Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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Instead, to avoid any awkwardness, I had to make sure my head didn't touch the wall.
‘All that effort bending it with magic, and now it's like pomade….’
Did they not have water-based products in this era?
The oil at the ends of my hair was bothering me.
Anyway, it was set properly for the position, so no issue there.
I'd been worried about my lack of dexterity, but fortunately, Genda Asman had a servant-like figure attached to him as well, and I'd gotten his help.
‘And the other annoying thing….’
Genda's talent assessment must have been spot on.
The first-generation Pleromas kept glancing my way.
They'd politely look away if our eyes met, but a few were staring outright without a care.
I'd heard second-generation ones could attend too, so it wasn't the kind of look that questioned why someone unqualified was here.
"Baichel."
I held out my glass slightly as Genda Asman returned from dancing with another Pleroma.
Genda picked up a glass and clinked it against mine.
I smiled back at his bright grin and asked,
"You look like you're having fun."
"Of course. This is my first time at a place like this. I only learned to dance a few days ago from someone I know here, but actually doing it at an event like this? It's more fun than I thought."
Genda said, his face flushed.
Come to think of it, he'd said his youth hadn't been affluent.
Even commoners could enter high society—it wasn't impossible—and mid-level folks threw parties often enough. But considering his background back then, it made sense he hadn't had opportunities.
"Want to dance with me now?"
"Sure. But you seem like you've been to plenty of these, Baichel."
"Who knows."
This was pretty much my first time too.
I'd learned dancing as a liberal arts elective at school, and Luca knew the basics too, so no problems.
I took Genda's hand and stepped onto the floor.
Around the midpoint of the song, I lifted my head and looked across the hall.
Ever since I'd started dancing with Genda, the stares had grown more persistent. I met his eyes and quietly asked Genda,
"Who's that?"
"Hm?"
Genda turned in step to the other side. Then he spotted the person I nodded toward and stiffened.
In a subdued voice, Genda asked,
"Want to stop here and head out?"
"Who is he?"
"……."
Genda scanned the surroundings with a blank expression, then spoke.
"...He's the one who turned me into a Pleroma."
So, he was one of the 'original folks' Eric Asman had mentioned.
Likely the mastermind behind the Highrigenji kidnapping too.
I had to suppress a laugh.
Of course the higher-up wouldn't miss this gathering.
Though right now, he seemed to be eyeing the 'results' from the Pleroma I'd created....
I reassured Genda, said I'd step out for some air, and headed to the balcony at the end of the corridor outside the hall.
I killed some time gazing down below, then pulled out a cigarette and put it in my mouth.
I was maintaining no-smoking, so no intention of lighting up, but right now it was a necessary prop.
‘Gotta give him an opening to start talking.’
I pulled out my magic-powered lighter and lit it.
That's when an unfamiliar voice came from behind.
"You're smoking a chullien."
Someone leaned on the railing next to me and spoke.
It was the guy Genda had mentioned.
"Imported brand. Been seeing them around a lot lately—nice to see one up close."
‘He's forward.’
Fine by me.
I opened my case and offered,
"Want one?"
"No thanks. I've got my own."
He wiggled the pipe in his hand.
I nodded and exhaled smoke behind me.
"...!"
I clamped my mouth shut with my other hand and held my breath.
Cough nearly escaped.
‘Damn... this isn't my body.’
Thinking about it, the physical age was a factor too.
Couldn't handle it roughly.
Might shorten the owner's lifespan if I got him hooked.
I stubbed out the cigarette in the empty tin case I'd brought.
Watching me, he asked,
"Not feeling well?"
"Caught a cold, so my condition's off. Gotta be careful until I'm fully recovered."
"I see. And you came here despite that?"
"It's to celebrate someone important to me. Couldn't skip an invite."
"Who'd you come with?"
I glanced at him and replied,
"Came with Genda Asman."
"Ah, today's star. Achieving his first mission just five days after rebirth—he'll be a role model for our diocese someday."
They even had dioceses....
I'd learned the structure from Strauch, but it hit different seeing them run their own parallel world thing so neatly.
He scanned me up and down, then spoke.
"And... it's been barely ten days, yet you've met new people and been quite diligent. Of course, we hope everyone makes full use of the blessing, so welcome aboard. Happiness comes first, right?"
Why say that while looking at me?
I held back from snapping and shrugged.
"Should I pass that along?"
"No need. Oh, right—we haven't introduced ourselves. What's your name?"
"Felix Baichel."
"I see. I'm Marcel Koffman. How long have you been here, Baichel?"
"Not counted exactly, but less than a month. Still in preliminary believer training, so my name's probably not on the list."
"I figured. You look it."
Probably because I hadn't been scooped up by other first-gens yet.
Ignoring Koffman's gaze—like he was appraising useful material—I said,
"If you'll excuse me, I'll head back in. Nice meeting you, Koffman."
"Ah, sure. But... Baichel."
I turned at his call.
"Yes?"
"You said you're in preliminary training now."
"Yes."
"There's a way to become a priest right away."
"……."
"Means you can live forever in that form too. From prelim to priest takes at least ten years—maybe better to keep that twenties look as long as possible, no?"
