Regressor, Possessor, Reincarnator - Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Laina quickly and undetectably headed to the office on the fourth floor.
Knock-knock
“It’s Laina, sir.”
“Enter,” spoke Gaielle, master and lord of House Reinhart, from inside the room. She opened the door quietly and entered.
“Why are you here? It’s far past our regular meeting time.”
His face was full of doubt.
“Pardon me, Milord. This requires urgent attention.”
“What does?”
Noticing the frown on his face, Laina spoke quickly.
“Young Lord Allen has apologized to Young Lord Julius.”
“Allen? Really? Apologize for his words?”
Gaielle was shocked, recalling the argument he had with Allen a few days ago.
“I calmed Young Master Julius for now. Since it was unusual for Young Master Allen… I decided to report it to you,” Laina said firmly.
“Should I recruit more people to watch him, or—”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“We stop it.”
She had questioned it, but Gaielle was sure of his order. He recalled the incident a few days before. The words of his eldest son, spoken using all his might to hide his spite.
‘Then, I hope you won’t interfere with my actions from now on.’
He smiled bitterly and spoke.
“Don’t interfere with him at all.”
“But sir—”
“I’ve already hurt him too much. Also, this doesn’t affect our big plan anyway, does it?”
Laina remained silent for a moment before parting her lips.
“Alright, sir. But please understand that I have to report this to Kasha.”
“As you please.”
Laina then left the office as swiftly as she had entered. Sitting alone in his office, Gaielle softly mumbled.
“My son…”
This was the most he could do.
‘So…’
“…I hope my decision is wrong.”
* * *
Allen took a deep breath with his eyes closed.
The black book he got after regressing. Allen took the elixir Julius would have ‘coincidentally’ come across in the library, according to the book. As a result, the magic power that the elixir contained flowed into his core and churned within it.
‘I figured out what I’ll do with him.’
This was just part of the preparation. There was still a long way to go, so Allen wasn’t sure when it could be completed. But he was certain it would be successful.
“Hah…”
The morning meditation habit he had maintained ever since he became a sorcerer was still practiced after the regression. But his meditation now was clearly different from his usual meditations. His consciousness started to sink into his internal void.
And in the void, he saw one thing: the ring on his heart.
Sorcerers called it a ‘circle’, and depending on the number of rings, the rank increased.
‘So since I only have one ring, I’m just a Rank 1…’
The ring started spinning rapidly. The force it created pulled all the magic power circulating within his body.
It was clearly not what a typical sorcerer would experience.
‘From Rank 1 to Rank 2, then to Rank 3, 4, and 5…’
Time was limited.
‘How can I increase my rank until then?’
The opponent wouldn’t wait for him to be strong enough.
‘Can I kill that bastard? Can I kill Kim Woojin?’
The mana gathered around his heart started forming another ring. The magic power flowed against its usual circulation, creating mental fuzziness.
“…This much was…”
‘…Anticipated.’
The circle magic current sorcerers used was just something that developed over time. In the past, numerous so-called geniuses studied new circle magic. It was impossible for just one type of magic to exist permanently since there was constant progression.
The circle magic used now was more commonly used out of all the other ones solely because it was the safest. In the past, they used other magics and in the future, a new one would be developed. However… Were all the other methods developed in the past useless?
The answer to that question was obvious.
“They are useful.”
Since it all depended on the ability of one to learn from previous mistakes.
The ring continued to vibrate. The collected magic power then formed a huge tornado. This ritual he started at dawn finally ended when the morning sun shone through the curtains.
Now, the fundamental preparations were done.
After washing his face in the basin the servant brought, he looked at himself in the mirror. A cold-looking young man with wavy blue hair looked back at him.
Seventeen.
He was a little young to be called a young man, and a little old to be called a boy. Allen stroked his finger along his youthful facial features. Just a few weeks ago, he had a wrinkly face and his eyes constantly quivered.
“…I still can’t get used to my younger self.”
Knock-knock.
“Milord. The master awaits, we should get going now.”
“Alright, just a moment. I’m almost finished.”
“Yes, milord.”
Allen changed into the clothes prepared for him. If he had a maid, it would be her job to dress him, but there weren’t any.
House Reinhart’s downfall began three generations ago. Now, they were barely maintaining their ducal title.
What mad young lady would volunteer as a handmaid to such a fallen family? Well, they could hire an expensive slave, but…
If they had the money, they would have to spend it on the territory first.
He could just hire a commoner, but there weren’t a lot of nobles who did that. The class of the handmaid determined the dignity of the master. So Allen even rejected his mother’s suggestion of hiring a commoner handmaid.
As for Julius—
“…Have they all arrived already?”
The bastard had the handmaid that even his older brother didn’t. Allen wondered if Julius would feel even a little out of place for that.
“Yes, they’re all waiting.”
“Then let’s hurry a little.”
“Yes, please follow me.”
Allen followed the servant to the dining room.
* * *
His family was waiting for him.
“Pardon my tardiness.”
“It’s alright. Take a seat, Allen,” his mother said as she glared at his father. Allen bowed his head slightly and Gaielle returned the same bow. Julius seemed a little tired.
“Yes, Mother.”
When Allen took a seat, their breakfast began.
The atmosphere of the meal was not so bad. The scoundrel brother was becoming a better man, and the arrogant older brother admitted his mistakes to that younger brother, so all seemed well.
As they ate in silence, Mother spoke.
“Julius, you can eat as comfortably as you want,” she said gently.
“What? Ah, no. I’m a noble, I should practice my etiquette.”
“It hasn’t even been a month since your injury. You don’t have to be so formal for now,” Mother insisted.
“Then, I’ll try to get used to it as soon as possible.”
“Good.”
Mother smiled, and Father didn’t even bother.
Allen scoffed internally.
His mother was wise enough to manage the big and small events of the territory. How could she have not noticed that there’s something so odd with him?
Furthermore, it was strange that she had suddenly begun to indulge in luxuries. Was she always a person that would abandon her family for some fortune?
No way.
When the meal was almost over, Father called their names.
“Allen, Julius.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Ahem, yes, Father.”
Julius hurriedly swallowed before answering. It was very unmannerly, but Gaielle ignored it.
“I have some tasks for you two to handle, so come find me before the luncheon.”
“Understood.”
Father walked out of the dining room and Mother followed him.
“I’m sure it isn’t harmful to you two, so don’t worry so much.”
When both Father and Mother had left, only Allen and Julius remained in the room.
“…Why do you think Father called us?”
Julius asked to break the awkward silence. Allen was satisfied with the fact that Julius no longer avoided him.
“Well, I’m guessing it’s for patrol of the territory.”
“Patrol, huh…”
“Yes. Father must be planning to make some public movements on the recent rumor.”
He looked at Allen in confusion, so Allen pointed at him and himself. Then, Julius exclaimed in realization.
“Ah!”
“So I don’t think there’s too much to worry about.”
“Alright, Allen.”
“Then, excuse me.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Allen smiled at him and mumbled softly.
“Patrol…”
Ridiculous.
Allen’s smile became bitter.
‘It’s about time for that bastard’s name to be known. Father will assign him a case for the purpose of ‘testing’ him. And when he resolves that, he will become more and more famous. Disrupting him now will do nothing but stall for time.’
With his talent and luck, it was inevitable for him to be famous.
‘So… Disrupting him was pointless.’
Allen recalled the last moment of his death. When Julius reached him at the speed of light.
‘I have to become stronger. I have to equal him.’
“To save Julius.”
He had already planned for this day. The only thing remaining was the reason to act.
Allen’s footsteps became faster.
