

"You knew?" I asked, surprised.

He held up his hand, crackling with lightning.

Another thunder-element user!

"Well, since you already understand the theory, I won't have to explain much," I said. "It's thunder-element—specifically a magnetic subcategory.
It uses positive and negative electrical charges to generate attraction and repulsion. But it's not an ability of the relic itself— it's just me."

He squinted slightly, then sat back down.

"That's impossible. I've tried to apply electromagnetism to metal for years. Either it's too weak to be useful… or the metal can't handle it and shatters. The magnetic specialization of the thunder element is volatile. No material can store that kind of mana."

He's right…

What makes it possible is the Akonium stone embedded in the sword's hilt.

"This sword can," I said.

"It's not technically a power of the relic— at least not directly— since only a thunder user would ever be able to discover it."

He let out a small laugh.

"That's really something… incredible, even. The tactical possibilities are… immensely useful in battle. You could throw it at an enemy, then recall it instantly to catch them off guard. If you refine your control, you could even use it like a deadly boomerang."

I nodded silently.

"You've done that already, haven't you?" he asked.

"I have."

He whistled, clearly impressed.

"My nephew told me you pulled off something like that— but I didn't quite believe him."

He scribbled a few notes on the form.

Then he looked at me, then at the sword.

"Well… I also came here to make you an offer."

"I usually offer this to anyone registering a relic— it's standard procedure. But in your case, I'm especially interested. So I'll say it personally. I want to buy your enchanted relic."