Chapter 4

Keith, who had been trapped in the wall, was eventually rescued.

Then, Keith reported the incident to his father, Van Fellows.

"Keith, you...! What are you doing!"

"I-I am very sorry, Father."

"To be defeated by an incompetent who doesn't even have a Gift is a disgrace to the Fellows family."

"But, Father. Despite not having a Gift, Alma's abilities surpass those of an average mage."

"Enough, be quiet! ...No, wait. ...Hmm, if that's the case, bringing Alma back could be a good idea."

From the fact that Alma had defeated Keith, Van revised his evaluation of Alma. While he would likely be mocked by other nobles for not having a Gift, his abilities were undoubtedly at a high level. However, Keith could not accept this judgment.

(To bring Alma back? That's not acceptable.)

Keith realized his emotions were showing on his face and took a deep breath.

(Phew, calm down. This is something I need to handle. Father will surely hire elite mages to bring Alma back. If that happens, it's highly likely that Alma will be brought back.)

Anticipating his father's thoughts, Keith decided to prevent Alma's return.

(That's it! Alma said he was heading east. If I tell Father that Alma is heading west, and I go east, that should work. And I'll eliminate Alma before Father's men arrive. ...Heh heh, what a brilliant plan.)

Keith's scheme was completely off the mark.

"Father, Alma said he is heading west, aiming for the Kingdom of Vermilia."

"Vermilia, huh. Indeed, it is a great nation on par with ours. It would be a perfect destination for Alma, who can no longer stay in the Empire."

Keith's fabricated story accurately predicted Alma's actions.

"Then, I will send pursuers to the Vermilia region. Keith, you should focus on improving your magic skills. You may leave now."

"Understood. I will work harder."

As Keith left his father's study, he twisted his face into a smirk.

(Wait for me, Alma. I will definitely clear this grudge!)

◇

I was steadily moving westward in the Empire of Elistella on a stagecoach. During the ride, I had plenty of time to think, so I decided to set my goals for the future.

First and foremost, "to be happy."

This is something I must not lose sight of. It's my goal from my previous life.

So, how can I be happy?

I decided to list some specific things that make me happy.

Make friends.

Get married.

Have children.

...Hmm?

When I think about it, not much comes to mind.

Happiness might not be as greedy as I thought.

Then, what do I want right now?

I, who have been branded as incompetent by the Fellows family and cast out, what do I want?

Revenge... I have no intention of doing that.

Revenge is the opposite of happiness.

...But I do feel a bit resentful.

My efforts have been negated and betrayed.

I want to show them.

Hmm...? Show them...?

That's it!

So, I just need to show them!

Then it's simple.

I just need to show that the third son the Fellows family cast out is actually an excellent person.

Surely, the more I succeed, the more Father will regret casting me out.

Alright, it's decided.

My immediate goal is "to show the Fellows family."

...However, now that my goal is set, my funds are gradually running low.

At this rate, I should be able to pass through the Empire's checkpoint and enter the cluster of small states with many commercial and labyrinth cities. But I don't have enough money to get to the Kingdom of Vermilia from there. I need to earn some money somewhere.

-- And my prediction was spot on.

I had to stop in the commercial city of Talistera after leaving the Empire.

I handed 2000 gold to the innkeeper, and my remaining funds are now down to 1000 gold.

This is a problem...

"Hmm? No, wait."

In a room at the inn, I remembered something.

I haven't checked how much of my abilities have returned.

When the Gift "Reincarnator" activated, I was too tired and fell asleep immediately. Since then, I've been moving in the stagecoach and didn't have the chance to check.

So, how much have I carried over from my previous life?

"Let me try appraising myself first."

When I cast the appraisal, a transparent board appeared, displaying my status.

[ Name ] Alma

[ Level ] 1

[ Magic Power ] 100,000

[ Attack Power ] 1,500

[ Defense Power ] 1,500

[ Endurance ] 1,500

[ Agility ] 1,500

Hmm, it's a status with only magic power as a standout, just like in my previous life.

And the Fellows family name is gone from my name.

I really have been disowned.

Well, now that I'm no longer part of the Fellows family, it might be for the best.

"...No, no, no, this isn't the time to think about that. What's with this level?"

Level 1.

Indeed, I haven't defeated any monsters in this life, so that makes sense, but my abilities from my previous life should carry over, right?

If so, my level should have carried over too.

I remember my level in my previous life was around 5000.

I thought it would be difficult to get any stronger, but this...

"Could it be that I can become even stronger...?"

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