Miserable Reincarnation

53 – Fifth Tier (2)

A café located within the academy.

Perhaps due to lunchtime, numerous university students gathered, engaging in conversations.

Rian was among them, opting for cocoa instead of coffee. Naturally, it was a creation brimming with Riley’s preferences.

“Sigh…”

Whether it was the distinctive warmth or not, Riley smiled.

Feeling Rian’s gaze, Riley cleared her throat and pulled out a handkerchief.

“I had a good talk with Professor Michela. Thanks to you.”

Being able to leisurely sit in the café like this was all thanks to Rian. In essence, it was no different from having already secured exclusive rights.

So, there was no need to attend every class, catering to Michela’s whims anymore.

“But the contract isn’t over yet. You know that, right?”

This wasn’t just a simple bodyguard duty.

The reason Riley hired Rian instead of the numerous skilled individuals in the Decard was due to the typical dynamics within conglomerates. Much like how families within conglomerates often had strained relationships, the Decard Group was no exception. They employed information agents to keep each other in check and unwittingly expose each other’s vulnerabilities.

Even an 11-year-old Riley was not exempt. If there was even a slight possibility of inheriting shares, they became a target of scrutiny from that day forward.

Riley’s decision to employ Rian instead of the skilled individuals within the company was based on this uncertainty.

It was because no one knew who was under whose thumb.

“It doesn’t seem like I can avoid President Decard’s eyes by doing this.”

Riley turned her head sideways, not denying what Lian said.

“I never expected that in the first place. I was just thinking of deceiving the uncles and aunts.”

Judging by her relaxed attitude, it seemed like everything was going as planned so far.

‘Even the kids from wealthy families aren’t entirely comfortable.’

Lian knew better than anyone that it wouldn’t stop at just keeping an eye on each other. It was not the first or second time she had been entangled with business people, even in her past life.

Surviving differently from a pampered son was crucial.

If there’s even a slight opening, she’ll be torn apart and discarded.

If not, there’s no way to explain why a girl who’s just 11 years old is so mature.

“Enough of the heavy talk, let’s start moving.”

“Where to?”

“The Academy Chancellor’s inauguration ceremony. It’s today.”

Riley said so, pointing somewhere with her chin. Numerous flower arrangements near the auditorium. Lian didn’t pay attention, so she didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed like there was such an event.

Among them, the arrangement that seemed to belong to Decard was in the center. Riley’s name wasn’t written on it.

Lian, checking the name written at the top of the arrangement, narrowed her eyes.

“…Beatrice Decard?”

“My aunt. I came as her substitute.”

“…”

“She passed her responsibilities to me. In the end, it was beneficial because I could enter the academy without much suspicion.”

However, Riley’s expression as she said that was noticeably more wrinkled than before.

It was a moment where one could discern how she viewed ‘family.’

“…….”

A situation where staring blankly wasn’t an option. Rather than uttering unnecessary words at times like this, it was better to remain silent.

“……What’s this?”

Rian’s expression twisted as she took a sip of cocoa. The taste was strange.

“Why does it taste like this? It’s weird.”

“Mint chocolate. Why? Don’t like it?”

Rian shook her head with an expression of disbelief. Was it a constant in the world where magic existed to infuse toothpaste into things people ate?

“It’s awful.”

“You just don’t know the taste yet.”

“There’s no chocolate flavor at all. It just tastes like… toothpaste.”

“You eat it for that taste. It’s refreshing.”

“…….”

It was incomprehensible. If that’s the case, why not just eat mint tea and chocolate separately?

‘Did they make this because you can’t eat toothpaste?’

Or perhaps, eating chocolate that’s bad for your teeth but neutralizing it with mint components.

However, Rian didn’t voice such thoughts. Since the moment she mentioned toothpaste, she noticed the sharp change in Riley’s pupils.

It wasn’t going to be pleasant to argue with the employer, so it might be better to stop now.

“Do you think I’m foolish right now?”

“No.”

Lian subtly avoided eye contact.

*****

The main auditorium of the city’s top academy was far more colossal than Lian had imagined. Its interior design was equally impressive, exuding an opulent ambiance reminiscent of an opera house.

