Miserable Reincarnation

55 – Atox (1)

Lian slowly lifted his eyelids.

It was clearly the same world as before, but it looked different. Could one hierarchical difference be so enormous?

The sensation of standing up from his seat, the feeling of touching a doorknob, the movement of the air…

They were all felt so vividly.

“Feels strange.”

Lian opened the door to the practice room with a bewildered expression.

“Tell me. How do you feel?”

Michela’s expression as she spoke was incredibly bright. It was because the data she obtained from Lian exceeded her expectations.

It far surpassed the range they had considered in every field. The quality and quantity of magic had both increased to an incomparable degree compared to before.

Of course, there was no visible change in Lian’s appearance, but Michela was certain.

When she opened the door to the practice room, she felt a refreshing energy spreading in all directions.

If one usually ingests a potion, all sorts of impurities and foul odors typically flow out of the body, but in Lian’s case, it was not so. Strangely, he even had the misconception that he had become purer than before.

Could it be because impurities hadn’t accumulated in his body from a young age? Mikel couldn’t fathom that reason.

“…Regrettable.”

“Alright. You felt it completely, huh.”

Mikel, watching that scene, spoke.

“Still, it’s better not to get too immersed in that feeling. I’ve seen many ruined lives because of it.”

Well, it seemed likely. Even Lian, who had received professional training, couldn’t break free from the torrents of emotions for several minutes.

If Lian, with his training, struggled, it was easy to deduce how those who hadn’t undergone such experiences would react.

“Is it hard to adapt?”

“…Yes.”

“It’ll take some time for the body to accept the changes. Typically, it ranges from three days to a month. It’ll be tough, but I hope you continue to visit the lab like this for about a week. I want to see firsthand how your body is adjusting.”

Since he had to visit the academy for Riley’s mission anyway, it wasn’t a difficult task for Lian. Recording the overall changes was also a contractual condition.

“Well, as long as my identity isn’t revealed, I don’t mind.”

“No need to worry about that. I attached a lens that excludes all external factors except for magic absorption to the camera… um. It’s faster to show than to explain verbally.”

Mikella handed Lian a tablet on the desk. It seemed to be linked to the cameras in the research room, but strangely, there was not a single image of Lian on the screen.

Only the colorless magic swirling vigorously around the research room was visible.

“I attached a lens that excludes all external factors except for magic absorption. Except for me and Baren, no one can deduce your identity.”

As she said that, she raised an eyebrow, indicating there were more questions to come.

Certainly, if the security was at this level, there seemed to be no need to worry about his identity spreading in the magical world.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Have you ever studied magic statistics or mathematics separately?”

“…Yes?”

“If not, just stay still. That’s the fastest way to help.”

As he said that, he hurriedly tapped on the keyboard. It meant that there was no special business to discuss.

“Miss Lianne, you can leave now if you’d like.”

The bartender, who was tinkering with the coffee, spoke up.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It seems like today will be overwhelming just organizing the data. The detailed investigation… as the professor mentioned, it seems like we can start it only after a few days have passed.”

The tiredness was evident on the face of the bartender as he spoke. Whether it was due to the overwhelming workload or the realization that there was nothing in his empty pockets, he let out a sigh as if he had come to a realization.

“I have prepared the access card and preservation ledger at the desk near the entrance. If you want, you can take them from there.”

“Is there a separate access restriction time?”

“We usually close the doors around 6 PM. Today… it seems like it will be tough. No, it’s already past 12, so it should still be open today… maybe?”

It seemed like something was broken after all.

“Anyway, if you have any detailed questions, you can ask the department.”

“Oh, yes.”

Are all magicians like this? If I had gone through such hardships, I could understand why the wizards from the Tower of Magic would have such arrogance.

“8 PM. Don’t forget…!”

Leaving behind the fading voice of the bartender, Lianne left the research room.

*****

1 AM in the morning.

A luxurious limousine cruised down the quiet road. It wasn’t tranquil because it was dawn; rather, it was a road inaccessible to the general public.

As if proving the existence of a future society, towering megacorps beyond the nightlife illuminated the windows with bright lights.

Most people hadn’t finished work yet.

