Miserable Reincarnation

50 – Academy (3)

“Damn, they’re persistent. These damn kids.”

Michela, who had barely shaken off corporate officials, wiped her forehead with a disgusted expression.

It seemed like just a brief conversation, but the sun had already set.

“Varen, how much time is left?”

“About 10 minutes.”

10 minutes. That was the time left until the meeting with the research subjects for hierarchical advancement.

Even if those damn bastards hadn’t stuck around, it wouldn’t have been this mentally complicated.

Although there was no intention of making contracts with such troublemakers, refusing to attend the class itself was not an option either.

The money received from companies at the academy was not a small amount.

In a capitalist society, lobbying itself is not an unusual thing. The academy, at least, is quite clean. At least companies can’t influence students.

But the irritation was unavoidable.

“I wish I could openly threaten them and have an excuse to kick them out.”

They knew that too, and as they crawled cautiously, there was nothing that could be done.

Michela stared at the numerous papers piled on her desk, rubbing her throbbing forehead. The papers were neatly organized by field, but most of them were related to hierarchy.

It was a crucial moment to determine which of her two research projects she valued more.

On one hand, the study of magical compatibility brought exclusive rights, royalties, and a substantial income. On the other hand, research related to hierarchy did not offer the same benefits.

For the physical experts and wizards below the 5th rank, this research was nothing short of a revolution, with the potential to attract the attention of high-ranking experts and the Tower of Magic.

It was clear that the honor that followed would surpass the mere transfer of exclusive rights.

Perhaps this incident could even lead her to the position of a chair professor.

Michela, who was known for never taking losses, had offered various conveniences to the research subjects for this reason alone.

For the success of the research, the selection of subjects was more important than anything else.

And so, three subjects were recommended in total.

Though she had become a subject of suspicion among her fellow Tower of Magic colleagues, Michela was willing to endure such criticism for the success of her research.

“….”

Michela silently lowered her gaze and looked at a small vial.

It was a 1st-grade elixir she had obtained during a research agreement with the Sichuan Group in the past.

Opportunities only come once, after all.

If it meant success, Michela was willing to risk anything.

“Professor, all the subjects have arrived.”

“I’ll go right away.”

Nodding her head, Michela headed towards the research lab.

In the lab, there were three people waiting for her, sitting on the stiff chairs characteristic of the lab. A bald, imposing figure sat with his eyes closed, while a woman in a modern suit adorned with state-of-the-art implants sat beside him.

And… a boy with no distinctive features compared to them.

Intimidatingly, as Mikella entered the room, the bald giant opened his mouth.

“They call me LaShak.”

A tattoo intricately engraved on his ash-colored skin, vividly blue. Neat to the point of being overly clean for a purpose meant to threaten someone.

Moreover, the mystical aura seeping through beyond the tattoo.

Mikella, who had been contemplating for a moment, slowly nodded and extended her hand.

“I am Professor Mikella of Magic. You must be a disciple of Dalsorim, correct?”

“Correct. You have a keen eye.”

Judging by the polished words, it seemed like he had stepped into the secular world quite a while ago. Even an underlying sense of ease. Mikella might not be well-versed in the freelance industry, but it was clear he was someone renowned.

However, Mikella didn’t outwardly express such emotions.

After all, there could only be one remaining in this place today.

“Introductions are not to my liking.”

A woman emitting a mocking atmosphere spoke.

“If you’re not inclined, you don’t have to do it.”

“Then I’ll pass.”

The woman said so with a smirk. Now that Mikella noticed, her teeth were pointed like a shark’s, modified sharply.

“But, I am curious about who that little one over there is.”

“….”

“The monk over there is famous in this underworld, but no matter how you think about it, I’ve never seen that kid before. If he’s skilled, he should be known. Don’t you think so, kid?”

Provocative words. However, the boy didn’t even glance at the provocative woman.

“I’m Lian. I was introduced by Berta.”

“…Ha.”

The woman stared at Lian, letting out a hollow laugh.

“Don’t even pretend to listen, huh?”

“I don’t have a hobby of listening to nonsense.”

Kiiiiiiing…!!