Twenties look....
I'd seen dead Genda Asman rewind forty years to his twenties, so whatever.
Gonna rewind time when you become a priest anyway, but messing with people's heads like this.
I stared at him silently.
His mannerisms screamed age, but his face was about my age.
He stepped closer and patted my shoulder.
"I'm the priest from the Brandenburg Diocese who gave Genda Asman his second life. Here's my card—come to my office anytime if you're interested."
He handed me his business card.
No address on it. Probably activated a teleport spell when torn, so no need.
He smiled satisfied, patted my shoulder once more, and left.
With that, my plan to meet a mid-level manager was half-complete.
‘Time to think this over.’
As a mage, my rank outstripped Strauch's.
And Strauch was vice-bishop.
Assuming rank matched skill, high chance this guy was weaker than Strauch.
‘Good enough.’
I finished my thoughts and headed back inside to find Genda.
* * *
As the party wound down, I glanced out the window at the dawning sky and turned.
"Time to head back."
"Already?"
"I'd love to stay longer, but I've got things to do today."
Genda burst out laughing.
"No worries there. As long as it's not morning your side, you don't have to go, right?"
"Sure, but the sun's rising here."
"Still dawn where you are."
"……."
Time flowed differently?
Keeping my expression neutral, I asked,
"Is it always like this? Everything's so surprising since I'm still new."
"I was shocked too. Been hearing about these issues popping up lately."
‘Issues.’
Should be a boon—using more time than the enemy—but....
Must be bigger risks.
Strauch's words suddenly came to mind: ‘Our world is sturdily complete, so no need to worry.’
‘If that's about this, note it. And... test it out.’
Dawn777
— Until the final ending ‘Chapter X. Death’: 674 days 7 hours 11 minutes 35 seconds
— Chance of change: 19.2%
Was 18.6% at the end—up 0.6% while I wasn't checking.
More importantly, the time.
After about an hour here by the clock, I checked the status window again.
Dawn777
— Until the final ending ‘Chapter X. Death’: 674 days 7 hours 00 minutes 45 seconds
— Chance of change: 19.2%
One hour here, ten minutes reality.
As I checked my watch, Genda called.
"Back to the repository now, Baichel."
Magic linked the building everywhere, with structures to return where you came from.
For example....
Genda moved to the farthest room in the mansion and shifted the candlestick above the fireplace to the right.
Open the door again, and the mansion corridor vanished—replaced by the cathedral we'd come from.
"Convenient, right? Tech's advanced this far—honestly surprising."
"Yeah."
I replied simply.
After that, we chatted in the cathedral for three hours here—thirty minutes reality.
‘Talking's tiring.’
He looked worn out too.
Nothing else to do. Genda didn't know the Pleroma world well yet, no place to wander.
Still, hating how fast time passed here, Genda didn't suggest returning first.
‘Got a lot of info though.’
How Pleromas select people, marking curse techniques to link to desired spots, what objects generally teleported to last coordinates, etc.
Genda answered my questions readily.
Seemed to take the number as interest level.
Then, reading fatigue on my face, he nodded toward the confessional.
"Want some candy? You've got the mark curse on you."
"So, I can come here anytime you call, Asman?"
Genda smiled.
"Something like that."
Taking my casual question as agreement, he brought a candy basket and offered it.
‘...Really for eating?’
Well, no harm... but no need.
I picked words to please him.
"Not big on sweets actually. But I'll hold onto them and feed to a suitable kid, then report back to you."
"Hm, that works."
It would. Boosting your results.
Anyway, not the time to kill time like this.
We'd met the key figure we'd been seeking—time for strategy meeting.
As if just remembering, I said in a surprised tone,
"Ah."
"What?"
"Instead of sitting idle, how about a game? Know any card games? Or chess."
"Hm, forgot chess rules... only played solitaire for cards."
"Solo game."
I thought a moment, then said,
"Poker? I can teach you."
* * *
Genda Asman agreed readily.
I returned to reality under pretense of fetching cards, warped to school.
Still no sign of them—probably with Eric Asman.
Narke said he'd left an emergency contact book....
‘That's Pie...’
Feeling a pang of conscience, I dug out Pie from the stone pile on my desk and woke him.
"Mm?"
"Sorry, Pie. Know where Elias and Leo are?"
"Might."
What now.
Give him time to figure it out.
"Can you pass a message?"
"Yeah! What?"
"Found the mid-manager. Strategy meeting."
"As is?"
"Yeah, relay it straight."
I quickly scribbled the details on paper.
Grabbed a deck from the cabinet, packed my bag—Pie tilted his head.
"Where's Luca going? Meeting?"
"Wrote everything down. They can meet without me."
About to warp, a thought hit—I looked at Pie.
"Pie."
"Yeah?"
"You should join too."
* * *
Back there, taught Genda poker—three hours passed.
Thirty minutes reality.
Genda looked sleepy from party tension, so I put him to bed and left.
Staring at the oddly dim afternoon outside, I tore the card in my hand.
The scenery shifted again.
Marcel Koffman's office was pitch black. Enough to make out objects, but not a place to linger.
Then a voice from behind.
"You're here."