“Isn’t it bothersome to chauffeur me around like this every time?”

“It’s an employee benefit.”

“But I’m on a one-month contract.”

Riley shot a sharp glance at Lianne. Just understand it implicitly. She always makes you say it directly.

“It’s an investment. You’re a promising mercenary for the future.”

“It’s my own way of expressing gratitude.”

“…I just wanted to say that.”

Such sentences lingered at the corner of Riley’s lips, but nothing spilled out.

Speaking in this space, with just the two of them, felt somewhat awkward. Of course, including the chauffeur, they were three, but thanks to the soundproofing, words spoken here didn’t reach the other side.

After pressing a button, Riley looked at the chauffeur and opened her mouth.

“How much longer until we arrive?”

“We’ll be there in a minute, miss.”

Silence for a moment. Sensing the need to say something, Riley slowly spoke.

“Get ready to get off. We’re almost there.”

Lianne simply nodded obediently. Before long, a familiar street revealed itself outside the window.

“Thank you. For giving me a ride.”

Lian’s words held sincerity. It conveyed an understanding that waiting for someone for hours was not an easy task.

“….”

A smile tried to emerge. Damn the corners of the mouth. Just for a simple thank you, they had to move on their own.

She wasn’t someone who awkwardly laughed. She didn’t want any unnecessary misunderstandings.

With her current lack of facial expression control, facing each other wasn’t an option. Riley turned her head towards the window as naturally as possible. Then, she slowly opened her mouth.

“…That’s enough if you know.”

Speaking sentences as if indifferent, without making eye contact.

For Riley, that was the best option. Saying even a bit more might distort the tone of her voice.

‘Maybe I had too much coffee.’

Her heart was pounding.

“I’ll go.”

The door opened, and Lian got out of the car. Only then could Riley turn her head back to its original position.

“Phew…”

A sigh that seemed to say she had waited. It was tough. She never imagined that talking to a boy of her age would be this difficult.

‘It wasn’t like this when I talked to other boys.’

Is it because he’s a year younger? Or is he more mature than me?

There was a good chance. Perhaps talking to adults naturally made her nervous.

Riley thought so as she watched Lian’s back until it completely disappeared from her sight.

“….”

After a while, Rylie opened her mouth.

“Let’s go.”

“Where shall I take you?”

“To the main office. I’ll take a nap on the way, so wake me up when we arrive.”

“Yes, Miss.”

There was much to do. If she didn’t take a nap now, she might end up oversleeping tomorrow.

If it were Lian, she would undoubtedly come out early and wait, but as someone employed by a boss, Rylie couldn’t afford to show a lax appearance.

*****

The next morning.

Arriving at the academy fearlessly, Lian headed straight to the preservation library. Naturally, she had obtained separate permission from Rylie.

Anyway, she had to stay in the research lab until the magic homology research was completed, and during that time, there was no need for Lian to guard her separately.

Originally, Rylie didn’t hire Lian for the specific purpose of ‘guarding.’

[Lian, confirmed. Available time is a maximum of 3 hours. If you need assistance, book search, or other functions, please let me know.]

A unique tone echoed in her ears. It seemed like an artificial intelligence librarian managing the preservation library.

Taking a moment to look around, Lian slowly spoke.

“Do you have any information related to the Axtus Holy Knights?”

[Searching.]

-Tok.

After a while, accompanied by mechanical sounds, a thick book appeared before Lian’s eyes.

[History of Continental Religions. You can read the relevant content on page 812.]

Lian turned the page straight away.

⌜Axtos Church⌟

– A newly emerged religion from hundreds of years ago, due to the uniqueness of its doctrine, it had a nature closer to groups entangled in relationships than religious organizations.

– Selecting exceptional followers, it bestowed upon them the title of Holy Knights.

– ‘Axtos’ is a word derived from the ancient language that is now lost…

Before Lian could finish reading the content, the book trembled, spitting out characters into the air.

Like fluttering in the wind, the emerged characters soon formed sentences.

⌜That’s enough. Child.⌟

“…!!”

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

Pages turned vigorously.

⌜For someone not belonging to the main church, do you think you can understand our god?⌟

*****