As soon as Lian finished speaking, the woman drew power from her entire body.

In an instant, she rose from her seat and extended her fist towards Lian’s face.

-Hwaak!

“…Huh, not scared?”

“Should I be scared?”

Lian slowly pushed the fist that had stopped in front of his nose to the side.

“You want to get noticed somehow, I understand, but couldn’t you pick a better place to attack?”

“….”

Of course, Lian knew that wasn’t all.

Considering that most of her body had been modified with biotech implants, the woman in front of him was undoubtedly affiliated with Adriana Arms.

Even if her aggressive behavior was genuine, could a woman in such a position really have acted without any thought?

“No way.”

Given the exclusive rights to the technology, there must have been a careful selection process within Adriana Arms.

So, even if there was a risk of being caught by Mirella, it must have been advantageous to gauge Lian’s skills by resorting to such actions.

As evidence, the woman’s fierce magic was subsiding.

From Noble mtl dot com

Realizing that her intentions had been read in reverse, the woman clicked her tongue.

“…Tch.”

Until the woman obediently took her seat, Mikella didn’t say a word. She seemed slightly irritated, but not to the point where she couldn’t bear it.

Seemingly aware of Mikella’s reaction, the woman glanced up at her and bowed her head.

“…Sorry. From now on, I’ll follow your lead.”

While saying that, she nonchalantly scratched her head.

She must have been able to act so boldly because she knew that she wouldn’t be driven away just by this much, even if her score dropped. Naturally, she must have had confidence in her own control over her magic.

Of course, if Mikella herself hadn’t prioritized this research, the premise itself wouldn’t have been valid.

“It seems more urgent than I thought.”

Her attitude of wanting to confirm it with her own eyes, rather than passing it off to the professor, and her willingness to overlook this level of rudeness… It was hard to believe that she was the same person who had a high nose in the morning.

“Now that we’ve finished the brief introduction, let’s get straight to the point.”

When Mikella gestured, Assistant Professor Baren came out with a large box in both hands.

In an instant, light poured out in all directions.

“…What’s that?”

“It’s a specially processed floating stone for testing magic control. When a certain amount of magic is applied along the circuit, it has the property of floating into the air.”

Shooaaah…!!

At the same time, Baren poured the floating stones onto the floor.

The wealth stones to be distributed to each individual totaled 100, each painted in different colors for easy identification. Without further ado, the task you must perform with these magic stones is simple.

Michela picked up one of the yellow wealth stones lying on the floor and infused it with magic.

-Hum!

Simultaneously, the wealth stone floated into the air. After observing it for a moment, Michela nodded towards the assistant professor.

“Varen.”

“Yes, professor.”

As if prepared in advance, a wealth stone was also floating above Varen’s palm. The only difference was its color, which was green.

Zzt zzt zzt zzt!

As the two wealth stones approached each other, Varen’s stone began to tremble as if possessed.

Watching this scene, Michela spoke.

“As you can see, when wealth stones of different types of magic come into contact, they are drawn to the stronger one.”

Before Michela’s words finished, Varen’s wealth stone gradually started changing to a yellow hue.

Zzt zzt zzt zzt!

“Once the circuit is completely controlled, even the color changes like this.”

A distinct yellow.

Only then did Lian, who understood how Michela would conduct the test, nod.

‘Seems like a method of protecting my wealth stone while taking the opponent’s.’

A much simpler method than he had thought.

As the results are visible, it should be easy to accept defeat.

The adoption of an intuitive form may also be for that reason.

It seems that the mercenary types tend to believe in the reality in front of them rather than scraps of data.

“Let’s choose our colors and start right away.”

In Michel’s words, there was a firm resolution not to allow even a hint of violence.

Perhaps sensing similar emotions in others, everyone nodded obediently and picked up the levitating stones placed in front of them.

‘Blue, I guess.’

Certainly, Lian had no intention of proving herself in an ordinary way.

If it’s just about gaining Michel’s recognition, it wouldn’t satisfy Riley’s demands.

She had to make it frustrating.

‘Without me, nothing should be possible.’

Lian slowly drew in her magical power.

It felt like the time had come to do her best after a long time.

*****