Riley’s seat was positioned towards the front but not in a place to attract attention. Nor was it a spot that would appear as though she were avoiding notice.

It was a seat sufficient to embellish yet not spotlight-worthy. Naturally, it was a spot she had personally chosen.

“Thank you to the distinguished guests who have graced this seat today to brighten it…”

From Noble mtl dot com

Formal congratulations exchanged, followed by applause from the audience. Of course, among them were also professors from the academy. Over a hundred were visible at first glance. With a few absent due to personal reasons, almost all were present.

It indicated the strong influence of the newly appointed chancellor this time around.

“I’m here. I’ll be back in a moment.”

It was impossible for Lian, a mere security guard, to ascend the platform. She watched Riley, who went to shake hands with the newly appointed chancellor, heading up.

“Aren’t you going out, Professor?”

“I plan to greet separately in a quieter place later.”

Michella, seated right behind, replied.

“The new chancellor isn’t someone who fusses over formalities. He highly values accomplishments.”

“You seem to know quite a bit.”

“I met him a few times when we had exchanges with the Reclena Matap during my days as a research senior.”

A research senior.

At the Matap where brain manipulators congregated. Judging from holding such a senior position there, one could roughly deduce the competence of this new chancellor.

“By the way, you seem to have quite a powerhouse behind you, don’t you?”

“The Decard Group, you mean?”

“Ah, it’s about the owners. No matter how high-ranking executives are, in the end, they’re just employees who live off their paychecks. But if it’s in the bloodline, the story changes.”

That was the expression on Michaella’s face as she spoke, bearing an inscrutable smile.

“And you’re casually conversing with someone from that bloodline.”

“My employer is still young, that’s all.”

“Being young and naive about the world are different. How many teenagers have the audacity to confidently shake hands with the dean in front of hundreds?”

Lian fell silent. It wasn’t just about Michaella mentioning audacious teenagers; it was evident that it wasn’t aimed solely at Riley.

“Frankly, I’m more curious about you than them. No matter how much I think about it, it seems like Deckard isn’t the end behind you.”

Michaella spoke in a lowered tone.

“There’s no one behind me.”

“Sure, of course not.”

“…”

This woman was firmly delusional.

“What does it feel like ascending to the 5th level? It’d be good to know in advance.”

As Lian blatantly redirected the conversation, Michaella wore a peculiar smile.

“Don’t want to answer? Well, I never intended to delve too deeply in the first place.”

“…”

“Let’s start with a question then. The feeling of ascending to the 5th level… Sorry, but it’s been over twenty years, and I don’t remember well.”

It’s an excuse. While it might be true that it’s been over 20 years, claiming to have forgotten the emotions upon reaching the 5th level was undoubtedly an excuse.

In that moment, it was because she read a flicker of elation in her eyes.

After reading the tightly sealed gaze, Micella added, “Nevertheless, one thing remains in my memory. The ascent to the 3rd or 4th tier is on a different dimension. It’s as if the dignity of humanity is advancing to a level one step higher.”

An ascent of dignity.

A more grandiose term than expected appeared.

“Do you think it’s too grand?”

“I won’t deny that.”

As if understanding such a reaction, Micella nodded her head and continued, “I once thought the same way. However, if you ever face the immortals, your thoughts will change.”

“…Immortals, you say?”

A term so sublime that it couldn’t even be compared to the ascent of dignity emerged.

Immortality. Wasn’t it just a fanciful word?

“Transcendents who have reached the 9th tier. Towards those who have surpassed the limit called mortality, we dare to label them with the title of immortality.”

“….”

“Shall I give you a direct example? Even as we speak, wars are raging all over the world. Turras is one of them.”

“Are all those wars caused by the immortals?”

“Surely not.”

Micella laughed as if it were pitiful. However, it was closer to mockery directed at herself than towards the immortals.

“Immortals have no interest in the mortal world. If they did… we would all be dead by now.”

“….”

“If you can’t believe it, visit the archives later. There might be records in the history books about incidents involving immortals.”

Michela stopped speaking and stood up. She added, “Let’s meet again in the evening.”

Soon, applause erupted.

Despite the crowd cheering for the new leader, Lian couldn’t utter a word, sitting quietly.

*****