Chapter 2

◆◇◆

As Ziek left the room and looked up at the spreading white smoke, a knock was heard.

"What is it?"

As he asked, the door slowly opened, and a blonde man entered the room.

"Director, I'm sorry to intrude."

"Chris?"

The one who entered was a disciple named Christoph, Ziek's fellow disciple and a third-class national alchemist.

"Yes. I heard that Ziek is being transferred to the town of Riet."

The information spread quickly.

Did he hear it from Ziek?

No, Ziek wouldn't tell anyone.

"That idiot, he's always picking fights everywhere."

"That's the kind of person he is. I've known him for a long time, and I've wanted to punch him many times."

"Me too."

Ziek was a genius, surpassing excellence since childhood.

However, he looked down on his fellow disciple Chris and even laughed at me, his master, at times.

"August, right?"

"Yes."

"Just ignore him. Losing Ziek would be too much of a loss. He may have a difficult personality, but his skills are solid. He was the top student of the 50th class, after all."

The 50th class...

The 50th batch of students at the capital's magic school, which included the elite of magic families and the disciples of powerful individuals, was called the best batch.

But the one at the top was Ziek, a scholarship student.

He obtained the fifth-class national alchemist qualification while still in school and outshone everyone else.

Of course, I've heard that he is disliked because of his attitude.

"If it were just August, it would have been fine. That brat used his parents to pressure us."

"August's parents? Weren't they the directors of the Magic Association?"

"Yes. They came to me and demanded that Ziek be transferred."

Ziek has the fifth-class national alchemist qualification just because he didn't want to be looked down upon.

When I heard that, I thought he was an idiot.

"It's so obvious. They must be planning to send him to the front lines in the north."

Our country is at war with the nation to the north.

"Probably. So, of course, the answer is no."

Ziek has magical skills, but he has no combat experience, and he's not the type to fight.

Moreover, he might be killed by his own allies in the north.

"Are you demoting Ziek to protect him?"

"No, every team said they don't need Ziek, so the plan to transfer him somewhere hasn't changed."

It's amazing how much he is disliked.

He is undoubtedly the best alchemist in this headquarters.

"So, Riet, then? Couldn't you find a better place? Riet is just a remote countryside, isn't it?"

"That's about right for him. It's a good opportunity for him to cool his head. He always looks up and never looks at his own feet. I'll let him start over in the countryside."

"Will he change? He probably thinks everyone else is incompetent except himself."

He thinks that way even when dealing with nobles, despite being a commoner and an orphan, and he doesn't hide his attitude.

"If he doesn't change, then he's beyond saving."

There's no saving him.

◆◇◆

After leaving the director's office, I went down the stairs and headed to my atelier.

I started to pack up.

"Um, Master Ziek? What about the transfer order?"

Helen asked timidly.

"I'm being sent to the countryside. It's a demotion, a demotion."

"Huh..."

"Put it nicely, it means there's no place for me here, so I should start over in a place where no one knows me. It's my master's last kindness."

In reality, it was a declaration of being fired.

"Master Ziek..."

"Ha... I've failed in my second life too."

After two failures, I finally realized...

I have a bad personality...

The director called it ambition, but I'm just a demon who only thinks about bringing others down.

I'm just like August.

"It's not a failure yet! Master Ziek is still young and can start over!"

That's what my master wanted to say.

"I know. People grow from their failures... but I'm just so tired."

My path to success is cut off.

What should I live for?

No, what is there after success?

Money? Women? Good food?

I only need enough money to live, and I don't need women.

For someone like me, who didn't grow up well, anything tastes good.

What do I need...?

"Master Ziek?"

"Never mind..."

"Master Ziek! No! Stay strong!"

Helen clung to my face.

I couldn't see anything.

"No, I won't die. Dying is scary and painful."

I know because I've experienced it.

The feeling of my body rapidly cooling is terrifying.

"Oh, I see..."

Helen, who had calmed down, jumped off the desk but still looked worried as she looked up at me, so I patted her.

I've known Helen since childhood.

I have no friends, no family.

I work all the time, have no hobbies, and no girlfriend.

But I have something important.

That's Helen.

"What's important in life..."

In my past life and this one, I think I initially learned and worked hard to survive.

But now, I'm in a position where I can earn enough to live.

What more...?

"Master Ziek?"

Helen tilted her head cutely at my muttering.

"I failed in my first and second lives. Maybe I'll have to hope for a third..."

"Will there be a third life?"

"Who knows. Either way, I can't succeed in the capital anymore. I have to start over in Riet."

"You can still succeed and have a happy life in Riet!"

That's right...

That's true.

I have Helen.

"Helen, I don't want to fail in Riet."

"Leave it to me! I can't do much as a familiar, but I can give advice!"

She's a good familiar.

"Alright, staying here will only make me miserable. Let's hurry and pack up."

"I'll help!"

We gathered our personal belongings and stored them in spatial magic.

Then we cleaned up and went to the reception to say goodbye and apologize for the trouble we caused, and went home.

After getting home, we packed our things and informed the landlord that we were canceling the lease.

The preparations to leave town went smoothly, and at this moment, I thought, "No one even came to say goodbye," and felt a bit down.

After finishing all the preparations and storing our luggage in spatial magic, Helen and I went to the airport and bought tickets.

We sat on a bench and waited for boarding time.

"Ziek."

Hearing my name, I turned around and saw a woman from the reception of the Alchemy Association headquarters standing there.

She was in civilian clothes, so I didn't recognize her at first, but I remembered the last day of work.

"Hello. Are you off today?"

What is she doing here?

"Yes, that's right. I came to see you off."

Huh? Me?

"Why?"

"Do you need a reason to see off a colleague?"

I do exist...

"Thank you."

"Ziek, have you thought about where you'll live in Riet?"

"No, I'll probably look for a place when I get there. I'll probably stay in a hotel until then."

Or maybe I'll sleep in the workplace's atelier.

Even in a remote area, there should be a personal atelier.

"I see. Here, take this."

The receptionist handed me a ticket, which turned out to be a hotel discount voucher.

"What is this?"

"It's a discount voucher for a hotel in Riet. I received it when I visited a friend there last year. I'll give it to you."

"Thank you... um..."

I never asked for her name...

"Ha... Should I introduce myself? You'll regret it, though."

"No... I'm sorry, but what's your name?"

I need to send a thank-you note later.

"It's Adel. Adel von Jodler."

"......"

Oh no...

I've heard of her...

No wonder she said that...

"Were we classmates... I'm really sorry..."

And she's a noble lady...

I was incredibly rude.

"Yes. We were classmates for three years at the magic school. You understand why I dislike you, right?"

I understand completely.

To not recognize a classmate you studied with for three years and to ignore their greeting is unforgivable.

"I'm very sorry."

"Don't forget this lesson. And don't forget that you are the top student and representative of our class. I wish you success in Riet. Goodbye."

Adel left gracefully.

"Goodbye..."

"What a nice person... What are you doing..."

She even came to see me off and gave me a parting gift.

"I'll write a thank-you note and an apology when I get there."

"That's a good idea."

As we watched Adel leave, it was time to board the airship.

We boarded and left the capital, where I had spent 22 years since my reincarnation.

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